Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Sell

Reading

Parts

士Samurai 穴Hole

Example Word

売買: trade. The Japanese verbal noun '売買 (ばいばい)' refers to the act of buying and selling, commonly translated as 'trade' or 'transaction'. It is used in contexts involving commercial activities, such as the exchange of goods, services, or properties. For example: The trade of goods is increasing「商品の売買が増えている」(しょうひんのばいばいがふえている). They are involved in real estate transactions「彼らは不動産の売買に関わっている」(かれらはふどうさんのばいばいにかかわっている). This term is neutral and can be applied to both legal and illegal transactions, depending on the context.

Radical

士

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

463

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Buy

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 罒Net

Example Word

買い物: shopping. The Japanese verbal noun '買い物 (かいもの)' means 'shopping'. It refers to the act of purchasing goods or items, typically at stores or markets. This word is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be applied to various shopping contexts, such as grocery shopping, clothes shopping, or online shopping. For example: I went shopping「買い物に行きました」(かいものにいきました). Shopping is fun「買い物は楽しい」(かいものはたのしい). It's important to note that '買い物' is often used with verbs like 'する' (to do) or '行く' (to go) to form phrases like '買い物をする' (to do shopping) or '買い物に行く' (to go shopping).

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

472

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Apricot, Plum

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 毎Every

Example Word

梅雨明け: end of rainy season. The Japanese verbal noun '梅雨明け (つゆあけ)' refers to the end of the rainy season in Japan, typically occurring in late July or early August. This word is used to describe the transition from the prolonged rainy season (梅雨, つゆ) to the sunnier and hotter weather that characterizes the Japanese climate afterwards. Example: The rainy season has ended 「梅雨明けした」 (つゆあけした). We are looking forward to the end of the rainy season 「梅雨明けが待ち遠しい」 (つゆあけがまちどおしい). It's important to note that '梅雨明け' is often used in weather forecasts and casual conversations to mark the beginning of summer activities.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

886

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shamisen song

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 貝Shellfish

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1284

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Double, Times

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)咅Spit

Example Word

倍: double. The Japanese noun '倍 (ばい)' means 'double' or 'times'. It is used to indicate multiplication or an increase in quantity. For example: the price doubled「値段が倍になった」(ねだんがばいになった). This room is twice as big「この部屋は倍の広さだ」(このへやはばいのひろさだ). It can also be used in mathematical contexts, such as 'two times three is six'「2倍の3は6」(にばいのさんはろく). Note that '倍' is often used with numbers or quantities to express multiples.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1337

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shellfish

Reading

Parts

目Eye 八Eight

Example Word

貝: shellfish. The Japanese noun '貝 (かい)' refers to 'shellfish', a broad category of aquatic creatures with shells, such as clams, oysters, and scallops. This word is commonly used in contexts related to seafood, marine biology, or even in idiomatic expressions. For example: I found a beautiful shellfish on the beach「浜辺で美しい貝を見つけた」(はまべでうつくしいかいをみつけた). Shellfish are delicious「貝は美味しい」(かいはおいしい). In some cases, '貝' can also refer to the shells themselves, especially when discussing their use in crafts or decorations.

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1475

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dark, Foolish

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 未Not yet

Example Word

曖昧: vague. The Japanese adjective '曖昧 (あいまい)' means 'vague' or 'ambiguous'. It is used to describe something that is unclear, not well-defined, or open to interpretation. This word can be applied to statements, ideas, situations, or even feelings. For example: His explanation was vague「彼の説明は曖昧だった」(かれのせつめいはあいまいだった). The meaning of this sentence is ambiguous「この文の意味は曖昧だ」(このぶんのいみはあいまいだ). '曖昧' often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of clarity or precision. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1796

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shell, Husk

Reading

Parts

壳 殳Pike

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1804

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Intermediary, Mediator

Reading

Parts

女Woman 某A certain

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1884

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cultivate

Reading

Parts

土Soil 咅Spit

Example Word

栽培: cultivation. The Japanese verbal noun '栽培 (さいばい)' means 'cultivation'. It refers to the process of growing and nurturing plants, crops, or other agricultural products. This term is commonly used in contexts related to farming, gardening, or horticulture. For example: The cultivation of rice is important in Japan「米の栽培は日本で重要です」(こめのさいばいはにほんでじゅうようです). They are cultivating vegetables in the garden「彼らは庭で野菜を栽培しています」(かれらはにわでやさいをさいばいしています). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe the nurturing or development of skills, ideas, or relationships, though this usage is less common.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2011

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Accompany, Accompany a superior

Reading

Parts

⻖ 咅Spit

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2098

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Compensate, Compensation

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 咅Spit

Example Word

賠償: compensation. The Japanese noun '賠償 (ばいしょう)' refers to 'compensation', particularly in the context of legal or financial reparation for damages, losses, or injuries. It is commonly used in legal settings, such as lawsuits or insurance claims, where one party is required to compensate another for harm caused. For example: The company paid compensation for the damages「会社は損害の賠償を支払った」(かいしゃはそんがいのばいしょうをしはらった). He demanded compensation for the accident「彼は事故の賠償を要求した」(かれはじこのばいしょうをようきゅうした). This term is often associated with formal or serious situations where restitution is necessary.

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2119

Handwriting