Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Outside

Reading

Parts

夕Evening 卜Divination

Example Word

外側: outside. The Japanese noun '外側 (そとがわ)' refers to the 'outside' or 'outer side' of something. It is used to describe the external part or surface of an object, area, or structure. For example: the outside of the box is red「箱の外側は赤い」(はこのそとがわはあかい). Please clean the outside of the window「窓の外側を掃除してください」(まどのそとがわをそうじしてください). This word is often used in contrast to '内側 (うちがわ)', which means 'inside' or 'inner side'. It can also be used metaphorically to describe external appearances or superficial aspects.

Radical

夕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

87

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Set, Hang

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)圭 卜Divination

Example Word

掛かる: take or hang. The Japanese verb '掛かる (かかる)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'to hang', as in something being suspended or attached to something else. For example: a picture is hanging on the wall「壁に絵が掛かっている」(かべにえがかかっている). The second meaning is 'to take' (time, money, or effort), often used to describe the amount of time or resources required for something. For example: it takes 2 hours「2時間掛かる」(にじかんかかる). The verb is versatile and context-dependent, so pay attention to the surrounding words to determine which meaning is intended.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

379

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Street, Boulevard

Reading

Parts

行Go 圭

Example Word

街道: highway. The Japanese noun '街道 (かいどう)' refers to a highway or main road, often historically significant. It is used to describe major routes that connect cities or regions, and it can carry a sense of tradition or historical importance. For example: This highway connects Kyoto and Tokyo「この街道は京都と東京を結ぶ」(このかいどうはきょうとととうきょうをむすぶ). The old highway is still in use「古い街道はまだ使われている」(ふるいかいどうはまだつかわれている). The term can also evoke a sense of nostalgia or cultural heritage, as many 街道 were used during the Edo period for travel and trade.

Radical

行

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

735

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Harm

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 口Mouth 丰

Example Word

妨害: obstruction. The Japanese verbal noun '妨害 (ぼうがい)' means 'obstruction' or 'interference'. It refers to the act of hindering or preventing something from happening, often intentionally. This word is commonly used in contexts such as communication, progress, or activities being disrupted. For example: The noise was an obstruction to our conversation「騒音が会話の妨害になった」(そうおんがかいわのぼうがいになった). The protest caused an obstruction to traffic「デモが交通の妨害になった」(デモがこうつうのぼうがいになった). It can also be used in legal or technical contexts, such as 'signal interference'「信号の妨害」(しんごうのぼうがい).

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

810

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

In general, Approximation

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 既Already, Previously

Example Word

概念: concept. The Japanese noun '概念 (がいねん)' refers to an abstract idea or a general notion, often used in academic, philosophical, or technical contexts. It represents a mental construct that helps in understanding or categorizing something. For example: The concept of time is complex「時間の概念は複雑です」(じかんのがいねんはふくざつです). He explained the concept clearly「彼はその概念を明確に説明した」(かれはそのがいねんをめいかくにせつめいした). The word is commonly used in discussions about theories, ideas, or frameworks, and it carries a formal tone.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1025

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Remains

Reading

Parts

骨Bone 亥

Radical

骨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1172

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Edge, Horizon

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)厂Cliff 圭

Example Word

生涯: lifetime. The Japanese noun '生涯 (しょうがい)' refers to the entire duration of a person's life, from birth to death. It is often used in contexts discussing life events, achievements, or experiences that span one's entire existence. For example: He devoted his lifetime to art「彼は生涯を芸術に捧げた」(かれはしょうがいをげいじゅつにささげた). This word can also be used in a more abstract sense to describe the entirety of a person's life journey or experiences. Another example: She spent her lifetime in this town「彼女は生涯をこの町で過ごした」(かのじょはしょうがいをこのまちですごした).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1253

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lid

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 盍

Example Word

蓋: lid. The Japanese noun '蓋 (ふた)' means 'lid'. It refers to a cover or top that is placed over a container to close or seal it. This word is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as when referring to the lid of a pot, jar, or bottle. For example: Please put the lid on the pot「鍋に蓋をしてください」(なべにふたをしてください). The lid of this jar is hard to open「この瓶の蓋は開けにくい」(このびんのふたはあけにくい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that conceals or hides, as in '蓋をする (ふたをする)' which means 'to cover up' or 'to hide something'.

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1333

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cliff

Reading

Parts

山Mountain 厓

Example Word

崖: cliff. The Japanese noun '崖 (がけ)' means 'cliff'. It refers to a steep, vertical or near-vertical rock face, often found near coastlines, mountains, or rivers. This word is commonly used in geographical contexts or to describe dangerous or dramatic landscapes. For example: Be careful near the cliff「崖の近くに気をつけて」(がけのちかくにきをつけて). The house is built on the edge of a cliff「その家は崖の端に建てられている」(そのいえはがけのはしにたてられている). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a precarious situation, such as being on the edge of a metaphorical 'cliff'.

Radical

山

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1429

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Indignant, Sigh

Reading

Parts

忄 既Already, Previously

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1725

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Correspond to

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)亥

Example Word

当該: relevant. The Japanese noun '当該 (とうがい)' means 'relevant' or 'the said'. It is used to refer to something previously mentioned or currently under discussion. This term is often used in formal or legal contexts to specify a particular matter or subject. For example: Please refer to the relevant section「当該のセクションを参照してください」(とうがいのセクションをさんしょうしてください). The said person is not available「当該の人は利用できません」(とうがいのひとはりようできません). It is important to note that '当該' is typically used in written or formal speech rather than casual conversation.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2076

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Investigate, Censure

Reading

Parts

亥 力Power

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2135

Handwriting