Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Both

Reading

Parts

一One 冂Enclosure 山Mountain

Example Word

両: both. The Japanese suffix '両 (りょう)' means 'both' and is used to refer to two items or groups collectively. It is often attached to nouns to indicate that both of the items or groups mentioned are included. For example: both parents「両親」(りょうしん). both countries「両国」(りょうこく). This suffix is commonly used in formal or written contexts and can also be found in compound words. It is important to note that '両' is typically used when referring to two distinct but related entities, emphasizing their combined consideration.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

306

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Good

Reading

Parts

丶Dot 艮Stopping

Example Word

仲良く: friendly. The Japanese adverb '仲良く (なかよく)' means 'friendly' or 'on good terms'. It is used to describe a harmonious or amicable relationship between people. This word often implies mutual understanding and cooperation. For example: Let's get along well「仲良くしましょう」(なかよくしましょう). They are living together in harmony「彼らは仲良く暮らしています」(かれらはなかよくくらしています). It can also be used to describe how people interact, such as playing together nicely or working together without conflict.

Radical

艮

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

334

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Materials, Fee

Reading

Parts

米Rice 斗Ladle, Dipper

Example Word

料理: cooking or cuisine. The Japanese verbal noun '料理 (りょうり)' primarily means 'cooking' or 'cuisine'. It refers to the act of preparing food or the style of food preparation. This word is commonly used in contexts related to food, such as discussing cooking techniques, types of cuisine, or the process of making a meal. For example: I enjoy cooking「料理が好きです」(りょうりがすきです). Japanese cuisine is delicious「日本料理は美味しい」(にほんりょうりはおいしい). The word can also be used to describe a specific dish or meal, as in 'tonight's dinner'「今夜の料理」(こんやのりょうり).

Radical

斗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

510

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Territory

Reading

Parts

令Orders 頁Page

Example Word

領事館: consulate. The Japanese noun '領事館 (りょうじかん)' refers to a 'consulate', which is an office or building where a consul works. A consul is a government official who represents their country in a foreign city, helping citizens of their own country who are traveling or living there. The consulate provides services such as issuing visas, assisting with legal matters, and offering support in emergencies. Example sentences: I went to the consulate to renew my passport「領事館にパスポートの更新に行きました」(りょうじかんにぱすぽーとのこうしんにいきました). The consulate is located in the city center「領事館は市の中心にあります」(りょうじかんはしのちゅうしんにあります).

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

797

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spirits

Reading

Parts

⻗ 一One 亚

Example Word

霊: spirit. The Japanese noun '霊 (れい)' refers to a 'spirit' or 'soul', often in a supernatural or religious context. It can denote the spirit of a deceased person, a ghost, or a spiritual entity. This word is commonly used in discussions about the afterlife, folklore, or spiritual practices. For example: the spirit of the deceased「亡くなった人の霊」(なくなったひとのれい). She believes in spirits「彼女は霊を信じている」(かのじょはれいをしんじている). It can also appear in compound words like '霊感 (れいかん)' (spiritual intuition) or '霊界 (れいかい)' (spirit world). Note that '霊' carries a nuanced, often mystical connotation and is distinct from more casual terms like '幽霊 (ゆうれい)' (ghost).

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

808

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Measure, Quantity

Reading

Parts

旦Dawn 里Hometown

Example Word

小量: small amount. The Japanese noun '小量 (しょうりょう)' means 'small amount'. It is used to describe a quantity that is not large, often in contexts like measurements, quantities of substances, or abstract concepts. For example: a small amount of sugar「小量の砂糖」(しょうりょうのさとう). He only drank a small amount of water「彼は小量の水しか飲まなかった」(かれはしょうりょうのみずしかのまなかった). This word is commonly used in both everyday and technical contexts, such as cooking, science, or medicine, to indicate minimal quantities.

Radical

里

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

842

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Finish, Complete

Reading

Example Word

終了: end. The Japanese verbal noun '終了 (しゅうりょう)' means 'end' or 'completion'. It is used to indicate the conclusion or termination of an event, process, or activity. This word is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as the end of a program, meeting, or task. For example: The meeting has ended「会議が終了しました」(かいぎがしゅうりょうしました). The program will end at 5 PM「プログラムは午後5時に終了します」(プログラムはごご5じにしゅうりょうします). It can also be used in everyday situations, such as the end of a game or event. For example: The game is over「ゲームが終了しました」(ゲームがしゅうりょうしました).

