Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Exist

Reading

Parts

𠂇Cliff (厂)月Moon, Month

Example Word

有り様: state or condition. The Japanese noun '有り様 (ありさま)' refers to the current state, condition, or appearance of something. It often carries a nuance of describing how things are or how they appear in a particular situation, sometimes with a critical or evaluative tone. For example: the state of the room was messy「部屋の有り様は散らかっていた」(へやのありさまはちらかっていた). The condition of the company is dire「会社の有り様は深刻だ」(かいしゃのありさまはしんこくだ). This word is commonly used to describe situations, circumstances, or the overall state of affairs, and it can imply a judgment or observation about how things are.

Radical

月

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

165

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Right

Reading

Parts

𠂇Cliff (厂)口Mouth

Example Word

右側: right side. The Japanese noun '右側 (みぎがわ)' means 'rightside' or 'right side'. It refers to the side that is to the right of a person or object. This word is commonly used in directions, descriptions of locations, or when giving instructions. For example: Please stand on the right side「右側に立ってください」(みぎがわにたってください). The store is on the right side of the street「その店は通りの右側にあります」(そのみせはとおりのみぎがわにあります). It is important to note that '右側' is often used in contrast to '左側 (ひだりがわ)' (left side).

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

272

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reason

Reading

Parts

十Ten 口Mouth

Example Word

由来: origin. The Japanese noun '由来 (ゆらい)' refers to the origin or source of something, often used to describe the historical or cultural background of a tradition, custom, or object. It can also imply the reason or cause behind something. For example: The origin of this festival is ancient「この祭りの由来は古いです」(このまつりのゆらいはふるいです). The story behind this tradition is interesting「この伝統の由来は面白いです」(このでんとうのゆらいはおもしろいです). This word is commonly used in contexts discussing history, culture, or etymology.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

278

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Friend

Reading

Parts

𠂇Cliff (厂)又Again

Example Word

友: friend. The Japanese noun '友 (とも)' means 'friend'. It is a somewhat literary or formal term for a friend, often used in written language or in formal speech. It can also be used in compound words, such as '友人 (ゆうじん)' (friend) or '親友 (しんゆう)' (close friend). Example sentences: He is my friend「彼は私の友です」(かれはわたしのともです). We have been friends since childhood「私たちは子供の頃からの友です」(わたしたちはこどものころからのともです). Note that '友 (とも)' is less commonly used in casual conversation compared to '友達 (ともだち)', which is the more everyday term for 'friend'.

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

336

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Play

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 斿Move freely

Example Word

遊び: play. The Japanese noun '遊び (あそび)' means 'play' or 'playing'. It refers to the act of engaging in activities for enjoyment or recreation, often without a specific purpose. This word can be used to describe children playing, adults engaging in hobbies, or even playful interactions. For example: Children are playing in the park「子供たちは公園で遊んでいる」(こどもたちはこうえんであそんでいる). I enjoy playing games「私はゲームで遊ぶのが好きです」(わたしはゲームであそぶのがすきです). Additionally, '遊び' can sometimes imply a sense of leisure or free time, as in '遊びに行く (あそびにいく)' which means 'to go out for fun'.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

432

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Superior, Gentle

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)憂Anxious, Grief

Example Word

優れる: excel. The Japanese verb '優れる (すぐれる)' means 'to excel' or 'to be superior'. It is used to describe something or someone that stands out due to exceptional quality, ability, or performance. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as academic, professional, or artistic fields. For example: he excels in mathematics「彼は数学で優れている」(かれはすうがくですぐれている). This product excels in quality「この製品は品質で優れている」(このせいひんはひんしつですぐれている). It's important to note that '優れる' is often used in its past tense form '優れた (すぐれた)' to describe something that is outstanding or excellent, as in '優れた才能 (すぐれたさいのう) (excellent talent)'.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

640

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Male, Heroic

Reading

Parts

厷 隹Bird

Example Word

英雄: hero. The Japanese noun '英雄 (えいゆう)' means 'hero'. This word is used to describe a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. It often refers to historical or legendary figures who have performed great deeds. For example: He is a hero「彼は英雄だ」(かれはえいゆうだ). The hero saved the village「英雄が村を救った」(えいゆうがむらをすくった). This term is commonly used in stories, history, and discussions about people who have made significant impacts.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

731

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Brave

Reading

Parts

龴 男Man

Example Word

勇敢: brave. The Japanese adjectival noun '勇敢 (ゆうかん)' means 'brave'. It is used to describe someone who shows courage and fearlessness in the face of danger or difficulty. This word is often used to praise someone's actions or character. For example: He is a brave soldier「彼は勇敢な兵士です」(かれはゆうかんなへいしです). She faced the challenge bravely「彼女は勇敢にその挑戦に立ち向かった」(かのじょはゆうかんにそのちょうせんにたちむかった). The word can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as describing a brave decision「勇敢な決断」(ゆうかんなけつだん).

