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Nihongo

Classroom

Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

く ku

 

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mouth

    Reading

    kunyomiくち

    kuchi

    onyomi

    ku

    こう

    kou

    Parts

    Enclosure One

    Example Word

    口: mouth. The Japanese noun '口 (くち)' primarily means 'mouth'. It refers to the physical opening in the face used for eating, speaking, and breathing. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe openings or entrances, such as the mouth of a river or a bottle. For example: Please close your mouth「口を閉じてください」(くちをとじてください). The mouth of the river is wide「川の口は広い」(かわのくちはひろい). Additionally, '口' can be used in idiomatic expressions, such as '口が重い (くちがおもい)', meaning 'to be tight-lipped' or 'reluctant to speak'.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    3

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    1

    Frequency

    82

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Nine

    Reading

    kunyomiここの

    kokono

    onyomi

    ku

    きゅう

    kyuu

    Parts

    Second, Latter 丿Katakana no

    Example Word

    九つ: nine. The Japanese noun '九つ (ここのつ)' means 'nine'. This word is specifically used to count items or objects, and it is part of the traditional Japanese counting system for general objects (as opposed to the Sino-Japanese system used for numbers in isolation or specific categories). It is often used in contexts where items are being counted individually, such as in shopping or when describing quantities. For example: there are nine apples「りんごが九つある」(りんごがここのつある). I bought nine books「本を九つ買いました」(ほんをここのつかいました). Note that '九つ' is typically used for counting objects, while '九 (きゅう)' is used for abstract numbers or specific counting systems like time or age.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    2

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    1

    Frequency

    225

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Suffer

    Reading

    kunyomiくる

    kuru

    にが

    niga

    onyomi

    ku

    Parts

    Grass Old

    Example Word

    苦しい: painful. The Japanese adjective '苦しい (くるしい)' primarily means 'painful'. It is used to describe physical pain, emotional distress, or difficult situations. This word can also imply a sense of struggle or hardship. For example: my chest feels painful「胸が苦しい」(むねがくるしい). It was a painful decision「それは苦しい決断だった」(それはくるしいけつだんだった). In some contexts, it can also describe something that is hard to endure or tolerate, such as a tight schedule or a challenging task.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    8

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    230

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Accompany, Offer

    Reading

    kunyomiとも

    tomo

    そな

    sona

    onyomi

    ku

    きょう

    kyou

    Parts

    Person (人)Together

    Example Word

    供給: supply. The Japanese verbal noun '供給 (きょうきゅう)' means 'supply'. It refers to the act of providing or furnishing something, often in the context of goods, services, or resources. This term is commonly used in economic, business, and everyday contexts. For example: The company supplies electricity「その会社は電気を供給する」(そのかいしゃはでんきをきょうきゅうする). Water supply is essential for life「水の供給は生命に不可欠だ」(みずのきょうきゅうはせいめいにふかけつだ). Note that '供給' is often paired with verbs like 'する' to form phrases like '供給する' (to supply).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    8

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    239

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Construction

    Reading

    onyomi

    ku

    こう

    kou

    Parts

    Down (下)One

    Example Word

    工作: craft or manipulation. The Japanese noun '工作 (こうさく)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'craft', referring to the act of making something by hand or the product of such activity. For example: The children made crafts at school「子供たちは学校で工作をした」(こどもたちはがっこうでこうさくをした). The second meaning is 'manipulation', often used in contexts involving political or social manipulation. For example: The government was accused of political manipulation「政府は政治工作を非難された」(せいふはせいじこうさくをひなんされた). The word can also be used in compound words like '工作員 (こうさくいん)' meaning 'agent' or 'operative', often in espionage contexts.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    3

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    411

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Long time

    Reading

    kunyomiひさ

    hisa

    onyomi

    ku

    きゅう

    kyuu

    Example Word

    久しぶり: longtime. The Japanese adjectival noun '久しぶり (ひさしぶり)' is used to express that something is happening after a long time or that it has been a while since something last occurred. It often conveys a sense of nostalgia or excitement about re-engaging with something familiar. For example: It's been a long time since I saw you「久しぶりに会いました」(ひさしぶりにあいました). It's been a while since I ate sushi「久しぶりに寿司を食べました」(ひさしぶりにすしをたべました). This word is commonly used in casual conversations and can also stand alone as an exclamation, such as '久しぶり!' to mean 'Long time no see!' or 'It's been a while!'.

