Page 1
kanji
金Meaning
Gold
Reading
kunyomiかねkane
かなkana
onyomiきんkin
こんkon
Parts
全Whole, All 丷Divide
Example Word
金融: finance. The Japanese noun '金融 (きんゆう)' refers to 'finance' or 'monetary circulation'. It is commonly used in contexts related to banking, investment, and the management of money. For example: The finance industry is growing「金融業界は成長している」(きんゆうぎょうかいはせいちょうしている). He works in finance「彼は金融で働いている」(かれはきんゆうではたらいている). The term can also be used in broader contexts, such as discussing economic policies or financial systems. It is a key term in business and economic discussions in Japan.
Radical
金
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
113
Radical Form
釒
Handwriting
kanji
近Meaning
Near
Reading
kunyomiちかchika
onyomiきんkin
Parts
斤Axe, Catty ⻌Walk
Example Word
近付ける: bring close. The Japanese verb '近付ける (ちかづける)' means 'to bring something or someone closer.' It is used when the action of moving an object or a person closer to another thing or person is performed by the subject. Example: He brought the chair closer to the table 「彼は椅子をテーブルに近付けた」 (かれはいすをテーブルにちかづけた). Please move the vase closer to the window 「花瓶を窓に近付けてください」 (かびんをまどにちかづけてください). This verb can also be used metaphorically, as in 'to bring people closer together,' for example: She brought the two teams closer together 「彼女は2つのチームを近付けた」 (かのじょはふたつのチームをちかづけた).
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
122
Handwriting
kanji
筋Meaning
Muscle, Tendon
Reading
kunyomiすじsuji
onyomiきんkin
Parts
⺮Bamboo (竹)肋
Example Word
筋: line or muscle. The Japanese noun '筋 (すじ)' has two primary meanings. First, it refers to 'muscle', as in the fibrous tissue in the body that contracts to produce movement. For example: I pulled a muscle「筋を痛めた」(すじをいためた). Second, it can mean 'line', referring to a long, narrow mark or a sequence of reasoning. For example: There's a line on the paper「紙に筋がある」(かみにすじがある). The word is versatile and context-dependent, so its meaning can shift based on usage. Another example: The story follows a clear line of reasoning「その話は筋が通っている」(そのはなしはすじがとおっている).
Radical
竹
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
805
Handwriting
kanji
勤Meaning
Diligence
Reading
kunyomiつとtsuto
onyomiきんkin
ごんgon
Parts
堇 力Power
Example Word
勤労: work or labor. The Japanese verbal noun '勤労 (きんろう)' refers to the act of labor or work, often in the context of employment or contributing to society. It is commonly used in formal or official contexts, such as discussing labor laws, workers' rights, or societal contributions. For example: Labor Day is a day to honor workers「勤労感謝の日は労働者を称える日です」(きんろうかんしゃのひはろうどうしゃをたたえるひです). He is dedicated to his work「彼は勤労に励んでいます」(かれはきんろうにはげんでいます). The term can also appear in compound words, such as '勤労意欲 (きんろういよく)' (work motivation) or '勤労者 (きんろうしゃ)' (worker).
Radical
力
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
962
Handwriting
kanji
禁Meaning
Ban, Prohibition
Reading
onyomiきんkin
Parts
示Show, Indicate 林Grove
Example Word
禁酒: abstinence. The Japanese verbal noun '禁酒 (きんしゅ)' refers to the act of abstaining from alcohol. It is often used in contexts where someone is avoiding alcohol for health, religious, or personal reasons. For example: He decided to practice abstinence from alcohol「彼は禁酒を決意した」(かれはきんしゅをけついした). During the month, I will abstain from drinking「今月は禁酒します」(こんげつはきんしゅします). The term can also be used in medical or recovery contexts, such as when someone is advised to stop drinking for health reasons.
Radical
示
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
1233
Handwriting
kanji
僅Meaning
A wee bit
Reading
kunyomiわずwazu
onyomiきんkin
ごんgon
Parts
亻Person (人)堇
Example Word
僅か: slightly or barely. The Japanese adverb '僅か (わずか)' is used to indicate a small amount or degree. It can mean 'slightly' or 'barely', depending on the context. This word is often used to emphasize how little or minimal something is. For example: The difference is slight「その違いは僅かだ」(そのちがいはわずかだ). He barely passed the exam「彼は僅かに試験に合格した」(かれはわずかにしけんにごうかくした). Note that '僅か' can also be used as a noun, as in '僅かな時間 (わずかなじかん) (a little time)'.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
12JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1301
Handwriting
kanji
襟Meaning
Neck, Collar
Reading
kunyomiえりeri
onyomiきんkin
Parts
衤 禁Ban, Prohibition
Example Word
襟: collar. The Japanese noun '襟 (えり)' refers to the collar of a piece of clothing, such as a shirt, jacket, or coat. It is commonly used in fashion and everyday conversation to describe the part of clothing that fits around the neck. For example: This shirt has a stiff collar「このシャツは襟が硬い」(このシャツはえりがかたい). I like the design of this collar「この襟のデザインが好きです」(このえりのデザインがすきです). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that resembles a collar in shape or position, though this usage is less common.
Radical
衣
Stroke Count
18JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1450
Handwriting
kanji
緊Meaning
Tense, Tighten
Reading
onyomiきんkin
Parts
糸Thread 臤
Example Word
緊張: tension or nervousness. The Japanese verbal noun '緊張 (きんちょう)' refers to a state of mental or physical strain, often due to stress, anxiety, or anticipation. It can describe both emotional nervousness and physical tension. For example: I felt nervous before the presentation「プレゼンの前に緊張した」(ぷれぜんのまえにきんちょうした). The tension in the room was palpable「部屋の緊張が感じられた」(へやのきんちょうがかんじられた). This word is commonly used in situations involving high-pressure scenarios, such as exams, performances, or important meetings. It can also describe the physical tension in muscles or objects, like a tightly stretched rope.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1467
Handwriting
kanji
均Meaning
Equal, Even
Reading
onyomiきんkin
Parts
土Soil 匀
Example Word
平均: average. The Japanese verbal noun '平均 (へいきん)' means 'average'. It refers to the mathematical concept of the mean, or the result obtained by adding several quantities together and then dividing by the number of quantities. It can also be used more generally to describe something that is typical or ordinary. For example: the average temperature is 20 degrees「平均気温は20度です」(へいきんきおんはにじゅうどです). His grades are above average「彼の成績は平均以上です」(かれのせいせきはへいきんいじょうです). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '平均寿命 (へいきんじゅみょう)' (average lifespan).
Radical
土
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
1699
Handwriting
kanji
菌Meaning
Fungus, Bacteria
Reading
onyomiきんkin
Parts
艹Grass 囷
Example Word
細菌: bacteria. The Japanese noun '細菌 (さいきん)' refers to 'bacteria', which are microscopic single-celled organisms. This term is commonly used in scientific, medical, and everyday contexts when discussing microorganisms, infections, or hygiene. For example: Bacteria can cause diseases「細菌は病気を引き起こすことがある」(さいきんはびょうきをひきおこすことがある). This water contains harmful bacteria「この水には有害な細菌が含まれている」(このみずにはゆうがいなさいきんがふくまれている). The word is neutral and can refer to both harmful and beneficial bacteria, depending on the context.
Radical
艸
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1968
Handwriting