Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Hope, Ambition

Reading

Parts

亡Death, Deceased 月Moon, Month 王King

Example Word

絶望: despair. The Japanese noun '絶望 (ぜつぼう)' means 'despair'. It refers to a state of complete loss of hope or a feeling of utter hopelessness. This word is often used in serious or dramatic contexts, such as in literature, personal struggles, or emotional situations. For example: He fell into despair「彼は絶望に陥った」(かれはぜつぼうにおちいった). The news filled her with despair「その知らせは彼女を絶望で満たした」(そのしらせはかのじょをぜつぼうでみたした). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe situations or outcomes that seem beyond repair or improvement.

Radical

月

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

367

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Forget

Reading

Parts

亡Death, Deceased 心Heart

Example Word

忘れる: forget. The Japanese verb '忘れる (わすれる)' means 'to forget'. It is used when someone fails to remember something, whether it be information, an event, or an object. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as forgetting a task, a person, or even one's own belongings. For example: I forgot my wallet「財布を忘れました」(さいふをわすれました). Don't forget to call me「電話するのを忘れないで」(でんわするのをわすれないで). The verb can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as forgetting a feeling or a past experience. It is important to note that '忘れる' is often used with the particle 'を' to indicate the object that is forgotten.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

441

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tassel, Chamber

Reading

Parts

戸Door 方Direction

Example Word

文房具: stationery. The Japanese noun '文房具 (ぶんぼうぐ)' refers to 'stationery' or 'writing materials'. This term encompasses items used for writing, drawing, or office work, such as pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, and other similar tools. It is a common word in everyday Japanese, especially in contexts related to school, work, or office supplies. Example sentences: I bought new stationery「新しい文房具を買いました」(あたらしいぶんぼうぐをかいました). This store sells a variety of stationery「この店はいろいろな文房具を売っています」(このみせはいろいろなぶんぼうぐをうっています).

Radical

戶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

577

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Boy, Sonny

Reading

Parts

土Soil 方Direction

Example Word

お坊さん: monk. The Japanese noun 'お坊さん (おぼうさん)' refers to a Buddhist monk. It is a polite and respectful term used to address or refer to monks, often associated with temples and religious practices. The prefix 'お' adds politeness, while '坊さん' is derived from '坊主 (ぼうず)', which can also mean monk but is less formal. Example sentences: The monk is praying「お坊さんが祈っています」(おぼうさんがいのっています). I saw a monk at the temple「お寺でお坊さんを見ました」(おてらでおぼうさんをみました). This term is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to monks in a respectful manner.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

656

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Side, Nearby

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)旁

Example Word

傍ら: while or beside. The Japanese noun '傍ら (かたわら)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'beside', referring to a physical location next to something or someone. For example: She sat beside the river「彼女は川の傍らに座った」(かのじょはかわのかたわらにすわった). The second meaning is 'while', indicating that an action is happening simultaneously with another. For example: He worked while studying「彼は勉強の傍ら働いていた」(かれはべんきょうのかたわらはたらいていた). This dual meaning makes '傍ら' a versatile word in Japanese, used both spatially and temporally.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

759

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Death, Deceased

Reading

Parts

亠Lid

Example Word

亡くなる: die. The Japanese verb '亡くなる (なくなる)' is a polite and respectful way to say 'to die'. It is commonly used when referring to the death of someone, especially in formal or sensitive contexts. This term is often preferred over the more direct '死ぬ (しぬ)' as it conveys a sense of respect and solemnity. For example: my grandfather passed away last year「私の祖父は去年亡くなりました」(わたしのそふはきょねんなくなりました). The famous author died at the age of 80「その有名な作家は80歳で亡くなりました」(そのゆうめいなさっかははちじゅっさいでなくなりました). Note that '亡くなる' is typically used for humans, not animals or objects.

