Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading
れい rei
kanji
例Meaning
Example
Reading
tato
onyomiれいrei
Parts
亻Person (人)列File
Example Word
例えば: for example. The Japanese adverb '例えば (たとえば)' means 'for example'. It is used to introduce an example or a specific instance that illustrates a broader point. This word is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese to provide clarity or support an argument. For example: There are many fruits, for example, apples and oranges「果物はたくさんあります、例えば、りんごとオレンジ」(くだものはたくさんあります、たとえば、りんごとオレンジ). You can use this word to introduce examples in various contexts, such as explaining a concept, listing items, or making comparisons. It is a versatile and frequently used adverb in Japanese.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
339
Handwriting
kanji
冷Meaning
Cold
Reading
sa
ひhi
つめtsume
onyomiれいrei
Parts
冫Ice (水)令Orders
Example Word
冷淡: indifferent. The Japanese adjectival noun '冷淡 (れいたん)' means 'indifferent' or 'cold-hearted'. It describes a lack of interest, concern, or emotional warmth toward someone or something. This word is often used to describe a person's attitude or behavior, particularly in situations where empathy or care is expected. For example: His attitude was indifferent「彼の態度は冷淡だった」(かれのたいどはれいたんだった). She gave me a cold-hearted response「彼女は冷淡な返事をした」(かのじょはれいたんなへんじをした). The word can also describe a situation or atmosphere that feels emotionally distant or unfeeling.
Radical
冫
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
544
Handwriting
kanji
礼Meaning
Bow, Salute
Reading
rei
Parts
礻Cult (示)乙Second, Latter
Example Word
失礼: excuse or rude. The Japanese verbal noun '失礼 (しつれい)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'rude', referring to behavior that is impolite or disrespectful. For example: That was rude「それは失礼でした」(それはしつれいでした). The second meaning is 'excuse', often used as a polite way to apologize or take leave. For example: Excuse me, I must leave now「失礼します、もう行かなければなりません」(しつれいします、もういかなければなりません). The word is commonly used in formal and casual settings to express politeness or acknowledge a social misstep.
Radical
示
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
605
Handwriting
kanji
戻Meaning
Return
Reading
modo
onyomiれいrei
Parts
户 大Big
Example Word
払い戻す: refund. The Japanese verb '払い戻す (はらいもどす)' means 'to refund' or 'to return money'. It is commonly used in situations where money is returned to a customer, such as after canceling a purchase or service. For example: The store refunded the money「店がお金を払い戻した」(みせがおかねをはらいもどした). I got a refund for the ticket「チケットの払い戻しを受けた」(チケットのはらいもどしをうけた). This verb is often used in formal or business contexts, and it implies a process of returning funds that were previously paid.
Radical
戶
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
9Frequency
668
Handwriting
kanji
令Meaning
Orders
Reading
rei
Parts
亼 卩Seal
Example Word
司令: command. The Japanese noun '司令 (しれい)' refers to 'command' or 'orders' in a military or organizational context. It is often used to describe the authority or instructions given by a commanding officer. For example: The general issued a command「将軍が司令を出した」(しょうぐんがしれいをだした). The headquarters is in charge of command「司令部が司令を担当している」(しれいぶがしれいをたんとうしている). This term is typically used in formal or hierarchical settings, emphasizing authority and control.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
781
Handwriting
kanji
霊Meaning
Spirits
Reading
tama
onyomiりょうryou
れいrei
Parts
⻗ 一One 亚
Example Word
霊: spirit. The Japanese noun '霊 (れい)' refers to a 'spirit' or 'soul', often in a supernatural or religious context. It can denote the spirit of a deceased person, a ghost, or a spiritual entity. This word is commonly used in discussions about the afterlife, folklore, or spiritual practices. For example: the spirit of the deceased「亡くなった人の霊」(なくなったひとのれい). She believes in spirits「彼女は霊を信じている」(かのじょはれいをしんじている). It can also appear in compound words like '霊感 (れいかん)' (spiritual intuition) or '霊界 (れいかい)' (spirit world). Note that '霊' carries a nuanced, often mystical connotation and is distinct from more casual terms like '幽霊 (ゆうれい)' (ghost).
