kanji

Meaning

Three

Reading

Parts

一One 二Two

Example Word

三日月: crescent. The Japanese noun '三日月 (みかづき)' refers to a 'crescent moon'. It is commonly used to describe the shape of the moon when it is in its early phase, appearing as a thin, curved sliver. This word is often used in poetic or descriptive contexts to evoke imagery of the night sky. For example: The crescent moon is beautiful tonight「今夜の三日月は美しい」(こんやのみかづきはうつくしい). She drew a crescent moon on the paper「彼女は紙に三日月を描いた」(かのじょはかみにみかづきをかいた). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something shaped like a crescent, such as a crescent-shaped pastry or object.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

28

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mountain

Reading

Parts

凵Open box 丨Stick

Example Word

登山: mountain climbing. The Japanese verbal noun '登山 (とざん)' refers to the activity of climbing mountains. It is commonly used to describe the act of hiking or climbing mountains as a recreational or sporting activity. For example: I enjoy mountain climbing「私は登山が好きです」(わたしはとざんがすきです). They went mountain climbing last weekend「彼らは先週末に登山に行きました」(かれらはせんしゅうまつにとざんにいきました). The term can also be used in a broader sense to refer to the act of ascending any steep or elevated terrain, not just mountains.

Radical

山

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

44

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Give birth

Reading

Parts

生Life 产

Example Word

産: product. The Japanese suffix '産 (さん)' is used to indicate the origin or place of production of something. It is often attached to the name of a place or country to specify where a product or item comes from. For example: Japanese-made「日本産」(にほんさん). This suffix is commonly used in contexts related to food, goods, or materials to highlight their origin. For instance: This is a product of France「これはフランス産です」(これはフランスさんです). It can also be used metaphorically to describe something as being 'produced' or 'originating' from a particular place or source.

Radical

生

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

482

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Participate

Reading

Parts

厶Private 彡Fur 大Big

Example Word

参議院: House of Councilors. The Japanese noun '参議院 (さんぎいん)' refers to the 'House of Councilors,' which is the upper house of the National Diet of Japan. It is one of the two houses in the Japanese legislative system, along with the House of Representatives (衆議院, しゅうぎいん). The House of Councillors plays a key role in passing laws and overseeing the government. Example: Members of the House of Councillors are directly elected by the people 「参議院の議員は国民によって直接選ばれる」 (さんぎいんのぎいんはこくみんによってちょくせつえらばれる). The House of Councillors has 242 seats 「参議院は242議席ある」 (さんぎいんは242ぎせきある).

Radical

厶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

485

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Scatter

Reading

Parts

攵Strike 月Moon, Month

Example Word

散歩: walk. The Japanese verbal noun '散歩 (さんぽ)' means 'walk' or 'stroll'. It refers to the act of walking leisurely, often for relaxation, exercise, or enjoyment. This word is commonly used to describe a casual walk, such as taking a stroll in a park or around the neighborhood. For example: I took a walk in the park「公園で散歩しました」(こうえんでさんぽしました). Let's go for a walk「散歩に行きましょう」(さんぽにいきましょう). It can also be used to describe walking a pet, as in '犬の散歩 (いぬのさんぽ) (walking the dog)'. Note that '散歩' implies a relaxed and unhurried pace, unlike more purposeful walking like commuting or hiking.

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

酸っぱい: sour. The Japanese adjective '酸っぱい (すっぱい)' means 'sour'. It is used to describe a sharp, acidic taste, often associated with foods like lemons, vinegar, or unripe fruits. This word can also be used metaphorically to describe situations or emotions, such as jealousy or bitterness. For example: This lemon is sour「このレモンは酸っぱい」(このレモンはすっぱい). She made a sour face when she tasted the vinegar「彼女は酢を味わった時、酸っぱい顔をした」(かのじょはすをあじわったとき、すっぱいかおをした). The word is commonly used in everyday conversation and is straightforward in its meaning.

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