Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Say

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 亠Lid 二Two

Example Word

言語: language. The Japanese noun '言語 (げんご)' refers to 'language', specifically the system of communication used by a particular community or country. It encompasses spoken, written, and signed forms of communication. This term is often used in academic, technical, or formal contexts. For example: He studies foreign languages「彼は外国語を勉強しています」(かれはがいこくごをべんきょうしています). The evolution of language is fascinating「言語の進化は魅力的です」(げんごのしんかはみりょくてきです). Note that '言語' is more formal than the more commonly used '言葉 (ことば)', which can also mean 'language' but often refers to words or speech in a more general sense.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

25

Radical Form

訁

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eyeball

Reading

Parts

目Eye 艮Stopping

Example Word

眼鏡: glasses. The Japanese noun '眼鏡 (めがね)' refers to 'glasses' or 'spectacles', which are worn to correct or protect vision. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to eyewear. For example: I need new glasses「新しい眼鏡が必要です」(あたらしいめがねがひつようです). He is wearing glasses「彼は眼鏡をかけています」(かれはめがねをかけています). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's perspective or viewpoint, as in '彼は現実を眼鏡を通して見ている' (かれはげんじつをめがねをとおしてみている) - 'He sees reality through glasses', implying a filtered or biased view.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

112

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Appear, Current

Reading

Parts

王King 見See

Example Word

現場: site. The Japanese noun '現場 (げんば)' refers to the actual place where an event occurs or work is carried out. It is commonly used in contexts related to construction, crime scenes, or any place where specific activities are happening. For example: The construction site is busy「現場は忙しい」(げんばはいそがしい). The police arrived at the crime scene「警察が現場に到着した」(けいさつがげんばにとうちゃくした). This term emphasizes the physical location where actions or events take place, often implying a sense of immediacy or direct involvement.

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

131

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Meadow, Original

Reading

Parts

厂Cliff 泉Spring, Fountain

Example Word

野原: field. The Japanese noun '野原 (のはら)' refers to an open field or meadow, typically covered with grass or wildflowers. It is often used to describe natural, open spaces in the countryside. For example: children are playing in the field「子供たちが野原で遊んでいる」(こどもたちがのはらであそんでいる). The field is full of flowers「野原は花でいっぱいだ」(のはらははなでいっぱいだ). This word evokes a sense of nature and tranquility, and is commonly used in literature and everyday conversation to describe rural landscapes.

Radical

厂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

191

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Origin

Reading

Parts

二Two 儿Legs

Example Word

次元: dimension. The Japanese noun '次元 (じげん)' means 'dimension'. It refers to a measurable extent of some kind, such as length, width, height, or time. It can also be used metaphorically to describe levels or aspects of something, such as in discussions about theoretical physics or abstract concepts. For example: this problem exists in a different dimension「この問題は別の次元にある」(このもんだいはべつのじげんにある). The fourth dimension is time「第四の次元は時間だ」(だいよんのじげんはじかんだ). The word is often used in scientific, philosophical, or metaphorical contexts.

Radical

儿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

304

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Limit

Reading

Parts

⻖ 艮Stopping

Example Word

無限: infinite. The Japanese adjectival noun '無限 (むげん)' means 'infinite'. It is used to describe something that has no limits, boundaries, or end. This word can be applied to abstract concepts like time, space, or possibilities, as well as physical entities. For example: the universe is infinite「宇宙は無限だ」(うちゅうはむげんだ). His patience seems infinite「彼の忍耐は無限のようだ」(かれのにんたいはむげんのようだ). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '無限ループ (むげんループ)' (infinite loop) or '無限大 (むげんだい)' (infinity).

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

419

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Origin, Source

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)原Meadow, Original

Example Word

起源: origin. The Japanese noun '起源 (きげん)' refers to the 'origin' or 'beginning' of something. It is often used to describe the starting point or source of events, ideas, or phenomena. For example: the origin of life「生命の起源」(せいめいのきげん). The origin of this tradition is unclear「この伝統の起源は不明です」(このでんとうのきげんはふめいです). This word is commonly used in historical, scientific, and cultural contexts to discuss the roots or inception of a subject.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

636

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Test

Reading

Parts

馬Horse 㑒

Example Word

受験: exam or application. The Japanese verbal noun '受験 (じゅけん)' primarily refers to taking an entrance examination or applying for admission to a school or institution. It is commonly used in the context of academic or professional testing. For example: I will take the university entrance exam「大学の受験をする」(だいがくのじゅけんをする). She is applying for the job「彼女はその仕事に受験している」(かのじょはそのしごとにじゅけんしている). Note that while 'exam' is the most common meaning, 'application' can also be a valid interpretation depending on the context.

