Page 1
kanji
横Meaning
Sideways
Reading
kunyomiよこyoko
onyomiおうou
Parts
木Tree, Wood 黄Yellow
Example Word
横顔: profile. The Japanese noun '横顔 (よこがお)' refers to the side view or profile of a person's face. It is often used to describe someone's appearance from the side, emphasizing features like the nose, jawline, or cheekbones. This word can carry a poetic or aesthetic nuance, as it is sometimes used to highlight beauty or elegance. For example: Her profile is beautiful「彼女の横顔は美しい」(かのじょのよこがおはうつくしい). I saw his profile in the sunset「彼の横顔を夕日の中で見た」(かれのよこがおをゆうひのなかでみた). Note that '横顔' is distinct from '正面 (しょうめん)', which refers to the front view of a face.
Radical
木
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
324
Handwriting
kanji
王Meaning
King
Reading
onyomiおうou
Parts
一One 土Soil
Example Word
王様: king. The Japanese noun '王様 (おうさま)' means 'king'. It is used to refer to a male monarch or ruler of a kingdom. This term carries a sense of respect and authority, often used in fairy tales, historical contexts, or to describe someone with great power or influence. For example: The king ruled the country wisely「王様は国を賢く治めた」(おうさまはくにをかしこくおさめた). The king wore a golden crown「王様は金色の王冠をかぶっていた」(おうさまはきんいろのおうかんをかぶっていた). Note that '王様' is more commonly used in storytelling or formal contexts, while '王 (おう)' is a more neutral term for 'king'.
Radical
玉
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N3Grade
1Frequency
363
Handwriting
kanji
奥Meaning
Core, Heart
Reading
kunyomiおくoku
onyomiおうou
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
12JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
382
Handwriting
kanji
押Meaning
Push, Press down
Reading
kunyomiおo
onyomiおうou
Parts
扌Hand (手)甲Armor, Shell
Example Word
押す: push. The Japanese verb '押す (おす)' primarily means 'to push'. It is used to describe the action of applying force to move something away from oneself or to press something. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as physically pushing an object, pressing a button, or even metaphorically pushing for an idea or decision. For example: Please push the door「ドアを押してください」(ドアをおしてください). He pushed the button「彼はボタンを押した」(かれはボタンをおした). In some contexts, it can also imply insistence or pressure, as in pushing someone to make a decision.
Radical
手
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
431
Handwriting
kanji
往Meaning
Journey, Go on
Reading
onyomiおうou
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
8JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
573
Handwriting
kanji
応Meaning
Answer, Respond
Reading
kunyomiこたkota
onyomiおうou
Parts
广Dotted cliff 心Heart
Example Word
応える: respond. The Japanese verb '応える (こたえる)' means 'to respond' or 'to answer'. It is often used in contexts where a reaction or reply is given to a question, request, or situation. This verb can also imply a deeper emotional or physical response, such as reacting to someone's feelings or enduring a challenge. For example: He responded to the question「彼は質問に応えた」(かれはしつもんにこたえた). The team responded well to the pressure「チームはプレッシャーによく応えた」(チームはプレッシャーによくこたえた). Note that '応える' can also be used to describe a reaction to stimuli, such as 'the body responds to exercise'「体が運動に応える」(からだがうんどうにこたえる).
Radical
心
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
606
Handwriting
kanji
黄Meaning
Yellow
Reading
kunyomiきki
onyomiこうkou
おうou
Parts
由Reason 八Eight 一One 艹Grass
Example Word
黄: yellow. The Japanese noun '黄 (き)' means 'yellow'. It refers to the color yellow and is often used in contexts related to colors, such as describing objects, nature, or art. For example: The leaves turn yellow in autumn「秋には葉が黄色になる」(あきにははがきいろになる). She wore a yellow dress「彼女は黄色のドレスを着ていた」(かのじょはきいろのドレスをきていた). While '黄' can sometimes be used in compound words or names, its primary meaning is the color yellow.
Radical
黃
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N2Grade
2Frequency
699
Handwriting
kanji
皇Meaning
Emperor
Reading
onyomiこうkou
おうou
Parts
王King 白White
Example Word
皇帝: emperor. The Japanese noun '皇帝 (こうてい)' refers to an 'emperor', specifically a sovereign ruler of an empire. This term is often used in historical or formal contexts to describe the supreme monarch of a large territory or empire. For example: The emperor ruled the vast empire「皇帝は広大な帝国を治めた」(こうていはこうだいなていこくをおさめた). The emperor's palace was magnificent「皇帝の宮殿は壮大だった」(こうていのきゅうでんはそうだいだった). In modern usage, it is less common but still appears in historical discussions or titles, such as 'Roman Emperor'「ローマ皇帝」(ろーまこうてい).
Radical
白
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
782
Handwriting
kanji
桜Meaning
Cherry
Reading
kunyomiさくらsakura
onyomiおうou
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
10JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
1287
Handwriting
kanji
央Meaning
Center
Reading
onyomiおうou
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
5JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
1349
Handwriting
kanji
欧Meaning
Europe, Europe
Reading
onyomiおうou
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
8JLPT
N2Grade
8Frequency
1534
Handwriting
kanji
殴Meaning
Beat, Assault
Reading
kunyomiなぐnagu
onyomiおうou
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
8JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1892
Handwriting