Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Outside

Reading

Parts

夕Evening 卜Divination

Example Word

外: outside. The Japanese noun '外 (そと)' means 'outside'. It refers to the external environment or space that is not inside a building or enclosed area. This word is commonly used to describe being outdoors or the area beyond a specific boundary. For example: Let's go outside「外に行こう」(そとにいこう). It's cold outside「外は寒い」(そとはさむい). The word can also be used metaphorically to indicate something outside of a particular scope or context, such as 'outside the rules' (ルールの外).

Radical

夕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

87

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Set, Hang

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)圭 卜Divination

Example Word

引っ掛ける: hook or trick. The Japanese verb '引っ掛ける (ひっかける)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to hook', which refers to physically catching or attaching something with a hook. For example: he hooked the fish「彼は魚を引っ掛けた」(かれはさかなをひっかけた). The second meaning is 'to trick', which involves deceiving someone. For example: she tricked him into buying the car「彼女は彼を引っ掛けて車を買わせた」(かのじょはかれをひっかけてくるまをかわせた). This verb can also imply a quick or casual action, such as hanging a coat on a hook or snagging something briefly. It's versatile and context-dependent, so the intended meaning is often clear from the situation.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

379

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Street, Boulevard

Reading

Parts

行Go 圭

Example Word

市街: city. The Japanese noun '市街 (しがい)' refers to the urban or city area, typically the built-up part of a city with streets, buildings, and infrastructure. It is often used to describe the central or commercial district of a city. For example: The city is bustling with activity「市街は活気で溢れている」(しがいわかっきであふれている). We walked through the city at night「私たちは夜に市街を歩いた」(わたしたちはよるにしがいをあるいた). This term is commonly used in contexts related to urban planning, geography, or everyday descriptions of city life.

Radical

行

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

735

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Harm

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 口Mouth 丰

Example Word

有害: harmful. The Japanese adjectival noun '有害 (ゆうがい)' means 'harmful'. It is used to describe something that has a detrimental or damaging effect. This term is often used in contexts related to health, environment, or substances. For example: Smoking is harmful to health「喫煙は健康に有害です」(きつえんはけんこうにゆうがいです). This chemical is harmful to the environment「この化学物質は環境に有害です」(このかがくぶっしつはかんきょうにゆうがいです). The word can also be used in a broader sense to describe anything that is detrimental, such as harmful information「有害な情報」(ゆうがいなじょうほう).

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