Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Bright

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 月Moon, Month

Example Word

夜明け: dawn. The Japanese noun '夜明け (よあけ)' refers to the time of day when the sun begins to rise, marking the transition from night to day. It is often associated with the first light of the morning and the beginning of a new day. This word carries a poetic and serene nuance, often used in literature or to describe peaceful moments. For example: The dawn was beautiful「夜明けが美しかった」(よあけがうつくしかった). We arrived at dawn「夜明けに到着した」(よあけにとうちゃくした). It can also symbolize new beginnings or hope, as in '夜明け前 (よあけまえ) (before dawn)'.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

63

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Name

Reading

Parts

夕Evening 口Mouth

Example Word

地名: placename. The Japanese noun '地名 (ちめい)' refers to the name of a place, such as a city, town, village, or geographical location. It is commonly used in contexts related to geography, maps, and addresses. For example: The placename is difficult to read「その地名は読みにくい」(そのちめいはよみにくい). I don't know this placename「この地名を知らない」(このちめいをしらない). The word is often used in formal or written contexts, such as in historical records or official documents.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

90

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Command, Life

Reading

Parts

令Orders 口Mouth

Example Word

一生懸命: hard or earnestly. The Japanese adverb '一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい)' means 'hard' or 'earnestly'. It is used to describe doing something with great effort, determination, or seriousness. This word often conveys a sense of giving one's all or putting in maximum effort. For example: I studied hard for the exam「試験のために一生懸命勉強した」(しけんのためにいっしょうけんめいべんきょうした). She worked earnestly to achieve her dream「彼女は夢を叶えるために一生懸命働いた」(かのじょはゆめをかなえるためにいっしょうけんめいはたらいた). The word can also be used to describe physical effort, such as running hard「一生懸命走った」(いっしょうけんめいはしった). Note that while 'hard' is a common translation, the nuance of '一生懸命' often includes a sense of sincerity and dedication.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

203

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Exquisite, Marvelous

Reading

Parts

女Woman 少Few

Example Word

奇妙: strange or curious. The Japanese adjectival noun '奇妙 (きみょう)' means 'strange' or 'curious'. It is used to describe something that is unusual, peculiar, or intriguing in a way that stands out from the ordinary. This word often carries a neutral or slightly positive nuance, depending on the context. For example: That story is strange「その話は奇妙だ」(そのはなしはきみょうだ). The machine has a curious mechanism「その機械は奇妙な仕組みを持っている」(そのきかいときみょうなしくみをもっている). Note that '奇妙' is often used to describe situations, objects, or phenomena that evoke a sense of wonder or mystery.

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

445

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seedling

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 田Rice field

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1807

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dark

Reading

Parts

冖Crown 日Day, Sun 六Six

Radical

冖

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1899

Handwriting