Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Same

Reading

Parts

冂Enclosure 一One 口Mouth

Example Word

共同: cooperation. The Japanese verbal noun '共同 (きょうどう)' means 'cooperation' or 'joint effort'. It refers to the act of working together with others towards a common goal. This term is often used in contexts such as business, research, or community projects where collaboration is essential. For example: We need cooperation to complete this project「このプロジェクトを完成させるには共同が必要です」(このプロジェクトをかんせいさせるにはきょうどうがひつようです). They are working on a joint research project「彼らは共同研究に取り組んでいます」(かれらはきょうどうけんきゅうにとりくんでいます). The term can also be used in compound words like '共同作業 (きょうどうさぎょう)' (collaborative work) or '共同責任 (きょうどうせきにん)' (joint responsibility).

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

60

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Way

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 首Neck

Example Word

報道: reporting. The Japanese verbal noun '報道 (ほうどう)' means 'reporting' or 'news coverage'. It refers to the act of gathering and disseminating information, particularly through media outlets like newspapers, television, or online platforms. This term is often used in contexts related to journalism and mass communication. For example: The media is reporting on the incident「メディアはその事件を報道している」(メディアはそのじけんをほうどうしている). Accurate reporting is important「正確な報道が重要だ」(せいかくなほうどうがじゅうようだ). The word can also be used in compound terms like '報道機関 (ほうどうきかん)' (news organization) or '報道陣 (ほうどうじん)' (press corps).

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

89

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Move

Reading

Parts

重Heavy 力Power

Example Word

騒動: disturbance. The Japanese noun '騒動 (そうどう)' refers to a disturbance, commotion, or uproar. It is often used to describe a situation where there is chaos, unrest, or a significant disruption, such as a riot, scandal, or public outcry. For example: The scandal caused a big disturbance「そのスキャンダルは大きな騒動を引き起こした」(そのスキャンダルはおおきなそうどうをひきおこした). The town was in chaos after the protest「その抗議の後、町は騒動状態だった」(そのこうぎのあと、まちはそうどうじょうたいだった). This word can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as a disturbance in one's life or emotions.

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

106

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wisteria

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 滕

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

451

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Work

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)動Move

Example Word

働く: work. The Japanese verb '働く (はたらく)' means 'to work'. It is commonly used to describe the act of performing a job or labor, whether in a professional, physical, or general sense. This verb is versatile and can be used in various contexts, such as working at a company, working hard, or even functioning (e.g., a machine). For example: I work at a company「私は会社で働く」(わたしはかいしゃではたらく). The machine works well「その機械はよく働く」(そのきかいよくはたらく). Note that '働く' is often used in formal and informal settings alike, making it a fundamental verb in Japanese.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

471

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hall

Reading

Parts

尚Still, Esteem 土Soil

Example Word

堂々: majestic or unashamed. The Japanese noun '堂々 (どうどう)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'majestic', which refers to something grand, dignified, or impressive in appearance or manner. For example: He walked in with a majestic air「彼は堂々と歩いて入ってきた」(かれはどうどうとあるいてはいってきた). The second meaning is 'unashamed', which describes someone acting confidently without fear of judgment or shame. For example: She spoke unashamedly about her past「彼女は堂々と自分の過去について話した」(かのじょはどうどうとじぶんのかこについてはなした). The word often conveys a sense of confidence and boldness, whether in a positive or neutral context.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

578

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lead, Guide

Reading

Parts

道Way 寸Measurement

Example Word

導入: implementation or introduction. The Japanese verbal noun '導入 (どうにゅう)' can mean either 'introduction' or 'implementation', depending on the context. When used to mean 'introduction', it refers to the act of bringing something new into a system, environment, or discussion. For example: the introduction of new technology「新しい技術の導入」(あたらしいぎじゅつのどうにゅう). When used to mean 'implementation', it refers to the act of putting a plan or system into effect. For example: the implementation of new policies「新しい政策の導入」(あたらしいせいさくのどうにゅう). The word is often used in business, technology, and academic contexts to describe the process of adopting or applying something new.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1097

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Juvenile

Reading

Parts

立Stand 里Hometown

Example Word

児童: child. The Japanese noun '児童 (じどう)' refers to a child, typically in the context of school-age children or minors. It is often used in formal or educational settings, such as when discussing children's welfare, education, or legal rights. For example: The school is for children「その学校は児童のためのものです」(そのがっこうはじどうのためのものです). The law protects the rights of children「その法律は児童の権利を守る」(そのほうりつはじどうのけんりをまもる). Note that '児童' is more formal than other words like '子供 (こども)', which is a more general term for children.

Radical

立

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1101

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cave, Penetrate

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)同Same

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1395

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Copper

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)同Same

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1447

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Trunk

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 同Same

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1611

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pupil

Reading

Parts

目Eye 童Juvenile

Example Word

瞳: pupil. The Japanese noun '瞳 (ひとみ)' primarily refers to the 'pupil' of the eye, the black circular opening in the center of the iris. It can also poetically or metaphorically refer to the eyes themselves, often evoking a sense of beauty or depth. For example: Her pupils are beautiful「彼女の瞳は美しい」(かのじょのひとみはうつくしい). The child's eyes sparkled「子供の瞳が輝いていた」(こどものひとみがかがやいていた). This word is often used in literary or emotional contexts to emphasize the expressiveness or allure of someone's eyes.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1674

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Yearn, Long for

Reading

Parts

忄 童Juvenile

Example Word

憧れる: yearn. The Japanese verb '憧れる (あこがれる)' means 'to yearn' or 'to long for'. It is used to express a deep admiration or desire for something or someone, often with a sense of idealization. This verb is commonly used when talking about aspirations, dreams, or admiration for a person, lifestyle, or achievement. For example: I yearn to become a musician「私はミュージシャンに憧れている」(わたしはミュージシャンにあこがれている). She yearns for a life in Paris「彼女はパリでの生活に憧れている」(かのじょはパリでのせいかつにあこがれている). The verb often carries a nuance of something being slightly out of reach or idealized.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1926

Handwriting