Page 1
kanji
手Meaning
Hand
Reading
kunyomiてte
onyomiしゅshu
ずzu
Parts
丿Katakana no 二Two 亅Barb
Example Word
手前: oneself or front. The Japanese noun '手前 (てまえ)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'front', referring to the space or area directly in front of someone or something. For example: The store is right in front of the station「その店は駅の手前です」(そのみせはえきのてまえです). The second meaning is 'oneself', often used in a humble or self-referential way. For example: I will do it myself「手前でやります」(てまえでやります). It's important to note that the context in which '手前' is used will determine which meaning is intended. The word can also carry a nuance of politeness or humility, especially when referring to oneself.
Radical
手
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
23
Radical Form
扌
Handwriting
kanji
主Meaning
Master
Reading
kunyomiぬしnushi
あるじaruji
onyomiすsu
しゅshu
Parts
丶Dot 王King
Example Word
亭主: husband or innkeeper. The Japanese noun '亭主 (ていしゅ)' has two distinct meanings. The first and most common meaning is 'husband', often used in a somewhat traditional or old-fashioned context. For example: my husband is kind「私の亭主は優しい」(わたしのていしゅはやさしい). The second meaning is 'innkeeper' or 'proprietor of a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan)', which is less commonly used in modern Japanese. For example: the innkeeper welcomed us warmly「亭主が私たちを温かく迎えてくれた」(ていしゅがわたしたちをあたたかくむかえてくれた). The word carries a slightly formal or traditional nuance, and its usage depends heavily on context.
Radical
丶
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
85
Handwriting
kanji
取Meaning
Take
Reading
kunyomiとto
onyomiしゅshu
Parts
又Again 耳Ear
Example Word
引き取る: take or withdraw. The Japanese verb '引き取る (ひきとる)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'to take' or 'to take in', often used in contexts where someone takes responsibility for something or someone, such as taking in a stray animal or accepting a package. For example: I took in the stray cat「私はその野良猫を引き取った」(わたしはそののらねこをひきとった). The second meaning is 'to withdraw' or 'to retire', used in contexts where someone steps back or retreats from a situation. For example: He withdrew from the meeting「彼は会議から引き取った」(かれはかいぎからひきとった). The verb can also imply a sense of responsibility or care, especially in the first meaning.
Radical
又
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
93
Handwriting
kanji
種Meaning
Kind, Variety
Reading
kunyomiたねtane
onyomiしゅshu
Parts
禾Cereal 重Heavy
Example Word
種々: various. The Japanese noun '種々 (しゅじゅ)' means 'various' or 'a variety of'. It is used to describe a range of different things or types within a category. This word is often used in formal or written contexts to indicate diversity or multiplicity. For example: There are various types of flowers in the garden「庭には種々の花がある」(にわにはしゅじゅのはながある). We discussed various topics during the meeting「会議中に種々の話題を話し合った」(かいぎちゅうにしゅじゅのわだいをはなしあった). The word can also be used to describe a variety of options or choices, such as in '種々の方法 (しゅじゅのほうほう)' meaning 'various methods'.
Radical
禾
Stroke Count
14JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
280
Handwriting
kanji
酒Meaning
Alcohol, Sake
Reading
kunyomiさかsaka
さけsake
onyomiしゅshu
Parts
氵Water (水)酉Bird of the zodiac
Example Word
禁酒: abstinence. The Japanese verbal noun '禁酒 (きんしゅ)' refers to the act of abstaining from alcohol. It is often used in contexts where someone is avoiding alcohol for health, religious, or personal reasons. For example: He decided to practice abstinence from alcohol「彼は禁酒を決意した」(かれはきんしゅをけついした). During the month, I will abstain from drinking「今月は禁酒します」(こんげつはきんしゅします). The term can also be used in medical or recovery contexts, such as when someone is advised to stop drinking for health reasons.
Radical
酉
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
333
Handwriting
kanji
首Meaning
Neck
Reading
kunyomiくびkubi
onyomiしゅshu
Parts
䒑Herbs 自Self
Example Word
首都: capital. The Japanese noun '首都 (しゅと)' refers to the capital city of a country or region. It is used to denote the primary city where the government is based and often serves as the political, cultural, and economic center. For example: Tokyo is the capital of Japan「東京は日本の首都です」(とうきょうはにほんのしゅとです). Paris is the capital of France「パリはフランスの首都です」(ぱりはふらんすのしゅとです). The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Radical
首
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
351
Radical Form
𦣻
Handwriting
kanji
守Meaning
Protect
Reading
kunyomiもりmori
まもmamo
onyomiすsu
しゅshu
Parts
宀Roof 寸Measurement
Example Word
守護: guardian. The Japanese noun '守護 (しゅご)' refers to a guardian or protector, often in a spiritual, religious, or feudal context. Historically, it was used to describe feudal lords who acted as protectors of their domains. In modern usage, it can also refer to a guardian deity or a protective figure. For example: the guardian of the temple「寺の守護」(てらのしゅご). He is the guardian of this land「彼はこの土地の守護です」(かれはこのとちのしゅごです). The word carries a sense of duty and protection, often implying a higher responsibility.
