Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Know

Reading

Parts

矢Arrow 口Mouth

Example Word

知らせる: inform. The Japanese verb '知らせる (しらせる)' means 'to inform' or 'to notify'. It is used when someone communicates information or news to another person. This verb often implies that the information being shared is important or necessary for the recipient to know. For example: I will inform you about the meeting time「会議の時間を知らせます」(かいぎのじかんをしらせます). Please inform me if there are any changes「変更があったら知らせてください」(へんこうがあったらしらせてください). The verb can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and the level of politeness required.

Radical

矢

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

40

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ground

Reading

Parts

土Soil 也To be

Example Word

地理: geography. The Japanese noun '地理 (ちり)' refers to 'geography'. It is used to describe the study of the Earth's physical features, climate, and human activity, as well as the arrangement of places and physical features. For example: I like studying geography「私は地理を勉強するのが好きです」(わたしはちりをべんきょうするのがすきです). The geography of this region is complex「この地域の地理は複雑です」(このちいきのちりはふくざつです). This term is commonly used in academic and educational contexts, and it can also refer to the physical characteristics of a particular area.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

53

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Put

Reading

Parts

网 直Straight, Repair

Example Word

位置: position. The Japanese verbal noun '位置 (いち)' means 'position'. It refers to the place or location of something in space or in a particular arrangement. It can also refer to one's status or role in a group or organization. For example: the position of the chair「椅子の位置」(いすのいち). His position in the company is high「彼の会社での位置は高い」(かれのかいしゃでのいちはたかい). This word is often used in contexts involving physical placement, ranking, or situational status.

Radical

网

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

198

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cure, Reign

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)台Pedestal, Machine

Example Word

統治: rule. The Japanese noun '統治 (とうち)' refers to the act or process of governing or ruling over a country, region, or group of people. It is often used in political or historical contexts to describe the administration or control exercised by a government or ruler. For example: The king's rule was just「王の統治は公正だった」(おうのとうちはこうせいだった). The new government aims for stable rule「新しい政府は安定した統治を目指す」(あたらしいせいふはあんていしたとうちをめざす). This term can also imply a sense of authority and control over a population or territory.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

317

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Doth, Do humbly

Reading

Parts

攵Strike 至Arrive, Climax

Example Word

一致: match. The Japanese verbal noun '一致 (いっち)' means 'match' or 'agreement'. It refers to a state where two or more things are in harmony, correspond, or are in alignment with each other. This word is often used in contexts where there is a need to express that opinions, data, or conditions are in agreement. For example: The data matches「データが一致する」(データがいっちする). Our opinions agree「私たちの意見は一致している」(わたしたちのいけんはいっちしている). It can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as when describing a match in characteristics or features.

Radical

至

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

651

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Value, Price

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)直Straight, Repair

Example Word

値下がり: decrease. The Japanese verbal noun '値下がり (ねさがり)' refers to a decrease or drop in value, price, or worth. It is commonly used in economic, financial, or market contexts to describe a decline in the price of goods, stocks, or other assets. For example: The price of the stock decreased「株価が値下がりした」(かぶかがねさがりした). The value of the yen decreased「円が値下がりした」(えんがねさがりした). This term is often used in news reports or discussions about market trends.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

861

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pond

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)也To be

Example Word

電池: battery. The Japanese noun '電池 (でんち)' means 'battery'. It refers to a device that stores chemical energy and converts it into electrical energy, commonly used to power electronic devices. This word is widely used in everyday contexts, such as discussing household items or electronics. For example: The battery is dead「電池が切れた」(でんちがきれた). I need to buy a new battery「新しい電池を買う必要がある」(あたらしいでんちをかうひつようがある). The word can also appear in compound terms, such as '乾電池 (かんでんち)' (dry cell battery) or '充電池 (じゅうでんち)' (rechargeable battery).

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

⻌Walk 尸Corpse 羊Sheep

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

疒Sick 知Know

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1569

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Young, Immature

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 隹Bird

Example Word

幼稚: immature. The Japanese adjectival noun '幼稚 (ようち)' means 'immature' or 'childish'. It is often used to describe behavior, thinking, or actions that are not appropriate for someone's age or position, suggesting a lack of maturity or sophistication. For example: His behavior is immature「彼の行動は幼稚だ」(かれのこうどうはようちだ). That idea is too childish「その考えは幼稚すぎる」(そのかんがえはようちすぎる). It can also refer to something being at an early stage of development, such as '幼稚な技術 (ようちなぎじゅつ)' (immature technology). Note that this word can carry a slightly negative connotation when used to describe people.

Radical

禾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1740

Handwriting

kanji

Reading

Parts

糹 致Doth, Do humbly

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2016

Handwriting