kanji

Meaning

Remember, Awake

Reading

Parts

見See

Example Word

覚ます: awaken. The Japanese verb '覚ます (さます)' means 'to awaken' or 'to wake someone/something up'. It is often used in the context of bringing someone out of sleep or making someone aware of something. It can also be used metaphorically to describe making someone realize or become conscious of a situation. For example: I woke him up early「彼を早く覚ました」(かれをはやくさました). The loud noise woke me up「大きな音が私を覚ました」(おおきなおとがわたしをさました). This verb is transitive, meaning it requires a direct object (the person or thing being awakened). It is important to distinguish this from the intransitive verb '覚める (さめる)', which means 'to wake up' on its own.

Radical

見

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

270

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Guest, Customer

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 各Each

Example Word

客観: objectivity. The Japanese noun '客観 (きゃっかん)' refers to 'objectivity', which is the state or quality of being unbiased and not influenced by personal feelings or opinions. This term is often used in contexts such as scientific research, journalism, and philosophical discussions where an objective viewpoint is essential. For example: objectivity is important in research「研究では客観性が重要です」(けんきゅうではきゃっかんせいがじゅうようです). He tried to maintain objectivity in his analysis「彼は分析で客観性を保とうとした」(かれはぶんせきできゃっかんせいをたもとうとした). The term can also be used in contrast to '主観 (しゅかん)', which means 'subjectivity'.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

356

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Picture

Reading

Parts

一One 凵Open box 由Reason

Example Word

洋画: foreign film. The Japanese noun '洋画 (ようが)' refers to 'foreign films', particularly those from Western countries. It is commonly used to distinguish non-Japanese films from domestic Japanese films (邦画, ほうが). This term is often used in discussions about cinema, movie genres, or cultural comparisons. Example sentences: I enjoy watching foreign films「洋画を見るのが好きです」(ようがをみるのがすきです). This theater specializes in foreign films「この映画館は洋画専門です」(このえいがかんはようがせんもんです). Note that '洋画' specifically emphasizes the Western origin of the films, as '洋' refers to the West or Western culture.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

384

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Corner, Angle

Reading

Parts

⺈Wrap 冂Enclosure 土Soil

Example Word

折角: effort. The Japanese adverb '折角 (せっかく)' conveys the idea of something being done with considerable effort, trouble, or difficulty, and often implies that it would be a waste or a shame not to make use of or appreciate the result of that effort. It is commonly used to express the value of taking advantage of an opportunity or to indicate that something was done with a lot of effort, so it should not be wasted. For example: I went to the trouble of making this cake, so please eat it「せっかく作ったケーキだから、食べてください」(せっかくつくったケーキだから、たべてください). Since you've come all this way, you should stay a while「せっかく来たんだから、しばらくいてください」(せっかくきたんだから、しばらくいてください). The nuance of '折角' often carries a sense of regret or disappointment if the effort or opportunity is not utilized.

Radical

角

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

389

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Status

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 各Each

Example Word

人格: personality. The Japanese noun '人格 (じんかく)' refers to 'personality' or 'character'. It is used to describe the unique set of qualities, traits, and behaviors that define an individual. This term is often used in psychological, philosophical, or everyday contexts to discuss someone's moral or ethical nature. For example: He has a strong personality「彼は人格が強い」(かれはじんかくがつよい). Respecting others' personalities is important「他人の人格を尊重することが大切です」(たにんのじんかくをそんちょうすることがたいせつです). The word can also imply a sense of dignity or individuality, as in '人格を尊重する (じんかくをそんちょうする) (to respect someone's dignity).'

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

461

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Certain

Reading

Parts

石Stone 隹Bird

Example Word

正確: accurate. The Japanese adjectival noun '正確 (せいかく)' means 'accurate'. It is used to describe something that is precise, correct, or free from errors. This word is often used in contexts where precision or correctness is important, such as in measurements, information, or descriptions. For example: The clock is accurate「その時計は正確です」(そのとけいはせいかくです). His explanation was accurate「彼の説明は正確でした」(かれのせつめいはせいかくでした). Note that '正確' can also function as a noun, as in '正確さ (せいかくさ)', which means 'accuracy'.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

488

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Each

Reading

Parts

夂Late 口Mouth

Example Word

各: each. The Japanese prefix '各 (かく)' means 'each' or 'every'. It is used to refer to individual items within a group or category. This prefix is commonly attached to nouns to indicate that something applies to every member of a group. For example: each country「各国」(かっこく). Each person「各人」(かくじん). It is important to note that '各' is often used in formal or written contexts, and it can be combined with various nouns to specify that something pertains to each item in a set. For instance: each company「各会社」(かくかいしゃ). Each station「各駅」(かくえき).

