kanji

Meaning

Peace

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 口Mouth

Example Word

和らげる: soften. The Japanese verb '和らげる (やわらげる)' means 'to soften' or 'to alleviate'. It is used to describe the act of making something less severe, intense, or harsh. This can apply to physical sensations, emotions, or situations. For example: The medicine alleviated the pain「薬が痛みを和らげた」(くすりがいたみをやわらげた). She tried to soften his anger「彼女は彼の怒りを和らげようとした」(かのじょはかれのいかりをやわらげようとした). The word can also be used in contexts like softening the tone of a conversation or easing tension in a situation.

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

伯父: uncle. The Japanese noun '伯父 (おじ)' refers to an uncle, specifically one's father's older brother. It is used to denote a familial relationship and is part of the Japanese kinship terminology. The term is distinct from '叔父 (おじ)', which refers to one's father's younger brother. Example sentences include: My uncle is coming over「伯父が来ます」(おじがきます). I visited my uncle's house「伯父の家を訪ねました」(おじのいえをたずねました). The term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to this specific family member.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

883

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dirty, Dishonor

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)亐

Example Word

汚す: dirty. The Japanese verb '汚す (よごす)' means 'to make something dirty' or 'to soil'. It is used when something clean becomes dirty due to an action or external factor. This verb can be applied to physical objects, places, or even abstract concepts like reputation. For example: he dirtied his shirt「彼はシャツを汚した」(かれはシャツをよごした). Don't dirty the room「部屋を汚さないで」(へやをよごさないで). The verb can also be used metaphorically, such as in 'to tarnish one's reputation'「評判を汚す」(ひょうばんをよごす).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1149

Handwriting