kanji

Meaning

Cut

Reading

Parts

刀Sword 七Seven

Example Word

一切: not at all. The Japanese adverb '一切 (いっさい)' is used to express a complete negation or absence of something, often translated as 'not at all' or 'entirely not'. It is commonly used in negative sentences to emphasize the total lack of something. For example: I don't eat meat at all「私は肉を一切食べない」(わたしはにくをいっさいたべない). He doesn't drink alcohol at all「彼はお酒を一切飲まない」(かれはおさけをいっさいのまない). This word is often paired with negative verbs to reinforce the idea of complete exclusion or refusal. It can also be used in formal or written contexts to convey a strong sense of negation.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

123

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Theory, Explanation

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)兑

Example Word

仮説: hypothesis. The Japanese noun '仮説 (かせつ)' means 'hypothesis'. It refers to a proposed explanation or assumption made on the basis of limited evidence, used as a starting point for further investigation. This term is commonly used in scientific, academic, or analytical contexts. For example: The scientist proposed a new hypothesis「科学者は新しい仮説を提案した」(かがくしゃはあたらしいかせつをていあんした). Testing the hypothesis is the next step「仮説を検証することが次のステップだ」(かせつをけんしょうすることがつぎのステップだ). The word can also be used in everyday contexts to describe a tentative idea or theory.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

194

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kill

Reading

Parts

殳Pike 木Tree, Wood

Example Word

殺人: murder. The Japanese noun '殺人 (さつじん)' means 'murder'. It refers to the act of intentionally killing another person. This word is often used in legal, criminal, or dramatic contexts. For example: The detective solved the murder「探偵は殺人を解決した」(たんていはさつじんをかいけつした). The movie is about a series of murders「その映画は連続殺人についてです」(そのえいがはれんぞくさつじんについてです). Note that '殺人' is a formal term and is not used in casual conversation.

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

265

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Snow

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 彐Katakana yo

Example Word

大雪: heavy snow. The Japanese noun '大雪 (おおゆき)' refers to 'heavy snow'. It is used to describe a significant snowfall, often implying that the snow is deep or has caused disruptions. This term is commonly used in weather forecasts or when discussing winter conditions. For example: Heavy snow is expected tomorrow「明日は大雪が予想されています」(あしたはおおゆきがよそうされています). The heavy snow blocked the roads「大雪で道路がふさがれた」(おおゆきでどうろがふさがれた). Note that '大雪' can also be used metaphorically to describe something overwhelming or abundant, though this usage is less common.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

338

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bend, Fold

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)斤Axe, Catty

Example Word

折れる: bend or break. The Japanese verb '折れる (おれる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to break', typically referring to something snapping or breaking off, such as a branch or a bone. For example: the branch broke「枝が折れた」(えだがおれた). The second meaning is 'to bend', often implying flexibility or yielding, such as bending under pressure or bending one's will. For example: he bent under the pressure「彼はプレッシャーに折れた」(かれはぷれっしゃーにおれた). This verb can also be used metaphorically, such as yielding in an argument or compromising. For example: she finally gave in「彼女はついに折れた」(かのじょはついにおれた).

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

416

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Season, Node

Reading

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)即Instant, Immediate

Example Word

節約: saving. The Japanese verbal noun '節約 (せつやく)' means 'saving' or 'economizing'. It refers to the act of reducing expenses, conserving resources, or using something sparingly to avoid waste. This word is commonly used in contexts related to money, energy, time, or resources. For example: We need to save electricity「電気を節約する必要がある」(でんきをせつやくするひつようがある). She is saving money for her trip「彼女は旅行のために節約している」(かのじょはりょこうのためにせつやくしている). The word can also imply a sense of frugality or careful management of resources.

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

648

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Contact, Touch

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)妾

Example Word

間接: indirect. The Japanese noun '間接 (かんせつ)' means 'indirect'. It refers to something that is not directly connected or involved, often implying an intermediary or secondary relationship. This term is commonly used in contexts such as communication, influence, or methods. For example: indirect communication「間接的なコミュニケーション」(かんせつてきなコミュニケーション). The company used indirect methods to gather information「その会社は情報を集めるために間接的な方法を使った」(そのかいしゃはじょうほうをあつめるためにかんせつてきなほうほうをつかった). Note that '間接' is often used in compound words or phrases to describe indirect actions or relationships.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

694

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Set up, Establish

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)殳Pike

Example Word

設立: establishment. The Japanese verbal noun '設立 (せつりつ)' means 'establishment' or 'founding'. It refers to the act of setting up or creating an organization, institution, or company. This term is commonly used in formal contexts, such as business or legal settings. For example: The establishment of the company was in 1995「その会社の設立は1995年でした」(そのかいしゃのせつりつは1995ねんでした). They are planning the establishment of a new school「彼らは新しい学校の設立を計画しています」(かれらはあたらしいがっこうのせつりつをけいかくしています). The word is often paired with verbs like 'する' to indicate the action of establishing something, as in '設立する (せつりつする)'.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1056

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Clumsy, Unskillful

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)出Exit

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1307

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Temple

Reading

Parts

㐅Katakana me 木Tree, Wood 刂Sword (刀)

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1782

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Take in, Vicarious

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)耳Ear 丷Divide 八Eight

Example Word

摂取: intake. The Japanese noun '摂取 (せっしゅ)' refers to the act of taking in or consuming something, often used in contexts related to nutrition, medicine, or substances. It can describe the intake of food, nutrients, or even information. For example: daily nutrient intake「毎日の栄養摂取」(まいにちのえいようせっしゅ). Excessive caffeine intake can be harmful「過剰なカフェイン摂取は有害です」(かじょうなカフェインせっしゅはゆうがいです). This word is commonly used in health-related discussions and scientific contexts.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1862

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Steal

Reading

Parts

穴Hole 切Cut

Radical

穴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1983

Handwriting