Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Nothing

Reading

Example Word

無視: ignore. The Japanese verbal noun '無視 (むし)' means 'ignore'. It refers to the act of deliberately paying no attention to someone or something. This word is often used in contexts where someone is disregarding rules, signals, or even people. For example: he ignored the red light「彼は赤信号を無視した」(かれはあかしんごうをむしした). She ignored my advice「彼女は私のアドバイスを無視した」(かのじょはわたしのアドバイスをむしした). It can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as ignoring a problem or issue. Note that '無視' is a noun but can function similarly to a verb when combined with suru (する), as in '無視する' (to ignore).

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

52

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dream

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 罒Net 冖Crown 夕Evening

Example Word

夢中: engrossed. The Japanese adjectival noun '夢中 (むちゅう)' means 'engrossed' or 'absorbed'. It describes a state of being completely focused or captivated by something, often to the point of losing awareness of one's surroundings. This word is commonly used to express deep involvement in activities, hobbies, or emotions. For example: I was engrossed in the game「ゲームに夢中だった」(ゲームにむちゅうだった). She is absorbed in her studies「彼女は勉強に夢中です」(かのじょはべんきょうにむちゅうです). The word can also imply a sense of obsession or infatuation, as in: He is infatuated with her「彼は彼女に夢中だ」(かれはかのじょにむちゅうだ).

Radical

夕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

405

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Duty, Task

Reading

Parts

矛Halberd 务

Example Word

事務室: office. The Japanese noun '事務室 (じむしつ)' refers to an 'office', specifically a room where administrative or clerical work is conducted. This term is commonly used in workplaces, schools, or institutions to denote a space dedicated to handling paperwork, management tasks, or other official duties. For example: The manager is in the office「マネージャーは事務室にいます」(マネージャーはじむしつにいます). Please submit the documents to the office「書類を事務室に提出してください」(しょるいをじむしつにていしゅつしてください). The word emphasizes the functional aspect of the space rather than its size or appearance.

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

709

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mist, Fog

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 務Duty, Task

Example Word

霧: fog. The Japanese noun '霧 (きり)' means 'fog'. It refers to a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface, which obscures visibility. This word is commonly used in weather-related contexts or to describe atmospheric conditions. For example: The fog is thick today「今日は霧が濃い」(きょうはきりがこい). I couldn't see the road because of the fog「霧で道が見えなかった」(きりでみちがみえなかった). In literature, '霧' can also be used metaphorically to describe confusion or uncertainty, such as '心の霧 (こころのきり)' meaning 'mental fog' or 'confusion in one's mind'.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1239

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Plot, Conspire

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)某A certain

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1401

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Halberd

Reading

Example Word

矛盾: contradiction. The Japanese verbal noun '矛盾 (むじゅん)' means 'contradiction'. It refers to a situation where two or more statements, ideas, or actions are mutually incompatible or inconsistent. This term is often used in logical, philosophical, or everyday contexts to describe conflicting elements. For example: there is a contradiction in his story「彼の話には矛盾がある」(かれのはなしにはむじゅんがある). The policy is full of contradictions「その政策は矛盾だらけだ」(そのせいさくはむじゅんだらけだ). The word originates from an ancient Chinese fable about a spear that could pierce any shield and a shield that could block any spear, highlighting the inherent contradiction.

Radical

矛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1538

Handwriting