Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading
かい kai
kanji
会Meaning
Meet
Reading
a
onyomiかいkai
Parts
人Person 二Two 厶Private
Example Word
委員会: committee. The Japanese noun '委員会 (いいんかい)' refers to a 'committee', which is a group of people appointed for a specific function or task. This term is commonly used in organizational, governmental, or corporate contexts to describe a body that makes decisions or oversees certain activities. For example: The committee will meet tomorrow「委員会は明日会議を開きます」(いいんかいはあしたかいぎをひらきます). She is a member of the planning committee「彼女は計画委員会のメンバーです」(かのじょはけいかくいいんかいのメンバーです). The word is often used in formal settings and can refer to various types of committees, such as executive committees, advisory committees, or steering committees.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
98
Handwriting
kanji
解Meaning
Solve, Untie
Reading
to
onyomiげge
かいkai
Parts
角Corner, Angle 刀Sword 牛Cow
Example Word
解釈: interpretation. The Japanese verbal noun '解釈 (かいしゃく)' means 'interpretation'. It refers to the act of explaining or understanding the meaning of something, such as a text, situation, or event. This word is often used in academic, legal, or philosophical contexts. For example: His interpretation of the law was unique「彼の法律の解釈は独特だった」(かれのほうりつのかいしゃ くはどくとくだった). The teacher's interpretation of the poem was insightful「先生の詩の解釈は洞察に富んでいた」(せんせいのしのかいしゃくはどうさつにとんでいた). It can also imply a subjective understanding, as interpretations may vary depending on the individual.
Radical
角
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
213
Handwriting
kanji
海Meaning
Sea
Reading
umi
onyomiかいkai
Parts
氵Water (水)毎Every
Example Word
海峡: strait. The Japanese noun '海峡 (かいきょう)' refers to a 'strait', which is a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water. This term is often used in geographical contexts to describe natural waterways. For example: The strait is very narrow「その海峡はとて も狭い」(そのかいきょうはとてもせまい). Ships pass through the strait「船が海峡を通る」(ふねがかいきょうをとおる). The word is commonly used in discussions about geography, navigation, and marine environments.
Radical
水
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
219
Handwriting
kanji
開Meaning
Open
Reading
a
ひらhira
onyomiかいkai
Parts
門Gate 开Open
Example Word
開く: open. The Japanese verb '開く (ひらく)' primarily means 'to open'. It is used to describe the action of opening something, such as a door, a book, or an event. This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe opening opportunities or starting something new. For example: Please open the door「ドアを開いてください」(ドアをひらいてください). The store opens at 9 AM「その店は午前9時に開く」(そのみせはごぜんくじにひらく). Additionally, '開く' can be used in the context of events, such as 'The festival opens tomorrow'「その祭りは明日開く」(そのまつりはあしたひらく). Note that '開く' can also be read as 'あく', which has a slightly different nuance, often implying something opens by itself or is already open.
Radical
門
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
244
Handwriting
kanji
界Meaning
World
Reading
kai
Parts
田Rice field 介Mediate, Jammed in
Example Word
界: world or realm. The Japanese suffix '界 (かい)' is used to denote a world, realm, or sphere, often referring to a specific domain or field of activity. It can be used in various contexts to describe different areas of interest or expertise. For example: the world of art「芸術界」(げいじゅつかい). the business world「ビジネス界」(ビジネスかい). This suffix is commonly attached to nouns to specify a particular area or community, such as '科学界 (かがくかい) (scientific community)' or '音楽界 (おんがくかい) (music world)'. It is important to note that '界' can also be used in a more abstract sense to describe a realm or domain, such as '精神界 (せいしんかい) (spiritual realm)'.
Radical
田
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
309
Handwriting
kanji
階Meaning
Storey
Reading
kai
Parts
皆All 阝Mound (阜)
Example Word
階段: stairs. The Japanese noun '階段 (かいだん)' means 'stairs'. It refers to a series of steps that allow people to move from one level of a building to another. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to staircases in homes, offices, or public places. For example: Please use the stairs「階段を使ってください」(かいだんをつかってください). The stairs are over there「階段はあそこです」(かいだんはあそこです). It can also be used metaphorically to describe progress or steps in a process, though this usage is less common.
Radical
阜
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
375
Handwriting
kanji
皆Meaning
All
Reading
mina
みんなminna
onyomiかいkai
Parts
比Compare, Ratio 白White
Example Word
皆さん: everyone. The Japanese noun '皆さん (みなさん)' is a polite and respectful way to address or refer to a group of people, meaning 'everyone' or 'all of you'. It is commonly used in formal or polite situations, such as speeches, announcements, or when addressing an audience. For example: Good morning, everyone!「皆さん、おはようございます!」(みなさん、おはようございます). Thank you, everyone, for coming today「皆さん、今日は来てくれてありがとうございます」(みなさん、きょうはきてくれてありがとうございます). The term is inclusive and conveys a sense of respect towards the group being addressed.
Radical
白
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
403
Handwriting
kanji
怪Meaning
Weird, Suspicious
Reading
aya
onyomiけke
かいkai
Parts
忄 圣Holy
Example Word
怪しむ: suspect. The Japanese verb '怪しむ (あやしむ)' means 'to suspect' or 'to doubt'. It is used when someone has a feeling of distrust or suspicion towards something or someone. This verb often implies a sense of unease or skepticism. For example: I suspect his intentions「彼の意図を怪しむ」(かれのいとをあやしむ). She doubted the truth of his story「彼女は彼の話の真実を怪しんだ」(かのじょはかれのはなしのしんじつをあやしんだ). The verb can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as suspecting something is wrong or out of place.
