Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading
けい kei
kanji
形Meaning
Shape
Reading
kata
かたちkatachi
onyomiけいkei
ぎょうgyou
Parts
彡Fur 开Open
Example Word
形態: form. The Japanese noun '形態 (けいたい)' refers to the 'form' or 'shape' of something, often in a structural or abstract sense. It is commonly used in contexts related to biology, art, or systems to describe the arrangement or configuration of elements. For example: The form of this sculpture is unique「この彫刻の形態は独特だ」(このちょうこくのけいたいはどくとくだ). The company is changing its organizational structure「会社はその組織形態を変えている」(かいしゃはそのそしきけいたいをかえている). This word can also be used in philosophical or theoretical discussions to describe the nature or essence of something.
Radical
彡
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
201
Handwriting
kanji
京Meaning
Capital
Reading
miyako
onyomiけいkei
きょうkyou
Parts
亠Lid 口Mouth 小Small
Example Word
京: Kyoto. The Japanese proper noun '京 (きょう)' primarily refers to Kyoto, a city in Japan known for its historical and cultural significance. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a thousand years before the capital moved to Tokyo. The term can also be used in historical contexts or literary works to evoke the image of Kyoto. Example sentences: I visited Kyoto last year「去年、京を訪れました」(きょねん、きょうをおとずれました). Kyoto is famous for its temples「京はお寺で有名です」(きょうはおてらでゆうめいです).
Radical
亠
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
275
Handwriting
kanji
経Meaning
Manage, Elapse
Reading
ta
へhe
onyomiけいkei
きょうkyou
Parts
糸Thread 圣Holy
Example Word
神経: nerve. The Japanese noun '神経 (しんけい)' primarily means 'nerve' in the biological sense, referring to the fibers that transmit impulses of sensation and motion between the brain or spinal cord and other parts of the body. It can also be used metaphorically to describe sensitivity or attention to detail in various contexts. For example: He has a lot of nerve「彼は神経が太い」(かれはしんけいがふとい). She is very sensitive to noise「彼女は音に神経が細い」(かのじょはおとにしんけいがほそい). In medical contexts, it is often used to discuss conditions or treatments related to the nervous system, such as '神経痛 (しんけいつう)' which means 'neuralgia'.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
305
Handwriting
kanji
兄Meaning
Older brother
Reading
ani
にいnii
onyomiけいkei
きょうkyou
Parts
儿Legs 口Mouth
Example Word
兄弟: siblings. The Japanese noun '兄弟 (きょうだい)' refers to siblings, including both brothers and sisters. It is a gender-neutral term that can be used to describe a group of siblings or to refer to one's own brothers and sisters collectively. For example: I have three siblings「私には兄弟が三人います」(わたしにはきょうだいがさんにんいます). My siblings are kind「私の兄弟は優しいです」(わたしのきょうだいはやさしいです). Note that '兄弟' can also be used in a broader sense to refer to close friends or comrades, implying a bond similar to that of siblings, though this usage is less common and context-dependent.
Radical
儿
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
360
Handwriting
kanji
計Meaning
Measure, Plan
Reading
haka
onyomiけいkei
Parts
十Ten 言Say
Example Word
時計: watch or clock. The Japanese noun '時計 (とけい)' refers to devices that measure and indicate time. It can mean both 'clock' (a device typically found on walls or desks) and 'watch' (a portable timepiece worn on the wrist). This word is commonly used in everyday contexts to refer to timekeeping devices. For example: The clock is on the wall「時計は壁にあります」(とけいはかべにあります). I bought a new watch「新しい時計を買いました」(あたらしいとけいをかいました). The context usually clarifies whether it refers to a clock or a watch, but both meanings are widely understood.
Radical
言
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
422
Handwriting
kanji
係Meaning
Person in charge, Connection
Reading
kaka
かかりkakari
onyomiけいkei
Parts
亻Person (人)系Lineage
Example Word
関係: relation. The Japanese verbal noun '関係 (かんけい)' means 'relation' or 'connection'. It is used to describe the relationship or connection between two or more things, people, or concepts. This word is often used in both formal and informal contexts to discuss relationships, whether they are personal, professional, or abstract. For example: There is no relation between the two events「その二つの出来事には関係がない」(そのふたつのできごとにはかんけいがない). I have a good relationship with my boss「私は上司と良い関係を持っている」(わたしはじょうしとよいかんけいをもっている). The word can also be used in compound forms, such as '人間関係 (にんげんかんけい)' (human relationships) or '因果関係 (いんがかんけい)' (causal relationship).
Radical
人
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
469
Handwriting