Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Mother

Reading

Parts

毋Mother 丶Dot

Example Word

お母さん: mother. The Japanese noun 'お母さん (おかあさん)' is a polite and affectionate term for 'mother'. It is commonly used by children when addressing or referring to their own mother, and it can also be used by adults in a respectful or endearing way. This term carries a warm and familial tone. For example: my mother is kind「私のお母さんは優しい」(わたしのおかあさんはやさしい). Mom, I'm home!「お母さん、ただいま！」(おかあさん、ただいま！). Note that 'お母さん' is more casual and personal compared to the formal term '母 (はは)', which is used when speaking about one's own mother to others.

Radical

毋

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

132

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Livelihood

Reading

Parts

莫 日Day, Sun

Example Word

暮らす: live. The Japanese verb '暮らす (くらす)' means 'to live' or 'to lead a life'. It refers to the act of living one's daily life, often implying a sense of routine or lifestyle. This verb can be used to describe how someone lives, their living conditions, or their way of life. For example: I live in Tokyo「私は東京で暮らしています」(わたしはとうきょうでくらしています). They live a simple life「彼らは質素に暮らしている」(かれらはしっそにくらしている). The verb can also imply a sense of time passing, as in 'to spend one's days'. It is often used in contexts related to daily life, such as living arrangements, lifestyle choices, or the passage of time.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

516

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Imitation

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 莫

Example Word

模様: appearance or pattern. The Japanese noun '模様 (もよう)' primarily means 'pattern', referring to designs or arrangements, such as on fabric or in nature. It can also mean 'appearance' or 'state', indicating how something looks or the condition it is in. For example: The kimono has a beautiful pattern「その着物は美しい模様がある」(そのきものはうつくしいもようがある). The weather seems to be taking a turn for the worse「天気が悪くなる模様だ」(てんきがわるくなるもようだ). The dual meanings are context-dependent, with 'pattern' being more common in physical descriptions and 'appearance' used in more abstract or situational contexts.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1012

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grave

Reading

Parts

莫 土Soil

Example Word

墓地: cemetery. The Japanese noun '墓地 (ぼち)' refers to a 'cemetery' or 'graveyard', a place where the dead are buried. This word is used in contexts related to burial grounds, memorial sites, or places where graves are located. For example: The cemetery is quiet「墓地は静かです」(ぼちはしずかです). We visited the cemetery to pay our respects「私たちは墓地を訪れてお参りしました」(わたしたちはぼちをおとずれておまいりしました). The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1014

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Adore, Pining

Reading

Parts

莫 㣺

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1664

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Raise, Recruit

Reading

Parts

莫 力Power

Example Word

応募: application. The Japanese verbal noun '応募 (おうぼ)' means 'application' and is used to refer to the act of applying for something, such as a job, contest, or event. It is commonly used in contexts where individuals submit their details or qualifications to be considered for a position or opportunity. For example: I applied for the job「私はその仕事に応募した」(わたしはそのしごとにおうぼした). She is applying for the scholarship「彼女は奨学金に応募している」(かのじょはしょうがくきんにおうぼしている). The word is often paired with verbs like 'する' to indicate the action of applying, as in '応募する (おうぼする)'.

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1912

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Notebook for record, Record book

Reading

Example Word

名簿: roster. The Japanese noun '名簿 (めいぼ)' refers to a 'roster' or 'register', which is a list of names, typically used in formal or organizational contexts. It is commonly used in schools, companies, or events to keep track of participants, members, or attendees. For example: Please check the roster for your name「名簿に名前があるか確認してください」(めいぼになまえがあるかかくにんしてください). The teacher updated the class roster「先生がクラスの名簿を更新しました」(せんせいがクラスのめいぼをこうしんしました). This word is often associated with administrative or official settings.

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1943

Handwriting