字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Anti

Reading

Parts

厂Cliff 又Again

Example Word

反対: reverse or opposition. The Japanese verbal noun '反対 (はんたい)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'opposition,' referring to being against something or someone, such as in a disagreement or protest. For example: I am against this plan「私はこの計画に反対です」(わたしはこのけいかくにはんたいです). The second meaning is 'reverse,' indicating the opposite direction or side. For example: Please write it in reverse order「反対の順番で書いてください」(はんたいのじゅんばんでかいてください). The word is versatile and can be used in both abstract and concrete contexts, depending on the situation.

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

326

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Search

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)罙Deep

Example Word

探す: search. The Japanese verb '探す (さがす)' means 'to search' or 'to look for'. It is used when someone is trying to find something that is lost, missing, or not immediately visible. This verb can be applied to both physical objects and abstract concepts, such as searching for a person, an item, or even an opportunity. For example: I am searching for my keys「鍵を探しています」(かぎをさがしています). He is looking for a job「彼は仕事を探しています」(かれはしごとをさがしています). The verb can also imply a sense of effort or persistence in the search, as in '探し続ける (さがしつづける) (to continue searching)'. It is important to note that '探す' is often used with the particle 'を' to indicate the object being searched for.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

514

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

End, Edge

Reading

Parts

立Stand 耑

Example Word

途端: moment. The Japanese noun '途端 (とたん)' refers to the exact moment when something happens, often implying an immediate or sudden change. It is commonly used in the structure '～た途端に' to describe an action or event that occurs right after another. For example: The moment I sat down, the phone rang「座った途端に電話が鳴った」(すわったとたんにでんわがなった). The moment he left, it started raining「彼が出た途端に雨が降り始めた」(かれがでたとたんにあめがふりはじめた). This word emphasizes the immediacy of the second action following the first.

Radical

立

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

523

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Simple, Single

Reading

Parts

十Ten 日Day, Sun ⺍Small

Example Word

簡単: easy. The Japanese adjectival noun '簡単 (かんたん)' means 'easy'. It is used to describe tasks, problems, or situations that are not difficult to understand or accomplish. This word is often used in casual and formal contexts alike. For example: This problem is easy「この問題は簡単です」(このもんだいはかんたんです). Cooking rice is easy「ご飯を炊くのは簡単です」(ごはんをたくのはかんたんです). Note that '簡単' can also imply simplicity or straightforwardness, as in '簡単な説明 (かんたんなせつめい) (simple explanation)'. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and is a versatile term for describing ease or simplicity.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

554

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dawn

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 一One

Example Word

旦那: husband. The Japanese noun '旦那 (だんな)' primarily means 'husband'. It is a somewhat formal or traditional term used to refer to one's husband, often implying respect or a certain level of formality. It can also be used to address or refer to a master or boss, particularly in historical or service contexts. For example: my husband is kind「私の旦那は優しい」(わたしのだんなはやさしい). The master of the house is strict「旦那様は厳しい」(だんなさまはきびしい). Note that in modern usage, '旦那' is less common in casual speech, with '夫 (おっと)' or '主人 (しゅじん)' being more frequently used to refer to a husband.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

763

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Short

Reading

Parts

豆Beans 矢Arrow

Example Word

短い: short. The Japanese adjective '短い (みじかい)' means 'short'. It is used to describe something that has a relatively small length or duration. This can apply to physical objects, time periods, or even abstract concepts like attention spans. For example: the pencil is short「その鉛筆は短い」(そのえんぴつはみじかい). The meeting was short「会議は短かった」(かいぎはみじかかった). It can also describe something brief or concise, such as a short story「短い物語」(みじかいものがたり). Note that '短い' is often used to modify nouns directly, as in '短いスカート (みじかいスカート) (short skirt)'.

Radical

矢

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

798

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Endure

Reading

Parts

甚Extremely, Tremendously 土Soil

Example Word

堪る: endure. The Japanese verb '堪る (たまる)' means 'to endure' or 'to bear'. It is often used in negative contexts to express that something is unbearable or intolerable. For example: I can't endure this heat「この暑さには堪らない」(このあつさにはたまらない). It can also be used in a more general sense to describe enduring a difficult situation. For example: He endured the pain「彼は痛みに堪えた」(かれはいたみにたえた). The verb is commonly used in its negative form to express frustration or inability to tolerate something.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

971

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cinnabar, Rust colored

Reading

Parts

冂Enclosure 丶Dot

Radical

丶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1044

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Platform, Podium

Reading

Parts

土Soil 亶

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1186

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sigh

Reading

Parts

口Mouth

Example Word

嘆く: lament. The Japanese verb '嘆く (なげく)' means 'to lament' or 'to grieve'. It is used to express deep sorrow, regret, or disappointment about a situation or event. This verb often conveys a sense of emotional distress or mourning. For example: he lamented the loss of his friend「彼は友人の死を嘆いた」(かれはゆうじんのしをなげいた). She lamented her mistakes「彼女は自分の過ちを嘆いた」(かのじょはじぶんのあやまちをなげいた). The verb can also be used in a broader sense to express dissatisfaction or concern about societal issues, such as: they lamented the state of the world「彼らは世界の状況を嘆いた」(かれらはせかいのじょうきょうをなげいた).

