kanji

Meaning

Know

Reading

Parts

矢Arrow 口Mouth

Example Word

無知: ignorance. The Japanese adjectival noun '無知 (むち)' means 'ignorance'. It refers to a lack of knowledge, awareness, or understanding about something. This term is often used to describe a state of being uninformed or unaware, and it can carry a slightly negative connotation depending on the context. For example: His ignorance is astonishing「彼の無知には驚かされる」(かれのむちにはおどろかされる). Ignorance is not always bliss「無知は必ずしも幸福ではない」(むちはかならずしもこうふくではない). The word can also be used in a more neutral or descriptive sense, such as in the phrase '無知な人 (むちなひと)', which means 'an ignorant person'.

Radical

矢

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

40

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ground

Reading

Parts

土Soil 也To be

Example Word

地獄: hell. The Japanese noun '地獄 (じごく)' means 'hell'. It refers to the concept of a place of punishment or suffering after death, often associated with religious or mythological beliefs. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation of extreme suffering or difficulty. For example: He went through hell「彼は地獄を経験した」(かれはじごくをけいけんした). This place is like hell「この場所は地獄のようだ」(このばしょはじごくのようだ). The word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, and it carries a strong connotation of suffering or torment.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

53

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Put

Reading

Parts

网 直Straight, Repair

Example Word

設置: installation. The Japanese verbal noun '設置 (せっち)' means 'installation'. It refers to the act of setting up or installing something, such as equipment, facilities, or systems. This word is commonly used in contexts involving construction, technology, or infrastructure. For example: The installation of the new air conditioner was completed「新しいエアコンの設置が完了した」(あたらしいエアコンのせっちがかんりょうした). The company plans to install solar panels「会社はソーラーパネルの設置を計画している」(かいしゃはソーラーパネルのせっちをけいかくしている). Note that '設置' is often used in formal or technical settings.

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

値する: deserve. The Japanese verb '値する (あたいする)' means 'to deserve' or 'to be worthy of'. It is often used to express that something or someone merits a particular outcome, reward, or recognition. This verb is typically used in formal or literary contexts. For example: His efforts deserve praise「彼の努力は賞賛に値する」(かれのどりょくはしょうさんにあたいする). This book is worth reading「この本は読むに値する」(このほんはよむにあたいする). Note that '値する' is often followed by a noun or verb in the dictionary form to indicate what is deserved.

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: shame. The Japanese noun '恥 (はじ)' means 'shame'. It refers to the painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior. This concept is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where maintaining honor and avoiding shame are highly valued. For example: He felt shame for his actions「彼は自分の行動に恥を感じた」(かれはじぶんのこうどうにはじをかんじた). She couldn't bear the shame「彼女はその恥に耐えられなかった」(かのじょはそのはじにたえられなかった). The word can also be used in expressions like '恥をかく (はじをかく)', which means 'to be embarrassed' or 'to lose face'.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

913

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slow, Late

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 尸Corpse 羊Sheep

Example Word

遅れる: late. The Japanese verb '遅れる (おくれる)' means 'to be late' or 'to fall behind'. It is commonly used to describe being late for an event, appointment, or schedule. It can also refer to falling behind in progress or development. For example: I was late for the meeting「会議に遅れた」(かいぎにおくれた). The train is running late「電車が遅れている」(でんしゃがおくれている). Additionally, it can be used metaphorically to describe being behind in terms of technology or trends, as in 'この会社は技術的に遅れている (このかいしゃはぎじゅつてきにおくれている) (This company is technologically behind).'

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