Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Center

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 丨Stick

Example Word

中身: contents. The Japanese noun '中身 (なかみ)' refers to the contents or substance inside something. It can be used for physical objects, such as the contents of a box or bag, as well as abstract concepts, like the content of a discussion or the essence of a matter. For example: the contents of the box are fragile「箱の中身は壊れやすい」(はこのなかみはこわれやすい). The content of the meeting was confidential「会議の中身は秘密だった」(かいぎのなかみはひみつだった). This word emphasizes what is inside or the core of something, whether tangible or intangible.

Radical

丨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

11

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pour

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)主Master

Example Word

注意深い: careful. The Japanese adjective '注意深い (ちゅういぶかい)' means 'careful'. It describes someone who is attentive, cautious, or meticulous in their actions or observations. This word is often used to praise someone's thoroughness or attention to detail. For example: She is a careful observer「彼女は注意深い観察者だ」(かのじょはちゅういぶかいかんさつしゃだ). He listened carefully to the instructions「彼は注意深く指示を聞いた」(かれはちゅういぶかくしじをきいた). The nuance of '注意深い' emphasizes a deliberate and thoughtful approach, often implying a high level of awareness or consideration.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

502

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Relationship

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)中Center

Example Word

仲: relationship. The Japanese noun '仲 (なか)' refers to the relationship or bond between people. It is often used to describe the quality of a relationship, whether it is good, bad, or neutral. For example: They have a good relationship「彼らは仲がいい」(かれらはなかがいい). Their relationship has improved「彼らの仲は良くなった」(かれらのなかはよくなった). This word is commonly used in contexts involving friendships, family, or colleagues, and it emphasizes the interpersonal connection rather than the individuals themselves.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

621

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Daytime, Noon

Reading

Parts

尺Foot 旦Dawn

Example Word

昼休み: lunch break. The Japanese noun '昼休み (ひるやすみ)' refers to a 'lunch break' or 'midday break'. It is commonly used to describe the break time during the day, typically around noon, when people take a pause from work or school to eat lunch and rest. This term is widely used in both professional and educational settings. For example: I will go to the park during lunch break「昼休みに公園に行きます」(ひるやすみにこうえんにいきます). Let's meet at the cafeteria during the lunch break「昼休みにカフェテリアで会いましょう」(ひるやすみにカフェテリアであいましょう).

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

823

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Loyalty

Reading

Parts

心Heart 中Center

Example Word

忠告: advice. The Japanese verbal noun '忠告 (ちゅうこく)' means 'advice'. It refers to counsel or recommendations given to someone, often with the intention of helping them avoid mistakes or improve their situation. This word carries a formal tone and is typically used in serious or important contexts. For example: I gave him advice「彼に忠告をした」(かれにちゅうこくをした). She ignored my advice「彼女は私の忠告を無視した」(かのじょはわたしのちゅうこくをむしした). It is important to note that '忠告' often implies a sense of sincerity or earnestness in the advice being given.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

837

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Insect

Reading

Parts

一One 中Center 丶Dot

Example Word

虫歯: cavity. The Japanese noun '虫歯 (むしば)' refers to a dental cavity or tooth decay. It is commonly used in medical or everyday contexts to describe a condition where a tooth has been damaged by decay. For example: I have a cavity「虫歯があります」(むしばがあります). You should go to the dentist for your cavity「虫歯を治すために歯医者に行くべきです」(むしばをなおすためにはいしゃにいくべきです). The term is often associated with poor dental hygiene or excessive sugar consumption.

Radical

虫

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

869

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pillar

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1087

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Midair

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1347

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Open sea

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1532

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pluck, Extract

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1543

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Arm, Elbow

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1961

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Parking, Stationed

Reading

Parts

馬Horse 主Master

Example Word

駐車場: parking lot. The Japanese noun '駐車場 (ちゅうしゃじょう)' means 'parking lot'. It refers to a designated area where vehicles can be parked. This word is commonly used in everyday situations, such as when looking for a place to park a car. For example: The parking lot is full「駐車場がいっぱいです」(ちゅうしゃじょうがいっぱいです). Where is the parking lot?「駐車場はどこですか？」(ちゅうしゃじょうはどこですか？). The word is often seen on signs and maps, indicating the location of parking facilities.

Radical

馬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1970

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cast, Casting

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)寿Longevity, Congratulations

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2009

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Inmost, Inner heart

Reading

Parts

亠Lid 中Center

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2049

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sake

Reading

Parts

酉Bird of the zodiac 寸Measurement

Radical

酉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2083

Handwriting