Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Time, Hour

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 寺Temple

Example Word

時間: time. The Japanese noun '時間 (じかん)' primarily means 'time'. It refers to the concept of time as a measurable quantity, such as hours, minutes, or seconds. It can also refer to a specific period or duration. For example: I don't have time「時間がない」(じかんがない). It takes two hours「2時間かかります」(にじかんかかります). Additionally, '時間' can be used to describe a scheduled time or appointment, as in 'What time is the meeting?「会議は何時間ですか？」(かいぎはなんじかんですか？)'. This word is versatile and commonly used in daily conversations.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

14

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thing

Reading

Parts

⺕Hand 亅Barb 一One 口Mouth

Example Word

事務: office work. The Japanese noun '事務 (じむ)' refers to 'office work' or 'administrative tasks'. It is commonly used to describe tasks related to managing paperwork, organizing schedules, or handling general administrative duties in an office setting. For example: I handle office work「私は事務を担当しています」(わたしはじむをたんとうしています). Office work is busy today「今日は事務が忙しい」(きょうはじむがいそがしい). This word is often used in professional contexts and can be combined with other words to form compound nouns, such as '事務所 (じむしょ)' (office) or '事務員 (じむいん)' (office worker).

Radical

亅

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

16

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Self

Reading

Parts

目Eye 丿Katakana no

Example Word

自身: self. The Japanese noun '自身 (じしん)' means 'self' or 'oneself'. It is used to emphasize the subject or object of a sentence, often to indicate that the action or state is directly related to the person or thing in question. It can be used in various contexts, such as personal responsibility, self-reflection, or to stress individuality. For example: I will do it myself「私は自身でやります」(わたしはじしんでやります). He himself said so「彼自身がそう言いました」(かれじしんがそういいました). The word can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as in 'the problem itself'「問題自身」(もんだいじしん).

Radical

自

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

20

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hold

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

47

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ground

Reading

Parts

土Soil 也To be

Example Word

地方: region. The Japanese noun '地方 (ちほう)' means 'region'. It refers to a specific area or part of a country, often used to distinguish areas outside major cities like Tokyo or Osaka. It can also imply a rural or less urbanized area. For example: I want to visit the northern region「北の地方に行きたい」(きたのちほうにいきたい). This region is famous for its hot springs「この地方は温泉で有名です」(このちほうはおんせんでゆうめいです). The word can also be used in contexts like 'local government' (地方自治体, ちほうじちたい) or 'regional culture' (地方文化, ちほうぶんか).

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

53

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Next

Reading

Parts

冫Ice (水)欠Lack

Example Word

次女: second daughter. The Japanese noun '次女 (じじょ)' refers to the 'second daughter' in a family. This term is used to specify the birth order of daughters, with '次女' being the second-born daughter. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing family members or relationships. For example: Her second daughter is very talented「彼女の次女はとても才能がある」(かのじょのじじょはとてもさいのうがある). The second daughter got married last year「次女は去年結婚した」(じじょはきょねんけっこんした). The term is often used in family registers, official documents, and everyday conversations to distinguish between siblings.

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

漢字: kanji. The Japanese noun '漢字 (かんじ)' refers to 'kanji', which are the logographic characters borrowed from Chinese and used in the Japanese writing system. Kanji are used alongside hiragana and katakana, and each character typically represents a word or a meaningful part of a word. For example: I study kanji「私は漢字を勉強します」(わたしはかんじをべんきょうします). This kanji is difficult「この漢字は難しい」(このかんじはむずかしい). Kanji are essential for reading and writing in Japanese, and they often have multiple readings and meanings depending on the context.

Radical

子

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

370

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Temple

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

408

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Resemble

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)以By means of

Example Word

似ている: resemble. The Japanese verb '似ている (にている)' means 'to resemble' or 'to be similar'. It is used to describe a likeness or similarity between two things, people, or situations. This verb is often used in comparisons, such as when saying someone looks like another person or when two objects share similar characteristics. 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). These two paintings are similar「この二つの絵は似ている」(このふたつのえはにている). The verb is typically used in its te-form (似ている) to indicate a state of resemblance or similarity.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

464

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ear

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

465

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Show, Indicate

Reading

Parts

二Two 小Small

Example Word

指示: instruction. The Japanese noun '指示 (しじ)' means 'instruction' or 'direction'. It refers to guidance or orders given by someone in authority, such as a boss, teacher, or manual. This word is commonly used in professional, educational, or technical contexts. For example: follow the instructions「指示に従ってください」(しじにしたがってください). The teacher gave clear instructions「先生は明確な指示を出した」(せんせいはめいかくなしじをだした). It can also imply a sense of authority or hierarchy, as the person giving the instructions is typically in a position of power or expertise.

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

574

Radical Form

礻

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Child

Reading

Parts

儿Legs 旧Old, Past

Example Word

児: child. The Japanese suffix '児 (じ)' means 'child' and is often used in compound words to refer to children or young individuals. It can be used in various contexts, such as in the names of institutions or titles. For example: kindergarten child「幼稚園児」(ようちえんじ). This suffix is commonly found in words related to education or care for children. It's important to note that '児' is typically used in formal or institutional contexts rather than in everyday conversation.

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

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

961

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Exclude, Remove

Reading

Parts

⻖ 余Excess

Example Word

掃除機: vacuum. The Japanese noun '掃除機 (そうじき)' refers to a 'vacuum cleaner', a device used for cleaning floors and surfaces by suction. It is commonly used in households and workplaces. Example sentences: I bought a new vacuum「新しい掃除機を買いました」(あたらしいそうじきをかいました). Please use the vacuum to clean the room「部屋を掃除するために掃除機を使ってください」(へやをそうじするためにそうじきをつかってください). The word is a combination of '掃除 (そうじ)', meaning 'cleaning', and '機 (き)', meaning 'machine'.

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

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

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

艹Grass 次Next

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2032

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Two

Reading

Parts

一One 弍

Radical

弋

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2069

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Imperial seal, Emperor's seal

Reading

Parts

玉Ball, Jewel 爾

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2131

Handwriting