kanji

Meaning

Nine

Reading

Parts

乙Second, Latter 丿Katakana no

Example Word

九: nine. The Japanese noun '九 (きゅう)' means 'nine'. It is used to represent the number nine in various contexts, such as counting, age, or quantities. For example: I have nine apples「りんごが九つあります」(りんごがきゅうつあります). She is nine years old「彼女は九歳です」(かのじょはきゅうさいです). This word is commonly used in everyday conversations and is essential for basic counting and numerical expressions in Japanese.

Radical

乛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

225

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Urgent

Reading

Parts

心Heart 刍Mow

Example Word

大急ぎ: hurry. The Japanese adjectival noun '大急ぎ (おおいそぎ)' means 'hurry' or 'great haste'. It is used to describe a situation or action that is done quickly or urgently, often due to limited time. This word is commonly used in contexts where speed is essential, such as rushing to complete a task or moving quickly to a destination. For example: I left in a hurry「大急ぎで出かけた」(おおいそぎででかけた). She finished her homework in a rush「彼女は大急ぎで宿題を終わらせた」(かのじょはおおいそぎでしゅくだいをおわらせた). Note that '大急ぎ' often implies a sense of urgency or necessity, and it can be used both as a noun and as an adverb when combined with particles like 'で'.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

283

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Weep, Cry

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)立Stand

Example Word

泣く: cry. The Japanese verb '泣く (なく)' means 'to cry'. It is used to describe the act of shedding tears, often due to sadness, pain, or overwhelming emotion. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as crying because of a sad movie, a personal loss, or even tears of joy. For example: The child cried loudly「子供は大声で泣いた」(こどもはおおごえでないた). She cried when she heard the news「彼女はその知らせを聞いて泣いた」(かのじょはそのしらせをきいてないた). The verb can also be used metaphorically to describe something that evokes a strong emotional response, such as a touching story.

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

及ぼす: exert. The Japanese verb '及ぼす (およぼす)' means 'to exert' or 'to have an influence on'. It is often used to describe the effect or impact that something has on another thing, whether positive or negative. This verb is typically used in formal or written contexts. For example: The new policy will exert a significant influence on the economy「新しい政策は経済に大きな影響を及ぼすでしょう」(あたらしいせいさくはけいざいにおおきなえいきょうをおよぼすでしょう). His actions exerted a negative impact on the team「彼の行動はチームに悪影響を及ぼした」(かれのこうどうはチームにあくえいきょうをおよぼした). Note that '及ぼす' is often followed by the particle 'に' to indicate the target of the influence.

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

540

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Request, Seek

Reading

Parts

水Water

Example Word

請求: demand or claim. The Japanese noun '請求 (せいきゅう)' can mean 'claim' or 'demand', often in a financial or legal context. It refers to the act of requesting payment, compensation, or fulfillment of an obligation. For example: The company sent a payment claim「会社が請求書を送った」(かいしゃがせいきゅうしょをおくった). He made a demand for compensation「彼は補償を請求した」(かれはほしょうをせいきゅうした). This word is commonly used in business settings, such as when issuing invoices or making formal requests.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

562

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Research

Reading

Parts

穴Hole 九Nine

Example Word

研究: research. The Japanese verbal noun '研究 (けんきゅう)' means 'research'. It refers to the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. This term is commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts. For example: I am conducting research on Japanese history「私は日本の歴史を研究しています」(わたしはにほんのれきしをけんきゅうしています). His research was published in a scientific journal「彼の研究は科学雑誌に掲載された」(かれのけんきゅうはかがくざっしにけいさいされた). The word can also be used to describe the act of studying or investigating something in depth, as in '研究する (けんきゅうする)' which means 'to research' or 'to study'.

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

休講: cancellation. The Japanese verbal noun '休講 (きゅうこう)' refers to the cancellation of a lecture or class. It is commonly used in academic settings to indicate that a scheduled lecture or class will not take place, often due to the teacher's absence or other unforeseen circumstances. For example: The lecture was canceled「休講になりました」(きゅうこうになりました). Tomorrow's class is canceled「明日の授業は休講です」(あしたのじゅぎょうはきゅうこうです). This term is specific to educational contexts and should not be confused with general cancellations of events or appointments.

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

救急車: ambulance. The Japanese noun '救急車 (きゅうきゅうしゃ)' refers to an 'ambulance', a vehicle equipped to transport sick or injured people to a hospital. It is commonly used in emergency situations. For example: Call an ambulance!「救急車を呼んで！」(きゅうきゅうしゃをよんで！). The ambulance arrived quickly「救急車がすぐに到着した」(きゅうきゅうしゃがすぐにとうちゃくした). The word is a compound of '救急 (きゅうきゅう)', meaning 'emergency', and '車 (しゃ)', meaning 'vehicle'.

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

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