Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Pull

Reading

Parts

弓Bow 丨Stick

Example Word

引用: quote. The Japanese verbal noun '引用 (いんよう)' means 'quote' or 'citation'. It refers to the act of quoting or citing a text, speech, or other source. This term is commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday contexts when referencing someone else's words or ideas. For example: I quoted a famous author「有名な作家を引用した」(ゆうめいなさっかをいんようした). Please cite the source properly「出典を適切に引用してください」(しゅってきをてきせつにいんようしてください). The nuance of '引用' emphasizes the act of borrowing or referencing, often to support an argument or provide evidence.

Radical

弓

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

138

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Drink

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)欠Lack

Example Word

飲料水: drinking water. The Japanese noun '飲料水 (いんりょうすい)' refers to 'drinking water', which is water that is safe and suitable for human consumption. This term is often used in contexts related to health, safety, and environmental discussions. For example: This area has clean drinking water「この地域にはきれいな飲料水があります」(このちいきにはきれいないんりょうすいがあります). We need to ensure the supply of drinking water「飲料水の供給を確保する必要があります」(いんりょうすいのきょうきゅうをかくほするひつようがあります). The term emphasizes the importance of water quality and safety for drinking purposes.

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

店員: clerk. The Japanese noun '店員 (てんいん)' refers to a 'clerk' or 'shop assistant'. This term is used to describe someone who works in a store, assisting customers, handling transactions, and managing inventory. It is a common term in retail and service industries. For example: The clerk is friendly「店員は親切です」(てんいんはしんせつです). I asked the clerk for help「店員に助けを求めました」(てんいんにたすけをもとめました). The word is neutral and can be used in various contexts, such as in department stores, convenience stores, or specialty shops.

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

印刷: printing. The Japanese verbal noun '印刷 (いんさつ)' means 'printing'. It refers to the process of producing text and images, typically with ink on paper, using a printing press or other methods. This term is commonly used in contexts related to publishing, office work, and manufacturing. For example: I will do the printing tomorrow「明日印刷をします」(あしたいんさつをします). This book is out of print「この本は絶版です」(このほんはぜっぱんです). Note that '印刷' can also be used in compound words, such as '印刷機 (いんさつき)' (printing machine) or '印刷物 (いんさつぶつ)' (printed matter).

Radical

卩

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

738

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shade

Reading

Parts

⻖ 侌

Example Word

日陰: shade. The Japanese noun '日陰 (ひかげ)' refers to a place where sunlight is blocked, creating shade. It is commonly used to describe areas under trees, buildings, or other structures that block direct sunlight. For example: let's rest in the shade「日陰で休みましょう」(ひかげでやすみましょう). The flowers grow well in the shade「その花は日陰でよく育つ」(そのはなはひかげでよくそだつ). This word can also carry a metaphorical meaning, such as being in the shadow of someone or something, though this usage is less common.

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