Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Same

Reading

Parts

冂Enclosure 一One 口Mouth

Example Word

同僚: colleague. The Japanese noun '同僚 (どうりょう)' refers to a colleague or coworker, someone who works in the same organization or team. It is commonly used in professional settings to describe peers who share similar roles or responsibilities. For example: My colleague helped me with the project「同僚がプロジェクトを手伝ってくれた」(どうりょうがぷろじぇくとをてつだってくれた). I went out for drinks with my colleagues「同僚と飲みに行った」(どうりょうとのみにいった). The term emphasizes a sense of camaraderie and shared workplace context.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

60

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Way

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 首Neck

Example Word

車道: roadway. The Japanese noun '車道 (しゃどう)' refers to the part of the road designated for vehicles, as opposed to sidewalks or pedestrian paths. It is commonly used in contexts related to traffic, driving, or road safety. For example: cars drive on the roadway「車は車道を走る」(くるまはしゃどうをはしる). Bicycles are not allowed on the roadway here「ここでは自転車は車道を走れません」(ここではじてんしゃはしゃどうをはしれません). The term emphasizes the distinction between areas for vehicles and those for pedestrians.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

89

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Move

Reading

Parts

重Heavy 力Power

Example Word

変動: change or fluctuation. The Japanese noun '変動 (へんどう)' refers to a change or fluctuation, often in the context of something that is not stable or constant. It is commonly used to describe changes in prices, conditions, or situations. For example: The price fluctuation is significant「価格の変動が大きい」(かかくのへんどうがおおきい). There was a sudden change in the weather「天候に突然の変動があった」(てんこうにとつぜんのへんどうがあった). This word can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the situation.

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

労働者: worker. The Japanese noun '労働者 (ろうどうしゃ)' refers to a 'worker' or 'laborer'. It is a general term used to describe someone who performs physical or mental work, often in exchange for wages. This word is commonly used in contexts related to employment, labor rights, and workplace discussions. For example: The workers are on strike「労働者がストライキをしている」(ろうどうしゃがストライキをしている). Many workers commute by train「多くの労働者が電車で通勤する」(おおくのろうどうしゃがでんしゃでつうきんする). The term can apply to various types of workers, including factory workers, office workers, or manual laborers, and is neutral in tone.

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

指導: guidance. The Japanese verbal noun '指導 (しどう)' means 'guidance' or 'instruction'. It refers to the act of teaching, directing, or leading someone, often in a formal or professional context. This word is commonly used in educational, coaching, or managerial settings. For example: The teacher provided guidance to the students「先生は生徒に指導をした」(せんせいはせいとにしどうをした). The coach's instruction improved the team's performance「コーチの指導でチームの成績が上がった」(コーチのしどうでチームのせいせきがあがった). It can also imply mentorship or leadership, as in '彼は新しい社員の指導を担当している (かれはあたらしいしゃいんのしどうをたんとうしている) (He is in charge of mentoring new employees).'

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: 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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1926

Handwriting