Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Ten

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 一One

Example Word

四十: forty. The Japanese noun '四十 (よんじゅう)' means 'forty'. It is used to represent the number 40 in Japanese. This word is commonly used in contexts involving counting, age, or quantities. For example: I am forty years old「私は四十歳です」(わたしはよんじゅうさいです). There are forty students in the class「クラスには四十人の学生がいます」(クラスにはよんじゅうにんのがくせいがいます). Note that '四十' is often combined with other counters or words to specify quantities, such as '四十人 (よんじゅうにん)' for 'forty people' or '四十日 (よんじゅうにち)' for 'forty days'.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

30

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Heavy

Reading

Parts

里Hometown 千Thousand

Example Word

重み: weight or importance. The Japanese noun '重み (おもみ)' primarily means 'weight' in a physical sense, referring to the heaviness of an object. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe the 'importance' or 'significance' of something, such as a responsibility or a decision. For example: The weight of the box is heavy「箱の重みが大きい」(はこのおもみがおおきい). The importance of this decision cannot be overstated「この決断の重みは計り知れない」(このけつだんのおもみははかりしれない). The word is often used in contexts where the gravity or seriousness of a situation is being emphasized.

Radical

里

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

179

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Live

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)主Master

Example Word

住む: live. The Japanese verb '住む (すむ)' means 'to live' or 'to reside'. It is used to describe where someone lives or resides, whether it's a city, country, or specific type of dwelling. This verb is commonly used in everyday conversation to talk about one's place of residence. For example: I live in Tokyo「私は東京に住んでいます」(わたしはとうきょうにすんでいます). They live in a big house「彼らは大きな家に住んでいる」(かれらはおおきないえにすんでいる). It can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as 'living in peace'「平和に住む」(へいわにすむ). Note that this verb is often paired with location particles like に (ni) to indicate the place of residence.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

396

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Follow, Obey

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 䒑Herbs 龰Stop (止)

Example Word

従業: employment. The Japanese noun '従業 (じゅうぎょう)' refers to 'employment' or 'working'. It is often used in formal or business contexts to describe the state of being employed or the act of working for a company or organization. For example: He is seeking employment「彼は従業を求めている」(かれはじゅうぎょうをもとめている). The company provides stable employment「その会社は安定した従業を提供する」(そのかいしゃはあんていしたじゅうぎょうをていきょうする). Note that this term is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to words like '仕事 (しごと)' (work/job).

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

466

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fill, Allocate

Reading

Example Word

充実: fulfillment. The Japanese noun '充実 (じゅうじつ)' means 'fulfillment' or 'enrichment'. It refers to a state of being filled with substance, satisfaction, or completeness. This word is often used to describe a sense of satisfaction or richness in life, work, or experiences. For example: My life is full of fulfillment「私の人生は充実している」(わたしのじんせいはじゅうじつしている). The program was enriching「そのプログラムは充実していた」(そのプログラムはじゅうじつしていた). It can also describe something being well-equipped or substantial, such as a schedule or a meal.

Radical

儿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

938

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pick up

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)合Fit, Match

Example Word

拾う: pickup. The Japanese verb '拾う (ひろう)' means 'to pick up'. It is used when someone picks up something from the ground or a surface, often implying that the object was dropped or lost. This verb can also be used metaphorically to mean picking up on something, such as a signal or a hint. For example: I picked up a coin「私はコインを拾った」(わたしはこいんをひろう). He picked up on her subtle hint「彼は彼女の微妙なヒントを拾った」(かれはかのじょのびみょうなヒントをひろう). Note that this verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1175

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Soft, Gentle

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 矛Halberd

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

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1246

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Beast, Animal

Reading

Parts

畄 一One 口Mouth 犬Dog

Example Word

獣: beast. The Japanese noun '獣 (けもの)' refers to a 'beast' or 'wild animal'. It is often used to describe animals that are untamed, dangerous, or live in the wild. This word carries a slightly negative or primal connotation, emphasizing the wild and untamed nature of the animal. For example: The forest is full of beasts「森には獣がたくさんいる」(もりにはけものがたくさんいる). He fought like a beast「彼は獣のように戦った」(かれはけもののようにたたかった). Note that this word is distinct from more neutral terms like '動物 (どうぶつ)' (animal), as it specifically highlights the wild or untamed aspect.

Radical

犬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1343

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gun

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)充Fill, Allocate

Example Word

銃: gun. The Japanese noun '銃 (じゅう)' means 'gun'. It refers to a weapon designed to discharge projectiles, typically bullets, using explosive force. This word is commonly used in contexts related to firearms, such as in law enforcement, military, or hunting. For example: He owns a gun「彼は銃を持っている」(かれはじゅうをもっている). The police confiscated the gun「警察は銃を没収した」(けいさつはじゅうをぼっしゅうした). Note that '銃' is a general term and can refer to various types of guns, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns.

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1415

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Vertical

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 従Follow, Obey

Example Word

操縦: control. The Japanese verbal noun '操縦 (そうじゅう)' means 'control' or 'operation', specifically in the context of operating machinery or vehicles. It is commonly used when referring to the act of steering, piloting, or managing something, such as a car, airplane, or ship. For example: He is skilled at controlling the airplane「彼は飛行機の操縦が上手だ」(かれはひこうきのそうじゅうがじょうずだ). The captain controls the ship「船長が船を操縦する」(せんちょうがふねをそうじゅうする). This word emphasizes the technical or skillful aspect of handling a machine or vehicle.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1431

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Juice, Soup

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)十Ten

Example Word

汁: soup. The Japanese noun '汁 (つゆ)' primarily means 'soup'. It refers to a liquid dish, typically made by boiling ingredients such as vegetables, meat, or fish in water or stock. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can refer to various types of soup, including miso soup (味噌汁, みそしる). For example: I had miso soup for breakfast「朝ごはんに味噌汁を飲んだ」(あさごはんにみそしるをのんだ). This soup is delicious「この汁は美味しい」(このつゆはおいしい). Additionally, '汁' can sometimes refer to the liquid or juice that comes out of food, such as the juice from a fruit or the broth from a stew, but its primary and most common usage is to denote soup.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1552

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Astringent, Not going smoothly

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)止Stop

Example Word

渋滞: traffic or congestion. The Japanese verbal noun '渋滞 (じゅうたい)' primarily refers to 'traffic' or 'congestion'. It is commonly used to describe situations where vehicles are moving slowly or are at a standstill due to heavy traffic. It can also be used metaphorically to describe delays or bottlenecks in processes or systems. For example: The traffic is terrible today「今日は渋滞がひどい」(きょうはじゅうたいがひどい). There is congestion on the highway「高速道路で渋滞している」(こうそくどうろでじゅうたいしている). The meeting was delayed due to congestion in the schedule「スケジュールの渋滞で会議が遅れた」(スケジュールのじゅうたいでかいぎがおくれた).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1558

Handwriting