kanji

Meaning

Now

Reading

Parts

人Person 一One フKatakana fu

Example Word

今後: future. The Japanese noun '今後 (こんご)' refers to the 'future' or 'from now on'. It is used to indicate a period of time that starts from the present moment and extends into the future. This term is often used in formal or business contexts to discuss plans, expectations, or changes that will occur moving forward. For example: We will focus on quality improvement from now on「今後は品質向上に力を入れます」(こんごはひんしつこうじょうにちからをいれます). I hope we can continue to work together in the future「今後ともどうぞよろしくお願いします」(こんごともどうぞよろしくおねがいします). The term emphasizes a forward-looking perspective and is commonly used in professional settings.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

35

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gold

Reading

Parts

全Whole, All 丷Divide

Example Word

金持ち: rich. The Japanese noun '金持ち (かねもち)' means 'rich' or 'wealthy'. It refers to someone who possesses a significant amount of money or wealth. This term is often used to describe individuals who have financial abundance. For example: he is rich「彼は金持ちだ」(かれはかねもちだ). That family is wealthy「あの家族は金持ちだ」(あのかぞくはかねもちだ). The word is a combination of '金 (かね)', meaning 'money', and '持ち (もち)', meaning 'holding' or 'possessing'. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe financial status.

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

困る: trouble. The Japanese verb '困る (こまる)' means 'to be in trouble' or 'to be troubled'. It is used to express a state of difficulty, distress, or inconvenience. This verb often conveys a sense of being at a loss or not knowing what to do in a situation. For example: I am in trouble because I lost my wallet「財布をなくして困っている」(さいふをなくしてこまっている). It can also be used to describe a situation where someone is inconvenienced or bothered by something: It troubles me when people are late「人が遅れると困る」(ひとがおくれるとこまる). The verb is commonly used in everyday conversation to express personal difficulties or challenges.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

515

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Build

Reading

Parts

廴 聿Brush

Example Word

建て前: principle or facade. The Japanese noun '建て前 (たてまえ)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning refers to a 'facade' or the outward appearance or front of a building, often used metaphorically to describe a superficial or false presentation of something. For example: the facade of the building is impressive「建物の建て前は印象的だ」(たてもののたてまえはいんしょうてきだ). The second meaning refers to a 'principle' or a stated policy or stance, often used in formal or official contexts. For example: the company's principle is customer satisfaction「会社の建て前は顧客満足だ」(かいしゃのたてまえはこきゃくまんぞくだ). It's important to note that the second meaning is often used in contrast to '本音 (ほんね)', which refers to one's true feelings or intentions.

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

文献: document. The Japanese noun '文献 (ぶんけん)' refers to written documents or literature, often used in academic or research contexts. It typically denotes scholarly materials such as books, articles, or papers that provide information or evidence. For example: I read an old document「古い文献を読みました」(ふるいぶんけんをよみました). This research is based on reliable documents「この研究は信頼できる文献に基づいています」(このけんきゅうはしんらいできるぶんけんにもとづいています). The word is commonly used in formal settings and emphasizes the importance of written sources in study or analysis.

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