Page 1
kanji
石Meaning
Stone
Reading
kunyomiいしishi
onyomiせきseki
しゃくshaku
Parts
口Mouth 丆Cliff (厂)
Example Word
宝石: gem. The Japanese noun '宝石 (ほうせき)' means 'gem' or 'jewel'. It refers to precious or semi-precious stones that are often used in jewelry or as decorative items. This word is commonly used in contexts related to luxury, beauty, and value. For example: She loves wearing gems「彼女は宝石を身につけるのが好きです」(かのじょはほうせきをみにつけるのがすきです). This necklace has a beautiful gem「このネックレスには美しい宝石がついています」(このネックレスにはうつくしいほうせきがついています). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something or someone as precious or valuable.
Radical
石
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
1Frequency
197
Handwriting
kanji
赤Meaning
Red
Reading
kunyomiあかaka
onyomiせきseki
しゃくshaku
Parts
土Soil 丿Katakana no 亅Barb 八Eight
Example Word
赤字: deficit. The Japanese noun '赤字 (あかじ)' primarily means 'deficit'. It is commonly used in financial contexts to describe a situation where expenses exceed income, resulting in a loss. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe any situation where there is a shortfall or lack. For example: The company is in deficit「その会社は赤字です」(そのかいしゃはあかじです). The government is facing a budget deficit「政府は予算の赤字に直面している」(せいふはよさんのあかじにちょくめんしている). The term is often used in business and economic discussions, and it is important to note that it carries a negative connotation, indicating financial trouble or imbalance.
Radical
赤
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
308
Handwriting
kanji
夕Meaning
Evening
Reading
kunyomiゆうyuu
onyomiせきseki
Parts
勹Wrap 丶Dot
Example Word
夕飯: dinner. The Japanese noun '夕飯 (ゆうはん)' refers to the evening meal, commonly known as 'dinner'. It is a compound of '夕 (ゆう)', meaning 'evening', and '飯 (はん)', meaning 'meal' or 'cooked rice'. This word is used in everyday conversation to refer to the main meal eaten in the evening. For example: Let's eat dinner「夕飯を食べましょう」(ゆうはんをたべましょう). What's for dinner tonight?「今夜の夕飯は何ですか?」(こんやのゆうはんはなんですか?). It is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Radical
夕
Stroke Count
3JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
487
Handwriting
kanji
昔Meaning
Old times
Reading
kunyomiむかしmukashi
onyomiせきseki
Parts
日Day, Sun 龷Twenty (廿)
Example Word
昔: past. The Japanese noun '昔 (むかし)' refers to 'the past' or 'olden times'. It is used to describe a time long ago, often with a nostalgic or historical connotation. This word is commonly used in storytelling or when reminiscing about earlier days. For example: In the past, this town was very quiet「昔、この町はとても静かだった」(むかし、このまちはとてもしずかだった). Long ago, people used to travel by horse「昔、人々は馬で旅をした」(むかし、ひとびとはうまでたびをした). The word '昔' can also be used in expressions like '昔話 (むかしばなし)', which means 'old tale' or 'folktale'.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
501
Handwriting
kanji
積Meaning
Accumulate
Reading
kunyomiつtsu
onyomiせきseki
Parts
禾Cereal 責Blame, Liability
Example Word
積む: accumulate or pile. The Japanese verb '積む (つむ)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to pile' or 'to stack', referring to physically placing objects on top of one another. For example: He piled up the books「彼は本を積んだ」(かれはほんをつんだ). The second meaning is 'to accumulate', often used in abstract contexts like accumulating experience or wealth. For example: She has accumulated a lot of experience「彼女は多くの経験を積んだ」(かのじょはおおくのけいけんをつんだ). The verb is versatile and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.
