Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Way, Form

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 羊Sheep 氺Water (水)

Example Word

多様: diverse. The Japanese adjectival noun '多様 (たよう)' means 'diverse'. It is used to describe a variety or multiplicity of things, often emphasizing the presence of many different types or forms within a group or category. This term is commonly used in contexts discussing culture, biology, opinions, or methods. For example: The opinions of the participants were diverse「参加者の意見は多様だった」(さんかしゃのいけんはたようだった). The ecosystem is diverse「その生態系は多様だ」(そのせいたいけいはたようだ). It can also be used to describe a wide range of options or choices, such as in '多様な選択肢 (たようなせんたくし) (diverse choices)'.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

56

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Leaf

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 枼Table

Example Word

言葉: word. The Japanese noun '言葉 (ことば)' refers to 'word' or 'language'. It encompasses spoken or written expressions used to communicate ideas, feelings, or information. This term is often used in contexts discussing communication, linguistics, or the power of language. For example: Her words were kind「彼女の言葉は優しかった」(かのじょのことばはやさしかった). I want to learn Japanese words「日本語の言葉を学びたい」(にほんごのことばをまなびたい). The word can also imply deeper meanings, such as the essence of communication or the way something is expressed.

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

127

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Use

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 丨Stick

Example Word

不器用: clumsy. The Japanese adjectival noun '不器用 (ぶきよう)' means 'clumsy'. It describes someone who lacks skill or dexterity, often in physical tasks or social interactions. This term can also imply a lack of finesse or awkwardness in handling situations. For example: He is clumsy with his hands「彼は手先が不器用だ」(かれはてさきがぶきようだ). She is clumsy at expressing her feelings「彼女は感情を表現するのが不器用だ」(かのじょはかんじょうをひょうげんするのがぶきようだ). The word can carry a slightly endearing or sympathetic tone, depending on the context.

Radical

用

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

130

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Important, Need

Reading

Parts

覀 女Woman

Example Word

主要: main or principal. The Japanese adjectival noun '主要 (しゅよう)' means 'main' or 'principal'. It is used to describe something that is of primary importance or the most significant part of a whole. This term is often used in formal or academic contexts to highlight key elements or components. For example: the main reason「主要な理由」(しゅようなりゆう). The principal cities in Japan「日本の主要な都市」(にほんのしゅようなとし). It is important to note that '主要' is typically followed by the particle 'な' when modifying a noun, as in '主要な問題 (しゅようなもんだい) (main problem)'.

Radical

西

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

220

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Contain, Looks

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 谷Valley

Example Word

容器: container. The Japanese noun '容器 (ようき)' refers to a 'container', which is an object used to hold or store something. This term is broadly applicable to various types of containers, including bottles, boxes, jars, and other receptacles. For example: Please put the leftovers in a container「残り物を容器に入れてください」(のこりものをようきにいれてください). This container is made of glass「この容器はガラス製です」(このようきはガラスせいです). The word is neutral and can be used in both everyday and technical contexts.

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

腰掛ける: sit. The Japanese verb '腰掛ける (こしかける)' means 'to sit'. This verb is specifically used to describe the action of sitting down on something, such as a chair or bench. It implies a temporary or casual sitting position, often used when someone is taking a short rest or waiting. For example: I sat on the bench「ベンチに腰掛けた」(ベンチにこしかけた). He sat down to rest「彼は休むために腰掛けた」(かれはやすむためにこしかけた). The verb is commonly used in everyday conversation and is more casual than the formal '座る (すわる) (to sit)'.

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

水曜日: Wednesday. The Japanese noun '水曜日 (すいようび)' refers to 'Wednesday', the third day of the week. It is part of the seven-day week system used in Japan, which is based on the same planetary system as in many other cultures. The word is a combination of '水 (すい)', meaning 'water', and '曜日 (ようび)', meaning 'day of the week'. This naming convention is derived from the ancient Chinese system of associating each day with one of the five classical elements. Example sentences: Today is Wednesday「今日は水曜日です」(きょうはすいようびです). The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday「会議は水曜日に予定されています」(かいぎはすいようびによていされています).

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

幼い: young. The Japanese adjective '幼い (おさない)' means 'young'. It is used to describe someone or something that is in an early stage of life or development. This word often carries a nuance of immaturity or inexperience, and it can be used for both people and animals. For example: The child is still young「その子はまだ幼い」(そのこはまだおさない). Her dreams are still young and naive「彼女の夢はまだ幼い」(かのじょのゆめはまだおさない). Note that '幼い' can also imply a sense of innocence or lack of sophistication, depending on the context.

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