Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

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

預金: deposit. The Japanese verbal noun '預金 (よきん)' refers to the act of depositing money into a bank or financial institution, or the money that has been deposited. It is commonly used in contexts related to banking and finance. For example: I made a deposit at the bank「銀行に預金をした」(ぎんこうによきんをした). The deposit earns interest「その預金は利息がつく」(そのよきんはりそくがつく). This term is often used in formal or financial contexts, and it can refer to both the action of depositing and the deposited funds themselves.

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

113

Radical Form

釒

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Root

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 艮Stopping

Example Word

根本: root or basis. The Japanese noun '根本 (こんぽん)' refers to the 'root' or 'basis' of something. It is often used to describe the fundamental or essential part of an issue, problem, or concept. For example: the root of the problem「問題の根本」(もんだいのこんぽん). We need to address the basis of the issue「問題の根本に取り組む必要がある」(もんだいのこんぽんにとりくむひつようがある). This word is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, emphasizing the core or foundation of a matter.

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

未婚: unmarried. The Japanese noun '未婚 (みこん)' means 'unmarried'. It is used to describe someone who has never been married. This term is often used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, surveys, or discussions about marital status. For example: She is unmarried「彼女は未婚です」(かのじょはみこんです). The percentage of unmarried people is increasing「未婚の人の割合が増えています」(みこんのひとのわりあいがふえています). Note that '未婚' specifically refers to someone who has never been married, as opposed to '独身 (どくしん)', which can also mean 'single' but does not necessarily imply that the person has never been married.

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

混雑: crowded. The Japanese verbal noun '混雑 (こんざつ)' refers to a state of being crowded or congested. It is often used to describe places, situations, or conditions where there is a lot of activity or people, leading to a lack of space or order. For example: The station is crowded「駅が混雑している」(えきがこんざつしている). The road is congested due to the accident「事故で道路が混雑している」(じこでどうろがこんざつしている). This word is commonly used in contexts like public transportation, events, or traffic, and it conveys a sense of disorder or inconvenience caused by the crowding.

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