Radical
宀
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
399
Handwriting
kanji
衆Meaning
Multitude
Reading
onyomiしゅshu
しゅうshuu
Parts
血Blood 乑
Example Word
合衆: federation. The Japanese noun '合衆 (がっしゅう)' refers to a 'federation' or a union of states or groups. It is often used in the context of political or organizational structures where multiple entities come together under a unified system. For example, the United States is referred to as 'アメリカ合衆国 (あめりかがっしゅうこく)' in Japanese, which literally translates to 'United States of America'. Another example: The federation decided to implement new policies「合衆は新しい政策を実施することに決めた」(がっしゅうはあたらしいせいさくをじっしすることにきめた). This term is formal and is typically used in political or historical contexts.
Radical
血
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
610
Handwriting
kanji
殊Meaning
Special, Especially
Reading
kunyomiことkoto
onyomiしゅshu
Parts
歹Bad 朱Vermillion
Example Word
特殊: special or unique. The Japanese adjective '特殊 (とくしゅ)' means 'special' or 'unique'. It is used to describe something that is distinct, uncommon, or out of the ordinary. This word often carries a nuance of being different from the norm or having specific characteristics that set it apart. For example: This is a special case「これは特殊なケースです」(これはとくしゅなケースです). He has a unique ability「彼は特殊な能力を持っている」(かれはとくしゅなのうりょくをもっている). Note that '特殊' is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as in science, technology, or law, to describe something that is not typical or standard.
Radical
歹
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
854
Handwriting
kanji
修Meaning
Discipline
Reading
kunyomiおさosa
onyomiしゅshu
しゅうshuu
Parts
亻Person (人)㣊
Example Word
研修: training. The Japanese noun '研修 (けんしゅう)' refers to 'training' or 'a training program'. It is commonly used in professional or educational contexts to describe a period of learning or skill development, often for employees or students. For example: I attended a training session「研修に参加しました」(けんしゅうにさんかしました). The company provides training for new employees「会社は新入社員の研修を行います」(かいしゃはしんにゅうしゃいんのけんしゅうをおこないます). This word is often associated with structured programs aimed at improving skills or knowledge in a specific field.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
909
Handwriting
kanji
趣Meaning
Gist, Flavor
Reading
kunyomiおもむきomomuki
onyomiしゅshu
Parts
走Run 取Take
Example Word
趣味: hobby. The Japanese noun '趣味 (しゅみ)' means 'hobby'. It refers to activities or interests that one enjoys doing in their free time. This word is commonly used to describe personal interests, such as sports, arts, or collecting items. For example: My hobby is reading books「私の趣味は本を読むことです」(わたしのしゅみは ほんをよむことです). What is your hobby?「あなたの趣味は何ですか?」(あなたのしゅみはなんですか?). The word can also imply a sense of personal taste or preference, as in '趣味が良い (しゅみがいい)' meaning 'to have good taste'.
Radical
走
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
951
Handwriting
kanji
珠Meaning
Ball, Pearl
Reading
kunyomiたまtama
onyomiしゅshu
Parts
王King 朱Vermillion
Example Word
真珠: pearl. The Japanese noun '真珠 (しんじゅ)' refers to a 'pearl', which is a hard, rounded object formed within the shell of a pearl oyster or similar mollusk. Pearls are highly valued as gemstones and are often used in jewelry. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something precious or rare. Example sentences: She wore a beautiful pearl necklace「彼女は美しい真珠のネックレスを身につけていた」(かのじょはうつくしいしんじゅのネックレスをみにつけていた). The pearl is a symbol of purity「真珠は純潔の象徴です」(しんじゅはじゅんけつのしょうちょうです).
Radical
玉
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1458
Handwriting
kanji
株Meaning
Shares, Stocks
Reading
kunyomiかぶkabu
onyomiしゅshu
Parts
木Tree, Wood 朱Vermillion
Example Word
株: stock. The Japanese noun '株 (かぶ)' primarily refers to 'stock' in the context of shares or equities in a company. It is commonly used in financial and business settings. For example: I bought stocks「株を買いました」(かぶをかいました). The stock price went up「株価が上がりました」(かぶかがあがりました). Additionally, '株' can also refer to the stump or rootstock of a plant, but this usage is less common in everyday conversation. For example: The tree stump is still there「木の株がまだあります」(きのかぶがまだあります).
Radical
木
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
1718
Handwriting
kanji
酬Meaning
Reward, Repay
Reading
kunyomiむくmuku
onyomiしゅshu
とうtou
しゅうshuu
Parts
酉Bird of the zodiac 州State
Example Word
報酬: reward or compensation. The Japanese noun '報酬 (ほうしゅう)' refers to a reward or compensation given in return for services, work, or effort. It is commonly used in professional or contractual contexts to describe payment, bonuses, or other forms of remuneration. For example: The company paid a generous reward for his hard work「会社は彼の努力に対して寛大な報酬を支払った」(かいしゃはかれのどりょくにたいしてかんだいなほうしゅうをしはらった). The compensation for the project was fair「そのプロジェクトの報酬は公平だった」(そのプロジェクトのほうしゅうはこうへいだった). Note that '報酬' often implies a formal or agreed-upon exchange, distinguishing it from casual gifts or tips.
Radical
酉
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1878
Handwriting