Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Way, Form

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 羊Sheep 氺Water (水)

Example Word

異様: strange. The Japanese adjectival noun '異様 (いよう)' means 'strange' or 'unusual'. It is used to describe something that is out of the ordinary, peculiar, or abnormal. This word often carries a nuance of something being unsettling or eerie. For example: The atmosphere was strange「その雰囲気は異様だった」(そのふんいきはいようだった). His behavior was unusual「彼の行動は異様だった」(かれのこうどうはいようだった). '異様' is typically used in situations where something deviates significantly from what is considered normal or expected, and it can be applied to a wide range of contexts, including environments, behaviors, or appearances.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

56

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Leaf

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 枼Table

Example Word

葉: leaf. The Japanese noun '葉 (は)' means 'leaf'. It refers to the green, flat, and typically thin structure that grows from the stem or branches of a plant. This word is commonly used in contexts related to nature, plants, and seasons, particularly when describing trees or foliage. For example: the leaves are green「葉は緑です」(ははみどりです). The leaves are falling「葉が落ちている」(はがおちている). In Japanese culture, leaves are often associated with seasonal changes, such as autumn leaves (紅葉, もみじ).

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

127

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Use

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 丨Stick

Example Word

通用: common. The Japanese noun '通用 (つうよう)' refers to something that is commonly accepted, used, or applicable. It often describes ideas, practices, or items that are widely recognized or valid in a particular context. For example: This method is commonly used「この方法は通用する」(このほうほうはつうようする). His excuse won't work here「彼の言い訳はここでは通用しない」(かれのいいわけはここではつうようしない). The term can also imply something being effective or valid in a specific situation, such as a rule or a ticket being valid for a certain period.

Radical

用

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

130

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Important, Need

Reading

Parts

覀 女Woman

Example Word

不必要: unnecessary. The Japanese adjectival noun '不必要 (ふひつよう)' means 'unnecessary'. It is used to describe something that is not needed or required. This term can be applied to objects, actions, or situations. For example: That step is unnecessary「そのステップは不必要です」(そのステップはふひつようです). Buying more is unnecessary「もっと買うのは不必要だ」(もっとかうのはふひつようだ). The word is often used in formal or written contexts to emphasize that something can be omitted or avoided without consequence.

Radical

西

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

220

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Contain, Looks

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 谷Valley

Example Word

容易: easy. The Japanese adjectival noun '容易 (ようい)' means 'easy' or 'simple'. It is used to describe tasks, situations, or actions that require little effort or are straightforward. This word often carries a formal tone and is commonly used in written or formal speech. For example: This problem is easy to solve「この問題は容易に解決できる」(このもんだいはよういにかいけつできる). It is not easy to achieve success「成功を収めるのは容易ではない」(せいこうをおさめるのはよういではない). Note that '容易' is often paired with verbs like 'できる' or 'ではない' to express feasibility or difficulty.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

430

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ocean, Western style

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)羊Sheep

Example Word

西洋人: westerner. The Japanese noun '西洋人 (せいようじん)' refers to a person from the Western world, particularly Europe or North America. It is a neutral term used to describe someone of Western origin or descent. The word is composed of '西洋 (せいよう)', meaning 'the West' or 'Western', and '人 (じん)', meaning 'person'. Example sentences: The Westerner is tall「その西洋人は背が高い」(そのせいようじんはせがたかい). I met a Westerner at the station「駅で西洋人に会った」(えきでせいようじんにあった). This term is commonly used in contexts where distinguishing between Western and non-Western individuals is relevant.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

476

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Loins, Waist

Reading

Parts

肉Meat 要Important, Need

Example Word

腰掛け: stool. The Japanese noun '腰掛け (こしかけ)' refers to a 'stool', which is a simple seat without a back or arms. It is often used in casual or temporary seating situations. For example: Please sit on the stool「腰掛けに座ってください」(こしかけにすわってください). There is a stool in the corner「隅に腰掛けがあります」(すみにこしかけがあります). This word can also be used metaphorically to describe a temporary position or role, but its primary meaning is the physical object.

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

569

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sunshine

Reading

Parts

昜Sunray 阝Mound (阜)

Example Word

太陽: sun. The Japanese noun '太陽 (たいよう)' means 'sun'. It refers to the star at the center of our solar system, which provides light and heat to Earth. This word is commonly used in both scientific and everyday contexts. For example: The sun is bright today「今日の太陽は明るい」(きょうのたいようはあかるい). The sun rises in the east「太陽は東から昇る」(たいようはひがしからのぼる). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something or someone as a source of light or energy, such as in the phrase '彼は私の太陽 (かれはわたしのたいよう)' (He is my sun).

