Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Place

Reading

Parts

戸Door 斤Axe, Catty

Example Word

役所: government or office. The Japanese noun '役所 (やくしょ)' refers to a government office or administrative building where official business is conducted. It is commonly used to describe local government offices, such as city halls or municipal offices, where services like issuing documents, handling taxes, or providing public information are carried out. For example: I went to the city office to submit documents「役所に書類を提出しに行きました」(やくしょにしょるいをていしゅつにいきました). The government office is closed on weekends「役所は週末に閉まっています」(やくしょはしゅうまつにしまっています). Note that while '役所' often refers to local government offices, it can also broadly refer to any government administrative body.

Radical

戶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

65

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Write

Reading

Parts

聿Brush 日Day, Sun

Example Word

著書: book. The Japanese noun '著書 (ちょしょ)' refers to a book or written work, particularly one that has been authored by someone. It is often used to describe a published work, such as a novel, essay collection, or academic text. This term emphasizes the authorship aspect, as it is derived from the kanji 著 (author) and 書 (writing). For example: His latest book is very popular「彼の最新の著書はとても人気です」(かれのさいしんのちょしょはとてもにんきです). I read her book last year「私は去年彼女の著書を読みました」(わたしはきょねんかのじょのちょしょをよみました). Note that this word is more formal and is typically used in written or formal contexts.

Radical

曰

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

67

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Deal with

Reading

Parts

夂Late 几

Example Word

処理: processing or disposal. The Japanese verbal noun '処理 (しょり)' primarily means 'processing' or 'disposal', depending on the context. It refers to the act of handling, managing, or dealing with something systematically. In a technical or industrial context, it often refers to data processing or material processing. In everyday usage, it can also mean the disposal of waste or resolving a situation. For example: data processing is important「データの処理は重要です」(データのしょりはじゅうようです). Please dispose of the garbage properly「ゴミを適切に処理してください」(ゴミをてきせつにしょりしてください). The nuance of '処理' often implies a systematic or methodical approach to handling tasks or materials.

Radical

几

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

212

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Beginning, First

Reading

Parts

衤 刀Sword

Example Word

月初め: start. The Japanese noun '月初め (つきはじめ)' refers to the 'start' or 'beginning of the month'. It is commonly used to describe the first few days of a new month, often in contexts related to schedules, payments, or planning. For example: The rent is due at the start of the month「家賃は月初めに支払います」(やちんはつきはじめにしはらいます). We will start the project at the beginning of the month「プロジェクトは月初めに始めます」(プロジェクトはつきはじめにはじめます). Note that this word is specific to the temporal context of the month and is not used for other types of beginnings.

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

一緒に: together. The Japanese adverb '一緒に (いっしょに)' means 'together'. It is used to indicate that two or more people or things are doing something in unison or in the same place. This adverb is commonly used in invitations or when suggesting joint activities. 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 can also be used to express that something is done simultaneously or in combination, as in 'I will study together with my friend'「友達と一緒に勉強します」(ともだちといっしょにべんきょうします).

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

消防署: fire station. The Japanese noun '消防署 (しょうぼうしょ)' refers to a 'fire station', which is a facility where firefighters and firefighting equipment are stationed. This term is commonly used in contexts related to emergency services, fire safety, and public safety infrastructure. For example: The fire station is near the park「消防署は公園の近くです」(しょうぼうしょはこうえんのちかくです). I called the fire station to report the fire「火事を報告するために消防署に電話しました」(かじをほうこくするためにしょうぼうしょにでんわしました). The word is a compound of '消防 (しょうぼう)', meaning 'firefighting', and '署 (しょ)', meaning 'office' or 'station'.

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