Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Ten

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 一One

Example Word

不十分: insufficient. The Japanese adjectival noun '不十分 (ふじゅうぶん)' means 'insufficient'. It is used to describe something that lacks the necessary quantity, quality, or completeness. This term is often used in formal or critical contexts to indicate that more is needed or that something is not adequate. For example: The explanation was insufficient「説明が不十分だった」(せつめいがふじゅうぶんだった). The preparation was insufficient「準備が不十分だった」(じゅんびがふじゅうぶんだった). It can also be used to describe abstract concepts, such as efforts or measures, indicating they are not enough to achieve a desired outcome.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

30

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Heavy

Reading

Parts

里Hometown 千Thousand

Example Word

重なる: overlap or pileup. The Japanese verb '重なる (かさなる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'overlap', which refers to things lying on top of each other or occurring simultaneously. For example: The two events overlap「二つのイベントが重なる」(ふたつのイベントがかさなる). The second meaning is 'pileup', which refers to multiple things accumulating or stacking up, often in a literal or figurative sense. For example: Problems keep piling up「問題が重なる」(もんだいがかさなる). This verb is commonly used in both physical and abstract contexts, such as describing overlapping schedules, stacked objects, or accumulated issues.

Radical

里

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

179

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Live

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)主Master

Example Word

住宅地: residential area. TheJapanese noun'住宅地(じゅうたくち)'means'residentialarea'.Itreferstoanareaorzonewherehousingpredominates,typicallycharacterizedbyhomes,apartments,andrelatedresidentialstructures.Thiswordisoftenusedinurbanplanning,realestate,anddailyconversationstodescribepartsofacityortownthatareprimarilyforlivingpurposes.Forexample:Iliveinaquietresidentialarea「私は静かな住宅地に住んでいます」(わたしはしずかなじゅうたくちにすんでいます).Thisareaisdevelopingintoanewresidentialarea「この地域は新しい住宅地に発展しています」(このちいきはあたらしいじゅうたくちにはってんしています).Notethat'住宅地'iscommonlyusedincontrasttocommercialorindustrialareas.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

396

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Follow, Obey

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 䒑Herbs 龰Stop (止)

Example Word

従来: tradition. The Japanese noun '従来 (じゅうらい)' refers to something that has been established or customary over time, often implying a sense of tradition or continuity. It is used to describe practices, methods, or ideas that have been in place for a long period. For example: We follow the traditional method「従来の方法に従います」(じゅうらいのほうほうにしたがいます). This approach is based on traditional practices「このアプローチは従来の慣習に基づいています」(このアプローチはじゅうらいのかんしゅうにもとづいています). The term can also imply a contrast with new or modern approaches, highlighting the difference between old and new ways of doing things.

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

柔軟: flexible. The Japanese adjective '柔軟 (じゅうなん)' means 'flexible'. It is used to describe something that can bend or adapt easily without breaking. This can refer to physical objects, such as materials, or abstract concepts, like thinking or attitudes. For example: She has a flexible mind「彼女は柔軟な考え方を持っている」(かのじょはじゅうなんなかんがえかたをもっている). This rubber is very flexible「このゴムはとても柔軟だ」(このゴムはとてもじゅうなんだ). The word can also imply adaptability or openness to change, as in '柔軟な対応 (じゅうなんなたいおう) (flexible response)'.

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

縦: vertical. The Japanese noun '縦 (たて)' means 'vertical'. It is used to describe something that is oriented in an up-and-down direction, as opposed to horizontal. This word is commonly used in contexts involving directions, measurements, or orientations. For example: draw a vertical line「縦の線を描く」(たてのせんをかく). The vertical axis is important in this graph「このグラフでは縦軸が重要です」(このグラフではたてじくがじゅうようです). Additionally, '縦' can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe hierarchical relationships or structures, such as in organizations or systems.

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

渋い: astringent or subdued. The Japanese adjective '渋い (しぶい)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'astringent', referring to a taste or sensation that is dry, bitter, or puckering, often used to describe foods like unripe persimmons or strong tea. For example: This persimmon is astringent「この柿は渋い」(このかきはしぶい). The second meaning is 'subdued', describing something that is understated, refined, or muted in appearance, taste, or style. This can refer to colors, designs, or even personalities. For example: His taste in fashion is subdued「彼のファッションセンスは渋い」(かれのファッションセンスはしぶい). The word can also imply a sense of sophistication or maturity, often used to describe someone who is reserved but has depth. For example: His humor is subtle and subdued「彼のユーモアは渋い」(かれのユーモアはしぶい).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1558

Handwriting