字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Half

Reading

Parts

干Dry 丷Divide

Example Word

半月: half month. The Japanese noun '半月 (はんつき)' refers to a period of half a month, typically around 15 days. It is often used to describe a specific time frame or duration. For example: I will be on vacation for half a month「半月休みます」(はんつきやすみます). The project will take half a month to complete「そのプロジェクトは半月かかります」(そのプロジェクトははんつきかかります). This term is commonly used in scheduling, planning, and discussing time-related matters.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

228

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Anti

Reading

Parts

厂Cliff 又Again

Example Word

反対: reverse or opposition. The Japanese verbal noun '反対 (はんたい)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'opposition,' referring to being against something or someone, such as in a disagreement or protest. For example: I am against this plan「私はこの計画に反対です」(わたしはこのけいかくにはんたいです). The second meaning is 'reverse,' indicating the opposite direction or side. For example: Please write it in reverse order「反対の順番で書いてください」(はんたいのじゅんばんでかいてください). The word is versatile and can be used in both abstract and concrete contexts, depending on the situation.

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

326

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Judge, Stamp

Reading

Parts

刂Sword (刀)半Half

Example Word

批判: criticism. The Japanese verbal noun '批判 (ひはん)' means 'criticism'. It refers to the act of analyzing and evaluating something, often pointing out its faults or shortcomings. This word is commonly used in contexts such as social commentary, reviews, or discussions where judgment or evaluation is involved. For example: His criticism was harsh「彼の批判は厳しかった」(かれのひはんはきびしかった). The media criticized the government「メディアは政府を批判した」(メディアはせいふをひはんした). Note that '批判' can carry a negative connotation, implying disapproval or fault-finding, but it can also be used neutrally in analytical contexts.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

330

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Board

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 反Anti

Example Word

黒板: blackboard. The Japanese noun '黒板 (こくばん)' refers to a 'blackboard', a flat, typically dark-colored surface used for writing or drawing with chalk, commonly found in classrooms. It is a standard item in educational settings and is used by teachers to write lessons or instructions. Example sentences: The teacher wrote on the blackboard「先生は黒板に書きました」(せんせいはこくばんにかきました). Please clean the blackboard「黒板を消してください」(こくばんをけしてください). The word is composed of the kanji 黒 (くろ) meaning 'black' and 板 (いた) meaning 'board', reflecting its traditional appearance and function.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

661

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cooked rice, Food

Reading

Parts

反Anti 飠Eat (食)

Example Word

夕飯: dinner. The Japanese noun '夕飯 (ゆうはん)' refers to the evening meal, commonly known as 'dinner'. It is a compound of '夕 (ゆう)', meaning 'evening', and '飯 (はん)', meaning 'meal' or 'cooked rice'. This word is used in everyday conversation to refer to the main meal eaten in the evening. For example: Let's eat dinner「夕飯を食べましょう」(ゆうはんをたべましょう). What's for dinner tonight?「今夜の夕飯は何ですか？」(こんやのゆうはんはなんですか？). It is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

723

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slope

Reading

Parts

土Soil 反Anti

Example Word

坂: slope. The Japanese noun '坂 (さか)' means 'slope' or 'hill'. It refers to an inclined surface, such as a road or path that goes up or down. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and place names. For example: The slope is steep「坂が急です」(さかがきゅうです). Let's walk up the hill「坂を登りましょう」(さかをのぼりましょう). The nuance of this word is neutral and can refer to both gentle and steep slopes. It is often used in contexts related to travel, hiking, or describing terrain.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

761

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sort, Carrier

Reading

Parts

舟Boat 殳Pike

Example Word

一般: general. The Japanese noun '一般 (いっぱん)' means 'general' and refers to something that is common, widespread, or applicable to the majority. It is often used to describe concepts, rules, or ideas that are not specific or specialized. For example: general public「一般の人々」(いっぱんのひとびと). This is a general rule「これは一般のルールです」(これはいっぱんのルールです). It can also be used in phrases like '一般向け (いっぱんむけ)' meaning 'for the general public' or '一般論 (いっぱんろん)' meaning 'general theory'.

