Page 1
kanji
不Meaning
Not
Reading
onyomiふfu
ぶbu
Example Word
不利: disadvantage. The Japanese adjectival noun '不利 (ふり)' means 'disadvantage' or 'unfavorable'. It is used to describe a situation, condition, or position that puts someone at a disadvantage or is unfavorable. This word is often used in contexts such as negotiations, competitions, or strategic planning. For example: The new policy is unfavorable to small businesses「新しい政策は中小企業に不利だ」(あたらしいせいさくはちゅうしょうきぎょうにふりだ). Being late put him at a disadvantage「遅刻したことが彼に不利になった」(ちこくしたことがかれにふりになった). Note that '不利' is often used in formal or strategic contexts and can describe both tangible and intangible disadvantages.
Radical
一
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N4Grade
4Frequency
61
Handwriting
kanji
風Meaning
Wind, Style
Reading
kunyomiかざkaza
かぜkaze
onyomiふfu
ふうfuu
Parts
虫Insect 凡Common
Example Word
風邪: cold. The Japanese noun '風邪 (かぜ)' refers to the common cold, an illness characterized by symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. It is a common term used in everyday conversation when discussing health. For example: I caught a cold「風邪を引いた」(かぜをひいた). Don't catch a cold「風邪を引かないで」(かぜをひかないで). This word is often used in phrases like '風邪を引く (かぜをひく)' (to catch a cold) or '風邪薬 (かぜぐすり)' (cold medicine).
Radical
風
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
102
Handwriting
kanji
夫Meaning
Man, Husband
Reading
onyomiふfu
ふうfuu
Parts
人Person 二Two
Example Word
大丈夫: okay. The Japanese adjectival noun '大丈夫 (だいじょうぶ)' means 'okay' or 'all right'. It is commonly used to express that something is fine, safe, or not a problem. It can also be used to reassure someone or to confirm that everything is going well. For example: Are you okay?「大丈夫ですか？」(だいじょうぶですか？). It's okay, don't worry「大丈夫、心配しないで」(だいじょうぶ、しんぱいしないで). This word is versatile and can be used in various contexts, such as checking on someone's well-being, confirming the safety of a situation, or reassuring someone about a potential concern.
Radical
大
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
133
Handwriting
kanji
父Meaning
Father
Reading
kunyomiちちchichi
とうtou
onyomiふfu
Parts
八Eight 乂Govern
Example Word
父: father. The Japanese noun '父 (ちち)' means 'father'. It is a common and respectful term used to refer to one's own father. This word is typically used in formal or polite contexts, and it carries a sense of respect and affection. For example: my father is kind「私の父は優しい」(わたしのちちはやさしい). I talked to my father yesterday「昨日、父と話しました」(きのう、ちちとはなしました). It's important to note that '父 (ちち)' is used when referring to one's own father, while 'お父さん (おとうさん)' is a more casual and commonly used term, often used when addressing or referring to someone else's father.
Radical
父
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
137
Handwriting
kanji
付Meaning
Attach
Reading
kunyomiつtsu
onyomiふfu
Parts
亻Person (人)寸Measurement
Example Word
近付く: approach or become close. The Japanese verb '近付く (ちかづく)' primarily means 'to approach' or 'to become close'. It can be used both in a physical sense, such as approaching a location, and in a relational sense, such as becoming close to someone. For example: The train is approaching the station「電車が駅に近付いている」(でんしゃがえきにちかづいている). We became close friends over time「私たちは時間とともに近付いた」(わたしたちはじかんとともにちかづいた). This verb is often used to describe the process of getting closer, either physically or emotionally.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
252
Handwriting
kanji
婦Meaning
Lady
Reading
onyomiふfu
Parts
女Woman 帚
Example Word
主婦: housewife. The Japanese noun '主婦 (しゅふ)' refers to a 'housewife', a woman who manages the household and does not typically work outside the home. This term is commonly used in Japan to describe women who are primarily responsible for domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children. It is a neutral term but can carry cultural connotations about gender roles. Example sentences: She is a housewife「彼女は主婦です」(かのじょはしゅふです). My mother was a housewife「私の母は主婦でした」(わたしのはははしゅふでした).