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1302

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thin, Light

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)火Fire

Example Word

冷淡: indifferent. The Japanese adjectival noun '冷淡 (れいたん)' means 'indifferent' or 'cold-hearted'. It describes a lack of interest, concern, or emotional warmth toward someone or something. This word is often used to describe a person's attitude or behavior, particularly in situations where empathy or care is expected. For example: His attitude was indifferent「彼の態度は冷淡だった」(かれのたいどはれいたんだった). She gave me a cold-hearted response「彼女は冷淡な返事をした」(かのじょはれいたんなへんじをした). The word can also describe a situation or atmosphere that feels emotionally distant or unfeeling.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1308

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gallbladder, Guts

Reading

Parts

肉Meat 旦Dawn

Example Word

大胆: daring or bold. The Japanese adjectival noun '大胆 (だいたん)' primarily means 'bold' or 'daring'. It is used to describe actions, plans, or personalities that are fearless, adventurous, or unconventional. This term often carries a positive connotation, suggesting courage and a willingness to take risks. For example: His bold plan succeeded「彼の大胆な計画は成功した」(かれのだいたんなけいかくはせいこうした). She is known for her daring fashion sense「彼女は大胆なファッションセンスで知られている」(かのじょはだいたんなファッションセンスでしられている). Note that '大胆' can also imply a certain level of audacity or recklessness, depending on the context.

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1331

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Charcoal

Reading

Parts

山Mountain 灰Ashes

Example Word

石炭: coal. The Japanese noun '石炭 (せきたん)' refers to 'coal', a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used as a fuel. This word is commonly used in contexts related to energy, mining, or historical references to industrialization. For example: Coal is an important energy resource「石炭は重要なエネルギー資源です」(せきたんはじゅうようなエネルギーしげんです). They used coal to heat the house「彼らは家を暖めるために石炭を使いました」(かれらはいえをあたためるためにせきたんをつかいました). The word is neutral in tone and is typically used in technical, historical, or everyday contexts.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1356

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bear, Carry

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)旦Dawn

Example Word

担当: in charge. The Japanese verbal noun '担当 (たんとう)' refers to being in charge of or responsible for a particular task, role, or area. It is commonly used in professional or organizational contexts to indicate someone's assigned duties or responsibilities. For example: He is in charge of sales「彼は営業を担当しています」(かれはえいぎょうをたんとうしています). I am responsible for customer service「私はカスタマーサービスを担当しています」(わたしはカスタマーサービスをたんとうしています). The term can also be used to describe the person who is responsible, as in '担当者 (たんとうしゃ) (person in charge)'.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1433

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

However, But

Reading

Parts

旦Dawn 亻Person (人)

Example Word

但し: however or but. The Japanese conjunction '但し (ただし)' is used to introduce a condition, exception, or limitation to a previous statement. It is often translated as 'however' or 'but' in English, but it specifically implies a restriction or clarification. For example: You can enter, however, you must wear a mask「入ってもいいです、但し、マスクを着用してください」(はいってもいいです、ただし、マスクをちゃくようしてください). The event is free, but registration is required「イベントは無料です、但し、登録が必要です」(イベントはむりょうです、ただし、とうろくがひつようです). Note that '但し' is more formal and is commonly used in written or official contexts.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1688

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Forge, Train

Reading

Parts

段Step, Stairs 釒Gold (金)

Example Word

鍛える: train. The Japanese verb '鍛える (きたえる)' primarily means 'to train' or 'to forge'. It is often used in the context of physical training, such as building strength or endurance, but can also refer to mental or skill-based training. For example: He trains his body every day「彼は毎日体を鍛える」(かれはまいにちからだをきたえる). She is training her mind through meditation「彼女は瞑想で心を鍛えている」(かのじょはめいそうでこころをきたえている). Additionally, '鍛える' can be used metaphorically to describe refining or honing a skill, such as '鍛える技術 (きたえるぎじゅつ)' (honing a skill).

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1751

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Birth

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)延Prolong

Example Word

誕生日: birthday. The Japanese noun '誕生日 (たんじょうび)' means 'birthday'. It refers to the anniversary of the day a person was born. This word is commonly used in celebrations, greetings, and gifts. For example: Happy birthday!「誕生日おめでとう！」(たんじょうびおめでとう！). Today is my birthday「今日は私の誕生日です」(きょうはわたしのたんじょうびです). The word is often paired with celebratory phrases or activities, such as '誕生日ケーキ (たんじょうびケーキ) (birthday cake)' or '誕生日プレゼント (たんじょうびプレゼント) (birthday present).'

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1864

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Indulge in, Covet

Reading

Parts

今Now 貝Shellfish

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1895

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Come apart at the seams

Reading

Parts

定Determine 糹

Example Word

破綻: collapse or failure. The Japanese noun '破綻 (はたん)' refers to a collapse or failure, often in the context of systems, plans, or relationships. It implies a breakdown or disintegration of something that was previously functioning. For example: the plan ended in failure「その計画は破綻した」(そのけいかくははたんした). Their marriage fell apart「彼らの結婚は破綻した」(かれらのけっこんははたんした). This word is commonly used in formal or serious contexts to describe significant failures or collapses.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2055

Handwriting