Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

ぞう zou Jōyō Kanji Practice Quiz

Page 1

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Make, Build

    Reading

    kunyomiつく

    tsuku

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    Parts

    Walk 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

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    423

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Storehouse

    Reading

    kunyomiくら

    kura

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    Parts

    Grow thickly, Luxuriant Servant, Retainer

    Example Word

    大蔵省: finance ministry. The Japanese noun '大蔵省 (おおくらしょう)' refers to the 'Ministry of Finance', which was a key government body in Japan responsible for financial and monetary policy, as well as managing the national budget. It was replaced by the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Services Agency in 2001. This term is often used in historical or formal contexts. Example sentences: The Ministry of Finance announced a new policy「大蔵省は新しい政策を発表した」(おおくらしょうはあたらしいせいさくをはっぴょうした). He works at the Ministry of Finance「彼は大蔵省で働いている」(かれはおおくらしょうではたらいている).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    15

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    443

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Elephant, Phenomenon

    Reading

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    しょう

    shou

    Parts

    Wrap Pig

    Example Word

    気象: weather. The Japanese noun '気象 (きしょう)' refers to 'weather' or 'meteorological phenomena'. It is commonly used in contexts related to weather forecasts, climate studies, or atmospheric conditions. For example: The weather forecast is accurate「気象予報は正確です」(きしょうよほうはせいかくです). The study of weather is fascinating「気象の研究は魅力的です」(きしょうのけんきゅうはみりょくてきです). This word is often used in scientific or formal contexts, such as '気象庁 (きしょうちょう)' (Japan Meteorological Agency).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    12

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    484

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Image, Statue

    Reading

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    Parts

    Person (人)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

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    530

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Miscellaneous

    Reading

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    ざつ

    zatsu

    Parts

    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

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    534

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Increase

    Reading

    kunyomi

    ma

    fu

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    Parts

    Soil Formerly

    Example Word

    増大: increase. The Japanese verbal noun '増大 (ぞうだい)' means 'increase' or 'growth'. It refers to the act or process of becoming larger in size, quantity, or intensity. This word is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as discussing economic growth, population increase, or the escalation of problems. For example: The population increase is a serious issue「人口の増大は深刻な問題です」(じんこうのぞうだいしんこくなもんだいです). The risk of infection is increasing「感染のリスクが増大している」(かんせんのリスクがぞうだいしている). Note that '増大' is typically used in written or formal speech, while '増える (ふえる)' is more common in casual conversation.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    838

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Hate

    Reading

    kunyomiにく

    niku

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    Parts

    Fire Formerly

    Example Word

    憎しみ: hatred. The Japanese noun '憎しみ (にくしみ)' means 'hatred'. It refers to a strong feeling of dislike or animosity towards someone or something. This word is often used in contexts involving deep-seated resentment or hostility. For example: His hatred for injustice was evident「彼の不正への憎しみは明らかだった」(かれのふせいへのにくしみはあきらかだった). She couldn't hide her hatred for him「彼女は彼への憎しみを隠せなかった」(かのじょはかれへのにくしみをかくせなかった). The word can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as hatred towards an idea or concept.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    8

    Frequency

    963

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Official

    Reading

    kunyomiともがら

    tomogara

    へや

    heya

    つかさ

    tsukasa

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    そう

    sou

    Parts

    Music, Bend

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    11

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    9

    Frequency

    1365

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Entrails, Viscera

    Reading

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    Parts

    Meat 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

    Stroke Count

    19

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    1398

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Present, Presents

    Reading

    kunyomiおく

    oku

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    そう

    sou

    Parts

    Shellfish 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

    Stroke Count

    18

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    7

    Frequency

    1594

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Formerly

    Reading

    kunyomiかつ

    katsu

    すなわち

    sunawachi

    かつて

    katsute

    onyomiぞう

    zou

    そう

    sou

    so

    Parts

    Divide Rice field Day, Sun

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    11

    Grade

    10

    Frequency

    1966

    Handwriting