Radical

亠

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

770

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Violent, Outburst

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 共Together 氺Water (水)

Example Word

暴れる: rampage. The Japanese verb '暴れる (あばれる)' means 'to rampage' or 'to act violently'. It is used to describe someone or something behaving in a wild, uncontrollable, or destructive manner. This verb can be applied to people, animals, or even natural phenomena. For example: The horse rampaged through the field「馬が野原で暴れた」(うまがのはらであばれた). The child threw a tantrum and started rampaging「子供がかんしゃくを起こして暴れ始めた」(こどもがかんしゃくをおこしてあばれはじめた). The storm rampaged across the countryside「嵐が田舎を暴れ回った」(あらしがいなかをあばれまわった). Note that this verb often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of control or restraint.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

897

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pole, Bar

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 奉Dedicate, Observance

Example Word

泥棒: thief. The Japanese verbal noun '泥棒 (どろぼう)' means 'thief'. It refers to a person who steals, typically in a sneaky or covert manner. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can describe both petty thieves and more serious criminals. For example: The thief stole my wallet「泥棒が私の財布を盗んだ」(どろぼうがわたしのさいふをぬすんだ). Be careful of thieves in this area「この辺りでは泥棒に気をつけて」(このあたりではどろぼうにきをつけて). The word can also be used in idiomatic expressions, such as '泥棒を捕まえる (どろぼうをつかまえる)' which means 'to catch a thief'.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

918

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hat, Headgear

Reading

Parts

巾Towel 冒Risk

Example Word

帽子: hat. The Japanese noun '帽子 (ぼうし)' means 'hat'. This word refers to any type of head wear, such as caps, beanies, or formal hats. It is commonly used in everyday conversations when discussing clothing or accessories. For example: I bought a new hat「新しい帽子を買いました」(あたらしいぼうしをかいました). She is wearing a red hat「彼女は赤い帽子をかぶっています」(かのじょはあかいぼうしをかぶっています). The word can also be used metaphorically in some contexts, but its primary meaning is literal.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1060

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Prevent, Defend

Reading

Parts

⻖ 方Direction

Example Word

消防車: firetruck. The Japanese noun '消防車 (しょうぼうしゃ)' refers to a 'firetruck', a vehicle equipped for firefighting. It is commonly used in contexts related to emergency services and firefighting. Example sentences include: The firetruck arrived quickly「消防車がすぐに到着した」(しょうぼうしゃがすぐにとうちゃくした). I saw a firetruck on the way to work「仕事に行く途中で消防車を見た」(しごとにいくとちゅうでしょうぼうしゃをみた).

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1088

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Scanty, Scarce

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 之

Example Word

貧乏人: poor. The Japanese noun '貧乏人 (びんぼうにん)' refers to a 'poor person' or someone who lacks financial resources. It is often used to describe someone living in poverty or with limited means. The term can carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation depending on the context. For example: He is a poor person「彼は貧乏人だ」(かれはびんぼうにんだ). Many poor people live in this area「この地域には貧乏人が多い」(このちいきにはびんぼうにんがおおい). The word is composed of '貧乏 (びんぼう)', meaning 'poverty', and '人 (にん)', meaning 'person'. It is important to use this term carefully, as it can be sensitive or offensive in certain contexts.

Radical

丿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1139

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Busy

Reading

Parts

忄 亡Death, Deceased

Example Word

多忙: busy. The Japanese adjectival noun '多忙 (たぼう)' means 'busy'. It is used to describe a state of being very occupied or having a lot of tasks to do. This term is often used in formal or written contexts to convey a high level of busyness. For example: He is busy with work「彼は仕事で多忙だ」(かれはしごとでたぼうだ). Due to the busy schedule, I couldn't attend the meeting「多忙なスケジュールのため、会議に出席できなかった」(たぼうなスケジュールのため、かいぎにしゅっせきできなかった). Note that '多忙' is more formal than the more commonly used '忙しい (いそがしい)', which also means 'busy' but is used in everyday conversation.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1327

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Plot, Conspire

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)某A certain

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1401

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Countenance

Reading

Parts

豸 皃

Radical

豸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1418

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

A certain

Reading

Parts

甘Sweet 木Tree, Wood

Example Word

某: certain. The Japanese noun '某 (ぼう)' is used to refer to a certain or unspecified person, place, or thing. It is often used when the speaker does not want to or cannot specify the exact identity of the subject. For example: a certain person came to visit「某が訪ねてきた」(ぼうがたずねてきた). I heard it from a certain source「某から聞いた」(ぼうからきいた). The word is somewhat formal and is commonly used in written language or formal speech. It can also be used to anonymize or generalize a subject in a narrative or report.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1444

