Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Soil

Reading

Parts

一One 十Ten

Example Word

お土産: souvenir. The Japanese noun 'お土産 (おみやげ)' refers to a 'souvenir' or a gift typically brought back from a trip or visit to a place. It is a common practice in Japan to bring back small gifts for family, friends, or colleagues when returning from a trip. These gifts often represent the local culture or specialties of the visited area. For example: I bought a souvenir from Kyoto「京都でお土産を買いました」(きょうとでおみやげをかいました). This is a souvenir from Hokkaido「これは北海道のお土産です」(これはほっかいどうのおみやげです). The term 'お土産' is often used in a polite or formal context, and it is customary to present these gifts with both hands as a sign of respect.

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

都内: Tokyo. The Japanese noun '都内 (とない)' refers to the area within Tokyo Metropolis. It is commonly used to specify locations or events that are situated inside Tokyo. For example: I live in Tokyo「私は都内に住んでいます」(わたしはとないにすんでいます). The concert will be held in Tokyo「コンサートは都内で開催されます」(コンサートはとないではいかいされます). This term is particularly useful when distinguishing between Tokyo and other regions in Japan.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

409

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Way, Route

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 余Excess

Example Word

中途: midway. The Japanese noun '中途 (ちゅうと)' refers to the middle or halfway point of something, such as a process, journey, or period of time. It is often used to describe being in the middle of an action or state. For example: I quit the project midway「プロジェクトを中途でやめた」(ぷろじぇくとをちゅうとでやめた). He stopped midway through the speech「彼はスピーチの途中で止まった」(かれはすぴーちのとちゅうでとまった). The word can also imply incompleteness or interruption, as in '中途半端 (ちゅうとはんぱ)', which means 'half-finished' or 'half-hearted'.

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

登録: registration. The Japanese verbal noun '登録 (とうろく)' means 'registration'. It refers to the act of officially recording or entering information into a system, list, or database. This term is commonly used in contexts such as signing up for services, registering for events, or enrolling in programs. For example: I completed the registration「登録を完了しました」(とうろくをかんりょうしました). Please register your email address「メールアドレスを登録してください」(メールアドレスをとうろくしてください). The word can also imply formal acknowledgment or certification, as in '登録商標 (とうろくしょうひょう) (registered trademark)'.

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