Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading
どう dou
kanji
同Meaning
Same
Reading
ona
onyomiどうdou
Parts
冂Enclosure 一One 口Mouth
Example Word
同等: equality or equivalence. The Japanese noun '同等 (どうとう)' refers to a state of being equal or equivalent in status, value, or quality. It is often used in formal or technical contexts to compare two or more things that are considered to be on the same level. For example: These two products are of equal quality「これらの製品は同等の品質です」(これらのせいひんはどうとうのひんしつです). The new law grants equal rights to all citizens「新しい法律は全ての市民に同等の権利を与えます」(あたらしいほうりつはすべてのしみんにどうとうのけんりをあたえます). Note that '同等' can also imply a sense of fairness or parity in treatment or conditions.
Radical
口
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
60
Handwriting
kanji
道Meaning
Way
Reading
michi
onyomiどうdou
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
12JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
89
Handwriting
kanji
動Meaning
Move
Reading
ugo
onyomiどうdou
Parts
重Heavy 力Power
Example Word
自動: automatic. The Japanese noun '自動 (じどう)' means 'automatic'. It refers to something that operates or functions by itself without human intervention. This term is commonly used in contexts related to machinery, devices, or systems that perform tasks automatically. For example: automatic door「自動ドア」(じどうドア). This car has an automatic transmission「この車は自動変速機です」(このくるまはじどうへんそくきです). The word can also be part of compound nouns, such as '自動販売機 (じどうはんばいき)' (vending machine), where it emphasizes the self-operating nature of the device.
Radical
力
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
106
Handwriting
kanji
働Meaning
Work
Reading
hatara
onyomiどうdou
Parts
亻Person (人)動Move
Example Word
労働: work. The Japanese verbal noun '労働 (ろうどう)' refers to 'work' or 'labor', specifically in the context of physical or mental effort exerted to achieve a purpose, often in a professional or industrial setting. It is commonly used in discussions about employment, labor rights, or economic activities. For example: He works hard every day「彼は毎日労働する」(かれはまいにちろうどうする). Labor conditions are improving「労働条件が改善されている」(ろうどうじょうけんがいぜんされている). The word can also appear in compounds like '労働者 (ろうどうしゃ)' (worker) or '労働時間 (ろうどうじかん)' (working hours).
Radical
人
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
471
Handwriting
kanji
堂Meaning
Hall
Reading
dou
Parts
尚Still, Esteem 土Soil
Example Word
堂: hall. The Japanese suffix '堂 (どう)' is commonly used to denote a hall or building, often associated with a specific purpose or establishment. It is frequently seen in the names of shops, temples, or public buildings. For example: a bookstore「本堂」(ほんどう), a temple hall「寺院の堂」(じいんのどう). This suffix can also be used in names of establishments, such as a bakery「パン屋の堂」(ぱんやのどう). It is important to note that '堂' is often used in a respectful or formal context, adding a sense of dignity or importance to the place it describes.
Radical
土
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N4Grade
4Frequency
578
Handwriting
kanji
導Meaning
Lead, Guide
Reading
michibi
onyomiどうdou
Parts
道Way 寸Measurement
Example Word
主導: leadership. The Japanese noun '主導 (しゅどう)' means 'leadership' or 'taking the lead'. It refers to the act of guiding, directing, or being in charge of a group, project, or initiative. This word is often used in contexts involving management, organization, or decision-making. For example: He took the leadership in the project「彼はプロジェクトの主導をとった」(かれはプロジェクトのしゅどうをとった). The company's leadership is strong「その会社の主導は強い」(そのかいしゃのしゅどうはつよい). Note that '主導' emphasizes the active role of leading or guiding, rather than just holding a position of authority.
Radical
寸
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
1097
Handwriting
kanji
童Meaning
Juvenile
Reading
warabe
onyomiどうdou
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
12JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
1101
Handwriting
kanji
瞳Meaning
Pupil
Reading
hitomi
onyomiどうdou
とうtou
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
17JLPT
N1Grade
10Frequency
1674
Handwriting
kanji
憧Meaning
Yearn, Long for
Reading
akoga
onyomiしょうshou
どうdou
とうtou
Parts
忄 童Juvenile
Example Word
憧れ: longing. The Japanese noun '憧れ (あこがれ)' refers to a feeling of longing or yearning, often for something or someone that is admired or idealized. It conveys a sense of aspiration or desire for something unattainable or distant. This word is commonly used to describe admiration for a person, a lifestyle, or a dream. For example: I have a longing for Paris「私はパリに憧れている」(わたしはパリにあこがれている). She has always had a longing to become a singer「彼女は歌手になることに憧れていた」(かのじょはかしゅになることにあこがれていた). The nuance of '憧れ' often carries a positive and romanticized tone, emphasizing the beauty or allure of the object of desire.
Radical
心
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N1Grade
10Frequency
1926
Handwriting