Page 1
kanji
半Meaning
Half
Reading
kunyomiなかnaka
onyomiはんhan
Parts
丷Divide 干Dry
Example Word
半日: half day. The Japanese noun '半日 (はんにち)' means 'half a day'. It refers to a period of time that is approximately 12 hours, typically used to describe the duration of an activity or event. For example: I took a half-day off from work「仕事を半日休みました」(しごとをはんにちやすみました). The tour lasts for half a day「ツアーは半日かかります」(ツアーははんにちかかります). This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate a shorter duration compared to a full day.
Radical
十
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
228
Handwriting
kanji
反Meaning
Anti
Reading
kunyomiそso
onyomiはんhan
たんtan
Parts
厂Cliff 又Again
Example Word
反応: reaction. The Japanese verbal noun '反応 (はんのう)' means 'reaction'. It refers to a response or change that occurs as a result of an action, event, or stimulus. This word is commonly used in both scientific and everyday contexts. For example: The chemical reaction was fast「化学反応は速かった」(かがくはんのうははやかった). Her reaction to the news was surprising「彼女のそのニュースへの反応は驚くものだった」(かのじょのそのニュースへのはんのうはおどろくものだった). It can also describe emotional or social responses, such as public reaction to a policy「政策への世間の反応」(せいさくへのせけんのはんのう).
Radical
又
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
326
Handwriting
kanji
判Meaning
Judge, Stamp
Reading
onyomiばんban
はんhan
Parts
半Half 刂Sword (刀)
Example Word
判定: judgment or decision. The Japanese noun '判定 (はんてい)' refers to the act of making a judgment or decision, often based on specific criteria or rules. It is commonly used in contexts such as sports, competitions, or evaluations where an official or authoritative decision is required. For example: The referee's judgment was fair「審判の判定は公平だった」(しんぱんのはんていはこうへいだった). The decision on the winner was difficult「勝者の判定は難しかった」(しょうしゃのはんていはむずかしかった). This word emphasizes the formal or official nature of the judgment being made.
Radical
刀
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
330
Handwriting
kanji
板Meaning
Board
Reading
kunyomiいたita
onyomiばんban
はんhan
Parts
木Tree, Wood 反Anti
Example Word
まな板: cutting board. The Japanese noun 'まな板 (まないた)' refers to a 'cutting board', a flat surface used in cooking for cutting and preparing food. It is an essential tool in Japanese kitchens, often made from wood or plastic. Example sentences: Please wash the cutting board after use「まな板を使った後で洗ってください」(まないたをつかったあとであらってください). I bought a new cutting board「新しいまな板を買いました」(あたらしいまないたをかいました). The word is commonly used in everyday cooking contexts and is straightforward in its meaning.
Radical
木
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
661
Handwriting
kanji
飯Meaning
Cooked rice, Food
Reading
kunyomiめしmeshi
onyomiはんhan
Parts
飠Eat (食)反Anti
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
12JLPT
N4Grade
4Frequency
723
Handwriting
kanji
坂Meaning
Slope
Reading
kunyomiさかsaka
onyomiはんhan
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
7JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
761
Handwriting
kanji
般Meaning
Sort, Carrier
Reading
onyomiはんhan
Parts
舟Boat 殳Pike
Example Word
一般に: generally. The Japanese adverb '一般に (いっぱんに)' means 'generally' or 'in general'. It is used to indicate that something is true or applicable in most cases or as a general rule. This adverb is often used in formal or academic contexts to make broad statements or generalizations. For example: Generally, Japanese people are polite「一般に、日本人は礼儀正しい」(いっぱんに、にほんじんはれいぎただしい). It is generally believed that exercise is good for health「一般に、運動は健康に良いと考えられている」(いっぱんに、うんどうはけんこうにいいとかんがえられている). The adverb can also be used to introduce a commonly accepted fact or opinion.
Radical
舟
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
853
Handwriting
kanji
犯Meaning
Crime
Reading
kunyomiおかoka
onyomiはんhan
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
5JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
893
Handwriting
kanji
凡Meaning
Common
Reading
kunyomiおよoyo
すべsube
おうよouyo
onyomiはんhan
ぼんbon
Parts
几 丶Dot
Example Word
平凡: ordinary. The Japanese adjectival noun '平凡 (へいぼん)' means 'ordinary' or 'commonplace'. It is used to describe something that is not special, unique, or extraordinary, but rather typical or average. This word often carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of distinction or excitement. For example: His life is ordinary「彼の人生は平凡だ」(かれのじんせいはへいぼんだ). This story is too commonplace「この物語は平凡すぎる」(このものがたりはへいぼんすぎる). Note that '平凡' is often used to describe situations, lifestyles, or characteristics that are unremarkable.
Radical
几
Stroke Count
3JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
899
Handwriting
kanji
伴Meaning
Accompany, Companion
Reading
kunyomiともなtomona
onyomiばんban
はんhan
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
7JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
945
Handwriting
kanji
版Meaning
Printing block, Edition
Reading
onyomiはんhan
Parts
片Fragment, One sided 反Anti
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
8JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
1084
Handwriting
kanji
範Meaning
Model, Pattern
Reading
onyomiはんhan
Parts
⺮Bamboo (竹)車Car 㔾
Example Word
規範: norm. The Japanese noun '規範 (きはん)' refers to a standard, norm, or model that serves as a guideline for behavior, thought, or judgment. It is often used in contexts related to social, ethical, or professional standards. For example: Society has its own norms「社会にはその規範がある」(しゃかいにはそのきはんがある). We must follow the norms of the workplace「職場の規範に従わなければならない」(しょくばのきはんにしたがわなければならない). The word can also imply a sense of authority or a benchmark that is widely accepted within a community or group.
Radical
竹
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1136
Handwriting
kanji
繁Meaning
Thrive, Overgrown
Reading
kunyomiしげshige
onyomiはんhan
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
16JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1254
Handwriting
kanji
藩Meaning
Fief, Fiefdom
Reading
onyomiはんhan
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
18JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1283
Handwriting
kanji
帆Meaning
Sail
Reading
kunyomiほho
onyomiはんhan
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
6JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1285
Handwriting
kanji
煩Meaning
Vexed, Anxiety
Reading
kunyomiわずらwazura
うるさurusa
onyomiはんhan
ぼんbon
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
13JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1531
Handwriting
kanji
班Meaning
Group, Squad
Reading
onyomiはんhan
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
10JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
1945
Handwriting
kanji
販Meaning
Sell
Reading
onyomiはんhan
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
11JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
2028
Handwriting