Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Hand

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 二Two 亅Barb

Example Word

苦手: dislike or weakness. The Japanese adjectival noun '苦手 (にがて)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'weakness', referring to something one is not good at or struggles with. The second meaning is 'dislike', referring to something one does not enjoy or prefers to avoid. For example: I am weak at math「数学が苦手です」(すうがくがにがてです). I dislike spicy food「辛い食べ物が苦手です」(からいたべものがにがてです). This word is often used to express personal challenges or preferences in a polite or indirect manner.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

23

Radical Form

扌

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Master

Reading

Parts

丶Dot 王King

Example Word

主に: mainly. The Japanese adverb '主に (おもに)' means 'mainly' or 'primarily'. It is used to indicate that something is the primary focus, the most important part, or the majority of a situation. This adverb is often used to describe the central aspect of an action, event, or condition. For example: I mainly eat vegetables「主に野菜を食べます」(おもにやさいをたべます). The store mainly sells books「その店は主に本を売っています」(そのみせはおもにほんをうっています). It can also be used to emphasize the primary reason or cause, as in: The delay was mainly due to traffic「遅れたのは主に渋滞が原因です」(おくれたのはおもにじゅうたいがげんいんです).

Radical

丶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

85

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Take

Reading

Parts

又Again 耳Ear

Example Word

書き取り: dictation. The Japanese noun '書き取り (かきとり)' refers to the act of writing down what is being spoken or dictated. It is commonly used in educational settings, such as language classes, where students practice listening and writing skills by transcribing spoken words or sentences. For example: The teacher gave us a dictation exercise「先生が書き取りの練習をさせました」(せんせいがかきとりのれんしゅうをさせました). I need to improve my dictation skills「書き取りの能力を向上させる必要があります」(かきとりののうりょくをこうじょうさせるひつようがあります).

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

93

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kind, Variety

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 重Heavy

Example Word

種類: kind or type. The Japanese noun '種類 (しゅるい)' refers to a 'kind' or 'type' of something. It is used to categorize or classify things based on their characteristics. For example: there are many kinds of flowers「花の種類はたくさんあります」(はなのしゅるいはたくさんあります). What type of music do you like?「どんな種類の音楽が好きですか？」(どんなしゅるいのおんがくがすきですか？). This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can apply to a wide range of contexts, such as food, animals, products, or ideas.

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

日本酒: sake. The Japanese noun '日本酒 (にほんしゅ)' refers to 'sake', a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. Sake is an integral part of Japanese culture and is often consumed during celebrations, ceremonies, or meals. It can be served warm or cold, depending on the type and personal preference. Example sentences: I like sake「日本酒が好きです」(にほんしゅがすきです). This sake is delicious「この日本酒は美味しい」(このにほんしゅはおいしい). Sake is often paired with Japanese cuisine, enhancing the dining experience.

Radical

酉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

333

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Neck

Reading

Parts

䒑Herbs 自Self

Example Word

首: head or neck. The Japanese noun '首 (くび)' primarily means 'neck', referring to the part of the body connecting the head to the rest of the body. It can also mean 'head' in certain contexts, such as when referring to the leader of an organization or group. For example: my neck hurts「首が痛い」(くびがいたい). The company's head resigned「会社の首が辞任した」(かいしゃのくびがじにんした). The word can also be used metaphorically, as in 'to save one's neck (to avoid trouble)'「首をすくめる」(くびをすくめる).

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

観衆: crowd. The Japanese noun '観衆 (かんしゅう)' refers to a 'crowd' or 'audience', typically gathered to watch an event, performance, or spectacle. It emphasizes the collective group of people observing something. For example: The crowd cheered loudly「観衆は大声で歓声を上げた」(かんしゅうはおおごえでかんせいをあげた). The audience was captivated by the performance「観衆はそのパフォーマンスに引き込まれた」(かんしゅうはそのぱふぉーまんすにひきこまれた). This word is often used in contexts like sports events, concerts, or public gatherings.

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

修正: correction. The Japanese verbal noun '修正 (しゅうせい)' means 'correction'. It refers to the act of making changes to something in order to improve or fix it. This word is commonly used in contexts such as editing documents, adjusting plans, or fixing errors. For example: I made corrections to the document「文書に修正を加えました」(ぶんしょにしゅうせいをくわえました). The plan needs correction「その計画は修正が必要です」(そのけいかくはしゅうせいがひつようです). It's important to note that '修正' implies a deliberate and often minor adjustment rather than a complete overhaul.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

909

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gist, Flavor

Reading

Parts

走Run 取Take

Example Word

趣旨: purpose. The Japanese noun '趣旨 (しゅし)' refers to the main point, purpose, or gist of something. It is often used in formal contexts to describe the intent or core idea behind a statement, document, or plan. For example: The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the budget「この会議の趣旨は予算について話し合うことです」(このかいぎのしゅしはよさんについてはなしあうことです). I understand the gist of your proposal「あなたの提案の趣旨は理解しました」(あなたのていあんのしゅしはりかいしました). This word is commonly used in legal, business, and academic settings to convey the essence or objective of a matter.

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

株価: stock price. The Japanese noun '株価 (かぶか)' refers to the 'stock price' or 'share price' of a company. It is commonly used in financial and business contexts to discuss the value of stocks traded on the market. For example: The stock price rose sharply「株価が急上昇した」(かぶかがきゅうじょうしょうした). The stock price of that company is high「あの会社の株価は高い」(あのかいしゃのかぶかはたかい). This term is essential in discussions about investments, market trends, and economic news.

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