Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Down

Reading

Parts

一One 卜Divination

Example Word

下痢: diarrhea. The Japanese verbal noun '下痢 (げり)' refers to 'diarrhea', a condition characterized by frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements. It is commonly used in medical or everyday contexts to describe this specific health issue. For example: I have diarrhea「下痢をしています」(げりをしています). He got diarrhea from bad food「彼は悪い食べ物で下痢になった」(かれはわるいたべものでげりになった). This term is straightforward and typically used in both formal and informal settings to describe the condition.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

34

Radical Form

丅

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Outside

Reading

Parts

夕Evening 卜Divination

Example Word

外相: foreign minister. The Japanese noun '外相 (がいしょう)' refers to the 'foreign minister', the government official responsible for a country's foreign affairs. This term is commonly used in political contexts to describe the person who oversees international relations, diplomacy, and foreign policy. For example: The foreign minister attended the summit「外相はサミットに出席した」(がいしょうはサミットにしゅっせきした). The foreign minister announced a new policy「外相は新しい政策を発表した」(がいしょうはあたらしいせいさくをはっぴょうした). This term is specific to political roles and is not used in casual conversation.

Radical

夕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

87

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Solve, Untie

Reading

Parts

角Corner, Angle 刀Sword 牛Cow

Example Word

解く: solve or untie. The Japanese verb '解く (とく)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to solve', as in solving a problem or puzzle. For example: I solved the math problem「数学の問題を解いた」(すうがくのもんだいをといた). The second meaning is 'to untie', as in untying a knot or untying something that is bound. For example: He untied the rope「彼はロープを解いた」(かれはロープをといた). The verb can also be used metaphorically, such as untying a mystery or solving a riddle. The context will usually make it clear which meaning is intended.

Radical

角

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

213

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Summer

Reading

Parts

夂Late 𦣻Neck (首)

Example Word

初夏: early summer. The Japanese noun '初夏 (しょか)' refers to the period of early summer, typically around the months of May and June. This term is often used to describe the transitional season when the weather starts to warm up, but the intense heat of mid-summer has not yet arrived. It is commonly used in literature, poetry, and everyday conversation to evoke the freshness and vitality of this time of year. For example: Early summer is the best time to visit Kyoto「初夏は京都を訪れるのに最適な時期です」(しょかはきょうとをおとずれるのにもってこいのじきです). The early summer breeze feels refreshing「初夏の風が爽やかです」(しょかのかぜがさわやかです).

Radical

夊

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

654

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Play, Frolic

Reading

Parts

虚Empty, Void 戈

Example Word

悪戯: mischief or prank. The Japanese noun '悪戯 (いたずら)' can mean 'mischief' or 'prank'. It refers to playful or harmless actions intended to cause amusement or minor trouble. It can also imply a sense of naughtiness or teasing. For example: The child's mischief made everyone laugh「子供の悪戯がみんなを笑わせた」(こどものいたずらがみんなをわらわせた). He played a prank on his friend「彼は友達に悪戯をした」(かれはともだちにいたずらをした). The word can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation depending on the context, but it generally describes lighthearted behavior.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1057

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fang, Tusk

Reading

Radical

牙

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1818

Handwriting