Page 1
kanji
鉄Meaning
Iron
Reading
kunyomiくろがねkurogane
onyomiてつtetsu
Parts
金Gold 失Lose, Fault
Example Word
国鉄: national railway. The Japanese noun '国鉄 (こくてつ)' refers to the 'National Railway', specifically the former Japanese National Railways (JNR), which was a state-owned railway company in Japan until it was privatized and divided into several companies in 1987. This term is often used in historical contexts or when referring to the era before privatization. For example: The national railway was privatized in 1987「国鉄は1987年に民営化された」(こくてつは1987ねんにみんえいかされた). My father worked for the national railway「父は国鉄で働いていた」(ちちはこくてつではたらいていた).
Radical
金
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
683
Handwriting
kanji
哲Meaning
Sagacious, Philosophy
Reading
onyomiてつtetsu
Parts
折Bend, Fold 口Mouth
Example Word
哲学: philosophy. The Japanese noun '哲学 (てつがく)' means 'philosophy'. It refers to the study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, and more. This term is often used in academic or intellectual contexts. For example: He studies philosophy「彼は哲学を勉強している」(かれはてつがくをべんきょうしている). The philosophy of life is complex「人生の哲学は複雑だ」(じんせいのてつがくはふくざつだ). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's personal beliefs or approach to life, as in '彼の哲学はユニークだ (かれのてつがくはユニークだ) (His philosophy is unique).'
Radical
口
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
888
Handwriting
kanji
徹Meaning
Penetrate, Go through
Reading
onyomiてつtetsu
Parts
彳Stop 育Raise, Grow 攵Strike
Example Word
徹夜: all nighter. The Japanese noun '徹夜 (てつや)' refers to staying up all night, often to complete work, study, or other tasks. It is commonly used in contexts where someone sacrifices sleep to meet a deadline or prepare for an event. For example: I pulled an all-nighter to finish the report「レポートを終わらせるために徹夜した」(レポートをおわらせるためにてつやした). He stayed up all night studying for the exam「彼は試験のために徹夜で勉強した」(かれはしけんのためにてつやでべんきょうした). The word can also imply exhaustion or a sense of urgency, depending on the context.
Radical
彳
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1312
Handwriting