kanji

Meaning

Hand

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

23

Radical Form

扌

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Master

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

85

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Take

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

93

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kind, Variety

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

280

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Alcohol, Sake

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

333

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Neck

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

351

Radical Form

𦣻

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Protect

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

399

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Multitude

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

610

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Special, Especially

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

854

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Discipline

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

909

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gist, Flavor

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

951

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Necessary

Reading

Parts

彡Fur 頁Page

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1378

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ball, Pearl

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1458

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Vermillion

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 未Not yet

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1497

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hunting, Hunt

Reading

Parts

犬Dog 守Protect

Radical

犬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1609

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shares, Stocks

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1718

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reward, Repay

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1878

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Swelling, Tumor

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 重Heavy

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1917

Handwriting