kanji

Meaning

Foot, Sufficient

Reading

Parts

龰Stop (止)口Mouth

Example Word

足: leg or foot. The Japanese noun '足 (あし)' can mean either 'foot' or 'leg', depending on the context. It refers to the lower limb of the body, from the hip to the toes. When used to mean 'foot', it specifically refers to the part of the limb below the ankle. When used to mean 'leg', it refers to the entire limb. For example: My foot hurts「足が痛い」(あしがいたい). He has long legs「彼は足が長い」(かれはあしがながい). The word is also used in various idiomatic expressions, such as '足が速い (あしがはやい)', which means 'fast runner' or 'quick to spoil' (for food).

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

両側: both sides. The Japanese noun '両側 (りょうがわ)' means 'both sides'. It is used to refer to the two sides of something, such as a road, a river, or an object. This word is often used in contexts where it is important to specify that something applies to or is present on both sides. For example: There are trees on both sides of the road「道路の両側に木があります」(どうろのりょうがわにきがあります). Please stand on both sides of the line「線の両側に立ってください」(せんのりょうがわにたってください). The word is commonly used in everyday conversation as well as in more formal 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

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

速度: speed. The Japanese noun '速度 (そくど)' means 'speed'. It refers to the rate at which something moves or operates. This word is commonly used in contexts related to physics, vehicles, or any situation involving motion. For example: The speed of the car is high「車の速度が高い」(くるまのそくどがたかい). The speed of light is constant「光の速度は一定だ」(ひかりのそくどはいっていだ). It can also be used metaphorically, such as in describing the pace of work or progress. For instance: The speed of the project is impressive「プロジェクトの速度がすごい」(ぷろじぇくとのそくどがすごい).

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

830

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rule

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

規則: rule. The Japanese noun '規則 (きそく)' means 'rule' or 'regulation'. It refers to a prescribed guideline or principle that governs behavior, actions, or procedures within a specific context, such as an organization, game, or society. This word is commonly used in formal settings, such as schools, workplaces, or legal systems. For example: follow the rules「規則を守る」(きそくをまもる). The rules of this game are strict「このゲームの規則は厳しい」(このゲームのきそくはきびしい). It can also refer to natural laws or principles, such as the rules of physics「物理の規則」(ぶつりのきそく).

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1065

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Measure, Conjecture

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)則Rule

Example Word

測る: measure. The Japanese verb '測る (はかる)' means 'to measure'. This verb is used when quantifying or determining the size, amount, degree, or extent of something. It can be applied to physical measurements, such as length or weight, as well as abstract concepts like time or emotions. For example: I measured the length of the table「テーブルの長さを測った」(テーブルのながさをはかった). He measured his blood pressure「彼は血圧を測った」(かれはけつあつをはかった). The verb can also imply assessing or estimating something, such as in '測り知れない (はかりしれない)', meaning 'immeasurable' or 'beyond comprehension'.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1322

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Urge, Press

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)足Foot, Sufficient

Example Word

促進: promotion. The Japanese noun '促進 (そくしん)' means 'promotion' or 'acceleration'. It is used to describe the act of advancing or speeding up a process, development, or activity. This word is often used in contexts related to business, technology, health, and social initiatives. For example: promotion of health「健康の促進」(けんこうのそくしん). The government is promoting economic growth「政府は経済成長を促進している」(せいふはけいざいせいちょうをそくしんしている). It can also be used in a more general sense to describe the encouragement or facilitation of something, such as promoting cultural exchange「文化交流を促進する」(ぶんかこうりゅうをそくしんする).

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