字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Soil

Reading

Parts

十Ten 一One

Example Word

土曜日: Saturday. The Japanese noun '土曜日 (どようび)' means 'Saturday'. It is one of the days of the week in the Japanese calendar. The word is composed of the kanji '土' meaning 'earth' or 'soil', and '曜日' meaning 'day of the week'. In Japan, Saturday is often considered part of the weekend, and many people have the day off from work or school. Example sentences: I will go shopping on Saturday「土曜日に買い物に行きます」(どようびにかいものにいきます). Saturday is my favorite day「土曜日は私の一番好きな日です」(どようびはわたしのいちばんすきなひです).

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

216

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cross, Transit

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)度Degrees, Times

Example Word

渡る: cross. The Japanese verb '渡る (わたる)' means 'to cross'. It is used when referring to physically crossing something, such as a street, river, or bridge. It can also be used metaphorically to describe crossing over into a different state or condition. For example: I crossed the street「道を渡った」(みちをわたった). The bird crossed the river「鳥は川を渡った」(とりはかわをわたった). In a metaphorical sense, it can be used as in 'to cross over to the other side'「向こう側に渡る」(むこうがわにわたる). The verb is often used with the particle 'を' to indicate the thing being crossed.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

381

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Metropolis

Reading

Parts

者Someone ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

都市: city. The Japanese noun '都市 (とし)' refers to a 'city', typically a large and densely populated urban area. It is used to describe major urban centers, often in contrast to rural areas or smaller towns. The term carries a sense of modernity, infrastructure, and economic activity. Example sentences: Tokyo is a big city「東京は大きな都市です」(とうきょうはおおきなとしです). Many people move to cities for work「多くの人が仕事のために都市に引っ越します」(おおくのひとがしごとのためにとしにひっこします).

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

409

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Way, Route

Reading

Parts

余Excess 辶Walk

Example Word

途中: midway or on the way. The Japanese noun '途中 (とちゅう)' refers to a point or period during the course of something, such as a journey, process, or event. It can mean 'midway' or 'on the way' and is often used to indicate that something is incomplete or ongoing. For example: I fell asleep midway through the movie「映画の途中で寝てしまった」(えいがのとちゅうでねてしまった). We stopped for lunch on the way to the station「駅に行く途中で昼ご飯を食べた」(えきにいくとちゅうでひるごはんをたべた). This word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts to describe being in the middle of an action or journey.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

555

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Map

Reading

Parts

斗Ladle, Dipper 囗Box

Example Word

図書館: library. The Japanese noun '図書館 (としょかん)' refers to a 'library', a place where books, magazines, and other materials are kept for reading, studying, or borrowing. It is a common word used in everyday conversation and formal contexts. For example: I went to the library「図書館に行きました」(としょかんにいきました). The library is quiet「図書館は静かです」(としょかんはしずかです). This word is often used in combination with other words to specify the type of library, such as 'public library' (公立図書館, こうりつとしょかん) or 'university library' (大学図書館, だいがくとしょかん).

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

576

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ascend

Reading

Parts

豆Beans 癶Dotted tent

Example Word

登る: climb. The Japanese verb '登る (のぼる)' means 'to climb'. It is used to describe the action of ascending or moving upward, such as climbing a mountain, stairs, or a ladder. This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe rising in status or rank. For example: I climbed the mountain「山に登った」(やまにのぼった). He climbed the stairs quickly「彼は階段を速く登った」(かれはかいだんをはやくのぼった). The sun climbed above the horizon「太陽が地平線の上に登った」(たいようがちへいせんのうえにのぼった). Note that '登る' is often used for physical climbing, while other verbs like '上がる (あがる)' may be used for more general upward movement.

Radical

癶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

666

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Follower, Junior

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 走Run

Example Word

生徒: student. The Japanese noun '生徒 (せいと)' refers to a 'student', typically in the context of elementary, middle, or high school. It is commonly used to describe someone who is enrolled in and attending a school. Unlike '学生 (がくせい)', which can refer to college or university students, '生徒' is more specific to younger students. For example: The student is studying「生徒は勉強しています」(せいとはべんきょうしています). She is a high school student「彼女は高校の生徒です」(かのじょはこうこうのせいとです). The teacher is guiding the students「先生は生徒を指導しています」(せんせいはせいとをしどうしています).

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

815

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spit, Spew

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 土Soil

Example Word

吐く: vomit or emit. The Japanese verb '吐く (はく)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to vomit' or 'to throw up', referring to the act of expelling the contents of the stomach through the mouth. For example: he vomited after eating bad sushi「彼は悪い寿司を食べた後で吐いた」(かれはわるいすしをたべたあとではいた). The second meaning is 'to emit' or 'to exhale', which can refer to breathing out air, smoke, or other substances. For example: the factory emits smoke「工場が煙を吐く」(こうじょうがけむりをはく). It's important to note that the context in which '吐く' is used will determine which meaning is intended, as the verb can describe both physical expulsion and the release of substances into the environment.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1063

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Plaster, Paint

Reading

Parts

涂 土Soil

Example Word

塗る: paint. The Japanese verb '塗る (ぬる)' means 'to paint' or 'to apply a coating'. It is used when describing the action of spreading a substance, such as paint, varnish, or makeup, onto a surface. This verb is commonly used in contexts involving art, construction, or personal grooming. For example: I painted the wall「壁を塗った」(かべをぬった). She applied nail polish「彼女はマニキュアを塗った」(かのじょはまにきゅあをぬった). The nuance of '塗る' emphasizes the act of spreading or covering a surface with a substance, and it can be used both literally and metaphorically.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1261

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Envy, Jealous

Reading

Parts

女Woman 石Stone

Example Word

嫉妬: jealousy. The Japanese noun '嫉妬 (しっと)' means 'jealousy'. It refers to the feeling of envy or resentment towards someone because of their advantages, achievements, or possessions. This word is often used in contexts involving relationships, competition, or personal insecurities. For example: She felt jealousy towards her friend「彼女は友達に嫉妬を感じた」(かのじょはともだちにしっとをかんじた). His success caused jealousy among his colleagues「彼の成功は同僚の間に嫉妬を引き起こした」(かれのせいこうはどうりょうのあいだにしっとをひきおこした). The word can also imply a sense of bitterness or ill will, depending on the context.

Radical

女

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1700

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ladle, Dipper

Reading

Radical

斗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1772

Handwriting