kanji

Meaning

Know

Reading

Parts

矢Arrow 口Mouth

Example Word

知人: acquaintance. The Japanese noun '知人 (ちじん)' refers to someone you know, but not closely. It is used to describe a person you are familiar with, but who is not a close friend or family member. This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: I met an acquaintance at the station「知人に駅で会いました」(ちじんにえきであいました). She is an acquaintance from work「彼女は仕事の知人です」(かのじょはしごとのちじんです). The word is often used to distinguish between close relationships and more casual ones.

Radical

矢

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

40

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ground

Reading

Parts

土Soil 也To be

Example Word

地面: ground. The Japanese noun '地面 (じめん)' refers to the surface of the earth, specifically the ground or soil. It is commonly used to describe the physical ground beneath our feet, whether it's soil, dirt, or any natural surface. For example: The ground is wet「地面が濡れている」(じめんがぬれている). He fell to the ground「彼は地面に倒れた」(かれはじめんにたおれた). This word is neutral and can be used in various contexts, from everyday conversation to scientific descriptions. It does not imply any specific type of ground, such as grass or concrete, unless specified by additional context.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

53

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Put

Reading

Parts

网 直Straight, Repair

Example Word

装置: device. The Japanese noun '装置 (そうち)' refers to a 'device' or 'equipment'. It is commonly used to describe a mechanical or electronic device designed for a specific purpose. This term can be applied to a wide range of devices, from household appliances to industrial machinery. For example: This device is very useful「この装置はとても便利です」(このそうちはとてもべんりです). The factory has many advanced devices「その工場には多くの先進的な装置があります」(そのこうじょうにはおおくのせんしんてきなそうちがあります). The word can also be used in a more abstract sense to refer to systems or setups, such as in theatrical or artistic contexts, where it might describe the arrangement or setup of elements to create a particular effect.

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

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

値引き: discount. The Japanese verbal noun '値引き (ねびき)' refers to a reduction in price or a discount. It is commonly used in shopping contexts, negotiations, or when discussing price adjustments. For example: Can you give me a discount?「値引きしてくれませんか？」(ねびきしてくれませんか？). The store offered a 10% discount「その店は10％の値引きをした」(そのみせは10パーセントのねびきをした). This term is often used in business or retail settings to indicate a price reduction, and it can be applied to goods, services, or even bills.

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

遅らす: delay. The Japanese verb '遅らす (おくらす)' means 'to delay' or 'to postpone'. It is used when someone intentionally causes something to happen later than originally planned. This verb is transitive, meaning it requires a direct object. For example: He delayed the meeting「彼は会議を遅らせた」(かれはかいぎをおくらせた). The teacher postponed the exam「先生は試験を遅らせた」(せんせいはしけんをおくらせた). Note that '遅らす' is often used in formal or written contexts, and it implies a deliberate action to delay something.

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

糹 致Doth, Do humbly

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2016

Handwriting