kanji

Meaning

Exist

Reading

Parts

𠂇Cliff (厂)月Moon, Month

Example Word

有り難う: thanks. The Japanese interjection '有り難う (ありがとう)' is a common way to express gratitude, meaning 'thank you'. It is used in a wide range of situations to show appreciation, from casual to formal settings. The phrase can be modified to increase politeness, such as '有り難うございます (ありがとうございます)', which is more formal. Example sentences: Thank you for the gift「プレゼントを有り難う」(ぷれぜんとをありがとう). Thank you very much「どうも有り難うございます」(どうもありがとうございます). The term originates from the idea of something being rare or precious, hence deserving gratitude.

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

自由: freedom or liberty. The Japanese adjectival noun '自由 (じゆう)' primarily means 'freedom' or 'liberty'. It refers to the state of being free from constraints, whether physical, social, or psychological. This word is often used in contexts discussing personal freedom, free will, or the absence of restrictions. For example: I want freedom「自由が欲しい」(じゆうがほしい). Children have the freedom to play「子供たちは自由に遊べる」(こどもたちはじゆうにあそべる). It can also describe something being optional or unrestricted, as in 'free seating'「自由席」(じゆうせき). Note that while 'freedom' and 'liberty' are closely related, 'freedom' emphasizes the absence of constraints, while 'liberty' often implies the right or permission to act freely.

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

遊ぶ: play. The Japanese verb '遊ぶ (あそぶ)' means 'to play'. It is commonly used to describe engaging in recreational activities, games, or spending leisure time. This verb can be used for children playing, adults enjoying hobbies, or even animals playing. For example: The 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 like to play video 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). Note that '遊ぶ' can also imply spending time idly or not working, as in 'He is just playing around and not studying'「彼は遊んでいて勉強していない」(かれはあそんでいてべんきょうしていない).

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

雄: male. The Japanese noun '雄 (おす)' refers to the male gender of animals. It is commonly used to specify the sex of animals, such as in '雄の犬 (おすのいぬ)' meaning 'male dog'. This term is not typically used for humans; instead, '男性 (だんせい)' or '男 (おとこ)' is used. Example sentences include: That is a male bird「あれは雄の鳥です」(あれはおすのとりです). The male lion is larger「雄のライオンは大きい」(おすのライオンはおおきい).

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

郵便屋さん: mailman. The Japanese noun '郵便屋さん (ゆうびんやさん)' refers to a 'mailman' or 'postal worker'. It is a polite and friendly way to refer to someone who delivers mail. The suffix 'さん' adds a respectful tone, making it a common way to address or refer to postal workers in everyday conversation. For example: The mailman delivered a package「郵便屋さんが荷物を配達しました」(ゆうびんやさんがにもつをはいたつしました). I saw the mailman this morning「今朝郵便屋さんを見かけました」(けさゆうびんやさんをみかけました). This term is widely used in casual and formal contexts alike.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1728

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fuse, Dissolve

Reading

Parts

鬲 虫Insect

Example Word

融資: loan. The Japanese noun '融資 (ゆうし)' refers to a 'loan' or 'financing'. It is commonly used in financial contexts to describe the act of lending money, often by banks or financial institutions. This term is neutral and can refer to both personal and business loans. For example: The bank approved the loan「銀行は融資を承認した」(ぎんこうはゆうしをしょうにんした). We need financing for the project「そのプロジェクトに融資が必要です」(そのプロジェクトにゆうしがひつようです). Note that '融資' is often used in formal or business settings and implies a structured financial agreement.

Radical

虫

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1738

Handwriting