Page 1
kanji
同Meaning
Same
Reading
kunyomiおなona
onyomiどうdou
Parts
冂Enclosure 一One 口Mouth
Example Word
同級生: classmate. The Japanese noun '同級生 (どうきゅうせい)' refers to a 'classmate', specifically someone who is in the same grade or class at school. This term emphasizes the shared educational environment and is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. For example: My classmate is very kind「私の同級生はとても親切です」(わたしのどうきゅうせいはとてもしんせつです). I met my old classmate yesterday「昨日、昔の同級生に会いました」(きのう、むかしのどうきゅうせいにあいました). The word is often used to describe relationships formed during school years and carries a sense of camaraderie or shared experiences.
Radical
口
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
60
Handwriting
kanji
道Meaning
Way
Reading
kunyomiみちmichi
onyomiどうdou
Parts
辶Walk 首Neck
Example Word
水道: waterworks. The Japanese noun '水道 (すいどう)' refers to a water supply system or waterworks. It is commonly used to describe the infrastructure that provides water to homes, businesses, and public spaces. This term can also refer to the pipes and facilities that make up the water distribution system. For example: The waterworks in this city are very efficient「この街の水道はとても効率的です」(このまちのすいどうはとてもこうりつてきです). Please pay the water bill「水道料金を払ってください」(すいどうりょうきんをはらってください). The word is often used in contexts related to utilities, infrastructure, and daily life.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
89
Handwriting
kanji
動Meaning
Move
Reading
kunyomiうごugo
onyomiどうdou
Parts
重Heavy 力Power
Example Word
動物園: zoo. The Japanese noun '動物園 (どうぶつえん)' means 'zoo'. It refers to a facility where animals are kept within enclosures, displayed to the public, and often bred for conservation purposes. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing when referring to places where people can see and learn about various animals. For example: Let's go to the zoo「動物園に行きましょう」(どうぶつえんにいきましょう). The zoo has many animals「その動物園にはたくさんの動物がいます」(そのどうぶつえんにはたくさんのどうぶつがいます). The word is a compound of '動物 (どうぶつ)' meaning 'animal' and '園 (えん)' meaning 'garden' or 'park', reflecting its purpose as a place for animals.
Radical
力
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
106
Handwriting
kanji
働Meaning
Work
Reading
kunyomiはたら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
onyomiどうdou
Parts
尚Still, Esteem 土Soil
Example Word
食堂: cafeteria. The Japanese noun '食堂 (しょくどう)' refers to a 'cafeteria' or 'dining hall'. It is commonly used to describe a place where meals are served, often in schools, workplaces, or public facilities. The word can also refer to a casual restaurant or eatery. For example: Let's eat at the cafeteria「食堂で食べましょう」(しょくどうでたべましょう). The school cafeteria is crowded「学校の食堂は混んでいる」(がっこうのしょくどうはこんでいる). Note that '食堂' is often used in institutional settings, but it can also describe small, family-run restaurants.
Radical
土
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N4Grade
4Frequency
578
Handwriting
kanji
導Meaning
Lead, Guide
Reading
kunyomiみちび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
kunyomiわらべ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
kunyomiひとみ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
kunyomiあこが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