kanji

Meaning

Far

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 吉Lucky, Good luck 衣Clothes

Example Word

遠く: far. The Japanese adverb '遠く (とおく)' means 'far'. It is used to describe a considerable distance in space or time. This word can be used to indicate physical distance, such as the distance between two locations, or metaphorical distance, such as the gap between two points in time or in a relationship. For example: The mountain is far away「山は遠くにある」(やまはとおくにある). I can see the ship far in the distance「遠くに船が見える」(とおくにふねがみえる). It's important to note that '遠く' can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as in the phrase '遠くの親戚より近くの他人' (とおくのしんせきよりちかくのたにん), which translates to 'A stranger nearby is better than a relative far away,' highlighting the importance of proximity over distant relationships.

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

円高: yen strength. The Japanese noun '円高 (えんだか)' refers to a situation where the value of the Japanese yen is strong or high relative to other currencies. This term is commonly used in economic and financial contexts to describe the yen's exchange rate. For example: The yen's strength is affecting exports「円高が輸出に影響を与えている」(えんだかがゆしゅつにえいきょうをあたえている). Due to the strong yen, traveling abroad has become cheaper「円高のため、海外旅行が安くなった」(えんだかのため、かいがいりょこうがやすくなった). It's important to note that '円高' is often discussed in relation to its opposite, '円安 (えんやす)', which means a weak yen.

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

演じる: perform. The Japanese verb '演じる (えんじる)' means 'to perform' or 'to act'. It is commonly used in the context of theater, movies, or any situation where someone is playing a role or performing in front of an audience. For example: She performed the role of a queen「彼女は女王の役を演じた」(かのじょはじょおうのやくをえんじた). He acted in a famous play「彼は有名な劇で演じた」(かれはゆうめいなげきでえんじた). This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe someone playing a role in a situation, such as 'He played the part of the villain in the negotiation'「彼は交渉で悪役を演じた」(かれはこうしょうであくやくをえんじた).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

689

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Garden

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 衣Clothes 土Soil

Example Word

学園: academy. The Japanese noun '学園 (がくえん)' refers to an educational institution, often implying a private school or academy. It is commonly used in the names of schools, particularly those that offer a comprehensive education from elementary to high school levels. The term carries a somewhat prestigious connotation, suggesting a well-established and respected institution. For example: I attend a prestigious academy「私は有名な学園に通っています」(わたしはゆうめいながくえんにかよっています). The academy is located in the suburbs「その学園は郊外にあります」(そのがくえんはこうがいにあります).

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

754

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Prolong

Reading

Parts

廴 正Correct

Example Word

引き延ばす: stretch or prolong. The Japanese verb '引き延ばす (ひきのばす)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'to prolong' or 'to extend' in terms of time or duration. For example: he prolonged the meeting「彼は会議を引き延ばした」(かれはかいぎをひきのばした). The second meaning is 'to stretch' or 'to elongate' in a physical sense. For example: she stretched the dough「彼女は生地を引き延ばした」(かのじょはきじをひきのばした). This verb is often used in contexts where something is being extended or stretched beyond its original state, whether in time or physical form.

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