Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Hope, Ambition

Reading

Parts

亡Death, Deceased 月Moon, Month 王King

Example Word

待ち望む: eagerly await. The Japanese verb '待ち望む (まちのぞむ)' means 'to eagerly await' or 'to look forward to with anticipation'. It conveys a sense of hopeful expectation, often for something positive or significant. This verb is commonly used in contexts where someone is waiting for an event, outcome, or person with great enthusiasm or longing. For example: I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring「春の到来を待ち望んでいる」(はるのとうらいをまちのぞんでいる). She eagerly awaited her friend's return「彼女は友達の帰りを待ち望んでいた」(かのじょはともだちのかえりをまちのぞんでいた). The verb combines '待つ (まつ)' (to wait) and '望む (のぞむ)' (to hope or desire), emphasizing both the waiting and the hopeful anticipation.

Radical

月

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

367

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Forget

Reading

Parts

亡Death, Deceased 心Heart

Example Word

忘れ物: forgotten item. The Japanese noun '忘れ物 (わすれもの)' means 'forgotten item' or 'something left behind'. It refers to an object that a person has accidentally forgotten to take with them, often used in situations like public transportation, restaurants, or schools. For example: Did you forget something? 「忘れ物はありませんか？」 (わすれものはありませんか？). I left my umbrella on the train 「電車に傘を忘れ物した」 (でんしゃにかさをわすれものした). The word is commonly used in announcements or reminders to ensure people do not leave personal items behind.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

441

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tassel, Chamber

Reading

Parts

戸Door 方Direction

Example Word

書房: study. The Japanese noun '書房 (しょぼう)' refers to a study or a room where one reads, writes, or engages in scholarly activities. It is often associated with a private space for intellectual work, such as a home office or a personal library. For example: He spends hours in his study「彼は書房で何時間も過ごす」(かれはしょぼうでなんじかんもすごす). The study is filled with books「書房には本がたくさんある」(しょぼうにはほんがたくさんある). This term is somewhat formal and is less commonly used in everyday conversation, often replaced by more modern terms like '書斎 (しょさい)' or 'スタディルーム'.

Radical

戶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

577

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Boy, Sonny

Reading

Parts

土Soil 方Direction

Example Word

坊さん: monk. The Japanese noun '坊さん (ぼうさん)' refers to a Buddhist monk. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation to address or refer to a monk in a respectful yet informal manner. It is often used by laypeople when speaking about or to a monk. For example: The monk is kind「坊さんは優しい」(ぼうさんはやさしい). I saw the monk at the temple「お寺で坊さんを見た」(おてらでぼうさんをみた). The term carries a sense of familiarity and respect, and it is widely understood in Japanese culture.

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

乱暴: violence or roughness. The Japanese verbal noun '乱暴 (らんぼう)' can mean 'violence' or 'roughness'. It refers to aggressive or unruly behavior, often implying a lack of control or consideration for others. It can describe physical actions, such as hitting or pushing, or more abstract behaviors, like speaking harshly or acting recklessly. For example: He was scolded for his violent behavior「彼は乱暴な行為を叱られた」(かれはらんぼうなこういをしかられた). Don't handle the equipment roughly「その装置を乱暴に扱わないで」(そのそうちをらんぼうにあつかわないで). The word can also be used as an adjective, as in '乱暴な人 (らんぼうなひと)' (violent/rough person).

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

消防署: fire station. The Japanese noun '消防署 (しょうぼうしょ)' refers to a 'fire station', which is a facility where firefighters and firefighting equipment are stationed. This term is commonly used in contexts related to emergency services, fire safety, and public safety infrastructure. For example: The fire station is near the park「消防署は公園の近くです」(しょうぼうしょはこうえんのちかくです). I called the fire station to report the fire「火事を報告するために消防署に電話しました」(かじをほうこくするためにしょうぼうしょにでんわしました). The word is a compound of '消防 (しょうぼう)', meaning 'firefighting', and '署 (しょ)', meaning 'office' or 'station'.

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1088

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Scanty, Scarce

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 之

Example Word

貧乏: poor. The Japanese adjectival noun '貧乏 (びんぼう)' means 'poor' in the sense of lacking financial resources. It describes a state of poverty or being impoverished. This word is often used to describe individuals, families, or situations where there is a lack of money or material wealth. For example: he is poor「彼は貧乏だ」(かれはびんぼうだ). We grew up poor「私たちは貧乏に育った」(わたしたちはびんぼうにそだった). It can also be used in compound words like '貧乏人 (びんぼうにん)' (poor person) or '貧乏生活 (びんぼうせいかつ)' (life of poverty). Note that this word carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation and is not typically used in formal 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

冒頭: beginning. The Japanese noun '冒頭 (ぼうとう)' refers to the 'beginning' or 'start' of something, such as a speech, story, or event. It is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe the opening part of a narrative or presentation. For example: at the beginning of the story「冒頭の部分」(ぼうとうのぶぶん). The speaker started with a joke at the beginning「スピーカーは冒頭でジョークを言った」(スピーカーはぼうとうでジョークをいった). This word emphasizes the initial part of something, setting the stage for what follows.

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

膨らむ: swell. The Japanese verb '膨らむ (ふくらむ)' means 'to swell' or 'to expand'. It is used to describe something increasing in size, volume, or scope. This can refer to physical swelling, such as a balloon inflating, or metaphorical expansion, like an idea growing. For example: The balloon swelled「風船が膨らんだ」(ふうせんがふくらんだ). Her dreams are expanding「彼女の夢が膨らんでいる」(かのじょのゆめがふくらんでいる). The verb can also imply a sense of anticipation or potential, as in something growing or developing.

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