Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading
ちゅう chuu
kanji
中Meaning
Center
Reading
naka
onyomiちゅうchuu
Parts
口Mouth 丨Stick
Example Word
お中元: mid year gift. The Japanese noun 'お中元 (おちゅうげん)' refers to a traditional custom of giving gifts during the midyear, typically around July, to express gratitude or maintain social relationships. This practice is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is often directed towards superiors, colleagues, or acquaintances. The gifts are usually items like food, drinks, or household goods. For example: I received a midyear gift from my boss「上司からお中元をもらいました」(じょうしからおちゅうげんをもらいました). We sent a midyear gift to our relatives「親戚にお中元を送りました」(しんせきにおちゅうげんをおくりました). The term 'お中元' is often associated with the summer season and is part of a broader cultural practice that includes 'お歳暮 (おせいぼ)', which is a year-end gift-giving tradition.
Radical
丨
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
11
Handwriting
kanji
注Meaning
Pour
Reading
soso
onyomiちゅうchuu
Parts
氵Water (水)主Master
Example Word
注射: injection. The Japanese verbal noun '注射 (ちゅうしゃ)' means 'injection'. It refers to the act of injecting a substance, such as a vaccine or medicine, into the body using a syringe. This term is commonly used in medical contexts. For example: I received a flu shot「私はインフルエンザの注射を打った」(わたしはインフルエンザのちゅうしゃをうった). The doctor gave me an injection「医者が私に注射をした」(いしゃがわたしにちゅうしゃをした). It can also be used metaphorically to describe something being introduced forcefully, though this usage is less common.
Radical
水
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
502
Handwriting
kanji
仲Meaning
Relationship
Reading
naka
onyomiちゅうchuu
Parts
亻Person (人)中Center
Example Word
仲人: matchmaker. The Japanese noun '仲人 (なこうど)' refers to a 'matchmaker', someone who facilitates marriages or romantic relationships. This term is often used in traditional contexts, where a third party helps arrange marriages between families. For example: The matchmaker introduced them「仲人が彼らを紹介した」(なこうどがかれらをしょうかいした). The role of a matchmaker is important in Japanese culture「仲人の役割は日本文化で重要です」(なこうどのやくわりはにほんぶんかでじゅうようで す). This word is typically used in formal or traditional settings and carries a sense of responsibility and trust.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
621
Handwriting
kanji
昼Meaning
Daytime, Noon
Reading
hiru
onyomiちゅうchuu
Parts
尺Foot 旦Dawn
Example Word
昼: daytime. The Japanese noun '昼 (ひる)' refers to the period of the day when the sun is up, typically from morning until evening. It is often used to describe the time around noon or the afternoon. For example: I will go shopping during the daytime「昼に買い物に行きます」(ひるにかいものにいきます). Let's have lunch at noon「昼に昼ごはんを食べましょう」(ひるにひるごはんをたべましょう). The word can also be used in compound words, such as '昼休み (ひるやすみ)' which means 'lunch break' or 'midday break'.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
823
Handwriting
kanji
忠Meaning
Loyalty
Reading
chuu
Parts
心Heart 中Center
Example Word
忠実: accurate or faithful. The Japanese adjectival noun '忠実 (ちゅうじつ)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'faithful', which refers to being loyal, devoted, or true to someone or something. For example: He is faithful to his duties「彼は職務に忠実だ」(かれはしょくむにちゅうじつだ). The second meaning is 'accurate', which refers to being precise or true to the original. For example: This translation is accurate「この翻訳は忠実だ」(このほんやくはちゅうじつだ). The word is often used in contexts involving loyalty, precision, or adherence to principles or details.
Radical
心
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
837
Handwriting
kanji
虫Meaning
Insect
Reading
mushi
onyomiちゅうchuu
Parts
一One 中Center 丶Dot
Example Word
虫: insect. The Japanese noun '虫 (むし)' primarily means 'insect'. It refers to small creatures like bugs, beetles, or worms. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a gut feeling or intuition, as in '虫の知らせ (むしのしらせ)' (a premonition). Example sentences: There is an insect on the leaf「葉っぱに虫がいる」(はっぱにむしがいる). I have a bad feeling about this「虫の知らせで嫌な予感がする」(むしのしらせでいやなよかんがする). Note that '虫' is often used in compound words, such as '蝶々 (ちょうちょう)' (butterfly) or '蜂 (はち)' (bee).
