Page 1
kanji
想Meaning
Concept
Reading
kunyomiおもomo
onyomiそうsou
Parts
心Heart 相Mutual
Example Word
構想: plan or conception. The Japanese verbal noun '構想 (こうそう)' refers to the act of conceiving or planning something, often in a creative or strategic context. It can describe the process of forming an idea or the blueprint for a project, story, or system. For example: The conception of this novel took years「この小説の構想には何年もかかりました」(このしょうせつのこうそうにはなんねんもかかりました). The plan for the new city was impressive「新しい都市の構想は印象的でした」(あたらしいとしのこうそうはいんしょうてきでした). This word is often used in contexts involving innovation, design, or strategy.
Radical
心
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
206
Handwriting
kanji
素Meaning
Element
Reading
onyomiすsu
そso
Parts
糸Thread 龶Life (生)
Example Word
酸素: oxygen. The Japanese noun '酸素 (さんそ)' means 'oxygen'. It refers to the chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8, which is essential for life and combustion. This word is commonly used in scientific, medical, and everyday contexts. For example: Oxygen is necessary for life「酸素は生命に必要です」(さんそはせいめいにひつようです). Plants produce oxygen「植物は酸素を生産します」(しょくぶつはさんそをせいさんします). The word is also used in compounds like '酸素マスク (さんそマスク)' (oxygen mask) or '酸素ボンベ (さんそボンベ)' (oxygen tank).
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
413
Handwriting
kanji
組Meaning
Association, Group
Reading
kunyomiくku
くみkumi
onyomiそso
Parts
糸Thread 且Moreover, Also
Example Word
取り組み: initiative or effort. The Japanese noun '取り組み (とりくみ)' refers to efforts or initiatives taken to address a specific task, problem, or goal. It often implies a proactive and organized approach to tackling challenges. For example: The company's efforts to reduce waste are impressive「会社の廃棄物削減への取り組みは素晴らしい」(かいしゃのはいきぶつ さくげんへのとりくみはすばらしい). The government's initiative to improve education is ongoing「政府の教育改善への取り組みは進行中です」(せいふのきょういくかいぜんへのとりくみはしんこうちゅうです). This word is commonly used in professional, organizational, or societal contexts to describe structured actions or projects.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
489
Handwriting
kanji
祖Meaning
Ancestor
Reading
onyomiそso
Parts
礻Cult (示)且Moreover, Also
Example Word
祖母: grandmother. The Japanese noun '祖母 (そぼ)' refers to one's grandmother, specifically the mother of one's father or mother. It is a formal and respectful term used to refer to one's grandmother in various contexts. For example: My grandmother is kind「私の祖母は優しい」(わたしのそぼはやさしい). I visited my grandmother「祖母を訪ねた」(そぼをたずねた). The term is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese, and it carries a sense of respect and affection. It is important to note that '祖母' is used specifically for one's own grandmother, and not for someone else's grandmother, for which the term 'おばあさん' might be more appropriate.
Radical
示
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
737
Handwriting
kanji
訴Meaning
Sue, Appeal
Reading
kunyomiうったutta
onyomiそso
Parts
訁Say (言)斥Expel, Reject
Example Word
訴える: sue or appeal. The Japanese verb '訴える (うったえる)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'to sue', which refers to taking legal action against someone in court. For example: he sued the company for damages「彼は損害賠償を求めて会社を訴えた」(かれはそんがいばいしょうをもとめてかいしゃをうったえた). The second meaning is 'to appeal', which refers to making a strong emotional or logical request or plea. For example: she appealed to the audience for support「彼女は観客に支援を訴えた」(かのじょはかんきゃくにしえんをうったえた). The verb can also be used in contexts where someone is expressing a strong feeling or complaint, such as pain or dissatisfaction. For example: he complained of severe pain「彼は激しい痛みを訴えた」(かれははげしいいたみをうったえた).
