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
近世: early modern. The Japanese noun '近世 (きんせい)' refers to the 'early modern' period in Japanese history, typically spanning from the late 16th century to the mid-19th century. This period includes the Edo period (1603-1868), characterized by the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and significant cultural, economic, and social developments. The term is often used in historical contexts to describe this era. For example: The early modern period was a time of peace「近世は平和な時代だった」(きんせいはいわなじだいだった). Many cultural traditions originated in the early modern period「多くの文化伝統は近世に始まった」(おおくのぶんかでんとうはきんせいにはじまった).
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
筋道: logic or sequence. The Japanese noun '筋道 (すじみち)' refers to a logical sequence or a coherent line of reasoning. It is often used to describe a well-structured argument, a clear process, or a systematic approach to solving a problem. For example: His explanation lacks logic「彼の説明には筋道がない」(かれのせつめいにはすじみちがない). Follow the proper sequence「筋道を追ってください」(すじみちをおってください). The word emphasizes the importance of clarity and order in thought or action.
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
出勤: commute. The Japanese verbal noun '出勤 (しゅっきん)' refers to the act of commuting to work or going to one's workplace. It is commonly used in professional or daily life contexts to describe the routine of traveling to work. For example: I commute to work by train「私は電車で出勤します」(わたしはでんしゃでしゅっきんします). He is late for work today「彼は今日出勤が遅い」(かれはきょうしゅっきんがおそい). The term emphasizes the action of leaving home to go to work, and it is often paired with verbs like する (to do) to form phrases like 出勤する (to commute to work).
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
禁煙: no smoking. The Japanese verbal noun '禁煙 (きんえん)' means 'no smoking' or 'smoking prohibition'. It is commonly used to indicate areas where smoking is not allowed, such as in public spaces, restaurants, or on public transportation. This term is often seen on signs and notices. For example: This is a no-smoking area「ここは禁煙です」(ここはきんえんです). Please refrain from smoking「禁煙をお願いします」(きんえんをおねがいします). The term can also be used in a broader sense to refer to the act of quitting smoking, as in '禁煙する (きんえんする)' which means 'to quit smoking'.
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
均衡: balance. The Japanese noun '均衡 (きんこう)' means 'balance' or 'equilibrium'. It is often used to describe a state of stability or equal distribution between opposing forces, elements, or conditions. This word is commonly used in contexts such as economics, physics, and everyday life to describe a harmonious or stable state. For example: The balance of power between the two countries is maintained「二つの国の間の力の均衡が保たれている」(ふたつのくにのあいだのちからのきんこうがたもたれている). The ecosystem is in balance「生態系は均衡を保っている」(せいたいけいはきんこうをたもっている). It can also refer to a mental or emotional balance, as in: She regained her emotional balance after the incident「彼女はその出来事の後に感情の均衡を取り戻した」(かのじょはそのできごとのあとにかんじょうのきんこうをとりもどした).
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
ばい菌: germs. The Japanese noun 'ばい菌 (ばいきん)' refers to 'germs' or 'bacteria'. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe harmful microorganisms that can cause illness or infection. This word often carries a negative connotation, as it is associated with dirt, sickness, or uncleanliness. For example: wash your hands to avoid germs「ばい菌を避けるために手を洗いなさい」(ばいきんをさけるためにてをあらいなさい). Germs are everywhere「ばい菌はどこにでもいる」(ばいきんはどこにでもいる). The term is frequently used in health-related contexts, such as hygiene or medical discussions.
Radical
艸
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1968
Handwriting