kanji

Meaning

Person

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

一人で: alone. The Japanese adverb '一人で (ひとりで)' means 'alone' or 'by oneself'. It is used to describe doing something without the help or company of others. This adverb is often used to emphasize independence or solitude in an action. For example: I went to the park alone「一人で公園に行った」(ひとりでこうえんにいった). She solved the problem by herself「彼女は一人で問題を解決した」(かのじょはひとりでもんだいをかいけつした). Note that '一人で' can also imply a sense of self-reliance or doing something without assistance, as in '一人で勉強する (ひとりでべんきょうする) (to study alone/independently)'.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1

Radical Forms

𠂉, 亻, 𠆢

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

God

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)申Report

Example Word

神話: myth. The Japanese noun '神話 (しんわ)' means 'myth'. It refers to traditional stories or legends, often involving gods, supernatural beings, or ancient heroes, that explain cultural beliefs, natural phenomena, or historical events. This word is commonly used in contexts related to folklore, history, or literature. For example: Greek myths are fascinating「ギリシャの神話は面白い」(ギリシャのしんわはおもしろい). This myth explains the origin of the world「この神話は世界の起源を説明する」(このしんわはせかいのきげんをせつめいする). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe widely held but false beliefs or ideas.

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

99

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Extremely, Tremendously

Reading

Parts

甘Sweet 匹Equal, Counter for animals

Radical

甘

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

832

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Servant, Retainer

Reading

Example Word

家臣: retainer. The Japanese noun '家臣 (かしん)' refers to a 'retainer', specifically a vassal or samurai who served a feudal lord in historical Japan. This term is deeply rooted in the feudal system and is often used in historical or literary contexts. For example: The retainer served his lord faithfully「家臣は主君に忠実に仕えた」(かしんはしゅくんにちゅうじつにつかえた). The lord rewarded his retainers generously「主君は家臣たちに寛大に報いた」(しゅくんはかしんたちにかんだいにむくいた). The term emphasizes loyalty and service within the hierarchical structure of feudal Japan.

Radical

臣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

864

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Inquire

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 寸Measurement 工Construction ヨ

Example Word

尋ねる: inquire or ask. The Japanese verb '尋ねる (たずねる)' primarily means 'to ask' or 'to inquire'. It is used when someone is seeking information or clarification about something. This verb can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often carries a slightly more formal or polite nuance compared to '聞く (きく)', which also means 'to ask'. For example: I asked the teacher a question「先生に質問を尋ねた」(せんせいにしつもんをたずねた). He inquired about the meeting time「彼は会議の時間を尋ねた」(かれはかいぎのじかんをたずねた). Additionally, '尋ねる' can also mean 'to visit' or 'to call on someone', though this usage is less common and typically more formal. For example: She visited her friend's house「彼女は友達の家を尋ねた」(かのじょはともだちのいえをたずねた).

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

868

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Camp, Battle formation

Reading

Parts

⻖ 車Car

Example Word

陣: camp. The Japanese noun '陣 (じん)' primarily means 'camp' and refers to a military encampment or a group of people organized for a specific purpose. It is often used in historical or strategic contexts, such as describing the location where troops are stationed. For example: the enemy's camp is nearby「敵の陣は近い」(てきのじんはちかい). They set up a camp in the forest「彼らは森に陣を張った」(かれらはもりにじんをはった). Additionally, '陣' can be used metaphorically to describe a group of people working together, such as a team or faction, though this usage is less common.

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

965

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Exhaust

Reading

Parts

尺Foot ⺀

Example Word

尽きる: end or runout. The Japanese verb '尽きる (つきる)' means 'to run out' or 'to come to an end'. It is used to describe the exhaustion or depletion of something, such as resources, time, or patience. It can also imply reaching the limit of something. For example: the food ran out「食べ物が尽きた」(たべものがつきた). My patience has run out「私の忍耐が尽きた」(わたしのにんたいがつきた). This word often carries a sense of finality or inevitability, and it is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Radical

尸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

989

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Benevolent, Humanity

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)二Two

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1292

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Blade

Reading

Parts

丶Dot 刀Sword

Example Word

刃: blade. The Japanese noun '刃 (は)' refers to the 'blade' of a knife, sword, or any cutting tool. It specifically denotes the sharp, cutting edge of such objects. This word is often used in contexts involving weapons, tools, or anything with a sharp edge. For example: the blade of the sword is sharp「刀の刃は鋭い」(かたなのははするどい). Be careful with the blade of the knife「ナイフの刃に気をつけて」(ナイフのはにきをつけて). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something sharp or cutting in nature, though this is less common.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1539

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Swift

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 卂

Example Word

迅速: quick. The Japanese adjectival noun '迅速 (じんそく)' means 'quick' or 'swift'. It is used to describe actions, processes, or responses that are done with speed and efficiency. This term often carries a positive connotation, implying not just speed but also effectiveness. For example: The response was quick「迅速な対応だった」(じんそくなたいおうだった). The delivery was swift「迅速な配達でした」(じんそくはいたつでした). It is commonly used in formal or professional contexts to praise efficiency.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1935

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kidney

Reading

Parts

臤 月Moon, Month

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1975

Handwriting