Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Same

Reading

Parts

冂Enclosure 一One 口Mouth

Example Word

共同: cooperation. The Japanese verbal noun '共同 (きょうどう)' means 'cooperation' or 'joint effort'. It refers to the act of working together with others towards a common goal. This term is often used in contexts such as business, research, or community projects where collaboration is essential. For example: We need cooperation to complete this project「このプロジェクトを完成させるには共同が必要です」(このプロジェクトをかんせいさせるにはきょうどうがひつようです). They are working on a joint research project「彼らは共同研究に取り組んでいます」(かれらはきょうどうけんきゅうにとりくんでいます). The term can also be used in compound words like '共同作業 (きょうどうさぎょう)' (collaborative work) or '共同責任 (きょうどうせきにん)' (joint responsibility).

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

60

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Way

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 首Neck

Example Word

鉄道: railway. The Japanese noun '鉄道 (てつどう)' means 'railway' or 'railroad'. It refers to the system of tracks, trains, and infrastructure used for transporting passengers and goods. This word is commonly used in contexts related to transportation, travel, and infrastructure. For example: The railway is convenient「鉄道は便利です」(てつどうはべんりです). I work for a railway company「私は鉄道会社で働いています」(わたしはてつどうかいしゃではたらいています). The word can also be used in compound terms like '地下鉄道 (ちかてつどう)' (subway/underground railway).

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

89

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Move

Reading

Parts

重Heavy 力Power

Example Word

騒動: disturbance. The Japanese noun '騒動 (そうどう)' refers to a disturbance, commotion, or uproar. It is often used to describe a situation where there is chaos, unrest, or a significant disruption, such as a riot, scandal, or public outcry. For example: The scandal caused a big disturbance「そのスキャンダルは大きな騒動を引き起こした」(そのスキャンダルはおおきなそうどうをひきおこした). The town was in chaos after the protest「その抗議の後、町は騒動状態だった」(そのこうぎのあと、まちはそうどうじょうたいだった). This word can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as a disturbance in one's life or emotions.

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

働き: work or function. The Japanese noun '働き (はたらき)' can mean 'work' or 'function'. When referring to 'work', it often describes the act of working or labor, such as in a job or physical effort. For example: His work is important「彼の働きは重要だ」(かれのはたらきはじゅうようだ). When referring to 'function', it describes the role or operation of something, such as a machine or a body part. For example: The function of the heart is to pump blood「心臓の働きは血液を送ることだ」(しんぞうのはたらきはけつえきをおくることだ). The word is versatile and can be used in both literal and abstract contexts.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

471

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hall

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

578

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lead, Guide

Reading

Parts

道Way 寸Measurement

Example Word

半導体: semiconductor. The Japanese noun '半導体 (はんどうたい)' refers to a 'semiconductor', a material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Semiconductors are fundamental components in modern electronics, used in devices like transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits. Example sentences: Semiconductors are essential for modern technology「半導体は現代技術に不可欠です」(はんどうたいはげんだいぎじゅつにふかけつです). This factory produces semiconductors「この工場は半導体を生産しています」(このこうじょうははんどうたいをせいさんしています). The term is often used in technical and industrial contexts.

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