Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Big

Reading

Parts

一One 人Person

Example Word

大半: majority. The Japanese noun '大半 (たいはん)' means 'majority' and refers to the larger part or greater portion of something. It is often used to describe a significant proportion of a group, quantity, or situation. For example: The majority of the students passed the exam「大半の学生が試験に合格した」(たいはんのがくせいがしけんにごうかくした). The majority of the work is already done「仕事の大半はもう終わっている」(しごとのたいはんはもうおわっている). This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the larger part of a whole.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

6

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Body

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)本Book, Origin

Example Word

体力: stamina. The Japanese noun '体力 (たいりょく)' refers to physical strength, stamina, or endurance. It is commonly used to describe one's physical ability to perform tasks or endure physical exertion. For example: I need to build up my stamina「体力をつけなければならない」(たいりょくをつけなければならない). He has a lot of stamina「彼は体力がある」(かれはたいりょくがある). This word is often used in contexts related to sports, work, or health, emphasizing the physical aspect of endurance.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

115

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thick, Fat

Reading

Parts

大Big 丶Dot

Example Word

太る: fatten. The Japanese verb '太る (ふとる)' means 'to gain weight' or 'to become fat'. It is used to describe the process of increasing body weight, often due to overeating or lack of exercise. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as describing someone's physical condition or discussing health and diet. For example: I gained weight「太った」(ふとった). She is worried about gaining weight「彼女は太ることを心配している」(かのじょはふとることをしんぱいしている). It's important to note that '太る' is often used in a neutral or negative context, and it can be sensitive when referring to someone's weight.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

147

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Against

Reading

Parts

寸Measurement 文Sentence

Example Word

絶対: absolutely. The Japanese adverb '絶対 (ぜったい)' means 'absolutely' or 'definitely'. It is used to emphasize certainty or to express that something is unconditional or without exception. This word is often used in both positive and negative contexts to stress the speaker's conviction. For example: I will absolutely come「絶対に行きます」(ぜったいにいきます). You must absolutely not tell anyone「絶対に誰にも言わないで」(ぜったいにだれにもいわないで). It can also be used to describe something that is absolute or unconditional, such as '絶対的な信頼 (ぜったいてきなしんらい) (absolute trust)'.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

148

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wait

Reading

Parts

寺Temple 彳Stop

Example Word

待ち合わせる: meet. The Japanese verb '待ち合わせる (まちあわせる)' means 'to meet' or 'to arrange to meet'. It is commonly used when two or more people agree to meet at a specific time and place. This verb often implies a prearranged meeting rather than a chance encounter. For example: Let's meet at the station at 3 PM「3時に駅で待ち合わせましょう」(さんじにえきでまちあわせましょう). We arranged to meet in front of the cinema「私たちは映画館の前で待ち合わせた」(わたしたちはえいがかんのまえでまちあわせた). The verb is a combination of '待つ (まつ)' meaning 'to wait' and '合わせる (あわせる)' meaning 'to match' or 'to adjust', reflecting the idea of coordinating a meeting time and place.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

241

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pedestal, Machine

Reading

Parts

厶Private 口Mouth

Example Word

台: stand or counter. The Japanese noun '台 (だい)' has two primary meanings. First, it refers to a 'stand' or 'base' used to support or elevate something, such as a pedestal or platform. For example: the vase is on the stand「花瓶は台の上にある」(かびんはだいのうえにある). Second, it is used as a counter for machines, vehicles, or large equipment. For example: two cars「車が二台」(くるまがにだい). The word is versatile and context-dependent, so its meaning is determined by how it is used in a sentence.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

364

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Appearance, Condition

Reading

Parts

心Heart 能Ability

Example Word

態度: attitude. The Japanese noun '態度 (たいど)' refers to a person's attitude, demeanor, or behavior. It is often used to describe how someone carries themselves or reacts in a given situation. This word can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the situation. For example: His attitude is very positive「彼の態度はとても前向きだ」(かれのたいどはとてもまえむきだ). Her attitude towards work is lazy「彼女の仕事に対する態度は怠惰だ」(かのじょのしごとにたいするたいどはたいだだ). The word can also imply a sense of posture or stance, both physically and metaphorically.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

