Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Duty

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 殳Pike

Example Word

役目: duty or role. The Japanese noun '役目 (やくめ)' refers to a specific role or duty that someone or something is expected to fulfill. It often implies a sense of responsibility or obligation. For example: his role is to protect the family「彼の役目は家族を守ることです」(かれのやくめはかぞくをまもることです). It is my duty to finish this task「この仕事を終わらせるのが私の役目です」(このしごとをおわらせるのがわたしのやくめです). The word can be used in both formal and informal contexts, and it often carries a connotation of importance or necessity.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

354

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Easy

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 勿Must not

Example Word

易い: easy. The Japanese suffix '易い (やすい)' is attached to the stem of verbs to indicate that something is easy to do. It conveys the idea that the action described by the verb is simple or effortless. For example: This book is easy to read「この本は読み易い」(このほんはよみやすい). This problem is easy to solve「この問題は解き易い」(このもんだいはときやすい). Note that '易い' is often written in hiragana as 'やすい' when used as a suffix. It is important to distinguish this from the adjective '安い (やすい)', which means 'cheap'.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

718

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Profit, Benefit

Reading

Parts

皿Plate ハ

Example Word

益々: increasingly. The Japanese adverb '益々 (ますます)' means 'increasingly' or 'more and more'. It is used to indicate that something is growing or intensifying over time. This word is often used in formal or written contexts, such as business communications, speeches, or literature. For example: The company is increasingly successful「その会社は益々成功しています」(そのかいしゃはますますせいこうしています). The weather is getting colder and colder「天気は益々寒くなっています」(てんきはますますさむくなっています). Note that '益々' is typically used in positive contexts to describe growth or improvement, but it can also be used neutrally to describe any kind of increase.

Radical

皿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

972

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Station

Reading

Parts

馬Horse 尺Foot

Example Word

駅員: station staff. The Japanese noun '駅員 (えきいん)' refers to 'station staff' or 'station employee'. This term is used to describe personnel who work at train or subway stations, assisting passengers, managing ticket sales, and ensuring the smooth operation of the station. For example: The station staff helped me find the right platform「駅員が正しいホームを教えてくれた」(えきいんがただしいホームをおしえてくれた). I asked the station staff for directions「駅員に道を聞いた」(えきいんにみちをきいた). This word is commonly used in daily conversations, especially when discussing travel or commuting.

Radical

馬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1223

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Liquid

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)夜Night

Example Word

液: liquid. The Japanese noun '液 (えき)' refers to 'liquid'. It is used to describe substances in a fluid state, such as water, oil, or chemical solutions. This term is often used in scientific, medical, or everyday contexts. For example: the liquid is transparent「その液は透明です」(そのえきはとうめいです). Please handle the liquid carefully「その液を慎重に扱ってください」(そのえきをしんちょうにあつかってください). The word can also appear in compound nouns, such as '血液 (けつえき)' (blood) or '溶液 (ようえき)' (solution).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1622

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Epidemic

Reading

Parts

疒Sick 殳Pike

Example Word

免疫: immunity. The Japanese noun '免疫 (めんえき)' means 'immunity'. It refers to the biological defense mechanism of an organism against diseases or infections. This term is commonly used in medical and health-related contexts. For example: he has strong immunity「彼は免疫が強い」(かれはめんえきがつよい). Vaccines help build immunity「ワクチンは免疫を作るのに役立つ」(ワクチンはめんえきをつくるのにやくだつ). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe resistance to non-biological influences, such as stress or criticism, though this usage is less common.

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2001

Handwriting