Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Three

Reading

Parts

一One 二Two

Example Word

三角: triangle. The Japanese noun '三角 (さんかく)' means 'triangle'. This word is used to describe a three-sided geometric shape or anything that resembles a triangle. It can be used in various contexts, such as mathematics, design, or everyday objects. For example: draw a triangle「三角を描いて」(さんかくをえがいて). The sandwich is cut into triangles「サンドイッチは三角に切られている」(サンドイッチはさんかくにきられている). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe relationships or situations involving three parties, such as a love triangle.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

28

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mountain

Reading

Parts

凵Open box 丨Stick

Example Word

山: mountain. The Japanese noun '山 (やま)' means 'mountain'. It refers to a large landform that rises prominently above its surroundings, typically with steep slopes and a peak. This word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: I climbed the mountain「山に登った」(やまにのぼった). There is a beautiful mountain in the distance「遠くに美しい山がある」(とおくにうつくしいやまがある). In Japanese culture, mountains often hold spiritual significance and are associated with nature and tranquility. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a large pile or a challenging task, such as 'a mountain of work' (仕事の山, しごとのやま).

Radical

山

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

44

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Give birth

Reading

Parts

生Life 产

Example Word

資産: assets. The Japanese noun '資産 (しさん)' refers to 'assets' in the sense of valuable resources or property owned by an individual, company, or organization. It is commonly used in financial, business, and legal contexts to describe things like money, real estate, investments, or other valuables. For example: He has a lot of assets「彼は多くの資産を持っている」(かれはおおくのしさんをもっている). The company's assets increased「会社の資産が増えた」(かいしゃのしさんがふえた). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe non-material assets, such as skills or knowledge, though this is less common.

Radical

生

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

482

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Participate

Reading

Parts

厶Private 彡Fur 大Big

Example Word

参考書: reference book. The Japanese noun '参考書 (さんこうしょ)' means 'reference book'. This term is commonly used to describe books that provide detailed information or guidance on a specific subject, often used for study or research purposes. For example: I bought a reference book for the exam「試験のために参考書を買いました」(しけんのためにさんこうしょをかいました). This reference book is very useful「この参考書はとても役に立ちます」(このさんこうしょはとてもやくにたちます). It's important to note that '参考書' is often used in academic or professional contexts, where detailed and reliable information is required.

Radical

厶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

485

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Scatter

Reading

Parts

攵Strike 月Moon, Month

Example Word

解散: disband. The Japanese verbal noun '解散 (かいさん)' means 'disband'. It is commonly used to describe the act of a group, organization, or assembly breaking up or dissolving. For example: The club disbanded「クラブが解散した」(クラブがかいさんした). The parliament was dissolved「議会が解散された」(ぎかいがかいさんされた). This term is often used in formal or official contexts, such as political or organizational settings. It can also imply the end of a gathering or meeting, as in 'The meeting disbanded at 5 PM'「会議は午後5時に解散した」(かいぎはごご5じにかいさんした).

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

570

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Calculate

Reading

Parts

廾Twenty 目Eye ⺮Bamboo (竹)

Example Word

採算: profitability. The Japanese noun '採算 (さいさん)' refers to 'profitability' or the financial viability of a business or project. It is often used in economic or business contexts to discuss whether an endeavor is financially sustainable or worth pursuing. For example: The project's profitability is uncertain「そのプロジェクトの採算は不透明だ」(そのプロジェクトのさいさんはふとうめいだ). We need to consider profitability before proceeding「採算を考えてから進める必要がある」(さいさんをかんがえてからすすめるひつようがある). This term is commonly used in discussions about business strategies, investments, and financial planning.

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1109

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cruel, Wretched

Reading

Parts

忄 参Participate

Example Word

惨め: miserable. The Japanese adjective '惨め (みじめ)' means 'miserable'. It is used to describe a state of extreme unhappiness, suffering, or pitifulness. This word often conveys a sense of deep emotional distress or a situation that evokes pity. For example: I felt miserable after failing the exam「試験に落ちて惨めだった」(しけんにおちてみじめだった). He looked miserable after losing his job「仕事を失って惨めそうだった」(しごとをうしなってみじめそうだった). The word can also describe situations or conditions that are pitiful or wretched, such as 'a miserable life' (惨めな生活, みじめなせいかつ).

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1352

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Umbrella, Parasol

Reading

Parts

人Person 十Ten

Example Word

傘: umbrella. The Japanese noun '傘 (かさ)' means 'umbrella'. This word refers to the object used to protect oneself from rain or sunlight. It is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially in contexts related to weather. For example: I forgot my umbrella「傘を忘れました」(かさをわすれました). Please lend me an umbrella「傘を貸してください」(かさをかしてください). The word can also be used in compound words, such as '雨傘 (あまがさ)' (rain umbrella) or '日傘 (ひがさ)' (parasol).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1542

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Praise, Agree

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 夫Man, Husband

Example Word

賛成: agreement. The Japanese verbal noun '賛成 (さんせい)' means 'agreement' or 'approval'. It is used to express consent or support for an idea, proposal, or opinion. This word is commonly used in formal and informal contexts, such as meetings, discussions, or everyday conversations. For example: I agree with your opinion「あなたの意見に賛成です」(あなたのいけんにさんせいです). The committee approved the proposal「委員会はその提案に賛成した」(いいんかいはそのていあんにさんせいした). Note that '賛成' is often paired with the particle 'に' to indicate what is being agreed upon, as in '提案に賛成する (ていあんにさんせいする) (to agree with the proposal)'.

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1571

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bitter, Acid

Reading

Parts

酉Bird of the zodiac 夋

Example Word

酸: acid. The Japanese suffix '酸 (さん)' means 'acid'. It is used in chemistry to denote substances that have acidic properties. This suffix is commonly attached to the names of specific acids, such as hydrochloric acid (塩酸, えんさん) or sulfuric acid (硫酸, りゅうさん). For example: This solution contains hydrochloric acid「この溶液には塩酸が含まれている」(このようえきにはえんさんがふくまれている). Sulfuric acid is highly corrosive「硫酸は非常に腐食性が高い」(りゅうさんはひじょうにふしょくせいがたかい). The suffix '酸' is essential in scientific and chemical contexts to identify and describe acidic compounds.

Radical

酉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1586

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Palisade

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 冊Book, Volume

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1872

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Scaffold, Plank bridge

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 㦮

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1876

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Silkworm

Reading

Parts

虫Insect 天Heaven

Radical

虫

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2015

Handwriting