Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Far

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 吉Lucky, Good luck 衣Clothes

Example Word

遠慮: hesitation. The Japanese verbal noun '遠慮 (えんりょ)' primarily means 'hesitation' or 'reserve'. It is often used to describe a sense of restraint or reluctance, particularly in social contexts where one might hesitate to impose on others or act in a way that could be seen as intrusive. For example: Please don't hesitate to ask「遠慮なく聞いてください」(えんりょなくきいてください). He declined the offer out of politeness「彼は遠慮して申し出を断った」(かれはえんりょしてもうしでをことわった). The term can also imply a polite refusal, as in '遠慮する (えんりょする)', which means 'to decline politely'.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

257

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Relation, Edge

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 豕Pig

Example Word

縁: edge or fate. The Japanese noun '縁 (えん)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'fate' or 'destiny', referring to a connection or bond between people, often implying a predestined relationship. For example: We met by fate「私たちは縁で出会った」(わたしたちはえんでであった). The second meaning is 'edge' or 'rim', referring to the boundary or outer part of something. For example: The edge of the table is chipped「テーブルの縁が欠けている」(テーブルのえんがかけている). The context in which '縁' is used will determine whether it refers to fate or an edge, so pay attention to the surrounding words.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

495

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Circle, Yen

Reading

Parts

冂Enclosure 丄Up (上)

Example Word

円: yen. The Japanese noun '円 (えん)' refers to the Japanese currency, the yen. It is used to denote monetary value in Japan. For example: This costs 100 yen「これは100円です」(これはひゃくえんです). I have 500 yen「500円持っています」(ごひゃくえんもっています). The word can also be used in contexts discussing currency exchange rates, prices, or financial transactions. It's important to note that '円' can also mean 'circle' in different contexts, but as a standalone noun with the reading 'えん', it primarily refers to the currency.

Radical

冂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

520

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Smoke

Reading

Parts

火Fire 垔

Example Word

喫煙: smoking. The Japanese verbal noun '喫煙 (きつえん)' refers to the act of smoking, particularly tobacco. It is commonly used in contexts related to health, regulations, or habits. For example: Smoking is prohibited here「ここでは喫煙は禁止されています」(ここではきつえんはきんしされています). He quit smoking last year「彼は去年喫煙をやめました」(かれはきょねんきつえんをやめました). The word is often seen in signs or public notices, such as '喫煙所 (きつえんじょ)' (smoking area). It is important to note that this term is neutral in tone and does not carry any positive or negative connotations by itself.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

581

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Perform

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)寅

Example Word

講演: lecture. The Japanese verbal noun '講演 (こうえん)' refers to a formal talk or lecture given on a specific topic, often by an expert or a guest speaker. It is commonly used in academic, professional, or public settings. For example: I attended a lecture on Japanese history「日本の歴史についての講演に参加しました」(にほんのれきしについてのこうえんにさんかしました). The professor gave a lecture on climate change「教授が気候変動について講演しました」(きょうじゅがきこうへんどうについてこうえんしました). This term is often associated with structured, informative presentations rather than casual talks.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

689

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Garden

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 衣Clothes 土Soil

Example Word

公園: park. The Japanese noun '公園 (こうえん)' means 'park'. It refers to a public area of land with grass, trees, and often playgrounds or walking paths, where people can relax, play, or enjoy nature. This word is commonly used to describe urban parks, national parks, or any designated recreational area. For example: Let's go to the park「公園に行きましょう」(こうえんにいきましょう). The park is beautiful in spring「公園は春に美しい」(こうえんははるにうつくしい). It can also be used in compound words like '動物公園 (どうぶつこうえん)' (zoo) or '国立公園 (こくりつこうえん)' (national park).

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

754

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Prolong

Reading

Parts

廴 正Correct

Example Word

延びる: stretch or postpone. The Japanese verb '延びる (のびる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to stretch', which refers to something physically extending in length or time. For example: the rubber band stretches「ゴムが延びる」(ゴムがのびる). The second meaning is 'to postpone', indicating a delay or extension of time. For example: the meeting was postponed「会議が延びた」(かいぎがのびた). The verb is often used in contexts involving time, deadlines, or physical extension. Note that the kanji 延 can also imply a sense of prolongation or delay, which is reflected in its usage.

Radical

廴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1034

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Monkey

Reading

Parts

犭 袁

Example Word

猿: monkey. The Japanese noun '猿 (さる)' refers to a monkey. This word is commonly used to describe primates, particularly those found in Japan, such as the Japanese macaque. It can be used in various contexts, from literal descriptions of animals to metaphorical expressions. For example: The monkey is eating a banana「猿がバナナを食べている」(さるがバナナをたべている). There are many monkeys in the mountains「山には猿が多い」(やまにはさるがおおい). In Japanese culture, monkeys are sometimes associated with mischief or cleverness, and they appear in folklore and proverbs.

