Page 1
kanji
外Meaning
Outside
Reading
kunyomiそとsoto
はずhazu
onyomiげge
がいgai
Parts
夕Evening 卜Divination
Example Word
外務省: foreign affairs. The Japanese noun '外務省 (がいむしょう)' refers to the 'Ministry of Foreign Affairs'. This is the government department responsible for handling Japan's international relations, diplomacy, and foreign policy. It is often used in formal or official contexts. For example: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the new policy「外務省は新しい政策を発表した」(がいむしょうはあたらしいせいさくをはっぴょうした). He works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs「彼は外務省で働いている」(かれはがいむしょうではたらいている). The term is specific to Japan's governmental structure and is not used to describe foreign affairs ministries in other countries.
Radical
夕
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
87
Handwriting
kanji
掛Meaning
Set, Hang
Reading
kunyomiかka
かかりkakari
onyomiがいgai
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
11JLPT
N3Grade
8Frequency
379
Handwriting
kanji
街Meaning
Street, Boulevard
Reading
kunyomiまちmachi
onyomiがいgai
かいkai
Parts
行Go 圭
Example Word
街: town. The Japanese noun '街 (まち)' refers to a town or a city, often implying a lively or bustling area with shops, streets, and people. It is commonly used to describe urban areas or specific districts within a city. For example: Let's go to the town「街に行こう」(まちにいこう). This town is very lively「この街はとてもにぎやかだ」(このまちはとてもにぎやかだ). The word can also carry a sense of community or a specific atmosphere, such as a shopping street or a cultural district. It is distinct from '村 (むら)' (village) or '都市 (とし)' (metropolis), as it often conveys a smaller, more intimate urban space.
Radical
行
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N1Grade
4Frequency
735
Handwriting
kanji
害Meaning
Harm
Reading
onyomiがいgai
Parts
宀Roof 口Mouth 丰
Example Word
水害: flood. The Japanese noun '水害 (すいがい)' refers to 'flood' or 'flood damage'. It is used to describe the damage or disaster caused by excessive water, typically due to heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, or other water-related events. This term is often used in news reports, weather forecasts, and discussions about natural disasters. For example: The town suffered from a flood「その町は水害にあった」(そのまちはすいがいにあった). Flood damage was severe this year「今年の水害はひどかった」(ことしのすいがいはひどかった). The term emphasizes the destructive impact of water, rather than the water itself.
Radical
宀
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
810
Handwriting
kanji
概Meaning
In general, Approximation
Reading
kunyomiおおむoomu
onyomiがいgai
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
14JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1025
Handwriting
kanji
涯Meaning
Edge, Horizon
Reading
kunyomiはてhate
onyomiがいgai
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
11JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1253
Handwriting
kanji
蓋Meaning
Lid
Reading
kunyomiふたfuta
かこうkakou
けだkeda
onyomiこうkou
がいgai
かいkai
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
13JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1333
Handwriting
kanji
崖Meaning
Cliff
Reading
kunyomiがけgake
onyomiがいgai
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
11JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1429
Handwriting
kanji
該Meaning
Correspond to
Reading
onyomiがいgai
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
13JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
2076
Handwriting