Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

After, Behind

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 夂Late 幺Slight

Example Word

後ろ向き: backward. The Japanese noun '後ろ向き (うしろむき)' literally means 'facing backward' and is often used metaphorically to describe a backward-looking or pessimistic attitude. It can refer to physical orientation, such as facing away from something, or a mindset that is resistant to progress or change. For example: He has a backward attitude「彼は後ろ向きだ」(かれはうしろむきだ). The statue is facing backward「その像は後ろ向きです」(そのぞうはうしろむきです). This word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

45

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Honorable, General honorific term

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 卸Wholesale

Example Word

御飯: rice or meal. The Japanese noun '御飯 (ごはん)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'rice', referring specifically to cooked rice, which is a staple food in Japanese cuisine. The second meaning is 'meal', as rice is often the central component of a traditional Japanese meal. For example: I ate rice「御飯を食べた」(ごはんをたべた). Let's have a meal「御飯を食べましょう」(ごはんをたべましょう). The word can also be used in compound words like '朝御飯 (あさごはん)' meaning 'breakfast' and '晩御飯 (ばんごはん)' meaning 'dinner'. It's important to note that while '御飯' can mean both 'rice' and 'meal', the context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended.

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

物語る: indicate or tell. The Japanese verb '物語る (ものがたる)' primarily means 'to tell' or 'to narrate', often referring to recounting a story or history. It can also mean 'to indicate' or 'to show', suggesting that something reveals or implies a deeper meaning or truth. For example: The ruins tell the story of an ancient civilization「遺跡は古代文明の物語を物語っている」(いせきはこだいぶんめいのものがたりをものがたっている). His actions indicate his true intentions「彼の行動は彼の本当の意図を物語っている」(かれのこうどうはかれのほんとうのいとをものがたっている). This verb is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe how something conveys a narrative or reveals underlying truths.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

183

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Time, Period

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 其That

Example Word

延期: postponement. The Japanese verbal noun '延期 (えんき)' means 'postponement'. It refers to the act of delaying or rescheduling an event, meeting, or deadline to a later time. This term is commonly used in formal or professional contexts, such as business, academics, or public events. For example: The meeting was postponed「会議は延期されました」(かいぎはえんきされました). Due to the weather, the game has been postponed「天候のため、試合は延期されました」(てんこうのため、しあいはえんきされました). Note that '延期' is often used with verbs like する (to do) or される (to be done) to indicate the action of postponing.

Radical

月

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

511

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Noon

Reading

Parts

𠂉Person (人)十Ten

Example Word

正午: noon. The Japanese noun '正午 (しょうご)' means 'noon'. It refers specifically to 12:00 PM, the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest point. This word is commonly used in formal or precise contexts, such as schedules, announcements, or official documents. For example: The meeting is at noon「会議は正午です」(かいぎはしょうごです). The train departs at noon「電車は正午に出発します」(でんしゃはしょうごにしゅっぱつします). Note that '正午' is more formal than the casual term 'お昼 (おひる)', which can also mean 'noon' but is often used more broadly to refer to the daytime or lunchtime.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

753

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Protect, Defend

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)蒦

Example Word

看護婦: nurse. The Japanese noun '看護婦 (かんごふ)' specifically refers to a 'female nurse'. This term is used to describe a woman who is trained to care for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital setting. Historically, this term was commonly used, but in modern Japanese, the gender-neutral term '看護師 (かんごし)' is preferred to refer to nurses of any gender. Example sentences: The nurse is kind「看護婦は優しい」(かんごふはやさしい). She became a nurse「彼女は看護婦になった」(かのじょはかんごふになった). Note that while '看護婦' is still understood, it is considered outdated in professional contexts.

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

誤る: mistake. The Japanese verb '誤る (あやまる)' means 'to make a mistake' or 'to err'. It is used when someone commits an error or does something incorrectly. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as making a wrong decision, misunderstanding something, or failing in an attempt. For example: I made a mistake in my calculations「計算を誤った」(けいさんをあやまった). He erred in his judgment「彼は判断を誤った」(かれははんだんをあやまった). Note that '誤る' is often used in formal or serious contexts, and it implies a sense of responsibility for the mistake.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1015

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spiritually awakened, Comprehension

Reading

Parts

忄 吾

Example Word

覚悟: resolve. The Japanese noun '覚悟 (かくご)' refers to a state of mental preparedness or resolve, often in the face of difficulty or danger. It implies a readiness to face challenges or consequences, whether they are physical, emotional, or moral. For example: He faced the challenge with resolve「彼は覚悟を持って挑戦に臨んだ」(かれはかくごをもってちょうせんにのぞんだ). She was prepared for the worst「彼女は最悪の事態に覚悟していた」(かのじょはさいあくのじたいにかくごしていた). This word is often used in contexts where someone is bracing themselves for a tough situation or making a firm decision.

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