Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Distribute

Reading

Parts

酉Bird of the zodiac 己Oneself

Example Word

年配: elderly. The Japanese noun '年配 (ねんぱい)' refers to someone who is elderly or of advanced age. It is often used to describe a person who is older, typically in a respectful or polite manner. This term can also imply a sense of maturity or experience. For example: The elderly gentleman is kind「年配の男性は親切です」(ねんぱいのだんせいはしんせつです). She works with elderly people「彼女は年配の人と働いています」(かのじょはねんぱいのひととはたらいています). Note that this word is neutral in tone and does not carry negative connotations.

Radical

酉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

368

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Back, Height

Reading

Parts

北North 肉Meat

Example Word

背景: background. The Japanese noun '背景 (はいけい)' primarily means 'background'. It can refer to the physical background of a scene or image, such as in photography or art, or the contextual background of a situation, such as historical, social, or personal circumstances. For example: The background of the photo is beautiful「写真の背景は美しい」(しゃしんのはいけいはうつくしい). Understanding the historical background is important「歴史的背景を理解することが重要だ」(れきしてきはいけいをりかいすることがじゅうようだ). This word is versatile and can be used in various contexts to describe the setting or circumstances surrounding a subject.

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

429

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pluck, Extract

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)友Friend

Example Word

抜き: without. The Japanese noun '抜き (ぬき)' means 'without' or 'excluding'. It is often used to indicate that something is omitted or left out. For example: let's have a meeting without formalities「形式抜きで会議をしましょう」(けいしきぬきでかいぎをしましょう). This dish is made without sugar「この料理は砂糖抜きです」(このりょうりはさとうぬきです). It can also be used in compound words to indicate the absence of something, such as '塩抜き (しおぬき)' meaning 'without salt'.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

526

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cup, Cupfuls

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 不Not

Example Word

一杯: full or a lot. The Japanese adverb '一杯 (いっぱい)' can mean 'full' or 'a lot'. When used to mean 'full', it describes something that is completely filled to capacity, such as a glass or a room. For example: the glass is full「コップは一杯です」(コップはいっぱいです). When used to mean 'a lot', it indicates a large quantity or amount of something. For example: there are a lot of people「人が一杯います」(ひとがいっぱいいます). The nuance of '一杯' can vary depending on the context, but it generally conveys the idea of being filled or abundant.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

848

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Defeat

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 攵Strike

Example Word

敗戦: defeat. The Japanese verbal noun '敗戦 (はいせん)' means 'defeat' or 'losing a war'. It is commonly used to refer to a military defeat, particularly in the context of wars or battles. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a significant loss in other areas, such as sports or competitions. For example: Japan experienced defeat in World War II「日本は第二次世界大戦で敗戦を経験した」(にほんはだいにじせかいたいせんではいせんをけいけんした). The team suffered a crushing defeat「チームは惨敗を喫した」(チームはざんぱいをきっした). Note that '敗戦' carries a formal tone and is often used in historical or serious contexts.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1005

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fellow, Comrade

Reading

Parts

非Mistake, Negative 車Car

Example Word

後輩: junior. The Japanese noun '後輩 (こうはい)' refers to someone who is junior to you, typically in a school, workplace, or organization. This term is often used to describe someone who joined after you or is younger in age or experience. It carries a sense of hierarchy and is commonly used in contexts where seniority matters. For example: My junior is very hardworking「私の後輩はとても頑張り屋です」(わたしのこうはいはとてもがんばりやです). I often help my juniors with their work「私はよく後輩の仕事を手伝います」(わたしはよくこうはいのしごとをてつだいます). The term is neutral and does not inherently imply a positive or negative relationship, but it emphasizes the hierarchical structure common in Japanese society.

Radical

車

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1026

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Worship

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)一One 丰

Example Word

拝見: see. The Japanese verbal noun '拝見 (はいけん)' is a humble expression meaning 'to see' or 'to look at'. It is used to show respect or humility when referring to the act of seeing something, especially when the subject is something belonging to someone of higher status or when the speaker wants to be polite. For example: I will take a look at the document「書類を拝見します」(しょるいをはいけんします). May I see your work?「あなたの作品を拝見してもいいですか？」(あなたのさくひんをはいけんしてもいいですか？). This term is often used in formal or business settings to convey politeness and respect.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1051

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Actor, Haiku

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)非Mistake, Negative

Example Word

俳句: haiku. The Japanese noun '俳句 (はいく)' refers to a traditional form of Japanese poetry consisting of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure. Haiku often capture a moment in nature or evoke a specific emotion, and they are known for their brevity and depth. For example: I wrote a haiku about the moon「月について俳句を書いた」(つきについてはいくをかいた). This haiku is beautiful「この俳句は美しい」(このはいくはうつくしい). Haiku is a significant part of Japanese culture and is appreciated worldwide for its simplicity and elegance.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1094

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Waste, Abolish

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 発Departure

Example Word

廃止: abolition. The Japanese verbal noun '廃止 (はいし)' means 'abolition' or 'discontinuation'. It refers to the act of officially ending or stopping something, such as a system, law, or practice. This term is often used in formal or official contexts. For example: The government decided on the abolition of the law「政府はその法律の廃止を決定した」(せいふはそのほうりつのはいしをけっていした). The company announced the discontinuation of the service「その会社はサービスの廃止を発表した」(そのかいしゃはサービスのはいしをはっぴょうした). Note that '廃止' is typically used in written or formal speech, and its usage implies a permanent termination.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1427

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Exclude, Repudiate

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)非Mistake, Negative

Example Word

排除: exclusion or elimination. The Japanese noun '排除 (はいじょ)' refers to the act of excluding or eliminating something or someone. It is often used in contexts where something is removed or kept out, whether physically, socially, or conceptually. For example: the exclusion of harmful substances「有害物質の排除」(ゆうがいぶっしつのはいじょ). The elimination of outdated rules「古い規則の排除」(ふるいきそくのはいじょ). This word can be used in various contexts, such as social exclusion, elimination of waste, or removal of obstacles.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1637

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lung

Reading

Parts

肉Meat 巿

Example Word

肺: lung. The Japanese noun '肺 (はい)' refers to the organ known as the 'lung'. It is used in medical, biological, and everyday contexts to describe the respiratory organ in humans and animals. For example: His lungs are healthy「彼の肺は健康です」(かれのはいはけんこうです). Smoking damages the lungs「喫煙は肺を傷つける」(きつえんははいをきずつける). The word is also used in compound terms like '肺炎 (はいえん)' (pneumonia) or '肺がん (はいがん)' (lung cancer).

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1822

Handwriting