kanji

Meaning

Make

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)𠂉Person (人)二Two 丨Stick

Example Word

作り出す: create or produce. The Japanese verb '作り出す (つくりだす)' means 'to create' or 'to produce'. It is used to describe the act of bringing something new into existence, whether it be a physical object, an idea, or a situation. This verb often implies a sense of innovation or originality. For example: He created a new recipe「彼は新しいレシピを作り出した」(かれはあたらしいレシピをつくりだした). The artist produced a masterpiece「その芸術家は傑作を作り出した」(そのげいじゅつかはけっさくをつくりだした). It can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as creating a new trend or producing a certain atmosphere.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

96

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Early, Fast

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 十Ten

Example Word

早く: quickly. The Japanese adverb '早く (はやく)' means 'quickly' or 'early'. It is used to indicate that something is done with speed or haste, or that something occurs earlier than expected. This adverb can be used in various contexts, such as urging someone to hurry up or describing the timing of an event. For example: Please come quickly「早く来てください」(はやくきてください). I woke up early this morning「今朝は早く起きた」(けさははやくおきた). It can also be used to express a desire for something to happen sooner, as in 'I want summer to come quickly'「夏が早く来てほしい」(なつがはやくきてほしい).

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

207

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Left

Reading

Parts

工Construction 𠂇Cliff (厂)

Example Word

左手: left hand. The Japanese noun '左手 (ひだりて)' means 'left hand'. It refers specifically to the hand on the left side of the body. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be used in various contexts, such as describing actions, giving directions, or discussing physical attributes. For example: I write with my left hand「私は左手で書きます」(わたしはひだりてでかきます). He held the bag in his left hand「彼は左手でバッグを持っていた」(かれはひだりてでバッグをもっていた). The word is straightforward and does not carry additional nuanced meanings beyond its literal definition.

Radical

工

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

266

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tea

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 人Person 木Tree, Wood

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

左Left 羊Sheep

Example Word

交差: crossing. The Japanese noun '交差 (こうさ)' means 'crossing'. It refers to the point or place where two or more things intersect or cross each other, such as roads, lines, or paths. This term is commonly used in contexts involving transportation, geometry, or any scenario where paths or lines intersect. For example: the crossing of two roads「二つの道路の交差」(ふたつのどうろのこうさ). The railway crossing is ahead「鉄道の交差が先です」(てつどうのこうさがさきです). It can also be used metaphorically to describe the intersection of ideas or events.

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

一One 冉

Example Word

再会: reunion. The Japanese verbal noun '再会 (さいかい)' means 'reunion'. It refers to the act of meeting someone again after a period of separation. This word is often used in emotional or significant contexts, such as reuniting with old friends, family members, or loved ones. For example: I had a reunion with my old friend「私は昔の友達と再会した」(わたしはむかしのともだちとさいかいした). We will have a reunion next year「私たちは来年再会するでしょう」(わたしたちはらいねんさいかいするでしょう). The word carries a sense of nostalgia and importance, emphasizing the value of reconnecting with someone after time apart.

Radical

冂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

658

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sand

Reading

Parts

石Stone 少Few

Example Word

砂浜: beach. The Japanese noun '砂浜 (すなはま)' refers to a sandy beach, specifically the area of the shore covered in sand. It is commonly used to describe coastal areas where sand is the primary feature, often associated with leisure activities like swimming, sunbathing, or playing. For example: The children are playing on the beach「子供たちは砂浜で遊んでいる」(こどもたちはすなはまであそんでいる). The sandy beach stretches far「砂浜が遠くまで続いている」(すなはまがとおくまでつづいている). This word emphasizes the sandy nature of the beach, distinguishing it from rocky or pebbly shores.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

940

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Investigate

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 且Moreover, Also

Example Word

捜査: investigation. The Japanese verbal noun '捜査 (そうさ)' refers to the act of investigating, particularly in a legal or criminal context. It is commonly used to describe police investigations or official inquiries into crimes or incidents. For example: The police are conducting an investigation「警察が捜査をしている」(けいさつがそうさをしている). The investigation into the case is ongoing「その事件の捜査は続いている」(そのじけんのそうさはつづいている). This term is often used in formal or official settings, and it emphasizes the systematic and thorough nature of the investigation.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

986

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sand

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)少Few

Example Word

沙汰: matter or news. The Japanese noun '沙汰 (さた)' can mean 'matter' or 'news', depending on the context. It is often used to refer to an event, incident, or piece of information that is noteworthy or requires attention. For example: I heard about the matter「その沙汰を聞いた」(そのさたをきいた). There's no news from him「彼からの沙汰がない」(かれからのさたがない). The word can also imply something that is being discussed or judged, as in '世間の沙汰 (せけんのさた) (public judgment)'. It is a somewhat formal or old-fashioned term, often used in written or formal spoken contexts.

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

訁Say (言)乍

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