字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Now

Reading

Parts

フKatakana fu 人Person 一One

Example Word

今: now. The Japanese adverb '今 (いま)' means 'now'. It is used to indicate the present moment or current time. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to the immediate present. For example: I am busy now「今忙しいです」(いまいそがしいです). What are you doing now?「今何をしていますか？」(いまなにをしていますか？). It can also be used in combination with other time expressions to specify a particular time frame, such as 'right now' or 'at this moment'. For example: I am studying right now「今勉強しています」(いまべんきょうしています).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

35

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gold

Reading

Parts

全Whole, All 丷Divide

Example Word

金曜日: Friday. The Japanese noun '金曜日 (きんようび)' means 'Friday'. It is one of the days of the week in the Japanese calendar. The word is composed of three kanji: 金 (きん, meaning 'gold' or 'metal'), 曜 (よう, meaning 'day of the week'), and 日 (び, meaning 'day'). Together, they form the word for Friday. Example sentences: Today is Friday「今日は金曜日です」(きょうはきんようびです). I have a meeting on Friday「金曜日に会議があります」(きんようびにかいぎがあります).

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

113

Radical Form

釒

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Root

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 艮Stopping

Example Word

根拠: basis or grounds. The Japanese noun '根拠 (こんきょ)' refers to the foundation, basis, or grounds for something, such as an argument, belief, or decision. It implies a logical or factual support for a claim or idea. This word is often used in formal or academic contexts. For example: There is no basis for that claim「その主張には根拠がない」(そのしゅちょうにはこんきょがない). The grounds for this decision are unclear「この決定の根拠は不明だ」(このけっていのこんきょはふめいだ). Note that '根拠' is distinct from similar words like '理由 (りゆう)' (reason) or '原因 (げんいん)' (cause), as it specifically emphasizes the evidence or foundation supporting something.

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

結婚: marriage. The Japanese verbal noun '結婚 (けっこん)' means 'marriage'. It refers to the state of being married or the act of getting married. This word is commonly used in various contexts, such as discussing marriage plans, marital status, or ceremonies. For example: They got married last year「彼らは去年結婚しました」(かれらはきょねんけっこんしました). I want to get married next year「来年結婚したいです」(らいねんけっこんしたいです). The word can also be used in compound forms, such as '結婚式 (けっこんしき)' (wedding ceremony) or '結婚生活 (けっこんせいかつ)' (married life).

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

混む・込む: mix or crowded. The Japanese verb '混む・込む (こむ・こむ)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'crowded', referring to a place being full of people or things. For example: The train is crowded「電車が混んでいる」(でんしゃがこんでいる). The second meaning is 'mix', referring to combining or blending different elements together. For example: Mix the ingredients well「材料をよく混む」(ざいりょうをよくこむ). It's important to note that the verb can be used in both transitive and intransitive forms, depending on the context.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1009

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grudge

Reading

Parts

艮Stopping 忄

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

犬Dog 南South

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

艮Stopping 疒Sick

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

比Compare, Ratio 日Day, Sun

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