Radical
女
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
346
Handwriting
kanji
敷Meaning
Spread, Lay
Reading
kunyomiしshi
しきshiki
onyomiふfu
Parts
旉 攵Strike
Example Word
敷く: lay. The Japanese verb '敷く (しく)' primarily means 'to lay' or 'to spread out'. It is used when placing something flat over a surface, such as laying down a carpet, spreading out a blanket, or even laying railroad tracks. For example: I laid a carpet in the room「部屋にカーペットを敷いた」(へやにかーぺっとをしいた). They are laying new train tracks「新しい線路を敷いている」(あたらしいせんろをしいている). Additionally, '敷く' can be used metaphorically, such as establishing rules or foundations. For example: The company laid down new rules「会社は新しい規則を敷いた」(かいしゃはあたらしいきそくをしいた).
Radical
攴
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
400
Handwriting
kanji
浮Meaning
Float
Reading
kunyomiうわuwa
うu
onyomiふfu
Parts
氵Water (水)孚
Example Word
浮く: float. The Japanese verb '浮く (うく)' means 'to float'. It is used to describe something that is buoyant and remains on the surface of a liquid or in the air. This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe feelings of detachment or being out of place. For example: the boat floats on the water「ボートが水に浮く」(ボートがみずにうく). I feel like I'm floating in the air「空に浮いているような気がする」(そらにういているようなきがする). In a social context, it can describe someone who feels out of place: he feels like he doesn't belong here「彼はここで浮いている感じがする」(かれはここでういているかんじがする).
Radical
水
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
458
Handwriting
kanji
負Meaning
Defeat
Reading
kunyomiおo
まma
onyomiふfu
Parts
⺈Wrap 貝Shellfish
Example Word
勝負: match or contest. The Japanese verbal noun '勝負 (しょうぶ)' refers to a match, game, or contest where there is a clear winner and loser. It is often used in the context of sports, games, or competitions, but can also be applied to any situation where there is a decisive outcome. For example: The match starts now「勝負はこれからだ」(しょうぶはこれからだ). He is good at contests「彼は勝負強い」(かれはしょうぶづよい). The word can also imply a sense of challenge or confrontation, as in 'to take on a challenge' or 'to face off against someone.'
Radical
貝
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
575
Handwriting
kanji
富Meaning
Wealth, Rich
Reading
kunyomiとto
とみtomi
onyomiふfu
ふうfuu
Parts
宀Roof 畐Fill
Example Word
富: wealth. The Japanese noun '富 (とみ)' refers to 'wealth' or 'riches'. It is used to describe an abundance of valuable possessions, money, or resources. This word can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as material wealth or the wealth of knowledge. For example: He accumulated great wealth「彼は大きな富を築いた」(かれはおおきなとみをきずいた). The wealth of this country is vast「この国の富は大きい」(このくにのとみはおおきい). Note that '富' can also be used in compound words, such as '富国 (ふこく)' meaning 'wealthy nation'.
Radical
宀
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
649
Handwriting
kanji
布Meaning
Cloth, Linen
Reading
kunyomiぬのnuno
onyomiふfu
Example Word
布団: futon. The Japanese noun '布団 (ふとん)' refers to a traditional Japanese-style bedding, which typically includes a mattress and a duvet. Futons are designed to be laid directly on the floor and are commonly used in Japanese homes. They are known for their portability and space-saving qualities, as they can be folded and stored away during the day. Example sentences: I spread out the futon「布団を敷いた」(ふとんをしいた). The futon is comfortable「布団は気持ちいい」(ふとんはきもちいい).
Radical
巾
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
728
Handwriting
kanji
怖Meaning
Fearful, Dreadful
Reading
kunyomiこわkowa
onyomiふfu
Parts
忄 布Cloth, Linen
Example Word
怖がる: fear. The Japanese verb '怖がる (こわがる)' means 'to fear' or 'to be afraid'. It is used to describe the act of feeling fear or being scared of something. This verb often implies a visible or noticeable reaction to fear, such as trembling or avoiding the feared object. For example: The child is afraid of the dark「子供は暗闇を怖がる」(こどもはくらやみをこわがる). She is scared of dogs「彼女は犬を怖がる」(かのじょはいぬをこわがる). The verb can also be used to describe someone who is generally fearful or easily frightened, as in 'He is a fearful person'「彼は怖がりだ」(かれはこわがりだ).
