kanji

Meaning

Third person pronoun, He

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 皮Skin

Example Word

彼氏: boyfriend. The Japanese noun '彼氏 (かれし)' means 'boyfriend'. It is a commonly used term to refer to a male romantic partner. This word is casual and is often used in everyday conversation. For example: My boyfriend is kind「私の彼氏は優しい」(わたしのかれしはやさしい). I went to the movies with my boyfriend「彼氏と映画に行った」(かれしとえいがにいった). It is important to note that '彼氏' is specifically used for romantic relationships and not for male friends in general. The term '彼 (かれ)' can also mean 'he' or 'boyfriend', but '彼氏' is more commonly used to clearly indicate a romantic relationship.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

19

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fly

Reading

Parts

升Sho, Measuring box

Example Word

飛ばす: fly or skip. The Japanese verb '飛ばす (とばす)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to fly', as in making something fly or sending something through the air. For example: He flew the kite high「彼はたこを高く飛ばした」(かれはたこをたかくとばした). The second meaning is 'to skip', as in omitting or jumping over something. For example: I skipped a few pages「私は数ページ飛ばした」(わたしはすうページとばした). The verb can also imply speeding up or rushing, depending on the context. For example: The car sped down the road「車が道を飛ばした」(くるまがみちをとばした).

Radical

飛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

229

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mistake, Negative

Reading

Example Word

非難: blame or criticism. The Japanese verbal noun '非難 (ひなん)' primarily means 'criticism' or 'blame'. It refers to the act of expressing disapproval or holding someone accountable for their actions. This word is often used in contexts where someone is being criticized for wrongdoing or mistakes. For example: The politician faced severe criticism「その政治家は激しい非難にさらされた」(そのせいじかははげしいひなんにさらされた). She blamed him for the failure「彼女は失敗を彼の非難にした」(かのじょはしっぱいをかれのひなんにした). Note that '非難' can carry a strong connotation, implying a serious accusation or condemnation.

Radical

非

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

320

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sad

Reading

Parts

非Mistake, Negative 心Heart

Example Word

悲しむ: grieve. The Japanese verb '悲しむ (かなしむ)' means 'to grieve' or 'to feel sorrow'. It is used to express deep sadness or mourning, often in response to a loss or unfortunate event. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as personal grief or empathy for others. For example: She grieved over her lost dog「彼女は亡くなった犬を悲しんだ」(かのじょはなくなったいぬをかなしんだ). We grieve for the victims of the disaster「私たちは災害の犠牲者を悲しむ」(わたしたちはさいがいのぎせいしゃをかなしむ). The verb can also be used in a more general sense to describe feeling sorrow or sadness about a situation, as in 'He grieved over his failure'「彼は自分の失敗を悲しんだ」(かれはじぶんのしっぱいをかなしんだ).

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

415

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Compare, Ratio

Reading

Example Word

比率: ratio. The Japanese noun '比率 (ひりつ)' means 'ratio'. It refers to the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other. This term is commonly used in mathematical, scientific, and financial contexts to describe proportions or comparative relationships. For example: The ratio of men to women is 2:1「男性と女性の比率は2:1です」(だんせいとじょせいのひりつは2:1です). The ratio of sugar to flour in this recipe is 1:3「このレシピの砂糖と小麦粉の比率は1:3です」(このレシピのさとうとこむぎこのひりつは1:3です).

Radical

比

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

604

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Secret

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 必Inevitable, Certain

Example Word

秘密: secret. The Japanese adjectival noun '秘密 (ひみつ)' means 'secret'. It refers to something that is kept hidden or concealed from others, often because it is private, confidential, or sensitive. This word can be used to describe information, actions, or objects that are not meant to be disclosed. For example: This is a secret「これは秘密です」(これはひみつです). She told me her secret「彼女は秘密を教えてくれた」(かのじょはひみつをおしえてくれた). The word can also be used in compound phrases, such as '秘密の場所 (ひみつのばしょ)' (secret place) or '秘密を守る (ひみつをまもる)' (to keep a secret).

Radical

禾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

778

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Skin

Reading

Parts

又Again 卜Divination 厂Cliff

Example Word

毛皮: fur. The Japanese noun '毛皮 (けがわ)' refers to 'fur', specifically the skin and hair of an animal, often used for clothing or decoration. This word is commonly used in contexts related to fashion, animal products, or natural materials. For example: She wears a fur coat「彼女は毛皮のコートを着ている」(かのじょはけがわのコートをきている). This shop sells fur products「この店は毛皮製品を売っている」(このみせはけがわせいひんをうっている). The word can also evoke discussions about ethical concerns regarding the use of animal fur.

Radical

皮

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

796

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Negate

Reading

Parts

不Not 口Mouth

Example Word

否定: denial. The Japanese verbal noun '否定 (ひてい)' means 'denial' or 'negation'. It is used to express the act of denying or negating something, such as a statement, fact, or claim. This word is often used in formal or logical contexts. For example: he denied the accusation「彼はその非難を否定した」(かれはそのひなんをひていした). The theory was negated by new evidence「その理論は新しい証拠によって否定された」(そのりろんはあたらしいしょうこによってひていされた). It can also be used in phrases like '自己否定 (じこひてい)' (self-denial) or '否定形 (ひていけい)' (negative form in grammar).

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

846

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tire, Exhausted

Reading

Parts

疒Sick 皮Skin

Example Word

疲れる: tired. The Japanese verb '疲れる (つかれる)' means 'to get tired' or 'to be tired'. It is used to describe a state of physical or mental fatigue. This verb is commonly used in everyday conversation to express exhaustion after work, exercise, or any strenuous activity. For example: I got tired from work「仕事で疲れた」(しごとでつかれた). She is tired from studying「彼女は勉強で疲れている」(かのじょはべんきょうでつかれている). The verb can also be used in its te-form to connect with other verbs, such as '疲れて寝た (つかれてねた)' (got tired and went to sleep). It is important to note that '疲れる' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object.

