Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Foot, Sufficient

Reading

Parts

龰Stop (止)口Mouth

Example Word

遠足: excursion. The Japanese noun '遠足 (えんそく)' refers to a school trip or excursion, typically involving students going to a place of interest, such as a park, museum, or historical site. It is often organized by schools as a recreational or educational activity. For example: We went on an excursion to the zoo「私たちは動物園に遠足に行きました」(わたしたちはどうぶつえんにえんそくにいきました). The students enjoyed the excursion to the mountains「生徒たちは山への遠足を楽しみました」(せいとたちはやまへのえんそくをたのしみました). This word is commonly used in the context of school activities and is associated with group outings.

Radical

足

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

121

Radical Form

⻊

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Breath

Reading

Parts

心Heart 自Self

Example Word

息: breath. The Japanese noun '息 (いき)' means 'breath'. It refers to the air taken into or expelled from the lungs, and is commonly used in contexts related to breathing, such as holding one's breath or being out of breath. For example: I took a deep breath「私は深く息をした」(わたしはふかくいきをした). He was out of breath after running「彼は走った後で息が切れていた」(かれははしったあとでいきがきれていた). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a pause or moment of rest, as in 'a breath of fresh air'.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

358

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Side

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)則Rule

Example Word

左側: left side. The Japanese noun '左側 (ひだりがわ)' means 'left side'. It refers to the side of something that is on the left when facing a particular direction. This word is commonly used in everyday situations, such as giving directions or describing the position of objects. For example: The bookstore is on the left side「本屋は左側です」(ほんやはひだりがわです). Please sit on the left side「左側に座ってください」(ひだりがわにすわってください). The word is often used in combination with other nouns to specify location, such as '左側のドア (ひだりがわのドア) (the left-side door)'.

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

花束: bouquet. The Japanese noun '花束 (はなたば)' refers to a 'bouquet' of flowers. It is commonly used to describe a collection of flowers arranged together, often given as a gift for special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, or celebrations. For example: She received a beautiful bouquet「彼女は美しい花束をもらった」(かのじょはうつくしいはなたばをもらった). I bought a bouquet for my mother「母に花束を買った」(ははにはなたばをかった). The word emphasizes the arrangement and presentation of flowers, often tied together or placed in a decorative manner.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

729

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Quick

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 束Bundle, Bind

Example Word

速さ: speed. The Japanese noun '速さ (はやさ)' means 'speed'. It refers to the rate at which something moves or operates. This word is often used in contexts involving motion, such as vehicles, athletes, or processes. For example: The speed of the car is impressive「車の速さがすごい」(くるまのはやさがすごい). The speed of light is constant「光の速さは一定だ」(ひかりのはやさはいっていだ). It can also be used metaphorically to describe the pace of events or changes, such as 'the speed of technological advancement'.

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

予測: prediction. The Japanese noun '予測 (よそく)' means 'prediction'. It refers to the act of forecasting or estimating future events or outcomes based on current information or trends. This word is commonly used in contexts such as weather forecasts, economic trends, or scientific research. For example: the weather prediction was accurate「天気予測は正確だった」(てんきよそくはせいかくだった). Economists made a prediction about the market「経済学者は市場について予測をした」(けいざいがくしゃはしじょうについてよそくをした). It's important to note that '予測' often implies a level of uncertainty and is based on analysis or data rather than definitive knowledge.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1322

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Urge, Press

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)足Foot, Sufficient

Example Word

促す: urge. The Japanese verb '促す (うながす)' means 'to urge' or 'to prompt'. It is used when encouraging or pushing someone to take action or make a decision. This verb often implies a sense of urgency or necessity. For example: The teacher urged the students to study harder「先生は生徒たちにもっと勉強するよう促した」(せんせいはせいとたちにもっとべんきょうするよううながした). The situation prompted him to act quickly「状況が彼に素早く行動するよう促した」(じょうきょうがかれにすばやくこうどうするよううながした). It can also be used in contexts where something stimulates or triggers a reaction, such as 'The smell of food urged me to eat'「食べ物の匂いが私に食べるよう促した」(たべもののにおいがわたしにたべるよううながした).

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

塞ぐ: block. The Japanese verb '塞ぐ (ふさぐ)' primarily means 'to block' or 'to obstruct'. It is used to describe the action of closing or blocking a passage, entrance, or any kind of opening. It can also be used metaphorically to describe blocking emotions or thoughts. For example: He blocked the entrance with a box「彼は箱で入口を塞いだ」(かれははこでいりぐちをふさいだ). She tried to block out the painful memories「彼女は辛い記憶を塞ごうとした」(かのじょはつらいきおくをふさごうとした). The verb can also imply a sense of filling or occupying a space, as in 'to fill a hole' or 'to occupy a position'.

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