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

都合: convenience or circumstances. The Japanese noun '都合 (つごう)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'circumstances,' referring to the conditions or factors affecting a situation. For example: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event was canceled「都合により、イベントは中止されました」(つごうにより、イベントはちゅうしされました). The second meaning is 'convenience,' referring to what is suitable or practical for someone. For example: Please let me know your convenience「ご都合をお知らせください」(ごつごうをおしらせください). This word is often used in formal or polite contexts to discuss schedules, availability, or reasons for decisions.

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

図る: measure or plan. The Japanese verb '図る (はかる)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'to plan' or 'to attempt', often used when someone is trying to achieve a specific goal or outcome. For example: He planned to improve the company's performance「彼は会社の業績を改善しようと図った」(かれはかいしゃのぎょうせきをかいぜんしようとはかった). The second meaning is 'to measure', typically used in contexts involving physical measurement or calculation. For example: She measured the length of the table「彼女はテーブルの長さを図った」(かのじょはテーブルのながさをはかった). These two meanings are unrelated, so they are listed separately. The verb is versatile and its meaning depends heavily on the context in which it is used.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

576

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ascend

Reading

Parts

癶Dotted tent 豆Beans

Example Word

登校: school attendance. The Japanese verbal noun '登校 (とうこう)' refers to the act of attending school or going to school. It is commonly used in contexts related to students' daily routines, school schedules, or discussions about education. For example: He is late for school attendance「彼は登校に遅れている」(かれはとうこうにおくれている). School attendance is mandatory「登校は義務です」(とうこうはぎむです). This term is often used in formal or educational settings and can be part of phrases like '登校日 (とうこうび)' (school attendance day) or '登校時間 (とうこうじかん)' (school attendance time).

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

吐き出す: spit or discharge. The Japanese verb '吐き出す (はきだす)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to spit out', which can refer to physically expelling something from the mouth, such as food or liquid. For example: he spit out the bitter medicine「彼は苦い薬を吐き出した」(かれはにがいくすりをはきだした). The second meaning is 'to discharge' or 'to emit', which can refer to releasing substances, gases, or even emotions. For example: the factory discharges waste into the river「工場は川に廃棄物を吐き出す」(こうじょうはかわにはいきぶつをはきだす). This verb is often used in both literal and figurative contexts, making it versatile in everyday and technical language.

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