kanji

Meaning

Say

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 亠Lid 二Two

Example Word

話し言葉: spoken language. The Japanese noun '話し言葉 (はなしことば)' refers to 'spoken language' or 'colloquial speech'. It is used to describe the language that is spoken in everyday conversations, as opposed to written language or formal speech. This term is often used in contrast to '書き言葉 (かきことば)', which means 'written language'. For example: Spoken language is different from written language「話し言葉は書き言葉と違う」(はなしことばはかきことばとちがう). In spoken language, people often use contractions「話し言葉では、よく短縮形が使われる」(はなしことばでは、よくたんしゅくけいがつかわれる).

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

25

Radical Form

訁

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rights, Authority

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood

Example Word

人権: rights. The Japanese noun '人権 (じんけん)' refers to 'human rights'. It is used to describe the fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to every individual, such as the right to life, liberty, and equality. This term is often used in legal, political, and social contexts. For example: Human rights must be respected「人権は尊重されなければならない」(じんけんはそんちょうされなければならない). The government is working to protect human rights「政府は人権を守るために働いている」(せいふはじんけんをまもるためにはたらいている). The concept of '人権' is deeply rooted in the idea of universal dignity and fairness.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

682

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Severe, Strict

Reading

Parts

⺍Small 敢Daring 厂Cliff

Example Word

厳しい: severe or strict. The Japanese adjective '厳しい (きびしい)' can mean 'strict' or 'severe', depending on the context. When used to describe a person, it often refers to someone who is strict or demanding, such as a teacher or parent. For example: my teacher is strict「私の先生は厳しい」(わたしのせんせいはきびしい). When used to describe a situation or condition, it can mean 'severe' or 'harsh', such as in the case of weather or rules. For example: the winter is severe「冬は厳しい」(ふゆはきびしい). This adjective can also be used to describe something that is difficult or challenging, such as a test or competition. For example: the exam was tough「試験は厳しかった」(しけんはきびしかった).

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