字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Know

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 矢Arrow

Example Word

知る: know. The Japanese verb '知る (しる)' means 'to know' or 'to become aware of'. It is used to express knowledge or awareness of something, whether it is information, facts, or people. Unlike '分かる (わかる)', which implies understanding, '知る' focuses on the act of coming to know something. For example: I know that person「あの人を知っています」(あのひとをしっています). I just found out about the news「そのニュースを今知りました」(そのニュースをいましりました). It is often used in the past tense ('知った') to indicate the moment of realization or discovery.

Radical

矢

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

40

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ground

Reading

Parts

土Soil 也To be

Example Word

地: ground. The Japanese noun '地 (ち)' primarily means 'ground' or 'earth'. It refers to the solid surface of the earth, as opposed to the sky or water. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the foundation or basis of something. For example: the ground is wet「地が濡れている」(ちがぬれている). This land is fertile「この地は肥沃だ」(このちはひよくだ). Additionally, '地' can be used in compound words to denote specific types of land or areas, such as '地図 (ちず)' (map) or '地元 (じもと)' (hometown).

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

53

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Put

Reading

Parts

网 直Straight, Repair

Example Word

置く: put. The Japanese verb '置く (おく)' primarily means 'to put' or 'to place'. It is used to describe the action of placing an object in a specific location. This verb is versatile and can be used in various contexts, such as placing items on a table, leaving something behind, or even metaphorically, like setting aside time. Example sentences: I put the book on the table「本をテーブルに置く」(ほんをテーブルにおく). Please leave the key here「鍵をここに置いてください」(かぎをここにおいてください). Note that '置く' can also imply leaving something in a state or condition, as in 'そのままにしておく (leave it as it is)'.

Radical

网

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

198

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cure, Reign

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)台Pedestal, Machine

Example Word

政治: politics. The Japanese noun '政治 (せいじ)' means 'politics'. It refers to the activities, actions, and policies used to govern a country or area, especially the debate between parties or individuals having power. It can also refer to the academic study of government and political systems. For example: He is interested in politics「彼は政治に興味がある」(かれはせいじにきょうみがある). The politics of this country are complicated「この国の政治は複雑だ」(このくにのせいじはふくざつだ). The word is commonly used in discussions about government, elections, and policy-making.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

317

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Doth, Do humbly

Reading

Parts

至Arrive, Climax 攵Strike

Example Word

致す: do. The Japanese verb '致す (いたす)' is a humble form of 'する (to do)'. It is used to express actions in a polite and respectful manner, often when referring to oneself or one's own actions in relation to others. This verb is commonly used in formal situations, business settings, or when speaking to someone of higher status. For example: I will do my best「精一杯致します」(せいいっぱいいたします). I apologize for the inconvenience「ご迷惑をおかけ致します」(ごめいわくをおかけいたします). Note that '致す' is often used in set phrases and expressions, such as 'お願い致します (おねがいいたします) (I humbly request)' or '失礼致します (しつれいいたします) (Excuse me/I'm leaving).'

Radical

至

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

651

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Value, Price

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)直Straight, Repair

Example Word

価値: value. The Japanese noun '価値 (かち)' means 'value'. It refers to the worth, importance, or usefulness of something, whether tangible or intangible. This word is often used in contexts discussing economic value, moral value, or the significance of an object, idea, or action. For example: This painting has great value「この絵は大きな価値がある」(このえはおおきなかちがある). The value of hard work is immeasurable「努力の価値は計り知れない」(どりょくのかちははかりしれない). It can also be used in phrases like '価値観 (かちかん)' meaning 'values' or 'sense of values'.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

861

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pond

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)也To be

Example Word

池: pond. The Japanese noun '池 (いけ)' refers to a 'pond', which is a small body of still water. This word is commonly used to describe natural or artificial ponds found in gardens, parks, or rural areas. It can also be used metaphorically in certain contexts. For example: There is a pond in the park「公園に池がある」(こうえんにいけがある). The koi fish swim in the pond「鯉が池で泳いでいる」(こいがいけでおよいでいる). The word '池' is often associated with tranquility and nature in Japanese culture.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

881

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ashamed, Shame

Reading

Parts

心Heart 耳Ear

Example Word

恥ずかしい: embarrassed or shameful. The Japanese adjective '恥ずかしい (はずかしい)' can mean both 'embarrassed' and 'shameful', depending on the context. When used to describe a person's feelings, it typically means 'embarrassed', as in feeling self-conscious or awkward. For example: I was embarrassed「私は恥ずかしかった」(わたしははずかしかった). When used to describe an action or situation, it can mean 'shameful', as in something that brings disgrace or dishonor. For example: That behavior is shameful「その行動は恥ずかしい」(そのこうどうははずかしい). The nuance of this word often depends on the context, so it's important to pay attention to how it's used in sentences.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

913

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slow, Late

Reading

Parts

羊Sheep ⻌Walk 尸Corpse

Example Word

遅い: slow or late. The Japanese adjective '遅い (おそい)' has two distinct meanings: 'slow' and 'late'. When used to mean 'slow', it describes something that takes a long time to move, happen, or be completed. For example: This train is slow「この電車は遅い」(このでんしゃはおそい). When used to mean 'late', it refers to something occurring after the expected or usual time. For example: I am late for the meeting「会議に遅い」(かいぎにおそい). The context in which '遅い' is used will determine whether it means 'slow' or 'late'. It is important to note that this adjective can describe both physical speed and timing, depending on the situation.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1133

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Stupid

Reading

Parts

知Know 疒Sick

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1569

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Young, Immature

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 隹Bird

Example Word

幼稚園: kindergarten. The Japanese noun '幼稚園 (ようちえん)' refers to a 'kindergarten', which is an educational institution for young children, typically between the ages of 3 and 6, before they enter elementary school. This term is commonly used in Japan to describe preschools that focus on early childhood education. For example: My child goes to kindergarten「私の子供は幼稚園に行きます」(わたしのこどもはようちえんにいきます). The kindergarten is near the park「その幼稚園は公園の近くです」(そのようちえんはこうえんのちかくです). It's important to note that '幼稚園' is distinct from '保育園 (ほいくえん)', which is more like a daycare center for younger children.

Radical

禾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1740

Handwriting

kanji

Reading

Parts

致Doth, Do humbly 糹

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2016

Handwriting