kanji

Meaning

Distribute

Reading

Parts

酉Bird of the zodiac 己Oneself

Example Word

分配: distribution. The Japanese noun '分配 (ぶんぱい)' refers to the act of distributing or allocating something among a group of people or entities. It is commonly used in contexts involving the division of resources, responsibilities, or benefits. For example: The distribution of profits was fair「利益の分配は公平だった」(りえきのぶんぱいはこうへいだった). They discussed the distribution of tasks「彼らは任務の分配について話し合った」(かれらはにんむのぶんぱいについてはなしあった). This term is often used in economic, organizational, or social contexts to describe how something is divided or shared.

Radical

酉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

368

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Back, Height

Reading

Parts

北North 肉Meat

Example Word

背広: suit. The Japanese noun '背広 (せびろ)' refers to a 'suit', specifically a business suit typically worn by men in formal or professional settings. This term is often used in contexts related to work, business meetings, or formal events. For example: He bought a new suit「彼は新しい背広を買った」(かれはあたらしいせびろをかった). I need to wear a suit for the meeting「会議のために背広を着る必要がある」(かいぎのためにせびろをきるひつようがある). The word '背広' is commonly associated with Western-style suits and is a staple in Japanese business attire.

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

429

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pluck, Extract

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)友Friend

Example Word

見抜く: see through. The Japanese verb '見抜く (みぬく)' means 'to see through' or 'to perceive the true nature of something'. It is often used to describe the ability to discern someone's true intentions, motives, or the reality of a situation that is not immediately obvious. For example: He saw through my lie「彼は私の嘘を見抜いた」(かれはわたしのうそをみぬいた). She can see through people's intentions「彼女は人の意図を見抜くことができる」(かのじょはひとのいとをみぬくことができる). This verb is commonly used in contexts where insight or perceptiveness is required to understand something hidden or not easily noticeable.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

526

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cup, Cupfuls

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 不Not

Example Word

乾杯: cheers. The Japanese verbal noun '乾杯 (かんぱい)' means 'cheers'. It is commonly used during gatherings, parties, or meals to propose a toast before drinking. This word is often accompanied by raising glasses and is a gesture of goodwill, celebration, or camaraderie. Example sentences: Let's make a toast!「乾杯しましょう！」(かんぱいしましょう). Cheers to your success!「あなたの成功に乾杯！」(あなたのせいこうにかんぱい). Note that '乾杯' is typically used in formal or celebratory contexts and is not used casually in everyday conversation.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

848

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Defeat

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 攵Strike

Example Word

敗れる: lose. The Japanese verb '敗れる (やぶれる)' means 'to lose' in the context of a competition, battle, or contest. It is often used to describe defeat in sports, games, or conflicts. This verb carries a nuance of being defeated by an opponent rather than simply failing. For example: They lost the match「彼らは試合に敗れた」(かれらはしあいにやぶれた). The army was defeated in the battle「軍隊は戦いに敗れた」(ぐんたいはたたかいにやぶれた). Note that this verb is typically used in formal or serious contexts and is less common in casual conversation.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1005

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fellow, Comrade

Reading

Parts

非Mistake, Negative 車Car

Example Word

先輩: senior. The Japanese noun '先輩 (せんぱい)' refers to someone who is senior to you in age, experience, or status, particularly in school, work, or a group. It is commonly used to address or refer to someone who has been in an organization or field longer than you. For example: My senior at work is very kind「私の先輩はとても親切です」(わたしのせんぱいはとてもしんせつです). I respect my senior「私は先輩を尊敬しています」(わたしはせんぱいをそんけいしています). This term is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, emphasizing respect and hierarchy in relationships.

Radical

車

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1026

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Worship

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)一One 丰

Example Word

拝む: bow or worship. The Japanese verb '拝む (おがむ)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to worship', often used in religious or spiritual contexts, such as praying to a deity or showing reverence. The second meaning is 'to bow deeply', which can signify respect, humility, or supplication. For example: She worships at the shrine every morning「彼女は毎朝神社で拝む」(かのじょはまいあさじんじゃでおがむ). He bowed deeply to show his gratitude「彼は感謝の気持ちを表すために拝んだ」(かれはかんしゃのきもちをあらわすためにおがんだ). The verb is often associated with formal or ceremonial actions.

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

廃棄: disposal. The Japanese noun '廃棄 (はいき)' means 'disposal'. It refers to the act of getting rid of something, often waste or unwanted items, in a systematic or regulated manner. This term is commonly used in contexts related to waste management, recycling, or discarding obsolete items. For example: The disposal of industrial waste is strictly regulated「産業廃棄物の廃棄は厳しく規制されている」(さんぎょうはいきぶつのはいきはきびしくきせいされている). We need to dispose of old documents「古い書類を廃棄する必要がある」(ふるいしょるいをはいきするひつようがある). The word can also imply a sense of finality or irreversibility in the act of discarding.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1427

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Exclude, Repudiate

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)非Mistake, Negative

Example Word

排出: discharge or emission. The Japanese noun '排出 (はいしゅつ)' refers to the act of emitting or discharging something, such as gases, liquids, or waste. It is commonly used in environmental contexts to describe the release of substances into the environment. For example: The factory reduced its emissions「工場は排出を減らした」(こうじょうははいしゅつをへらした). The discharge of waste into the river is prohibited「川への排出は禁止されている」(かわへのはいしゅつはきんしされている). This word is often used in technical or formal settings, particularly when discussing pollution or industrial processes.

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