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: anti. The Japanese prefix '反 (はん)' means 'anti' or 'against'. It is commonly used to form words that express opposition or resistance to something. For example: anti-war「反戦」(はんせん), anti-government「反政府」(はんせいふ), anti-social「反社会的」(はんしゃかいてき). This prefix is often attached to nouns to create compound words that convey a sense of opposition or contrast. It is important to note that '反 (はん)' is a prefix and not a standalone word, so it always appears at the beginning of a compound word.
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
裁判: trial. The Japanese verbal noun '裁判 (さいばん)' refers to a 'trial' or 'legal judgment'. It is used in the context of legal proceedings where a court examines evidence and arguments to decide a case. This term is often associated with criminal or civil cases. For example: The trial will start tomorrow「裁判は明日始まります」(さいばんはあしたはじまります). He was found guilty at the trial「彼は裁判で有罪とされた」(かれはさいばんでゆうざいとされた). The word can also be used in broader contexts, such as '裁判所 (さいばんしょ)' meaning 'court of 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
看板: signboard. The Japanese noun '看板 (かんばん)' refers to a 'signboard' or 'sign', typically used to display information such as the name of a business, advertisements, or directions. It is commonly seen outside shops, restaurants, and other establishments. For example: The signboard is bright「看板が明るい」(かんばんがあかるい). The restaurant's signboard is easy to see「レストランの看板が見やすい」(レストランのかんばんがみやすい). Additionally, '看板' can metaphorically refer to something that represents or symbolizes a business or organization, such as a flagship product or service.
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
飯: meal. The Japanese noun '飯 (めし)' primarily means 'meal' or 'cooked rice'. It is a casual and somewhat colloquial term often used in everyday conversation. While it can refer to a meal in general, it is also specifically used to denote cooked rice, which is a staple of Japanese cuisine. For example: Let's eat a meal「飯を食べよう」(めしをたべよう). This rice is delicious「この飯は美味しい」(このめしはおいしい). The word can carry a slightly rough or masculine tone, so it is more commonly used among friends or in informal settings rather than in polite or formal contexts.
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: 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
10JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
853
Handwriting
kanji
犯Meaning
Crime
Reading
kunyomiおかoka
onyomiはんhan
Parts
犭 㔾
Example Word
犯人: criminal. The Japanese noun '犯人 (はんにん)' refers to a 'criminal' or 'culprit', specifically someone who has committed a crime or wrongdoing. It is commonly used in legal, police, or investigative contexts. For example: The criminal was arrested「犯人は逮捕された」(はんにんはたいほされた). Who is the culprit?「犯人は誰ですか？」(はんにんはだれですか？). The word is neutral in tone and does not carry additional connotations unless specified by context.
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
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
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
出版社: publisher. The Japanese noun '出版社 (しゅっぱんしゃ)' refers to a 'publisher', specifically a company or organization that publishes books, magazines, or other written materials. It is commonly used in contexts related to the publishing industry. For example: This book was published by a famous publisher「この本は有名な出版社から出版されました」(このほんはゆうめいなしゅっぱんしゃからしゅっぱんされました). She works at a publishing company「彼女は出版社で働いています」(かのじょはしゅっぱんしゃではたらいています). The word is often used in professional or formal settings when discussing the production and distribution of written works.
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
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
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
繁栄: prosperity. The Japanese verbal noun '繁栄 (はんえい)' means 'prosperity'. It refers to the state of flourishing, thriving, or being successful, often in the context of economic, social, or cultural growth. This word is commonly used in formal or written contexts to describe the prosperity of a nation, business, or community. For example: The prosperity of the country depends on innovation「国の繁栄は革新にかかっている」(くにのはんえいかくしんにかかっている). We wish for the continued prosperity of our company「我々は会社の継続的な繁栄を願っています」(われわれはかいしゃのけいぞくてきなはんえいをねがっています). Note that '繁栄' is often used in a positive and aspirational sense, emphasizing growth and success.
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
市販: retail. The Japanese noun '市販 (しはん)' refers to products or goods that are sold commercially, typically in retail stores or through general distribution channels. It is often used to describe items that are widely available to the public, as opposed to custom-made or specialized products. For example: This medicine is available over-the-counter「この薬は市販されています」(このくすりはしはんされています). I bought a retail version of the software「市販のソフトウェアを買いました」(しはんのソフトウェアをかいました). The term can also imply that something is mass-produced and accessible to the general consumer market.
Radical
貝
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
2028
Handwriting