Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Someone

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 耂Old (老)

Example Word

後者: latter. The Japanese noun '後者 (こうしゃ)' means 'the latter'. It is used to refer to the second of two things or options that have been mentioned. This word is often used in formal or written contexts to compare or contrast two items. For example: Between tea and coffee, I prefer the latter「紅茶とコーヒーのうち、後者が好きです」(こうちゃとコーヒーのうち、こうしゃがすきです). When discussing two options, the latter is usually the second one mentioned. Another example: Between studying and working, the latter is more important to me now「勉強と仕事のうち、後者の方が今は重要です」(べんきょうとしごとのうち、こうしゃのほうがいまはじゅうようです).

Radical

老

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

29

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Car

Reading

Parts

二Two 申Report

Example Word

車道: roadway. The Japanese noun '車道 (しゃどう)' refers to the part of the road designated for vehicles, as opposed to sidewalks or pedestrian paths. It is commonly used in contexts related to traffic, driving, or road safety. For example: cars drive on the roadway「車は車道を走る」(くるまはしゃどうをはしる). Bicycles are not allowed on the roadway here「ここでは自転車は車道を走れません」(ここではじてんしゃはしゃどうをはしれません). The term emphasizes the distinction between areas for vehicles and those for pedestrians.

Radical

車

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

190

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Company

Reading

Parts

土Soil 礻Cult (示)

Example Word

神社: shrine. The Japanese noun '神社 (じんじゃ)' refers to a 'shrine', which is a sacred place in Shinto religion dedicated to the worship of kami (spirits or deities). Shrines are often characterized by their distinctive architecture, including torii gates, and are places for rituals, prayers, and festivals. For example: I visited a shrine「神社に行きました」(じんじゃにいきました). The shrine is old「その神社は古いです」(そのじんじゃはふるいです). Shrines play a significant role in Japanese culture and are commonly visited during New Year celebrations and other traditional events.

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

240

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Copy, Photograph

Reading

Parts

冖Crown 与Give, Involvement

Example Word

写真: photo. The Japanese noun '写真 (しゃしん)' means 'photo' or 'photograph'. It refers to a picture taken with a camera or similar device. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can refer to both physical and digital photos. For example: I took a photo「写真を撮りました」(しゃしんをとりました). This is a beautiful photo「これは美しい写真です」(これはうつくしいしゃしんです). The word can also be used in compound terms, such as '写真集 (しゃしんしゅう)' (photo album) or '写真家 (しゃしんか)' (photographer).

Radical

冖

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

667

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Abandon, Discard

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)舎House, Quarters

Example Word

捨てる: discard. The Japanese verb '捨てる (すてる)' means 'to discard' or 'to throw away'. It is used when getting rid of something that is no longer needed or wanted. This verb can be applied to physical objects, as well as abstract concepts like habits or feelings. For example: I threw away the old books「古い本を捨てた」(ふるいほんをすてた). She discarded her bad habits「彼女は悪い習慣を捨てた」(かのじょはわるいしゅうかんをすてた). It can also imply abandoning or giving up on something, such as in: He gave up on his dream「彼は夢を捨てた」(かれはゆめをすてた). The verb is often used in everyday situations, such as disposing of trash or letting go of unnecessary items.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

748

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

House, Quarters

Reading

Parts

人Person

Example Word

田舎: countryside. The Japanese noun '田舎 (いなか)' refers to rural areas or the countryside, often in contrast to urban areas. It carries connotations of simplicity, tradition, and sometimes a slower pace of life. It can also imply a sense of nostalgia or a place where one grew up. For example: I grew up in the countryside「私は田舎で育ちました」(わたしはいなかでそだちました). Life in the countryside is peaceful「田舎の生活は平和です」(いなかのせいかつはへいわです). The word can sometimes be used to describe something as 'provincial' or 'unsophisticated' depending on the context, but it generally emphasizes the charm and tranquility of rural life.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

818

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shoot

Reading

Parts

身Body, Self 寸Measurement

Example Word

放射: radiation. The Japanese noun '放射 (ほうしゃ)' refers to 'radiation'. This term is commonly used in scientific, medical, and environmental contexts to describe the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles that cause ionization. For example: radiation therapy「放射線治療」(ほうしゃせんちりょう). The radiation level is high「放射線レベルが高い」(ほうしゃせんレベルがたかい). It's important to note that this word is often used in compound terms, such as '放射線 (ほうしゃせん)' (radiation rays) or '放射能 (ほうしゃのう)' (radioactivity).

