kanji

Meaning

Person

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

人名: name. The Japanese noun '人名 (じんめい)' refers to a person's name. It is a formal term used in contexts where specifying or referring to someone's name is necessary, such as in legal documents, official records, or formal introductions. Example sentences: Please write your name here「ここに人名を書いてください」(ここにじんめいをかいてください). The name of the author is unknown「著者の人名は不明です」(ちょしゃのじんめいはふめいです).

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

神様: god. The Japanese noun '神様 (かみさま)' refers to a 'god' or 'deity'. It is a respectful term used to refer to gods in various religions, including Shinto and Buddhism. The term carries a sense of reverence and is often used when speaking about or to a god. For example: I prayed to the god「神様に祈りました」(かみさまにいのりました). The god of this shrine is very powerful「この神社の神様はとても強いです」(このじんじゃのかみさまはとてもつよいです). The term can also be used metaphorically to refer to someone who is exceptionally skilled or revered in a particular field, such as 'a god of baseball'「野球の神様」(やきゅうのかみさま).

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

総理大臣: Prime Minister. The Japanese noun '総理大臣 (そうりだいじん)' means 'Prime Minister.' This term refers to the head of government in Japan, who is responsible for leading the cabinet and implementing national policies. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Emperor after being designated by the National Diet. Example usage: The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister 「その会議には総理大臣が出席した」 (そのかいぎにはそうりだいじんがしゅっせきした). The Prime Minister announced new policies 「総理大臣が新しい政策を発表した」 (そうりだいじんがあたらしいせいさくをはっぴょうした).

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

尽くす: exhaust. The Japanese verb '尽くす (つくす)' means 'to exhaust' or 'to use up completely'. It is often used to describe the act of depleting resources, energy, or effort entirely. For example: I exhausted all my savings「貯金を尽くした」(ちょきんをつくした). He gave his all to help his friend「彼は友達を助けるために力を尽くした」(かれはともだちをたすけるためにちからをつくした). Additionally, '尽くす' can also imply dedicating oneself fully to a cause or person, as in 'to devote oneself'. This nuance is often seen in contexts involving loyalty or service, such as: She devoted her life to her family「彼女は家族に尽くした」(かのじょはかぞくにつくした).

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