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

飛ぶ: fly or jump. The Japanese verb '飛ぶ (とぶ)' primarily means 'to fly', referring to the action of moving through the air, such as birds or airplanes. For example: The bird is flying「鳥が飛んでいる」(とりがとんでいる). Additionally, it can also mean 'to jump' or 'to leap', often used in contexts where someone or something moves quickly or suddenly from one place to another. For example: He jumped over the fence「彼はフェンスを飛び越えた」(かれはフェンスをとびこえた). The verb is versatile and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as 'to skip' (e.g., skipping steps or pages).

Radical

飛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

229

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mistake, Negative

Reading

Example Word

非: non. The Japanese prefix '非 (ひ)' means 'non-' or 'not'. It is used to negate or indicate the absence of a quality or characteristic. This prefix is commonly attached to nouns or adjectives to form new words that express the opposite or absence of the original meaning. For example: non-member「非会員」(ひかいいん). It is not fair「非公平だ」(ひこうへいだ). The prefix '非' is often used in formal or technical contexts, and it can carry a slightly negative or critical nuance depending on the word it modifies.

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

見比べる: compare. The Japanese verb '見比べる (みくらべる)' means 'to compare'. It is used when examining two or more things side by side to identify similarities or differences. This verb often implies a visual comparison, such as comparing images, objects, or written texts. For example: I compared the two paintings「二つの絵を見比べた」(ふたつのえをみくらべた). She compared the prices at different stores「彼女はいくつかの店の値段を見比べた」(かのじょはいくつかのみせのねだんをみくらべた). The verb can also be used metaphorically to compare abstract concepts or ideas.

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

皮膚: skin. The Japanese noun '皮膚 (ひふ)' refers to the outer covering of the body, commonly known as 'skin'. It is used in both medical and everyday contexts to describe the physical layer that protects the body. For example: My skin is dry「私の皮膚は乾燥している」(わたしのひふはかんそうしている). The skin is the largest organ of the body「皮膚は体の中で一番大きな器官です」(ひふはからだのなかでいちばんおおきなきかんです). The word can also be used in compound terms, such as '皮膚科 (ひふか)' (dermatology).

Radical

皮

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

796

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Negate

Reading

Parts

不Not 口Mouth

Example Word

否: no. The Japanese interjection '否 (いや)' is a direct and somewhat informal way to say 'no'. It is often used in casual conversations to express disagreement, refusal, or to negate a statement. It can also convey a sense of hesitation or contradiction. For example: No, that's not true「いや、それは違う」(いや、それはちがう). No, I don't think so「いや、そうは思わない」(いや、そうはおもわない). In some contexts, it can also be used to express surprise or disbelief, such as 'No way!'「いや、まさか！」(いや、まさか！). This interjection is more commonly used in spoken language rather than formal writing.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

846

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tire, Exhausted

Reading

Parts

疒Sick 皮Skin

Example Word

疲労: fatigue. The Japanese verbal noun '疲労 (ひろう)' means 'fatigue'. It refers to a state of physical or mental exhaustion, often resulting from prolonged stress, overwork, or lack of rest. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe tiredness or weariness. For example: I feel fatigue after working all day「一日中働いて疲労を感じる」(いちにちじゅうはたらいてひろうをかんじる). Prolonged fatigue can affect your health「長期間の疲労は健康に影響する」(ちょうきかんのひろうはけんこうにえいきょうする). The word can also be used in medical or technical contexts to describe material fatigue, such as in '金属疲労 (きんぞくひろう) (metal fatigue)'.

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

959

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Incur, Be subjected to

Reading

Parts

衤 皮Skin

Example Word

被害: damage. The Japanese noun '被害 (ひがい)' refers to 'damage' or 'harm' caused by an event, accident, or disaster. It is commonly used in contexts involving natural disasters, accidents, or crimes. For example: The damage from the earthquake was severe「地震の被害は深刻だった」(じしんのひがい は しんこく だった). The company suffered significant losses due to the cyber attack「その会社はサイバー攻撃で大きな被害を受けた」(そのかいしゃ は サイバーこうげき で おおきな ひがい を うけた). This word is often used in news reports or formal discussions about negative impacts.

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

960

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Criticize

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)比Compare, Ratio

Example Word

批判: criticism. The Japanese verbal noun '批判 (ひはん)' means 'criticism'. It refers to the act of analyzing and evaluating something, often pointing out its faults or shortcomings. This word is commonly used in contexts such as social commentary, reviews, or discussions where judgment or evaluation is involved. For example: His criticism was harsh「彼の批判は厳しかった」(かれのひはんはきびしかった). The media criticized the government「メディアは政府を批判した」(メディアはせいふをひはんした). Note that '批判' can carry a negative connotation, implying disapproval or fault-finding, but it can also be used neutrally in analytical contexts.

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

経費: expenses. The Japanese noun '経費 (けいひ)' refers to 'expenses' or 'costs', particularly those incurred in the course of business or work-related activities. It is commonly used in professional or financial contexts to describe expenditures necessary for operations, such as office supplies, travel costs, or other operational outlays. For example: The company covers all business expenses「会社はすべての経費を負担します」(かいしゃはすべてのけいひをふたんします). We need to reduce unnecessary expenses「不要な経費を削減する必要があります」(ふようなけいひをさくげんするひつようがあります). This term is often used in accounting or budgeting discussions.

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