kanji

Meaning

Nothing

Reading

Example Word

無駄遣い: waste. The Japanese verbal noun '無駄遣い (むだづかい)' means 'waste' or 'squandering'. It refers to the act of using resources, such as money, time, or effort, in a way that is not useful or productive. This term often carries a negative connotation, implying that the waste could have been avoided. For example: Don't waste money「お金を無駄遣いしないで」(おかねをむだづかいしないで). She wastes her time on trivial matters「彼女はつまらないことに時間を無駄遣いしている」(かのじょはつまらないことにじかんをむだづかいしている).

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: dream. The Japanese noun '夢 (ゆめ)' primarily means 'dream'. It can refer to the dreams one experiences while sleeping, as well as aspirations or hopes for the future. For example: I had a strange dream last night「昨夜、変な夢を見た」(さくや、へんなゆめをみた). Her dream is to become a doctor「彼女の夢は医者になることです」(かのじょのゆめはいしゃになることです). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that feels unreal or fantastical, such as 'a dreamlike scenery' (夢のような景色 - ゆめのようなけしき).

Radical

夕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

405

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Duty, Task

Reading

Parts

矛Halberd 务

Example Word

法務: legal affairs. The Japanese noun '法務 (ほうむ)' refers to 'legal affairs' or matters related to the law. This term is often used in professional or formal contexts, such as within companies, government offices, or legal institutions. It encompasses activities like legal compliance, contract management, and other legal-related tasks. For example: He works in legal affairs「彼は法務に従事している」(かれはほうむにじゅうじしている). The company has a strong legal affairs department「その会社は強力な法務部を持っている」(そのかいしゃはきょうりょくなほうむぶをもっている). The term is commonly used in compound words like '法務部 (ほうむぶ)' (legal department) or '法務局 (ほうむきょく)' (legal affairs bureau).

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