字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Time, Hour

Reading

Parts

寺Temple 日Day, Sun

Example Word

時々: sometimes. The Japanese adverb '時々 (ときどき)' means 'sometimes'. It is used to indicate that an action or event occurs occasionally, but not regularly or frequently. This adverb can be placed at the beginning or middle of a sentence, depending on the emphasis. For example: I sometimes go to the park「時々公園に行きます」(ときどきこうえんにいきます). She sometimes reads books「彼女は時々本を読みます」(かのじょはときどきほんをよみます). It is a versatile word that can be used in both casual and formal contexts.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

14

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thing

Reading

Parts

口Mouth ⺕Hand 亅Barb 一One

Example Word

事: thing or matter. The Japanese noun '事 (こと)' is a versatile word that can mean 'thing' or 'matter'. It is often used to refer to abstract concepts, events, or situations rather than physical objects. For example: That is an important matter「それは大事な事です」(それはだいじなことです). I have something to tell you「あなたに言いたい事があります」(あなたにいいたいことがあります). The word '事' is commonly used in various expressions and idioms, such as '事にする (ことにする)' meaning 'to decide to do something' or '事になる (ことになる)' meaning 'it has been decided that'. It is important to note that '事' is often used in formal or written contexts, while '物 (もの)' is more commonly used for physical objects in everyday speech.

Radical

亅

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

16

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Self

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 目Eye

Example Word

自分: self. The Japanese noun '自分 (じぶん)' means 'self' and is used to refer to oneself in a general sense. It can be used in various contexts to indicate the speaker or the person being referred to. It is often used in reflexive contexts or when emphasizing one's own actions or feelings. For example: I did it myself「自分でやりました」(じぶんでやりました). He always thinks about himself「彼はいつも自分のことを考えている」(かれはいつもじぶんのことをかんがえている). Note that '自分' can sometimes be used to refer to others in certain contexts, especially in group settings or when speaking about someone in a respectful manner.

Radical

自

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

20

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hold

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)寺Temple

Example Word

持つ: hold or have. The Japanese verb '持つ (もつ)' can mean 'to hold' or 'to have'. When used to mean 'to hold', it refers to physically grasping or carrying something. For example: she holds a book「彼女は本を持つ」(かのじょはほんをもつ). When used to mean 'to have', it refers to possessing or owning something. For example: I have a car「私は車を持つ」(わたしはくるまをもつ). This verb is versatile and can be used in various contexts, both literal and figurative. It's important to note that '持つ' is often used in combination with other words to form compound verbs, such as '持ち帰る (もちかえる)' (to take home).

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

47

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ground

Reading

Parts

土Soil 也To be

Example Word

地: ground. The Japanese noun '地 (ち)' primarily means 'ground' or 'earth'. It refers to the solid surface of the earth, as opposed to the sky or water. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the foundation or basis of something. For example: the ground is wet「地が濡れている」(ちがぬれている). This land is fertile「この地は肥沃だ」(このちはひよくだ). Additionally, '地' can be used in compound words to denote specific types of land or areas, such as '地図 (ちず)' (map) or '地元 (じもと)' (hometown).

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

53

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Next

Reading

Parts

冫Ice (水)欠Lack

Example Word

次: next. The Japanese noun '次 (つぎ)' means 'next'. It is commonly used to refer to the following item, event, or point in a sequence. For example: the next station is Shinjuku「次の駅は新宿です」(つぎのえきはしんじゅくです). What's next?「次は何ですか？」(つぎはなんですか？). It can also be used in contexts like 'next time' or 'next step'. For instance: see you next time「また次会いましょう」(またつぎあいましょう). The nuance of '次' often implies a continuation or progression in a sequence, making it a versatile word in both casual and formal settings.

Radical

欠

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

101

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cure, Reign

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)台Pedestal, Machine

Example Word

政治: politics. The Japanese noun '政治 (せいじ)' means 'politics'. It refers to the activities, actions, and policies used to govern a country or area, especially the debate between parties or individuals having power. It can also refer to the academic study of government and political systems. For example: He is interested in politics「彼は政治に興味がある」(かれはせいじにきょうみがある). The politics of this country are complicated「この国の政治は複雑だ」(このくにのせいじはふくざつだ). The word is commonly used in discussions about government, elections, and policy-making.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

317

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Character

Reading

Parts

子Child 宀Roof

Example Word

文字: character or letter. The Japanese noun '文字 (もじ)' refers to a 'letter' or 'character' in a writing system. It can denote individual letters of the alphabet, kanji, hiragana, katakana, or any other written symbols used in language. This word is often used in contexts discussing writing, reading, or language learning. For example: I can read Japanese characters「私は日本語の文字が読めます」(わたしはにほんごのもじがよめます). This book has many difficult characters「この本は難しい文字が多い」(このほんはむずかしいもじがおおい). The word '文字' is essential when talking about written language and is commonly used in educational settings.

