字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Nothing

Reading

Example Word

無い: non existent. The Japanese adjective '無い (ない)' means 'nonexistent' or 'not present'. It is used to indicate the absence of something or to negate the existence of an object, state, or condition. This word is often used in everyday conversation and can be attached to nouns or used independently. For example: There is no money「お金がない」(おかねがない). I have no time「時間がない」(じかんがない). It can also be used to express the lack of necessity or obligation, as in 'You don't have to go'「行かなくてもいい」(いかなくてもいい). Note that 'ない' is often used in negative sentences and can be combined with verbs to form negative conjugations, such as '食べない' (たべない) meaning 'do not eat'.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

52

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dream

Reading

Parts

夕Evening 罒Net 冖Crown 艹Grass

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

事務: office work. The Japanese noun '事務 (じむ)' refers to 'office work' or 'administrative tasks'. It is commonly used to describe tasks related to managing paperwork, organizing schedules, or handling general administrative duties in an office setting. For example: I handle office work「私は事務を担当しています」(わたしはじむをたんとうしています). Office work is busy today「今日は事務が忙しい」(きょうはじむがいそがしい). This word is often used in professional contexts and can be combined with other words to form compound nouns, such as '事務所 (じむしょ)' (office) or '事務員 (じむいん)' (office worker).

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

709

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mist, Fog

Reading

Parts

務Duty, Task 雨Rain

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