Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Now

Reading

Parts

人Person 一One フKatakana fu

Example Word

今日: today. The Japanese noun '今日 (きょう)' means 'today'. It is used to refer to the current day, the day on which something is happening or being discussed. It is a very common word in daily conversation and can be used in various contexts. For example: Today is sunny「今日は晴れです」(きょうははれです). I have a meeting today「今日は会議があります」(きょうはかいぎがあります). It's important to note that '今日' is often used in combination with other time-related words to specify a particular day, such as '今日の朝 (きょうのあさ)' (this morning) or '今日の夜 (きょうのよる)' (tonight).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

35

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gold

Reading

Parts

全Whole, All 丷Divide

Example Word

金額: amount. The Japanese noun '金額 (きんがく)' refers to the 'amount' of money, specifically the sum or total of a monetary value. It is commonly used in contexts involving transactions, payments, or financial discussions. For example: The total amount is 10,000 yen「金額は1万円です」(きんがくはいちまんえんです). Please check the amount on the receipt「領収書の金額を確認してください」(りょうしゅうしょのきんがくをかくにんしてください). This word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

113

Radical Form

釒

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Root

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 艮Stopping

Example Word

根: root. The Japanese noun '根 (ね)' primarily means 'root'. It refers to the part of a plant that grows underground, absorbing water and nutrients. This word can also be used metaphorically to describe the origin or foundation of something, such as a problem or an idea. For example: the roots of the tree are deep「木の根は深い」(きのねはふかい). The root of the problem lies in communication「問題の根はコミュニケーションにある」(もんだいのねはコミュニケーションにある). Note that '根' can also appear in compound words, such as '根本 (こんぽん)', meaning 'foundation' or 'basis'.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

268

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Trouble, Distress

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 囗Box

Example Word

困難: difficulty. The Japanese verbal noun '困難 (こんなん)' means 'difficulty'. It refers to a state of being hard to accomplish, deal with, or overcome. This word is often used to describe challenging situations, problems, or obstacles. For example: overcoming difficulties「困難を乗り越える」(こんなんをのりこえる). The difficulty of the task「その課題の困難」(そのかだいのこんなん). It can also be used in phrases like 'financial difficulties'「財政困難」(ざいせいこんなん). Note that '困難' is a noun and is often used in formal or serious contexts.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

515

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Build

Reading

Parts

廴 聿Brush

Example Word

建物: building. The Japanese noun '建物 (たてもの)' refers to a 'building', which is a structure with a roof and walls, such as a house, school, or office. This word is commonly used to describe any kind of constructed edifice. For example: That building is tall「あの建物は高い」(あのたてものはたかい). I work in that building「私はあの建物で働いています」(わたしはあのたてものではたらいています). The word can be used in both formal and informal contexts and is neutral in tone.

Radical

廴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

583

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Marriage

Reading

Parts

女Woman 昏

Example Word

新婚: newlywed. The Japanese noun '新婚 (しんこん)' refers to the state of being newly married, specifically describing a couple who have recently entered into marriage. It is often used to describe the period shortly after marriage, typically characterized by happiness and adjustment to married life. For example: They are newlyweds「彼らは新婚です」(かれらはしんこんです). The newlywed couple went on a honeymoon「新婚夫婦はハネムーンに行きました」(しんこんふうふはハネムーンにいきました). This term is commonly used in contexts related to marriage, relationships, and celebrations.

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

710

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spirit, Soul

Reading

Parts

鬼Demon, Ogre 云Say

Example Word

魂: soul. The Japanese noun '魂 (たましい)' refers to the 'soul' or 'spirit' of a living being. It is often used in a spiritual or philosophical context to describe the essence of a person or creature that transcends physical existence. This word can also imply the core of one's emotions, will, or vitality. For example: Her soul is pure「彼女の魂は純粋だ」(かのじょのたましいはじゅんすいだ). The warrior's spirit never dies「戦士の魂は決して死なない」(せんしのたましいはけっしてしなない). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe the essence or spirit of something non-living, such as art or culture.

Radical

鬼

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

895

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mix

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)昆Descendants, Insects

Example Word

混じる: mix. The Japanese verb '混じる (まじる)' means 'to mix' or 'to be mixed'. It is used to describe when two or more things are combined or blended together, often implying that the components are still distinguishable. This verb can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: oil and water do not mix「油と水は混じらない」(あぶらとみずはまじらない). There is a foreigner mixed in the crowd「外国人は群衆に混じっている」(がいこくじんはぐんしゅうにまじっている). Note that '混じる' often implies a sense of blending without losing individuality, unlike '混ぜる (まぜる)', which implies a more active mixing process.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1009

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grudge

Reading

Parts

忄 艮Stopping

Example Word

恨む: resent. The Japanese verb '恨む (うらむ)' means 'to resent' or 'to hold a grudge'. It is used to express feelings of bitterness or anger towards someone due to a perceived wrong or injustice. This verb often conveys a deep, lingering sense of resentment. For example: I resent him for betraying me「彼を裏切られたことを恨む」(かれをうらぎられたことをうらむ). She resents her parents for not understanding her「彼女は両親を理解してくれないことを恨んでいる」(かのじょはりょうしんをりかいしてくれないことをうらんでいる). The verb can also imply a sense of regret or sorrow, depending on the context.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1342

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Offer, Offering

Reading

Parts

南South 犬Dog

Example Word

貢献: contribution. The Japanese noun '貢献 (こうけん)' means 'contribution'. It refers to the act of contributing to something, such as a cause, project, or society. This word is often used in contexts where someone or something has made a significant positive impact or provided valuable input. For example: His research made a great contribution to science「彼の研究は科学に大きな貢献をした」(かれのけんきゅうはかがくにおおきなこうけんをした). We aim to contribute to the community「私たちは地域に貢献することを目指しています」(わたしたちはちいきにこうけんすることをめざしています). The word can also be used in a broader sense to describe any form of support or assistance that leads to progress or improvement.

Radical

犬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1501

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mark, Foot print

Reading

Parts

疒Sick 艮Stopping

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1659

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cordial, Courteous

Reading

Parts

心Heart 貇

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1694

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dark blue, Navy

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 甘Sweet

Example Word

紺: navy. The Japanese noun '紺 (こん)' refers to the color 'navy', a deep, dark shade of blue. It is commonly used to describe clothing, fabrics, or other items that are navy-colored. For example: I bought a navy suit「紺のスーツを買いました」(こんのスーツをかいました). The color of the ocean is navy「海の色は紺です」(うみのいろはこんです). This word is often used in fashion and design contexts to specify colors.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1776

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Descendants, Insects

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 比Compare, Ratio

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1942

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reclaim

Reading

Parts

土Soil 貇

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2040

Handwriting