Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading
とう tou
kanji
当Meaning
Hit, Appropriate
Reading
a
onyomiとうtou
Parts
⺌Small (小)彐Katakana yo
Example Word
当日: day. The Japanese noun '当日 (とうじつ)' refers to 'the day in question' or 'the very day' of an event or occasion. It is commonly used to specify the exact day something is happening, such as a meeting, event, or appointment. For example: Please come on the day of the event「当日に来てください」(とうじつにきてください). The payment is due on the day「支払いは当日です」(しはらいはとうじつです). This word emphasizes the immediacy or relevance of the specific day being discussed.
Radical
彐
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
92
Handwriting
kanji
頭Meaning
Head
Reading
atama
かしらkashira
onyomiとうtou
ずzu
Parts
豆Beans 𦣻Neck (首)八Eight
Example Word
冒頭: beginning. The Japanese noun '冒頭 (ぼうとう)' refers to the 'beginning' or 'start' of something, such as a speech, story, or event. It is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe the opening part of a narrative or presentation. For example: at the beginning of the story「冒頭の部分」(ぼうとうのぶぶん). The speaker started with a joke at the beginning「スピーカーは冒頭でジョークを言った」(スピーカーはぼうとうでジョークをいった). This word emphasizes the initial part of something, setting the stage for what follows.
Radical
頁
Stroke Count
16JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
129
Handwriting
kanji
等Meaning
Equal
Reading
hito
らra
onyomiとうtou
Parts
⺮Bamboo (竹)寺Temple
Example Word
不平等: inequality. The Japanese adjectival noun '不平等 (ふびょうどう)' means 'inequality'. It is used to describe a state of unfairness or lack of equality, often in social, economic, or legal contexts. For example: There is inequality in the distribution of wealth「富の分配に不平等がある」(とみのぶんぱいにとみのぶんぱいにふびょうどうがある). The law is unequal「その法律は不平等だ」(そのほうりつはふびょうどうだ). This term can also be used to describe unequal treatment or conditions in various situations, such as in relationships or opportunities.
Radical
竹
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
164
Handwriting
kanji
東Meaning
East
Reading
higashi
onyomiとうtou
Parts
木Tree, Wood 日Day, Sun
Example Word
東西: east and west. The Japanese noun '東西 (とうざい)' refers to the concept of 'east and west', often used to describe direction, orientation, or geographical location. It can also metaphorically represent contrasting ideas, cultures, or traditions from the East and West. For example: The train runs east-west「電車は東西に走る」(でんしゃはとうざいにはしる). The cultural exchange between East and West is important「東西の文化交流は重要だ」(とうざいのぶんかこうりゅうはじゅうようだ). This word is commonly used in contexts involving geography, travel, or cultural comparisons.
Radical
木
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
233
Handwriting
kanji
島Meaning
Island
Reading
shima
onyomiとうtou
Parts
山Mountain 鳥Bird
Example Word
諸島: archipelago. The Japanese noun '諸島 (しょとう)' refers to an 'archipelago', which is a group or chain of islands. This term is often used in geographical contexts to describe clusters of islands, such as the Japanese archipelago itself. For example: The Japanese archipelago consists of many islands「日本の諸島は多くの島々から成る」(にほんのしょとうはおおくのしまじまからなる). The Ryukyu Islands are a famous archipelago「琉球諸島は有名な諸島です」(りゅうきゅうしょとうはゆうめいなしょとうです). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe any group or collection of similar things, though this usage is less common.
Radical
山
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
292
Handwriting
kanji
答Meaning
Answer
Reading
kota
onyomiとうtou
Parts
合Fit, Match 竹Bamboo
Example Word
答える: answer. The Japanese verb '答える (こたえる)' means 'to answer'. It is used when responding to a question, request, or situation. This verb is commonly paired with the particle 'に' to indicate what is being answered. For example: I answered the question「質問に答えた」(しつもんにこたえた). He answered politely「彼は丁寧に答えた」(かれはていねいにこたえた). Note that '答える' can also imply a response to a challenge or expectation, such as in '期待に答える (きたいにこたえる)' (to live up to expectations).
Radical
竹
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
392
Handwriting
kanji
逃Meaning
Escape
Reading
no
にni
のがnoga
onyomiとうtou
Parts
辶Walk 兆Omen, Trillion
Example Word
逃れる: escape. The Japanese verb '逃れる (のがれる)' means 'to escape' or 'to avoid'. It is used to describe the act of getting away from a situation, danger, or responsibility. This verb often carries a nuance of avoiding something undesirable or evading a difficult circumstance. For example: He escaped from the prison「彼は刑務所から逃れた」(かれはけいむしょからのがれた). She managed to avoid the responsibility「彼女は責任を逃れた」(かのじょはせきにんをのがれた). The verb can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as escaping from reality or avoiding a topic in conversation.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
446
Handwriting
kanji
刀Meaning
Sword
Reading
chi
かたなkatana
onyomiとうtou
Parts
丿Katakana no 𠃌Enclosure
Example Word
刀: sword. The Japanese noun '刀 (かたな)' refers to a traditional Japanese sword, particularly the single-edged, curved blade used by samurai. It is a culturally significant weapon in Japan, often associated with the samurai class and martial arts. The term can also be used more broadly to refer to any type of sword, but it is most commonly associated with the katana. Example sentences: He owns a beautiful sword「彼は美しい刀を持っている」(かれはうつくしいかたなをもっている). The sword is sharp「その刀は鋭い」(そのかたなはするどい).
Radical
刀
Stroke Count
2JLPT
N1Grade
2Frequency
603
Radical Form