Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Center

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 丨Stick

Example Word

真ん中: middle. The Japanese noun '真ん中 (まんなか)' means 'middle'. It refers to the central part or point of something, whether it's a physical space, an object, or even a concept. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe the center of an area or the midpoint of a situation. For example: the cat is in the middle of the room「猫は部屋の真ん中にいる」(ねこはへやのまんなかにいる). The answer is in the middle of the book「答えは本の真ん中にある」(こたえはほんのまんなかにある). It can also be used metaphorically, such as in 'the middle of a discussion'「議論の真ん中」(ぎろんのまんなか).

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

仲間: companion. The Japanese noun '仲間 (なかま)' refers to a companion, friend, or someone who shares a common purpose or activity. It emphasizes a sense of camaraderie or belonging to a group. This word is often used to describe peers, colleagues, or members of the same team or community. For example: He is my companion「彼は私の仲間です」(かれはわたしのなかまです). We are companions in this project「私たちはこのプロジェクトの仲間です」(わたしたちはこのプロジェクトのなかまです). The term can also imply a shared bond or mutual support, such as in sports teams or work environments.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

621

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Daytime, Noon

Reading

Parts

尺Foot 旦Dawn

Example Word

昼間: daytime. The Japanese noun '昼間 (ひるま)' refers to the period of the day when the sun is up, typically from sunrise to sunset. It is used to describe activities or events that occur during daylight hours. For example: I work during the daytime「私は昼間に働きます」(わたしはひるまにはたらきます). It's quiet during the daytime「昼間は静かです」(ひるまはしずかです). This word is often used in contrast to '夜 (よる)' which means 'night'. It's important to note that '昼間' specifically refers to the time of day and not the concept of 'day' as in a 24-hour period, which would be '一日 (いちにち)'.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

823

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Loyalty

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

837

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Insect

Reading

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

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

抽象的: abstract. The Japanese adjective '抽象的 (ちゅうしょうてき)' means 'abstract'. It is used to describe concepts, ideas, or art that are not concrete or tangible, often requiring interpretation or imagination. For example: His explanation was too abstract「彼の説明は抽象的すぎた」(かれのせつめいはちゅうしょうてきすぎた). Modern art is often abstract「現代美術は抽象的であることが多い」(げんだいびじゅつはちゅうしょうてきであることがおおい). This word is commonly used in discussions about philosophy, art, or complex ideas.

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: 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

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