Radical
禾
Stroke Count
16JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
725
Handwriting
kanji
席Meaning
Seat
Reading
onyomiせきseki
Parts
巾Towel 广Dotted cliff 廿Twenty
Example Word
席: seat. The Japanese noun '席 (せき)' primarily means 'seat'. It refers to a place to sit, such as in a theater, train, or at a table. This word is commonly used in various contexts, such as reserving a seat or finding a seat in a crowded place. For example: Please take a seat「席に座ってください」(せきにすわってください). The seat is reserved「その席は予約済みです」(そのせきはよやくずみです). Additionally, '席' can sometimes imply a position or role in a social or professional setting, such as a seat in a meeting or a position in a company, but the primary meaning remains 'seat'.
Radical
巾
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
777
Handwriting
kanji
跡Meaning
Trace, Traces
Reading
kunyomiあとato
onyomiせきseki
Parts
⻊Foot (足)赤Red
Example Word
遺跡: ruins. The Japanese noun '遺跡 (いせき)' refers to 'ruins' or 'archaeological remains'. It is commonly used to describe historical sites, ancient structures, or remnants of past civilizations. This word is often associated with places of historical or cultural significance, such as temples, tombs, or settlements. For example: We visited ancient ruins「私たちは古代の遺跡を訪れました」(わたしたちはこ だいのいせきをおとずれました). The ruins of the castle are well-preserved「その城の遺跡はよく保存されています」(そのしろのいせきはよくほぞんされています). The term can also be used in academic or archaeological contexts to describe artifacts or sites under study.
Radical
足
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
780
Handwriting
kanji
惜Meaning
Regret, Frugal
Reading
kunyomiおo
onyomiせきseki
Parts
忄 昔Old times
Example Word
惜しむ: regret. The Japanese verb '惜しむ (おしむ)' primarily means 'to regret' or 'to feel sorrow over the loss or absence of something'. It conveys a sense of valuing something highly and feeling a deep sense of loss or reluctance to part with it. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as regretting the loss of time, opportunities, or even the passing of a loved one. For example: I regret wasting time「時間を惜しむ」(じかんをおしむ). He regretted the loss of his friend「彼は友人の死を惜しんだ」(かれはゆうじんのしをおしんだ). Additionally, '惜しむ' can also imply a sense of sparing or being reluctant to use something valuable, as in sparing no effort「努力を惜しまない」(どりょくをおしまない).
Radical
心
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
966
Handwriting
kanji
寂Meaning
Quietly, Lonely
Reading
kunyomiさびsabi
さみsami
onyomiせきseki
じゃくjaku
Parts
宀Roof 叔Uncle, Younger sibling of parent
Example Word
寂しい: lonely. The Japanese adjective '寂しい (さびしい)' primarily means 'lonely' or 'lonesome'. It is used to describe a feeling of sadness due to a lack of companionship or a sense of emptiness. This word can also convey a sense of desolation or melancholy, often in relation to places or situations that feel abandoned or quiet. For example: I feel lonely without you「あなたがいなくて寂しい」(あなたがいなくてさびしい). The town was lonely after everyone left「みんなが去った後、町は寂しかった」(みんながさったあと、まちはさびしかった). Note that '寂しい' can sometimes imply a nostalgic longing or a wistful feeling, adding depth to its emotional context.
Radical
宀
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
974
Handwriting
kanji
責Meaning
Blame, Liability
Reading
kunyomiせse
onyomiせきseki
Parts
龶Life (生)貝Shellfish
Example Word
無責任: irresponsible. The Japanese adjectival noun '無責任 (むせきにん)' means 'irresponsible'. It is used to describe someone or something that lacks a sense of responsibility or fails to take accountability for their actions. This term can be applied to people, actions, or even systems. For example: His behavior was irresponsible「彼の行動は無責任だった」(かれのこうどうはむせきにんだった). The company's response was irresponsible「会社の対応は無責任だった」(かいしゃのたいおうはむせきにんだった). It is often used in contexts where someone neglects their duties or fails to consider the consequences of their actions.
