Page 1
kanji
平Meaning
Flat
Reading
kunyomiひらhira
たいtai
onyomiへいhei
びょうbyou
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
5JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
111
Handwriting
kanji
兵Meaning
Soldier
Reading
onyomiへいhei
ひょうhyou
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
7JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
218
Handwriting
kanji
病Meaning
Illness
Reading
kunyomiやya
やまいyamai
onyomiびょうbyou
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
10JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
249
Handwriting
kanji
並Meaning
Line, Row
Reading
kunyomiならnara
なみnami
onyomiへいhei
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
8JLPT
N2Grade
6Frequency
525
Handwriting
kanji
柄Meaning
Design, Handle
Reading
kunyomiえe
がらgara
onyomiへいhei
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
9JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
745
Handwriting
kanji
閉Meaning
Close, Shut
Reading
kunyomiしshi
とto
onyomiへいhei
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
11JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
907
Handwriting
kanji
併Meaning
Join, Put together
Reading
kunyomiあわawa
onyomiへいhei
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
8JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1043
Handwriting
kanji
塀Meaning
Wall, Fence
Reading
onyomiへいhei
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
12JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1491
Handwriting
kanji
餅Meaning
Mochi rice cake
Reading
kunyomiもちmochi
もちいmochii
onyomiへいhei
ひょうhyou
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
14JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1530
Handwriting
kanji
幣Meaning
Money, Cash
Reading
onyomiへいhei
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
15JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1686
Handwriting
kanji
坪Meaning
Tsubo, Two mat area
Reading
kunyomiつぼtsubo
onyomiへいhei
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
8JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1777
Handwriting
kanji
陛Meaning
Majesty
Reading
onyomiへいhei
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
10JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
1940
Handwriting