Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Nine

Reading

Parts

乙Second, Latter 丿Katakana no

Example Word

九百: nine hundred. The Japanese noun '九百 (きゅうひゃく)' means 'nine hundred'. It is a specific number used in counting or referring to quantities. This word is typically used in contexts involving numbers, such as prices, distances, or counts. For example: The book costs nine hundred yen「その本は九百円です」(そのほんはきゅうひゃくえんです). The train is nine hundred meters away「電車は九百メートル先です」(でんしゃはきゅうひゃくメートルさきです). It's important to note that '九百' is a compound of '九 (きゅう)' meaning 'nine' and '百 (ひゃく)' meaning 'hundred', and it follows the standard Japanese numbering system.

Radical

乛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

225

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Urgent

Reading

Parts

心Heart 刍Mow

Example Word

急行: express or rush. The Japanese noun '急行 (きゅうこう)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'express', referring to a type of train or bus that makes fewer stops to reach its destination faster. For example: I took the express train「急行に乗りました」(きゅうこうにのりました). The second meaning is 'rush', referring to a hurried or urgent action. For example: He left in a rush「彼は急行で出かけました」(かれはきゅうこうででかけました). The context usually clarifies which meaning is intended, as the first is related to transportation, while the second is related to speed or urgency in actions.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

283

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Weep, Cry

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)立Stand

Example Word

泣き声: crying. The Japanese noun '泣き声 (なきごえ)' refers to the sound of crying, typically made by a person or an animal. It is used to describe the vocal expression of sadness, pain, or distress. For example: I heard a baby's crying「赤ちゃんの泣き声が聞こえた」(あかちゃんのなきごえがきこえた). The cat's crying was loud「猫の泣き声が大きかった」(ねこのなきごえがおおきかった). This word is often used in contexts involving emotional distress or discomfort.

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

子宮: uterus. The Japanese noun '子宮 (しきゅう)' refers to the 'uterus', which is the organ in the female body where a baby develops during pregnancy. This term is commonly used in medical contexts, discussions about reproductive health, and biology. For example: The doctor examined her uterus「医者は彼女の子宮を検査した」(いしゃはかのじょのしきゅうをけんさした). The uterus is an important organ for reproduction「子宮は生殖にとって重要な器官です」(しきゅうはせいしょくにとってじゅうようなきかんです). The word is neutral in tone and is used in both formal and informal settings when discussing anatomy or health.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

496

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reach, Extend

Reading

Parts

ノ 乃

Example Word

及ぶ: reach. The Japanese verb '及ぶ (およぶ)' primarily means 'to reach' or 'to extend to'. It is often used to describe something that extends to a certain point, level, or degree. This verb can be used in both physical and abstract contexts. For example: The damage reached the entire city「被害は全市に及んだ」(ひがいぜんしにおよんだ). His influence extends to many fields「彼の影響は多くの分野に及ぶ」(かれのえいきょうはおおくのぶんやにおよぶ). Additionally, '及ぶ' can also imply 'to amount to' or 'to come to' in certain contexts, such as in the phrase '及ばずながら' (およばずながら), which means 'though it may not be enough'.

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

540

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Request, Seek

Reading

Parts

水Water

Example Word

求める: request or seek. The Japanese verb '求める (もとめる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to seek' or 'to look for', which is used when someone is searching for something, such as an object, information, or a solution. For example: He is seeking the truth「彼は真実を求めている」(かれはしんじつをもとめている). The second meaning is 'to request' or 'to demand', which is used when someone asks for something or requires a specific action. For example: The company requested a detailed report「会社は詳細なレポートを求めた」(かいしゃはしょうさいなレポートをもとめた). The verb can also imply a sense of necessity or desire, depending on the context. It is commonly used in both formal and informal settings.