Radical

子

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

370

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Temple

Reading

Parts

寸Measurement 土Soil

Example Word

寺: temple. The Japanese noun '寺 (てら)' refers to a Buddhist temple, a place of worship and religious practice in Buddhism. It is distinct from Shinto shrines, which are called '神社 (じんじゃ)'. Temples often house statues of Buddha, serve as centers for meditation, and host various religious ceremonies. For example: I visited a temple「寺を訪れました」(てらをおとずれました). There is an old temple in Kyoto「京都に古い寺があります」(きょうとにふるいてらがあります). The word is commonly used in contexts related to religion, history, and tourism.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

408

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Resemble

Reading

Parts

以By means of 亻Person (人)

Example Word

似る: resemble. The Japanese verb '似る (にる)' means 'to resemble' or 'to be similar to'. It is used to describe a likeness or similarity between two things, people, or concepts. This verb is often used in comparisons, such as when saying someone looks like another person or when describing how two objects are alike. For example: She resembles her mother「彼女は母親に似ている」(かのじょはははおやににている). This painting resembles a famous one「この絵は有名な絵に似ている」(このえはゆうめいなえににている). The verb '似る' is typically used with the particle 'に' to indicate what something resembles, as in 'AはBに似ている' (A resembles B).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

464

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ear

Reading

Parts

三Three 丨Stick 一One

Example Word

耳: ear. The Japanese noun '耳 (みみ)' means 'ear'. This word refers to the organ of hearing in humans and animals. It is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: my ear hurts「耳が痛い」(みみがいたい). She whispered in my ear「彼女は私の耳に囁いた」(かのじょはわたしのみみにささやいた). Additionally, '耳' can be used metaphorically to describe something that resembles an ear in shape, such as the handle of a cup, referred to as '耳' in Japanese. It is a versatile word that appears in various idiomatic expressions and compound words.

Radical

耳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

465

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Show, Indicate

Reading

Parts

小Small 二Two

Example Word

示す: show. The Japanese verb '示す (しめす)' means 'to show' or 'to indicate'. It is used to express the act of presenting something visibly or making something clear. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as showing evidence, indicating a direction, or demonstrating a concept. For example: He showed me the way「彼は私に道を示した」(かれはわたしにみちをしめした). The data indicates a clear trend「データは明確な傾向を示している」(データはめいかくなけいこうをしめしている). Note that '示す' often implies a deliberate or intentional act of showing or indicating something.

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

574

Radical Form

礻

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Child

Reading

Parts

旧Old, Past 儿Legs

Example Word

児童: child. The Japanese noun '児童 (じどう)' refers to a child, typically in the context of school-age children or minors. It is often used in formal or educational settings, such as when discussing children's welfare, education, or legal rights. For example: The school is for children「その学校は児童のためのものです」(そのがっこうはじどうのためのものです). The law protects the rights of children「その法律は児童の権利を守る」(そのほうりつはじどうのけんりをまもる). Note that '児童' is more formal than other words like '子供 (こども)', which is a more general term for children.

Radical

儿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

750

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Word, Resign

Reading

Parts

舌Tongue 辛Hard, Spicy

Example Word

お辞儀: bow. The Japanese verbal noun 'お辞儀 (おじぎ)' refers to the act of bowing, which is a common gesture in Japanese culture used to show respect, gratitude, or apology. Bowing is deeply ingrained in Japanese etiquette and varies in depth and duration depending on the situation and the level of formality. For example: He bowed deeply to show his respect「彼は深くお辞儀をして敬意を示した」(かれはふかくおじぎをしてけいいをしめした). She gave a slight bow when greeting her teacher「彼女は先生に挨拶するとき軽くお辞儀をした」(かのじょはせんせいにあいさつするときかるくおじぎをした). The depth and duration of the bow can convey different levels of respect or formality, making it an important aspect of Japanese social interactions.

Radical

辛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

941

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Attend to, Samurai

Reading

Parts

寺Temple 亻Person (人)

Example Word

侍: samurai. The Japanese noun '侍 (さむらい)' refers to a 'samurai', a member of the warrior class in feudal Japan. Samurai were known for their strict code of honor, discipline, and martial skills. The term is often associated with loyalty, bravery, and the bushido (the way of the warrior). Example sentences: The samurai fought bravely「侍は勇敢に戦った」(さむらいはゆうかんにたたかった). He is a descendant of a samurai family「彼は侍の家系の子孫です」(かれはさむらいのかけいのしそんです). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who embodies the qualities of a samurai, such as honor and discipline.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

961

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Exclude, Remove

Reading

Parts

余Excess ⻖

Example Word

除く: exclude. The Japanese verb '除く (のぞく)' primarily means 'to exclude' or 'to remove'. It is used to indicate that something or someone is being left out or omitted from a group, list, or consideration. For example: Please exclude him from the list「彼をリストから除いてください」(かれをリストからのぞいてください). This rule applies to everyone, excluding children「このルールは子供を除いて全員に適用されます」(このルールはこどもをのぞいてぜんいんにてきようされます). Additionally, '除く' can sometimes imply 'except for' or 'apart from', as in: All members, excluding the president, attended the meeting「会長を除いて全員が会議に出席しました」(かいちょうをのぞいてぜんいんがかいぎにしゅっせきしました).

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1003

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Affection, Mercy

Reading

Parts

心Heart 兹

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1367

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Feed

Reading

Parts

耳Ear 飠Eat (食)

Example Word

餌: feed or bait. The Japanese noun '餌 (えさ)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'feed', referring to food given to animals, such as pets or livestock. For example: I gave feed to the dog「犬に餌をあげた」(いぬにえさをあげた). The second meaning is 'bait', used in the context of fishing or trapping. For example: He put bait on the hook「彼は針に餌をつけた」(かれははりにえさをつけた). The word is versatile and can be used in both domestic and outdoor settings, depending on the context.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1696

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Magnet, Porcelain

Reading

Parts

石Stone 兹

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1904

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Nourishing

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)兹

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2010

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Briar, Thorn

Reading

Parts

次Next 艹Grass

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2032

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Two

Reading

Parts

弍 一One

Radical

弋

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2069

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Imperial seal, Emperor's seal

Reading

Parts

爾 玉Ball, Jewel

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2131

Handwriting