kanji

Meaning

Door

Reading

Parts

一One 尸Corpse

Example Word

戸棚: cupboard. The Japanese noun '戸棚 (とだな)' refers to a 'cupboard' or 'cabinet', typically used for storage. It is commonly found in kitchens, living rooms, or other areas of a home or workplace. The word is often used to describe furniture with doors and shelves for organizing items. For example: Please put the dishes in the cupboard「お皿を戸棚に入れてください」(おさらをとだなにいれてください). The cupboard is full of books「戸棚は本でいっぱいです」(とだなはほんでいっぱいです). This word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

戶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

196

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Old

Reading

Parts

十Ten 口Mouth

Example Word

古墳: tumulus. The Japanese noun '古墳 (こふん)' refers to an ancient burial mound or tumulus, typically built during the Kofun period (250–538 AD) in Japan. These mounds were constructed as tombs for powerful leaders and are often keyhole-shaped, surrounded by moats. The term is used in historical and archaeological contexts. For example: The tumulus is a historical site「その古墳は歴史的な場所です」(そのこふんはれきしてきなばしょです). We visited a large tumulus「大きな古墳を訪れました」(おおきなこふんをおとずれました).

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

208

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Invite, Call

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 乎

Example Word

呼び出す: call or summon. The Japanese verb '呼び出す (よびだす)' can mean 'summon' or 'call'. It is used when someone is called out or summoned, often in a formal or urgent context. For example: The teacher summoned the student「先生は生徒を呼び出した」(せんせいはせいとをよびだした). The police called the witness to the station「警察は証人を警察署に呼び出した」(けいさつはしょうにんをけいさつしょによびだした). This verb can also be used in technical contexts, such as calling a function in programming or summoning a character in a game.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

256

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Past

Reading

Parts

厶Private 土Soil

Example Word

去る: leave. The Japanese verb '去る (さる)' means 'to leave' or 'to depart'. It is often used to describe someone or something moving away from a place or situation. This verb can also imply a sense of finality or separation. For example: he left the room「彼は部屋を去った」(かれはへやをさった). The train has departed「電車は去った」(でんしゃはさった). In some contexts, '去る' can also be used metaphorically to describe the passage of time or the end of an era, such as 'the old year has passed「旧年が去った」(きゅうねんがさった)'. Note that this verb is somewhat formal and is often used in written or formal spoken contexts.

Radical

厶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

344

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reason, Deceased

Reading

Parts

古Old 攵Strike

Example Word

故: reason. The Japanese noun '故 (ゆえ)' means 'reason' or 'cause'. It is often used in formal or literary contexts to explain the cause or reason behind something. It can also imply a sense of inevitability or consequence due to the reason stated. For example: due to illness, he couldn't attend「病気の故、彼は出席できなかった」(びょうきのゆえ、かれはしゅっせきできなかった). Because of the rain, the event was canceled「雨の故、イベントは中止された」(あめのゆえ、イベントはちゅうしされた). This word is typically used in written Japanese or formal speech and is less common in casual conversation.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

374

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Oneself

Reading

Example Word

自己: self. The Japanese noun '自己 (じこ)' means 'self'. It refers to one's own identity, personality, or being. This term is often used in contexts related to psychology, philosophy, or self-reflection. For example: self-introduction「自己紹介」(じこしょうかい). He is reflecting on himself「彼は自己を反省している」(かれはじこをはんせいしている). The term can also be used in compound words to express concepts related to the self, such as 'self-control' (自己制御, じこせいぎょ) or 'self-esteem' (自己評価, じこひょうか).

Radical

己

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

548

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Individual

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)固Hard

Example Word

個体: individual or organism. The Japanese noun '個体 (こたい)' refers to an individual entity or organism, often used in contexts such as biology, sociology, or general descriptions of distinct units. It emphasizes the uniqueness or separateness of the entity. For example: Each individual has its own characteristics「個体にはそれぞれ特徴がある」(こたいにはそれぞれとくちょうがある). This organism is a rare species「この個体は珍しい種です」(このこたいはめずらしいしゅです). The word can also be used in abstract contexts, such as describing individual components within a system.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

