Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Third person pronoun, He

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 皮Skin

Example Word

彼れ: that. The Japanese pronoun '彼れ (あれ)' means 'that' and is used to refer to something distant from both the speaker and the listener, either physically or psychologically. It is often used when the specific object or subject is known to both parties but is not immediately present. For example: That is a mountain「あれは山です」(あれはやまです). That over there is my house「あれが私の家です」(あれがわたしのいえです). It can also be used to refer to something that is not tangible, such as an idea or a situation. For example: That was a difficult time「あれは大変な時期でした」(あれはたいへんなじきでした).

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

19

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fly

Reading

Parts

升Sho, Measuring box

Example Word

飛行: flight. The Japanese verbal noun '飛行 (ひこう)' means 'flight'. It refers to the act or process of flying, typically by an aircraft, bird, or other flying object. This term is commonly used in contexts related to aviation, travel, or nature. For example: The flight was smooth「飛行はスムーズでした」(ひこうはスムーズでした). Birds are capable of flight「鳥は飛行ができる」(とりはひこうができる). It can also be used in compound words, such as '飛行機 (ひこうき)' (airplane) or '宇宙飛行 (うちゅうひこう)' (spaceflight).

Radical

飛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

229

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mistake, Negative

Reading

Example Word

非常: emergency. The Japanese adjectival noun '非常 (ひじょう)' primarily means 'emergency'. It is often used in contexts related to urgent or critical situations. For example: emergency exit「非常口」(ひじょうぐち). This word can also be used to describe something as 'extraordinary' or 'unusual', but this usage is less common. For example: extraordinary measures「非常手段」(ひじょうしゅだん). It's important to note that '非常' is often used in formal or official contexts, such as in signs or announcements.

Radical

非

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

320

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sad

Reading

Parts

非Mistake, Negative 心Heart

Example Word

悲劇: tragedy. The Japanese noun '悲劇 (ひげき)' means 'tragedy'. It refers to a serious and sorrowful event or situation, often involving suffering or misfortune. This word is commonly used in literature, drama, and everyday conversation to describe events that evoke deep sadness or despair. For example: The play was a tragedy「その劇は悲劇だった」(そのげきはひげきだった). The accident was a tragedy「その事故は悲劇だった」(そのじこはひげきだった). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe situations that are deeply unfortunate or regrettable.

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

秘書: secretary. The Japanese noun '秘書 (ひしょ)' refers to a 'secretary', someone who assists in administrative tasks, manages schedules, and handles correspondence, often for executives or high-ranking officials. This term is commonly used in professional settings. Example sentences: She is the president's secretary「彼女は社長の秘書です」(かのじょはしゃちょうのひしょです). I need to hire a new secretary「新しい秘書を雇う必要があります」(あたらしいひしょをやとうひつようがあります). The role of a secretary often involves confidentiality and organizational skills.

Radical

禾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

778

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Skin

Reading

Parts

又Again 卜Divination 厂Cliff

Example Word

皮肉: irony or sarcasm. The Japanese adjectival noun '皮肉 (ひにく)' can mean both 'sarcasm' and 'irony'. It is used to describe situations, remarks, or expressions that convey a meaning opposite to what is literally stated, often with a mocking or critical tone. For example: His sarcastic remark hurt her feelings「彼の皮肉な発言は彼女の気持ちを傷つけた」(かれのひにくなはつげんはかのじょのきもちをきずつけた). It's ironic that the firefighter's house burned down「消防士の家が燃えたのは皮肉だ」(しょうぼうしのいえがもえたのはひにくだ). The word can also be used to describe situations where the outcome is contrary to what was expected, highlighting a twist of fate or unexpected result.

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: fatigue. The Japanese noun '疲れ (つかれ)' means 'fatigue' or 'tiredness'. It refers to the physical or mental state of being exhausted or worn out. This word is commonly used to describe the feeling after exertion, stress, or lack of rest. For example: I feel fatigue「疲れを感じる」(つかれをかんじる). His fatigue is noticeable「彼の疲れが目立つ」(かれのつかれがめだつ). It can also be used in phrases like '疲れが取れる (つかれがとれる)', meaning 'to recover from fatigue'.

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

959

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Incur, Be subjected to

Reading

Parts

衤 皮Skin

Example Word

被る: suffer. The Japanese verb '被る (こうむる)' means 'to suffer' or 'to incur' something, typically something negative or undesirable. It is often used in formal or written contexts to describe experiencing or being subjected to a certain outcome, usually adverse. For example: He suffered a great loss「彼は大きな損失を被った」(かれはおおきなそんしつをこうむった). The company incurred significant damages「その会社は大きな損害を被った」(そのかいしゃはおおきなそんがいをこうむった). This verb is commonly used in legal, business, or formal settings to describe the experience of negative consequences.

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

国費: national funds. The Japanese noun '国費 (こくひ)' refers to funds or expenses that are provided or managed by the national government. It is often used in contexts related to government budgets, public spending, or financial support provided by the state. For example: The project is funded by national funds「そのプロジェクトは国費で賄われている」(そのプロジェクトはこくひでまかなわれている). The scholarship is supported by national funds「その奨学金は国費で支えられている」(そのしょうがくきんはこくひでささえられている). This term is commonly used in formal or administrative contexts.

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1046

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Avoid, Dodge

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 辟

Example Word

回避: avoidance. The Japanese noun '回避 (かいひ)' means 'avoidance'. It refers to the act of avoiding or evading something, such as a problem, responsibility, or danger. This term is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as legal, psychological, or strategic discussions. For example: avoidance of responsibility「責任の回避」(せきにんのかいひ). The company avoided the issue「会社は問題を回避した」(かいしゃはもんだいをかいひした). In some contexts, it can also imply a deliberate or strategic evasion, such as in 'risk avoidance' (リスク回避, りすくかいひ).

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