Page 1
kanji
時Meaning
Time, Hour
Reading
kunyomiときtoki
onyomiじji
Parts
日Day, Sun 寺Temple
Example Word
時折: occasionally. The Japanese adverb '時折 (ときおり)' means 'occasionally' or 'from time to time'. It is used to describe actions or events that happen infrequently or at irregular intervals. This word is often used in written or formal contexts, but it can also be used in spoken language. For example: I occasionally visit my grandmother「時折、祖母を訪ねます」(ときおり、そぼをたずねます). Snow falls occasionally in this region「この地域では時折雪が降ります」(このちいきではときおりゆきがふります). The word '時折' carries a slightly poetic nuance, making it suitable for expressing a sense of rarity or nostalgia.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
14
Handwriting
kanji
事Meaning
Thing
Reading
kunyomiことkoto
onyomiじji
Parts
⺕Hand 亅Barb 一One 口Mouth
Example Word
事前: advance or prior. The Japanese noun '事前 (じぜん)' refers to something that is done or prepared beforehand, in advance, or prior to an event. It is often used in contexts where preparation or planning is emphasized. For example: Please inform us in advance「事前に知らせてください」(じぜんにしらせてください). We need prior approval「事前の承認が必要です」(じぜんのしょうにんがひつようです). The word can also be used to describe actions or arrangements made before a specific event or deadline. It is commonly used in formal or professional settings.
Radical
亅
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
16
Handwriting
kanji
自Meaning
Self
Reading
kunyomiみずかmizuka
onyomiじji
しshi
Parts
目Eye 丿Katakana no
Example Word
自動車: car. The Japanese noun '自動車 (じどうし ゃ)' means 'car'. It refers to a motor vehicle with four wheels, typically powered by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, and is used for transporting passengers. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and formal contexts. For example: I bought a new car「新しい自動車を買いました」(あたらしいじどうしゃをかいました). The car is parked over there「自動車はあそこに止まっています」(じどうしゃはあそこにとまっています). The term is neutral and can refer to any type of car, from sedans to SUVs.
Radical
自
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
20
Handwriting
kanji
持Meaning
Hold
Reading
kunyomiもmo
onyomiじji
Parts
寺Temple 扌Hand (手)
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
9JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
47
Handwriting
kanji
地Meaning
Ground
Reading
onyomiじji
ちchi
Parts
土Soil 也To be
Example Word
意地: stubbornness or disposition. The Japanese noun '意地 (いじ)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'stubbornness', referring to a person's obstinate or unyielding nature. For example: He showed his stubbornness「彼は意地を見せた」(かれはいじをみせた). The second meaning is 'disposition', referring to a person's inherent qualities of mind and character. For example: She has a kind disposition「彼女は優しい意地を持っている」(かのじょはやさしいいじをもっている). The word can carry a slightly negative connotation when used to describe stubbornness, but it is neutral when referring to one's disposition.
Radical
土
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
53
Handwriting
kanji
次Meaning
Next
Reading
kunyomiつtsu
つぎtsugi
onyomiじji
しshi
Parts
冫Ice (水)欠Lack
Example Word
次回: next. The Japanese noun '次回 (じかい)' means 'next' in the context of an event, episode, or occurrence. It is commonly used to refer to the next instance of something that happens regularly, such as a TV show episode, a meeting, or a scheduled event. For example: see you next time「次回また会いましょう」(じかいまたあいましょう). The next episode will be more exciting「次回のエピソードはもっと面白いです」(じかいのエピソードはもっとおもしろいです). This word is often used in announcements or when discussing future plans.
Radical
欠
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
101
Handwriting
kanji
治Meaning
Cure, Reign
Reading
kunyomiおさosa
なおnao
onyomiじji
ちchi
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
8JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
317
Handwriting
kanji
字Meaning
Character
Reading
kunyomiあざaza
onyomiじji
Parts
子Child 宀Roof
Example Word
活字: type. The Japanese noun '活字 (かつじ)' refers to 'type' in the context of printing or typography. It specifically denotes the individual pieces of metal or wood with raised characters used in traditional printing presses. This term is also used more broadly to refer to printed characters or fonts in modern contexts. For example: This book uses old type「この本は古い活字を使っている」(このほんはふるいかつじをつかっている). I prefer books with clear type「私は読みやすい活字の本が好きだ」(わたしはよみやすいかつじのほんがすきだ). The term can also metaphorically refer to the written word or printed material in general.
