Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Sideways

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 黄Yellow

Example Word

横切る: cross. The Japanese verb '横切る (よこぎる)' means 'to cross' or 'to go across'. It is used to describe the action of moving from one side of something to the other, such as crossing a street, a room, or a field. This verb often implies a horizontal or lateral movement. For example: The cat crossed the street「猫が道を横切った」(ねこがみちをよこぎった). A bird flew across the sky「鳥が空を横切った」(とりがそらをよこぎった). The verb can also be used metaphorically, such as when something interrupts or cuts across a situation or conversation.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

324

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

King

Reading

Parts

一One 土Soil

Example Word

王国: kingdom. The Japanese noun '王国 (おうこく)' means 'kingdom'. It refers to a country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen. This term is often used in historical, political, or fantasy contexts. For example: The kingdom prospered under the wise king「王国は賢い王のもとで繁栄した」(おうこくはかしこいおうのもとではんえいした). The fairy tale is set in a magical kingdom「その童話は魔法の王国を舞台にしている」(そのどうわはまほうのおうこくをぶたいにしている). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a domain or realm, such as 'the kingdom of science'「科学の王国」(かがくのおうこく).

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

363

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Core, Heart

Reading

Parts

米Rice 大Big

Example Word

奥: interior. The Japanese noun '奥 (おく)' refers to the 'interior' or 'inner part' of something, often implying depth or a hidden area. It is commonly used to describe the back or deeper parts of a space, such as a room, house, or even a forest. For example: the interior of the house「家の奥」(いえのおく). It can also be used metaphorically to describe something profound or not easily understood, such as the depths of one's heart. For example: the depths of her heart「彼女の心の奥」(かのじょのこころのおく). This word carries a nuance of something being concealed or not immediately visible.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

382

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Push, Press down

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)甲Armor, Shell

Example Word

押し付ける: impose. The Japanese verb '押し付ける (おしつける)' means 'to impose' or 'to force something onto someone'. It is often used when someone is making another person accept or deal with something they may not want, such as responsibilities, opinions, or tasks. This verb carries a nuance of pressure or coercion. For example: He imposed his opinion on me「彼は意見を私に押し付けた」(かれはけんをわたしにおしつけた). Don't force your work onto others「仕事を他人に押し付けないで」(しごとをたにんにおしつけないで). The verb can also imply a physical action of pressing or pushing something onto someone or something, though this usage is less common.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

431

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Journey, Go on

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 主Master

Example Word

往復: roundtrip. The Japanese noun '往復 (おうふく)' refers to a round trip, meaning going to a destination and returning. It is commonly used in contexts like transportation (e.g., train or plane tickets) or communication (e.g., letters or emails). For example: I bought a round-trip ticket「往復のチケットを買いました」(おうふくのチケットをかいました). The round-trip fare is 5,000 yen「往復料金は5000円です」(おうふくりょうきんはごせんえんです). This word can also metaphorically describe the back-and-forth nature of communication or exchanges.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

573

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Answer, Respond

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 心Heart

Example Word

応じる: respond. The Japanese verb '応じる (おうじる)' means 'to respond' or 'to comply'. It is used when someone reacts to a request, demand, or situation, often implying a sense of obligation or adaptation. For example: he responded to the request「彼は要請に応じた」(かれはようせいにおうじた). The company complied with the regulations「会社は規制に応じた」(かいしゃはきせいにおうじた). This verb can also imply adapting to circumstances, as in '応じる力 (おうじるちから) (ability to adapt)'. It is important to note that '応じる' often carries a formal tone and is commonly used in professional or serious contexts.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

606

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Yellow

Reading

Parts

由Reason 八Eight 一One 艹Grass

Example Word

黄色い: yellow. The Japanese adjective '黄色い (きいろい)' means 'yellow'. It is used to describe something that has the color yellow. This adjective can be applied to objects, natural phenomena, or even abstract concepts that are associated with the color yellow. For example: The flower is yellow「その花は黄色い」(そのはなはきいろい). She is wearing a yellow dress「彼女は黄色いドレスを着ている」(かのじょはきいろいドレスをきている). Note that '黄色い' is specifically used for describing the color yellow and is distinct from the noun form '黄色 (きいろ)', which simply means 'yellow' as a color.

Radical

黃

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

699

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Emperor

Reading

Parts

王King 白White

Example Word

皇子: prince. The Japanese noun '皇子 (おうじ)' refers to a 'prince', specifically the son of an emperor or a king. This term is used in the context of royalty and is often seen in historical or formal settings. It carries a sense of nobility and high status. For example: The prince is very kind「皇子はとても親切です」(おうじはとてもしんせつです). The prince visited the village「皇子は村を訪れました」(おうじはむらをおとずれました). It's important to note that '皇子' is a more formal term compared to '王子 (おうじ)', which can also mean 'prince' but is used more broadly for any prince, not necessarily the son of an emperor.

Radical

白

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

782

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cherry

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood ⺍Small 女Woman

Example Word

桜: cherry blossom. The Japanese noun '桜 (さくら)' refers to the cherry blossom, a flower that holds significant cultural importance in Japan. Cherry blossoms symbolize the transient nature of life due to their brief blooming period. They are celebrated during the spring season with festivals and hanami (flower viewing) parties. Example sentences: The cherry blossoms are beautiful「桜がきれいです」(さくらがきれいです). Let's go see the cherry blossoms「桜を見に行きましょう」(さくらをみにいきましょう).

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1287

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Old man, Venerable old man

Reading

Parts

公Public 羽Feather

Radical

羽

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1320

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Center

Reading

Parts

大Big 口Mouth

Example Word

中央: center or middle. The Japanese noun '中央 (ちゅうおう)' primarily means 'center' or 'middle'. It refers to the central part of something, whether it's a physical space, an organization, or a concept. For example: the center of the city「街の中央」(まちのちゅうおう). The middle of the room「部屋の中央」(へやのちゅうおう). It can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as the central government「中央政府」(ちゅうおうせいふ). The word is versatile and can be applied to various contexts where the concept of centrality is relevant.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1349

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Europe, Europe

Reading

Parts

区District 欠Lack

Example Word

欧米: west. The Japanese noun '欧米 (おうべい)' refers to 'the West' or 'Western countries', specifically Europe and America. This term is often used in discussions comparing Eastern and Western cultures, technologies, or philosophies. For example: Western culture is interesting「欧米の文化は面白い」(おうべいのぶんかはおもしろい). I want to study in the West「欧米で勉強したい」(おうべいでべんきょうしたい). The term can also be used in contexts discussing globalization or international relations, highlighting the influence or characteristics of Western societies.

Radical

欠

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1534

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Beat, Assault

Reading

Parts

区District 殳Pike

Example Word

殴る: hit. The Japanese verb '殴る (なぐる)' means 'to hit' or 'to strike', specifically with a fist or hand. It is often used to describe physical violence or a punch. This verb carries a strong connotation of aggression and is typically used in contexts involving conflict or physical altercations. For example: He hit the man「彼はその男を殴った」(かれはそのおとこをなぐった). Don't hit people「人を殴るな」(ひとをなぐるな). The verb can also be used metaphorically, but this is less common. It is important to note that this word is informal and can sound harsh or violent depending on the context.

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1892

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Concave, Hollow

Reading

Parts

凵Open box

Radical

凵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1922

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Effulgent

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 王King

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2041

Handwriting