Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Reside, Be

Reading

Parts

尸Corpse 古Old

Example Word

居る: exist. The Japanese verb '居る (いる)' means 'to exist' or 'to be present' and is primarily used for living things, such as people or animals. It is often used to indicate the presence or existence of someone or something animate. For example: There is a cat here「ここに猫が居る」(ここにねこがいる). My friend is at home「友達が家に居る」(ともだちがいえにいる). Note that '居る' is written in hiragana as 'いる' in modern usage, and it is distinct from 'ある', which is used for inanimate objects. This verb is also commonly used in the progressive tense to indicate ongoing actions, such as '食べている (たべている)' (is eating).

Radical

尸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

51

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Past

Reading

Parts

厶Private 土Soil

Example Word

過去: past. The Japanese noun '過去 (かこ)' means 'past'. It refers to a time that has already happened, or events that have occurred before the present. This word is often used in contexts discussing history, personal experiences, or time in general. For example: I cannot change the past「過去を変えることはできない」(かこをかえることはできない). He often talks about his past「彼はよく自分の過去について話す」(かれはよくじぶんのかこについてはなす). It can also be used in phrases like '過去の出来事 (かこのできごと)' (past events) or '過去を振り返る (かこをふりかえる)' (to look back on the past).

Radical

厶

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

344

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Permit, Allow

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)午Noon

Example Word

免許: license. The Japanese noun '免許 (めんきょ)' refers to an official permission or license granted by an authority, allowing someone to perform a specific activity or profession. It is commonly used in contexts such as driving licenses, professional certifications, or permits. For example: I got my driver's license「運転免許を取得しました」(うんてんめんきょをしゅとくしました). He has a teaching license「彼は教員免許を持っています」(かれはきょういんめんきょをもっています). The term emphasizes the formal and legal aspect of being authorized to do something.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

499

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Raise

Reading

Parts

兴 手Hand

Example Word

挙げる: raise or list. The Japanese verb '挙げる (あげる)' has multiple meanings depending on the context. The primary meaning is 'to raise' or 'to lift up', often used in physical or abstract contexts. For example: raise your hand「手を挙げて」(てをあげて). The second meaning is 'to list' or 'to enumerate', used when presenting examples or items. For example: list the reasons「理由を挙げる」(りゆうをあげる). This verb is versatile and can be used in various situations, such as raising a flag, raising a question, or listing achievements. It is important to note that '挙げる' is often used in formal or written contexts, and its usage can vary based on the situation.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

849

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Basis, Based on

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)処Deal with

Example Word

拠点: base. The Japanese noun '拠点 (きょてん)' refers to a 'base' or a central location from which activities, operations, or movements are conducted. It is commonly used in contexts such as business, military, or organizational operations. For example: The company established a new base in Tokyo「会社は東京に新しい拠点を設立した」(かいしゃはとうきょうにあたらしいきょてんをせつりつした). The military base is located in the north「その軍事拠点は北に位置している」(そのぐんじきょてんはきたにいちしている). This word emphasizes the idea of a central or strategic location.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

946

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Empty, Void

Reading

Parts

虍 业Business (業)

Radical

虍

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1045

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Huge, Giant

Reading

Example Word

巨人: giant. The Japanese noun '巨人 (きょじん)' means 'giant'. It refers to a being or creature of enormous size, often found in myths, legends, or fantasy stories. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something or someone of great importance or influence. For example: the giant in the story was very strong「物語の巨人はとても強かった」(ものがたりのきょじんはとてもつよかった). That company is a giant in the industry「あの会社は業界の巨人だ」(あのかいしゃはぎょうかいのきょじんだ). The word can also refer to the Yomiuri Giants, a famous Japanese baseball team.

Radical

工

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1225

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Set, Install

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)居Reside, Be

Example Word

据える: place. The Japanese verb '据える (すえる)' primarily means 'to place' or 'to set' something firmly in a specific position. It often implies a deliberate or careful placement, such as placing an object on a surface or setting something in a fixed position. For example: He placed the vase on the table「彼は花瓶をテーブルに据えた」(かれはかびんをテーブルにすえた). The statue was set in the garden「その像は庭に据えられた」(そのぞうはにわにすえられた). This verb can also be used metaphorically, such as setting a plan or idea into motion. It is important to note that '据える' often conveys a sense of stability or permanence in the placement.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1374

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hem

Reading

Parts

衤 居Reside, Be

Example Word

裾: hem. The Japanese noun '裾 (すそ)' refers to the hem or edge of a piece of clothing, such as the bottom of a skirt, pants, or kimono. It can also metaphorically refer to the lower edge or base of something, like the foot of a mountain. For example: The hem of her dress is dirty「彼女のドレスの裾が汚れている」(かのじょのドレスのすそがよごれている). The foot of the mountain is covered in mist「山の裾が霧に包まれている」(やまのすそがきりにつつまれている). This word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts to describe the lower edge of an object or area.

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1419

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Distance

Reading

Parts

足Foot, Sufficient 巨Huge, Giant

Example Word

距離: distance. The Japanese noun '距離 (きょり)' refers to the physical or metaphorical distance between two points, objects, or concepts. It is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: the distance between Tokyo and Osaka is about 500 kilometers「東京と大阪の距離は約500キロです」(とうきょうとおおさかのきょりはやく500キロです). There is a distance between their opinions「彼らの意見には距離がある」(かれらのいけんにはきょりがある). The word can also imply emotional or relational distance, such as in '彼との距離を感じる (かれときょりをかんじる) (I feel a distance between us).'

Radical

足

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1556

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Repel, Refuse

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)巨Huge, Giant

Example Word

拒否: refusal. The Japanese verbal noun '拒否 (きょひ)' means 'refusal' or 'rejection'. It is used to describe the act of refusing or rejecting something, such as a request, proposal, or idea. This term is often used in formal or serious contexts, such as legal, political, or medical situations. For example: The government refused the proposal「政府はその提案を拒否した」(せいふはそのていあんをきょひした). The patient refused the treatment「患者は治療を拒否した」(かんじゃはちりょうをきょひした). It can also be used in everyday situations, such as refusing an invitation or offer. The nuance of '拒否' is often stronger than simply saying 'no', implying a firm or decisive rejection.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1689

Handwriting