Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Person

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

大人しい: quiet. The Japanese adjective '大人しい (おとなしい)' primarily means 'quiet' or 'well-behaved'. It is often used to describe someone who is calm, reserved, or obedient. This word can also imply a sense of gentleness or docility. For example: The child is quiet「その子は大人しい」(そのこはおとなしい). She is a quiet person「彼女は大人しい人だ」(かのじょはおとなしいひとだ). Note that while '大人しい' can sometimes imply shyness, its core meaning revolves around being calm and unobtrusive.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1

Radical Forms

𠂉, 亻, 𠆢

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Recognize, Admit

Reading

Parts

言Say 忍Endure, Stealth

Example Word

承認: approval or recognition. The Japanese verbal noun '承認 (しょうにん)' primarily means 'approval' or 'recognition'. It is used in contexts where something is officially accepted, acknowledged, or validated. For example, in a workplace setting, it might refer to the approval of a project or a request. In a legal or formal context, it can mean the recognition of a status or right. Example sentences: The manager gave his approval for the project「マネージャーはそのプロジェクトを承認した」(マネージャーはそのプロジェクトをしょうにんした). The government recognized the new policy「政府は新しい政策を承認した」(せいふはあたらしいせいさくをしょうにんした). Note that '承認' often implies a formal or official process of approval or recognition.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

612

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Duty, Responsibility

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)壬

Example Word

主任: chief. The Japanese noun '主任 (しゅにん)' refers to a person in charge or a chief of a section or department. It is commonly used in workplaces to denote someone who holds a supervisory or managerial position. For example: He is the chief of the sales department「彼は営業部の主任です」(かれはえいぎょうぶのしゅにんです). The chief will explain the new project「主任が新しいプロジェクトを説明します」(しゅにんがあたらしいぷろじぇくとをせつめいします). This term emphasizes responsibility and leadership within a specific area of work.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

690

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Endure, Stealth

Reading

Parts

刃Blade 心Heart

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

856

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Blade

Reading

Parts

丶Dot 刀Sword

Example Word

刃: blade. The Japanese noun '刃 (は)' refers to the 'blade' of a knife, sword, or any cutting tool. It specifically denotes the sharp, cutting edge of such objects. This word is often used in contexts involving weapons, tools, or anything with a sharp edge. For example: the blade of the sword is sharp「刀の刃は鋭い」(かたなのははするどい). Be careful with the blade of the knife「ナイフの刃に気をつけて」(ナイフのはにきをつけて). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something sharp or cutting in nature, though this is less common.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1539

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pregnant, Swollen

Reading

Parts

女Woman 壬

Example Word

妊娠: pregnancy. The Japanese verbal noun '妊娠 (にんしん)' refers to the state of being pregnant. It is used to describe the condition of a woman carrying a developing embryo or fetus within her body. This term is commonly used in medical, personal, and formal contexts. For example: She is happy about her pregnancy「彼女は妊娠を喜んでいる」(かのじょはにんしんをよろこんでいる). The doctor confirmed the pregnancy「医者が妊娠を確認した」(いしゃがにんしんをかくにんした). It is important to note that '妊娠' is a noun and is often used with verbs like 'する' to indicate the act of becoming pregnant, as in '妊娠する (にんしんする)' (to become pregnant).

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2027

Handwriting