Radical
心
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
744
Handwriting
kanji
府Meaning
Government office, Urban prefecture
Reading
onyomiふfu
Parts
广Dotted cliff 付Attach
Example Word
府立: prefectural. The Japanese noun '府立 (ふりつ)' refers to something that is established or operated by a prefecture, specifically in the context of institutions like schools, hospitals, or other public facilities. It is often used in the names of such institutions to indicate their affiliation with a prefecture. For example: prefectural high school「府立高校」(ふりつこうこう). prefectural hospital「府立病院」(ふりつびょういん). The term is commonly used in the Kansai region, particularly in Kyoto and Osaka, where '府' refers to the prefectural-level administrative divisions.
Radical
广
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
772
Handwriting
kanji
普Meaning
Universal, Widespread
Reading
onyomiふfu
Parts
並Line, Row 日Day, Sun
Example Word
普及: spread or diffusion. The Japanese verbal noun '普及 (ふきゅう)' refers to the act of spreading or diffusing something widely, such as information, technology, or ideas. It is often used in contexts where something becomes widely adopted or accepted. For example: The spread of smartphones has changed our lives「スマートフォンの普及は私たちの生活を変えた」(すまーとふぉんのふきゅうはわたしたちのせいかつをかえた). The government is promoting the diffusion of renewable energy「政府は再生可能エネルギーの普及を推進している」(せいふはさいせいかのうえねるぎーのふきゅうをすいしんしている). Note that '普及' is often used in formal or technical contexts.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
789
Handwriting
kanji
腐Meaning
Rot
Reading
kunyomiくさkusa
onyomiふfu
Parts
府Government office, Urban prefecture 肉Meat
Example Word
豆腐: tofu. The Japanese noun '豆腐 (とうふ)' refers to 'tofu', a food made from soybeans. It is a staple in Japanese cuisine and is known for its versatility and high protein content. Tofu can be prepared in various ways, such as fried, boiled, or eaten cold. For example: I ate tofu for dinner「夕食に豆腐を食べた」(ゆうしょくにとうふをたべた). This miso soup has tofu in it「この味噌汁には豆腐が入っている」(このみそしるにはとうふがはいっている). Tofu is often used in vegetarian and vegan diets as a meat substitute due to its texture and nutritional value.
Radical
肉
Stroke Count
14JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1332
Handwriting
kanji
膚Meaning
Skin
Reading
kunyomiはだhada
onyomiふfu
Parts
虍 胃Stomach
Example Word
皮膚: skin. The Japanese noun '皮膚 (ひふ)' refers to the outer covering of the body, commonly known as 'skin'. It is used in both medical and everyday contexts to describe the physical layer that protects the body. For example: My skin is dry「私の皮膚は乾燥している」(わたしのひふはかんそうしている). The skin is the largest organ of the body「皮膚は体の中で一番大きな器官です」(ひふはからだのなかでいちばんおおきなきかんです). The word can also be used in compound terms, such as '皮膚科 (ひふか)' (dermatology).
Radical
肉
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
1589
Handwriting
kanji
符Meaning
Token, Symbol
Reading
onyomiふfu
Parts
⺮Bamboo (竹)付Attach
Example Word
切符: ticket. The Japanese noun '切符 (きっぷ)' refers to a 'ticket', typically used for transportation such as trains, buses, or airplanes. It can also refer to tickets for events or other services. This word is commonly used in daily life when purchasing or using tickets. For example: I bought a train ticket「電車の切符を買いました」(でんしゃのきっぷをかいました). Please show your ticket「切符を見せてください」(きっぷをみせてください). The word is straightforward and widely understood in contexts involving travel or entry to events.
Radical
竹
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N2Grade
8Frequency
1629
Handwriting
kanji
赴Meaning
Proceed to
Reading
kunyomiおもむomomu
onyomiふfu
Parts
走Run 卜Divination
Example Word
赴く: go or proceed. The Japanese verb '赴く (おもむく)' primarily means 'to go' or 'to proceed' towards a specific destination or situation, often implying a sense of purpose or inevitability. It is commonly used in formal or literary contexts to describe moving towards a place, role, or state. For example: He went to the battlefield「彼は戦場に赴いた」(かれはせんじょうにおもむいた). She proceeded to her new job「彼女は新しい仕事に赴いた」(かのじょはあたらしいし ごとにおもむいた). The verb can also carry a nuanced sense of moving towards a fate or outcome, as in '赴く運命 (おもむくうんめい) (destined fate)'.
Radical
走
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1845
Handwriting