kanji

Meaning

Make

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)𠂉Person (人)二Two 丨Stick

Example Word

制作: production. The Japanese noun '制作 (せいさく)' refers to the act of creating or producing something, often used in the context of art, media, or creative works. It emphasizes the process of bringing something into existence, such as a film, artwork, or program. For example: The production of this movie took two years「この映画の制作には2年かかりました」(このえいがのせいさくにはにねんかかりました). He is in charge of the production of the TV show「彼はそのテレビ番組の制作を担当しています」(かれはそのテレビばんぐみのせいさくをたんとうしています). This word is commonly used in professional or artistic contexts.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

96

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Yesterday, Previous

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 乍

Example Word

一昨年: year before last. The Japanese noun '一昨年 (おととし)' refers to 'the year before last'. It is used to indicate the year that is two years prior to the current year. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when referring to events or occurrences that happened two years ago. For example: I visited Japan the year before last「一昨年、日本を訪れました」(おととし、にほんをおとずれました). The year before last was very cold「一昨年はとても寒かった」(おととしはとてもさむかった). It's important to note that '一昨年' is a specific term and should not be confused with '去年 (きょねん)', which means 'last year'.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

589

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Plan, Policy

Reading

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)朿

Example Word

政策: policy. The Japanese noun '政策 (せいさく)' refers to a 'policy', particularly in the context of government or organizational strategies and plans. It is used to describe a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an authority. For example: The government announced a new economic policy「政府は新しい経済政策を発表した」(せいふはあたらしいけいざいせいさくをはっぴょうした). This company has a strict environmental policy「この会社は厳しい環境政策を持っている」(このかいしゃはきびしいかんきょうせいさくをもっている). The term is often used in formal contexts and can apply to various fields such as economic, social, or foreign policy.

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1104

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Search, Rope

Reading

Parts

十Ten 冖Crown 糸Thread

Example Word

索引: index. The Japanese noun '索引 (さくいん)' means 'index'. It refers to a list of terms, topics, or names, often found at the end of a book, that helps readers locate specific information within the text. This term is commonly used in academic, technical, and reference materials. For example: The index is at the back of the book「索引は本の後ろにあります」(さくいんはほんのうしろにあります). Please check the index for the page number「ページ番号を索引で確認してください」(ページばんごうをさくいんでかくにんしてください). The word is neutral in tone and is widely understood in both formal and informal contexts.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1498

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Book, Volume

Reading

Parts

冂Enclosure 卄

Example Word

冊: counter. The Japanese suffix '冊 (さつ)' is a counter used specifically for books, magazines, and other bound printed materials. It is attached to numbers to count these items. For example: one book「一冊」(いっさつ), two books「二冊」(にさつ). This counter is essential when discussing quantities of books or similar items in Japanese. Example sentences: I bought three books「本を三冊買いました」(ほんをさんさつかいました). She has five magazines「彼女は雑誌を五冊持っています」(かのじょはざっしをごさつもっています).

Radical

冂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1508

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Confused, Mixed up

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)昔Old times

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1687

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Plane, Cut by chipping

Reading

Parts

刂Sword (刀)肖Resemble, Resemblance

Example Word

削る: reduce or shave. The Japanese verb '削る (けずる)' primarily means 'to shave' or 'to reduce'. When used in the context of 'shave', it refers to the act of removing thin layers from a surface, such as shaving wood or facial hair. For example: He shaved his beard「彼はひげを削った」(かれはひげをけずった). In the context of 'reduce', it implies decreasing the amount or size of something, often in a figurative sense. For example: The company reduced its workforce「会社は人員を削った」(かいしゃはじんいんをけずった). The verb can be used both literally and metaphorically, depending on the context.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1771

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Palisade

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 冊Book, Volume

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1872

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Squeeze

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)窄

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1990

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Vinegar

Reading

Parts

酉Bird of the zodiac 乍

Example Word

酢: vinegar. The Japanese noun '酢 (す)' means 'vinegar'. It refers to the sour liquid made through fermentation, commonly used in cooking, seasoning, or preserving food. In Japanese cuisine, vinegar is a key ingredient in dishes like sushi rice, salads, and pickles. Example sentences: I added vinegar to the salad「サラダに酢を入れました」(サラダにすをいれました). This vinegar is very sour「この酢はとても酸っぱいです」(このすはとてもすっぱいです). Vinegar is also used in traditional Japanese remedies and cleaning due to its antibacterial properties.

Radical

酉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2025

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Retrace the past, Go upstream

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 朔

Example Word

遡る: go back or trace back. The Japanese verb '遡る (さかのぼる)' primarily means 'to go back' or 'to trace back' in time or to a point of origin. It is often used to describe retracing steps, revisiting past events, or exploring the origins of something. For example: Let's trace back the history of this tradition「この伝統の歴史を遡りましょう」(このでんとうのれきしをさかのぼりましょう). The river flows back to its source「その川は源まで遡る」(そのかわはみなもとまでさかのぼる). This verb can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, making it versatile in describing time, history, or even physical paths.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2060

Handwriting