kanji

Meaning

Place

Reading

Parts

戸Door 斤Axe, Catty

Example Word

長所: strength. The Japanese noun '長所 (ちょうしょ)' means 'strength' or 'strong point'. It refers to a positive quality or advantage that someone or something possesses. This word is often used in contexts where discussing personal traits, skills, or characteristics of objects. For example: His strength is his kindness「彼の長所は優しさです」(かれのちょうしょはやさしさです). One of the strengths of this product is its durability「この製品の長所の一つは耐久性です」(このせいひんのちょうしょのひとつはたいきゅうせいです). It is commonly used in self-introductions, evaluations, or when giving compliments.

Radical

戶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

65

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Write

Reading

Parts

聿Brush 日Day, Sun

Example Word

葉書: postcard. The Japanese noun '葉書 (はがき)' refers to a 'postcard'. It is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope. Postcards are often used for short messages, greetings, or as souvenirs. They typically feature a picture or design on one side and space for a message, address, and stamp on the other. Example sentences: I bought a postcard at the souvenir shop「おみやげやで葉書を買いました」(おみやげやではがきをかいました). Please send me a postcard from your trip「旅行から葉書を送ってください」(りょこうからはがきをおくってください).

Radical

曰

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

67

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Deal with

Reading

Parts

夂Late 几

Example Word

彼処: there. The Japanese pronoun '彼処 (かしこ)' means 'there' and is used to refer to a place that is distant from both the speaker and the listener. It is a formal or literary term and is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to 'そこ' or 'あそこ'. For example: The book is over there「本は彼処にあります」(ほんはかしこにあります). She went there「彼女は彼処に行きました」(かのじょはかしこにいきました). Note that '彼処' can also carry a sense of reverence or formality, often used in written or ceremonial contexts.

Radical

几

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

212

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Beginning, First

Reading

Parts

衤 刀Sword

Example Word

初日: first day. The Japanese noun '初日 (しょにち)' refers to the 'first day' of an event, activity, or period. It is commonly used in contexts such as the first day of a festival, the opening day of a movie, or the first day of a new job. For example: The first day of the festival was crowded「祭りの初日は混雑していた」(まつりのしょにちはこんざつしていた). The movie's opening day is tomorrow「映画の初日は明日です」(えいがのしょにちはあしたです). This word emphasizes the beginning or commencement of something significant.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

226

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Many, Various

Reading

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

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

暑さ: heat. The Japanese noun '暑さ (あつさ)' refers to the state or condition of being hot, particularly in terms of weather or temperature. It is commonly used to describe the intensity of heat during summer or in hot climates. For example: The heat today is unbearable「今日の暑さは耐えられない」(きょうのあつさはたえられない). I can't stand the heat of summer「夏の暑さには耐えられない」(なつのあつさにはたえられない). This word is often used in weather forecasts or casual conversations about the temperature.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1221

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Government office

Reading

Parts

罒Net 者Someone

Example Word

署: office. The Japanese suffix '署 (しょ)' is commonly used to denote an office or station, particularly in the context of government or public services. It is often attached to the name of the service or function to specify the type of office. For example, a police station is called '警察署 (けいさつしょ)', and a fire station is referred to as '消防署 (しょうぼうしょ)'. This suffix is typically used in formal contexts and is an essential part of the vocabulary when discussing public services or institutions. Example sentences include: I went to the police station「警察署に行きました」(けいさつしょにいきました). The fire station is nearby「消防署は近くです」(しょうぼうしょはちかくです).

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