Radical
子
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
370
Handwriting
kanji
寺Meaning
Temple
Reading
kunyomiてらtera
onyomiじji
Parts
土Soil 寸Measurement
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
6JLPT
N2Grade
2Frequency
408
Handwriting
kanji
似Meaning
Resemble
Reading
kunyomiにni
onyomiじji
Parts
亻Person (人)以By means of
Example Word
類似: similarity. The Japanese noun '類似 (るいじ)' means 'similarity'. It refers to the state or quality of being similar or alike, often used in contexts comparing two or more things. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, such as academic discussions, everyday conversations, or technical comparisons. For example: There is a similarity between the two theories「二つの理論には類似がある」(ふたつのりろんにはるいじがある). The similarity between these two paintings is striking「これらの二つの絵画の類似は驚くべきものだ」(これらのふたつのかいがのるいじはおどろくべきものだ). Note that '類似' can also be used in compound words like '類似点 (るいじてん)' (points of similarity) or '類似性 (るいじせい)' (similarity in nature).
Radical
人
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
464
Handwriting
kanji
耳Meaning
Ear
Reading
kunyomiみみmimi
onyomiじji
Parts
一One 三Three 丨Stick
Example Word
耳鼻科: otolaryngology. The Japanese noun '耳鼻科 (じびか)' refers to the medical field of otolaryngology, which deals with conditions related to the ear, nose, and throat. This term is commonly used in medical contexts and is often seen on signs or in hospital departments. For example: I went to the otolaryngology department「耳鼻科に行きました」(じびかにいきました). The otolaryngology clinic is on the third floor「耳鼻科の診察室は3階です」(じびかのしんさつしつは さんかいです). This word is a combination of three kanji: 耳 (ear), 鼻 (nose), and 科 (department or field).
Radical
耳
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N3Grade
1Frequency
465
Handwriting
kanji
示Meaning
Show, Indicate
Reading
kunyomiしめshime
onyomiじji
しshi
Parts
二Two 小Small
Example Word
開示: disclosure. The Japanese noun '開示 (かいじ)' means 'disclosure'. It refers to the act of making information, facts, or data known to others, often in a formal or legal context. This term is commonly used in legal, corporate, or administrative settings where transparency is required. For example: The company made a public disclosure of its financial records「会社は財務記録を開示しました」(かいしゃはざいむきろくをかいじしました). The court ordered the disclosure of evidence「裁判所は証拠の開示を命じた」(さいばんしょはしょうこのかいじをめいじた). Note that '開示' is often used in contexts involving legal obligations or ethical transparency.
Radical
示
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
574
Radical Form
礻
Handwriting
kanji
児Meaning
Child
Reading
onyomiにni
じji
Parts
儿Legs 旧Old, Past
Example Word
幼児: toddler. The Japanese noun '幼児 (ようじ)' refers to a young child, typically between the ages of 1 and 6 years old, who is in the early stages of childhood. This term is often used in educational, medical, and parenting contexts to describe children who are not yet in elementary school. For example: The toddler is playing in the park「幼児が公園で遊んでいる」(ようじがこうえんであそんでいる). This daycare is for toddlers「この保育園は幼児向けです」(このほいくえんはようじむけです). The word emphasizes the stage of development rather than just the age, and it is commonly used in phrases like '幼児教育 (ようじきょういく)' (early childhood education).
Radical
儿
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
750
Handwriting
kanji
辞Meaning
Word, Resign
Reading
kunyomiやya
onyomiじji
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
13JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
941
Handwriting
kanji
侍Meaning
Attend to, Samurai
Reading
kunyomiさむらいsamurai
onyomiじji
Parts
亻Person (人)寺Temple
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
8JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
961
Handwriting
kanji
除Meaning
Exclude, Remove
Reading
kunyomiのぞnozo
onyomiじょjo
じji
Parts
⻖ 余Excess
Example Word
解除: cancellation. The Japanese noun '解除 (かいじょ)' refers to the act of canceling, revoking, or releasing something, such as a contract, restriction, or state of being. It is commonly used in formal or technical contexts. For example: cancellation of the contract「契約の解除」(けいやくのかいじょ). The state of emergency has been lifted「緊急事態が解除された」(きんきゅうじたいがかいじょされた). It can also refer to the removal of a lock or restriction, as in '解除コード (かいじょコード) (unlock code)'. This word is often used in legal, technical, or administrative settings.
Radical
阜
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
1003
Handwriting
kanji
餌Meaning
Feed
Reading
kunyomiもちmochi
えさesa
えばeba
onyomiにni
じji
Parts
飠Eat (食)耳Ear
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
14JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1696
Handwriting