kanji

Meaning

Place

Reading

Parts

戸Door 斤Axe, Catty

Example Word

便所: toilet. The Japanese noun '便所 (べんじょ)' refers to a 'toilet' or 'restroom'. It is a somewhat old-fashioned or blunt term, often used in casual or informal contexts. While it is still understood, it is less commonly used in modern Japanese compared to more polite terms like 'トイレ (といれ)' or 'お手洗い (おてあらい)'. Example sentences: Where is the toilet?「便所はどこですか？」(べんじょはどこですか？). The toilet is over there「便所はあそこです」(べんじょはあそこです). Note that this word can sometimes carry a slightly crude or humorous tone, so it is best used with caution in formal settings.

Radical

戶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

65

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Write

Reading

Parts

聿Brush 日Day, Sun

Example Word

書類: documents. The Japanese noun '書類 (しょるい)' refers to 'documents' or 'papers'. It is commonly used in formal or business contexts to describe written materials, such as contracts, reports, or official forms. For example: Please submit the documents by tomorrow「書類を明日までに提出してください」(しょるいをあしたまでにていしゅつしてください). I organized the documents on my desk「書類を机の上に整理しました」(しょるいをつくえのうえにせいりしました). This word is often used in workplaces or administrative settings and can refer to both physical and digital documents.

Radical

曰

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

67

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Deal with

Reading

Parts

夂Late 几

Example Word

何処: where. The Japanese pronoun '何処 (どこ)' means 'where'. It is used to ask about the location of something or someone. This pronoun is commonly used in questions to inquire about places or directions. For example: Where is the station?「駅は何処ですか？」(えきはどこですか？). Where did you go?「何処に行きましたか？」(どこにいきましたか？). It can also be used in statements to indicate an unknown or unspecified location, such as 'I don't know where it is'「何処にあるか分からない」(どこにあるかわからない). The word '何処' is often written in hiragana as 'どこ' in modern Japanese, but the kanji form is still used in formal or literary contexts.

Radical

几

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

212

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Beginning, First

Reading

Parts

衤 刀Sword

Example Word

初詣で: first shrine visit. The Japanese verbal noun '初詣で (はつもうで)' refers to the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year, a traditional practice in Japan. It is a cultural custom where people visit shrines or temples to pray for good fortune, health, and happiness in the coming year. This visit typically occurs during the first few days of January. For example: We went for our first shrine visit on New Year's Day「私たちは元旦に初詣でに行きました」(わたしたちはがんたんにはつもうでにいきました). Many people do their first shrine visit at midnight「多くの人が深夜に初詣でをします」(おおくのひとがしんやにはつもうでをします). The term is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and reflects the importance of spirituality and tradition in welcoming the New Year.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

226

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Many, Various

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)者Someone

Example Word

諸国: countries. The Japanese noun '諸国 (しょこく)' refers to 'countries' or 'nations', often used in a plural sense to denote multiple countries collectively. It is commonly used in formal or historical contexts to refer to various nations or regions. For example: trade relations with various countries「諸国との貿易関係」(しょこくとのぼうえきかんけい). The cultures of many countries「諸国の文化」(しょこくのぶんか). This term is often seen in historical texts or discussions about international relations, emphasizing a collective or comparative perspective on nations.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

477

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Beginning, Together

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 者Someone

Example Word

内緒: secret. The Japanese noun '内緒 (ないしょ)' means 'secret'. It refers to information that is deliberately kept hidden or not disclosed to others. This word is often used in casual conversations to indicate that something should not be shared. For example: This is a secret, so don't tell anyone「これは内緒だから、誰にも言わないで」(これはないしょだから、だれにもいわないで). I'll tell you a secret「内緒の話を教えるね」(ないしょのはなしをおしえるね). The term can also imply confidentiality in relationships or agreements, such as keeping a surprise party a secret from someone.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

537

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hot

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 者Someone

Example Word

蒸し暑い: humid or muggy. The Japanese adjective '蒸し暑い (むしあつい)' describes weather that is both hot and humid, often making it feel uncomfortable or oppressive. It is commonly used during the summer months in Japan when the combination of heat and humidity is particularly intense. For example: today is so humid「今日は蒸し暑い」(きょうはむしあつい). The room feels muggy「部屋が蒸し暑い」(へやがむしあつい). This word captures the sticky, sweaty feeling associated with such weather conditions.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1221

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Government office

Reading

Parts

罒Net 者Someone

Example Word

署名: signature. The Japanese noun '署名 (しょめい)' refers to a 'signature'. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as signing contracts, documents, or petitions. For example: Please put your signature here「ここに署名してください」(ここにしょめいしてください). The document requires your signature「その書類には署名が必要です」(そのしょるいにはしょめいがひつようです). The word can also be used in legal or official contexts, such as '署名運動 (しょめいうんどう)', which refers to a signature campaign or petition drive.

Radical

网

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1479

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Moreover, Also

Reading

Example Word

且つ: and. The Japanese conjunction '且つ (かつ)' is used to connect two statements or ideas, similar to the English 'and'. However, it is more formal and often used in written language or formal speech. It emphasizes that both connected elements are true or applicable. For example: He is intelligent and diligent「彼は賢く且つ勤勉だ」(かれはかしこくかつきんべんだ). This method is effective and safe「この方法は効果的且つ安全だ」(このほうほうはこうかてきかつあんぜんだ). Note that '且つ' is less common in casual conversation, where 'そして' or 'そして' might be used instead.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1576

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sparse, Alienate

Reading

Parts

疋 束Bundle, Bind

Radical

疋

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1707

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Commoner, Manifold

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 廿Twenty 灬Fire (火)

Example Word

庶民: commoners. The Japanese noun '庶民 (しょみん)' refers to 'commoners' or 'ordinary people'. It is used to describe the general populace, as opposed to the elite or aristocracy. This term often carries a neutral or slightly humble connotation, emphasizing the everyday lives of regular people. For example: The life of commoners is simple「庶民の生活はシンプルだ」(しょみんのせいかつはシンプルだ). Commoners enjoy festivals too「庶民もお祭りを楽しむ」(しょみんもおまつりをたのしむ). The word is commonly used in historical contexts or when discussing social classes, but it can also appear in modern contexts to contrast ordinary people with those in positions of power or wealth.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1931

Handwriting