Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Nine

Reading

Parts

乙Second, Latter 丿Katakana no

Example Word

九十: ninety. The Japanese noun '九十 (きゅうじゅう)' means 'ninety'. It is a number used to represent the quantity 90. This word is commonly used in contexts involving counting, age, or numerical values. For example: I am ninety years old「私は九十歳です」(わたしはきゅうじゅうさいです). The temperature is ninety degrees「温度は九十度です」(おんどはきゅうじゅうどです). Note that '九十' is often used in formal or written contexts, while '90' (in numerals) is more common in casual or modern settings.

Radical

乛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

225

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Urgent

Reading

Parts

心Heart 刍Mow

Example Word

急用: urgent matter. The Japanese noun '急用 (きゅうよう)' refers to an 'urgent matter' or 'urgent business'. It is commonly used to describe a situation or task that requires immediate attention or action. This word is often used in formal or professional contexts, such as when someone needs to excuse themselves due to an urgent matter. For example: I have an urgent matter to attend to「急用があります」(きゅうようがあります). He left work early because of an urgent matter「彼は急用で早退しました」(かれはきゅうようでそうたいしました). The term emphasizes the importance and immediacy of the matter at hand.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

283

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Weep, Cry

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)立Stand

Example Word

泣き顔: tearful face. The Japanese noun '泣き顔 (なきがお)' refers to a 'tearful face' or the expression someone has when they are crying or about to cry. It is often used to describe someone's appearance when they are emotionally distressed. For example: She showed a tearful face「彼女は泣き顔を見せた」(かのじょはなきがおをみせた). His tearful face made me feel sad「彼の泣き顔を見て悲しくなった」(かれのなきがおをみてかなしくなった). This word is commonly used in both written and spoken Japanese to convey emotional vulnerability.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

454

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Long time

Reading

Example Word

久しい: long. The Japanese adjective '久しい (ひさしい)' means 'long' in the sense of a considerable amount of time having passed. It is often used to describe a period that feels lengthy or to express that something has not happened for a long time. For example: It has been a long time since we last met「私たちが最後に会ってから久しい」(わたしたちがさいごにあったからひさしい). It's been a long time since it rained「雨が降ってから久しい」(あめがふってからひさしい). This adjective conveys a sense of nostalgia or the passage of time and is typically used in written or formal contexts.

Radical

丿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

459

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Palace

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 呂Bath

Example Word

宮廷: court. The Japanese noun '宮廷 (きゅうてい)' refers to the 'court' in the sense of a royal or imperial court. It is used to describe the place where a monarch or emperor resides and conducts official business, as well as the people and activities associated with it. This term is often used in historical or formal contexts. For example: The emperor held a grand ceremony at the court「天皇は宮廷で盛大な儀式を行った」(てんのうはきゅうていでせいだいなぎしきをおこなった). The court was filled with nobles and dignitaries「宮廷には貴族や高官が集まっていた」(きゅうていにはきぞくやこうかんがあつまっていた).

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

496

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reach, Extend

Reading

Parts

ノ 乃

Example Word

普及: spread or diffusion. The Japanese verbal noun '普及 (ふきゅう)' refers to the act of spreading or diffusing something widely, such as information, technology, or ideas. It is often used in contexts where something becomes widely adopted or accepted. For example: The spread of smartphones has changed our lives「スマートフォンの普及は私たちの生活を変えた」(すまーとふぉんのふきゅうはわたしたちのせいかつをかえた). The government is promoting the diffusion of renewable energy「政府は再生可能エネルギーの普及を推進している」(せいふはさいせいかのうえねるぎーのふきゅうをすいしんしている). Note that '普及' is often used in formal or technical contexts.

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

540

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Request, Seek

Reading

Parts

水Water

Example Word

欲求: demand or desire. The Japanese verbal noun '欲求 (よっきゅう)' primarily means 'desire' or 'demand'. It refers to a strong feeling of wanting something or needing something. This word is often used in psychological or formal contexts to describe innate or instinctual desires, such as basic human needs. For example: His desire for success is strong「彼の成功への欲求は強い」(かれのせいこうへのよっきゅうはつよい). The demand for the product increased「その製品への欲求が高まった」(そのせいひんへのよっきゅうがたかまった). Note that while 'desire' is more emotional or personal, 'demand' can imply a more practical or market-driven need.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

562

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Research

Reading

Parts

穴Hole 九Nine

Example Word

究極: ultimate. The Japanese noun '究極 (きゅうきょく)' means 'ultimate'. It refers to the highest or final stage of something, often implying the most extreme or perfect form. This word is commonly used in contexts like philosophy, goals, or products to denote the pinnacle or end result. For example: the ultimate goal「究極の目標」(きゅうきょくのもくひょう). This is the ultimate solution「これは究極の解決策です」(これはきゅうきょくのかいけつさくです). It can also carry a nuance of being the final or most advanced stage in a process or development.

