Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Young man, Guy

Reading

Parts

良Good ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

野郎: guy or jerk. The Japanese noun '野郎 (やろう)' has two distinct meanings depending on the context. The first meaning is a casual or informal way to refer to a 'guy' or 'dude', often used among friends or in a neutral tone. For example: That guy is my friend「あの野郎は友達だ」(あのやろうはともだちだ). The second meaning is more derogatory, referring to someone as a 'jerk' or 'idiot', often used when expressing frustration or anger. For example: That jerk ruined everything「あの野郎が全部台無しにした」(あのやろうがぜんぶだいなしにした). The tone and context are crucial in determining which meaning is intended, as the word can range from neutral to highly offensive.

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

疲労: fatigue. The Japanese verbal noun '疲労 (ひろう)' means 'fatigue'. It refers to a state of physical or mental exhaustion, often resulting from prolonged stress, overwork, or lack of rest. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe tiredness or weariness. For example: I feel fatigue after working all day「一日中働いて疲労を感じる」(いちにちじゅうはたらいてひろうをかんじる). Prolonged fatigue can affect your health「長期間の疲労は健康に影響する」(ちょうきかんのひろうはけんこうにえいきょうする). The word can also be used in medical or technical contexts to describe material fatigue, such as in '金属疲労 (きんぞくひろう) (metal fatigue)'.

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

披露: announcement. The Japanese noun '披露 (ひろう)' refers to an announcement or a public declaration, often used in formal contexts. It is commonly associated with events where something is revealed or presented to the public, such as a wedding announcement or the unveiling of a new project. For example: The couple made their wedding announcement「カップルは結婚を披露した」(かっぷるはけっこんをひろうした). The company unveiled its new product「会社は新製品を披露した」(かいしゃはしんせいひんをひろうした). This word carries a sense of formality and is often used in ceremonial or official settings.

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