kanji

Meaning

Make

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)𠂉Person (人)二Two 丨Stick

Example Word

製作: production. The Japanese verbal noun '製作 (せいさく)' refers to the act of producing or manufacturing something, often used in contexts involving creative or industrial processes. It can apply to the production of goods, films, art, or other tangible or intangible items. For example: the production of a movie「映画の製作」(えいがのせいさく). This company specializes in the production of furniture「この会社は家具の製作を専門としています」(このかいしゃはかぐのせいさくをせんもんとしています). The word emphasizes the process of creating or making something, often with a focus on craftsmanship or detailed work.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

96

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Early, Fast

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 十Ten

Example Word

早起き: early rising. The Japanese verbal noun '早起き (はやおき)' means 'early rising' or 'getting up early'. It is used to describe the act of waking up early in the morning. This word is often associated with a positive habit or lifestyle choice. For example: I like early rising「私は早起きが好きです」(わたしははやおきがすきです). Early rising is good for health「早起きは健康に良い」(はやおきはけんこうにいい). The word can also be used in compound phrases, such as '早起きする (はやおきする)', which means 'to get up early'.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

207

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Left

Reading

Parts

工Construction 𠂇Cliff (厂)

Example Word

左利き: left handed. The Japanese noun '左利き (ひだりきき)' refers to someone who is left-handed. It is used to describe a person's dominant hand preference. For example: my brother is left-handed「私の兄は左利きです」(わたしのあにはひだりききです). She writes with her left hand because she is left-handed「彼女は左利きなので左手で書きます」(かのじょはひだりききなのでひだりてでかきます). This term can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is designed or suited for left-handed people, such as '左利き用のはさみ (ひだりききようのはさみ) (scissors for left-handed people).'

Radical

工

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

266

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tea

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

361

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Difference

Reading

Parts

左Left 羊Sheep

Example Word

差す: point or pour. The Japanese verb '差す (さす)' has multiple meanings depending on context. One meaning is 'to pour' or 'to fill', often used when pouring liquids like tea or water. For example: She poured tea「彼女はお茶を差した」(かのじょはおちゃをさした). Another meaning is 'to point' or 'to indicate', such as pointing at something with a finger or a tool. For example: He pointed at the map「彼は地図を差した」(かれはちずをさした). The verb can also imply a gentle or careful action, such as when inserting or placing something delicately. For example: She inserted the key「彼女は鍵を差した」(かのじょはかぎをさした). The nuance of the verb often depends on the object being acted upon.

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

再度: again. The Japanese noun '再度 (さいど)' means 'again' or 'once more'. It is used to indicate the repetition of an action or event. This word is often used in formal or written contexts, such as in business or official communications. For example: Please try again「再度お試しください」(さいどおためしください). We will discuss this matter again「この件は再度話し合います」(このけんはさいどはなしあいます). Note that '再度' is more formal than other words meaning 'again', such as 'もう一度 (もういちど)', which is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Radical

冂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

658

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sand

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

940

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Investigate

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 且Moreover, Also

Example Word

監査: audit. The Japanese noun '監査 (かんさ)' refers to an 'audit', which is a systematic examination or review of financial records, processes, or systems to ensure accuracy, compliance, or efficiency. This term is commonly used in business, finance, and legal contexts. For example: The company conducted an internal audit「会社は内部監査を行った」(かいしゃはないぶかんさをおこなった). The audit revealed discrepancies in the accounts「監査により帳簿の不一致が明らかになった」(かんさによりちょうぼのふいっちがあきらかになった). It is important to note that '監査' often implies a formal or official review process.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

986

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sand

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)少Few

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

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

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