kanji

Meaning

Remember, Awake

Reading

Parts

見See

Example Word

目覚まし時計: alarm clock. The Japanese noun '目覚まし時計 (めざましどけい)' refers to an 'alarm clock', a device used to wake someone up at a specific time. It is commonly used in daily life to ensure punctuality. For example: I set the alarm clock for 7 AM「目覚まし時計を7時にセットした」(めざましどけいをしちじにセットした). The alarm clock didn't ring this morning「今朝、目覚まし時計が鳴らなかった」(けさ、めざましどけいがならなかった). This word is a compound of '目覚まし (めざまし)', meaning 'waking up', and '時計 (とけい)', meaning 'clock'.

Radical

見

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

270

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Guest, Customer

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 各Each

Example Word

客席: audience. The Japanese noun '客席 (きゃくせき)' refers to the seating area for an audience, typically in a theater, concert hall, or event venue. It specifically denotes the space where spectators or guests sit to watch a performance or event. For example: The audience was excited「客席は盛り上がっていた」(きゃくせきはもりあがっていた). The seats in the audience section are comfortable「客席の席は快適です」(きゃくせきのせきはかいてきです). This word is often used in contexts related to performances, shows, or gatherings where an audience is present.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

356

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Picture

Reading

Parts

一One 凵Open box 由Reason

Example Word

映画館: cinema. The Japanese noun '映画館 (えいがかん)' refers to a 'cinema' or 'movie theater', a place where films are shown to the public. This word is commonly used when discussing going out to watch movies. For example: Let's go to the cinema「映画館に行きましょう」(えいがかんにいきましょう). The cinema is crowded today「今日は映画館が混んでいます」(きょうはえいがかんがこんでいます). It's important to note that '映画館' specifically refers to the physical location where movies are screened, distinguishing it from other related terms like '映画 (えいが)', which simply means 'movie' or 'film'.

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

性格: personality. The Japanese noun '性格 (せいかく)' refers to a person's inherent traits, temperament, or personality. It is commonly used to describe someone's nature or behavioral tendencies. For example: She has a cheerful personality「彼女は明るい性格です」(かのじょはあかるいせいかくです). His personality is very serious「彼の性格はとても真面目です」(かれのせいかくはとてもまじめです). This word is neutral and can describe both positive and negative traits. It is often used in conversations about people's characteristics or compatibility.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

461

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Certain

Reading

Parts

石Stone 隹Bird

Example Word

確立: establishment. The Japanese verbal noun '確立 (かくりつ)' means 'establishment'. It refers to the act of setting up or creating something firmly and securely, such as a system, theory, or organization. This word is often used in formal or professional contexts. For example: the establishment of a new policy「新しい方針の確立」(あたらしいほうしんのかくりつ). The theory was firmly established「その理論は確立された」(そのりろんはかくりつされた). Note that '確立' emphasizes the process of achieving stability or certainty in the creation of something.

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

改革: reform. The Japanese verbal noun '改革 (かいかく)' means 'reform'. It refers to making changes to something in order to improve it, often used in the context of systems, organizations, or policies. For example: The government is planning a reform「政府は改革を計画している」(せいふはかいかくをけいかくしている). The company needs a reform「その会社は改革が必要だ」(そのかいしゃはかいかくがひつようだ). This term is commonly used in political, economic, and social contexts to describe significant and often systematic changes aimed at improvement.

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

結核: tuberculosis. The Japanese noun '結核 (けっかく)' refers to 'tuberculosis', a serious infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Historically, tuberculosis was a major cause of death worldwide, and it remains a significant health issue in many regions. In Japanese, this term is used in medical contexts and general discussions about health. For example: He was diagnosed with tuberculosis「彼は結核と診断された」(かれはけっかくとしんだんされた). Tuberculosis is a contagious disease「結核は伝染病です」(けっかくはでんせんびょうです). The word is often associated with public health campaigns and medical treatments.

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