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

時給: hourly wage. The Japanese noun '時給 (じきゅう)' refers to 'hourly wage', which is the amount of money paid to an employee for each hour of work. This term is commonly used in part-time or temporary job contexts where payment is calculated based on the number of hours worked. For example: My hourly wage is 1000 yen「私の時給は1000円です」(わたしのじきゅうはせんえんです). The hourly wage at that store is high「あの店の時給は高いです」(あのみせのじきゅうはたかいです). It's important to note that '時給' is often used in job advertisements or when discussing employment terms.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

659

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rest

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 亻Person (人)

Example Word

連休: holiday. The Japanese noun '連休 (れんきゅう)' refers to a 'consecutive holiday' or a 'long weekend'. It is commonly used to describe a series of days off work or school that are connected, such as national holidays or vacation periods. For example: I enjoyed the long holiday「連休を楽しんだ」(れんきゅうをたのしんだ). The next consecutive holiday is in May「次の連休は5月です」(つぎのれんきゅうはごがつです). This term is often used in contexts related to travel, relaxation, or planning events during extended breaks.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

740

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Inhale, Suck

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 及Reach, Extend

Example Word

呼吸: breathing. The Japanese verbal noun '呼吸 (こきゅう)' means 'breathing'. It refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling air, which is essential for life. This word is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. For example: deep breathing is important for relaxation「深呼吸はリラックスに重要です」(しんこきゅうはりらっくすにじゅうようです). The athlete focused on his breathing during the race「その選手はレース中に呼吸に集中した」(そのせんしゅはれーすちゅうにこきゅうにしゅうちゅうした). In a metaphorical sense, it can also describe the rhythm or flow of something, such as in music or teamwork.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

872

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grade, Rank

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 及Reach, Extend

Example Word

級: grade or rank. The Japanese noun '級 (きゅう)' refers to a level, grade, or rank, often used in contexts such as school grades, martial arts rankings, or classifications. For example: He is in the fifth grade「彼は5級です」(かれはごきゅうです). She holds a black belt rank「彼女は黒帯の級を持っています」(かのじょはくろおびのきゅうをもっています). The word can also be used in broader contexts to indicate a level of quality or classification, such as 'first-class' or 'second-class'.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

930

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rescue

Reading

Parts

求Request, Seek 攵Strike

Example Word

救急: emergency. The Japanese noun '救急 (きゅうきゅう)' refers to 'emergency' or 'urgent medical care'. It is commonly used in contexts related to medical emergencies or urgent situations requiring immediate attention. For example: call an ambulance in case of emergency「救急の場合は救急車を呼んでください」(きゅうきゅうのばあいはきゅうきゅうしゃをよんでください). The emergency room is on the first floor「救急室は一階にあります」(きゅうきゅうしつはいっかいにあります). This term is often seen in phrases like '救急車 (きゅうきゅうしゃ)' (ambulance) or '救急医療 (きゅうきゅういりょう)' (emergency medical care).

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

野球: baseball. The Japanese noun '野球 (やきゅう)' means 'baseball'. It refers to the sport of baseball, which is widely popular in Japan. The word is used in various contexts, such as discussing games, players, or the sport in general. For example: I like baseball「私は野球が好きです」(わたしはやきゅうがすきです). He plays baseball「彼は野球をします」(かれはやきゅうをします). The term is also used in compound words, such as '野球場 (やきゅうじょう)' (baseball stadium) or '野球選手 (やきゅうせんしゅ)' (baseball player).

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1093

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Handle

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)及Reach, Extend

Example Word

取り扱い: handling. The Japanese noun '取り扱い (とりあつかい)' primarily means 'handling'. It refers to the way something is managed, dealt with, or treated. This word is often used in contexts involving the management of objects, situations, or even abstract concepts. For example: careful handling of fragile items「壊れやすい物の取り扱いに注意」(こわれやすいもののとりあつかいによりちゅうい). The handling of customer complaints「顧客の苦情の取り扱い」(こきゃくのくじょうのとりあつかい). It can also refer to the treatment of a subject or topic, as in 'the handling of sensitive information'「機密情報の取り扱い」(きみつじょうほうのとりあつかい).

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