Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Say

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 亠Lid 二Two

Example Word

言い表わす: express. The Japanese verb '言い表わす (いいあらわす)' means 'to express' or 'to put into words'. It is used when someone wants to convey their thoughts, feelings, or ideas clearly and explicitly. This verb is often used in formal or literary contexts. For example: It's hard to express my gratitude「感謝の気持ちを言い表わすのは難しい」(かんしゃのきもちをいいあらわすのはむずかしい). He expressed his opinion clearly「彼は自分の意見をはっきりと言い表わした」(かれはじぶんのいけんをはっきりといいあらわした). Note that this verb emphasizes the act of articulating something clearly and precisely.

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

現代: modern. The Japanese noun '現代 (げんだい)' refers to the 'modern' era or the present time. It is often used to describe contemporary society, culture, or technology. For example: modern society「現代社会」(げんだいしゃかい). modern art「現代美術」(げんだいびじゅつ). This term is commonly used in discussions about current trends, advancements, or issues in the present day.

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

131

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Meadow, Original

Reading

Parts

厂Cliff 泉Spring, Fountain

Example Word

原子: atom. The Japanese noun '原子 (げんし)' refers to an 'atom', the basic unit of matter in chemistry and physics. This term is used in scientific contexts to describe the smallest unit of a chemical element that retains its properties. For example: Atoms are the building blocks of matter「原子は物質の基本単位です」(げんしはぶっしつのきほんたんいです). The nucleus is at the center of the atom「原子核は原子の中心にあります」(げんしかくはげんしのちゅうしんにあります). The word is commonly used in fields like physics, chemistry, and engineering.

Radical

厂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

191

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Origin

Reading

Parts

二Two 儿Legs

Example Word

元年: first year. The Japanese noun '元年 (がんねん)' refers to the first year of a specific era, reign, or calendar system. It is commonly used in historical contexts to denote the inaugural year of a new period, such as the start of a new emperor's reign or the introduction of a new calendar. For example: This event happened in the first year of the Heisei era「この出来事は平成元年に起こりました」(このできごとはへいせいがんねんにおこりました). The company was established in the first year of the Reiwa era「その会社は令和元年に設立されました」(そのかいしゃはれいわがんねんにせつりつされました).

Radical

儿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

304

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Limit

Reading

Parts

⻖ 艮Stopping

Example Word

限界: limit. The Japanese noun '限界 (げんかい)' means 'limit'. It refers to the boundary or point beyond which something cannot or should not go. This word is often used in contexts involving physical, mental, or abstract boundaries. For example: I reached my limit「限界に達した」(げんかいにたっした). The limit of human endurance「人間の限界」(にんげんのげんかい). It can also be used to describe the maximum capacity or extent of something, such as 'the limit of technology'「技術の限界」(ぎじゅつのげんかい).

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

419

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Origin, Source

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)原Meadow, Original

Example Word

資源: resources. The Japanese noun '資源 (しげん)' refers to 'resources', particularly natural or economic resources that are valuable and useful. This term is often used in contexts related to energy, environment, and economics. For example: Japan imports many natural resources「日本は多くの天然資源を輸入する」(にほんはおおくのてんねんしげんをゆにゅうする). We need to protect our resources「私たちは資源を守る必要がある」(わたしたちはしげんをまもるひつようがある). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe human or intellectual resources, such as in 'human resources'「人的資源」(じんてきしげん).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

636

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Test

Reading

Parts

馬Horse 㑒

Example Word

経験: experience. The Japanese verbal noun '経験 (けいけん)' refers to 'experience', encompassing both the knowledge and skills acquired through direct involvement in events or activities. It is commonly used to describe personal or professional experiences. For example: I have experience in teaching「私は教える経験があります」(わたしはおしえるけいけんがあります). He gained valuable experience from the internship「彼はインターンシップから貴重な経験を得ました」(かれはインターンシップからきちょうなけいけんをえました). This term is versatile and can be applied in various contexts, such as work, life, or specific activities.

Radical

馬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

650

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dislike

Reading

Parts

女Woman 兼Combine, Concurrently

Example Word

不機嫌: displeased. The Japanese adjectival noun '不機嫌 (ふきげん)' means 'displeased' or 'in a bad mood'. It is used to describe someone who is visibly unhappy, irritated, or sulking. This word often conveys a sense of emotional discomfort or dissatisfaction. For example: He seems displeased「彼は不機嫌そうだ」(かれはふきげんそうだ). She was in a bad mood all day「彼女は一日中不機嫌だった」(かのじょはいちにちじゅうふきげんだった). The term can also be used to describe a situation or atmosphere that feels tense or unpleasant due to someone's mood.

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

減らす: reduce. The Japanese verb '減らす (へらす)' means 'to reduce' or 'to decrease'. It is used when referring to making something smaller in quantity, size, or intensity. This verb can be applied to various contexts, such as reducing costs, decreasing weight, or lowering the number of items. For example: I reduced the amount of sugar「砂糖の量を減らした」(さとうのりょうをへらした). We need to reduce expenses「経費を減らす必要がある」(けいひをへらすひつようがある). Note that '減らす' is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object to indicate what is being reduced.

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