kanji

Meaning

Cut

Reading

Parts

刀Sword 七Seven

Example Word

切れる: cut or runout. The Japanese verb '切れる (きれる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to be cut' or 'to cut', often referring to something being severed or divided. For example: the string was cut「糸が切れた」(いとがきれた). The second meaning is 'to run out' or 'to be used up', often referring to resources or time. For example: the battery ran out「バッテリーが切れた」(バッテリーがきれた). This verb is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, and its meaning can change significantly depending on the context in which it is used.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

123

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Theory, Explanation

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)兑

Example Word

説明: explanation. The Japanese verbal noun '説明 (せつめい)' means 'explanation'. It refers to the act of making something clear or understandable by describing or giving details about it. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as in education, business, or everyday conversations. For example: Please give me an explanation「説明をしてください」(せつめいをしてください). His explanation was easy to understand「彼の説明は分かりやすかった」(かれのせつめいはわかりやすかった). It can also be used as a verb when combined with 'する', as in '説明する (せつめいする)', meaning 'to explain'.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

194

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kill

Reading

Parts

殳Pike 木Tree, Wood

Example Word

自殺: suicide. The Japanese verbal noun '自殺 (じさつ)' means 'suicide'. It refers to the act of intentionally causing one's own death. This word is often used in serious or sensitive contexts, such as discussions about mental health, societal issues, or personal tragedies. For example: suicide is a serious problem「自殺は深刻な問題です」(じさつはしんこくなもんだいです). He committed suicide「彼は自殺した」(かれはじさつした). The term can also appear in compound words, such as '自殺防止 (じさつぼうし)' (suicide prevention). It is important to approach this word with care due to its sensitive nature.

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

265

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Snow

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 彐Katakana yo

Example Word

雪: snow. The Japanese noun '雪 (ゆき)' means 'snow'. This word refers to the frozen precipitation that falls from the sky in cold weather. It is commonly used to describe weather conditions or to talk about snowy landscapes. For example: The snow is beautiful「雪がきれいです」(ゆきがきれいです). I like snow「私は雪が好きです」(わたしはゆきがすきです). Snow can also be used metaphorically to describe something pure or white, such as '雪のような肌 (ゆきのようなはだ)' meaning 'skin like snow'.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

338

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bend, Fold

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)斤Axe, Catty

Example Word

骨折: fracture. The Japanese verbal noun '骨折 (こっせつ)' means 'fracture'. It refers to the breaking or cracking of a bone, often due to injury or trauma. This term is commonly used in medical contexts or when discussing injuries. For example: He has a fracture in his arm「彼は腕を骨折した」(かれはうでをこっせつした). The doctor said it's a serious fracture「医者はそれが深刻な骨折だと言った」(いしゃはそれがしんこくなこっせつだといった). Note that '骨折' can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone has put in a lot of effort, as in '骨折り損のくたびれ儲け (こっせりぞんのくたびれもうけ)', meaning 'all that effort for nothing'.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

416

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Season, Node

Reading

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)即Instant, Immediate

Example Word

季節: season. The Japanese noun '季節 (きせつ)' refers to 'season', specifically one of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter). It is used to describe the natural changes and characteristics associated with each period. For example: I love the autumn season「秋の季節が大好きです」(あきのきせつがだいすきです). The cherry blossoms are a symbol of the spring season「桜は春の季節の象徴です」(さくらははるのきせつのしょうちょうです). This word is commonly used in everyday conversation, poetry, and literature to evoke the beauty and atmosphere of each season.

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

648

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Contact, Touch

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)妾

Example Word

接近: approach. The Japanese verbal noun '接近 (せっきん)' means 'approach'. It refers to the act of coming closer to something or someone, either physically or metaphorically. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing the approach of a person, an event, or even an abstract concept like danger. For example: The storm is approaching「嵐が接近している」(あらしがせっきんしている). He approached the problem carefully「彼はその問題に接近した」(かれはそのもんだいにせっきんした). This word is often used in formal or serious contexts, and it can imply a sense of urgency or importance.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

694

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Set up, Establish

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)殳Pike

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

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