Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Young man, Guy

Reading

Parts

良Good ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

三郎: third son. The Japanese noun '三郎 (さぶろう)' is a male given name that traditionally means 'third son'. It is often used as a suffix in names to indicate birth order, specifically the third son in a family. This naming convention is rooted in historical Japanese culture, where the order of birth was significant. For example: His name is Taro, Jiro, and Saburo「彼の名前は太郎、次郎、三郎です」(かれのなまえはたろう、じろう、さぶろうです). Saburo is the third son in the family「三郎は家族の三男です」(さぶろうはかぞくのさんなんです). While it is less common in modern times, it still appears in traditional or formal contexts.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

62

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Old, Aged

Reading

Parts

耂Old (老)匕Spoon

Example Word

老: old. The Japanese prefix '老 (ろう)' means 'old' and is used to indicate age or seniority. It is often attached to nouns to describe something or someone as being old or elderly. For example: old man「老人」(ろうじん). old age「老年」(ろうねん). This prefix is commonly used in formal or respectful contexts to refer to elderly people or things that have aged. It carries a nuance of respect and experience, especially when referring to people.

Radical

老

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

242

Radical Form

耂

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Labor

Reading

Parts

⺍Small 冖Crown 力Power

Example Word

勤労: work or labor. The Japanese verbal noun '勤労 (きんろう)' refers to the act of labor or work, often in the context of employment or contributing to society. It is commonly used in formal or official contexts, such as discussing labor laws, workers' rights, or societal contributions. For example: Labor Day is a day to honor workers「勤労感謝の日は労働者を称える日です」(きんろうかんしゃのひはろうどうしゃをたたえるひです). He is dedicated to his work「彼は勤労に励んでいます」(かれはきんろうにはげんでいます). The term can also appear in compound words, such as '勤労意欲 (きんろういよく)' (work motivation) or '勤労者 (きんろうしゃ)' (worker).

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

587

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cage, Basket

Reading

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)龍

Example Word

籠: basket. The Japanese noun '籠 (かご)' refers to a 'basket', typically made of woven materials like bamboo or straw. It is used to carry or store items, and can vary in size and shape depending on its purpose. For example: I bought a basket at the market「市場で籠を買いました」(いちばでかごをかいました). The fruits are in the basket「果物は籠の中です」(くだものはかごのなかです). This word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that holds or contains items, such as a 'basket of ideas'.

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

712

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dew, Expose

Reading

Parts

⻗ 路Path

Example Word

露: dew. The Japanese noun '露 (つゆ)' primarily means 'dew', referring to the tiny drops of water that form on surfaces, especially in the early morning. It is often used in poetic or descriptive contexts to evoke imagery of nature. For example: The dew on the grass sparkles in the morning light「草の露が朝の光に輝いている」(くさのつゆがあさのひかりにかがやいている). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something fleeting or transient, like the ephemeral nature of dew itself. Additionally, '露 (つゆ)' can sometimes refer to 'sauce' or 'broth' in culinary contexts, but this usage is less common and typically specified by context.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

741

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wander, Billow

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)良Good

Example Word

浪人: ronin or masterless. The Japanese noun '浪人 (ろうにん)' primarily refers to a 'ronin', which historically denotes a samurai without a master or lord during the feudal period in Japan. This term is also used metaphorically in modern contexts to describe someone who is unemployed or has not yet entered a university after failing entrance exams. For example: He became a ronin after his master died「彼は主人が亡くなった後、浪人になった」(かれはしゅじんがなくなったあと、ろうにんになった). Many students become ronin after failing their exams「多くの学生が試験に失敗した後、浪人になる」(おおくのがくせいがしけんにしっぱいしたあと、ろうにんになる). The term carries a connotation of being in a transitional or uncertain state, often with a sense of striving for a new beginning or goal.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

852

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Corridor, Passageway

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 郎Young man, Guy

Example Word

廊下: hallway. The Japanese noun '廊下 (ろうか)' refers to a 'hallway' or 'corridor'. It is used to describe a long, narrow passage inside a building that connects rooms. This word is commonly used in both residential and public buildings. For example: The hallway is long「廊下が長い」(ろうかがながい). Please walk quietly in the hallway「廊下では静かに歩いてください」(ろうかではしずかにあるいてください). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a passage or pathway, but this usage is less common.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1001

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Watchtower, Tall building

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 娄

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1625

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Clear, Cheerful

Reading

Parts

良Good 月Moon, Month

Example Word

朗らか: cheerful. The Japanese adjective '朗らか (ほがらか)' means 'cheerful' or 'bright'. It is used to describe someone who has a cheerful and optimistic personality, or a situation that feels lighthearted and pleasant. This word often conveys a sense of openness and positivity. For example: She has a cheerful personality「彼女は朗らかな性格です」(かのじょはほがらかなせいかくです). The atmosphere at the party was cheerful「パーティーの雰囲気は朗らかでした」(パーティーのふんいきはほがらかでした). Note that '朗らか' is often used to describe people or moods rather than objects.

Radical

月

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1677

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tinker with

Reading

Parts

王King 廾Twenty

Radical

廾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1678

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Provisions, Food

Reading

Parts

米Rice 量Measure, Quantity

Example Word

食糧: food. The Japanese noun '食糧 (しょくりょう)' refers to 'food' in the sense of provisions or sustenance, often used in contexts related to supply, storage, or distribution. It is commonly used in discussions about food security, emergency supplies, or large-scale food resources. For example: The country imports food「その国は食糧を輸入する」(そのくにはしょくりょうをゆにゅうする). We need to secure enough food for the winter「冬のための十分な食糧を確保する必要がある」(ふゆのためのじゅうぶんなしょくりょうをかくほするひつようがある). This term is more formal and is often used in official or serious contexts, distinguishing it from everyday terms like '食べ物 (たべもの)'.

Radical

米

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1765

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Leak

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)尸Corpse 雨Rain

Example Word

漏れる: leak. The Japanese verb '漏れる (もれる)' primarily means 'to leak'. It is used to describe the escape of a substance (like water, gas, or light) through a hole or crack. It can also be used metaphorically to describe information or secrets being unintentionally revealed. For example: water is leaking from the pipe「パイプから水が漏れている」(パイプからみずがもれている). The secret leaked out「秘密が漏れた」(ひみつがもれた). Additionally, '漏れる' can imply being excluded or left out, as in 'I was left out of the plan'「私はその計画から漏れた」(わたしはそのけいかくからもれた). This verb is versatile and context-dependent, so its usage can vary widely.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1774

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Yank, Abduct

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)立Stand

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2092

Handwriting