Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Both

Reading

Parts

一One 冂Enclosure 山Mountain

Example Word

両方: both. The Japanese noun '両方 (りょうほう)' means 'both'. It is used to refer to two items, options, or sides collectively. This word is often used when emphasizing that two things are included or considered together. For example: I like both「両方が好きです」(りょうほうがすきです). Both options are good「両方の選択肢が良いです」(りょうほうのせんたくしがいいです). It is important to note that '両方' is typically used in contexts where two distinct items or groups are being discussed, and it is not interchangeable with words like '全部 (ぜんぶ)' which means 'all' or 'everything'.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

306

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Good

Reading

Parts

丶Dot 艮Stopping

Example Word

良い: good. The Japanese adjective '良い (よい)' means 'good'. It is a versatile word used to describe something that is of high quality, favorable, or desirable. It can be applied to a wide range of contexts, from describing objects and situations to expressing approval or satisfaction. For example: This is a good book「これは良い本です」(これはよいほんです). The weather is good today「今日は天気が良い」(きょうはてんきがよい). Additionally, '良い' can sometimes be used to express permission, as in 'It's good to go'「行っても良い」(いってもよい). Note that '良い' is often pronounced as 'いい' in casual speech, though the meaning remains the same.

Radical

艮

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

334

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Materials, Fee

Reading

Parts

米Rice 斗Ladle, Dipper

Example Word

調味料: seasoning. The Japanese noun '調味料 (ちょうみりょう)' refers to 'seasoning' or 'condiments' used in cooking to enhance the flavor of food. It encompasses a wide range of items, including salt, pepper, soy sauce, vinegar, and more. For example: I bought some seasoning at the store「店で調味料を買いました」(みせでちょうみりょうをかいました). This dish needs more seasoning「この料理はもっと調味料が必要です」(このりょうりはもっとちょうみりょうがひつようです). The term is commonly used in culinary contexts and is essential for discussing cooking and food preparation.

Radical

斗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

510

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Territory

Reading

Parts

令Orders 頁Page

Example Word

領: territory. The Japanese suffix '領 (りょう)' refers to a territory or domain. It is often used in compound words to denote areas under control or jurisdiction, such as a country's territory or a feudal lord's domain. For example: the territory of Japan「日本の領土」(にほんのりょうど). The lord's domain「領主の領地」(りょうしゅのりょうち). This suffix is commonly seen in historical or political contexts, emphasizing control or ownership over a specific area.

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

完了: completion. The Japanese verbal noun '完了 (かんりょう)' means 'completion'. It refers to the act of finishing or completing something, often used in contexts where a task, process, or action has been fully carried out. For example: The project is complete「プロジェクトが完了した」(ぷろじぇくとがかんりょうした). The download is complete「ダウンロードが完了しました」(だうんろーどがかんりょうしました). This word is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to indicate that something has reached its conclusion.

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

官僚: bureaucrat. The Japanese noun '官僚 (かんりょう)' refers to a bureaucrat or government official. It specifically denotes individuals who work in administrative roles within government organizations, often associated with formal procedures and regulations. This term can carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation, depending on the context, as it may imply rigidity or excessive adherence to rules. Example sentences: The bureaucrat made a decision「官僚が決定を下した」(かんりょうがけっていをくだした). Bureaucrats are often criticized for being inflexible「官僚はしばしば柔軟性がないと批判される」(かんりょうはしばしばじゅうなんせいがないとひはんされる).

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