kanji

Meaning

After, Behind

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 夂Late 幺Slight

Example Word

後片付け: tidying. The Japanese verbal noun '後片付け (あとかたづけ)' refers to the act of tidying up or cleaning up after an event, activity, or meal. It is commonly used in contexts where one needs to restore order or cleanliness after something has been used or done. For example: Please help with the tidying up after the party「パーティーの後片付けを手伝ってください」(パーティーのあとかたづけをてつだってください). She is good at tidying up after cooking「彼女は料理の後片付けが上手です」(かのじょはりょうりのあとかたづけがじょうずです). This word emphasizes the action of restoring order, often after a specific event or activity.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

45

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Honorable, General honorific term

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 卸Wholesale

Example Word

御前: you. The Japanese pronoun '御前 (おまえ)' is a second-person pronoun meaning 'you'. Historically, it was a term of respect, but in modern usage, it is often considered informal, blunt, or even rude depending on the context. It is typically used among close friends, family members, or in situations where the speaker wants to assert dominance or familiarity. For example: You are annoying「御前はうるさい」(おまえはうるさい). What are you doing?「御前は何をしている？」(おまえはなにをしている？). Be cautious when using this term, as it can come across as disrespectful if used inappropriately.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

54

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Five

Reading

Parts

丅Down (下)ユKatakana yu

Example Word

五日: five days or fifth. The Japanese noun '五日 (いつか)' can mean 'fifth' or 'five days'. When referring to the 'fifth', it is often used in the context of dates, such as the fifth day of the month. For example: today is the fifth「今日は五日です」(きょうはいつかです). When referring to 'five days', it can be used to indicate a duration. For example: I will stay for five days「五日間滞在します」(いつかかんたいざいします). The reading 'いつか' is important to distinguish this word from the homophone 'いつか' which means 'someday'.

Radical

二

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

55

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Language, Word

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 五Five 言Say

Example Word

外来語: loanword. The Japanese noun '外来語 (がいらいご)' refers to a 'loanword', which is a word adopted from a foreign language and incorporated into Japanese. These words are often written in katakana to distinguish them from native Japanese words or Sino-Japanese vocabulary. Loanwords are commonly derived from English, Portuguese, Dutch, and other languages, reflecting Japan's historical and cultural exchanges. For example: 'computer' is a loanword「コンピュータは外来語です」(コンピュータはがいらいごです). 'Bread' is also a loanword「パンは外来語です」(パンはがいらいごです). Loanwords are widely used in modern Japanese, especially in fields like technology, fashion, and food.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

183

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Time, Period

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 其That

Example Word

早期: early. The Japanese noun '早期 (そうき)' means 'early' and is often used to refer to the early stages of something, such as a period, phase, or condition. It is commonly used in contexts like early detection, early treatment, or early stages of development. For example: early detection of cancer「がんの早期発見」(がんのそうきはっけん). Early treatment is important「早期治療が重要です」(そうきちりょうがじゅうようです). The word emphasizes the importance of acting or identifying something in its initial stages.

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

介護: care. The Japanese noun '介護 (かいご)' refers to 'care', specifically the act of providing physical or emotional support to someone who is elderly, ill, or disabled. It is often used in contexts related to nursing, caregiving, or support services. For example: She works in elderly care「彼女は高齢者介護の仕事をしています」(かのじょはこうれいしゃかいごのしごとをしています). My father needs care at home「父は在宅介護が必要です」(ちちはざいたくかいごがひつようです). The term is commonly associated with professional or familial caregiving roles and is a significant topic in Japan due to its aging population.

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

交互: alternation. The Japanese noun '交互 (こうご)' refers to the concept of alternation or taking turns. It is used to describe situations where two or more things occur or are done in succession, one after the other. For example: We took turns reading the book「私たちは交互に本を読みました」(わたしたちはこうごにほんをよみました). The traffic lights alternate between red and green「信号は赤と緑に交互に変わります」(しんごうはあかとみどりにこうごにかわります). This term is often used in contexts involving sequences, patterns, or reciprocal actions.

Radical

二

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

835

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mistake

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)呉Give, Wu China

Example Word

誤解: misunderstanding. The Japanese verbal noun '誤解 (ごかい)' means 'misunderstanding'. It refers to a situation where someone interprets something incorrectly or fails to grasp the true meaning of a statement, action, or situation. This word is often used in contexts where clarity or communication is important, and it can describe both minor and significant misunderstandings. For example: There was a misunderstanding between us「私たちの間に誤解があった」(わたしたちのあいだにごかいがあった). Please don't misunderstand me「私を誤解しないでください」(わたしをごかいしないでください). The word can also be used in formal or informal settings, depending on the context.

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