Radical
心
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
455
Handwriting
kanji
改Meaning
Reform
Reading
arata
onyomiかいkai
Parts
己Oneself 攵Strike
Example Word
改造: modification. The Japanese verbal noun '改造 (かいぞう)' refers to the act of modifying or remodeling something, often to improve or change its function or appearance. It is commonly used in contexts such as modifying vehicles, machinery, or even software. For example: He modified his car「彼は車を改造した」(かれはくるまをかいぞうした). The company is remodeling the office「会社はオフィスを改造している」(かいしゃはオフィスをかいぞうしている). This word can also imply significant changes rather than minor adjustments, depending on the context.
Radical
攴
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
588
Handwriting
kanji
介Meaning
Mediate, Jammed in
Reading
kai
Parts
人Person 丿Katakana no 丨Stick
Example Word
紹介: introduction. The Japanese verbal noun '紹介 (しょうかい)' means 'introduction'. It is used to refer to the act of introducing someone or something to others. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as introducing a person to a group, presenting a new concept, or recommending a product. For example: Let me introduce my friend「友達を紹介します」(ともだちをしょうかいします). This book is highly recommended「この本を紹介します」(このほんをしょうかいします). The word can also be used in compound forms, such as '自己紹介 (じこしょうかい)' (self-introduction), which is often used when meeting someone for the first time.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
591
Handwriting
kanji
快Meaning
Pleasant
Reading
kokoroyo
onyomiかいkai
Parts
忄 夬Decide
Example Word
快適: comfortable. The Japanese noun '快適 (かいてき)' means 'comfortable'. It is used to describe a state or condition that is pleasant, agreeable, and free from discomfort. This word can be applied to various contexts, such as describing a comfortable environment, a comfortable feeling, or a comfortable situation. For example: This chair is comfortable「この椅子は快適です」(このいすはかいてきです). I feel comfortable in this room「この部屋で快適に感じます」(このへやでかいてきにかんじます). The word '快適' often conveys a sense of ease and satisfaction, making it a common term in discussions about living conditions, travel, and personal well-being.
Radical
心
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
607
Handwriting
kanji
回Meaning
Revolve, Times
Reading
mawa
onyomiかいkai
Parts
口Mouth
Example Word
前回: last time. The Japanese noun '前回 (ぜんかい)' means 'last time' or 'the previous time'. It is used to refer to the most recent occurrence of an event or action that has happened before. This word is commonly used in contexts where you want to compare or refer back to the previous instance of something. For example: Last time, we went to the park「前回、公園に行きました」(ぜんかい、こうえんにいきました). The results were better last time「前回の結果は良かった」(ぜんかいのけっかはよかった). It's important to note that '前回' is often used in both casual and formal settings, making it a versatile word in Japanese conversation.
Radical
囗
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
613
Handwriting
kanji
絵Meaning
Picture
Reading
kai
えe
Parts
糸Thread 会Meet
Example Word
油絵: oil painting. The Japanese noun '油絵 (あぶらえ)' refers to 'oil painting', a type of painting created using pigments mixed with oil, typically linseed oil. This term is used to describe both the art form and individual works created in this medium. For example: She is good at oil painting「彼女は油絵が上手です」(かのじょはあぶらえがじょうずです). This museum has many oil paintings「この美術館には油絵がたくさんあります」(このびじゅつかんにはあぶらえがたくさんあります). The term is commonly used in art-related contexts and discussions about visual arts.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
615
Handwriting
kanji
街Meaning
Street, Boulevard
Reading
machi
onyomiがいgai
かいkai
Parts
行Go 圭
Example Word
市街: city. The Japanese noun '市街 (しがい)' refers to the urban or city area, typically the built-up part of a city with streets, buildings, and infrastructure. It is often used to describe the central or commercial district of a city. For example: The city is bustling with activity「市街は活気で溢れている」(しがいわかっきであふれている). We walked through the city at night「私たちは夜に市街を歩いた」(わたしたちはよるにしがいをあるいた). This term is commonly used in contexts related to urban planning, geography, or everyday descriptions of city life.
Radical
行
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N1Grade
4Frequency
735
Handwriting
kanji
懐Meaning
Bosom, Pocket
Reading
natsu
ふところfutokoro
onyomiかいkai
Parts
忄 十Ten 罒Net 衣Clothes
Example Word
懐: pocket. The Japanese noun '懐 (ふところ)' primarily refers to the pocket of a traditional Japanese garment, such as a kimono, where one might keep small items. It can also metaphorically refer to one's financial resources or the depth of one's heart or mind. For example: he reached into his pocket「彼は懐に手を入れた」(かれはふところにてをいれた). The company has deep pockets「その会社は懐が深い」(そのかいしゃはふところがふかい). It's important to note that while '懐' can refer to a physical pocket, its metaphorical uses are also common in Japanese language and literature.
Radical
心
Stroke Count
16JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
905
Handwriting
kanji
械Meaning
Contraption
Reading
kai
Parts
木Tree, Wood 戒Admonish, Commandment
Example Word
機械: machine or mechanism. The Japanese noun '機械 (き かい)' primarily means 'machine' and refers to a device or apparatus that performs a specific task, often involving mechanical or automated processes. It can also mean 'mechanism', referring to the internal workings or structure of a machine. This word is commonly used in contexts related to technology, engineering, and industry. For example: This machine is very advanced「この機械はとても進んでいる」(このきかいはとてもすすんでいる). The mechanism of this clock is complicated「この時計の機械は複雑だ」(このとけいのきかいはふくざつだ). Note that '機械' is often used in technical or formal contexts, distinguishing it from simpler devices or tools.
Radical
木
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
1219
Handwriting