Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Center

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 丨Stick

Example Word

中間: middle or interim. The Japanese noun '中間 (ちゅうかん)' primarily means 'middle' or 'interim'. It refers to the midpoint or intermediate stage of something, such as time, space, or a process. For example: the middle of the year「年の中間」(としのちゅうかん). It can also describe an interim report or status, such as: the interim results of the experiment「実験の中間結果」(じっけんのちゅうかんけっか). This word is often used in academic, business, or technical contexts to indicate a stage between the beginning and the end.

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

仲直り: reconciliation. The Japanese verbal noun '仲直り (なかなおり)' refers to the act of reconciling or making up after a disagreement or quarrel. It is commonly used to describe the restoration of friendly relations between people, such as friends, family members, or colleagues. For example: They made up after the fight「彼らは喧嘩の後で仲直りした」(かれらはけんかのあとでなかなおりした). Let's make up and be friends again「仲直りしてまた友達になろう」(なかなおりしてまたともだちになろう). This term emphasizes the resolution of conflict and the return to harmony.

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: 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