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

824

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Crane

Reading

Parts

隺 鳥Bird

Radical

鳥

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1064

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reform, Leather

Reading

Example Word

革命: revolution. The Japanese noun '革命 (かくめい)' means 'revolution'. It refers to a fundamental and often sudden change in political power or organizational structures, typically brought about by the governed population. It can also refer to a dramatic and wide-reaching change in conditions, attitudes, or operations. For example: The industrial revolution changed society「産業革命は社会を変えた」(さんぎょうかくめいわしゃかいをかえた). The revolution brought freedom to the people「革命は人々に自由をもたらした」(かくめいわひとびとにじゆうをもたらした). This term is often used in historical, political, and technological contexts to denote significant transformations.

Radical

革

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1100

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Compare, Contrast

Reading

Parts

車Car 交Mix

Example Word

比較: comparison. The Japanese verbal noun '比較 (ひかく)' means 'comparison'. It is used to describe the act of comparing two or more things, often to highlight similarities or differences. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: Let's make a comparison between the two products「二つの製品を比較しましょう」(ふたつのせいひんをひかくしましょう). The comparison of these two methods is interesting「これらの二つの方法の比較は面白い」(これらのふたつのほうほうのひかくはおもしろい). It can also be used in compound words, such as '比較的 (ひかくてき)' meaning 'comparatively' or 'relatively'.

Radical

車

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1216

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cabinet

Reading

Parts

門Gate 各Each

Example Word

内閣: cabinet. The Japanese noun '内閣 (ないかく)' refers to the 'cabinet' in a governmental context. It specifically denotes the group of ministers or executives who are responsible for the administration and policy-making of a government. This term is commonly used in political discussions and news reports. For example: The cabinet held a meeting「内閣は会議を開いた」(ないかくはかいぎをひらいた). The prime minister reshuffled the cabinet「首相は内閣を改造した」(しゅしょうはないかくをかいぞうした). The term is often associated with the executive branch of government and is a key component in the political structure of Japan.

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1251

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Separate, Isolate

Reading

Parts

⻖ 鬲

Example Word

間隔: interval. The Japanese noun '間隔 (かんかく)' refers to an 'interval' or 'gap' between objects, events, or points in time. It is commonly used to describe physical spaces, such as the distance between two objects, or temporal spaces, such as the time between events. For example: The interval between trains is 10 minutes「電車の間隔は10分です」(でんしゃのかんかくはじゅっぷんです). There is a gap between the two buildings「2つの建物の間に間隔がある」(ふたつのたてもののあいだにかんかくがある). This word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1370

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Expand, Broaden

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)広Wide

Example Word

拡張: expansion. The Japanese verbal noun '拡張 (かくちょう)' means 'expansion'. It refers to the act of making something larger or more extensive, often used in contexts such as technology, business, or physical spaces. For example: The company is planning an expansion「会社は拡張を計画している」(かいしゃはかくちょうをけいかくしている). The software supports memory expansion「そのソフトウェアはメモリの拡張をサポートしている」(そのソフトウェアはメモリのかくちょうをサポートしている). This term is commonly used in technical or formal settings and implies growth or extension beyond current limits.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1396

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seize, Catch game

Reading

Parts

犬Dog 蒦

Example Word

獲得: acquisition. The Japanese verbal noun '獲得 (かくとく)' means 'acquisition'. It refers to the act of obtaining or gaining something, often through effort or competition. This word is commonly used in contexts such as acquiring skills, rights, or resources. For example: the acquisition of new technology「新しい技術の獲得」(あたらしいぎじゅつのかくとく). The team worked hard for the acquisition of the championship「チームは優勝の獲得に一生懸命取り組んだ」(チームはゆうしょうのかくとくにいっしょうけんめいとりくんだ). It can also be used in abstract contexts, such as acquiring knowledge or rights.

Radical

犬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1580

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shell, Husk

Reading

Parts

壳 殳Pike

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1804

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Nucleus

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 亥

Example Word

核: nucleus or core. The Japanese noun '核 (かく)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'nucleus,' which can refer to the central part of an atom, the nucleus of a cell in biology, or the core of an idea or concept. The second meaning is 'core,' which can refer to the central or most important part of something, such as the core of a fruit or the core of an issue. Example sentences: The nucleus of the cell is essential for life「細胞の核は生命に不可欠です」(さいぼうのかくはせいめいにふかけつです). The core of the problem lies in communication「問題の核はコミュニケーションにあります」(もんだいのかくはコミュニケーションにあります).

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1882

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enclosure

Reading

Parts

享Receive ⻏Mound (阜)

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1894

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Upbraid, Menacing

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 赤Red

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1937

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Harvest

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 蒦

Example Word

収穫: harvest. The Japanese verbal noun '収穫 (しゅうかく)' primarily means 'harvest'. It refers to the process or result of gathering crops from the fields. This word can also be used metaphorically to describe the fruits of one's labor or efforts in a broader sense. For example: The harvest this year was abundant「今年の収穫は豊かだった」(ことしのしゅうかくはゆたかだった). We are looking forward to the harvest of our hard work「私たちの努力の収穫を楽しみにしている」(わたしたちのどりょくのしゅうかくをたのしみにしている). It is important to note that '収穫' is often used in agricultural contexts but can extend to other areas where results or outcomes are gathered.

Radical

禾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1963

Handwriting