Radical
虫
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N2Grade
1Frequency
869
Handwriting
kanji
柱Meaning
Pillar
Reading
hashira
onyomiちゅうchuu
Parts
木Tree, Wood 主Master
Example Word
柱: pillar or support. The Japanese noun '柱 (はしら)' primarily means 'pillar', referring to a vertical structural element that supports a building or structure. It can also metaphorically mean 'support', as in a person or thing that provides essential backing or stability. For example: The temple's pillars are strong「その寺の柱は強い」(そのてらのはしらはつよい). He is the pillar of our team「彼は私たちのチームの柱だ」(かれはわたしたちのチームのはしらだ). The word can be used both literally and figuratively, depending on the context.
Radical
木
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
1087
Handwriting
kanji
宙Meaning
Midair
Reading
chuu
Parts
宀Roof 由Reason
Example Word
宇宙: universe. The Japanese noun '宇宙 (うちゅう)' means 'universe'. It refers to the entirety of space, including all matter, energy, planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. This word is often used in scientific, philosophical, and everyday contexts to describe the vast expanse of the cosmos. For example: the universe is infinite「宇 宙は無限だ」(うちゅうはむげんだ). I want to explore the universe「宇宙を探検したい」(うちゅうをたんけんしたい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something vast or boundless, such as 'a universe of possibilities'.
Radical
宀
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
1347
Handwriting
kanji
沖Meaning
Open sea
Reading
oki
onyomiちゅうchuu
Parts
氵Water (水)中Center
Example Word
沖: offing. The Japanese noun '沖 (おき)' refers to the 'offing', which is the part of the sea that is visible from the shore but is distant from it. It is often used to describe the open sea or the area of water far from the coast. This term is commonly used in contexts related to fishing, sailing, or describing the sea. For example: The boat is heading towards the offing「船は沖に向かっている」(ふねはおきにむかっている). The offing is calm today「今日の沖は穏やかだ」(きょうのおきはおだやかだ). It is important to note that '沖' is specifically used to describe the sea and not inland bodies of water.
Radical
水
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1532
Handwriting
kanji
抽Meaning
Pluck, Extract
Reading
chuu
Parts
扌Hand (手)由Reason
Example Word
抽象: abstraction. The Japanese noun '抽象 (ちゅうしょう)' refers to the concept of 'abstraction'. It is used to describe something that is not concrete or tangible, often referring to ideas, concepts, or art that do not represent physical objects directly. For example: This painting is an abstraction「この絵は抽象です」(このえはちゅうしょうです). The concept of love is an abstraction「愛の概念は抽象です」(あいのがいねんはちゅうしょうです). In art, '抽象' often refers to abstract art, which does not attempt to represent external reality but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures.
Radical
手
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1543
Handwriting
kanji
肘Meaning
Arm, Elbow
Reading
hiji
onyomiちゅうchuu
Parts
月Moon, Month 寸Measurement
Example Word
肘: elbow. The Japanese noun '肘 (ひじ)' refers to the 'elbow', the joint connecting the upper and lower parts of the arm. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and medical contexts. For example: my elbow hurts「私の肘が痛い」(わたしのひじがいたい). He leaned on his elbow「彼は肘をついた」(かれはひじをついた). The word can also appear in idiomatic expressions or proverbs, such as '肘を張る (ひじをはる)', which means to act stubbornly or assertively.
Radical
肉
Stroke Count
7JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1961
Handwriting
kanji
駐Meaning
Parking, Stationed
Reading
chuu
Parts
馬Horse 主Master
Example Word
駐車: parking. The Japanese verbal noun '駐車 (ちゅうしゃ)' means 'parking'. It refers to the act of parking a vehicle, such as a car, in a designated area. This term is commonly used in contexts related to traffic regulations, parking lots, and vehicle management. For example: Parking is prohibited here「ここは駐車禁止です」(ここはちゅうしゃきんしです). I am looking for a parking space「駐車場を探しています」(ちゅうしゃじょうをさがしています). Note that '駐車' is often combined with other words to form compound terms, such as '駐車場 (ちゅうしゃじょう)' (parking lot) or '駐車禁止 (ちゅうしゃきんし)' (no parking).
Radical
馬
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N2Grade
8Frequency
1970
Handwriting
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