Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Spirit

Reading

Parts

㐅Katakana me 气Air

Example Word

気の毒: pitiful. The Japanese adjectival noun '気の毒 (きのどく)' means 'pitiful' or 'feeling sorry for someone'. It is used to express sympathy or compassion for someone's unfortunate situation. This word often conveys a sense of regret or sadness about another person's hardship. For example: I feel sorry for him「彼が気の毒だ」(かれがきのどくだ). It's a pity that she lost her job「彼女が仕事を失ったのは気の毒だ」(かのじょがしごとをうしなったのはきのどくだ). Note that '気の毒' is often used in situations where the speaker empathizes with someone else's misfortune.

Radical

气

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

26

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

House

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 豕Pig

Example Word

国家: nation. The Japanese noun '国家 (こっか)' refers to a 'nation' or 'state', encompassing the idea of a country as a political and geographical entity. It is often used in formal contexts to discuss matters related to national governance, sovereignty, or international relations. For example: The nation's security is important「国家の安全は重要です」(こっかのあんぜんはじゅうようです). The prosperity of the nation depends on its citizens「国家の繁栄は国民にかかっている」(こっかのはんえいはこくみんにかかっている). This term is commonly used in political, legal, and academic discussions.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

31

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Change

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)匕Spoon

Example Word

国際化: internationalization. The Japanese verbal noun '国際化 (こくさいか)' refers to the process of making something international in scope or application. It is often used in contexts such as business, education, and technology to describe the adaptation of products, services, or systems to operate across different countries and cultures. For example: The company is focusing on internationalization「その会社は国際化に力を入れている」(そのかいしゃはこくさいかにちからをいれている). The university promotes internationalization「その大学は国際化を推進している」(そのだいがくはこくさいかをすいしんしている). This term is commonly used in discussions about globalization and cross-cultural exchange.

Radical

匕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

236

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Weird, Suspicious

Reading

Parts

忄 圣Holy

Example Word

怪しい: suspicious. The Japanese adjective '怪しい (あやしい)' primarily means 'suspicious'. It is used to describe something or someone that seems dubious, questionable, or not entirely trustworthy. This can apply to situations, objects, or people. For example: That person looks suspicious「あの人は怪しい」(あのひとはあやしい). The story sounds suspicious「その話は怪しい」(そのはなしはあやしい). Additionally, '怪しい' can sometimes imply a sense of mystery or the supernatural, as in: The old house looks eerie「その古い家は怪しい」(そのふるいいえはあやしい). The nuance of the word can vary depending on context, but it generally conveys a sense of doubt or unease.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

455

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Temporary

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)反Anti

Example Word

仮令: even. The Japanese adverb '仮令 (たとえ)' is used to express a hypothetical or extreme condition, often translated as 'even if' or 'even though'. It is commonly used in conjunction with words like 'ても' or 'でも' to emphasize that the following statement holds true regardless of the condition. For example: Even if it rains, I will go「仮令雨が降っても、行きます」(たとえあめがふっても、いきます). Even though it's difficult, I won't give up「仮令難しくても、諦めない」(たとえむずかしくても、あきらめない). This word is often used in formal or literary contexts and carries a sense of strong determination or inevitability.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

910

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Suspend

Reading

Parts

縣 心Heart

Example Word

一生懸命: hard or earnestly. The Japanese adverb '一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい)' means 'hard' or 'earnestly'. It is used to describe doing something with great effort, determination, or seriousness. This word often conveys a sense of giving one's all or putting in maximum effort. For example: I studied hard for the exam「試験のために一生懸命勉強した」(しけんのためにいっしょうけんめいべんきょうした). She worked earnestly to achieve her dream「彼女は夢を叶えるために一生懸命働いた」(かのじょはゆめをかなえるためにいっしょうけんめいはたらいた). The word can also be used to describe physical effort, such as running hard「一生懸命走った」(いっしょうけんめいはしった). Note that while 'hard' is a common translation, the nuance of '一生懸命' often includes a sense of sincerity and dedication.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

911

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

China, Splendor

Reading

Parts

艹Grass

Example Word

華やか: showy. The Japanese adjective '華やか (はなやか)' means 'showy' or 'gorgeous'. It is used to describe something that is visually striking, vibrant, or splendid, often in a way that attracts attention. This word is commonly used to describe events, decorations, or appearances that are lively and colorful. For example: The party was showy「そのパーティーは華やかだった」(そのパーティーははなやかだった). Her dress is gorgeous「彼女のドレスは華やかだ」(かのじょのドレスははなやかだ). The festival was vibrant and lively「その祭りは華やかで活気があった」(そのまつりははなやかでかっきがあった).

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

999

Handwriting