Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

After, Behind

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 夂Late 幺Slight

Example Word

背後: behind. The Japanese noun '背後 (はいご)' means 'behind' or 'the back'. It is used to refer to the area or position at the back of something or someone. This word can be used both literally and figuratively. For example: There is a park behind the building「建物の背後に公園があります」(たてもののはいごにこうえんがあります). The truth behind the incident is still unclear「事件の背後にある真実はまだ不明です」(じけんのはいごにあるしんじつはまだふめいです). In a figurative sense, it can also imply something hidden or not immediately apparent, such as motives or reasons behind actions.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

45

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Honorable, General honorific term

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 卸Wholesale

Example Word

御: honorific. The Japanese prefix '御 (お)' is an honorific prefix used to show respect or politeness. It is commonly attached to nouns, particularly in formal or polite contexts. This prefix does not change the core meaning of the word but elevates its tone. For example: tea「お茶」(おちゃ), money「お金」(おかね). It is also used in set phrases like 'thank you'「ありがとうございます」(ありがとうございます), where '御' is implied in the politeness of the expression. Note that '御' can also be read as 'ご' in some cases, such as 'ご飯 (ごはん)' (meal/rice), but the meaning remains the same.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

54

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Five

Reading

Parts

丅Down (下)ユKatakana yu

Example Word

五十音: alphabet. The Japanese noun '五十音 (ごじゅうおん)' refers to the 'Japanese syllabary' or 'alphabet'. It specifically denotes the systematic arrangement of the basic syllables in the Japanese language, which are organized in a grid known as the 'gojūonzu'. This grid includes all the basic kana characters (hiragana and katakana) arranged in a specific order. For example: Let's study the Japanese alphabet「五十音を勉強しましょう」(ごじゅうおんをべんきょうしましょう). The teacher wrote the Japanese alphabet on the board「先生は五十音を黒板に書きました」(せんせいはごじゅうおんをこくばんにかきました). The term is often used in the context of learning Japanese, as mastering the 五十音 is the first step in understanding the language.

Radical

二

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

55

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Language, Word

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 五Five 言Say

Example Word

外国語: foreign language. The Japanese noun '外国語 (がいこくご)' means 'foreign language'. This word refers to any language that is not one's native language. It is commonly used in contexts related to language learning, education, or communication with non-native speakers. For example: I am studying a foreign language 「私は外国語を勉強しています」 (わたしはがいこくごをべんきょうしています). He can speak several foreign languages 「彼はいくつかの外国語を話せます」 (かれはいくつかのがいこくごをはなせます). The word is often used in combination with other terms, such as '外国語学習 (がいこくごがくしゅう)' (foreign language study) or '外国語教育 (がいこくごきょういく)' (foreign language education).

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

183

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Time, Period

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 其That

Example Word

期日: deadline. The Japanese noun '期日 (きじつ)' refers to a specific date or deadline by which something must be completed or fulfilled. It is commonly used in formal or business contexts to indicate due dates for tasks, payments, or submissions. For example: The deadline for the report is next Monday「レポートの期日は来週の月曜日です」(レポートのきじつはらいしゅうのげつようびです). Please submit the application by the deadline「申請書を期日までに提出してください」(しんせいしょをきじつまでにていしゅつしてください). The word emphasizes the importance of adhering to the specified date.

Radical

月

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

511

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Noon

Reading

Parts

𠂉Person (人)十Ten

Example Word

午後: afternoon. The Japanese noun '午後 (ごご)' refers to the time period of the 'afternoon'. It is commonly used to indicate the time of day from around 12:00 PM (noon) until evening, typically around 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. This word is often used in schedules, appointments, or when specifying time. For example: I have a meeting in the afternoon「午後に会議があります」(ごごにかいぎがあります). Let's meet at 3 PM in the afternoon「午後3時に会いましょう」(ごごさんじにあいましょう). Note that '午後' is often paired with specific times, such as '午後2時 (ごごにじ)' for 2:00 PM.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

