kanji

Meaning

Make, Build

Reading

Parts

⻌Walk 告Announce

Example Word

製造: manufacture. The Japanese verbal noun '製造 (せいぞう)' means 'manufacture' or 'production'. It refers to the process of making goods or products, typically on a large scale in factories or industrial settings. This term is commonly used in contexts related to industry, business, and technology. For example: The company manufactures cars「その会社は車を製造している」(そのかいしゃはくるまをせいぞうしている). This factory produces electronic devices「この工場は電子機器を製造している」(このこうじょうはでんしききをせいぞうしている). Note that '製造' is often used in compound words, such as '製造業 (せいぞうぎょう)' (manufacturing industry) or '製造工程 (せいぞうこうてい)' (manufacturing process).

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

現象: phenomenon. The Japanese noun '現象 (げんしょう)' refers to a 'phenomenon', which is an observable event or fact. It is commonly used in both scientific and everyday contexts to describe occurrences that can be observed or experienced. For example: The aurora is a natural phenomenon「オーロラは自然の現象です」(おーろらはしぜんのげんしょうです). This social phenomenon is interesting「この社会的現象は面白い」(このしゃかいてきげんしょうはおもしろい). The word can also be used in abstract contexts, such as describing trends or behaviors in society.

Radical

豕

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

484

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Image, Statue

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)象Elephant, Phenomenon

Example Word

画像: image. The Japanese noun '画像 (がぞう)' means 'image'. It refers to a visual representation, such as a photograph, illustration, or digital picture. This word is commonly used in contexts related to photography, digital media, and art. For example: I saved the image「画像を保存した」(がぞうをほぞんした). This image is beautiful「この画像は美しい」(このがぞうはうつくしい). It can also refer to images displayed on screens, such as computer monitors or smartphones. The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

530

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Miscellaneous

Reading

Parts

杂 隹Bird

Example Word

雑談: chat. The Japanese verbal noun '雑談 (ざつだん)' refers to casual conversation or small talk. It is used to describe informal, light-hearted discussions that are not focused on any specific topic. This word is often used in social settings, such as during breaks at work or when catching up with friends. For example: Let's have a chat「雑談しましょう」(ざつだんしましょう). We had a nice chat yesterday「昨日はいい雑談をしました」(きのうはいいざつだんをしました). The term emphasizes the relaxed and unstructured nature of the conversation, contrasting with more formal or serious discussions.

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

憎い: hateful. The Japanese adjective '憎い (にくい)' primarily means 'hateful' or 'detestable'. It is used to describe something or someone that evokes strong feelings of dislike or hatred. This word can be used in various contexts, such as describing a person's actions, characteristics, or even situations. For example: His behavior is hateful「彼の行動は憎い」(かれのこうどうはにくい). That person is detestable「あの人は憎い」(あのひとはにくい). Additionally, '憎い' can sometimes be used in a more nuanced or ironic way to describe something that is surprisingly impressive or admirable, often in a grudging manner. For example: That was a hatefully clever move「それは憎いほど賢い手だった」(それはにくいほどかしこいてだった).

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

贈る: give. The Japanese verb '贈る (おくる)' means 'to give' or 'to present'. It is specifically used when giving something as a gift, award, or token of appreciation. This verb carries a nuance of formality and is often used in contexts like giving presents, awards, or donations. For example: I will give a book as a gift「本を贈ります」(ほんをおくります). They gave her a medal「彼らは彼女にメダルを贈った」(かれらはかのじょにメダルをおくった). Note that '贈る' is distinct from other verbs like 'あげる', as it implies a more formal or ceremonial act of giving.

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