Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Child

Reading

Parts

了Finish, Complete 一One

Example Word

障子: shoji. The Japanese noun '障子 (しょうじ)' refers to a traditional Japanese sliding door or room divider made of translucent paper over a wooden frame. Shoji are commonly used in Japanese architecture to separate rooms or provide privacy while allowing light to pass through. They are a key element in traditional Japanese homes and are often associated with a minimalist and serene aesthetic. Example sentences: The shoji lets in soft light「障子が柔らかい光を通します」(しょうじがやわらかいひかりをとおします). Please close the shoji「障子を閉めてください」(しょうじをしめてください).

Radical

子

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

7

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Master

Reading

Parts

丶Dot 王King

Example Word

坊主: monk or bald. The Japanese noun '坊主 (ぼうず)' primarily refers to a 'monk', particularly a Buddhist monk. It is a colloquial term and can sometimes carry a slightly informal or even humorous tone. Additionally, '坊主' can also mean 'bald', often used to describe someone with a shaved head, which is common among monks. Example sentences: The monk is meditating「坊主が瞑想している」(ぼうずがめいそうしている). He became bald「彼は坊主になった」(かれはぼうずになった). Note that while '坊主' can mean 'bald', it is more commonly used to refer to monks in everyday conversation.

Radical

丶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

85

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Protect

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 寸Measurement

Example Word

留守番: house sitting. The Japanese noun '留守番 (るすばん)' refers to the act of looking after a house or property while the owner is away. It is commonly used when someone stays at home to take care of things, such as receiving packages, watching over pets, or ensuring security. For example: I will do the house-sitting「私が留守番をします」(わたしがるすばんをします). The dog is good at house-sitting「その犬は留守番が上手です」(そのいぬはるすばんがじょうずです). This term is often used in contexts where someone is temporarily responsible for a home in the absence of its usual occupants.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

399

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Element

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 龶Life (生)

Example Word

炭素: carbon. The Japanese noun '炭素 (たんそ)' refers to the chemical element 'carbon'. It is commonly used in scientific, environmental, and industrial contexts. Carbon is a fundamental element in organic chemistry and is essential for life. Example sentences: Carbon is an essential element for life「炭素は生命にとって不可欠な元素です」(たんそはせいめいにとってふかけつなげんそです). This material contains carbon「この材料には炭素が含まれています」(このざいりょうにはたんそがふくまれています).

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

413

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Necessary

Reading

Parts

彡Fur 頁Page

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1378

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Longevity, Congratulations

Reading

Parts

三Three 丿Katakana no 寸Measurement

Example Word

寿命: lifespan. The Japanese noun '寿命 (じゅみょう)' refers to the length of time that a living being, object, or system is expected to live or function. It is commonly used in contexts discussing the natural life expectancy of humans, animals, or even the durability of machines and technology. For example: The lifespan of a cat is about 15 years「猫の寿命は約15年です」(ねこのじゅみょうはやく15ねんです). This smartphone has a short lifespan「このスマートフォンは寿命が短い」(このスマートフォンはじゅみょうがみじかい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe the 'life' of non-living things, such as the lifespan of a product or trend.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1414

Handwriting