753

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Protect, Defend

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)蒦

Example Word

看護: nursing. The Japanese verbal noun '看護 (かんご)' refers to the act or profession of nursing, which involves caring for the sick or infirm. It is commonly used in contexts related to healthcare and medical services. For example: She is studying nursing「彼女は看護を勉強しています」(かのじょはかんごをべんきょうしています). The hospital needs more nursing staff「病院はもっと看護スタッフが必要です」(びょういんはもっとかんごスタッフがひつようです). This term is often associated with professional caregiving roles and is a key concept in medical and healthcare settings.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

783

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Give, Wu China

Reading

Example Word

呉れる: give. The Japanese verb '呉れる (くれる)' means 'to give' and is used when someone gives something to the speaker or someone close to the speaker. It implies a sense of favor or kindness from the giver's side. This verb is often used in casual speech and is conjugated differently from other verbs. For example: He gave me a book「彼は私に本をくれた」(かれはわたしにほんをくれた). My friend gave me a ride「友達が車で送ってくれた」(ともだちがくるまでおくってくれた). Note that 'くれる' is used when the action benefits the speaker or someone in the speaker's in-group, and it is often accompanied by a sense of gratitude.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

800

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mutual

Reading

Parts

一One 二Two 彑

Example Word

お互い: each other. The Japanese noun 'お互い (おたがい)' means 'each other' or 'mutually'. It is used to describe a reciprocal relationship or action between two or more parties. This word is often used in contexts where people are doing something for or to each other. For example: We should help each other「私たちはお互いを助けるべきです」(わたしたちはおたがいをたすけるべきです). They respect each other「彼らはお互いを尊重します」(かれらはおたがいをそんちょうします). 'お互い' can also imply a sense of shared understanding or commonality, as in 'お互い様 (おたがいさま)', which means 'it's mutual' or 'we're in the same boat'.

Radical

二

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

835

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mistake

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)呉Give, Wu China

Example Word

誤り: mistake. The Japanese noun '誤り (あやまり)' means 'mistake' or 'error'. It refers to an incorrect action, decision, or judgment. This word is often used in formal or written contexts to describe errors in reasoning, calculations, or behavior. For example: I realized my mistake「私は誤りに気づいた」(わたしはあやまりにきづいた). Correcting mistakes is important「誤りを直すことは大切だ」(あやまりをなおすことはたいせつだ). The word can also be used in compound phrases like '誤りを犯す (あやまりをおかす)' (to make a mistake).

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1015

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spiritually awakened, Comprehension

Reading

Parts

忄 吾

Example Word

悟る: realize. The Japanese verb '悟る (さとる)' means 'to realize' or 'to become aware of', often in a profound or spiritual sense. It is commonly used to describe the moment of enlightenment or understanding, particularly in a philosophical or religious context. For example: He realized the truth「彼は真実を悟った」(かれはしんじつをさとった). She became aware of her mistake「彼女は自分の過ちを悟った」(かのじょはじぶんのあやまちをさとった). This verb can also imply a deep, often sudden, comprehension of a situation or concept, and is frequently used in contexts related to Buddhism or personal growth.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1055

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Go, The game of Go

Reading

Parts

石Stone 其That

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1829

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enjoyment, Recreation

Reading

Parts

女Woman 呉Give, Wu China

Example Word

娯楽: entertainment. The Japanese noun '娯楽 (ごらく)' refers to 'entertainment' or 'amusement'. It is used to describe activities or forms of enjoyment that provide pleasure or relaxation. This word is often used in contexts related to leisure, such as movies, games, or recreational activities. For example: watching movies is a form of entertainment「映画を見ることは娯楽です」(えいがをみることはごらくです). This park is a place for entertainment「この公園は娯楽の場所です」(このこうえんはごらくのばしょです). The term can also be used in a broader sense to describe anything that brings joy or diversion from daily routines.

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1956

Handwriting