Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading
しょ sho
kanji
所Meaning
Place
Reading
tokoro
onyomiしょsho
Parts
戸Door 斤Axe, Catty
Example Word
所々: parts or spots. The Japanese noun '所々 (ところどころ)' refers to various spots or parts of something, often implying that these spots or parts are scattered or not continuous. It can be used to describe physical locations, as well as abstract concepts like ideas or stories. For example: There are spots of snow on the ground「地面に所々雪がある」(じめんにところどころゆきがある). The story has parts that are hard to understand「その話は所々わかりにくい」(そのはなしはところどころわかりにくい). This word is often used to indicate that something is not uniform or consistent throughout.
Radical
戶
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
65
Handwriting
kanji
書Meaning
Write
Reading
ka
onyomiしょsho
Parts
聿Brush 日Day, Sun
Example Word
書簡: letter. The Japanese noun '書簡 (しょかん)' refers to a 'letter' or 'written correspondence'. It is a formal term often used to describe written communications, particularly in a literary or historical context. This word is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to '手紙 (てがみ)', which also means 'letter'. Example sentences: I received a letter from my teacher「先生から書簡を受け取りました」(せんせいからしょかんをうけとりました). He wrote a letter to his friend「彼は友達に書簡を書いた」(かれはともだちにしょかんをかいた).
Radical
曰
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
67
Handwriting
kanji
処Meaning
Deal with
Reading
sho
Parts
夂Late 几
Example Word
処置: measure. The Japanese noun '処置 (しょち)' means 'measure' or 'action taken to deal with a situation'. It is often used in contexts where a problem or issue needs to be addressed, such as in medical, technical, or administrative settings. For example: The doctor took immediate measures「医師はすぐに処置をした」(いしはすぐにしょちをした). We need to take measures to prevent accidents「事故を防ぐための処置が必要だ」(じこをふせぐためのしょちがひつようだ). This word can also imply a sense of urgency or necessity in addressing the situation at hand.
Radical
几
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
212
Handwriting
kanji
初Meaning
Beginning, First
Reading
haji
そso
はつhatsu
onyomiしょsho
Parts
衤 刀Sword
Example Word
初め: beginning. The Japanese noun '初め (はじめ)' means 'beginning'. It refers to the start or commencement of something, such as an event, period, or process. This word is often used in contexts like the start of a new year, a project, or a relationship. For example: at the beginning of the year「年の初めに」(としのはじめに). Let's start from the beginning「初めから始めましょう」(はじめからはじめましょう). It can also imply the first time something is done, as in '初めまして (はじめまして)', which is a common greeting meaning 'Nice to meet you' or 'This is the first time we meet'.
Radical
刀
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
226
Handwriting
kanji
諸Meaning
Many, Various
Reading
moro
onyomiしょsho
Parts
訁Say (言)者Someone
Example Word
諸: various. The Japanese prefix '諸 (しょ)' is used to indicate 'various' or 'many' when attached to nouns. It often implies a collective or plural sense, referring to multiple items or aspects of the noun it modifies. For example: various countries「諸国」(しょこく). It is commonly used in formal or written contexts. Another example: various opinions「諸意見」(しょいけん). Note that this prefix is not used in casual conversation and is typically found in compound words or formal expressions.
Radical
言
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N2Grade
6Frequency
477
Handwriting
kanji
緒Meaning
Beginning, Together
Reading
o
onyomiしょsho
ちょcho
Parts
糸Thread 者Someone
Example Word
一緒: together. The Japanese verbal noun '一緒 (いっしょ)' means 'together'. It is commonly used to indicate that people or things are in the same place, doing the same thing, or sharing the same state. It can also imply unity or cooperation. For example: Let's go together「一緒に行きましょう」(いっしょにいきましょう). We ate together「一緒に食べました」(いっしょにたべました). It is often used with particles like 'に' to form phrases like '一緒に (いっしょに)', which means 'together with'. This word is versatile and can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
14JLPT
N3Grade
9Frequency
537
Handwriting