Radical
雨
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
808
Handwriting
kanji
麗Meaning
Beautiful, Lovely
Reading
uruwa
onyomiれいrei
Parts
丽 鹿Deer
Example Word
奇麗: beautiful or clean. The Japanese adjectival noun '奇麗 (きれい)' can mean both 'clean' and 'beautiful', depending on the context. When used to describe cleanliness, it refers to something being free from dirt or clutter. For example: The room is clean「部屋は奇麗です」(へやはきれいです). When used to describe beauty, it refers to something or someone being aesthetically pleasing. For example: She is beautiful「彼女は奇麗です」(かのじょはきれいです). The word can also be used to describe something as neat or tidy, such as handwriting: Your handwriting is neat「あなたの字は奇麗です」(あなたのじはきれいです). It's important to note that '奇麗' is often written in hiragana as 'きれい' in modern Japanese.
Radical
鹿
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
967
Handwriting
kanji
齢Meaning
Age
Reading
yowai
onyomiれいrei
Parts
歯Tooth 令Orders
Example Word
高齢: old age. The Japanese noun '高齢 (こうれい)' refers to 'old age' or 'advanced age'. It is commonly used to describe elderly people or the state of being elderly. This term is often used in formal contexts, such as in discussions about healthcare, social welfare, or demographics. For example: The population is aging「人口は高齢化している」(じんこうはこうれいかしている). Elderly care is important 「高齢者のケアは重要です」(こうれいしゃのけあはじゅうようです). Note that '高齢' is typically used in a respectful or neutral tone when referring to older individuals.
Radical
齒
Stroke Count
17JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
1574
Handwriting
kanji
励Meaning
Strive, Encourage
Reading
hage
onyomiれいrei
Parts
厉 力Power
Example Word
励ます: encourage. The Japanese verb '励ます (はげます)' means 'to encourage'. It is used when someone is trying to cheer up or motivate another person, often in situations where the person is feeling down or facing difficulties. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as encouraging a friend, a colleague, or even oneself. For example: I encouraged my friend to keep trying「友達を励まして続けるように言った」(ともだちをはげましてつづけるようにいった). The teacher encouraged the students before the exam「先生は試験前に生徒を励ました」(せんせいはしけんまえにせいとをはげました). It's important to note that this verb often implies emotional support and motivation, rather than just giving advice or instructions.
Radical
力
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1648
Handwriting
kanji
隷Meaning
Slave
Reading
rei
Parts
士Samurai 示Show, Indicate 隶
Example Word
奴隷: slave. The Japanese noun '奴隷 (どれい)' refers to a 'slave', someone who is owned by another person and forced to work without personal freedom. Historically, it was used to describe individuals in servitude, often in contexts of forced labor or subjugation. In modern usage, it can also metaphorically describe someone who is excessively controlled or dominated by another, such as in a relationship or by societal pressures. Example sentences: He was treated like a slave「彼は奴隷のように扱われた」(かれはどれいのようにあつかわれた). Many people were enslaved during that era「その時代には多くの人々が奴隷にされた」(そのじだいにはおおくのひとびとがどれいにされた).
Radical
隶
Stroke Count
16JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1836
Handwriting
kanji
零Meaning
Zero
Reading
kobo
onyomiれいrei
Parts
⻗ 令Orders
Example Word
零: zero. The Japanese noun '零 (れい)' means 'zero'. It is used to denote the number zero, often in contexts such as mathematics, scores, or temperatures. For example: The temperature is zero degrees「温度は零度です」(おんどはれいどです). The score is zero「スコアは零です」(スコアはれいです). This word can also be used metaphorically to indicate nothingness or the absence of something, as in 'He has zero experience「彼は経験が零です」(かれはけいけんがれいです)'. Note that '零' is more formal than the alternative 'ゼロ', which is also commonly used in Japanese.
