Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Every

Reading

Parts

𠂉Person (人)毋Mother

Example Word

毎度: every time. The Japanese noun '毎度 (まいど)' means 'every time' or 'each time'. It is commonly used in business or customer service contexts to express gratitude for repeated patronage or to acknowledge a recurring situation. For example: Thank you for your continued support「毎度ありがとうございます」(まいどありがとうございます). Every time I come here, the service is excellent「毎度来るたびに、サービスが素晴らしいです」(まいどくるたびに、サービスがすばらしいです). The word can also be used more casually to mean 'as always' or 'as usual'.

Radical

毋

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

529

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rice

Reading

Parts

丷Divide 木Tree, Wood

Example Word

米: rice. The Japanese noun '米 (べい)' primarily refers to 'rice', which is a staple food in Japan. This term is often used in contexts related to agriculture, cooking, and daily meals. For example: I bought rice「米を買いました」(べいをかいました). Rice is essential in Japanese cuisine「米は日本料理に欠かせない」(べいはにほんりょうりにかかせない). It's important to note that '米' can also refer to uncooked rice, distinguishing it from 'ご飯 (ごはん)', which typically refers to cooked rice or a meal.

Radical

米

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

565

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Flat, Counter

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 攵Strike

Example Word

枚数: number. The Japanese noun '枚数 (まいすう)' refers to the 'number' of flat objects, such as sheets of paper, plates, or other thin items. It is commonly used when counting or referring to quantities of such objects. For example: Please check the number of sheets「枚数を確認してください」(まいすうをかくにんしてください). The number of plates is insufficient「枚数が足りません」(まいすうがたりません). This word is particularly useful in contexts like printing, manufacturing, or serving food, where counting flat items is necessary.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

724

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Younger sister

Reading

Parts

女Woman 未Not yet

Example Word

妹: younger sister. The Japanese noun '妹 (いもうと)' specifically refers to a younger sister. It is used to describe a female sibling who is younger than the speaker. This term is commonly used in family contexts and is gender-specific. For example: my younger sister is kind「私の妹は優しい」(わたしのいもうとはやさしい). I have a younger sister「私は妹がいます」(わたしはいもうとがいます). Note that '妹' is only used for younger sisters; for older sisters, the term '姉 (あね)' is used.

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

794

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bury

Reading

Parts

土Soil 里Hometown

Example Word

埋める: bury. The Japanese verb '埋める (うめる)' primarily means 'to bury'. It is used when referring to the act of covering something completely, often in the ground, such as burying treasure or a time capsule. It can also be used metaphorically to describe hiding or concealing something, like emotions or information. For example: He buried the treasure「彼は宝物を埋めた」(かれはたからものをうめた). She buried her feelings「彼女は感情を埋めた」(かのじょはかんじょうをうめた). Additionally, '埋める' can be used in contexts like filling a gap or hole, such as filling a hole in the ground「地面の穴を埋める」(じめんのあなをうめる).

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1179

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dark, Foolish

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 未Not yet

Example Word

曖昧: vague. The Japanese adjective '曖昧 (あいまい)' means 'vague' or 'ambiguous'. It is used to describe something that is unclear, not well-defined, or open to interpretation. This word can be applied to statements, ideas, situations, or even feelings. For example: His explanation was vague「彼の説明は曖昧だった」(かれのせつめいはあいまいだった). The meaning of this sentence is ambiguous「この文の意味は曖昧だ」(このぶんのいみはあいまいだ). '曖昧' often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of clarity or precision. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1796

Handwriting