678

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hard

Reading

Parts

囗Box 古Old

Example Word

固まり: lump. The Japanese noun '固まり (かたまり)' refers to a 'lump' or a 'mass' of something that is solid or cohesive. It can be used to describe physical objects like a lump of clay, a chunk of ice, or even a group of people or things that are tightly packed together. For example: a lump of sugar「砂糖の固まり」(さとうのかたまり). A group of people gathered in one place「人々の固まり」(ひとびとのかたまり). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a concentrated form of an abstract concept, such as a 'block' of time or a 'cluster' of ideas.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

765

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Basis, Based on

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)処Deal with

Example Word

拠点: base. The Japanese noun '拠点 (きょてん)' refers to a 'base' or a central location from which activities, operations, or movements are conducted. It is commonly used in contexts such as business, military, or organizational operations. For example: The company established a new base in Tokyo「会社は東京に新しい拠点を設立した」(かいしゃはとうきょうにあたらしいきょてんをせつりつした). The military base is located in the north「その軍事拠点は北に位置している」(そのぐんじきょてんはきたにいちしている). This word emphasizes the idea of a central or strategic location.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

946

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Empty, Void

Reading

Parts

虍 业Business (業)

Radical

虍

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1045

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lake

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)胡Barbarian

Example Word

湖: lake. The Japanese noun '湖 (みずうみ)' means 'lake'. It refers to a large body of water surrounded by land. This word is commonly used in geographical contexts or when describing natural landscapes. For example: The lake is beautiful「湖は美しい」(みずうみはうつくしい). I went to the lake yesterday「昨日、湖に行きました」(きのう、みずうみにいきました). The word '湖' is often used in compound words, such as '湖岸 (こがん)' meaning 'lakeshore' or '湖畔 (こはん)' meaning 'lakeside'.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1189

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wither

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 古Old

Example Word

木枯らし: winter wind. The Japanese noun '木枯らし (こがらし)' refers to a cold, dry wind that blows in late autumn or early winter, signaling the arrival of winter. It is often associated with the withering of leaves and the transition to colder weather. This word carries a poetic nuance and is frequently used in literature and seasonal descriptions. Example sentences: The winter wind blows through the trees「木枯らしが木々を通り抜ける」(こがらしがききをとおりぬける). I felt the chill of the winter wind「木枯らしの冷たさを感じた」(こがらしのつめたさをかんじた).

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1217

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Warehouse

Reading

Parts

車Car 广Dotted cliff

Example Word

在庫: stock or inventory. The Japanese noun '在庫 (ざいこ)' refers to the goods or materials that a business holds in stock or inventory. It is commonly used in retail, manufacturing, and business contexts to describe the quantity of products available for sale or use. For example: The store has a lot of inventory「その店は在庫が多い」(そのみせはざいこがおおい). We need to check the stock levels「在庫を確認する必要がある」(ざいこをかくにんするひつようがある). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe the availability of non-physical items, such as ideas or resources.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1255

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Boast

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)夸

Example Word

誇り: pride. The Japanese noun '誇り (ほこり)' means 'pride'. It refers to a feeling of deep satisfaction or self-respect derived from one's own achievements, qualities, or associations. This word is often used to express a sense of honor or dignity. For example: I take pride in my work「私は自分の仕事に誇りを持っています」(わたしはじぶんのしごとにほこりをもっています). She felt pride in her son's success「彼女は息子の成功に誇りを感じた」(かのじょはむすこのせいこうにほこりをかんじた). Note that '誇り' can also sometimes refer to a sense of pride in one's heritage or community, as in '彼は自分の文化に誇りを持っている (かれはじぶんのぶんかにほこりをもっている) (He takes pride in his culture).'

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1288

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Orphan, Solitary

Reading

Parts

子Child 瓜

Example Word

孤独: loneliness. The Japanese adjectival noun '孤独 (こどく)' means 'loneliness'. It describes the state of being alone, isolated, or feeling disconnected from others. This word often carries an emotional weight, emphasizing the sadness or emptiness associated with being alone. For example: he felt deep loneliness「彼は深い孤独を感じた」(かれはふかいこどくをかんじた). Loneliness is a common theme in literature「孤独は文学のよくあるテーマだ」(こどくはぶんがくのよくあるテーマだ). It can also be used to describe a physical state of being alone, but it is more commonly associated with emotional isolation.