Radical
貝
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
993
Handwriting
kanji
釈Meaning
Release, Explanation
Reading
kunyomiすsu
ゆるyuru
とくtoku
onyomiせきseki
しゃくshaku
Parts
釆 尺Foot
Example Word
解釈: interpretation. The Japanese verbal noun '解釈 (かいしゃく)' means 'interpretation'. It refers to the act of explaining or understanding the meaning of something, such as a text, situation, or event. This word is often used in academic, legal, or philosophical contexts. For example: His interpretation of the law was unique「彼の法律の解釈は独特だった」(かれのほうりつのかいしゃくはどくとくだった). The teacher's interpretation of the poem was insightful「先生の詩の解釈は洞察に富んでいた」(せんせいのしのかいしゃくはどうさつにとんでいた). It can also imply a subjective understanding, as interpretations may vary depending on the individual.
Radical
釆
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1062
Handwriting
kanji
籍Meaning
Enroll, Register
Reading
onyomiせきseki
Parts
⺮Bamboo (竹)耤
Example Word
戸籍: family register. The Japanese noun '戸籍 (こせき)' refers to the official family register system in Japan. It is a legal document that records vital information about individuals, such as birth, marriage, adoption, and death, and is used to establish family relationships and legal status. The 戸籍 is maintained by local government offices and is essential for various administrative procedures. Example sentences: I need to update my family register「戸籍を更新する必要があります」(こせきをこうしんするひつようがあります). The family register shows my parents' names「戸籍には私の両親の名前が載っています」(こせきにはわたしのりょうしんのなまえがのっています).
Radical
竹
Stroke Count
20JLPT
N2Grade
8Frequency
1618
Handwriting
kanji
績Meaning
Achievement
Reading
onyomiせきseki
Parts
糸Thread 責Blame, Liability
Example Word
成績: grades or results. The Japanese noun '成績 (せいせき)' primarily refers to academic grades or performance, but it can also mean results or achievements in a broader context, such as in work or sports. For example: His grades are excellent「彼の成績は優秀です」(かれのせいせきはゆうしゅうです). The results of the project were impressive「そのプロジェクトの成績は素晴らしかった」(そのプロジェクトのせいせきはすばらしかった). The word is commonly used in educational settings to discuss academic performance, but it can also be applied to evaluate outcomes in various fields.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
17JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
1692
Handwriting
kanji
析Meaning
Chop, Analyze
Reading
onyomiせきseki
Parts
木Tree, Wood 斤Axe, Catty
Example Word
分析: analysis. The Japanese verbal noun '分析 (ぶんせき)' means 'analysis'. It refers to the process of examining something in detail to understand its nature or structure. This word is commonly used in academic, scientific, and business contexts. For example: The data analysis is complete「データの分析が完了した」(データのぶんせきがかんりょうした). We need to analyze the market trends「市場の動向を分析する必要がある」(しじょうのどうこうをぶんせきするひつようがある). The word can also be used metaphorically, such as analyzing a situation or problem.
Radical
木
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1773
Handwriting
kanji
戚Meaning
Grieve, Relatives
Reading
kunyomiいたita
うれure
みうちmiuchi
onyomiそくsoku
せきseki
Parts
戊 尗
Example Word
親戚: relative. The Japanese noun '親戚 (しんせき)' refers to a 'relative' or 'family member'. It is used to describe someone who is related by blood or marriage, such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws. This term is broader than '家族 (かぞく)', which specifically refers to immediate family members like parents, siblings, or children. For example: I visited my relatives「親戚を訪ねた」(しんせきをたずねた). She has many relatives「彼女は親戚が多い」(かのじょはしんせきがおおい). The word can also be used in formal or casual contexts, depending on the situation.
Radical
戈
Stroke Count
11JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1827
Handwriting
kanji
隻Meaning
One of a pair, Ship counter
Reading
onyomiせきseki
Parts
隹Bird 又Again
Example Word
隻: counter for ships. The Japanese suffix '隻 (せき)' is a counter used specifically for counting ships or vessels. It is a specialized counter and is not used for other objects. For example: one ship「一隻の船」(いっせきのふね). two ships「二隻の船」(にせきのふね). This counter is often used in contexts related to maritime activities, shipping, or naval discussions. It is important to note that '隻' is not a standalone word but a suffix that must be attached to a number to indicate the count of ships.
Radical
隹
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N2Grade
8Frequency
1933
Handwriting