Page 1
kanji
半Meaning
Half
Reading
kunyomiなかnaka
onyomiはんhan
Parts
丷Divide 干Dry
Example Word
半年: half year. The Japanese noun '半年 (はんとし)' means 'half a year' or 'six months'. It is commonly used to refer to a period of time spanning six months. This term is often used in contexts such as contracts, academic semesters, or personal milestones. For example: I will study abroad for half a year「半年留学します」(はんとしりゅうがくします). The project will take half a year to complete「そのプロジェクトは半年かかります」(そのプロジェクトははんとしかかります). Note that '半年' is a specific term and should not be confused with other time-related words like '一年 (いちねん)' (one year) or '一ヶ月 (いっかげつ)' (one month).
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
違反: violation. The Japanese verbal noun '違反 (いはん)' means 'violation'. It refers to the act of breaking a rule, law, or agreement. This term is commonly used in legal, social, or formal contexts to describe actions that go against established regulations. For example: He committed a traffic violation「彼は交通違反をした」(かれはこうつういはんをした). Violation of the contract will result in penalties「契約違反は罰則を伴います」(けいやくいはんはばっそくをともないます). Note that '違反' is often used in compound words like '交通違反 (こうつういはん)' (traffic violation) or '契約違反 (けいやくいはん)' (breach of contract).
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
判例: precedent. The Japanese noun '判例 (はんれい)' refers to a legal precedent, which is a past judicial decision that serves as a reference for deciding similar cases in the future. This term is commonly used in legal contexts, such as in courts or legal discussions, to refer to previous rulings that can influence or guide current judgments. For example: This case follows a precedent「この事件は判例に従っている」(このじけんははんれいにしたがっている). The judge referred to a precedent「裁判官は判例を参照した」(さいばんかんははんれいをさんしょうした). It's important to note that '判例' is a formal term and is typically used in professional or academic settings related to law.
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
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
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
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
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
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