Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading
さい sai
kanji
切Meaning
Cut
Reading
ki
onyomiさいsai
せつsetsu
Parts
刀Sword 七Seven
Example Word
思い切る: decide. The Japanese verb '思い切る (おもいきる)' means 'to decide' or 'to make up one's mind'. It conveys the idea of making a firm decision, often after some hesitation or deliberation. This verb is commonly used when someone resolves to take action or make a choice, especially in situations that require courage or a significant change. For example: I decided to quit my job「仕事を辞めることを思い切った」(しごとをやめることをおもいきった). She finally decided to confess her feelings「彼女はついに気持ちを打ち明けることを思い切った」(かのじょはついにきもちをうちあけることをおもいきった). Note that '思い切る' often implies a sense of determination or resolve, making it suitable for situations where a decisive action is taken.
Radical
刀
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
123
Handwriting
kanji
最Meaning
Most
Reading
motto
onyomiさいsai
Parts
曰 取Take
Example Word
最小: minimum. The Japanese noun '最小 (さいしょう)' means 'minimum'. It refers to the smallest possible amount, degree, or size of something. This term is often used in mathematical, scientific, or technical contexts to denote the least quantity or the lower limit of a range. For example: the minimum value is 10「最小値は10です」(さいしょうちは10です). We need to find the minimum cost「最小のコストを見つける必要があります」(さいしょうのコストをみつけるひつようがあります). It can also be used in everyday contexts to describe the least amount of effort or resources required for a task.
Radical
曰
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
154
Handwriting
kanji
殺Meaning
Kill
Reading
koro
onyomiさいsai
せつsetsu
さつsatsu
Parts
殳Pike 木Tree, Wood
Example Word
殺す: kill. The Japanese verb '殺す (ころす)' means 'to kill'. It is used to describe the act of causing the death of a living being, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This verb can be applied to humans, animals, or even metaphorically to ideas or emotions. For example: he killed the insect「彼は虫を殺した」(かれはむしをころした). The harsh words killed her enthusiasm「厳しい言葉が彼女の熱意を殺した」(きびしいことばがかのじょのねついをころした). Note that this verb carries a strong and often negative connotation, so it should be used with care in conversation.
Radical
殳
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
265
Handwriting
kanji
西Meaning
West
Reading
nishi
onyomiせいsei
さいsai
Parts
一One 儿Legs 口Mouth
Example Word
北西: northwest. The Japanese noun '北西 (ほくせい)' means 'northwest'. It is a compound word formed by combining '北 (きた)', meaning 'north', and '西 (にし)', meaning 'west'. This term is commonly used to indicate a direction or location, such as in weather forecasts or when giving directions. For example: The wind is blowing from the northwest「北西から風が吹いている」(ほくせいからかぜがふいている). The town is located to the northwest of the city「その町は市の北西に位置している」(そのまちはしのほくせいにいちしている).
Radical
西
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
315
Handwriting
kanji
細Meaning
Slender
Reading
koma
ほそhoso
onyomiさいsai
Parts
田Rice field 糸Thread
Example Word
心細い: lonely. The Japanese adjective '心細い (こころぼそい)' conveys a sense of loneliness, unease, or feeling insecure, often due to being alone or lacking support. It is used to describe emotional states where one feels vulnerable or uncertain. For example: I felt lonely in the big city「大きな街で心細かった」(おおきなまちでこころぼそかった). She felt uneasy without her friends「友達がいなくて心細い」(ともだちがいなくてこころぼそい). This word is often used in situations where someone feels emotionally isolated or lacks confidence due to their circumstances.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N2Grade
2Frequency
323
Handwriting
kanji
際Meaning
Occasion
Reading
kiwa
onyomiさいsai
Parts
⻖ 祭Ritual
Example Word
国際: international. The Japanese noun '国際 (こくさい)' means 'international'. It refers to matters or activities involving multiple countries or nations. This word is commonly used in contexts such as international relations, international trade, or international events. For example: international conference「国際会議」(こくさいかいぎ). international cooperation「国際協力」(こくさいきょうりょく). It is important to note that '国際' is often used as a prefix or modifier in compound nouns to indicate an international aspect, such as '国際社会 (こくさいしゃかい) (international community)' or '国際 問題 (こくさいもんだい) (international issue)'.
