kanji

Meaning

Ten

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 一One

Example Word

二十: twenty. The Japanese noun '二十 (にじゅう)' means 'twenty'. It is a number used to represent the quantity or age of twenty. This word is commonly used in contexts involving counting, age, or numerical references. For example: I am twenty years old「私は二十歳です」(わたしはにじゅうさいです). There are twenty books on the shelf「本棚に二十冊の本があります」(ほんだなににじゅうさつのほんがあります). The word is straightforward and primarily used in numerical contexts.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

30

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Heavy

Reading

Parts

里Hometown 千Thousand

Example Word

重: weight. The Japanese noun '重 (じゅう)' primarily means 'weight'. It is used to refer to the physical weight of an object or the heaviness of something. This term can also be used metaphorically to describe the weight or burden of responsibilities or emotions. For example: The weight of the box is heavy「箱の重は重い」(はこのじゅうはおもい). The weight of responsibility is heavy「責任の重は重い」(せきにんのじゅうはおもい). It's important to note that '重' can also be part of compound words, such as '体重 (たいじゅう)' meaning 'body weight'.

Radical

里

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

179

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Live

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)主Master

Example Word

住居: residence. The Japanese noun '住居 (じゅうきょ)' refers to a place where someone lives, such as a house, apartment, or dwelling. It is a formal term often used in legal, official, or technical contexts. For example: This is my residence「ここは私の住居です」(ここはわたしのじゅうきょです). The residence is located in the city center「その住居は市の中心にあります」(そのじゅうきょはしのちゅうしんにあります). Note that '住居' is more formal than everyday terms like '家 (いえ)' or '住まい (すまい).'

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

396

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Follow, Obey

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 䒑Herbs 龰Stop (止)

Example Word

従事: engagement. The Japanese noun '従事 (じゅうじ)' refers to being engaged or involved in a particular activity, occupation, or job. It is often used in formal contexts to describe someone's professional involvement or dedication to a specific field or task. For example: He is engaged in research「彼は研究に従事している」(かれはけんきゅうにじゅうじしている). She works in education「彼女は教育に従事している」(かのじょはきょういくにじゅうじしている). The term emphasizes active participation or commitment to a role or activity.

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

縦書き: vertical writing. The Japanese noun '縦書き (たてがき)' refers to the traditional style of writing in Japanese where text is arranged in vertical columns, read from top to bottom and right to left. This style is commonly used in books, newspapers, and formal documents. For example: This book is written in vertical writing「この本は縦書きです」(このほんはたてがきです). I prefer vertical writing for novels「小説は縦書きが好きです」(しょうせつはたてがきがすきです). It contrasts with '横書き (よこがき)', which is horizontal writing, typically used in digital formats and Western-style documents.

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