Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Say

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 亠Lid 二Two

Example Word

独り言: soliloquy. The Japanese noun '独り言 (ひとりごと)' refers to the act of talking to oneself, often referred to as a soliloquy or monologue. This can occur when someone is thinking aloud, expressing their thoughts without expecting a response. It is commonly used in both casual and literary contexts. For example: He was muttering to himself「彼は独り言を言っていた」(かれはひとりごとをいっていた). She often talks to herself when she's alone「彼女は一人の時によく独り言を言う」(かのじょはひとりのときによくひとりごとをいう). The term can also imply a sense of loneliness or deep contemplation, depending on the context.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

25

Radical Form

訁

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eyeball

Reading

Parts

目Eye 艮Stopping

Example Word

眼差し: gaze. The Japanese noun '眼差し (まなざし)' refers to the way someone looks at something or someone, often implying a certain emotion or intention behind the gaze. It can convey feelings such as affection, scrutiny, or intensity. For example: her gaze was full of love「彼女の眼差しは愛に満ちていた」(かのじょのまなざしはあいにみちていた). His gaze was sharp and piercing「彼の眼差しは鋭くて貫くようだった」(かれのまなざしはするどくてつらぬくようだった). This word is often used in literary or poetic contexts to describe the depth or quality of someone's look.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

112

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Appear, Current

Reading

Parts

王King 見See

Example Word

現実: reality. The Japanese noun '現実 (げんじつ)' means 'reality'. It refers to the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. This word is often used in philosophical discussions, everyday conversations, and literature to contrast with concepts like dreams, illusions, or expectations. For example: He faced reality「彼は現実に直面した」(かれはげんじつにちょくめんした). The reality is harsh「現実は厳しい」(げんじつはきびしい). It's important to note that '現実' can be used in various contexts, from personal experiences to broader societal observations.

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

131

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Meadow, Original

Reading

Parts

厂Cliff 泉Spring, Fountain

Example Word

原料: raw material. The Japanese noun '原料 (げんりょう)' refers to 'raw material'. This term is used to describe the basic material from which a product is made. It is commonly used in contexts related to manufacturing, cooking, and production processes. For example: This product is made from natural raw materials「この製品は天然原料から作られています」(このせいひんはてんねんげんりょうからつくられています). The factory imports raw materials from overseas「その工場は海外から原料を輸入しています」(そのこうじょうはかいがいからげんりょうをゆにゅうしています). The word emphasizes the unprocessed or basic state of the material before it is transformed into a finished product.

Radical

厂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

191

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Origin

Reading

Parts

二Two 儿Legs

Example Word

紀元: era. The Japanese noun '紀元 (きげん)' refers to an 'era' or 'epoch', particularly in the context of marking the beginning of a historical period or calendar system. It is often used in historical or academic contexts to denote significant starting points in time. For example: The Gregorian calendar starts from the year 1 AD「グレゴリオ暦は紀元1年から始まる」(グレゴリオれきはきげん1ねんからはじまる). The Meiji era marked a new epoch in Japanese history「明治時代は日本の歴史における新しい紀元を画した」(めいじじだいはにほんのれきしにおけるあたらしいきげんをかくした). Note that '紀元' can also be used metaphorically to describe the beginning of a significant event or movement.

Radical

儿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

304

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Limit

Reading

Parts

⻖ 艮Stopping

Example Word

制限: restriction. The Japanese verbal noun '制限 (せいげん)' means 'restriction'. It refers to a limitation or control placed on something, such as actions, quantities, or conditions. This word is often used in contexts involving rules, regulations, or boundaries. For example: There is a restriction on the number of participants「参加者数に制限があります」(さんかしゃすうにせいげんがあります). Speed restrictions are enforced on this road「この道路では速度制限が実施されています」(このどうろではそくどせいげんがじっしされています). The word can also be used in abstract contexts, such as time restrictions or resource limitations.

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

体験: experience. The Japanese verbal noun '体験 (たいけん)' means 'experience'. It refers to the act of experiencing something firsthand or gaining knowledge through direct involvement. This word is often used in contexts where someone tries or undergoes something new, such as activities, events, or situations. For example: I want to experience Japanese culture「日本の文化を体験したい」(にほんのぶんかをたいけんしたい). He experienced a lot during his trip「彼は旅行中にたくさんのことを体験した」(かれはりょこうちゅうにたくさんのことをたいけんした). The word can also be used in educational or professional settings to describe hands-on learning or practical training, such as '体験学習 (たいけんがくしゅう) (experiential learning)'.

Radical

馬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

650

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dislike

Reading

Parts

女Woman 兼Combine, Concurrently

Example Word

嫌う: dislike. The Japanese verb '嫌う (きらう)' means 'to dislike' or 'to avoid'. It is used to express a strong aversion or distaste towards something or someone. This verb can be applied to a wide range of contexts, from disliking certain foods to avoiding specific situations or people. For example: I dislike bitter foods「苦い食べ物を嫌う」(にがいたべものをきらう). He avoids crowded places「彼は混雑した場所を嫌う」(かれはこんざつしたばしょをきらう). It's important to note that '嫌う' often carries a stronger connotation than simply not liking something, implying a more active avoidance or rejection.

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

厳重: strict. The Japanese adjective '厳重 (げんじゅう)' means 'strict' or 'severe'. It is often used to describe something that is very carefully controlled, tightly secured, or strictly enforced. This word can be applied to security measures, rules, or even warnings. For example: strict security measures were taken「厳重な警備が取られた」(げんじゅうなけいびがとられた). The teacher gave a strict warning「先生は厳重に注意した」(せんせいはげんじゅうにちゅういした). It can also imply a sense of seriousness or gravity in a situation, such as in '厳重な処置 (げんじゅうなしょち) (strict measures)'.

Radical

厂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

920

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Decrease

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)咸Same

Example Word

削減: reduction. The Japanese verbal noun '削減 (さくげん)' means 'reduction'. It refers to the act of decreasing or cutting down something, such as costs, expenses, or quantities. This term is often used in formal or business contexts. For example: The company plans to reduce costs「会社はコスト削減を計画している」(かいしゃはコストさくげんをけいかくしている). The government aims to reduce carbon emissions「政府は炭素排出量の削減を目指している」(せいふはたんそはいしゅつりょうのさくげんをめざしている). Note that '削減' is typically used with nouns to indicate what is being reduced, as in 'コスト削減 (cost reduction)' or '人員削減 (staff reduction)'.

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