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Risk

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 目Eye

Example Word

冒険: adventure. The Japanese verbal noun '冒険 (ぼうけん)' means 'adventure'. It refers to an exciting or unusual experience, often involving risk or danger. This word is commonly used to describe activities or journeys that are thrilling and out of the ordinary. For example: I love adventure「私は冒険が大好きです」(わたしはぼうけんがだいすきです). They went on an adventure「彼らは冒険に出かけました」(かれらはぼうけんにでかけました). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe taking risks in life or business, as in '人生の冒険 (じんせいのぼうけん) (the adventure of life)'.

Radical

冂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1610

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hinder, Disturb

Reading

Parts

女Woman 方Direction

Example Word

妨害: obstruction. The Japanese verbal noun '妨害 (ぼうがい)' means 'obstruction' or 'interference'. It refers to the act of hindering or preventing something from happening, often intentionally. This word is commonly used in contexts such as communication, progress, or activities being disrupted. For example: The noise was an obstruction to our conversation「騒音が会話の妨害になった」(そうおんがかいわのぼうがいになった). The protest caused an obstruction to traffic「デモが交通の妨害になった」(デモがこうつうのぼうがいになった). It can also be used in legal or technical contexts, such as 'signal interference'「信号の妨害」(しんごうのぼうがい).

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1713

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Irrational, Reckless

Reading

Parts

亡Death, Deceased 女Woman

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1798

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Divide, Cut up

Reading

Parts

咅Spit 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

解剖: dissection. The Japanese noun '解剖 (かいぼう)' primarily means 'dissection'. It refers to the act of cutting apart or separating tissues for detailed examination, often used in medical or biological contexts. For example: The dissection of the frog was conducted in the biology class「生物学の授業でカエルの解剖が行われた」(せいぶつがくのじゅぎょうでカエルのかいぼうがおこなわれた). The doctor performed a dissection to understand the cause of death「医師は死因を理解するために解剖を行った」(いしはしいんをりかいするためにかいぼうをおこなった). This term can also metaphorically describe a thorough analysis or examination of a subject, such as in literature or philosophy, where one might dissect an argument or a text to understand its components deeply.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1816

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Swell

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 彭

Example Word

膨れる: swell. The Japanese verb '膨れる (ふくれる)' means 'to swell' or 'to puff up'. It is often used to describe something physically expanding, such as a balloon or a swollen body part. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone puffing up with emotion, such as anger or pride. For example: The balloon swelled up「風船が膨れた」(ふうせんがふくれた). Her cheeks puffed up in anger「彼女は怒って頬を膨らませた」(かのじょはおこってほほをふくらませた). Note that this verb can also imply a temporary or exaggerated state, depending on the context.

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1873

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Trade

Reading

Example Word

貿易: trade. The Japanese verbal noun '貿易 (ぼうえき)' refers to 'trade', specifically the exchange of goods and services between countries or regions. It is commonly used in contexts related to international commerce, economics, and business. For example: Japan trades with many countries「日本は多くの国と貿易をしている」(にほんはおおくのくにとぼうえきをしている). International trade is important for the economy「国際貿易は経済にとって重要だ」(こくさいぼうえきはけいざいにとってじゅうようだ). The term can also be used in compound words like '貿易会社 (ぼうえきがいしゃ)' (trading company) or '貿易赤字 (ぼうえきあかじ)' (trade deficit).

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1958

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fat, Obese

Reading

Parts

⺼ 方Direction

Example Word

脂肪: fat. The Japanese noun '脂肪 (しぼう)' refers to 'fat', specifically the biological substance found in the bodies of humans and animals, or the fatty component in food. It is commonly used in both medical and everyday contexts. For example: This food contains a lot of fat「この食べ物は脂肪が多い」(このたべものはしぼうがおおい). Exercise helps burn fat「運動は脂肪を燃やす」(うんどうはしぼうをもやす). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe excess or unnecessary elements, though this usage is less common.

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2030

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Furrow

Reading

Parts

亩 久Long time

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2059

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spin, Spinning

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 方Direction

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2077

Handwriting