Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Soil

Reading

Parts

一One 十Ten

Example Word

出土: excavation. The Japanese noun '出土 (しゅつど)' refers to the act of unearthing or excavating artifacts, remains, or objects from the ground, often in an archaeological context. It is commonly used when discussing discoveries made during archaeological digs. For example: The excavation of ancient pottery was significant「古代の陶器の出土は重要だった」(こだいのとうきのしゅつどはじゅうようだった). Many artifacts were unearthed at the site「その場所で多くの遺物が出土した」(そのばしょでおおくのいぶつがしゅつどした). The term is specific to the context of archaeology and historical discoveries.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

216

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cross, Transit

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)度Degrees, Times

Example Word

渡す: hand or cross. The Japanese verb '渡す (わたす)' primarily means 'to hand over' or 'to pass something to someone'. It is used when transferring an object from one person to another, such as handing over a document or passing a tool. For example: Please hand me the book「本を渡してください」(ほんをわたしてください). He handed the keys to the manager「彼はマネージャーに鍵を渡した」(かれはマネージャーにかぎをわたした). Additionally, '渡す' can also mean 'to cross', as in crossing a river or a bridge. For example: They crossed the river「彼らは川を渡った」(かれらはかわをわたった). The context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

381

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Metropolis

Reading

Parts

者Someone ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

都: capital. The Japanese noun '都 (と)' primarily means 'capital', referring to the main city of a country or region, especially where the government is located. It is often used in formal contexts or when discussing administrative or political matters. For example: Tokyo is the capital of Japan「東京は日本の都です」(とうきょうはにほんのとです). Kyoto was once the capital of Japan「京都はかつて日本の都でした」(きょうとはかつてにほんのとでした). The word can also appear in compound nouns, such as '都庁 (とちょう)' (metropolitan government office). While '都' can sometimes refer to a large city or metropolis, its primary and most distinct meaning is 'capital'.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

409

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Way, Route

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 余Excess

Example Word

用途: use. The Japanese noun '用途 (ようと)' refers to the purpose or intended use of something. It is commonly used to describe the function or application of an object, tool, or resource. For example: This machine has various uses「この機械は用途が広い」(このきかいはようとがひろい). The use of this material is limited「この材料の用途は限られている」(このざいりょうのようとはかぎられている). The word often appears in technical or practical contexts, emphasizing the specific function or role of an item.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

555

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Map

Reading

Parts

囗Box 斗Ladle, Dipper

Example Word

図表: diagram or chart. The Japanese noun '図表 (ずひょう)' refers to a visual representation of data or information, such as a chart, graph, or diagram. It is commonly used in academic, business, and technical contexts to present complex information in an easily understandable format. For example: Please refer to the chart on page 5「5ページの図表を参照してください」(5ページのずひょうをさんしょうしてください). This diagram explains the process「この図表はプロセスを説明しています」(このずひょうはプロセスをせつめいしています). The word can also be used to describe tables or figures in reports or presentations.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

576

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ascend

Reading

Parts

癶Dotted tent 豆Beans

Example Word

登記: registration. The Japanese noun '登記 (とうき)' refers to the legal registration of property, rights, or other official matters. It is commonly used in contexts involving real estate, land ownership, or legal documentation. For example: I completed the property registration「不動産の登記を済ませた」(ふどうさんのとうきをすませた). The land registration is required「土地の登記が必要です」(とちのとうきがひつようです). This term is often used in formal or legal settings and is essential for establishing legal ownership or rights.

Radical

癶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

666

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Follower, Junior

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 走Run

Example Word

徒: follower. The Japanese noun '徒 (と)' means 'follower' or 'disciple'. It is often used to refer to someone who follows a particular person, group, or ideology. This term can carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation depending on the context, implying blind adherence or lack of independent thought. Example sentences: He is a follower of that philosophy「彼はその哲学の徒だ」(かれはそのてつがくのとだ). The followers of the cult were devoted「そのカルトの徒は熱心だった」(そのカルトのとはねっしんだった). Note that '徒' can also appear in compound words, such as '信徒 (しんと)' (believer) or '学徒 (がくと)' (student).

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