kanji

Meaning

Say

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 亠Lid 二Two

Example Word

言い返す: retort. The Japanese verb '言い返す (いいかえす)' means 'to retort' or 'to talk back'. It is used when someone responds sharply or defiantly to a remark or criticism. This verb often carries a nuance of defiance or disagreement, and it is typically used in situations where someone is standing up for themselves or challenging what has been said. For example: He retorted angrily「彼は怒って言い返した」(かれはおこっていいかえした). She always talks back to her teacher「彼女はいつも先生に言い返す」(かのじょはいつもせんせいにいいかえす). The verb can also imply a sense of rebuttal or counter-argument in a more formal context, such as in a debate or discussion.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

25

Radical Form

訁

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rights, Authority

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood

Example Word

債権: claim or credit. The Japanese noun '債権 (さいけん)' refers to a legal right to demand payment or performance from another party. It is commonly used in financial and legal contexts. The first meaning, 'claim,' refers to the right to demand something owed, such as money or services. The second meaning, 'credit,' refers to the financial aspect where one party lends money or goods to another with the expectation of repayment. Example sentences: The company has a claim against the debtor「その会社は債務者に対して債権を持っている」(そのかいしゃはさいむしゃにたいしてさいけんをもっている). The bank extended credit to the small business「銀行はその小企業に債権を提供した」(ぎんこうはそのしょうきぎょうにさいけんをていきょうした).

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

682

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Severe, Strict

Reading

Parts

⺍Small 敢Daring 厂Cliff

Example Word

厳密: strict. The Japanese adjectival noun '厳密 (げんみつ)' means 'strict' or 'precise'. It is used to describe something that is exact, meticulous, or rigorously accurate. This term is often used in contexts where attention to detail and adherence to rules or standards are emphasized. For example: The professor is strict about the rules「教授は規則に厳密です」(きょうじゅはきそくにげんみつです). We need a precise analysis「厳密な分析が必要です」(げんみつなぶんせきがひつようです). The word can also imply a sense of severity or rigor in application, such as in legal or scientific contexts.

Radical

厂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

920

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Diligence

Reading

Parts

堇 力Power

Example Word

出勤: commute. The Japanese verbal noun '出勤 (しゅっきん)' refers to the act of commuting to work or going to one's workplace. It is commonly used in professional or daily life contexts to describe the routine of traveling to work. For example: I commute to work by train「私は電車で出勤します」(わたしはでんしゃでしゅっきんします). He is late for work today「彼は今日出勤が遅い」(かれはきょうしゅっきんがおそい). The term emphasizes the action of leaving home to go to work, and it is often paired with verbs like する (to do) to form phrases like 出勤する (to commute to work).

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

962

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

A wee bit

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)堇

Example Word

僅か: slightly or barely. The Japanese adverb '僅か (わずか)' is used to indicate a small amount or degree. It can mean 'slightly' or 'barely', depending on the context. This word is often used to emphasize how little or minimal something is. For example: The difference is slight「その違いは僅かだ」(そのちがいはわずかだ). He barely passed the exam「彼は僅かに試験に合格した」(かれはわずかにしけんにごうかくした). Note that '僅か' can also be used as a noun, as in '僅かな時間 (わずかなじかん) (a little time)'.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1301

Handwriting