字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Duty

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 殳Pike

Example Word

役: role. The Japanese noun '役 (やく)' primarily means 'role'. It is used to describe a part or function that someone or something has in a particular situation, such as in a play, job, or society. For example: He played the role of a villain「彼は悪役を演じた」(かれはあくやくをえんじた). This word can also refer to a duty or responsibility, as in: It's my role to take care of the children「子供の世話をするのは私の役です」(こどものせわをするのはわたしのやくです). Additionally, '役' can be used in compound words like '役割 (やくわり)' which also means 'role' or 'function'.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

354

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Easy

Reading

Parts

勿Must not 日Day, Sun

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

利益: profit or benefit. The Japanese noun '利益 (りえき)' can mean either 'profit' or 'benefit', depending on the context. When referring to 'profit', it is often used in business or financial contexts to describe monetary gain. For example: The company made a large profit「その会社は大きな利益を得た」(そのかいしゃはおおきなりえきをえた). When referring to 'benefit', it is used to describe an advantage or positive outcome, often in a more general or non-monetary sense. For example: This policy will bring benefits to society「この政策は社会に利益をもたらす」(このせいさくはしゃかいにりえきをもたらす). The word can be used in both formal and informal settings, but it is more commonly encountered in formal or written contexts.

Radical

皿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

972

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Station

Reading

Parts

馬Horse 尺Foot (measure)

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

夜Night 氵Water (水)

Example Word

血液: blood. The Japanese noun '血液 (けつえき)' means 'blood'. This term refers to the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrate animals, carrying oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body. It is commonly used in medical contexts or when discussing health and biology. For example: Blood is essential for life「血液は生命に不可欠です」(けつえきはせいめいにふかけつです). The doctor analyzed my blood「医者が私の血液を分析した」(いしゃがわたしのけつえきをぶんせきした).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1622

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Epidemic

Reading

Parts

殳Pike 疒Sick

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