Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Half

Reading

Parts

丷Divide 干Dry

Example Word

後半: second half. The Japanese noun '後半 (こうはん)' refers to the 'second half' of something, such as a period of time, an event, or a game. It is often used in contexts like sports, movies, or academic terms. For example: The second half of the movie was exciting「映画の後半は興奮した」(えいがのこうはんはこうふんした). The second half of the year is busy「年の後半は忙しい」(としのこうはんはいそがしい). This term is commonly paired with '前半 (ぜんはん)' to denote the first half of something.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

228

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Anti

Reading

Parts

厂Cliff 又Again

Example Word

反映: influence or reflection. The Japanese verbal noun '反映 (はんえい)' has two distinct meanings. The first is 'reflection', which refers to the literal or figurative representation of something, such as light or ideas. For example: The lake reflects the mountains「湖が山を反映している」(みずうみがやまをはんえいしている). The second meaning is 'influence', where something affects or shapes another thing. For example: The new policy reflects public opinion「新しい政策は世論を反映している」(あたらしいせいさくはよろんをはんえいしている). This word is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as in discussions about art, science, or politics.

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

326

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Judge, Stamp

Reading

Parts

半Half 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

判断: judgment. The Japanese verbal noun '判断 (はんだん)' means 'judgment' or 'decision'. It refers to the act of making a decision or forming an opinion after careful consideration. This word is often used in contexts where someone evaluates a situation or information to reach a conclusion. For example: I made a quick judgment「私はすぐに判断した」(わたしはすぐにはんだんした). His judgment was correct「彼の判断は正しかった」(かれのはんだんはただしかった). It can also be used in professional or formal settings, such as in legal or medical contexts, to describe the process of making a critical decision.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

330

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Board

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 反Anti

Example Word

掲示板: bulletin board. The Japanese noun '掲示板 (けいじばん)' refers to a 'bulletin board' or 'notice board'. It is commonly used to describe a physical or digital board where information, announcements, or messages are posted for public viewing. In modern contexts, it often refers to online forums or message boards. For example: I saw the notice on the bulletin board「掲示板にそのお知らせを見ました」(けいじばんにそのおしらせをみました). This online forum is very active「この掲示板はとても活発です」(このけいじばんはとてもかっぱつです). The word is widely used in both physical and digital contexts, making it a versatile term in Japanese.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

661

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cooked rice, Food

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)反Anti

Example Word

朝御飯: breakfast. The Japanese noun '朝御飯 (あさごはん)' means 'breakfast'. This word is a combination of '朝 (あさ)', meaning 'morning', and '御飯 (ごはん)', meaning 'meal' or 'rice'. It specifically refers to the first meal of the day, typically eaten in the morning. Example sentences: I eat breakfast every morning「私は毎朝朝御飯を食べる」(わたしはまいあさあさごはんをたべる). What did you have for breakfast?「朝御飯は何を食べましたか？」(あさごはんはなにをたべましたか？). This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and is essential for discussing daily routines.

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

全般: overall. The Japanese noun '全般 (ぜんぱん)' refers to the entirety or the overall scope of something. It is often used to describe a general or comprehensive view of a subject, situation, or field. For example: the overall situation「全般の状況」(ぜんぱんのじょうきょう). The overall trend in the market「市場の全般的な傾向」(しじょうのぜんぱんてきなけいこう). This term is commonly used in formal or technical contexts to discuss broad aspects rather than specific details.

Radical

舟

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

853

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Crime

Reading

Parts

犭 㔾

Example Word

犯す: commit. The Japanese verb '犯す (おかす)' primarily means 'to commit' and is most often used in the context of committing a crime, sin, or wrongdoing. It carries a strong negative connotation and is typically associated with serious offenses. For example: he committed a crime「彼は罪を犯した」(かれはつみをおかした). It can also be used in a broader sense to mean 'to violate' or 'to transgress', such as violating a rule or moral boundary. For example: she violated the rules「彼女はルールを犯した」(かのじょはルールをおかした). This verb is not used in casual or positive contexts and should be handled with care due to its serious implications.

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

亻Person (人)半Half

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

片Fragment, One sided 反Anti

Example Word

出版: publish. The Japanese verbal noun '出版 (しゅっぱん)' means 'publish'. It refers to the act of producing and distributing written or printed material, such as books, magazines, or newspapers, for public consumption. This term is commonly used in contexts related to the publishing industry. For example: The book will be published next month「その本は来月出版されます」(そのほんはらいげつしゅっぱんされます). He works in publishing「彼は出版業界で働いています」(かれはしゅっぱんぎょうかいではたらいています). The nuance of '出版' emphasizes the formal process of making content available to the public, often through established channels like publishers or media companies.

Radical

片

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1084

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Model, Pattern

Reading

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)車Car 㔾

Example Word

模範: model. The Japanese noun '模範 (もはん)' means 'model' or 'example'. It refers to a standard or pattern that serves as a guide for behavior, actions, or performance. This word is often used in contexts where someone or something is being held up as an ideal to emulate. For example: He is a model student「彼は模範的な学生です」(かれはもはんてきながくせいです). Follow the model example「模範に従ってください」(もはんにしたがってください). The term can also be used in professional or educational settings to describe exemplary conduct or work.

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1136

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slope, Heights

Reading

Parts

⻖ 反Anti

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

艹Grass 潘

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

巾Towel 凡Common

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

玨 文Sentence

Radical

文

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1830

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Edge of, Shore

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 半Half

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1860

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Group, Squad

Reading

Parts

王King 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

班: group 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

貝Shellfish 反Anti

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

分Minute, Part 頁Page

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