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

抽象的: abstract. The Japanese adjective '抽象的 (ちゅうしょうてき)' means 'abstract'. It is used to describe concepts, ideas, or art that are not concrete or tangible, often requiring interpretation or imagination. For example: His explanation was too abstract「彼の説明は抽象的すぎた」(かれのせつめいはちゅうしょうてきすぎた). Modern art is often abstract「現代美術は抽象的であることが多い」(げんだいびじゅつはちゅうしょうてきであることがおおい). This word is commonly used in discussions about philosophy, art, or complex ideas.

Radical

豕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

484

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Image, Statue

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)象Elephant, Phenomenon

Example Word

像: elephant or statue. The Japanese noun '像 (ぞう)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'statue', referring to a three-dimensional representation of a person, animal, or object, often made of stone, metal, or wood. For example: There is a statue in the park「公園に像がある」(こうえんにぞうがある). The second meaning is 'elephant', referring to the large mammal. For example: The elephant is big「像は大きい」(ぞうはおおきい). The context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended, as the two are unrelated. When referring to a statue, it is often used in compounds like '銅像 (どうぞう)' (bronze statue) or '石像 (せきぞう)' (stone statue). When referring to an elephant, it is commonly used in phrases like '像の鼻 (ぞうのはな)' (elephant's trunk) or '像の牙 (ぞうのきば)' (elephant's tusk).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

530

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Miscellaneous

Reading

Parts

杂 隹Bird

Example Word

雑誌: magazine. The Japanese noun '雑誌 (ざっし)' refers to a 'magazine', which is a periodical publication containing articles, photographs, and advertisements. It is commonly used to describe both print and digital magazines. For example: I bought a fashion magazine「ファッション雑誌を買いました」(ふぁっしょんざっしをかいました). This magazine is interesting「この雑誌は面白い」(このざっしはおもしろい). The word is often used in contexts related to reading, publishing, or media.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

534

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Increase

Reading

Parts

土Soil 曽Formerly

Example Word

増減: fluctuation. The Japanese verbal noun '増減 (ぞうげん)' refers to the concept of fluctuation, specifically the increase and decrease of something. It is commonly used in contexts where changes in quantity, numbers, or levels are discussed, such as in economics, statistics, or everyday situations. For example: The number of visitors shows a significant fluctuation「訪問者の数は大きな増減を示しています」(ほうもんしゃのかずはおおきなぞうげんをしめしています). The price of vegetables fluctuates daily「野菜の価格は日々増減します」(やさいのかかくはひびぞうげんします). This term is neutral and can describe both positive and negative changes.

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

内臓: internal organs. The Japanese noun '内臓 (ないぞう)' refers to the internal organs of the body, such as the heart, liver, stomach, and intestines. It is commonly used in medical or biological contexts to describe the organs located inside the body cavity. For example: The doctor examined his internal organs「医師は彼の内臓を検査した」(いしはかれのないぞうをけんさした). Eating healthy is important for your internal organs「健康的な食事は内臓に重要です」(けんこうてきなしょくじはないぞうにじゅうようです). The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

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