Radical

穴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

579

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Supply, Salary

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 合Fit, Match

Example Word

月給: salary. The Japanese noun '月給 (げっきゅう)' refers to a monthly salary or wage. It is commonly used in professional and business contexts to describe the fixed amount of money an employee receives each month for their work. For example: His salary is high「彼の月給は高い」(かれのげっきゅうはたかい). I receive my salary at the end of the month「月末に月給をもらいます」(げつまつにげっきゅうをもらいます). The term is often used in formal settings and is distinct from other forms of payment like hourly wages or bonuses.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

659

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rest

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 亻Person (人)

Example Word

休養: rest. The Japanese verbal noun '休養 (きゅうよう)' means 'rest' or 'recuperation'. It refers to taking a break or time off to recover physically or mentally, often from work, stress, or illness. This word is commonly used in contexts related to health, work-life balance, or recovery. For example: I need rest to recover「休養が必要です」(きゅうようがひつようです). After the trip, I took a week of rest「旅行の後、一週間休養しました」(りょこうのあと、いっしゅうかんきゅうようしました). It is often used in formal or medical contexts to emphasize the importance of taking time to recover.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

740

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Inhale, Suck

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 及Reach, Extend

Example Word

吸う: inhale or suck. The Japanese verb '吸う (すう)' primarily means 'to suck' or 'to inhale'. It is used to describe the action of drawing something in, such as air, smoke, or liquid. For example: he inhaled deeply「彼は深く吸った」(かれはふかくすった). The baby is sucking milk「赤ちゃんがミルクを吸っている」(あかちゃんがミルクをすっている). This verb can also be used metaphorically, such as absorbing knowledge or information. Note that the context often determines whether it refers to literal sucking or inhaling.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

872

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grade, Rank

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 及Reach, Extend

Example Word

同級生: classmate. The Japanese noun '同級生 (どうきゅうせい)' refers to a 'classmate', specifically someone who is in the same grade or class at school. This term emphasizes the shared educational environment and is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. For example: My classmate is very kind「私の同級生はとても親切です」(わたしのどうきゅうせいはとてもしんせつです). I met my old classmate yesterday「昨日、昔の同級生に会いました」(きのう、むかしのどうきゅうせいにあいました). The word is often used to describe relationships formed during school years and carries a sense of camaraderie or shared experiences.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

930

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rescue

Reading

Parts

求Request, Seek 攵Strike

Example Word

救助: rescue. The Japanese verbal noun '救助 (きゅうじょ)' means 'rescue'. It refers to the act of saving someone from danger, distress, or harm. This term is often used in contexts involving emergencies, such as natural disasters, accidents, or life-threatening situations. For example: The rescue team arrived quickly「救助隊がすぐに到着した」(きゅうじょたいがすぐにとうちゃくした). They provided rescue to the victims「彼らは被害者に救助を提供した」(かれらはひがいしゃにきゅうじょをていきょうした). The word can also be used in a broader sense to describe helping someone in need, but it is most commonly associated with urgent or critical situations.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

987

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Old, Past

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 日Day, Sun

Example Word

旧: old. The Japanese noun '旧 (きゅう)' primarily means 'old' or 'former'. It is often used to refer to something that is outdated, previous, or no longer in use. This word is commonly seen in contexts such as '旧制度 (きゅうせいど)' meaning 'old system' or '旧友 (きゅうゆう)' meaning 'old friend'. It can also be used in historical contexts to refer to past eras or systems. For example: the old calendar「旧暦」(きゅうれき). This is the former president「これは旧大統領です」(これはきゅうだいとうりょうです). The word '旧' is often used in formal or written contexts and carries a nuance of something being replaced or outdated.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1073

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ball

Reading

Parts

王King 求Request, Seek

Example Word

地球: Earth. The Japanese noun '地球 (ちきゅう)' refers to the planet Earth. It is commonly used in scientific, environmental, and everyday contexts to talk about the Earth as a celestial body or as the world we live on. For example: Earth is our home「地球は私たちの家です」(ちきゅうはわたしたちのいえです). Protecting the Earth is important「地球を守ることは大切です」(ちきゅうをまもることはたいせつです). The word can also appear in compound terms like '地球温暖化 (ちきゅうおんだんか)' (global warming) or '地球環境 (ちきゅうかんきょう)' (global environment).

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1093

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Handle

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)及Reach, Extend

Example Word

扱い: treatment or handling. The Japanese noun '扱い (あつかい)' refers to the way something or someone is handled or treated. It can describe the management of objects, situations, or people. For example: careful handling of fragile items「壊れやすい物の丁寧な扱い」(こわれやすいもののていねいなあつかい). The treatment of employees at that company is unfair「あの会社の従業員の扱いは不公平だ」(あのかいしゃのじゅうぎょういんのあつかいはふこうへいだ). Note that '扱い' can also imply the way someone is dealt with in a social or professional context, such as respect or disregard.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1146

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hill

Reading

Parts

一One 斤Axe, Catty

Example Word

丘: hill. The Japanese noun '丘 (おか)' means 'hill'. This word refers to a naturally raised area of land, not as high as a mountain, often with a rounded top. It is commonly used to describe geographical features in landscapes. For example: There is a small hill near my house「私の家の近くに小さな丘があります」(わたしのいえのちかくにちいさなおかがあります). We had a picnic on the hill「丘の上でピクニックをしました」(おかのうえでぴくにっくをしました). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a gentle rise or elevation in various contexts.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1265

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hard up, Be in extremity

Reading

Parts

穴Hole 躬

Example Word

窮屈: cramped or restrictive. The Japanese adjective '窮屈 (きゅうくつ)' primarily conveys a sense of physical or emotional tightness, restriction, or discomfort. It can describe something physically cramped, such as a small space, or something emotionally or socially restrictive, like rigid rules or expectations. For example: These shoes feel tight「この靴は窮屈だ」(このくつはきゅうくつだ). The rules here are too restrictive「ここのルールは窮屈すぎる」(ここのルールはきゅうくつすぎる). The nuance of '窮屈' often implies a feeling of being constrained or unable to move freely, whether physically or metaphorically.

Radical

穴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1377

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bow

Reading

Parts

㇉Bent hook コKatakana ko

Radical

弓

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1402

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Smell, Sniff

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 臭Stinking, Bad smell

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1756

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rot, Decay

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 丂Breath obstruction

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1867

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mortar

Reading

Radical

臼

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1953

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Twist, Inquire into

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 丩

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2085

Handwriting