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

土産: souvenir. The Japanese noun '土産 (みやげ)' refers to a 'souvenir' or a gift brought back from a trip or visit to a place. It is commonly used to describe items purchased or received as a memento of a journey or as a gift for someone else. For example: I bought a souvenir from Kyoto「京都で土産を買いました」(きょうとでみやげをかいました). She gave me a souvenir from her trip「彼女は旅行の土産をくれました」(かのじょはりょこうのみやげをくれました). The word can also imply a sense of thoughtfulness, as it is often given to friends, family, or colleagues upon returning from a trip.

Radical

生

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

482

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Participate

Reading

Parts

厶Private 彡Fur 大Big

Example Word

墓参り: grave visiting. The Japanese verbal noun '墓参り (はかまいり)' refers to the act of visiting a grave, typically to pay respects to deceased family members or ancestors. This practice is common during specific times of the year, such as Obon (a Buddhist festival honoring the spirits of ancestors) or on anniversaries of a loved one's death. For example: I went gravevisiting yesterday「昨日、墓参りに行きました」(きのう、はかまいりにいきました). We will visit the grave during Obon「お盆に墓参りをします」(おぼんにはかまいりをします). The term emphasizes the cultural and familial significance of honoring the deceased.

Radical

厶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

485

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Scatter

Reading

Parts

攵Strike 月Moon, Month

Example Word

散らかす: scatter or mess up. The Japanese verb '散らかす (ちらかす)' primarily means 'to scatter' or 'to mess up'. It is used to describe the action of spreading things around in a disorderly manner, often resulting in a messy or cluttered state. This verb is commonly used in contexts where items are left untidy or disorganized. For example: He scattered his toys all over the room「彼はおもちゃを部屋中に散らかした」(かれはおもちゃをへやじゅうにちらかした). Don't mess up the living room「リビングルームを散らかさないで」(リビングルームをちらかさないで). The verb can also imply negligence or carelessness in handling objects.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

570

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Calculate

Reading

Parts

廾Twenty 目Eye ⺮Bamboo (竹)

Example Word

予算: budget. The Japanese noun '予算 (よさん)' means 'budget'. It refers to a financial plan or estimate of income and expenses for a set period of time. This term is commonly used in both personal and organizational contexts, such as government budgets, company budgets, or household budgets. For example: The budget for this project is tight「このプロジェクトの予算は厳しい」(このプロジェクトのよさんはきびしい). We need to adjust the budget「予算を調整する必要がある」(よさんをちょうせいするひつようがある). The word can also be used in compound terms like '予算案 (よさんあん)' (budget proposal) or '予算編成 (よさんへんせい)' (budget formulation).

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1109

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cruel, Wretched

Reading

Parts

忄 参Participate

Example Word

悲惨: misery. The Japanese noun '悲惨 (ひさん)' means 'misery' or 'tragedy'. It is used to describe a state of extreme unhappiness, suffering, or distress, often due to unfortunate events or circumstances. This word carries a strong emotional weight and is typically used in serious contexts, such as describing the aftermath of a disaster, a tragic story, or a dire situation. For example: The misery after the earthquake was unbearable「地震後の悲惨は耐えられなかった」(じしんごのひさんはたえられなかった). The tragedy of war left the country in ruins「戦争の悲惨が国を廃墟にした」(せんそうのひさんがくにをはいきょにした).

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