Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Mouth

Reading

Parts

冂Enclosure 一One

Example Word

一口: bite or sip. The Japanese noun '一口 (ひとくち)' can mean either 'bite' or 'sip', depending on the context. When referring to food, it typically means a small bite or portion, such as in the sentence: take a bite of this cake「このケーキを一口食べて」(このケーキをひとくちたべて). When referring to drinks, it means a small sip, as in: take a sip of tea「お茶を一口飲んで」(おちゃをひとくちのんで). The word is often used to describe a small amount of food or drink, and it can also be used metaphorically to describe a small amount of information or effort, such as in the phrase '一口メモ (ひとくちめも)' which means a brief note or memo.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

82

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Nine

Reading

Parts

乙Second, Latter 丿Katakana no

Example Word

九十: ninety. The Japanese noun '九十 (きゅうじゅう)' means 'ninety'. It is a number used to represent the quantity 90. This word is commonly used in contexts involving counting, age, or numerical values. For example: I am ninety years old「私は九十歳です」(わたしはきゅうじゅうさいです). The temperature is ninety degrees「温度は九十度です」(おんどはきゅうじゅうどです). Note that '九十' is often used in formal or written contexts, while '90' (in numerals) is more common in casual or modern settings.

Radical

乛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

225

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Suffer

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 古Old

Example Word

苦心: struggle or effort. The Japanese verbal noun '苦心 (くしん)' refers to the act of putting in great effort or struggling to achieve something, often implying difficulty or hardship. It is commonly used to describe the mental or emotional strain involved in overcoming challenges. For example: He put a lot of effort into the project「彼はそのプロジェクトに苦心した」(かれはそのプロジェクトにくしんした). The teacher struggled to explain the concept「先生はその概念を説明するのに苦心した」(せんせいはそのがいねんをせつめいするのにくしんした). This word emphasizes the hardship or difficulty faced during the process.

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

230

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Accompany, Offer

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)共Together

Example Word

供える: offer. The Japanese verb '供える (そなえる)' means 'to offer' or 'to present'. It is commonly used in the context of offering something, often in a religious or ceremonial setting, such as offering food, flowers, or other items to deities, spirits, or ancestors. For example: They offered flowers to the altar「彼らは祭壇に花を供えた」(かれらはさいだんにはなをそなえた). We offered rice to the gods「私たちは神々に米を供えた」(わたしたちはかみがみにこめをそなえた). The verb carries a respectful and formal tone, often implying a sense of reverence or ritual.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

239

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Construction

Reading

Parts

丅Down (下)一One

Example Word

工学部: engineering. The Japanese noun '工学部 (こうがくぶ)' refers to the 'engineering department' or 'faculty of engineering' at a university. It is commonly used to describe the academic division or department that focuses on engineering studies. For example: He is studying in the engineering department「彼は工学部で勉強しています」(かれはこうがくぶでべんきょうしています). The engineering department is in that building「工学部はあの建物にあります」(こうがくぶはあのたてものにあります). This term is specific to academic contexts and is widely understood in Japanese educational settings.

Radical

工

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

411

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Long time

Reading

Example Word

永久: eternal. The Japanese adjectival noun '永久 (えいきゅう)' means 'eternal' or 'permanent'. It is used to describe something that lasts forever or has no end. This word is often used in contexts related to time, nature, or abstract concepts. For example: eternal love「永久の愛」(えいきゅうのあい). The beauty of this place is eternal「この場所の美しさは永久だ」(このばしょのうつくしさはえいきゅうだ). Note that '永久' is often used in formal or poetic contexts to emphasize the timeless nature of something.

Radical

丿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

459

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Phrase, Paragraph

Reading

Parts

勹Wrap 口Mouth

Example Word

句: phrase. The Japanese noun '句 (く)' refers to a 'phrase' or a short group of words. It is commonly used in contexts related to poetry, literature, or grammar. For example, in haiku, a '句' is one of the three lines that make up the poem. It can also refer to idiomatic expressions or fixed phrases. Example sentences: This phrase is beautiful「この句は美しい」(このくはうつくしい). He wrote a haiku with three phrases「彼は三つの句で俳句を書いた」(かれはみっつのくではいくをかいた).

