字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Drama

Reading

Parts

刂Sword (刀)豦

Example Word

演劇: theater. The Japanese noun '演劇 (えんげき)' refers to 'theater' or 'drama' as a performing art. It encompasses plays, stage performances, and theatrical productions. This term is used to describe both the art form itself and the performances. For example: I enjoy watching theater「私は演劇を見るのが好きです」(わたしはえんげきをみるのがすきです). She is studying theater at university「彼女は大学で演劇を勉強しています」(かのじょはだいがくでえんげきをべんきょうしています). The word can also refer to the broader concept of dramatic arts, including acting, directing, and stagecraft.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

629

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Violent, Fierce

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)敫

Example Word

激しい: intense or violent. The Japanese adjective '激しい (はげしい)' primarily means 'intense' or 'violent'. It is used to describe situations, emotions, or actions that are extreme in nature. For example: The storm was intense「嵐が激しかった」(あらしがはげしかった). He has a violent temper「彼は激しい気性だ」(かれははげしいきしょうだ). This word can also describe something that is severe or fierce, such as competition or pain. For instance: The competition is fierce「競争が激しい」(きょうそうがはげしい). The pain was severe「痛みが激しかった」(いたみがはげしかった). It is important to note that '激しい' can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the situation.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

803

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Beat, Strike

Reading

Parts

車Car 殳Pike 手Hand

Example Word

攻撃: attack. The Japanese verbal noun '攻撃 (こうげき)' primarily means 'attack'. It refers to an aggressive and violent action against someone or something, often used in contexts like military, sports, or debates. It can describe both physical and verbal attacks. For example: The army launched an attack「軍隊が攻撃を開始した」(ぐんたいがこうげきをかいしした). He was criticized for his harsh attack on the policy「彼はその政策への厳しい攻撃で批判された」(かれはそのせいさくへのきびしいこうげきでひはんされた). Note that '攻撃' can also be used metaphorically, such as attacking a problem or issue, indicating a strong and direct approach to solving it.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

894

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Crevice

Reading

Parts

⻖

Example Word

隙間: gap. The Japanese noun '隙間 (すきま)' refers to a 'gap' or 'space' between objects. It is commonly used to describe physical spaces, such as gaps between walls, doors, or furniture, but can also be used metaphorically to describe gaps in time or relationships. For example: there is a gap between the wall and the desk「壁と机の間に隙間がある」(かべとつくえのあいだにすきまがある). I found a gap in my schedule「スケジュールに隙間を見つけた」(すけじゅーるにすきまをみつけた). The word can also imply a sense of something being overlooked or unnoticed, as in '隙間時間 (すきまじかん)', which refers to small pockets of free time.

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1330

Handwriting