kanji

Meaning

Both

Reading

Parts

一One 冂Enclosure 山Mountain

Example Word

車両: vehicle. The Japanese noun '車両 (しゃりょう)' refers to a 'vehicle'. This term is commonly used in contexts related to transportation, such as trains, cars, or any type of rolling stock. It is a formal term and is often used in technical or official settings. For example: The train has ten vehicles「その列車は車両が十両ある」(そのれっしゃはしゃりょうがじゅうりょうある). The damaged vehicle was removed from the track「損傷した車両が線路から撤去された」(そんしょうしたしゃりょうがせんろからてっきょされた). This word is also used in compound terms like '車両基地 (しゃりょうきち)' (vehicle depot) or '車両限界 (しゃりょうげんかい)' (vehicle clearance).

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

306

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Good

Reading

Parts

丶Dot 艮Stopping

Example Word

改良: improvement. The Japanese verbal noun '改良 (かいりょう)' means 'improvement'. It refers to the act of making something better or enhancing its quality, often through modifications or refinements. This term is commonly used in contexts such as technology, agriculture, or processes. For example: The improvement of the software was successful「ソフトウェアの改良は成功した」(ソフトウェアのかいりょうはせいこうした). We are working on the improvement of the product「製品の改良に取り組んでいます」(せいひんのかいりょうにとりくんでいます). Note that '改良' often implies a systematic or intentional effort to enhance something.

Radical

艮

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

334

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Materials, Fee

Reading

Parts

米Rice 斗Ladle, Dipper

Example Word

無料: free. The Japanese noun '無料 (むりょう)' means 'free' in the sense of something being provided without charge. It is commonly used in contexts such as free services, free admission, or free items. For example: The museum is free today「今日は美術館が無料です」(きょうはびじゅつかんがむりょうです). This app is free to download「このアプリは無料でダウンロードできます」(このアプリはむりょうでダウンロードできます). Note that '無料' specifically refers to the absence of cost and should not be confused with '自由 (じゆう)', which means 'freedom'.

Radical

斗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

510

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Territory

Reading

Parts

令Orders 頁Page

Example Word

領収書: receipt. The Japanese noun '領収書 (りょうしゅうしょ)' refers to a 'receipt', which is a document acknowledging that a payment has been made. This term is commonly used in business transactions, shopping, or any situation where proof of payment is required. For example: Please give me a receipt「領収書をください」(りょうしゅうしょをください). I lost the receipt「領収書をなくしました」(りょうしゅうしょをなくしました). In Japan, it is customary to request a '領収書' after making a payment, especially in formal or business settings. The word is often associated with financial accountability and is essential for record-keeping or reimbursement purposes.

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

重量: weight. The Japanese noun '重量 (じゅうりょう)' refers to the physical weight of an object. It is commonly used in contexts where the mass or heaviness of something is being discussed, such as in shipping, engineering, or everyday situations. For example: The weight of this package is 5 kilograms「この荷物の重量は5キロです」(このにもつのじゅうりょうはごキロです). The maximum weight allowed is 20 kilograms「最大重量は20キロです」(さいだいじゅうりょうはにじゅうキロです). This word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

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

療法: therapy. The Japanese noun '療法 (りょうほう)' means 'therapy'. It refers to a method or treatment used to heal or alleviate a medical condition, illness, or disorder. This word is often used in medical or therapeutic contexts and can be combined with other words to specify the type of therapy, such as '物理療法 (ぶつりりょうほう)' (physical therapy) or '心理療法 (しんりりょうほう)' (psychological therapy). Example sentences: She is undergoing therapy for her back pain「彼女は腰痛の療法を受けている」(かのじょはようつうのりょうほうをうけている). This therapy is very effective「この療法はとても効果的です」(このりょうほうはとてもこうかてきです).

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