Radical

舟

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

853

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Crime

Reading

Parts

㔾 犭

Example Word

犯罪: crime. The Japanese noun '犯罪 (はんざい)' means 'crime'. It refers to an act that is against the law and punishable by the legal system. This word is commonly used in legal, social, and everyday contexts to describe illegal activities. For example: The police are investigating the crime「警察は犯罪を調査しています」(けいさつははんざいをちょうさしています). He was arrested for committing a crime「彼は犯罪を犯して逮捕された」(かれははんざいをおかしてたいほされた). The word can also be used in broader contexts, such as discussing crime rates or societal issues related to crime.

Radical

犬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

893

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Common

Reading

Parts

几 丶Dot

Example Word

凡そ: approximately. The Japanese adverb '凡そ (およそ)' means 'approximately' or 'roughly'. It is used to indicate an estimate or a general idea rather than an exact figure. This word is often used in contexts where precision is not required or when giving a rough overview. For example: The meeting will take approximately two hours「会議は凡そ二時間かかります」(かいぎはおよそにじかんかかります). Approximately 100 people attended the event「凡そ100人がイベントに参加しました」(およそひゃくにんがイベントにさんかしました). It can also be used to mean 'in general' or 'on the whole', as in: In general, his ideas are good「凡そ、彼のアイデアは良い」(およそ、かれのアイデアはよい).

Radical

几

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

899

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Accompany, Companion

Reading

Parts

半Half 亻Person (人)

Example Word

伴う: accompany. The Japanese verb '伴う (ともなう)' primarily means 'to accompany' or 'to go along with'. It is often used to describe situations where one thing naturally follows or is associated with another. This verb can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: success often accompanies hard work「成功はしばしば努力を伴う」(せいこうはしばしばどりょくをともなう). The storm was accompanied by strong winds「嵐は強い風を伴っていた」(あらしはつよいかぜをともなっていた). It's important to note that '伴う' can also imply a sense of inevitability or necessity in the relationship between the two things being described.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

945

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Printing block, Edition

Reading

Parts

反Anti 片Fragment, One sided

Example Word

版: edition or version. The Japanese noun '版 (はん)' refers to an 'edition' or 'version' of something, such as a book, software, or media. It is commonly used to specify a particular release or iteration of a product. For example: This is the latest edition of the book「これは本の最新版です」(これはほんのさいしんばんです). The software version has been updated「ソフトウェアの版が更新されました」(ソフトウェアのはんがこうしんされました). Note that '版' can also refer to printing plates or blocks in traditional contexts, but this usage is less common in modern language.

Radical

片

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1084

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Model, Pattern

Reading

Parts

車Car 㔾 ⺮Bamboo (竹)

Example Word

範囲: range. The Japanese noun '範囲 (はんい)' means 'range'. It refers to the extent or scope of something, such as a physical area, a set of values, or a field of activity. This word is commonly used in both everyday and technical contexts. For example: the range of the mountains「山の範囲」(やまのはんい). The temperature range is wide「温度の範囲は広い」(おんどのはんいはひろい). It can also be used metaphorically, as in 'the range of his knowledge is impressive'「彼の知識の範囲はすごい」(かれのちしきのはんいはすごい).

