kanji

Meaning

Sideways

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 黄Yellow

Example Word

横たわる: lie. The Japanese verb '横たわる (よこたわる)' means 'to lie down' or 'to be lying down'. It is often used to describe a person or object lying horizontally, either on a surface or in a specific position. This verb can also imply a sense of stillness or permanence, such as when describing a body lying in repose. For example: The man lies on the grass「男は草の上に横たわる」(おとこはくさのうえによこたわる). The book lies on the table「本がテーブルの上に横たわっている」(ほんがテーブルのうえによこたわっている). Note that this verb is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to '寝る (ねる)' or '横になる (よこになる)', which are more casual ways to express lying down.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

324

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

King

Reading

Parts

一One 土Soil

Example Word

王: king. The Japanese noun '王 (おう)' means 'king'. It refers to a male monarch or ruler of a kingdom, often holding the highest authority. This term is used in both historical and modern contexts, such as in fairy tales, history, or even metaphorically. For example: The king ruled the country「王は国を治めた」(おうはくにをおさめた). He is the king of pop music「彼はポップミュージックの王だ」(かれはぽっぷみゅーじっくのおうだ). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '王様 (おうさま)' (king, with a more respectful tone) or '王冠 (おうかん)' (crown).

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

押し入れ: closet. The Japanese noun '押し入れ (おしいれ)' refers to a traditional Japanese closet or storage space, typically found in homes. It is a built-in closet used for storing futons, blankets, and other household items. The 押し入れ is usually a deep, sliding-door closet found in tatami rooms. Example sentences: Please put the futon in the closet「布団を押し入れに入れてください」(ふとんをおしいれにいれてください). The closet is full「押し入れがいっぱいです」(おしいれがいっぱいです).

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

応援: support or cheering. The Japanese verbal noun '応援 (おうえん)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'support', which refers to providing assistance or backing to someone or something. For example: I support my friend's decision「友達の決断を応援する」(ともだちのけつだんをおうえんする). The second meaning is 'cheering', which refers to encouraging or rooting for someone, often in a sports or competitive context. For example: We cheered for our team during the match「試合中にチームを応援した」(しあいちゅうにチームをおうえんした). The word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, and it carries a positive connotation of encouragement and solidarity.

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

皇后: empress. The Japanese noun '皇后 (こうごう)' refers to the 'empress', specifically the wife of the reigning emperor. This term is used in the context of the Japanese imperial family and carries a formal and respectful tone. For example: The empress attended the ceremony「皇后は式典に出席しました」(こうごうはしきてんにしゅっせきしました). The empress is known for her charity work「皇后は慈善活動で知られています」(こうごうはじぜんかつどうでしられています). This term is distinct from other titles like '皇太子妃 (こうたいしひ)' (crown princess) or '女帝 (じょてい)' (female emperor), as it specifically denotes the consort of the 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