Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Gold

Reading

Parts

全Whole, All 丷Divide

Example Word

借金: debt. The Japanese verbal noun '借金 (しゃっきん)' means 'debt'. It refers to money that is borrowed and must be repaid, often with interest. This term is commonly used in financial contexts, such as personal loans, mortgages, or business debts. For example: I have a lot of debt「私は借金が多い」(わたしはしゃっきんがおおい). He paid off his debt「彼は借金を返した」(かれはしゃっきんをかえした). The word can also imply a sense of obligation or burden, as in '借金を抱える (しゃっきんをかかえる)' (to be saddled with debt).

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

113

Radical Form

釒

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Near

Reading

Parts

斤Axe, Catty ⻌Walk

Example Word

近眼: nearsightedness. The Japanese noun '近眼 (きんがん)' refers to the condition of being nearsighted, meaning one can see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurry. It is commonly used in medical or everyday contexts to describe vision impairment. For example: I have nearsightedness「私は近眼です」(わたしはきんがんです). Nearsightedness makes it hard to see far away「近眼だと遠くが見えにくい」(きんがんだととおくがみえにくい). This term is often used in discussions about eye health or when describing someone's vision.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

122

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Muscle, Tendon

Reading

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)肋

Example Word

粗筋: outline. The Japanese noun '粗筋 (あらすじ)' refers to a summary or outline of a story, plot, or event. It is commonly used to describe the main points or general structure of a narrative, such as a book, movie, or play. For example: I read the outline of the novel「小説の粗筋を読んだ」(しょうせつのあらすじをよんだ). The outline of the movie was interesting「映画の粗筋は面白かった」(えいがのあらすじはおもしろかった). This word is often used in contexts where a brief overview or synopsis is needed, such as in reviews, summaries, or introductions to stories.

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

805

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Diligence

Reading

Parts

堇 力Power

Example Word

転勤: transfer. The Japanese verbal noun '転勤 (てんきん)' refers to a job transfer, typically involving relocation to a different workplace or branch within the same company. It is commonly used in professional contexts to describe an employee being reassigned to a new location. For example: I was transferred to the Osaka branch「大阪支店に転勤しました」(おおさかしてんにてんきんしました). His transfer was sudden「彼の転勤は突然でした」(かれのてんきんはとつぜんでした). This term is often associated with corporate culture in Japan, where employees may be required to move frequently for work.

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

962

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ban, Prohibition

Reading

Parts

示Show, Indicate 林Grove

Example Word

禁じる: prohibit or forbid. The Japanese verb '禁じる (きんじる)' means 'to forbid' or 'to prohibit'. It is used to express the act of officially or formally preventing someone from doing something. This verb is often used in formal or legal contexts. For example: Smoking is prohibited here「ここでは喫煙が禁じられています」(ここではきつえんがきんじられています). The school forbids students from using phones during class「学校は授業中の携帯電話の使用を禁じている」(がっこうはじゅぎょうちゅうのけいたいでんわのしようをきんじている). Note that '禁じる' can also imply a moral or ethical prohibition, not just a legal one.

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1233

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

A wee bit

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1301

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Neck, Collar

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1450

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tense, Tighten

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 臤

Example Word

緊急: urgent. The Japanese adjectival noun '緊急 (きんきゅう)' means 'urgent' and is used to describe situations, matters, or actions that require immediate attention or action. It often conveys a sense of importance and immediacy. For example: This is an urgent matter「これは緊急の事です」(これはきんきゅうのことです). An urgent meeting was held「緊急の会議が開かれました」(きんきゅうのかいぎがひらかれました). The word is commonly used in formal or serious contexts, such as emergencies, official announcements, or critical situations.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1467

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Koto, Harp

Reading

Parts

玨 今Now

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1526

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Towel

Reading

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1564

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Equal, Even

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1699

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Brocade

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)帛

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1753

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Discreet, Respectfully

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)堇

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1855

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fungus, Bacteria

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1968

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Axe, Catty

Reading

Radical

斤

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2067

Handwriting