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

549

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Crimson

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 工Construction

Example Word

口紅: lipstick. The Japanese noun '口紅 (くちべに)' refers to 'lipstick', a cosmetic product applied to the lips to add color or texture. It is commonly used in everyday conversations about makeup and beauty. Example sentences: She bought a new lipstick「彼女は新しい口紅を買った」(かのじょはあたらしいくちべにをかった). This lipstick color is beautiful「この口紅の色はきれい」(このくちべにのいろはきれい). The word is a combination of '口 (くち)', meaning 'mouth', and '紅 (べに)', meaning 'red' or 'crimson', reflecting its traditional association with red pigments.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

791

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Merit, Achievement

Reading

Parts

力Power 工Construction

Example Word

成功: success. The Japanese verbal noun '成功 (せいこう)' means 'success'. It refers to the achievement of a desired goal or outcome. This word is commonly used in contexts related to personal, professional, or academic achievements. For example: His success was celebrated by everyone「彼の成功は皆に祝われた」(かれのせいこうはみんなにいわわれた). The project was a great success「そのプロジェクトは大成功だった」(そのプロジェクトはだいせいこうだった). Note that '成功' can also be used as a verb when combined with the auxiliary verb 'する', as in '成功する (せいこうする)', meaning 'to succeed'.

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

991

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

District

Reading

Parts

匸Side enclosure 乂Govern

Example Word

区: ward. The Japanese noun '区 (く)' refers to a 'ward', which is an administrative division within a city, particularly in large urban areas like Tokyo. It is commonly used to denote specific districts or sections of a city. For example: I live in Shinjuku Ward「私は新宿区に住んでいます」(わたしはしんじゅくくにすんでいます). This ward is very busy「この区はとてもにぎやかです」(このくはとてもにぎやかです). The term is often used in addresses and official documents to specify a particular area within a city.

Radical

匸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1042

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spur on, Gallop

Reading

Parts

馬Horse 区District

Example Word

駆け付ける: rush. The Japanese verb '駆け付ける (かけつける)' means 'to rush to a place' or 'to hurry to arrive'. It is often used when someone is in a hurry to reach a specific location, usually in response to an urgent situation or to provide assistance. This verb conveys a sense of urgency and purpose. For example: I rushed to the hospital「病院に駆け付けた」(びょういんにかけつけた). He hurried to the scene of the accident「彼は事故現場に駆け付けた」(かれはじこげんばにかけつけた). The verb is commonly used in situations where time is critical, such as emergencies or important events.

Radical

馬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1111

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Chess piece

Reading

Parts

馬Horse 句Phrase, Paragraph

Radical

馬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1206

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Warehouse

Reading

Parts

車Car 广Dotted cliff

Example Word

冷蔵庫: refrigerator. The Japanese noun '冷蔵庫 (れいぞうこ)' means 'refrigerator'. It refers to an electrical appliance used to store food and keep it cold or frozen. This word is commonly used in everyday life when discussing household items or food storage. For example: Please put the milk in the refrigerator「牛乳を冷蔵庫に入れてください」(ぎゅうにゅうをれいぞうこにいれてください). The refrigerator is broken「冷蔵庫が壊れている」(れいぞうこがこわれている). It's important to note that this word is a compound noun, with '冷蔵' meaning 'cold storage' and '庫' meaning 'storage house' or 'repository'.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1255

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tribute

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 工Construction

Example Word

貢献: contribution. The Japanese noun '貢献 (こうけん)' means 'contribution'. It refers to the act of contributing to something, such as a cause, project, or society. This word is often used in contexts where someone or something has made a significant positive impact or provided valuable input. For example: His research made a great contribution to science「彼の研究は科学に大きな貢献をした」(かれのけんきゅうはかがくにおおきなこうけんをした). We aim to contribute to the community「私たちは地域に貢献することを目指しています」(わたしたちはちいきにこうけんすることをめざしています). The word can also be used in a broader sense to describe any form of support or assistance that leads to progress or improvement.

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1790

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Flexed, Hooked

Reading

Parts

勹Wrap 厶Private

Radical

勹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2014

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Misgivings, Disquieting

Reading

Parts

忄 具Tool

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2038

Handwriting