Radical

犬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1207

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Salt

Reading

Parts

土Soil 皿Plate

Example Word

塩: salt. The Japanese noun '塩 (しお)' means 'salt'. This word refers to the common seasoning used in cooking and food preparation. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something essential or fundamental. For example: please pass the salt「塩を取ってください」(しおをとってください). Salt is essential for cooking「塩は料理に欠かせない」(しおはりょうりにかかせない). In Japanese culture, salt is sometimes used in purification rituals, such as sprinkling salt at the entrance of a home to ward off evil spirits.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1269

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grudge

Reading

Parts

夗 心Heart

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1481

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Along

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)㕣

Example Word

沿い: along. The Japanese suffix '沿い (そい)' means 'along'. It is used to indicate that something is situated or moving alongside a particular path, route, or boundary. This suffix is often attached to nouns that represent linear features such as roads, rivers, or coastlines. For example: walking along the river「川沿いを歩く」(かわぞいをあるく). The hotel is along the coast「ホテルは海岸沿いにある」(ホテルはかいがんぞいにある). Note that '沿い' is typically used in combination with other nouns to form compound words that describe locations or directions relative to a linear feature.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1484

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Glossy, Romance

Reading

Parts

豊Plentiful 色Color

Radical

色

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1485

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Address

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 夗

Example Word

宛先: address. The Japanese noun '宛先 (あてさき)' refers to the 'address' of a person or place to which something is sent, such as a letter, package, or email. It is commonly used in contexts involving mailing or communication. For example: Please write the address here「ここに宛先を書いてください」(ここにあてさきをかいてください). I forgot to include the address「宛先を書き忘れました」(あてさきをかきわすれました). This word is essential in situations where specifying a destination is required.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1489

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Banquet

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 妟

Example Word

宴: feast. The Japanese noun '宴 (うたげ)' refers to a 'feast' or 'banquet'. It is used to describe a large, celebratory meal or gathering, often with entertainment, music, and drinking. This word carries a sense of festivity and enjoyment, typically associated with special occasions or celebrations. For example: The lord hosted a grand feast「殿様が盛大な宴を催した」(とのさまがせいだいなうたげをもよおした). We enjoyed the feast with music and dance「私たちは音楽と踊りで宴を楽しんだ」(わたしたちはおんがくとおどりでうたげをたのしんだ). The word can also imply a sense of indulgence or revelry, depending on the context.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1520

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Flame, Blaze

Reading

Parts

火Fire

Example Word

炎: flame. The Japanese noun '炎 (ほのお)' means 'flame'. It refers to the visible, gaseous part of a fire, often characterized by its brightness and heat. This word is commonly used to describe the flames of a fire, whether natural or man-made. For example: the flame of the candle is beautiful「ろうそくの炎は美しい」(ろうそくのほのおはうつくしい). The flames rose high into the sky「炎が空高く上がった」(ほのおがそらたかくあがった). It can also be used metaphorically to describe intense emotions or passion, such as 'the flame of love'「愛の炎」(あいのほのお).

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1550

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Windpipe

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 因Cause

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1614

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Assist, Aid

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)爰

Example Word

応援: support or cheering. The Japanese verbal noun '応援 (おうえん)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'support', which refers to providing assistance or backing to someone or something. For example: I support my friend's decision「友達の決断を応援する」(ともだちのけつだんをおうえんする). The second meaning is 'cheering', which refers to encouraging or rooting for someone, often in a sports or competitive context. For example: We cheered for our team during the match「試合中にチームを応援した」(しあいちゅうにチームをおうえんした). The word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, and it carries a positive connotation of encouragement and solidarity.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1666

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lead

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)㕣

Example Word

鉛筆: pencil. The Japanese noun '鉛筆 (えんぴつ)' means 'pencil'. It refers to a common writing instrument made of a thin cylindrical graphite core encased in wood. This word is widely used in everyday contexts, such as in schools, offices, or at home. For example: I bought a new pencil「新しい鉛筆を買いました」(あたらしいえんぴつをかいました). Please lend me a pencil「鉛筆を貸してください」(えんぴつをかしてください). The word is straightforward and does not carry additional nuanced meanings, making it easy to use in various situations.

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1704

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Princess, Beauty

Reading

Parts

女Woman 爰

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2081

Handwriting