Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Same

Reading

Parts

冂Enclosure 一One 口Mouth

Example Word

同様: same. The Japanese adjectival noun '同様 (どうよう)' means 'same' or 'similar'. It is used to indicate that something is identical or comparable to something else in nature, condition, or quality. It often appears in formal or written contexts and can be used to compare two or more things. For example: The rules are the same for everyone「規則は全員に同様です」(きそくはぜんいんにどうようです). His opinion is similar to mine「彼の意見は私のと同様だ」(かれのいけんはわたしのとどうようだ). Note that '同様' is often followed by particles like 'に' or 'と' to complete the comparison.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

60

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Way

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 首Neck

Example Word

道場: dojo. The Japanese noun '道場 (どうじょう)' refers to a 'dojo', which is a training hall or space for practicing martial arts, meditation, or other disciplines. It is commonly associated with traditional Japanese martial arts like judo, karate, or kendo. For example: I practice karate at the dojo「私は道場で空手を練習します」(わたしはどうじょうでからてをれんしゅうします). The dojo is quiet in the morning「道場は朝静かです」(どうじょうはあさしずかです). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe a place of rigorous training or learning in any field.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

89

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Move

Reading

Parts

重Heavy 力Power

Example Word

動力: power or motive force. The Japanese noun '動力 (どうりょく)' refers to 'power' or 'motive force', typically in the context of mechanical or physical energy that drives movement or operation. It is often used in technical or industrial contexts to describe the energy source that makes machinery or vehicles function. For example: The car's power comes from its engine「車の動力はエンジンから来る」(くるまのどうりょくはエンジンからくる). This machine uses electric power「この機械は電気動力を使う」(このきかいはでんきどうりょくをつかう). Note that while 'power' is the most common translation, 'motive force' is used in more specific contexts to emphasize the driving energy behind movement.

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

導く: guide. The Japanese verb '導く (みちびく)' means 'to guide' or 'to lead'. It is used to describe the act of showing someone the way, either physically or metaphorically. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as guiding someone through a process, leading a group, or even guiding someone to a conclusion. For example: The teacher guided the students to the correct answer「先生は生徒を正しい答えに導いた」(せんせいはせいとをただしいこたえにみちびいた). He guided the team to victory「彼はチームを勝利に導いた」(かれはチームをしょうりにみちびいた). The verb can also imply a sense of influence or direction, as in guiding someone's thoughts or actions.

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