kanji

Meaning

Pull

Reading

Parts

弓Bow 丨Stick

Example Word

引き延ばす: stretch or prolong. The Japanese verb '引き延ばす (ひきのばす)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'to prolong' or 'to extend' in terms of time or duration. For example: he prolonged the meeting「彼は会議を引き延ばした」(かれはかいぎをひきのばした). The second meaning is 'to stretch' or 'to elongate' in a physical sense. For example: she stretched the dough「彼女は生地を引き延ばした」(かのじょはきじをひきのばした). This verb is often used in contexts where something is being extended or stretched beyond its original state, whether in time or physical form.

Radical

弓

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

138

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Drink

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)欠Lack

Example Word

飲料: beverage. The Japanese noun '飲料 (いんりょう)' refers to a drink or beverage. It is a formal term often used in contexts such as food labeling, menus, or scientific discussions. For example: This beverage is healthy「この飲料は健康的です」(このいんりょうはけんこうてきです). Please choose a beverage「飲料を選んでください」(いんりょうをえらんでください). The term can encompass a wide range of drinks, including water, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, but it is typically used in more formal or technical settings rather than casual conversation.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

541

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Institution

Reading

Parts

完Complete 阝Mound (阜)

Example Word

院: institution. The Japanese suffix '院 (いん)' is commonly used to denote institutions, particularly those related to healthcare, education, or religious establishments. It is often attached to nouns to specify the type of institution. For example: hospital「病院」(びょういん), temple「寺院」(じいん), or graduate school「大学院」(だいがくいん). This suffix is neutral in tone and is widely used in formal contexts. Example sentences: She works at a hospital「彼女は病院で働いています」(かのじょはびょういんではたらいています). He studies at a graduate school「彼は大学院で勉強しています」(かれはだいがくいんでべんきょうしています).

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

542

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hide

Reading

Parts

⻖ 㥯

Example Word

隠れる: hide. The Japanese verb '隠れる (かくれる)' means 'to hide'. It is used to describe the action of concealing oneself or something from view. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as physically hiding, being hidden by something, or even metaphorically hiding emotions or intentions. For example: The child hid behind the tree「子供は木の後ろに隠れた」(こどもはきのうしろにかくれた). The sun is hidden behind the clouds「太陽は雲の後ろに隠れている」(たいようはくものうしろにかくれている). It is important to note that '隠れる' often implies that the subject is hidden by something else, rather than actively hiding themselves.

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

558

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Member

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 口Mouth

Example Word

教員: teacher. The Japanese noun '教員 (きょういん)' refers to a teacher or educator, typically in a formal educational setting such as a school or university. It is a professional term used to describe someone who is employed to teach students. For example: The teacher is preparing for class「教員は授業の準備をしている」(きょういんはじゅぎょうのじゅんびをしている). Our school has many excellent teachers「私たちの学校には多くの優秀な教員がいます」(わたしたちのがっこうにはおおくのゆうしゅうなきょういんがいます). Note that '教員' is more formal than '先生 (せんせい)', which is a more general term for teacher or mentor.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

596

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cause

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 大Big

Example Word

原因: cause. The Japanese noun '原因 (げんいん)' means 'cause'. It refers to the reason or source behind an event, situation, or phenomenon. This word is often used in both formal and informal contexts to explain why something happened. For example: the cause of the accident is unknown「事故の原因は不明です」(じこのげんいんはふめいです). Stress is the cause of his illness「ストレスが彼の病気の原因です」(ストレスがかれのびょうきのげんいんです). It can also be used in compound phrases like '根本原因 (こんぽんげんいん)' (root cause) to emphasize the primary source of an issue.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

717

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mark, Seal

Reading

Parts

卩Seal

Example Word

目印: mark or sign. The Japanese noun '目印 (めじるし)' refers to a mark or sign used to identify or indicate something. It is commonly used to describe a physical marker, such as a landmark or a symbol, that helps someone recognize a location or object. For example: use that tree as a mark「あの木を目印にしてください」(あのきをめじるしにしてください). The red flag is the sign for the meeting point「赤い旗が目印です」(あかいはたがめじるしです). This word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that serves as an indicator or clue.

Radical

卩

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

738

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shade

Reading

Parts

⻖ 侌

Example Word

陰: shade or shadow. The Japanese noun '陰 (かげ)' primarily refers to 'shadow' or 'shade'. It describes the dark area or shape produced by an object blocking light. This word can also carry metaphorical meanings, such as the hidden or less visible aspects of something. For example: The tree casts a shadow「木が陰を作る」(きがかげをつくる). Let's rest in the shade「陰で休みましょう」(かげでやすみましょう). In some contexts, it can imply something concealed or not directly visible, such as in '陰で働く (かげではたらく)' meaning 'to work behind the scenes'.

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

887

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Windpipe

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 因Cause

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1614

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lewdness, Licentiousness

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)㸒

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1846

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rhyme

Reading

Parts

音Sound 員Member

Radical

音

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1869

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Marriage, Marry

Reading

Parts

女Woman 因Cause

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2087

Handwriting