字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Law, Method

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)去Past

Example Word

法: law or method. The Japanese noun '法 (ほう)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'law', referring to legal rules or regulations established by a governing body. For example: This is against the law「これは法に反する」(これはほうにはんする). The second meaning is 'method', referring to a way or technique of doing something. For example: This is a new method「これは新しい法だ」(これはあたらしいほうだ). The context in which '法' is used will determine whether it refers to 'law' or 'method'. It's important to note that while '法' can stand alone as a noun, it is often combined with other kanji to form compound words that specify the type of law or method, such as '法律 (ほうりつ)' for 'legislation' or '方法 (ほうほう)' for 'way/method'.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

169

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sect, Faction

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)

Example Word

派: faction. The Japanese suffix '派 (は)' is used to denote a group, faction, or school of thought. It is often attached to nouns to indicate affiliation or alignment with a particular group or ideology. For example: He belongs to the conservative faction「彼は保守派です」(かれはほしゅはです). She is part of the reformist group「彼女は改革派です」(かのじょはかいかくはです). This suffix is commonly used in political, artistic, or ideological contexts to describe someone's affiliation or stance.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

519

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wave

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)皮Skin

Example Word

波: wave. The Japanese noun '波 (なみ)' means 'wave'. This word is primarily used to describe the physical waves of water, such as ocean waves. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe waves in other contexts, such as sound waves or emotional waves. For example: The waves are high today「今日は波が高い」(きょうはなみがたかい). I can hear the sound of the waves「波の音が聞こえる」(なみのおとがきこえる). In a metaphorical sense, it can describe fluctuations, such as 'a wave of emotions'「感情の波」(かんじょうのなみ).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

531

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Break, Tear

Reading

Parts

皮Skin 石Stone

Example Word

破れる: break or tear. The Japanese verb '破れる (やぶれる)' primarily means 'to tear' or 'to break'. It is used to describe something that has been physically torn, such as paper or fabric, or something that has broken, such as a relationship or a plan. For example: the paper tore「紙が破れた」(かみがやぶれた). Their relationship broke「彼らの関係が破れた」(かれらのかんけいがやぶれた). This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe the failure or collapse of something, such as a plan or a dream. For example: the plan fell apart「計画が破れた」(けいかくがやぶれた).

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

566

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grip, Grasp

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)巴Swirling water

Example Word

把握: grasp or understanding. The Japanese noun '把握 (はあく)' refers to the act of grasping or comprehending something, either physically or mentally. It can mean physically holding onto something, but it is more commonly used to describe the mental act of understanding or comprehending a concept, situation, or information. For example: I have a good grasp of the situation「状況を把握しています」(じょうきょうをはあくしています). It is important to grasp the main points「要点を把握することが大切です」(ようてんをはあくすることがたいせつです). The word is often used in formal or professional contexts to describe a clear understanding of complex matters.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1766

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hegemony, Supremacy

Reading

Parts

䩗 覀

Radical

西

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2019

Handwriting