Page 1
kanji
想Meaning
Concept
Reading
kunyomiおもomo
onyomiそうsou
Parts
心Heart 相Mutual
Example Word
予想: expectation or prediction. The Japanese verbal noun '予想 (よそう)' can mean either 'prediction' or 'expectation', depending on the context. It refers to an act of foreseeing or anticipating something that might happen in the future. For example: His prediction was correct「彼の予想は正しかった」(かれのよそうはただしかった). We had high expectations for the event「私たちはそのイベントに高い予想をしていた」(わたしたちはそのイベントにたかいよそうをしていた). It is often used in contexts involving forecasts, such as weather predictions or market trends. The nuance can shift slightly depending on whether the focus is on a calculated guess (prediction) or a hopeful anticipation (expectation).
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
酵素: enzyme. The Japanese noun '酵素 (こうそ)' refers to 'enzyme', which is a protein that acts as a catalyst in biochemical reactions. Enzymes are essential for various biological processes, such as digestion and metabolism. For example: enzymes help break down food「酵素は食べ物を分解するのを助けます」(こうそはたべものをぶんかいするのをたすけます). This product contains digestive enzymes「この製品には消化酵素が含まれています」(このせいひんにはしょうかこうそがふくまれています). The term is commonly used in scientific, medical, and everyday contexts related to health and biology.
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
組合: union. The Japanese noun '組合 (くみあい)' refers to a 'union', typically a labor union or trade union. It is used to describe an organized association of workers formed to protect and further their rights and interests. This term can also refer to other types of associations or cooperatives, such as a cooperative society or a guild. For example: He joined the labor union「彼は労働組合に入った」(かれはろうどうくみあいにはいった). The farmers' cooperative is strong「農民組合は強い」(のうみんくみあいはつよい). The word can also be used in a broader sense to refer to any kind of organized group or association, but it is most commonly associated with labor unions.
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
祖先: ancestor. The Japanese noun '祖先 (そせん)' refers to one's ancestors or forebears. It is commonly used to describe the lineage or family heritage of a person, group, or species. This word carries a respectful tone and is often used in historical, cultural, or genealogical contexts. For example: My ancestors came from Japan「私の祖先は日本から来ました」(わたしのそせんはにほんからきました). We should respect our ancestors「私たちは祖先を尊敬すべきです」(わたしたちはそせんをそんけいすべきです). The word can also be used in a broader sense to refer to the ancestors of humanity or other species, such as in scientific discussions about evolution.
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
訴訟: lawsuit. The Japanese noun '訴訟 (そしょう)' refers to a 'lawsuit' or 'legal action'. It is used in the context of legal disputes where one party takes another to court to resolve a conflict. This term is commonly used in legal, business, and personal contexts. For example: He filed a lawsuit「彼は訴訟を起こした」(かれはそしょうをおこした). The company is involved in a lawsuit「その会社は訴訟に関わっている」(そのかいしゃはそしょうにかかわっている). The word can also appear in compound terms like '民事訴訟 (みんじそしょう)' (civil lawsuit) or '刑事訴訟 (けいじそしょう)' (criminal lawsuit).
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