    Radical

    丿

    Stroke Count

    3

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    459

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Phrase, Paragraph

    Reading

    onyomi

    ku

    Parts

    Wrap Mouth

    Example Word

    慣用句: idiom. The Japanese noun '慣用句 (かんようく)' refers to an 'idiom' or a set phrase that has a meaning not deducible from the individual words. These expressions are deeply rooted in the language and culture, often carrying nuances and connotations that are unique to Japanese. For example: He used an idiom to explain his point「彼は自分のポイントを説明するために慣用句を使った」(かれはじぶんのポイントをせつめいするためにかんようくをつかった). Learning idioms is essential for understanding Japanese culture「慣用句を学ぶことは日本文化を理解するために不可欠だ」(かんようくをまなぶことはにほんぶんかをりかいするためにふかけつだ). Idioms often reflect historical events, folklore, or common experiences, making them a rich area of study for language learners.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    5

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    549

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Crimson

    Reading

    kunyomiべに

    beni

    くれない

    kurenai

    onyomi

    ku

    こう

    kou

    Parts

    Thread Construction

    Example Word

    紅葉: autumn leaves. The Japanese verbal noun '紅葉 (こうよう)' refers to the phenomenon of leaves changing color in autumn, often specifically to the vibrant reds and yellows seen in Japanese maple trees. It is also used to describe the act of leaves changing color. This word is deeply tied to the appreciation of seasonal beauty in Japanese culture. Example sentences: The autumn leaves are beautiful「紅葉がきれいです」(こうようがきれいです). Let's go see the autumn leaves「紅葉を見に行きましょう」(こうようをみにいきましょう).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    791

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Merit, Achievement

    Reading

    onyomi

    ku

    こう

    kou

    Parts

    Power 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

    Stroke Count

    5

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    991

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    District

    Reading

    onyomi

    ku

    Parts

    Side enclosure Govern

    Example Word

    地区: district. The Japanese noun '地区 (ちく)' refers to a specific area or district within a larger region, often used in administrative, geographical, or urban planning contexts. It can describe a designated zone, such as a residential district, commercial district, or industrial district. For example: This is a residential district「ここは住宅地区です」(ここはじゅうたくちくです). The industrial district is expanding「工業地区が拡大しています」(こうぎょうちくがかくだいしています). The word is neutral in tone and is commonly used in formal or official settings.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    4

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    1042

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Spur on, Gallop

    Reading

    kunyomi

    ka

    onyomi

    ku

    Parts

    Horse District

    Example Word

    駆る: drive. The Japanese verb '駆る (かる)' primarily means 'to drive' or 'to compel'. It is often used to describe the act of driving animals, such as horses or cattle, or metaphorically to describe being driven by emotions or circumstances. For example: He drove the horses across the field「彼は馬を野原に駆った」(かれはうまをのはらにかった). Fear drove her to act quickly「恐怖が彼女を素早く行動させた」(きょうふがかのじをすばやくこうどうさせた). This verb can also imply urgency or being propelled by an external force, making it versatile in both literal and figurative contexts.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    7

    Frequency

    1111

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chess piece

    Reading

    kunyomiこま

    koma

    onyomi

    ku

    Parts

    Horse Phrase, Paragraph

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    15

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    10

    Frequency

    1206

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Warehouse

    Reading

    kunyomiくら

    kura

    onyomi

    ku

    ko

    Parts

    Car 广Dotted cliff

    Example Word

    在庫: stock or inventory. The Japanese noun '在庫 (ざいこ)' refers to the goods or materials that a business holds in stock or inventory. It is commonly used in retail, manufacturing, and business contexts to describe the quantity of products available for sale or use. For example: The store has a lot of inventory「その店は在庫が多い」(そのみせはざいこがおおい). We need to check the stock levels「在庫を確認する必要がある」(ざいこをかくにんするひつようがある). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe the availability of non-physical items, such as ideas or resources.

    Radical

    广

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    1255

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tribute

    Reading

    kunyomiみつ

    mitsu

    onyomi

    ku

    こう

    kou

    Parts

    Shellfish 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

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    9

    Frequency

    1790

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Flexed, Hooked

    Reading

    kunyomi

    ma

    かぎ

    kagi

    onyomi

    ku

    こう

    kou

    Parts

    Wrap Private

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    4

    Grade

    10

    Frequency

    2014

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Misgivings, Disquieting

    Reading

    kunyomiおそ

    oso

    onyomi

    ku

    gu

    Parts

    Tool

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    11

    Grade

    10

    Frequency

    2038

    Handwriting

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Onyomi reading Groups

Group 38 of 305