字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Make

Reading

Parts

𠂉Person (人)二Two 丨Stick 亻Person (人)

Example Word

作る: make or create. The Japanese verb '作る (つくる)' primarily means 'to make' or 'to create'. It is used to describe the act of producing, constructing, or forming something. This verb can be applied to a wide range of contexts, such as making food, creating art, or building objects. For example: I made dinner「夕食を作った」(ゆうしょくをつくった). She created a beautiful painting「彼女は美しい絵を作った」(かのじょはうつくしいえをつくった). The nuance of '作る' often implies a deliberate and thoughtful process of creation, whether it's something tangible or abstract.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

96

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Early, Fast

Reading

Parts

十Ten 日Day, Sun

Example Word

早い: early or fast. The Japanese adjective '早い (はやい)' has two distinct meanings: 'early' and 'fast'. When used to mean 'early', it refers to something happening before the expected or usual time, such as arriving early or waking up early. For example: I woke up early「早く起きた」(はやくおきた). When used to mean 'fast', it describes something moving or happening quickly, such as a fast runner or a quick response. For example: This train is fast「この電車は早い」(このでんしゃははやい). The context usually clarifies which meaning is intended, but both are common and important to recognize.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

207

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Left

Reading

Parts

𠂇Cliff (厂)工Construction

Example Word

左: left. The Japanese noun '左 (ひだり)' means 'left'. It refers to the direction or side that is opposite of right. This word is commonly used in everyday contexts to indicate direction, position, or orientation. For example: turn left「左に曲がってください」(ひだりにまがってください). The book is on the left「本は左にあります」(ほんはひだりにあります). It can also be used in compound words, such as '左手 (ひだりて)' meaning 'left hand'. Note that '左' is often used in contrast with '右 (みぎ)' meaning 'right'.

Radical

工

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

266

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tea

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 人Person 艹Grass

Example Word

茶色: brown. The Japanese noun '茶色 (ちゃいろ)' means 'brown'. This color term is derived from the color of tea, specifically green tea, and is used to describe objects, clothing, or anything that has a brown hue. It is a common color term in Japanese and can be used in various contexts. For example: The table is brown「テーブルは茶色です」(てーぶるはちゃいろです). I bought a brown bag「茶色のバッグを買いました」(ちゃいろのばっぐをかいました). The word '茶色' can also be used metaphorically to describe something as plain or ordinary, similar to how 'brown' might be used in English to describe something as unremarkable.

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

361

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Difference

Reading

Parts

羊Sheep 左Left

Example Word

交差点: intersection. The Japanese noun '交差点 (こうさてん)' refers to an 'intersection', specifically a place where two or more roads cross each other. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when giving directions or discussing traffic. For example: Turn left at the next intersection「次の交差点を左に曲がってください」(つぎのこうさてんをひだりにまがってください). There was an accident at the intersection「交差点で事故がありました」(こうさてんでじこがありました). The word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Radical

工

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

547

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Assist, Help

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)左Left

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

620

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Again, Twice

Reading

Parts

冉 一One

Example Word

再: again. The Japanese prefix '再 (さい)' means 'again' or 're-'. It is used to indicate repetition or renewal of an action or state. This prefix is commonly attached to verbs or nouns to form compound words. For example: to rebuild「再建する」(さいけんする). To reconsider「再考する」(さいこうする). It can also be used in nouns like 'reconstruction'「再建」(さいけん) or 'reconsideration'「再考」(さいこう). The prefix emphasizes the idea of doing something once more or returning to a previous state.

Radical

冂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

658

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sand

Reading

Parts

少Few 石Stone

Example Word

砂糖: sugar. The Japanese noun '砂糖 (さとう)' means 'sugar'. It refers to the sweet crystalline substance used to flavor food and drinks. This word is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as cooking or discussing food. For example: I put sugar in my coffee「コーヒーに砂糖を入れました」(コーヒーにさとうをいれました). This cake has a lot of sugar「このケーキは砂糖が多い」(このケーキはさとうがおおい). The word '砂糖' is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

940

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Investigate

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 且Moreover, Also

Example Word

調査: investigation or survey. The Japanese verbal noun '調査 (ちょうさ)' can mean either 'investigation' or 'survey', depending on the context. It refers to the act of examining or studying something systematically to gather information. For example: The police are conducting an investigation「警察が調査をしている」(けいさつがちょうさをしている). We conducted a survey about customer satisfaction「顧客満足度についての調査を行った」(こきゃくまんぞくどについてのちょうさをおこなった). This word is often used in formal or professional settings, such as research, business, or law enforcement.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

986

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sand

Reading

Parts

少Few 氵Water (水)

Example Word

御無沙汰: neglect. The Japanese verbal noun '御無沙汰 (ごぶさた)' refers to the act of neglecting to contact someone or not being in touch for a long time. It is often used in polite expressions to apologize for not having been in contact. For example: I'm sorry for not being in touch「ご無沙汰しております」(ごぶさたしております). It's been a long time since we last met「久しぶりに会いましたね」(ひさしぶりにあいましたね). This term is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts to express regret for not maintaining communication.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1275

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Chain

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)貝Shellfish

Example Word

鎖: chain. The Japanese noun '鎖 (くさり)' means 'chain'. It refers to a series of connected links, typically made of metal, used for fastening, securing, or pulling objects. This word can also metaphorically represent something that binds or restricts, such as in the context of emotional or societal constraints. Example sentences: The dog is tied with a chain「犬は鎖でつながれている」(いぬはくさりでつながれている). The chain of events led to the accident「一連の出来事が事故につながった」(いちれんのできごとがじこにつながった).

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1621

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lie, Swindle

Reading

Parts

乍 訁Say (言)

Example Word

詐欺: fraud. The Japanese noun '詐欺 (さぎ)' means 'fraud'. It refers to the act of deceiving someone for personal gain, often involving money or property. This word is commonly used in legal, financial, and everyday contexts to describe scams, swindles, or dishonest schemes. For example: He was arrested for fraud「彼は詐欺で逮捕された」(かれはさぎでたいほされた). This is a classic case of fraud「これは典型的な詐欺です」(これはてんけいてきなさぎです). The term can also be used in compound words, such as '詐欺師 (さぎし)' (fraudster or con artist).

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1987

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Entice, Instigate

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 夋

Example Word

示唆: hint. The Japanese noun '示唆 (しさ)' means 'hint' or 'suggestion'. It refers to an indirect indication or clue that implies something without stating it explicitly. This word is often used in formal or intellectual contexts, such as academic discussions, literature, or professional advice. For example: The professor gave a hint about the exam questions「教授は試験問題について示唆を与えた」(きょうじゅはしけんもんだいについてしさをあたえた). Her words contained a subtle suggestion「彼女の言葉には微妙な示唆が含まれていた」(かのじょのことばにはびみょうなしさがふくまれていた). Note that '示唆' is more formal than other words like 'ヒント' (hint) or '暗示' (あんじ, implication), and it often carries a nuanced or sophisticated tone.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1997

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sprain

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)坐

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2003

Handwriting