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

959

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Incur, Be subjected to

Reading

Parts

衤 皮Skin

Example Word

被告: defendant. The Japanese noun '被告 (ひこく)' refers to the 'defendant' in a legal context. This term is specifically used in court cases to denote the person or entity being accused or sued. It is a formal term commonly encountered in legal documents, news reports, and courtroom settings. For example: The defendant pleaded not guilty「被告は無罪を主張した」(ひこくはむざいをしゅちょうした). The defendant's lawyer presented new evidence「被告の弁護士が新しい証拠を提出した」(ひこくのべんごしがあたらしいしょうこをていしゅつした). This term is distinct from related legal terms like '原告 (げんこく)' (plaintiff) and '裁判官 (さいばんかん)' (judge).

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

960

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Criticize

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)比Compare, Ratio

Example Word

批評: review or criticism. The Japanese verbal noun '批評 (ひひょう)' can mean both 'criticism' and 'review'. It refers to the act of evaluating or analyzing something, often in a formal or detailed manner. This word is commonly used in contexts such as literary criticism, art reviews, or critiques of performances. For example: His criticism was harsh「彼の批評は厳しかった」(かれのひひょうはきびしかった). I read a review of the movie「その映画の批評を読んだ」(そのえいがのひひょうをよんだ). Note that while 'criticism' can sometimes carry a negative connotation, '批評' is generally neutral and focuses on analysis rather than judgment.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

968

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Door, Front door

Reading

Parts

戸Door 非Mistake, Negative

Example Word

扉: door. The Japanese noun '扉 (とびら)' refers to a 'door'. This word is often used to describe a door that is more substantial or significant than a regular door, such as a gate, a portal, or the door to a special place. It can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. For example: the door to a new world「新しい世界への扉」(あたらしいせかいへのとびら). The heavy wooden door creaked open「重い木の扉がきしみながら開いた」(おもいきのとびらがきしみながらひらいた). The word '扉' carries a sense of importance or transition, often implying a passage to something new or different.

Radical

戶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1039

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Expense

Reading

Parts

弗 貝Shellfish

Example Word

私費: private expense. The Japanese noun '私費 (しひ)' means 'private expense.' This word is used to refer to expenses that are paid from one's own pocket or personal resources, rather than being covered by an organization or public funds. It is often used in contexts such as education, medical costs, or business expenses. Example: I paid for the course with my own money 「そのコースは私費で払いました」 (そのコースはしひではらいました). The company does not cover private expenses 「会社は私費を負担しません」 (かいしゃはしひをふたんしません). Note that this word is commonly used in informal or professional contexts.

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1046

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Avoid, Dodge

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 辟

Example Word

避難: evacuation. The Japanese verbal noun '避難 (ひなん)' means 'evacuation'. It refers to the act of leaving a place of danger or moving to a safer location, often used in contexts like natural disasters, emergencies, or hazardous situations. For example: The evacuation was completed quickly「避難は迅速に行われた」(ひなんはじんそくにおこなわれた). Please evacuate to the designated area「指定された場所に避難してください」(していされたばしょにひなんしてください). This word is commonly used in public announcements, safety instructions, and disaster preparedness contexts.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1127

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mean, Lowly

Reading

Parts

白White 丿Katakana no 十Ten

Example Word

卑しい: vulgar or greedy. The Japanese adjective '卑しい (いやしい)' can mean 'greedy' or 'vulgar'. When used to mean 'greedy', it describes someone who is excessively desirous of wealth or possessions. For example: He is greedy for money「彼は金に卑しい」(かれはかねにいやしい). When used to mean 'vulgar', it describes something or someone that is lacking in refinement or good taste. For example: Her manners are vulgar「彼女のマナーは卑しい」(かのじょのマナーはいやしい). The word carries a negative connotation and is often used to criticize someone's behavior or character.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1213

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fatten, Fertilize

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 巴Swirling water

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1335

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Stone, Monument, Tombstone

Reading

Parts

石Stone 卑Mean, Lowly

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1791

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Unfold, Expose

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)皮Skin

Example Word

披露: announcement. The Japanese noun '披露 (ひろう)' refers to an announcement or a public declaration, often used in formal contexts. It is commonly associated with events where something is revealed or presented to the public, such as a wedding announcement or the unveiling of a new project. For example: The couple made their wedding announcement「カップルは結婚を披露した」(かっぷるはけっこんをひろうした). The company unveiled its new product「会社は新製品を披露した」(かいしゃはしんせいひんをひろうした). This word carries a sense of formality and is often used in ceremonial or official settings.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1885

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Princess, Queen

Reading

Parts

女Woman 己Oneself

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1905

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Quit, Dismiss

Reading

Parts

罒Net 能Ability

Radical

网

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1932

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Secrete

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)必Inevitable, Certain

Example Word

分泌: secretion. The Japanese noun '分泌 (ぶんぴつ)' refers to the biological process of secretion, where substances are produced and discharged from a cell, gland, or organ. This term is commonly used in medical and biological contexts. For example: Hormone secretion is important for the body「ホルモンの分泌は体にとって重要です」(ホルモンのぶんぴつはからだにとってじゅうようです). Excessive secretion of oil can cause skin problems「油の過剰分泌は肌トラブルの原因になります」(あぶらのかじょうぶんぴつははだトラブルのげんいんになります).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2099

Handwriting