Radical

亅

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

902

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fishing

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)魚Fish

Example Word

漁業: fishing. The Japanese noun '漁業 (ぎょぎょう)' refers to the industry or activity of catching fish and other seafood for commercial purposes. It encompasses both the act of fishing and the broader industry that includes processing and selling seafood. This term is often used in discussions about marine resources, sustainability, and the economy. For example: Fishing is an important industry in this town「この町では漁業が重要な産業です」(このまちではぎょぎょうがじゅうようなさんぎょうです). He works in the fishing industry「彼は漁業に従事しています」(かれはぎょぎょうにじゅうじしています). The term can also be used in compound words, such as '漁業権 (ぎょぎょうけん)' (fishing rights) or '漁業協同組合 (ぎょぎょうきょうどうくみあい)' (fishery cooperative).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1364

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cool

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)京Capital

Example Word

涼しい: cool. The Japanese adjective '涼しい (すずしい)' means 'cool', typically referring to a refreshing or pleasantly cool temperature, often associated with weather or a breeze. It conveys a sense of comfort and relief from heat. For example: The wind is cool today「今日は風が涼しい」(きょうはかぜがすずしい). This room feels cool「この部屋は涼しい」(このへやはすずしい). It can also describe a refreshing atmosphere or a calm, composed demeanor, as in '涼しい顔 (すずしいかお)' (a calm face).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1448

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cure, Heal

Reading

Parts

疒Sick 尞

Example Word

治療: treatment. The Japanese verbal noun '治療 (ちりょう)' means 'treatment' and is commonly used in medical or therapeutic contexts. It refers to the act of treating an illness, injury, or condition to improve or cure it. This word is often used in phrases like '治療を受ける (ちりょうをうける)' (to receive treatment) or '治療が必要 (ちりょうがひつよう)' (treatment is necessary). Example sentences: The doctor recommended treatment「医者は治療を勧めた」(いしゃはちりょうをすすめた). This disease requires immediate treatment「この病気はすぐに治療が必要だ」(このびょうきはすぐにちりょうがひつようだ).

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1517

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hunting

Reading

Parts

犭 鼡

Radical

犬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1672

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Clear

Reading

Parts

目Eye 尞

Example Word

明瞭: clear. The Japanese adjectival noun '明瞭 (めいりょう)' means 'clear' and is used to describe something that is easy to understand, distinct, or unambiguous. It is often used in contexts where clarity of speech, thought, or expression is emphasized. For example: His explanation was clear「彼の説明は明瞭だった」(かれのせつめいはめいりょうだった). The image on the screen is clear「画面の映像は明瞭だ」(がめんのえいぞうはめいりょうだ). This word is commonly used in formal or technical contexts to describe precision and clarity.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1722

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Colleague, Official

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)尞

Example Word

同僚: colleague. The Japanese noun '同僚 (どうりょう)' refers to a colleague or coworker, someone who works in the same organization or team. It is commonly used in professional settings to describe peers who share similar roles or responsibilities. For example: My colleague helped me with the project「同僚がプロジェクトを手伝ってくれた」(どうりょうがぷろじぇくとをてつだってくれた). I went out for drinks with my colleagues「同僚と飲みに行った」(どうりょうとのみにいった). The term emphasizes a sense of camaraderie and shared workplace context.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1730

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Provisions, Food

Reading

Parts

米Rice 量Measure, Quantity

Example Word

食糧: food. The Japanese noun '食糧 (しょくりょう)' refers to 'food' in the sense of provisions or sustenance, often used in contexts related to supply, storage, or distribution. It is commonly used in discussions about food security, emergency supplies, or large-scale food resources. For example: The country imports food「その国は食糧を輸入する」(そのくにはしょくりょうをゆにゅうする). We need to secure enough food for the winter「冬のための十分な食糧を確保する必要がある」(ふゆのためのじゅうぶんなしょくりょうをかくほするひつようがある). This term is more formal and is often used in official or serious contexts, distinguishing it from everyday terms like '食べ物 (たべもの)'.

Radical

米

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1765

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dormitory

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 尞

Example Word

寮: dormitory. The Japanese noun '寮 (りょう)' refers to a dormitory or a lodging facility, typically used by students, employees, or members of an organization. It is commonly associated with shared living spaces provided by schools, companies, or institutions. For example: I live in a dormitory「私は寮に住んでいます」(わたしはりょうにすんでいます). The company dormitory is nearby「会社の寮は近くです」(かいしゃのりょうはちかくです). This word is often used in contexts involving communal living arrangements.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1817

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mausoleum, Imperial mausoleum

Reading

Parts

⻖ 夌

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1874

Handwriting