Page 1
kanji
後Meaning
After, Behind
Reading
kunyomiうしushi
のちnochi
onyomiごgo
こうkou
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
9JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
45
Handwriting
kanji
御Meaning
Honorable, General honorific term
Reading
kunyomiおo
おんon
onyomiごgo
ぎょgyo
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
12JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
54
Handwriting
kanji
五Meaning
Five
Reading
kunyomiいつitsu
onyomiごgo
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
4JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
55
Handwriting
kanji
語Meaning
Language, Word
Reading
kunyomiかたkata
onyomiごgo
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
14JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
183
Handwriting
kanji
期Meaning
Time, Period
Reading
onyomiごgo
きki
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
12JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
511
Handwriting
kanji
午Meaning
Noon
Reading
kunyomiうまuma
onyomiごgo
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
4JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
753
Handwriting
kanji
護Meaning
Protect, Defend
Reading
kunyomiまもmamo
onyomiごgo
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
20JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
783
Handwriting
kanji
呉Meaning
Give, Wu China
Reading
kunyomiくku
くれkure
onyomiごgo
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
7JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
800
Handwriting
kanji
互Meaning
Mutual
Reading
kunyomiたがtaga
onyomiごgo
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
4JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
835
Handwriting
kanji
誤Meaning
Mistake
Reading
kunyomiあやまayama
onyomiごgo
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
14JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
1015
Handwriting
kanji
悟Meaning
Spiritually awakened, Comprehension
Reading
kunyomiさとsato
onyomiごgo
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
10JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1055
Handwriting
kanji
娯Meaning
Enjoyment, Recreation
Reading
onyomiごgo
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
10JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1956
Handwriting