Page 1
kanji
人Meaning
Person
Reading
kunyomiひとhito
りri
onyomiじんjin
にんnin
Parts
丿Katakana no 乀Stretch
Example Word
人文科学: humanities. The Japanese noun '人文科学 (じんぶんかがく)' refers to the academic discipline of the humanities, which includes the study of human culture, history, literature, philosophy, and art. It is often contrasted with the natural sciences (自然科学, しぜんかがく). For example: I study humanities at university「私は大学で人文科学を勉強しています」(わたしはだいがくでじんぶんかがくをべんきょうしています). The humanities are important for understanding human culture「人文科学は人間の文化を理解するために重要です」(じんぶんかがくはにんげんのぶんかをりかいするためにじゅうようです). This term is commonly used in academic and educational contexts.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
2JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
1
Radical Forms
𠂉, 亻, 𠆢
Handwriting
kanji
神Meaning
God
Reading
kunyomiかみkami
onyomiじんjin
しんshin
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
9JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
99
Handwriting
kanji
臣Meaning
Servant, Retainer
Reading
onyomiじんjin
しんshin
Example Word
大臣: minister. The Japanese noun '大臣 (だいじん)' refers to a 'minister', specifically a high-ranking government official who is in charge of a specific ministry or department. This term is commonly used in political contexts to denote individuals who hold significant authority within the government. For example: The Minister of Finance spoke at the conference「財務大臣が会議で話しました」(ざいむだいじんがかいぎではなしました). The Prime Minister appointed a new Minister of Education「首相が新しい文部科学大臣を任命しました」(しゅしょうがあたらしいもんぶかがくだいじんをにんめいしました). It's important to note that '大臣' is often used in combination with the specific ministry they oversee, such as '外務大臣 (がいむだいじん)' for 'Minister of Foreign Affairs'.
Radical
臣
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
864
Handwriting
kanji
尋Meaning
Inquire
Reading
kunyomiひろhiro
たずtazu
onyomiじんjin
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
12JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
868
Handwriting
kanji
陣Meaning
Camp, Battle formation
Reading
onyomiじんjin
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
10JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
965
Handwriting
kanji
尽Meaning
Exhaust
Reading
kunyomiつtsu
onyomiじんjin
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
6JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
989
Handwriting
kanji
刃Meaning
Blade
Reading
kunyomiはha
onyomiじんjin
にんnin
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
3JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1539
Handwriting
kanji
迅Meaning
Swift
Reading
onyomiじんjin
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
6JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1935
Handwriting