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

914

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sand

Reading

Parts

石Stone 少Few

Example Word

砂糖: sugar. The Japanese noun '砂糖 (さとう)' means 'sugar'. It refers to the sweet crystalline substance used to flavor food and drinks. This word is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as cooking or discussing food. For example: I put sugar in my coffee「コーヒーに砂糖を入れました」(コーヒーにさとうをいれました). This cake has a lot of sugar「このケーキは砂糖が多い」(このケーキはさとうがおおい). The word '砂糖' is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

940

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Apologize

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)射Shoot

Example Word

感謝: gratitude. The Japanese verbal noun '感謝 (かんしゃ)' means 'gratitude'. It refers to the feeling of being thankful or appreciative towards someone or something. This word is commonly used in expressions of thanks, such as '感謝します (かんしゃします)' which means 'I am grateful' or 'I appreciate it'. It can also be used in various contexts to express deep appreciation or acknowledgment of kindness, help, or support received. For example: I feel deep gratitude「深い感謝を感じます」(ふかいかんしゃをかんじます). We express our gratitude to you「あなたに感謝を表します」(あなたにかんしゃをひょうします). The word is often used in formal or heartfelt situations, emphasizing sincerity and respect.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1218

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sand

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)少Few

Example Word

御無沙汰: neglect. The Japanese verbal noun '御無沙汰 (ごぶさた)' refers to the act of neglecting to contact someone or not being in touch for a long time. It is often used in polite expressions to apologize for not having been in contact. For example: I'm sorry for not being in touch「ご無沙汰しております」(ごぶさたしております). It's been a long time since we last met「久しぶりに会いましたね」(ひさしぶりにあいましたね). This term is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts to express regret for not maintaining communication.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1275

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slanting, Diagonal

Reading

Parts

余Excess 斗Ladle, Dipper

Example Word

斜め: diagonal. The Japanese adjectival noun '斜め (ななめ)' means 'diagonal' or 'oblique'. It is used to describe something that is not straight or aligned horizontally/vertically, but rather at an angle. This word can be used to describe physical objects, directions, or even abstract concepts like relationships or perspectives. For example: the picture is hanging diagonally「その絵は斜めにかかっている」(そのえはななめにかかっている). They have a strained relationship「彼らの関係は斜めだ」(かれらのかんけいはななめだ). The word can also imply something being unconventional or not straightforward, as in '斜めな考え (ななめなかんがえ) (unconventional thinking)'.

Radical

斗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1344

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Boil

Reading

Parts

火Fire 者Someone

Example Word

煮る: boil. The Japanese verb '煮る (にる)' means 'to boil' or 'to simmer'. It is used to describe the cooking process of boiling or simmering food, typically in water or broth, until it becomes tender or fully cooked. This verb is commonly used in recipes and cooking instructions. For example: I boiled the vegetables「野菜を煮た」(やさいをにた). Simmer the soup for 20 minutes「スープを20分煮てください」(スープをにじゅっぷんにてください). The verb can also imply a slow cooking process, often used for stews or dishes that require time to develop flavor.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1368

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Obstruct, Intercept

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 庶Commoner, Manifold

Example Word

遮る: block. The Japanese verb '遮る (さえぎる)' means 'to block' or 'to interrupt'. It is used to describe the act of obstructing something physically, such as blocking a path, or metaphorically, such as interrupting a conversation. For example: The wall blocks the view「壁が視界を遮る」(かべがしかいをさえぎる). He interrupted my speech「彼は私のスピーチを遮った」(かれはわたしのスピーチをさえぎった). This verb can also imply cutting off or hindering progress, as in 'The trees block the sunlight「木々が日光を遮る」(きぎがにっこうをさえぎる)'. It is often used in contexts where something is being prevented from continuing or being seen.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1742

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pardon

Reading

Parts

赤Red 攵Strike

Radical

赤

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1847

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wholesale

Reading

Radical

卩

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1949

Handwriting