Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Desire, Longing

Reading

Parts

谷Valley 欠Lack

Example Word

欲張り: greedy. The Japanese adjectival noun '欲張り (よくばり)' refers to someone who is greedy or has an excessive desire for more than what is needed or deserved. It can describe a person who wants too much, whether it be material possessions, attention, or other desires. For example: He is greedy「彼は欲張りだ」(かれはよくばりだ). Don't be greedy「欲張りにならないで」(よくばりにならないで). The term often carries a negative connotation, implying selfishness or lack of contentment. It can also be used to describe actions or behaviors that reflect greed, such as taking more than one's fair share.

Radical

欠

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

767

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Next, Following

Reading

Parts

羽Feather 立Stand

Example Word

翌年: next year. The Japanese noun '翌年 (よくねん)' means 'the following year' or 'next year' in relation to a specific point in time. It is often used to refer to the year immediately after a particular event or year. For example: He moved to Tokyo the following year「彼は翌年に東京に引っ越した」(かれはよくねんにとうきょうにひっこした). The company was founded in 1990, and it expanded overseas the next year「その会社は1990年に設立され、翌年に海外に進出した」(そのかいしゃは1990ねんにせつりつされ、よくねんにかいがいにしんしゅつした). Note that '翌年' is more formal and specific compared to '来年 (らいねん)', which simply means 'next year' from the current perspective.

Radical

羽

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

900

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bathe

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)谷Valley

Example Word

入浴: bathing. The Japanese verbal noun '入浴 (にゅうよく)' refers to the act of bathing, particularly entering a bath. It is commonly used in contexts related to personal hygiene, relaxation, or traditional Japanese bathing culture. For example: I enjoy bathing「私は入浴を楽しむ」(わたしはにゅうよくをたのしむ). After work, I always take a bath「仕事の後、いつも入浴する」(しごとのあと、いつもにゅうよくする). This word is often associated with soaking in a bathtub, especially in a Japanese-style bath (ofuro).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1047

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Restrain, Suppress

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)卬

Example Word

抑制: restraint. The Japanese noun '抑制 (よくせい)' means 'restraint' or 'control'. It refers to the act of holding back or limiting something, often used in contexts involving emotions, actions, or processes. For example: He showed great restraint in the argument「彼は議論で抑制を示した」(かれはぎろんでよくせいをしめした). The government imposed restrictions to control inflation「政府はインフレを抑制するために制限を課した」(せいふはインフレをよくせいするためにせいげんをかした). This term is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to describe the act of suppressing or managing something.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1361

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wing

Reading

Parts

羽Feather 異Rare, Different

Radical

羽

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1541

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cowardice

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 意Idea ⺼

Example Word

臆病: cowardly. The Japanese adjectival noun '臆病 (おくびょう)' means 'cowardly'. It is used to describe someone who lacks courage or is easily frightened. This term often carries a negative connotation, implying timidity or fearfulness in situations where bravery is expected. For example: he is too cowardly to face the challenge「彼は臆病でその挑戦に立ち向かえない」(かれはおくびょうでそのちょうせんにたちむかえない). Don't be so cowardly!「そんなに臆病にならないで！」(そんなにおくびょうにならないで！). The word can also describe a cautious or overly timid approach to something, such as 'a cowardly attitude' (臆病な態度, おくびょうなたいど).

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1655

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fertility

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)夭

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2100

Handwriting