Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Foot, Sufficient

Reading

Parts

龰Stop (止)口Mouth

Example Word

不足: lack or shortage. The Japanese verbal noun '不足 (ふそく)' primarily means 'shortage' or 'lack'. It is used to describe a situation where there is not enough of something, whether it be physical items, resources, or abstract concepts like time or effort. For example: There is a shortage of water「水が不足している」(みずがふそくしている). I lack sleep「睡眠が不足している」(すいみんがふそくしている). It can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as a lack of effort「努力が不足している」(どりょくがふそくしている). The word is often used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate insufficiency.

Radical

足

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

121

Radical Form

⻊

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Breath

Reading

Parts

心Heart 自Self

Example Word

息子: son. The Japanese noun '息子 (むすこ)' means 'son'. It refers to a male child in relation to his parents. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: My son is studying「私の息子は勉強しています」(わたしのむすこはべんきょうしています). He is my only son「彼は私の一人息子です」(かれはわたしのひとりむすこです). The word '息子' is often used in family-related conversations and is a respectful way to refer to one's own son or someone else's son.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

358

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Side

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)則Rule

Example Word

片側: one side. The Japanese noun '片側 (かたがわ)' means 'one side'. It refers to a single side of something, such as a road, object, or situation. It is often used in contexts where there is a clear distinction or separation between two sides. For example: Please walk on one side of the road「片側を歩いてください」(かたがわをあるいてください). The damage is only on one side of the building「建物の片側だけが損傷しています」(たてもののかたがわだけがそんしょうしています). This word is commonly used in everyday conversations, especially when giving directions or describing locations.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

426

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Instant, Immediate

Reading

Parts

艮Stopping 卩Seal

Example Word

即ち: namely. The Japanese conjunction '即ち (すなわち)' means 'namely' or 'in other words'. It is used to clarify or restate something that has been mentioned previously, often to provide a more precise or detailed explanation. This word is commonly used in both written and formal spoken Japanese. For example: He is my best friend, namely, my brother「彼は私の親友、即ち、私の兄です」(かれはわたしのしんゆう、すなわち、わたしのあにです). The solution is simple, namely, to work harder「解決策は簡単だ、即ち、もっと頑張ることだ」(かいけつさくはかんたんだ、すなわち、もっとがんばることだ).

Radical

卩

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

701

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bundle, Bind

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 口Mouth

Example Word

束: bundle. The Japanese noun '束 (たば)' refers to a 'bundle' or a collection of items tied together. It is commonly used to describe things like a bundle of sticks, flowers, or papers. For example: a bundle of flowers「花の束」(はなたば). He gave me a bundle of letters「彼は私に手紙の束をくれた」(かれはわたしにてがみのたばをくれた). The word can also imply a sense of grouping or clustering, often tied or bound in some way.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

729

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Quick

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 束Bundle, Bind

Example Word

高速: highway. The Japanese noun '高速 (こうそく)' refers to a 'highway' or 'expressway'. It is commonly used to describe major roads designed for high-speed traffic, often with multiple lanes and limited access points. This term is frequently seen in contexts related to transportation and travel. For example: Let's take the highway「高速を使いましょう」(こうそくをつかいましょう). The highway is crowded today「高速は今日混んでいます」(こうそくはきょうこんでいます). It's important to note that '高速' is often part of compound words, such as '高速道路 (こうそくどうろ)' which specifically means 'expressway'.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

830

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rule

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

法則: law. The Japanese noun '法則 (ほうそく)' refers to a 'law' or 'principle' that governs natural phenomena, scientific rules, or general patterns. It is often used in contexts related to science, mathematics, or philosophy to describe universal rules or consistent patterns. For example: Newton's law of motion「ニュートンの運動法則」(にゅーとんのうんどうほうそく). This principle applies universally「この法則は普遍的に適用される」(このほうそくはふへんてきにてきようされる). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe patterns in human behavior or societal rules, such as 'the law of supply and demand'「需要と供給の法則」(じゅようときょうきゅうのほうそく).

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1065

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Measure, Conjecture

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)則Rule

Example Word

測定: measurement. The Japanese verbal noun '測定 (そくてい)' means 'measurement'. It refers to the act of measuring or determining the size, amount, or degree of something. This term is commonly used in scientific, technical, and everyday contexts. For example: The measurement of temperature is important「温度の測定は重要です」(おんどのそくていはじゅうようです). We conducted a measurement of the room's dimensions「部屋の寸法の測定を行いました」(へやのすんぽうのそくていをおこないました). The word can also be used in compound terms like '測定器 (そくていき)' (measuring instrument).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1322

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Urge, Press

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)足Foot, Sufficient

Example Word

催促: demand or urging. The Japanese verbal noun '催促 (さいそく)' refers to the act of urging or pressing someone to do something, often in the context of requesting payment, action, or a response. It can also imply a demand or insistence. For example: I received a demand for payment「支払いの催促を受けました」(しはらいのさいそくをうけました). He urged me to reply quickly「彼は早く返事をするように催促した」(かれははやくへんじをするようにさいそくした). This term is commonly used in formal or business settings, where timely responses or actions are required.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1557

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Catch

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)足Foot, Sufficient

Example Word

捉える: grasp. The Japanese verb '捉える (とらえる)' means 'to grasp' or 'to capture'. It is used to describe the act of physically catching or holding onto something, as well as metaphorically understanding or perceiving something. For example: He grasped the concept quickly「彼はその概念をすぐに捉えた」(かれはそのがいねんをすぐにとらえた). The police captured the criminal「警察は犯人を捉えた」(けいさつははんにんをとらえた). This verb can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as capturing an image or idea in one's mind.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1578

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Block up

Reading

Parts

土Soil

Example Word

塞がる: blocked or occupied. The Japanese verb '塞がる (ふさがる)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'blocked', which refers to something being physically obstructed or closed off. For example: The road is blocked due to construction「道路が工事で塞がっている」(どうろがこうじでふさがっている). The second meaning is 'occupied', which refers to something being in use or unavailable. For example: The bathroom is occupied「トイレが塞がっている」(トイレがふさがっている). This verb is often used to describe situations where access or availability is restricted, either physically or metaphorically.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1644

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grieve, Relatives

Reading

Parts

戊 尗

Example Word

親戚: relative. The Japanese noun '親戚 (しんせき)' refers to a 'relative' or 'family member'. It is used to describe someone who is related by blood or marriage, such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws. This term is broader than '家族 (かぞく)', which specifically refers to immediate family members like parents, siblings, or children. For example: I visited my relatives「親戚を訪ねた」(しんせきをたずねた). She has many relatives「彼女は親戚が多い」(かのじょはしんせきがおおい). The word can also be used in formal or casual contexts, depending on the situation.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1827

Handwriting