Radical

子

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1318

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tiger

Reading

Parts

虍 儿Legs

Example Word

虎: tiger. The Japanese noun '虎 (とら)' refers to a 'tiger', the large carnivorous feline animal. This word is used to describe the animal itself, often in contexts related to wildlife, zoos, or symbolic representations. Tigers are also culturally significant in Japan, often symbolizing strength and courage. Example sentences: The tiger is strong「虎は強い」(とらはつよい). I saw a tiger at the zoo「動物園で虎を見た」(どうぶつえんでとらをみた). In Japanese folklore and art, tigers are frequently depicted as powerful and majestic creatures.

Radical

虍

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1325

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Look back, Review

Reading

Parts

雇Employ, Hire 頁Page

Example Word

顧客: customer. The Japanese noun '顧客 (こきゃく)' means 'customer'. It refers to a person or entity that purchases goods or services from a business. This term is commonly used in business and retail contexts to describe clients or patrons. For example: The store values its customers「その店は顧客を大切にしている」(そのみせはこきゃくをたいせつにしている). We need to attract more customers「もっと顧客を集める必要がある」(もっとこきゃくをあつめるひつようがある). The word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1338

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Drum

Reading

Parts

壴 支Branch, Support

Example Word

太鼓: drum. The Japanese noun '太鼓 (たいこ)' refers to a traditional Japanese drum. It is a percussion instrument that is often used in various traditional Japanese music and performances, such as festivals, theater, and religious ceremonies. The drum is typically made of wood and animal skin, and it is played with sticks called 'bachi'. Example sentences: The sound of the drum is loud「太鼓の音は大きい」(たいこのおとはおおきい). They played the drum at the festival「彼らは祭りで太鼓を叩いた」(かれらはまつりでたいこをたたいた).

Radical

鼓

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1351

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hem

Reading

Parts

衤 居Reside, Be

Example Word

裾: hem. The Japanese noun '裾 (すそ)' refers to the hem or edge of a piece of clothing, such as the bottom of a skirt, pants, or kimono. It can also metaphorically refer to the lower edge or base of something, like the foot of a mountain. For example: The hem of her dress is dirty「彼女のドレスの裾が汚れている」(かのじょのドレスのすそがよごれている). The foot of the mountain is covered in mist「山の裾が霧に包まれている」(やまのすそがきりにつつまれている). This word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts to describe the lower edge of an object or area.

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1419

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Item, Counter for articles

Reading

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)固Hard

Example Word

箇所: point or place. The Japanese noun '箇所 (かしょ)' refers to a specific place, point, or location, often in a more abstract or formal context. It is commonly used to indicate a particular spot in a document, a physical location, or a specific part of something. For example: Please check this place in the document「この箇所を確認してください」(このかしょをかくにんしてください). There is a problem at this point「この箇所に問題があります」(このかしょにもんだいがあります). The word is often used in technical, formal, or written contexts, and it emphasizes precision in identifying a specific location or part.

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1525

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Crotch, Thigh

Reading

Parts

⺼ 殳Pike

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1607

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Employ, Hire

Reading

Parts

戸Door 隹Bird

Example Word

雇用: employment. The Japanese verbal noun '雇用 (こよう)' means 'employment'. It refers to the act of hiring or employing someone, or the state of being employed. This term is commonly used in contexts related to jobs, labor, and workforce. For example: The company is increasing employment「その会社は雇用を増やしている」(そのかいしゃはこようをふやしている). Stable employment is important「安定した雇用は重要だ」(あんていしたこようはじゅうようだ). Note that '雇用' can also be used in compound words like '雇用契約 (こようけいやく)' (employment contract) or '雇用主 (こようぬし)' (employer).

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1636

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Arc, Arch

Reading

Parts

弓Bow 瓜

Example Word

括弧: parentheses. The Japanese verbal noun '括弧 (かっこ)' refers to 'parentheses' or 'brackets'. It is used to indicate a pair of punctuation marks that enclose additional information or asides within a sentence. In Japanese, there are different types of brackets, such as 丸括弧 (まるかっこ) for round brackets (), 角括弧 (かくかっこ) for square brackets [], and 波括弧 (なみかっこ) for curly brackets {}. Example sentences: Please put the word in parentheses「その言葉を括弧に入れてください」(そのことばをかっこにいれてください). The explanation is in brackets「説明は括弧内にあります」(せつめいはかっこないにあります).

Radical

弓

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2096

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

To tie, Confinement

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)固Hard

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2136

Handwriting