kanji

Meaning

Flat

Reading

Parts

干Dry 丷Divide

Example Word

平行: parallel. The Japanese verbal noun '平行 (へいこう)' means 'parallel'. It is used to describe lines, paths, or situations that run alongside each other without ever meeting. It can also be used metaphorically to describe situations or processes that occur simultaneously without influencing each other. For example: these two lines are parallel「この二つの線は平行です」(このふたつのせんはへいこうです). Their opinions are parallel and never meet「彼らの意見は平行で、決して交わらない」(かれらのいけんはへいこうで、けっしてまじわらない).

Radical

干

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

111

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Illness

Reading

Parts

丙Third, Third class 疒Sick

Example Word

病人: sick person. The Japanese noun '病人 (びょうにん)' refers to a 'sick person' or 'patient'. It is used to describe someone who is ill or suffering from a disease. This term is neutral and can be used in various contexts, such as in hospitals, at home, or in general conversation. For example: The sick person is resting「病人は休んでいます」(びょうにんはやすんでいます). We need to take care of the sick person「病人の世話をする必要があります」(びょうにんのせわをするひつようがあります). It is important to note that '病人' is a general term and does not specify the type or severity of the illness.

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

249

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Depict, Draw

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)苗Seedling

Example Word

描写: depiction. The Japanese noun '描写 (びょうしゃ)' means 'depiction'. It refers to the act of describing or portraying something in detail, often through words, art, or other forms of expression. This term is commonly used in contexts such as literature, art, and film to describe how something is represented. For example: The depiction of nature in this painting is beautiful「この絵の自然の描写は美しい」(このえのしぜんのびょうしゃはうつくしい). His novel is known for its vivid depiction of urban life「彼の小説は都市生活の鮮やかな描写で知られている」(かれのしょうせつはとしせいかつのあざやかなびょうしゃでしられている).

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

713

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cat

Reading

Parts

犭 苗Seedling

Example Word

猫: cat. The Japanese noun '猫 (ねこ)' means 'cat'. This word refers to the domestic feline animal, commonly kept as a pet. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a pet, talking about cats in general, or even in idiomatic expressions. For example: I have a cat「猫を飼っています」(ねこをかっています). The cat is sleeping「猫が寝ている」(ねこがねている). Cats are cute「猫はかわいい」(ねこはかわいい). The word '猫' is straightforward and widely used in everyday conversation.

Radical

犬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1031

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seedling

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 田Rice field

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1807

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Second

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 少Few

Example Word

秒: second. The Japanese suffix '秒 (びょう)' means 'second' and is used as a unit of time. It is commonly attached to numbers to indicate a specific number of seconds. For example: 10 seconds「10秒」(じゅうびょう). It can also be used in expressions like 'a few seconds'「数秒」(すうびょう). This suffix is essential for discussing time durations in Japanese, whether in everyday conversation or technical contexts. Note that '秒' is always used as a suffix and never stands alone as a word.

Radical

禾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1870

Handwriting