Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Man

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 力Power

Example Word

男: man. The Japanese noun '男 (おとこ)' means 'man'. It refers to an adult human male. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be used to describe someone's gender, role, or identity. For example: that man is tall「あの男は背が高い」(あのおとこはせがたかい). He is a strong man「彼は強い男だ」(かれはつよいおとこだ). The word can also be used in compound words, such as '男の子 (おとこのこ)' (boy) or '男らしい (おとこらしい)' (manly).

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

86

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Difficult

Reading

Example Word

難: difficulty. The Japanese noun '難 (なん)' means 'difficulty' or 'hardship'. It is often used to describe challenging situations, problems, or obstacles. This word is commonly found in compound words or phrases, such as '困難 (こんなん)' (difficulty) or '災難 (さいなん)' (disaster). For example: This problem is full of difficulties「この問題は難だらけだ」(このもんだいはなんだらけだ). Overcoming difficulties is important「難を乗り越えることが大切だ」(なんをのりこえることがたいせつだ). Note that '難' can also appear in idiomatic expressions or proverbs, emphasizing the concept of struggle or adversity.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

337

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

South

Reading

Parts

十Ten 冂Enclosure 羊Sheep

Example Word

南極: Antarctica. The Japanese noun '南極 (なんきょく)' refers to 'Antarctica', the southernmost continent on Earth. It is often used in geographical or scientific contexts. For example: Antarctica is very cold「南極はとても寒い」(なんきょくはとてもさむい). Penguins live in Antarctica「ペンギンは南極に住んでいる」(ペンギンはなんきょくにすんでいる). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something extremely cold or remote, though this usage is less common.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

493

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Settlement

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 內

Example Word

納得: understanding or acceptance. The Japanese verbal noun '納得 (なっとく)' refers to the act of accepting or understanding something, often after being convinced or persuaded. It implies a sense of agreement or satisfaction with an explanation or situation. For example: I finally understood his explanation「彼の説明に納得した」(かれのせつめいになっとくした). She couldn't accept the decision「彼女はその決定に納得できなかった」(かのじょはそのけっていになっとくできなかった). This word is often used in contexts where logical reasoning or emotional persuasion leads to a resolution or agreement.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

904

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Soft

Reading

Parts

車Car 欠Lack

Example Word

柔軟: flexible. The Japanese adjective '柔軟 (じゅうなん)' means 'flexible'. It is used to describe something that can bend or adapt easily without breaking. This can refer to physical objects, such as materials, or abstract concepts, like thinking or attitudes. For example: She has a flexible mind「彼女は柔軟な考え方を持っている」(かのじょはじゅうなんなかんがえかたをもっている). This rubber is very flexible「このゴムはとても柔軟だ」(このゴムはとてもじゅうなんだ). The word can also imply adaptability or openness to change, as in '柔軟な対応 (じゅうなんなたいおう) (flexible response)'.

Radical

車

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1897

Handwriting