kanji

Meaning

Change, Abnormal

Reading

Parts

亦 夂Late

Example Word

変: strange. The Japanese adjectival noun '変 (へん)' means 'strange' or 'weird'. It is used to describe something that is unusual, odd, or out of the ordinary. This word can be applied to situations, behaviors, or objects. For example: That person is strange「あの人は変だ」(あのひとはへんだ). This situation is weird「この状況は変だ」(このじょうきょうはへんだ). It can also be used to describe a change in state, such as '変な音 (へんなおと) (strange sound)' or '変な感じ (へんなかんじ) (weird feeling)'. Note that '変' can also function as a noun meaning 'change' in certain contexts, but this usage is less common compared to its adjectival meaning.

Radical

夂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

163

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Return

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 反Anti

Example Word

引き返す: turn back. The Japanese verb '引き返す (ひきかえす)' means 'to turn back' or 'to return'. It is used when someone or something reverses direction and goes back to a previous location or state. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as physical movement, decisions, or actions. For example: He turned back halfway through the journey「彼は途中で引き返した」(かれはとちゅうでひきかえした). Due to the bad weather, we had to turn back「悪天候のため、引き返さなければならなかった」(あくてんこうのため、ひきかえさなければならなかった). The verb often implies a deliberate decision to go back, rather than simply returning.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

199

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fragment, One sided

Reading

Example Word

片側: one side. The Japanese noun '片側 (かたがわ)' means 'one side'. It refers to a single side of something, such as a road, object, or situation. It is often used in contexts where there is a clear distinction or separation between two sides. For example: Please walk on one side of the road「片側を歩いてください」(かたがわをあるいてください). The damage is only on one side of the building「建物の片側だけが損傷しています」(たてもののかたがわだけがそんしょうしています). This word is commonly used in everyday conversations, especially when giving directions or describing locations.

Radical

片

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

391

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Boundary, Vicinity

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 刀Sword

Example Word

辺: area. The Japanese noun '辺 (へん)' refers to an area, vicinity, or neighborhood. It is often used to describe a general location or region without specifying exact boundaries. For example: This area is quiet「この辺は静かです」(このへんはしずかです). Is there a convenience store around here?「この辺にコンビニはありますか？」(このへんにコンビニはありますか？). It can also imply a rough or approximate location, such as 'around here' or 'somewhere in this area.' The word is versatile and commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to places or surroundings.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

567

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Edit, Knit

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 扁

Example Word

編集: editing. The Japanese verbal noun '編集 (へんしゅう)' means 'editing'. It refers to the process of revising, correcting, or preparing written, visual, or audio material for publication or presentation. This term is commonly used in contexts such as book editing, video editing, or magazine editing. For example: I am editing a book「本を編集しています」(ほんをへんしゅうしています). She is good at video editing「彼女は動画編集が得意です」(かのじょはどうがへんしゅうがとくいです). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '編集者 (へんしゅうしゃ)' (editor) or '編集作業 (へんしゅうさぎょう)' (editing work).

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1145

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

All over, Everywhere

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 扁

Example Word

何遍: times or how many times. The Japanese noun '何遍 (なんべん)' is used to ask about the number of times something has occurred or to refer to the number of times something happens. It is often used in questions to inquire about frequency. For example: How many times have you been to Japan?「日本には何遍行きましたか？」(にほんにはなんべんいきましたか？). I don't know how many times I've told you「何遍言ったかわからない」(なんべんいったかわからない). Note that '何遍' is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to '何回 (なんかい)', which is more casual and widely used.

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