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1136

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slope, Heights

Reading

Parts

反Anti ⻖

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1162

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thrive, Overgrown

Reading

Parts

敏Agile, Alert 糸Thread

Example Word

頻繁: frequent. The Japanese adjectival noun '頻繁 (ひんぱん)' means 'frequent'. It is used to describe something that happens often or repeatedly. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate regularity or high occurrence. For example: He makes frequent trips to Japan「彼は頻繁に日本へ行く」(かれはひんぱんににほんへいく). The train delays are frequent「電車の遅延は頻繁だ」(でんしゃのちえんはひんぱんだ). Note that '頻繁' is often used with the particle 'に' when modifying a verb, as in '頻繁に会う (ひんぱんにあう) (to meet frequently)'.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1254

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fief, Fiefdom

Reading

Parts

潘 艹Grass

Example Word

藩: domain. The Japanese noun '藩 (はん)' refers to a 'domain' or 'feudal domain' during the Edo period in Japan. It was a territory controlled by a daimyo (feudal lord) under the shogunate system. The term is historically significant and is often used in discussions about Japan's feudal era. For example: The domain was prosperous「その藩は繁栄していた」(そのはんははんえいしていた). He governed the domain「彼はその藩を治めた」(かれはそのはんをおさめた). The word is primarily used in historical contexts and is less common in modern everyday language.

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1283

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sail

Reading

Parts

凡Common 巾Towel

Example Word

帆: sail. The Japanese noun '帆 (ほ)' means 'sail'. It refers to the piece of fabric attached to a ship or boat that catches the wind and propels the vessel forward. This word is often used in nautical contexts and can also appear in idiomatic expressions or poetic language. For example: The ship's sail is white「船の帆は白い」(ふねのほはしろい). The wind filled the sail「風が帆を膨らませた」(かぜがほをふくらませた). Note that '帆' is typically used in written or formal contexts, while in everyday conversation, people might use more descriptive phrases like '船の帆 (ふねのほ)' to specify the sail of a ship.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1285

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Vexed, Anxiety

Reading

Parts

火Fire 頁Page

Example Word

煩い: noisy or annoying. The Japanese adjective '煩い (うるさい)' can mean both 'noisy' and 'annoying'. It is commonly used to describe loud sounds or situations that are bothersome or irritating. For example: The construction noise is annoying「工事の音が煩い」(こうじのおとがうるさい). My little brother is being noisy「弟が煩い」(おとうとがうるさい). This word can also be used to describe someone who is overly critical or nagging, as in 'My mom is always nagging me「母がうるさい」(ははがうるさい)'. The nuance of the word depends on the context, but it generally conveys a sense of irritation or disturbance.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1531

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Speckled

Reading

Parts

文Sentence 玨

Radical

文

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1830

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Edge of, Shore

Reading

Parts

半Half 田Rice field

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1860

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Group, Squad

Reading

Parts

刂Sword (刀)王King

Example Word

班: group (of people) or squad. The Japanese noun '班 (はん)' refers to a small group or squad, often organized for a specific purpose or task. It is commonly used in contexts such as school activities, work projects, or military units. For example: The students formed a group for the project「学生たちはプロジェクトのための班を作った」(がくせいたちはぷろじぇくとのためのはんをつくった). The squad completed the mission successfully「班は任務を成功させた」(はんはにんむをせいこうさせた). The word emphasizes the organized and functional nature of the group, rather than just a casual gathering.

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1945

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sell

Reading

Parts

反Anti 貝Shellfish

Example Word

販売: sale. The Japanese verbal noun '販売 (はんばい)' means 'sale' or 'selling'. It refers to the act of selling goods or services. This word is commonly used in business contexts, such as retail, marketing, and commerce. For example: The sale of this product starts tomorrow「この商品の販売は明日からです」(このしょうひんのはんばいがあすからです). This store sells various items「この店はいろいろな商品を販売しています」(このみせはいろいろなしょうひんをはんばいしています). Note that '販売' is often used in compound words, such as '販売員 (はんばいいん)' (salesperson) or '販売価格 (はんばいかかく)' (selling price).

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2028

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Transport, Carry

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)般Sort, Carrier

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2031

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pan

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)凡Common

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2063

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Partition, Distribute widely

Reading

Parts

頁Page 分Minute, Part

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2097

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wide, Spread out

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)㔾

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2103

Handwriting