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
明朝: Ming Dynasty. The Japanese noun '明朝 (みょうちょう)' refers to the Ming Dynasty, which ruled China between 1368 and 1644. This word is used when referring to the historical period, its culture, art, or related historical events. Example: The Ming Dynasty was prosperous 「明朝は繁栄していた」 (みょうちょうははんえいしていた). This painting is from the Ming Dynasty 「この絵は明朝のものです」 (このえはみょうちょうのものです). Note that '明朝' can also refer to 'next morning' in some contexts, but this usage is less common and typically requires additional context to clarify.
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
名詞: noun. The Japanese noun '名詞 (めいし)' refers to a part of speech in grammar, specifically a 'noun'. Nouns are words that represent people, places, things, or ideas. In Japanese, nouns do not change form based on number or gender, unlike in some other languages. For example: This is a noun「これは名詞です」(これはめいしです). In Japanese, nouns are often used with particles like 'は' or 'が' to indicate the subject or topic of a sentence. For instance: The word 'cat' is a noun「'猫'は名詞です」('ねこ'はめいしです). Understanding nouns is fundamental to mastering Japanese grammar, as they form the backbone of most sentences.
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
生命: life. The Japanese noun '生命 (せいめい)' refers to 'life' in the sense of living existence, vitality, or the essence of being alive. It is often used in contexts related to biology, philosophy, or spirituality. For example: Life is precious「生命は大切です」(せいめいはたいせつです). The origin of life is a mystery「生命の起源は謎です」(せいめいのきげんはなぞです). This word carries a profound and somewhat formal tone, distinguishing it from more casual terms like '命 (いのち)', which also means 'life' but is used in everyday contexts.
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