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

676

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Foster

Reading

Example Word

養う: support or nurture. The Japanese verb '養う (やしなう)' can mean 'to support' or 'to nurture'. When used in the context of 'support', it often refers to providing for someone financially or materially, such as supporting a family. For example: He supports his family「彼は家族を養っている」(かれはかぞくをやしなっている). In the context of 'nurture', it refers to raising or cultivating something, such as children, animals, or even skills. For example: She nurtures her plants carefully「彼女は植物を丁寧に養っている」(かのじょはしょくぶつをていねいにやしなっている). The verb can also imply fostering or developing something over time, such as habits or relationships.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

693

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Weekday

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 翟Surname

Example Word

月曜日: Monday. The Japanese noun '月曜日 (げつようび)' means 'Monday'. It is one of the days of the week in the Japanese calendar. The word is composed of three kanji: 月 (moon), 曜 (day of the week), and 日 (day). In Japan, the week starts on Monday, making it the first day of the workweek. Example sentences: I have a meeting on Monday「月曜日に会議があります」(げつようびにかいぎがあります). Monday is the busiest day of the week「月曜日は一週間で一番忙しい日です」(げつようびはいっしゅうかんでいちばんいそがしいひです).

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1007

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dance

Reading

Parts

⻊Foot (足)甬Path

Example Word

踊る: dance. The Japanese verb '踊る (おどる)' means 'to dance'. It refers to the physical act of dancing, often in a rhythmic or artistic manner. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as traditional Japanese dance, modern dance, or even casual dancing at a party. For example: She dances beautifully「彼女は美しく踊る」(かのじょはうつくしくおどる). Let's dance together「一緒に踊りましょう」(いっしょにおどりましょう). The verb can also be used metaphorically to describe something moving in a way that resembles dancing, such as leaves dancing in the wind「風に踊る葉っぱ」(かぜにおどるはっぱ).

Radical

足

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1033

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hoist, Exalt

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)昜Sunray

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1083

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rock, Shake

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)爫

Example Word

動揺: disturbance or agitation. The Japanese noun '動揺 (どうよう)' refers to a state of disturbance or agitation, often emotional or mental. It can describe a sense of unease, instability, or turmoil, whether in a person's feelings, a situation, or even a physical object. For example: Her voice showed signs of disturbance「彼女の声に動揺が見えた」(かのじょのこえにどうようがみえた). The political situation caused widespread agitation「政治的な状況が広範な動揺を引き起こした」(せいじてきなじょうきょうがこうはんなどうようをひきおこした). This word is often used in contexts where there is a noticeable disruption or emotional unrest.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1110

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Childhood, Infancy

Reading

Parts

幺Slight 力Power

Example Word

幼稚園: kindergarten. The Japanese noun '幼稚園 (ようちえん)' refers to a 'kindergarten', which is an educational institution for young children, typically between the ages of 3 and 6, before they enter elementary school. This term is commonly used in Japan to describe preschools that focus on early childhood education. For example: My child goes to kindergarten「私の子供は幼稚園に行きます」(わたしのこどもはようちえんにいきます). The kindergarten is near the park「その幼稚園は公園の近くです」(そのようちえんはこうえんのちかくです). It's important to note that '幼稚園' is distinct from '保育園 (ほいくえん)', which is more like a daycare center for younger children.

Radical

幺

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1141

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Well, Boil

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)勇Brave

Example Word

湧く: arise or gush. The Japanese verb '湧く (わく)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to gush' or 'to well up', often used to describe liquids like water or oil emerging from the ground. For example: hot water gushes from the spring「温泉からお湯が湧く」(おんせんからおゆがわく). The second meaning is 'to arise' or 'to emerge', used to describe emotions, thoughts, or situations coming into existence. For example: doubts arose in my mind「疑問が心に湧く」(ぎもんがこころにわく). This verb is versatile and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1405

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bewitched

Reading

Parts

女Woman 夭

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1505

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sheep

Reading

Parts

丷Divide 王King

Example Word

羊: sheep. The Japanese noun '羊 (ひつじ)' refers to the animal 'sheep'. This word is commonly used in contexts related to animals, farming, or even in idiomatic expressions. For example: The sheep is white「羊は白い」(ひつじはしろい). I saw a sheep in the field「畑で羊を見た」(はたけでひつじをみた). In Japanese culture, sheep are not as commonly referenced as in Western cultures, but they do appear in literature and art. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is meek or follows others without question, similar to the English idiom 'like a sheep'.

Radical

羊

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1513

Radical Forms

𦍌, ⺶, 𢆉

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Noh chanting, Popular song

Reading

Parts

言Say 爫

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1717

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Melt, Dissolve

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)容Contain, Looks

Example Word

溶かす: melt. The Japanese verb '溶かす (とかす)' means 'to melt'. It is used when referring to the process of turning a solid into a liquid, typically by heating. This verb can be used for various substances like ice, chocolate, or metal. For example: I melted the chocolate「チョコレートを溶かした」(ちょこれーとをとかした). The ice melted in the sun「氷が太陽で溶かした」(こおりがたいようでとかした). It's important to note that '溶かす' is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object to indicate what is being melted.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1758

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ordinary, Common

Reading

Parts

聿Brush 广Dotted cliff

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1843

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Protect, Embrace

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)雍

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1850

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kiln

Reading

Parts

穴Hole 羔

Radical

穴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2034

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fertility

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)夭

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2100

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Swelling, Carbuncle

Reading

Parts

疒Sick 昜Sunray

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2122

Handwriting