393

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Retreat

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 艮Stopping

Example Word

退ける: remove. The Japanese verb '退ける (のける)' means 'to remove' or 'to set aside'. It is often used to describe physically moving something out of the way or figuratively removing an obstacle or problem. For example: Please remove the box「箱を退けてください」(はこをのけてください). He set aside his doubts and moved forward「彼は疑念を退けて前に進んだ」(かれはぎねんをのけてまえにすすんだ). The verb can also imply a sense of decisiveness or determination in removing something. It is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

633

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Squad

Reading

Parts

⻖ 㒸

Example Word

部隊: unit. The Japanese noun '部隊 (ぶたい)' refers to a military or organizational unit, typically used in the context of armed forces or groups with a specific purpose. It can describe a division, squad, or team within a larger organization. For example: The special forces unit was deployed「特殊部隊が展開された」(とくしゅぶたいがてんかいされた). The rescue unit arrived quickly「救助部隊がすぐに到着した」(きゅうじょぶたいがすぐにとうちゃくした). This word is often used in formal or military contexts and carries a sense of structure and organization.

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

707

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Belt, Wear

Reading

Parts

丗Thirty 冖Crown 巾Towel

Example Word

携帯: mobile. The Japanese noun '携帯 (けいたい)' primarily refers to a mobile phone or cellphone. It is a commonly used term in everyday conversation and is often shortened to 'ケータイ' in casual contexts. The word can also imply portability or something that is carried around, but in modern usage, it is overwhelmingly associated with mobile phones. Example sentences: I forgot my mobile phone at home「携帯を家に忘れた」(けいたいをいえにわすれた). Can I have your mobile number?「携帯番号を教えてもらえますか？」(けいたいばんごをおしえてもらえますか？).

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

743

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bag, Sack

Reading

Parts

代Substitute, Era 衣Clothes

Example Word

手袋: gloves. The Japanese noun '手袋 (てぶくろ)' means 'gloves'. This word refers to a covering for the hands, typically made of fabric, leather, or other materials, worn for protection or warmth. It is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially during colder seasons. For example: I bought new gloves「新しい手袋を買いました」(あたらいてぶくろをかいました). Please wear gloves when it's cold「寒い時は手袋をしてください」(さむいときはてぶくろをしてください). The word can also be used in specific contexts, such as sports or work gloves, but the primary meaning remains consistent.

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1002

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lend, Loan

Reading

Parts

代Substitute, Era 貝Shellfish

Example Word

貸し出し: lending. The Japanese verbal noun '貸し出し (かしだし)' refers to the act of lending or loaning something, typically items like books, tools, or equipment. It is commonly used in contexts such as libraries or rental services. For example: The library allows lending of books「図書館は本の貸し出しを許可しています」(としょかんはほんのかしだしをきょかしています). This shop offers tool lending「この店は工具の貸し出しをしています」(このみせはこうぐのかしだしをしています). The term emphasizes the temporary transfer of items from one party to another.

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1229

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Replace, Exchange

Reading

Parts

㚘 曰

Example Word

着替え: changing. The Japanese verbal noun '着替え (きがえ)' refers to the act of changing clothes. It is commonly used in daily life to describe the process of switching from one set of clothes to another, such as when getting dressed in the morning or changing into pajamas at night. For example: I need to change clothes「着替えが必要です」(きがえがひつようです). She is changing clothes now「彼女は今着替えています」(かのじょはいまきがえています). This word is often used in contexts related to daily routines, travel, or preparing for specific activities.