Radical
雨
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N2Grade
8Frequency
1863
Handwriting
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- こう kou
- しょう shou
- し shi
- かん kan
- とう tou
- そう sou
- き ki
- きょう kyou
- せい sei
- か ka
- けん ken
- せん sen
- けい kei
- しん shin
- ちょう chou
- さい sai
- じょう jou
- かい kai
- しゅう shuu
- ほう hou
- い i
- はん han
- ふ fu
- てい tei
- よう you
- こ ko
- ぼう bou
- きゅう kyuu
- じ ji
- たい tai
- ひ hi
- えん en
- せき seki
- かく kaku
- たん tan
- ゆう yuu
- しゅ shu
- く ku
- げん gen
- そ so
- りょう ryou
- ちゅう chuu
- おう ou
- しゃ sha
- きん kin
- こん kon
- へい hei
- さ sa
- さん san
- ご go
- すい sui
- どう dou
- ろう rou
- じゅう juu
- そく soku
- ばい bai
- がい gai
- ち chi
- せつ setsu
- いん in
- れい rei
- と to
- じん jin
- ごう gou
- しょ sho
- さく saku
- ぎ gi
- きょ kyo
- ぞう zou
- じゅん jun
- はい hai
- はく haku
- り ri
- しょく shoku
- ほ ho
- えい ei
- ゆ yu
- ひょう hyou
- てん ten
- だん dan
- がん gan
- こく koku
- が ga
- ぶ bu
- かつ katsu
- じゅ ju
- ふく fuku
- さつ satsu
- めい mei
- しゃく shaku
- ばん ban
- もう mou
- ふん fun
- ぜん zen
- しつ shitsu
- ばく baku
- たく taku
- やく yaku
- りゅう ryuu
- だ da
- だい dai
- ねん nen
- ぼく boku
- りん rin
- じょ jo
- け ke
- ぼ bo
- けつ ketsu
- へん hen
- しゅく shuku
- てき teki
- ろ ro
- よく yoku
- ちん chin
- に ni
- げ ge
- にん nin
- みょう myou
- す su
- おん on
- そん son
- た ta
- ぎょう gyou
- まい mai
- えき eki
- つい tsui
- み mi
- む mu
- れん ren
- とく toku
- びょう byou
- のう nou
- は ha
- び bi
- らん ran
- ろく roku
- う u
- ど do
- なん nan
- ず zu
- もん mon
- がく gaku
- ちく chiku
- ふう fuu
- ごん gon
- しき shiki
- おく oku
- りょ ryo
- てつ tetsu
- よ yo
- ぞく zoku
- とん ton
- ばつ batsu
- ざい zai
- ひん hin
- ぐ gu
- えつ etsu
- いつ itsu
- もく moku
- でん den
- りつ ritsu
- まん man
- しゅん shun
- え e
- らい rai
- らく raku
- あん an
- べん ben
- びん bin
- ざん zan
- はつ hatsu
- くつ kutsu
- ひつ hitsu
- げい gei
- めん men
- るい rui
- る ru
- れつ retsu
- くん kun
- きつ kitsu
- ぐう guu
- あい ai
- げき geki
- どん don
- ま ma
- にゅう nyuu
- ほん hon
- ぶん bun
- すう suu
- ちょく choku
- じゃく jaku
- や ya
- うん un
- わ wa
- どく doku
- ば ba
- ぎょ gyo
- きゃく kyaku
- きょく kyoku
- ふつ futsu
- ちゃく chaku
- お o
- ぐん gun
- ぼん bon
- ちょ cho
- も mo
- こつ kotsu
- とつ totsu
- へき heki
- ら ra
- いち ichi
- しち shichi
- はち hachi
- じつ jitsu
- に ょ nyo
- りょく ryoku
- じき jiki
- ほく hoku
- つう tsuu
- せ se
- ぎん gin
- あく aku
- ざ za
- つ tsu
- ぶつ butsu
- もつ motsu
- じゅつ jutsu
- だつ datsu
- ほつ hotsu
- べつ betsu
- ぜい zei
- そつ sotsu
- ぎゃく gyaku
- まつ matsu
- みん min
- せち sechi
- れき reki
- ごく goku
- ぜつ zetsu
- わん wan
- ちつ chitsu
- じゅく juku
- きち kichi
- ぼつ botsu
- みつ mitsu
- ゆい yui
- まく maku
- だく daku
- じょく joku
- じゃ ja
- にょう nyou
- ずい zui
- な na
- らつ ratsu
- ひゃく hyaku
- げつ getsu
- がつ gatsu
- にち nichi
- くう kuu
- りき riki
- しゅつ shutsu
- ぎょく gyoku
- びゃく byaku
- ない nai
- にく niku
- ぎゅう gyuu
- べい bei
- ちゃ cha
- にゃく nyaku
- たつ tatsu
- すん sun
- ざつ zatsu
- りち richi
- ろん ron
- ぞん zon
- ねつ netsu
- いく iku
- りく riku
- りゃく ryaku
- あつ atsu
- わく waku
- いき iki
- わい wai
- めつ metsu
- でい dei
- きゃ kya
- みゃく myaku
- ねい nei
- ばち bachi
- ちゃん chan
- れふ refu
- すぎ sugi
- じく jiku
- ぜ ze
- また mata
- あ a
- きく kiku
- すく suku
- おつ otsu
- ちゅ chu
- うつ utsu
- きけ kike
- でき deki
- へつ hetsu
- かち kachi