Radical
言
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1240
Handwriting
kanji
粗Meaning
Coarse, Rough
Reading
kunyomiあらara
onyomiそso
Parts
米Rice 且Moreover, Also
Example Word
粗筋: outline. The Japanese noun '粗筋 (あらすじ)' refers to a summary or outline of a story, plot, or event. It is commonly used to describe the main points or general structure of a narrative, such as a book, movie, or play. For example: I read the outline of the novel「小説の粗筋を読んだ」(しょうせつのあらすじをよんだ). The outline of the movie was interesting「映画の粗筋は面白かった」(えいがのあらすじはおもしろかった). This word is often used in contexts where a brief overview or synopsis is needed, such as in reviews, summaries, or introductions to stories.
Radical
米
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1432
Handwriting
kanji
且Meaning
Moreover, Also
Reading
kunyomiかka
onyomiしょうshou
しょsho
そso
Example Word
且つ: and. The Japanese conjunction '且つ (かつ)' is used to connect two statements or ideas, similar to the English 'and'. However, it is more formal and often used in written language or formal speech. It emphasizes that both connected elements are true or applicable. For example: He is intelligent and diligent「彼は賢く且つ勤勉だ」(かれはかしこくかつきんべんだ). This method is effective and safe「この方法は効果的且つ安全だ」(このほうほうはこうかてきかつあんぜんだ). Note that '且つ' is less common in casual conversation, where 'そして' or 'そして' might be used instead.
Radical
一
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1576
Handwriting
kanji
礎Meaning
Foundation stone, Foundation
Reading
kunyomiいしずえishizue
onyomiそso
Parts
石Stone 楚
Example Word
基礎: foundation. The Japanese noun '基礎 (きそ)' means 'foundation'. It refers to the base or underlying support of something, whether physical, conceptual, or abstract. This word is often used in contexts like education, construction, or skills development. For example: The foundation of this building is strong「この建物の基礎は強い」(このたてもののきそはつよい). Learning the basics is important「基礎を学ぶことは大切です」(きそをまなぶことはたいせつです). It can also refer to the fundamental principles or groundwork of a subject, as in '基礎知識 (きそちしき) (basic knowledge)'.
Radical
石
Stroke Count
18JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1642
Handwriting
kanji
狙Meaning
Aim
Reading
kunyomiねらnera
onyomiそso
Parts
犭 且Moreover, Also
Example Word
狙う: target or aim. The Japanese verb '狙う (ねらう)' primarily means 'to aim' or 'to target'. It is used when focusing on a specific goal, object, or outcome. This verb can be applied in both literal and figurative contexts. For example, in sports, it can mean aiming for a target: He aimed for the goal「彼はゴールを狙った」(かれはゴールをねらった). In a strategic context, it can mean targeting an opportunity: The company is targeting the overseas market「その会社は海外市場を狙っている」(そのかいしゃはかいがいしじょうをねらっている). Note that '狙う' often implies a deliberate and focused effort toward achieving something.
Radical
犬
Stroke Count
8JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1661
Handwriting
kanji
措Meaning
Dispose, Set aside
Reading
onyomiそso
Parts
扌Hand (手)昔Old times
Example Word
措置: measure. The Japanese verbal noun '措置 (そち)' refers to a 'measure' or 'step' taken to address a situation or problem. It is often used in formal or official contexts to describe actions or policies implemented to resolve issues. For example: The government took measures to prevent the spread of the disease「政府は病気の拡散を防ぐための措置を取った」(せいふはびょうきのかくさんをふせぐためのそちをとった). The company implemented safety measures「会社は安全措置を実施した」(かいしゃはあんぜんそちをじっしした). This term is commonly used in discussions about policies, regulations, or administrative actions.
Radical
手
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1881
Handwriting
kanji
遡Meaning
Retrace the past, Go upstream
Reading
kunyomiさかのぼsakanobo
onyomiさくsaku
そso
Parts
辶Walk 朔
Example Word
遡る: go back or trace back. The Japanese verb '遡る (さかのぼる)' primarily means 'to go back' or 'to trace back' in time or to a point of origin. It is often used to describe retracing steps, revisiting past events, or exploring the origins of something. For example: Let's trace back the history of this tradition「この伝統の歴史を遡りましょう」(このでんとうのれきしをさかのぼりましょう). The river flows back to its source「その川は源まで遡る」(そのかわはみなもとまでさかのぼる). This verb can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, making it versatile in describing time, history, or even physical paths.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
13JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
2060
Handwriting