Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Cut

Reading

Parts

刀Sword 七Seven

Example Word

売り切れ: sold out. The Japanese noun '売り切れ (うりきれ)' means 'sold out'. It is used to indicate that all items of a particular product have been sold and are no longer available. This term is commonly seen in retail, online shopping, and event ticketing contexts. For example: The concert tickets are sold out「コンサートのチケットは売り切れです」(コンサートのチケットはうりきれです). The new smartphone model is already sold out「新しいスマートフォンのモデルはもう売り切れです」(あたらしいスマートフォンのモデルはもううりきれです). It is important to note that '売り切れ' is often used in formal and informal settings alike, and it can be combined with other words to specify what is sold out, such as '売り切れ商品 (うりきれしょうひん)' meaning 'sold-out product'.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

123

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Theory, Explanation

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)兑

Example Word

説: theory. The Japanese noun '説 (せつ)' primarily means 'theory' or 'explanation'. It refers to a systematic explanation of a phenomenon, often based on reasoning or evidence. This word is commonly used in academic, scientific, or philosophical contexts. For example: his theory is interesting「彼の説は面白い」(かれのせつはおもしろい). There are various theories about this phenomenon「この現象について様々な説がある」(このげんしょうについてさまざまなせつがある). Additionally, '説' can sometimes imply a narrative or story, particularly in historical or mythological contexts, but this usage is less common and typically requires additional context to distinguish it from the primary meaning of 'theory'.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

194

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kill

Reading

Parts

殳Pike 木Tree, Wood

Example Word

殺す: kill. The Japanese verb '殺す (ころす)' means 'to kill'. It is used to describe the act of causing the death of a living being, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This verb can be applied to humans, animals, or even metaphorically to ideas or emotions. For example: he killed the insect「彼は虫を殺した」(かれはむしをころした). The harsh words killed her enthusiasm「厳しい言葉が彼女の熱意を殺した」(きびしいことばがかのじょのねついをころした). Note that this verb carries a strong and often negative connotation, so it should be used with care in conversation.

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

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: tune or joint. The Japanese noun '節 (ふし)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning refers to a 'joint' or 'node', such as the joints in bamboo or the nodes in a plant stem. For example: the bamboo has many joints「竹には節が多い」(たけにはふしがおおい). The second meaning refers to a 'tune' or 'melody', often used in the context of traditional Japanese music or songs. For example: she sang a beautiful tune「彼女は美しい節を歌った」(かのじょはうつくしいふしをうたった). These two meanings are unrelated and should be considered separately.

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

施設: facility. The Japanese noun '施設 (しせつ)' refers to a facility or institution, often used to describe buildings or places designed for a specific purpose, such as schools, hospitals, or recreational centers. It can also refer to infrastructure or installations. For example: The new sports facility is impressive「新しいスポーツ施設は素晴らしい」(あたらしいスポーツしせつはすばらしい). The hospital is a well-equipped facility「その病院は設備の整った施設です」(そのびょういんはせつびのととのったしせつです). This word is commonly used in formal or official contexts to describe public or private establishments.

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