Page 1
kanji
同Meaning
Same
Reading
kunyomiおなona
onyomiどうdou
Parts
冂Enclosure 一One 口Mouth
Example Word
同一: same or identical. The Japanese adjectival noun '同一 (どういつ)' means 'same' or 'identical'. It is used to describe things that are exactly alike or indistinguishable in nature, quality, or characteristics. This word is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as in legal documents, scientific discussions, or when comparing objects or ideas. For example: These two documents are identical「これらの二つの書類は同一です」(これらのふたつのしょるいはどういつです). The two theories are the same in essence「二つの理論は本質的に同一だ」(ふたつのりろんはほんしつてきにどういつだ). Note that '同一' is often followed by particles like 'の' or 'である' to modify nouns or form predicates.
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
柔道: judo. The Japanese noun '柔道 (じゅうどう)' refers to the martial art of judo, which originated in Japan. Judo emphasizes using an opponent's strength and momentum against them, focusing on throws, pins, and joint locks rather than strikes. It is both a competitive sport and a method of physical and mental training. Example sentences: I practice judo「私は柔道を練習します」(わたしはじゅうどうをれんしゅうします). Judo is a traditional Japanese martial art「柔道は日本の伝統的な武道です」(じゅうどうはにほんのでんとうてきなぶどうです).
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
活動: activity. The Japanese verbal noun '活動 (かつどう)' refers to 'activity' or 'action'. It is used to describe physical, mental, or organizational actions, often in the context of work, hobbies, or social movements. For example: The environmental group's activities are impressive「環境グループの活動は印象的です」(かんきょうグループのかつどうはいんしょうてきです). She is active in volunteer activities「彼女はボランティア活動に積極的です」(かのじょはボランティアかつどうにせっきょくてきです). The word can also be used in compound nouns like '文化活動 (ぶんかかつどう)' (cultural activities) or '経済活動 (けいざいかつどう)' (economic activities).
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
誘導: guidance or induction. The Japanese noun '誘導 (ゆうどう)' can mean 'guidance' or 'induction', depending on the context. When used to mean 'guidance', it refers to the act of leading or directing someone, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. For example: The staff provided guidance to the visitors「スタッフが訪問者を誘導した」(スタッフがほうもんしゃをゆうどうした). When used to mean 'induction', it refers to the process of initiating or introducing someone into a group, role, or system. For example: The induction ceremony was held for new employees「新入社員のための誘導式が行われた」(しんにゅうしゃいんのためのゆうどうしきがおこなわれた). The word is versatile and can be applied in various situations, such as guiding people in a physical space or inducting someone into a new position or system.
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