Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Nothing

Reading

Example Word

無駄: waste. The Japanese adjectival noun '無駄 (むだ)' primarily means 'waste' or 'uselessness'. It is used to describe something that is futile, unnecessary, or without purpose. This word can refer to wasted time, effort, resources, or actions. For example: Don't waste your time「時間を無駄にしないで」(じかんをむだにしないで). This is a waste of money「これはお金の無駄だ」(これはおかねのむだだ). '無駄' can also imply inefficiency or something that does not contribute to a desired outcome. It is often used in contexts where there is a sense of regret or criticism about the lack of productivity or value in an action or object.

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

債務: debt. The Japanese noun '債務 (さいむ)' refers to a financial obligation or debt. It is commonly used in legal, financial, or business contexts to describe liabilities or obligations that one party owes to another. For example: The company has a large debt「その会社は大きな債務を抱えている」(そのかいしゃはおおきなさいむをかかえている). He is responsible for paying the debt「彼は債務を支払う責任がある」(かれはさいむをしはらうせきにんがある). This term is often used in formal settings and is distinct from more casual terms for debt like '借金 (しゃっきん)'.

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