Radical

馬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

650

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dislike

Reading

Parts

女Woman 兼Combine, Concurrently

Example Word

嫌がる: dislike. The Japanese verb '嫌がる (いやがる)' means 'to dislike' or 'to show reluctance'. It is used to describe someone's visible or expressed unwillingness or aversion to something. This verb often implies that the person is actively resisting or showing discomfort. For example: The child dislikes vegetables「子供は野菜を嫌がる」(こどもはやさいをいやがる). She showed reluctance to go outside「彼女は外に出るのを嫌がった」(かのじょはそとにでるのをいやがった). Note that '嫌がる' is often used to describe observable behavior rather than just internal feelings.

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

660

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Profound, Mysterious

Reading

Parts

亠Lid 幺Slight

Example Word

玄関: entrance. The Japanese noun '玄関 (げんかん)' refers to the entrance area of a house or building, typically where shoes are removed before entering. It is a culturally significant space in Japanese homes, often designed with a genkan step to separate the outside from the inside. For example: Please take off your shoes at the entrance「玄関で靴を脱いでください」(げんかんでくつをぬいでください). The entrance is very clean「玄関はとてもきれいです」(げんかんはとてもきれいです). This word is essential in daily life and reflects Japanese customs regarding cleanliness and respect for indoor spaces.

Radical

玄

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

758

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Severe, Strict

Reading

Parts

⺍Small 敢Daring 厂Cliff

Example Word

厳密: strict. The Japanese adjectival noun '厳密 (げんみつ)' means 'strict' or 'precise'. It is used to describe something that is exact, meticulous, or rigorously accurate. This term is often used in contexts where attention to detail and adherence to rules or standards are emphasized. For example: The professor is strict about the rules「教授は規則に厳密です」(きょうじゅはきそくにげんみつです). We need a precise analysis「厳密な分析が必要です」(げんみつなぶんせきがひつようです). The word can also imply a sense of severity or rigor in application, such as in legal or scientific contexts.

Radical

厂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

920

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Decrease

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)咸Same

Example Word

いい加減: moderate or irresponsible. The Japanese adjectival noun 'いい加減 (いいかげん)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'irresponsible' or 'careless', often used to describe someone who does not take their responsibilities seriously. For example: he is so irresponsible「彼はいい加減だ」(かれはいいかげんだ). The second meaning is 'moderate' or 'appropriate', used to describe something that is neither too much nor too little. For example: this temperature is just right「この温度はいい加減だ」(このおんどはいいかげんだ). The word can also imply a sense of being 'half-hearted' or 'not thorough' depending on the context. For instance: stop being so half-hearted「いい加減にしなさい」(いいかげんにしなさい).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1019

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Illusion

Reading

Parts

幺Slight

Example Word

幻想: illusion or fantasy. The Japanese noun '幻想 (げんそう)' can mean both 'illusion' and 'fantasy', depending on the context. It refers to something that is imagined or perceived but not real. When used to mean 'illusion', it often describes a deceptive or misleading perception. For example: he lives in an illusion「彼は幻想の中に生きている」(かれはげんそうのなかにいきている). When used to mean 'fantasy', it refers to a creative or imaginative idea. For example: her story is full of fantasy「彼女の物語は幻想に満ちている」(かのじょのものがたりはげんそうにみちている). The word is commonly used in literature, art, and discussions about perception versus reality.

Radical

幺

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1286

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fist

Reading

Parts

龹 手Hand

Example Word

拳: fist. The Japanese noun '拳 (こぶし)' refers to a 'fist', the hand when the fingers are tightly closed. It is commonly used in contexts related to physical actions, such as punching or holding something tightly. For example: he clenched his fist「彼は拳を握った」(かれはこぶしをにぎった). She hit the table with her fist「彼女は拳でテーブルを叩いた」(かのじょはこぶしでテーブルをたたいた). The word can also appear in idiomatic expressions or martial arts terminology, emphasizing strength or determination.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1602

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

String, Bowstring

Reading

Parts

弓Bow 玄Profound, Mysterious

Radical

弓

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1780

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gunwale

Reading

Parts

舟Boat 玄Profound, Mysterious

Radical

舟

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1978

Handwriting