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

795

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Entice, Induce

Reading

Parts

言Say 秀Excel, Excellent

Example Word

誘う: invite. The Japanese verb '誘う (さそう)' primarily means 'to invite'. It is used when asking someone to join an activity, event, or to accompany you somewhere. This verb can also imply persuasion or encouragement to participate. For example: I invited my friend to the party「友達をパーティーに誘った」(ともだちをパーティーにさそった). He invited me to go shopping「彼は私を買い物に誘った」(かれはわたしをかいものにさそった). Additionally, '誘う' can sometimes carry a nuance of temptation or enticement, depending on the context, such as in 'The calm sea invites us to swim'「穏やかな海が泳ぎに誘う」(おだやかなうみがおよぎにさそう).

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1091

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bear

Reading

Parts

能Ability 灬Fire (火)

Example Word

熊: bear. The Japanese noun '熊 (くま)' refers to the animal 'bear'. It is commonly used to describe the large, furry mammal found in forests and mountains. This word can be used in various contexts, such as talking about wildlife, stories, or even as a metaphor for strength or danger. For example: I saw a bear in the forest「森で熊を見た」(もりでくまをみた). The bear is strong「熊は強い」(くまはつよい). In Japanese folklore, bears often symbolize power and protection, and they appear in many traditional tales and legends.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1123

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Faint, Seclude

Reading

Parts

山Mountain 幺Slight

Radical

幺

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1166

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Anxious, Grief

Reading

Parts

㥑 夂Late

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1247

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Well, Boil

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)勇Brave

Example Word

湧く: arise or gush. The Japanese verb '湧く (わく)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to gush' or 'to well up', often used to describe liquids like water or oil emerging from the ground. For example: hot water gushes from the spring「温泉からお湯が湧く」(おんせんからおゆがわく). The second meaning is 'to arise' or 'to emerge', used to describe emotions, thoughts, or situations coming into existence. For example: doubts arose in my mind「疑問が心に湧く」(ぎもんがこころにわく). This verb is versatile and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1405

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Waver, Delay

Reading

Parts

犭 酋

Example Word

猶: still or furthermore. The Japanese adverb '猶 (なお)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'still', which is used to indicate that a situation or condition continues unchanged. For example: He is still working「彼は猶働いている」(かれはなおはたらいている). The second meaning is 'furthermore', which is used to add information or emphasize a point. For example: Furthermore, we need to consider the budget「猶、予算を考慮する必要がある」(なお、よさんをこうりょするひつようがある). This word is often used in formal or written contexts and can carry a nuanced tone depending on the situation.

Radical

犬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1452

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Abundant

Reading

Parts

衤 谷Valley

Example Word

余裕: leeway. The Japanese noun '余裕 (よゆう)' primarily means 'leeway' or 'margin'. It refers to having extra time, space, or resources beyond what is strictly necessary. This word is often used to describe a state of having enough capacity to handle something comfortably, or to indicate a relaxed attitude due to having ample resources. For example: There is enough leeway in the schedule「スケジュールに余裕がある」(スケジュールによゆうがある). He has the leeway to take on another project「彼は別のプロジェクトを引き受ける余裕がある」(かれはべつのプロジェクトをひきうけるよゆうがある). Additionally, '余裕' can imply a sense of composure or calmness, as in: She answered with composure「彼女は余裕を持って答えた」(かのじょはよゆうをもってこたえた).

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1563

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Remote, Leisurely

Reading

Parts

攸 心Heart

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1603

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mail

Reading

Parts

垂Hang down ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

郵送: mailing. The Japanese verbal noun '郵送 (ゆうそう)' means 'mailing' or 'sending by post'. It refers to the act of sending letters, packages, or other items through the postal system. This term is commonly used in formal or business contexts. For example: I will send the documents by mail「書類を郵送します」(しょるいをゆうそうします). Please mail this package to the address「この荷物を住所に郵送してください」(このにもつをじゅうしょにゆうそうしてください). Note that '郵送' is often used in written or formal communication, while '送る (おくる)' is a more general verb for 'to send'.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1728

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fuse, Dissolve

Reading

Parts

鬲 虫Insect

Example Word

金融: finance. The Japanese noun '金融 (きんゆう)' refers to 'finance' or 'monetary circulation'. It is commonly used in contexts related to banking, investment, and the management of money. For example: The finance industry is growing「金融業界は成長している」(きんゆうぎょうかいはせいちょうしている). He works in finance「彼は金融で働いている」(かれはきんゆうではたらいている). The term can also be used in broader contexts, such as discussing economic policies or financial systems. It is a key term in business and economic discussions in Japan.

Radical

虫

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1738

Handwriting