kanji

Meaning

Flat

Reading

Parts

干Dry 丷Divide

Example Word

平和: peace. The Japanese adjectival noun '平和 (へいわ)' means 'peace'. It is used to describe a state of tranquility, absence of violence, or harmony. This term is often used in contexts related to world peace, peaceful coexistence, or a peaceful state of mind. For example: I wish for world peace「世界の平和を願います」(せかいのへいわをねがいます). The country is in a peaceful state「その国は平和な状態です」(そのくにはへいわなじょうたいです). Note that '平和' can also be used as a noun, but its primary function is as an adjectival noun, often followed by 'な' when modifying a noun, as in '平和な国 (へいわなくに) (peaceful country)'.

Radical

干

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

111

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Soldier

Reading

Parts

丘Hill 八Eight

Example Word

兵隊: soldier. The Japanese noun '兵隊 (へいたい)' refers to a 'soldier'. It is commonly used to describe a member of the military, particularly in the context of ground forces. The term can be used in both historical and modern contexts, but it often carries a slightly informal or colloquial tone compared to more formal terms like '軍人 (ぐんじん)'. Example sentences: The soldiers marched through the town「兵隊が町を行進した」(へいたいがまちをこうしんした). He became a soldier「彼は兵隊になった」(かれはへいたいになった).

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

218

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Illness

Reading

Parts

丙Third, Third class 疒Sick

Example Word

病: disease. The Japanese suffix '病 (びょう)' means 'disease' or 'illness'. It is commonly attached to nouns to describe specific diseases or conditions. For example: heart disease「心臓病」(しんぞうびょう), mental illness「精神病」(せいしんびょう). This suffix is also used metaphorically to describe obsessive behaviors or conditions, such as 'otaku disease'「オタク病」(おたくびょう), referring to an extreme obsession with anime or manga. The suffix is neutral in tone but can carry a negative connotation depending on the context.

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

249

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Line, Row

Reading

Parts

䒑Herbs 业Business (業)

Example Word

並木: tree lined. The Japanese noun '並木 (なみき)' refers to a row of trees, often planted along a street, road, or path. It is commonly used to describe scenic or aesthetically pleasing tree-lined areas. For example: The road is lined with cherry trees「その道は桜の並木です」(そのみちはさくらのなみきです). I walked along the tree-lined street「並木道を歩きました」(なみきみちをあるきました). This word evokes a sense of natural beauty and is often associated with peaceful or picturesque settings.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

525

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Design, Handle

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 丙Third, Third class

Example Word

人柄: personality. The Japanese noun '人柄 (ひとがら)' refers to a person's character, personality, or disposition. It is often used to describe someone's inherent qualities or the impression they give to others. This word carries a positive connotation and is typically used to highlight admirable traits. For example: She has a wonderful personality「彼女は素晴らしい人柄です」(かのじょはすばらしいひとがらです). His personality is very kind「彼の人柄はとても優しい」(かれのひとがらはとてもやさしい). The term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to discuss someone's nature or demeanor.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

745

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Close, Shut

Reading

Parts

門Gate 才Talent, Age

Example Word

閉じる: close. The Japanese verb '閉じる (とじる)' means 'to close'. It is used to describe the action of shutting or closing something, such as a door, a book, or eyes. This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe closing or ending something, like a chapter or a discussion. For example: Please close the door「ドアを閉じてください」(ドアをとじてください). She closed her eyes「彼女は目を閉じた」(かのじょはめをとじた). The store closes at 9 PM「その店は9時に閉じる」(そのみせはくじにとじる). Note that '閉じる' is often used for physical objects, but it can also apply to abstract concepts like events or periods.

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

907

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Join, Put together

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)并

Example Word

合併: merger. The Japanese noun '合併 (がっぺい)' refers to the act of combining or merging two or more entities into one. This term is commonly used in business contexts to describe the merger of companies, but it can also apply to other types of organizations or even abstract concepts. For example: The merger of the two companies was successful「二つの会社の合併は成功した」(ふたつのかいしゃのがっぺいはせいこうした). The merger of the two towns created a larger city「二つの町の合併で大きな市ができた」(ふたつのまちのがっぺいでおおきないちができた). It's important to note that '合併' implies a formal and often legal process of unification.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1043

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wall, Fence

Reading

Parts

土Soil 屏

Example Word

塀: wall or fence. The Japanese noun '塀 (へい)' refers to a fence or wall, typically used to enclose or divide spaces. It is commonly seen around properties, gardens, or buildings. The word can describe both low fences and tall walls, depending on the context. For example: The house is surrounded by a high wall「その家は高い塀に囲まれている」(そのいえはたかいへいにかこまれている). There is a wooden fence around the garden「庭の周りに木の塀がある」(にわのまわりにきのへいがある). Note that '塀' often implies a man-made structure, distinguishing it from natural barriers.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1491

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mochi rice cake

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)并

Example Word

餅: rice cake. The Japanese noun '餅 (もち)' refers to a traditional Japanese food made from glutinous rice that has been pounded into a sticky, elastic mass. It is often shaped into round or rectangular forms and can be eaten in various ways, such as grilled, boiled, or as part of soups and desserts. '餅' is particularly associated with Japanese New Year celebrations, where it is used in dishes like 'お雑煮 (おぞうに)' (ozōni), a soup containing mochi. Example sentences include: I ate a rice cake「餅を食べた」(もちをたべた). Rice cakes are sticky「餅は粘り気がある」(もちはねばりけがある).

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1530

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Money, Cash

Reading

Parts

敝 巾Towel

Example Word

貨幣: currency. The Japanese noun '貨幣 (かへい)' refers to 'currency' or 'money' in a formal or economic context. It specifically denotes the physical form of money, such as coins and banknotes, used as a medium of exchange. This term is often used in discussions about economics, history, or finance. For example: The history of currency is fascinating「貨幣の歴史は興味深い」(かへいのれきしはきょうみぶかい). This country uses a unique currency「この国は独特な貨幣を使う」(このくにはどくとくなかへいをつかう). Note that '貨幣' is more formal than 'お金 (おかね)', which is the everyday term for money.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1686

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cover over

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 敝

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1754

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tsubo, Two mat area

Reading

Parts

土Soil 平Flat

Example Word

坪: tsubo. The Japanese noun '坪 (つぼ)' refers to a traditional unit of area measurement in Japan, equivalent to approximately 3.3 square meters. It is commonly used in real estate and construction to describe the size of land or buildings. For example: this land is 100 tsubo「この土地は100坪です」(このとちはひゃくつぼです). The house has a garden of 30 tsubo「その家には30坪の庭があります」(そのいえにはさんじゅうつぼのにわがあります). The term 'tsubo' is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is still widely used today, especially in contexts involving traditional architecture or land transactions.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1777

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Evil, Exhaustion

Reading

Parts

敝 廾Twenty

Radical

廾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1891

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Majesty

Reading

Parts

⻖ 坒

Example Word

陛下: majesty. The Japanese noun '陛下 (へいか)' is a term of respect used to refer to a reigning emperor or empress. It is a formal and honorific title, often used in official or ceremonial contexts. For example: His Majesty the Emperor「天皇陛下」(てんのうへいか). Her Majesty the Empress「皇后陛下」(こうごうへいか). The term is always used with the utmost respect and is not used in casual conversation. It is important to note that '陛下' is not used to refer to oneself or to address someone directly; it is used when speaking about the emperor or empress in the third person.

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1940

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Third, Third class

Reading

Parts

一One 内Inside

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2064

Handwriting