字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Change, Abnormal

Reading

Parts

亦 夂Late

Example Word

変わる: change. The Japanese verb '変わる (かわる)' means 'to change'. It is used to describe a transformation or alteration in state, condition, or nature. This verb can be applied to a wide range of contexts, from physical changes to abstract shifts. For example: The weather changed suddenly「天気が急に変わった」(てんきがきゅうにかわった). Her attitude changed completely「彼女の態度が完全に変わった」(かのじょのたいどがかんぜんにかわった). It's important to note that '変わる' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. To express the act of changing something, the transitive verb '変える (かえる)' is used instead.

Radical

夂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

163

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Return

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 反Anti

Example Word

繰り返す: repeat. The Japanese verb '繰り返す (くりかえす)' means 'to repeat'. It is used to describe the action of doing something again or multiple times. This verb can be applied to various contexts, such as repeating a task, a phrase, or an event. For example: Please repeat after me「私の後について繰り返してください」(わたしのあとについてくりかえしてください). History repeats itself「歴史は繰り返す」(れきしはくりかえす). The verb can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as repeating a mistake or a pattern. It is important to note that '繰り返す' often implies a deliberate or conscious repetition, rather than something happening by chance.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

199

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fragment, One sided

Reading

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

片

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

391

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Boundary, Vicinity

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 刀Sword

Example Word

辺り: area. The Japanese noun '辺り (あたり)' refers to a general area or vicinity. It is often used to describe the surrounding area of a specific location. This word can be used in various contexts, such as indicating the area around a place, or the general vicinity of an event. For example: The area around the station is lively「駅の辺りは賑やかです」(えきのあたりはにぎやかです). I think I left my bag somewhere around here「カバンをこの辺りに置いたと思います」(かばんをこのあたりにおいたとおもいます). Note that '辺り' can also imply a sense of approximation or vagueness when referring to a location.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

567

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Edit, Knit

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 扁

Example Word

編: compilation. The Japanese suffix '編 (へん)' is used to denote a compilation, edition, or volume of something, often in the context of books, series, or collections. It is commonly attached to nouns to indicate a specific part or installment of a larger work. For example: the first volume of the series「シリーズの第一編」(シリーズのだいいっぺん). This is the final edition of the magazine「これは雑誌の最終編です」(これはざっしのさいしゅうへんです). The suffix can also imply a sense of organization or arrangement, as in a 'compilation of stories' (物語編, ものがたりへん).

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1145

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

All over, Everywhere

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 扁

Example Word

一遍に: all at once. The Japanese adverb '一遍に (いっぺんに)' means 'all at once' or 'all together'. It is used to describe when something is done completely or all in one single action, without gradual steps. For example: I finished all my homework all at once 「宿題を一遍に終わらせた」 (しゅくだじをいっぺんにおわらせた). He drank all the water all at once 「彼は水を一遍に飲んだ」 (かれはみずをいっぺんにのんだ). This adverb emphasizes the completeness or simultaneity of an action, often implying that there was no delay or partial execution.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1464

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Biased

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)扁

Example Word

偏る: biased. The Japanese verb '偏る (かたよる)' means 'to be biased' or 'to lean towards one side'. It is used to describe a situation, opinion, or distribution that is uneven or disproportionately focused on one aspect. This verb can be applied to various contexts, such as opinions, diets, or resources. For example: His opinion is biased「彼の意見は偏っている」(かれのいけんはかたよっている). The diet is unbalanced「その食事は偏っている」(そのしょくじはかたよっている). It can also describe physical leaning, such as a tree leaning to one side「木が偏っている」(きがかたよっている). The verb often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of balance or fairness.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1746

Handwriting