Page 1
kanji
作Meaning
Make
Reading
kunyomiつくtsuku
onyomiさsa
さくsaku
Parts
亻Person (人)𠂉Person (人)二Two 丨Stick
Example Word
作家: writer. The Japanese noun '作家 (さっか)' refers to a 'writer' or 'author', specifically someone who creates literary works such as novels, essays, or poetry. This term is often used to describe professional writers who are recognized for their creative contributions to literature. For example: She is a famous writer「彼女は有名な作家です」(かのじょはゆうめいなさっかです). The writer published a new novel「その作家は新しい小説を出版しました」(そのさっかはあたらしいしょうせつをしゅっぱんしました). The word can also be used more broadly to describe creators in other artistic fields, such as playwrights or screenwriters, but it primarily emphasizes literary creation.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
96
Handwriting
kanji
早Meaning
Early, Fast
Reading
kunyomiはやhaya
onyomiそうsou
さsa
Parts
日Day, Sun 十Ten
Example Word
素早い: quick. The Japanese adjective '素早い (すばやい)' means 'quick' or 'swift'. It is used to describe actions, movements, or reactions that are done with speed and agility. This word often carries a nuance of efficiency and precision, not just raw speed. For example: He made a quick decision「彼は素早い決断をした」(かれはすばやいけつだんをした). The cat moved quickly「猫は素早く動いた」(ねこはすばやくうごいた). It can also describe someone who is quick-witted or sharp, as in '素早い返事 (すばやいへんじ) (a quick reply)'.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
207
Handwriting
kanji
左Meaning
Left
Reading
kunyomiひだりhidari
onyomiさsa
Parts
工Construction 𠂇Cliff (厂)
Example Word
左側: left side. The Japanese noun '左側 (ひだりがわ)' means 'left side'. It refers to the side of something that is on the left when facing a particular direction. This word is commonly used in everyday situations, such as giving directions or describing the position of objects. For example: The bookstore is on the left side「本屋は左側です」(ほんやはひだりがわです). Please sit on the left side「左側に座ってください」(ひだりがわにすわってください). The word is often used in combination with other nouns to specify location, such as '左側のドア (ひだりがわのドア) (the left-side door)'.
Radical
工
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
266
Handwriting
kanji
茶Meaning
Tea
Reading
onyomiさsa
ちゃcha
Parts
艹Grass 人Person 木Tree, Wood
Example Word
喫茶: coffee. The Japanese noun '喫茶 (きっさ)' refers to 'coffee' or the act of drinking tea, but it is most commonly associated with coffee shops or cafes in Japan. The term is often used in the context of '喫茶店 (きっさてん)', which means 'coffee shop' or 'cafe'. These establishments are popular spots for enjoying coffee, light meals, and desserts. Example sentences: Let's go to a coffee shop「喫茶店に行きましょう」(きっさてんにいきましょう). This coffee is delicious「この喫茶は美味しい」(このきっさはおいしい). Note that while '喫茶' can refer to tea, in modern usage it is more commonly associated with coffee.
Radical
艸
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
361
Handwriting
kanji
差Meaning
Difference
Reading
kunyomiさsa
onyomiさsa
Parts
左Left 羊Sheep
Example Word
差異: difference. The Japanese noun '差異 (さい)' means 'difference'. It refers to a distinction or discrepancy between two or more things. This word is often used in formal or technical contexts to describe variations, gaps, or disparities. For example: there is a difference in opinion「意見に差異がある」(いけんにさいがある). The difference between the two products is clear「二つの製品の差異は明らかだ」(ふたつのせいひんのさいはあきらかだ). Note that '差異' is more formal than other words like '違い (ちがい)', which is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
Radical
工
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
547
Handwriting
kanji
再Meaning
Again, Twice
Reading
kunyomiふたたfutata
onyomiさsa
さいsai
Parts
一One 冉
Example Word
再生: playback or recycling. The Japanese verbal noun '再生 (さいせい)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'playback', referring to the act of playing back audio or video recordings. For example: I listened to the playback of the song「その曲の再生を聞いた」(そのきょくのさいせいをきいた). The second meaning is 'recycling', referring to the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials. For example: Recycling is important for the environment「再生は環境にとって重要だ」(さいせいはかんきょうにとってじゅうようだ). These two meanings are distinct and unrelated, hence both are included as separate meanings.
Radical
冂
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
658
Handwriting
kanji
砂Meaning
Sand
Reading
kunyomiすなsuna
onyomiさsa
しゃsha
Parts
石Stone 少Few
Example Word
砂漠: desert. The Japanese noun '砂漠 (さばく)' means 'desert'. It refers to a barren area of land where little precipitation occurs, making it difficult for plants and animals to survive. This word is used to describe both natural deserts and metaphorical situations that feel barren or lifeless. For example: The Sahara is a vast desert「サハラは広大な砂漠です」(サハラはこうだいなさばくです). His heart felt like a desert「彼の心は砂漠のようだった」(かれのこころはさばくのようだった). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '砂漠地帯 (さばくちたい)' meaning 'desert region'.
Radical
石
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N2Grade
6Frequency
940
Handwriting
kanji
査Meaning
Investigate
Reading
onyomiさsa
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
9JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
986
Handwriting
kanji
沙Meaning
Sand
Reading
kunyomiすなsuna
よなげるyonageru
onyomiさsa
しゃsha
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
7JLPT
N1Grade
10Frequency
1275
Handwriting
kanji
鎖Meaning
Chain
Reading
kunyomiくさりkusari
とざtoza
onyomiさsa
Parts
釒Gold (金)貝Shellfish
Example Word
閉鎖: closure. The Japanese noun '閉鎖 (へいさ)' means 'closure'. It refers to the act of closing something, such as a facility, business, or system, or the state of being closed. This word is often used in contexts like the closure of a road, a school, or a business. For example: The factory's closure was announced「工場の閉鎖が発表された」(こうじょうのへいさがはっぴょうされた). The road closure caused traffic「道路の閉鎖で渋滞が起きた」(どうろのへいさでじゅうたいがおきた). It can also be used metaphorically, such as the closure of a chapter in life or a project.
Radical
金
Stroke Count
18JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1621
Handwriting