Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Spirit

Reading

Parts

㐅Katakana me 气Air

Example Word

気付く: notice. The Japanese verb '気付く (きづく)' means 'to notice' or 'to become aware of'. It is used when someone realizes or becomes conscious of something, often something that was previously overlooked or unnoticed. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as noticing a detail, realizing a mistake, or becoming aware of someone's feelings. For example: I noticed that the door was open「ドアが開いていることに気付いた」(ドアがあいていることにきづいた). She noticed that he was lying「彼が嘘をついていることに気付いた」(かれがうそをついていることにきづいた). The verb is often followed by the particle 'に' to indicate what has been noticed.

Radical

气

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

26

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

House

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 豕Pig

Example Word

政治家: politician. The Japanese noun '政治家 (せいじか)' refers to a 'politician', someone who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of an elected office. This term is used to describe individuals who are engaged in the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. For example: That politician is very popular「あの政治家はとても人気がある」(あのせいじかはとてもにんきがある). He became a politician after retiring from the military「彼は軍隊を引退した後、政治家になった」(かれはぐんたいをいんたいしたあと、せいじかになった). The term can be used in both formal and informal contexts, and it carries a neutral connotation unless specified otherwise by the context in which it is used.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

31

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Change

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)匕Spoon

Example Word

強化: strengthening or enhancement. The Japanese verbal noun '強化 (きょうか)' refers to the act of making something stronger or more effective. It is commonly used in contexts such as improving systems, skills, or materials. For example: The company is strengthening its security measures「会社はセキュリティを強化しています」(かいしゃはセキュリティをきょうかしています). We need to enhance our skills「私たちはスキルを強化する必要があります」(わたしたちはスキルをきょうかするひつようがあります). This term is often used in both technical and everyday contexts to describe the process of making improvements or increasing capabilities.

Radical

匕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

236

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Weird, Suspicious

Reading

Parts

忄 圣Holy

Example Word

怪しむ: suspect. The Japanese verb '怪しむ (あやしむ)' means 'to suspect' or 'to doubt'. It is used when someone has a feeling of distrust or suspicion towards something or someone. This verb often implies a sense of unease or skepticism. For example: I suspect his intentions「彼の意図を怪しむ」(かれのいとをあやしむ). She doubted the truth of his story「彼女は彼の話の真実を怪しんだ」(かのじょはかれのはなしのしんじつをあやしんだ). The verb can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as suspecting something is wrong or out of place.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

455

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Temporary

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)反Anti

Example Word

片仮名: katakana. The Japanese noun '片仮名 (かたかな)' refers to one of the two Japanese syllabaries, specifically 'katakana'. Katakana is primarily used for writing foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia, scientific terms, and names of plants, animals, and minerals. It can also be used for emphasis, similar to italics in English. For example: The word 'coffee' is written in katakana「コーヒーは片仮名で書かれます」(コーヒーはかたかなでかかれます). Katakana characters are angular and simpler in form compared to hiragana. Another example: 'Pizza' is written as ピザ in katakana「ピザは片仮名で書きます」(ピザはかたかなでかきます).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

910

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Suspend

Reading

Parts

縣 心Heart

Example Word

懸命: earnest. The Japanese adjectival noun '懸命 (けんめい)' means 'earnest' or 'doing one's utmost'. It describes a state of putting in great effort or being very serious about something. This term is often used to commend someone's dedication or hard work. For example: He is earnest in his studies「彼は勉強に懸命だ」(かれはべんきょうにけんめいだ). She worked hard to achieve her goal「彼女は目標を達成するために懸命に働いた」(かのじょはもくひょうをたっせいするためにけんめいにはたらいた). The word can also imply a sense of desperation or urgency in certain contexts, highlighting the intensity of the effort being made.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

911

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

China, Splendor

Reading

Parts

艹Grass

Example Word

中華: China or Chinese. The Japanese proper noun '中華 (ちゅうか)' refers to China or things related to Chinese culture, cuisine, or style. It is commonly used in compound words to denote something of Chinese origin or influence. For example: Chinese cuisine「中華料理」(ちゅうかりょうり), Chinese-style architecture「中華風建築」(ちゅうかふうけんちく). The term can also be used more broadly to refer to anything associated with Chinese culture or traditions. Note that while '中華' primarily refers to China, it is often used in contexts emphasizing cultural or stylistic elements rather than the geographical or political entity.

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

999

Handwriting