kanji

Meaning

Foot, Sufficient

Reading

Parts

龰Stop (止)口Mouth

Example Word

手足: limbs. The Japanese noun '手足 (てあし)' refers to the limbs of the body, specifically the arms and legs. It is a compound word combining '手 (て)' meaning 'hand' and '足 (あし)' meaning 'foot'. This term is often used in contexts related to physical movement, anatomy, or expressions involving the use of limbs. For example: He moved his limbs freely「彼は手足を自由に動かした」(かれはてあしをじゆうにうごかした). My limbs are tired from the workout「手足がトレーニングで疲れた」(てあしがとれーにんぐでつかれた). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's close aides or helpers, as in 'He is the boss's right-hand man'「彼は上司の手足だ」(かれはじょうしのてあしだ).

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

西側: west side. The Japanese noun '西側 (にしがわ)' refers to the 'westside' or the western part of something, such as a city, region, or area. It is commonly used to describe geographical locations or directions. For example: the westside of the city is quiet「街の西側は静かです」(まちのにしがわはしずかです). The school is on the westside of the park「学校は公園の西側にあります」(がっこうはこうえんのにしがわにあります). This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

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

約束: promise. The Japanese verbal noun '約束 (やくそく)' means 'promise'. It refers to a commitment or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate a pledge or agreement between people. For example: I made a promise to my friend「友達と約束をした」(ともだちとやくそくをした). He broke his promise「彼は約束を破った」(かれはやくそくをやぶった). It can also be used in phrases like '約束を守る (やくそくをまもる)' (to keep a promise) or '約束を果たす (やくそくをはたす)' (to fulfill a promise).

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

729

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Quick

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 束Bundle, Bind

Example Word

速達: express. The Japanese noun '速達 (そくたつ)' refers to 'express' or 'express delivery'. It is commonly used in the context of mail or package delivery services to indicate that the item will be delivered faster than standard delivery. For example: I sent the document by express「書類を速達で送りました」(しょるいをそくたつでおくりました). Please use express delivery for this package「この荷物は速達でお願いします」(このにもつはそくたつでおねがいします). The term is often seen in postal services and is a convenient option for urgent deliveries.

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

推測: guess or speculation. The Japanese verbal noun '推測 (すいそく)' refers to the act of making an educated guess or forming a hypothesis based on available information. It is often used in contexts where there is uncertainty or incomplete data, and it implies a logical process of reasoning rather than a random guess. For example: His guess was correct「彼の推測は正しかった」(かれのすいそくはただしかった). We can only speculate about the future「未来について推測することしかできない」(みらいについてすいそくすることしかできない). It is important to note that '推測' carries a slightly more formal tone compared to casual words like '当てずっぽう (あてずっぽう)' (wild guess).

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