Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Foot, Sufficient

Reading

Parts

龰Stop (止)口Mouth

Example Word

足る: suffice. The Japanese verb '足る (たる)' means 'to suffice' or 'to be enough'. It is used to indicate that something meets the necessary requirements or is adequate for a particular purpose. This verb is often used in formal or literary contexts. For example: This amount of money is sufficient「この金額で足る」(このきんがくでたる). His explanation suffices「彼の説明で足る」(かれのせつめいでたる). It can also be used in negative forms to indicate insufficiency, as in 'This is not enough「これでは足りない」(これではたりない)'. Note that '足る' is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to its synonym '足りる (たりる)', which has a similar meaning but is more casual.

Radical

足

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

121

Radical Form

⻊

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Breath

Reading

Parts

心Heart 自Self

Example Word

ため息: sigh. The Japanese noun 'ため息 (ためいき)' means 'sigh'. It refers to the act of exhaling audibly, often as an expression of relief, frustration, exhaustion, or deep emotion. This word is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to describe a physical or emotional reaction. For example: she let out a sigh of relief「彼女は安堵のため息をついた」(かのじょはあんどのためいきをついた). He sighed deeply after hearing the news「彼はその知らせを聞いて深いため息をついた」(かれはそのしらせをきいてふかいためいきをついた). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a sense of resignation or weariness.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

358

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Side

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)則Rule

Example Word

右側: right side. The Japanese noun '右側 (みぎがわ)' means 'rightside' or 'right side'. It refers to the side that is to the right of a person or object. This word is commonly used in directions, descriptions of locations, or when giving instructions. For example: Please stand on the right side「右側に立ってください」(みぎがわにたってください). The store is on the right side of the street「その店は通りの右側にあります」(そのみせはとおりのみぎがわにあります). It is important to note that '右側' is often used in contrast to '左側 (ひだりがわ)' (left side).

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

早速: promptly. The Japanese adverb '早速 (さっそく)' means 'promptly' or 'without delay'. It is used to indicate that something is done immediately or right after a suggestion, request, or opportunity arises. This word conveys a sense of eagerness or readiness to act. For example: I promptly tried the new recipe「早速新しいレシピを試しました」(さっそくあたらしいレシピをためしました). He promptly started working on the project「彼は早速プロジェクトに取り掛かりました」(かれはさっそくぷろじぇくとにとりかかりました). The adverb is often used in both casual and formal contexts to express quick action or response.

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