Page 1
kanji
明Meaning
Bright
Reading
kunyomiあかaka
あa
onyomiめいmei
みょうmyou
Parts
日Day, Sun 月Moon, Month
Example Word
梅雨明け: end of rainy season. The Japanese verbal noun '梅雨明け (つゆあけ)' refers to the end of the rainy season in Japan, typically occurring in late July or early August. This word is used to describe the transition from the prolonged rainy season (梅雨, つゆ) to the sunnier and hotter weather that characterizes the Japanese climate afterwards. Example: The rainy season has ended 「梅雨明けした」 (つゆあけした). We are looking forward to the end of the rainy season 「梅雨明けが待ち遠しい」 (つゆあけがまちどおしい). It's important to note that '梅雨明け' is often used in weather forecasts and casual conversations to mark the beginning of summer activities.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
63
Handwriting
kanji
名Meaning
Name
Reading
kunyomiなna
onyomiめいmei
みょうmyou
Parts
夕Evening 口Mouth
Example Word
仮名遣い: kana usage. The Japanese noun '仮名遣い (かなづかい)' refers to the rules or conventions for using kana (the Japanese syllabaries, hiragana and katakana) in writing. It specifically deals with how kana are used to represent sounds and words in the Japanese language. Historically, there have been different systems of kana usage, such as historical kana usage (歴史的仮名遣い, れきしてきかなづかい) and modern kana usage (現代仮名遣い, げんだいかなづかい). Example sentences: Correct kana usage is important「正しい仮名遣いが大切です」(ただしいかなづかいがたいせつです). Learning historical kana usage is difficult「歴史的仮名遣いを学ぶのは難しい」(れきしてきかなづかいをまなぶのはむずかしい).
Radical
口
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
90
Handwriting
kanji
命Meaning
Command, Life
Reading
kunyomiいのちinochi
onyomiめいmei
みょうmyou
Parts
令Orders 口Mouth
Example Word
命じる: order. The Japanese verb '命じる (めいじる)' means 'to order' or 'to command'. It is used when someone in a position of authority gives a directive or instruction to someone else. This verb often implies a formal or authoritative context, such as in military, workplace, or hierarchical settings. For example: The general ordered the soldiers to advance「将軍は兵士たちに前進するよう命じた」(しょうぐんはへいしたちにぜんしんするようめいじた). The boss commanded the employees to finish the report by tomorrow「上司は従業員に明日までにレポートを終えるよう命じた」(じょうしはじゅうぎょういにんにあしたまでにレポートをおえるようめいじた). Note that '命じる' carries a strong sense of authority and is not typically used in casual or informal situations.
Radical
口
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
203
Handwriting
kanji
妙Meaning
Exquisite, Marvelous
Reading
kunyomiたえtae
onyomiみょうmyou
Parts
女Woman 少Few
Example Word
妙: strange. The Japanese noun '妙 (みょう)' primarily means 'strange' or 'mysterious'. It is often used to describe something that is unusual, peculiar, or beyond ordinary understanding. This word can carry a nuance of something being intriguingly odd or inexplicably fascinating. For example: That's strange「それは妙だ」(それはみょうだ). He has a mysterious power「彼は妙な力を持っている」(かれはみょうなちからをもっている). Additionally, '妙' can sometimes imply a sense of subtlety or finesse, particularly in contexts related to art or skill, though this usage is less common. For example: Her dance has a subtle charm「彼女のダンスは妙な魅力がある」(かのじょのダンスはみょうなみりょくがある).
Radical
女
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
445
Handwriting