Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Make, Build

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 告Announce

Example Word

創造: creation. The Japanese noun '創造 (そうぞう)' means 'creation'. It refers to the act of bringing something into existence, often used in contexts involving art, innovation, or the universe. For example: the creation of the universe「宇宙の創造」(うちゅうのそうぞう). This word can also imply a sense of originality and imagination, as in: the creation of new ideas「新しいアイデアの創造」(あたらしいアイデアのそうぞう). It is commonly used in both artistic and scientific contexts to denote the process of making something new and unique.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

423

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Storehouse

Reading

Parts

茂Grow thickly, Luxuriant 臣Servant, Retainer

Example Word

冷蔵: refrigeration. The Japanese noun '冷蔵 (れいぞう)' refers to the process or state of refrigeration. It is commonly used in contexts related to food preservation, such as storing items in a refrigerator. For example: I put the vegetables in the refrigerator「野菜を冷蔵した」(やさいをれいぞうした). The meat needs refrigeration「肉は冷蔵が必要だ」(にくはれいぞうがひつようだ). This term is often seen in compound words like '冷蔵庫 (れいぞうこ)', which means 'refrigerator'.

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

443

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Elephant, Phenomenon

Reading

Parts

⺈Wrap 豕Pig

Example Word

象徴: symbol. The Japanese verbal noun '象徴 (しょうちょう)' means 'symbol'. It refers to something that represents or stands for an idea, quality, or concept. This word is often used in contexts where an object, person, or event embodies a larger meaning or represents a significant idea. For example: The dove is a symbol of peace「鳩は平和の象徴です」(はとはへいわのしょうちょうです). This building symbolizes the city's history「この建物は街の歴史を象徴しています」(このたてものはまちのれきしをしょうちょうしています). The term is commonly used in discussions about culture, art, and philosophy.

Radical

豕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

484

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Image, Statue

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)象Elephant, Phenomenon

Example Word

映像: image or video. The Japanese noun '映像 (えいぞう)' can mean either 'image' or 'video', depending on the context. It refers to visual content, whether static or moving. For example: The image on the screen is clear「画面の映像は鮮明です」(がめんのえいぞうはせんめいです). I watched a video of the event「そのイベントの映像を見ました」(そのイベントのえいぞうをみました). This word is often used in contexts involving media, technology, or visual arts, and it can describe anything from photographs to movies.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

530

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Miscellaneous

Reading

Parts

杂 隹Bird

Example Word

雑音: noise. The Japanese noun '雑音 (ざつおん)' refers to 'noise', particularly unwanted or disruptive sounds. This term is often used in contexts where background noise interferes with communication or clarity, such as in audio recordings, phone calls, or public spaces. For example: There is too much noise in this room「この部屋は雑音が多すぎる」(このへやはざつおんがおおすぎる). The noise from the construction site is annoying「工事現場の雑音がうるさい」(こうじげんばのざつおんがうるさい). It can also be used metaphorically to describe irrelevant or distracting information, such as in a discussion or written text.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

534

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Increase

Reading

Parts

土Soil 曽Formerly

Example Word

急増: sudden increase. The Japanese verbal noun '急増 (きゅうぞう)' means 'sudden increase'. It is used to describe a rapid or abrupt rise in quantity, number, or intensity. This term is often used in contexts such as population growth, economic data, or environmental changes. For example: The population has suddenly increased「人口が急増した」(じんこうがきゅうぞうした). There was a sudden increase in demand「需要が急増した」(じゅようがきゅうぞうした). Note that '急増' is typically used in formal or written contexts and is often paired with verbs like 'する' to indicate the action of increasing.

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

838

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hate

Reading

Parts

火Fire 曽Formerly

Example Word

憎らしい: hateful. The Japanese adjective '憎らしい (にくらしい)' means 'hateful' or 'detestable'. It is used to describe someone or something that provokes feelings of dislike, annoyance, or resentment. This word often carries a sense of frustration or irritation, and it can be used in both serious and slightly playful contexts. For example: That person is so hateful「あの人は本当に憎らしい」(あのひとはほんとうににくらしい). His smug smile is detestable「彼の得意げな笑顔が憎らしい」(かれのとくいげなえがおがにくらしい). Note that while '憎らしい' can describe serious dislike, it can also be used in a lighter tone to describe something mildly irritating or annoying.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

963

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Official

Reading

Parts

曰 曲Music, Bend

Radical

曰

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1365

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Entrails, Viscera

Reading

Parts

肉Meat 蔵Storehouse

Example Word

心臓: heart. The Japanese adjectival noun '心臓 (しんぞう)' refers to the 'heart', the organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. It is used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: His heart is strong「彼の心臓は強い」(かれのしんぞうはつよい). This can also be used metaphorically to describe courage or emotional strength, as in: She has the heart of a lion「彼女は心臓が強い」(かのじょはしんぞうがつよい). Note that '心臓' is often used in medical or biological contexts, but can also appear in everyday language to describe emotional states or characteristics.

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1398

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Present, Presents

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 曽Formerly

Example Word

贈り物: gift. The Japanese noun '贈り物 (おくりもの)' means 'gift'. It refers to something given to someone as a present, often to show appreciation, celebrate an occasion, or express goodwill. This word is commonly used in contexts like birthdays, weddings, or holidays. For example: I received a gift from my friend「友達から贈り物をもらった」(ともだちからおくりものをもらった). She prepared a gift for her mother「彼女は母親に贈り物を用意した」(かのじょはははおやにおくりものをよういした). The word can also imply thoughtfulness or care in choosing the gift.

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1594

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Formerly

Reading

Parts

丷Divide 田Rice field 日Day, Sun

Radical

曰

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1966

Handwriting