Radical
阜
Stroke Count
14JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
369
Handwriting
kanji
妻Meaning
Wife
Reading
tsuma
onyomiさいsai
Parts
女Woman 肀
Example Word
妻: wife. The Japanese noun '妻 (つま)' means 'wife'. It refers to a married woman in relation to her spouse. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: my wife is kind「私の妻は優しい」(わたしのつまはやさしい). He introduced his wife「彼は妻を紹介した」(かれはつまをしょうかいした). The word '妻' is neutral and does not carry any particular nuance, making it suitable for various situations. It is important to note that '妻' specifically refers to a wife and not to a girlfriend or fiancée.
Radical
女
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
412
Handwriting
kanji
歳Meaning
Year, Years old
Reading
sei
さいsai
Parts
止Stop 戈 小Small
Example Word
万歳: hurrah or long live. The Japanese verbal noun '万歳 (ばんざい)' is used to express joy, celebration, or triumph. It is often shouted to cheer or celebrate something, similar to 'hurrah' or 'hooray' in English. Additionally, it can be used to wish someone or something a long life, akin to 'long live'. For example: Hurrah! We won!「万歳!勝った!」(ばんざい!かった!). Long live the king!「王様万歳!」(おうさまばんざい!). The word is commonly used in celebratory contexts, such as festivals, victories, or significant achievements.
Radical
止
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
585
Handwriting
kanji
再Meaning
Again, Twice
Reading
futata
onyomiさsa
さいsai
Parts
一One 冉
Example Word
再来週: week after next. The Japanese noun '再来週 (さらいしゅう)' refers to 'the week after next'. It is used to indicate a time two weeks from the current week. This term is commonly used in scheduling, planning, or discussing future events. For example: I will visit my grandparents the week after next「再来週に祖父母を訪ねます」(さらいしゅうにそふぼをおとずれます). The meeting is scheduled for the week after next「会議は再来週に予定されています」(かいぎはさらいしゅうによていされています). Note that '再来週' is a specific time expression and should not be confused with '来週 (らいしゅう)', which means 'next week'.
Radical
冂
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
658
Handwriting
kanji
済Meaning
Finish, Settle
Reading
su
onyomiさいsai
Parts
氵Water (水)斉Uniform, Adjusted
Example Word
済ませる: finish. The Japanese verb '済ませる (すませる)' means 'to finish' or 'to get something done'. It is often used to indicate the completion of a task, chore, or obligation. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as finishing work, completing errands, or settling matters. For example: I finished my homework「宿題を済ませた」(しゅくだいをすませた). Let's get this meeting done quickly「この会議を早く済ませましょう」(このかいぎをはやくすませましょう). The verb can also imply a sense of relief or accomplishment after completing something.
Radical
水
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
674
Handwriting
kanji
才Meaning
Talent, Age
Reading
sai
Parts
亅Barb 一One 丿Katakana no
Example Word
天才: genius. The Japanese noun '天才 (てんさい)' refers to a person who possesses extraordinary intellectual or creative abilities, often described as a 'genius'. This term is used to highlight exceptional talent or brilliance in a specific field, such as art, science, or music. For example: he is a genius「彼は天才だ」(かれはてんさいだ). That child is a genius「あの子は天才 だ」(あのこはてんさいだ). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something exceptionally well-made or innovative, though this usage is less common. It is important to note that '天才' carries a strong positive connotation and is often used to express admiration or awe.
Radical
手
Stroke Count
3JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
916
Handwriting
kanji
祭Meaning
Ritual
Reading
matsu
まつりmatsuri
onyomiさいsai
Parts
月Moon, Month 又Again 示Show, Indicate
Example Word
祭り: festival. The Japanese noun '祭り (まつり)' refers to a 'festival'. This term is widely used to describe traditional Japanese festivals, which often involve public celebrations, parades, food stalls, and various cultural performances. These festivals are usually held to honor deities, celebrate seasons, or commemorate historical events. For example: I went to the summer festival「夏祭りに行きました」(なつまつりにいきました). The festival was very lively「祭りはとてもにぎやかでした」(まつりはとてもにぎやかでした). In some contexts, '祭り' can also metaphorically describe a lively or chaotic situation, but its primary meaning remains tied to cultural or religious celebrations.
Radical
示
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
955
Handwriting
kanji
載Meaning
Load, Publish
Reading
no
onyomiさいsai
Parts
車Car
Example Word
記載: entry. The Japanese noun '記載 (きさい)' refers to the act of writing or recording information, or the information itself that is written or recorded. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as in documents, forms, or official records. For example: Please check the entry on the form「フォームの記載を確認してください」(フォームのきさいをかくにんしてください). The details are clearly written in the document「詳細は書類に記載されています」(しょうさいはしょるいにかいさいされています). This word emphasizes the act of including specific information in a written format.
Radical
車
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1071
Handwriting