Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Righteousness

Reading

Parts

羊Sheep 我Self, Ego

Example Word

共産主義: communism. The Japanese noun '共産主義 (きょうさんしゅぎ)' refers to the political and economic ideology of 'communism'. It is a system where property and resources are owned collectively, and labor is organized for the common good. This term is often used in political discussions, historical contexts, or when describing economic systems. Example sentences: Communism aims for a classless society「共産主義は階級のない社会を目指す」(きょうさんしゅぎはかいきゅうのないしゃかいをめざす). He studies the history of communism「彼は共産主義の歴史を研究している」(かれはきょうさんしゅぎのれきしをけんきゅうしている).

Radical

羊

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

205

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Deliberation

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)義Righteousness

Example Word

議員: assembly member. The Japanese noun '議員 (ぎいん)' refers to a member of an assembly, such as a legislative body or council. This term is commonly used to describe elected officials who serve in national, prefectural, or municipal assemblies. For example: The assemblymember proposed a new law「議員が新しい法律を提案した」(ぎいんがあたらしいほうりつをていあんした). She is a member of the city council「彼女は市議会の議員です」(かのじょはしぎかいのぎいんです). The term is neutral and can refer to members of any political party or affiliation.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

319

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Doubt, Suspect

Reading

Example Word

疑わしい: suspicious or doubtful. The Japanese adjective '疑わしい (うたがわしい)' can mean either 'doubtful' or 'suspicious', depending on the context. It is used to describe something that is uncertain, questionable, or raises doubts. It can also imply suspicion about someone's actions or intentions. For example: His story sounds doubtful「彼の話は疑わしい」(かれのはなしはうたがわしい). Her behavior seems suspicious「彼女の行動は疑わしい」(かのじょのこうどうはうたがわしい). This word is often used in situations where there is a lack of trust or clarity.

Radical

疋

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

546

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ceremony

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)義Righteousness

Example Word

礼儀: manners. The Japanese noun '礼儀 (れいぎ)' refers to 'manners' or 'etiquette'. It is used to describe proper behavior, politeness, and respect in social interactions. This word is often associated with traditional Japanese customs and the importance of showing respect to others. For example: Good manners are important「礼儀は大切です」(れいぎはたいせつです). He has no manners「彼は礼儀を知らない」(かれはれいぎをしらない). The concept of '礼儀' is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is often emphasized in both personal and professional settings.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

679

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Skill

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)支Branch, Support

Example Word

技: technique. The Japanese noun '技 (わざ)' refers to a 'technique' or 'skill'. It is commonly used to describe a specific method or way of doing something, often in contexts like martial arts, sports, or crafts. For example: His technique is amazing「彼の技はすごい」(かれのわざはすごい). I want to learn new techniques「新しい技を学びたい」(あたらしいわざをまなびたい). The word can also imply a level of mastery or artistry in performing the technique. It is often used in compound words, such as '必殺技 (ひっさつわざ)' (a special or finishing move).

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

860

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Right, Best regards

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 且Moreover, Also

Example Word

宜しい: fine. The Japanese adjective '宜しい (よろしい)' means 'fine' or 'acceptable'. It is a polite and formal way to express that something is suitable, appropriate, or agreeable. This word is often used in formal situations, such as business settings or when speaking to someone of higher status. For example: Is this time fine?「この時間で宜しいですか？」(このじかんでよろしいですか？). It is also commonly used to give permission or approval, as in: It's fine to leave now「今出発して宜しいです」(いましゅっぱつしてよろしいです). Note that '宜しい' is more formal than 'いい (ii)', which also means 'good' or 'fine'.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

937

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Play, Frolic

Reading

Parts

虚Empty, Void 戈

Example Word

悪戯: mischief or prank. The Japanese noun '悪戯 (いたずら)' can mean 'mischief' or 'prank'. It refers to playful or harmless actions intended to cause amusement or minor trouble. It can also imply a sense of naughtiness or teasing. For example: The child's mischief made everyone laugh「子供の悪戯がみんなを笑わせた」(こどものいたずらがみんなをわらわせた). He played a prank on his friend「彼は友達に悪戯をした」(かれはともだちにいたずらをした). The word can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation depending on the context, but it generally describes lighthearted behavior.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1057

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Falsify, Fake

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)為Do, Sake

Example Word

偽物: fake. The Japanese noun '偽物 (にせもの)' means 'fake'. It refers to something that is not genuine, such as counterfeit goods, imitations, or forged items. This word is often used in contexts where authenticity is important, such as art, fashion, or documents. For example: This painting is a fake「この絵は偽物です」(このえはにせものです). Be careful of fake products「偽物に気をつけて」(にせものにきをつけて). The term can also carry a negative connotation, implying deceit or inferior quality.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1375

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sacrifice

Reading

Parts

牛Cow 義Righteousness

Example Word

犠牲: sacrifice. The Japanese noun '犠牲 (ぎせい)' means 'sacrifice'. It refers to the act of giving up something valuable or important for the sake of others or a greater cause. This word is often used in contexts involving personal loss, such as in war, accidents, or even in daily life when someone makes a significant compromise. For example: He made a great sacrifice for his family「彼は家族のために大きな犠牲を払った」(かれはかぞくのためにおおきなぎせいをはらった). The victims of the disaster were a tragic sacrifice「その災害の犠牲者は悲劇的な犠牲だった」(そのさいがいのぎせいしゃはひげきてきなぎせいだった).

Radical

牛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1626

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Deceit, Deceive

Reading

Parts

其That 欠Lack

Example Word

詐欺: fraud. The Japanese noun '詐欺 (さぎ)' means 'fraud'. It refers to the act of deceiving someone for personal gain, often involving money or property. This word is commonly used in legal, financial, and everyday contexts to describe scams, swindles, or dishonest schemes. For example: He was arrested for fraud「彼は詐欺で逮捕された」(かれはさぎでたいほされた). This is a classic case of fraud「これは典型的な詐欺です」(これはてんけいてきなさぎです). The term can also be used in compound words, such as '詐欺師 (さぎし)' (fraudster or con artist).

Radical

欠

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1668

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Model, Imitate

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)疑Doubt, Suspect

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1941

Handwriting