kanji

Meaning

Example

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)列File

Example Word

例題: example. The Japanese noun '例題 (れいだい)' means 'example' or 'example problem'. It is commonly used in educational contexts to refer to sample questions or problems that are provided to help students understand how to solve similar problems. For instance: Let's solve the example problem「例題を解きましょう」(れいだいをときましょう). This example is very useful「この例題はとても役に立ちます」(このれいだいはとてもやくにたちます). The term is often used in textbooks, classrooms, and study materials to illustrate concepts or methods.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

339

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cold

Reading

Parts

冫Ice (水)令Orders

Example Word

冷蔵庫: refrigerator. The Japanese noun '冷蔵庫 (れいぞうこ)' means 'refrigerator'. It refers to an electrical appliance used to store food and keep it cold or frozen. This word is commonly used in everyday life when discussing household items or food storage. For example: Please put the milk in the refrigerator「牛乳を冷蔵庫に入れてください」(ぎゅうにゅうをれいぞうこにいれてください). The refrigerator is broken「冷蔵庫が壊れている」(れいぞうこがこわれている). It's important to note that this word is a compound noun, with '冷蔵' meaning 'cold storage' and '庫' meaning 'storage house' or 'repository'.

Radical

冫

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

544

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bow, Salute

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)乙Second, Latter

Example Word

礼: thanks. The Japanese noun '礼 (れい)' primarily means 'thanks' or 'gratitude'. It is often used in formal contexts to express appreciation or acknowledgment. This word can also refer to a bow or gesture of respect, which is a common way to show gratitude in Japanese culture. For example: He expressed his thanks「彼は礼を言った」(かれはれいをいった). She bowed in gratitude「彼女は礼をした」(かのじょはれいをした). The word is deeply tied to cultural practices of politeness and respect, making it essential in formal interactions.

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

605

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Return

Reading

Parts

户 大Big

Example Word

取り戻す: recover. The Japanese verb '取り戻す (とりもどす)' means 'to recover' or 'to regain'. It is used when someone retrieves something that was lost, taken, or diminished. This can apply to physical objects, abstract concepts like time or health, or even emotional states. For example: I recovered my lost wallet「なくした財布を取り戻した」(なくしたさいふをとりもどした). She regained her confidence「彼女は自信を取り戻した」(かのじょはじしんをとりもどした). The verb often implies effort or struggle in the process of recovery. It can also be used in contexts like recovering lost time or reclaiming a position or status.

Radical

戶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

668

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Orders

Reading

Parts

亼 卩Seal

Example Word

命令: order. The Japanese verbal noun '命令 (めいれい)' means 'order' or 'command'. It is used to describe an authoritative directive given by someone in a position of authority, such as a boss, teacher, or military officer. This term is often used in formal or hierarchical contexts. For example: The boss gave an order「上司が命令を出した」(じょうしがめいれいをだした). The soldier followed the command「兵士は命令に従った」(へいしはめいれいにしたがった). It can also be used in legal or technical contexts, such as in programming, where it refers to a command given to a computer. For example: Execute the command「命令を実行しなさい」(めいれいをじっこうしなさい).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

781

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spirits

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

808

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Beautiful, Lovely

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

967

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Small bell, Buzzer

Reading

Parts

金Gold 令Orders

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1258

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Age

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1574

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Strive, Encourage

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1648

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slave

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1836

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Zero

Reading

Parts

⻗ 令Orders

Example Word

零下: below zero. The Japanese noun '零下 (れいか)' means 'below zero'. It is used to describe temperatures that are below the freezing point of water (0°C or 32°F). This term is commonly used in weather forecasts or when discussing cold climates. For example: The temperature is below zero today「今日の気温は零下です」(きょうのきおんはれいかです). It was below zero last night「昨夜は零下でした」(さくやはれいかでした). Note that '零下' is often used in combination with temperature numbers, such as '零下5度 (れいかごど)' meaning '5 degrees below zero'.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1863

Handwriting