kanji

Meaning

Peace

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 口Mouth

Example Word

違和: discomfort. The Japanese noun '違和 (いわ)' refers to a sense of discomfort, unease, or incongruity. It is often used to describe a feeling that something is out of place or not quite right, whether physically, emotionally, or situationally. For example: I felt a sense of discomfort in the new environment「新しい環境に違和を感じた」(あたらしいかんきょうにいわをかんじた). There was an incongruity in his explanation「彼の説明に違和があった」(かれのせつめいにいわがあった). This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to express a subtle sense of something being off or not harmonious.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

313

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Chief, Older sibling of parent

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)白White

Example Word

伯母: aunt. The Japanese noun '伯母 (おば)' refers to one's aunt, specifically the sister of one's parent. It is used to denote a familial relationship and is a respectful term. The term can be used for both the father's and mother's sisters, but it is important to note that in Japanese, there are different terms for older and younger aunts, with '伯母 (おば)' typically referring to an older aunt. For example: My aunt is coming to visit「私の伯母が訪ねてきます」(わたしのおばがたずねてきます). She is my father's older sister「彼女は私の父の伯母です」(かのじょはわたしのちちのおばです).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

883

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dirty, Dishonor

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)亐

Example Word

汚れ: impurity. The Japanese noun '汚れ (けがれ)' refers to 'impurity' or 'defilement'. It is often used in both physical and spiritual contexts. In a physical sense, it can describe dirt or stains on objects or surfaces. In a spiritual or ritualistic sense, it refers to a state of being spiritually unclean or polluted, often requiring purification. For example: The impurity on the wall was hard to remove「壁の汚れは取りにくかった」(かべのけがれはとりにくかった). In Shinto, impurity is believed to bring misfortune「神道では、汚れは不幸をもたらすと信じられている」(しんとうでは、けがれはふこうをもたらすとしんじられている).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1149

Handwriting