Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Outside

Reading

Parts

夕Evening 卜Divination

Example Word

海外: overseas. The Japanese noun '海外 (かいがい)' means 'overseas'. It refers to foreign countries or regions outside of Japan. This term is commonly used in contexts related to travel, business, education, or cultural exchange. For example: I want to travel overseas「海外へ旅行したい」(かいがいへりょこうしたい). He works for an overseas company「彼は海外の会社で働いている」(かれはかいがいのかいしゃではたらいている). The word can also be used in phrases like '海外旅行 (かいがいりょこう)' (overseas travel) or '海外留学 (かいがいりゅうがく)' (studying abroad).

Radical

夕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

87

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Set, Hang

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)圭 卜Divination

Example Word

腰掛け: stool. The Japanese noun '腰掛け (こしかけ)' refers to a 'stool', which is a simple seat without a back or arms. It is often used in casual or temporary seating situations. For example: Please sit on the stool「腰掛けに座ってください」(こしかけにすわってください). There is a stool in the corner「隅に腰掛けがあります」(すみにこしかけがあります). This word can also be used metaphorically to describe a temporary position or role, but its primary meaning is the physical object.

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

害: harm. The Japanese verbal noun '害 (がい)' means 'harm' or 'damage'. It is used to describe negative effects or consequences caused by something. This word is often used in contexts related to health, environment, or moral issues. For example: smoking causes harm to health「喫煙は健康に害がある」(きつえんはけんこうにがいがある). Pollution harms the environment「公害は環境に害を及ぼす」(こうがいはかんきょうにがいをおよぼす). The word can also be used in compound words like '公害 (こうがい)' (pollution) or '害虫 (がいちゅう)' (harmful insect).

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

810

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

In general, Approximation

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 既Already, Previously

Example Word

概要: summary. The Japanese noun '概要 (がいよう)' means 'summary' or 'overview'. It refers to a concise explanation or description of the main points of something, such as a document, event, or concept. This word is commonly used in formal or professional contexts, such as business meetings, academic papers, or project reports. For example: Please provide a summary of the report「レポートの概要を教えてください」(レポートのがいようをおしえてください). The overview of the project is clear「プロジェクトの概要は明確です」(プロジェクトのがいようはめいかくです). Note that '概要' emphasizes brevity and clarity, capturing the essence of the subject matter.

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