Radical

曰

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1355

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Receive

Reading

Example Word

頂戴: receive. The Japanese verbal noun '頂戴 (ちょうだい)' is a polite and humble way to say 'receive' or 'accept'. It is often used when asking for something politely or when receiving something from someone of higher status. It can also be used as a humble way to say 'eat' or 'drink'. For example: Please give me that book「その本を頂戴」(そのほんをちょうだい). I received a gift from my teacher「先生からプレゼントを頂戴しました」(せんせいからプレゼントをちょうだいしました). It's important to note that this word is often used in formal or polite situations, and is not typically used in casual conversation.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1383

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Calm, Peace

Reading

Parts

水Water

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1507

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Select

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)太Thick, Fat

Example Word

沙汰: matter or news. The Japanese noun '沙汰 (さた)' can mean 'matter' or 'news', depending on the context. It is often used to refer to an event, incident, or piece of information that is noteworthy or requires attention. For example: I heard about the matter「その沙汰を聞いた」(そのさたをきいた). There's no news from him「彼からの沙汰がない」(かれからのさたがない). The word can also imply something that is being discussed or judged, as in '世間の沙汰 (せけんのさた) (public judgment)'. It is a somewhat formal or old-fashioned term, often used in written or formal spoken contexts.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1551

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Proof, Withstand

Reading

Parts

而 寸Measurement

Example Word

耐える: endure. The Japanese verb '耐える (たえる)' means 'to endure' or 'to withstand'. It is used to describe the ability to tolerate or bear something difficult, such as pain, hardship, or stress. This verb can also imply resilience or patience in the face of challenges. For example: He endured the pain「彼は痛みに耐えた」(かれはいたみにたえた). I can't endure this heat「この暑さに耐えられない」(このあつさにたえられない). Note that '耐える' is often used in contexts involving physical or emotional strain, and it can be paired with particles like 'に' to indicate what is being endured.

Radical

而

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1583

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lazy, Neglect

Reading

Parts

心Heart 台Pedestal, Machine

Example Word

怠ける: neglect or laze. The Japanese verb '怠ける (なまける)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'to laze' or 'to be idle', referring to avoiding work or effort. For example: He lazed around all day「彼は一日中怠けていた」(かれはいちにちじゅうなまけていた). The second meaning is 'to neglect', implying a failure to fulfill responsibilities or duties. For example: She neglected her studies「彼女は勉強を怠けた」(かのじょはべんきょうをなまけた). The verb can carry a negative connotation, suggesting laziness or irresponsibility depending on the context.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1596

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Stagnate

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)帯Belt, Wear

Example Word

滞在: stay. The Japanese verbal noun '滞在 (たいざい)' means 'stay'. It refers to the act of staying or residing in a place temporarily, such as during a trip, vacation, or visit. It is commonly used in contexts related to travel, lodging, or temporary residence. For example: I will stay in Tokyo for three days「東京に三日間滞在します」(とうきょうにみっかかんたいざいします). His stay in Japan was very enjoyable「彼の日本での滞在はとても楽しかった」(かれのにほんでのたいざいはとてもたのしかった). The word is often paired with verbs like する (to do) or する予定 (plan to do) to indicate the act of staying.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1708

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Womb, Uterus

Reading

Parts

肉Meat 台Pedestal, Machine

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1906

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Piled high

Reading

Parts

土Soil 隹Bird

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1999

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Catch up with, Apprehend

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 隶

Example Word

逮捕: arrest. The Japanese verbal noun '逮捕 (たいほ)' means 'arrest'. It refers to the act of taking someone into custody by legal authority, typically in the context of law enforcement. This term is commonly used in legal, news, and everyday contexts when discussing criminal activities or police actions. For example: The police made an arrest「警察が逮捕した」(けいさつがたいほした). He was arrested for theft「彼は窃盗で逮捕された」(かれはせっとうでたいほされた). Note that '逮捕' is often used in formal or serious contexts and is not typically used in casual conversation.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2029

Handwriting