Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Down

Reading

Parts

一One 卜Divination

Example Word

下手: unskilled. The Japanese adjectival noun '下手 (へた)' means 'unskilled' or 'poor at something'. It is used to describe a lack of skill or proficiency in a particular activity or task. This word often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that someone is not good at something. For example: I am bad at cooking「私は料理が下手です」(わたしはりょうりがへたです). He is unskilled at playing the piano「彼はピアノを弾くのが下手です」(かれはぴあのをひくのがへたです). It is commonly used in the structure '[subject] は [activity] が 下手です' to express someone's lack of skill in a specific area.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

34

Radical Form

丅

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Outside

Reading

Parts

夕Evening 卜Divination

Example Word

外れる: detach or miss. The Japanese verb '外れる (はずれる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to detach' or 'to come off', referring to something physically separating from where it was attached. For example: the button came off「ボタンが外れた」(ぼたんがはずれた). The second meaning is 'to miss', often used in contexts where something does not meet expectations or targets. For example: the arrow missed the target「矢が的を外れた」(やがまとをはずれた). This verb can also be used metaphorically, such as when plans or predictions do not go as expected. For example: the weather forecast was wrong「天気予報が外れた」(てんきよほうがはずれた).

Radical

夕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

87

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Solve, Untie

Reading

Parts

角Corner, Angle 刀Sword 牛Cow

Example Word

理解: understanding. The Japanese verbal noun '理解 (りかい)' means 'understanding'. It refers to the act of comprehending or grasping something, whether it be a concept, situation, or another person's feelings. This word is often used in both formal and informal contexts to express the idea of gaining insight or knowledge. For example: I have a deep understanding of the problem「私はその問題を深く理解しています」(わたしはそのもんだいをふかくりかいしています). Mutual understanding is important in relationships「関係において相互理解は重要です」(かんけいにおいてそうごりかいはじゅうようです). It can also be used to describe the process of understanding, as in 'understanding the instructions' (理解する (りかいする)).

Radical

角

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

213

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Summer

Reading

Parts

夂Late 𦣻Neck (首)

Example Word

夏休み: summer vacation. The Japanese noun '夏休み (なつやすみ)' refers to 'summer vacation', a period of time during the summer when schools and some workplaces are closed, allowing people to take a break. This term is commonly used in Japan, where summer vacations are a significant part of the school calendar. For example: I went to the beach during summer vacation「夏休みに海に行きました」(なつやすみにうみにいきました). My summer vacation starts next week「私の夏休みは来週からです」(わたしのなつやすみはらいしゅうからです). The duration of 夏休み can vary, but it typically lasts for several weeks, often including the Obon festival period in mid-August.

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