kanji

Meaning

Exist

Reading

Parts

𠂇Cliff (厂)月Moon, Month

Example Word

固有: inherent. The Japanese adjectival noun '固有 (こゆう)' means 'inherent' or 'intrinsic'. It refers to something that is innate, natural, or unique to a particular thing or situation. This word is often used to describe characteristics, properties, or qualities that are specific and essential to something. For example: This species has an inherent ability to adapt「この種は固有の適応能力を持っている」(このしゅはこゆうのてきおうのうりょくをもっている). The culture has its own inherent traditions「その文化には固有の伝統がある」(そのぶんかにはこゆうのでんとうがある). It can also be used in contexts like '固有の価値 (こゆうのかち)' (inherent value) or '固有の性質 (こゆうのせいしつ)' (intrinsic nature).

Radical

月

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

165

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Right

Reading

Parts

𠂇Cliff (厂)口Mouth

Example Word

右手: right hand. The Japanese noun '右手 (みぎて)' means 'right hand'. It refers specifically to the hand on the right side of the body. This word is commonly used in everyday contexts to describe actions or positions involving the right hand. For example: I write with my right hand「私は右手で書きます」(わたしはみぎてでかきます). He raised his right hand「彼は右手を上げた」(かれはみぎてをあげた). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is supportive or helpful, as in 'right-hand man' (though this is less common in Japanese).

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

272

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reason

Reading

Parts

十Ten 口Mouth

Example Word

経由: via. The Japanese verbal noun '経由 (けいゆ)' means 'via' or 'by way of'. It is used to indicate the route or means through which something is done or achieved. This term is commonly used in contexts involving travel, communication, or processes. For example: I will go to Osaka via Kyoto「京都経由で大阪に行きます」(きょうとけいゆでおおさかにいきます). The package was sent via airmail「その小包は航空便経由で送られました」(そのこづつみはこうくうびんけいゆでおくられました). It can also be used metaphorically to describe indirect methods or channels.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

278

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Friend

Reading

Parts

𠂇Cliff (厂)又Again

Example Word

友情: friendship. The Japanese noun '友情 (ゆうじょう)' means 'friendship'. It refers to the close bond or relationship between friends, characterized by mutual affection, trust, and support. This word is often used in contexts emphasizing deep, enduring connections between people. For example: Their friendship is strong「彼らの友情は強い」(かれらのゆうじょうはつよい). I value our friendship「私は私たちの友情を大切にする」(わたしはわたしたちのゆうじょうをたいせつにする). The word can also appear in phrases like '友情を築く (ゆうじょうをきずく)' (to build a friendship) or '友情の証 (ゆうじょうのあかし)' (proof of friendship).

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

優秀: excellent. The Japanese adjectival noun '優秀 (ゆうしゅう)' means 'excellent' and is used to describe someone or something that is outstanding, superior, or of high quality. It is often used to praise people, such as students, employees, or professionals, for their exceptional abilities or achievements. For example: He is an excellent student「彼は優秀な学生です」(かれはゆうしゅうながくせいです). This is an excellent product「これは優秀な製品です」(これはゆうしゅうなせいひんです). The term carries a formal tone and is commonly used in academic, professional, or evaluative contexts.

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

勇気: courage. The Japanese noun '勇気 (ゆうき)' means 'courage'. It refers to the mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty. This word is often used in contexts where someone overcomes fear or takes a bold step despite challenges. For example: He showed great courage「彼は大きな勇気を見せた」(かれはおおきなゆうきをみせた). It takes courage to speak the truth「真実を話すには勇気がいる」(しんじつをはなすにはゆうきがいる). The word can also be used in phrases like '勇気を出す (ゆうきをだす)', which means 'to muster courage'.

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

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