kanji

Meaning

White

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 日Day, Sun

Example Word

白線: white line. The Japanese noun '白線 (はくせん)' refers to a 'white line'. This term is commonly used to describe painted white lines on roads, sports fields, or other surfaces. For example: The white line on the road is clear「道路の白線ははっきりしている」(どうろのはくせんははっきりしている). The players must stay behind the white line「選手たちは白線の後ろにいなければならない」(せんしゅたちははくせんのうしろにいなければならない). In some contexts, it can also refer to anatomical structures, such as the 'linea alba' in medical terminology, but this usage is less common in everyday language.

Radical

白

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

95

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Extensive, Doctor

Reading

Parts

十Ten 尃

Example Word

博物館: museum. The Japanese noun '博物館 (はくぶつかん)' means 'museum'. It refers to a place where objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural significance are stored and exhibited for public viewing. This word is commonly used in contexts related to education, tourism, and cultural activities. For example: I went to the museum yesterday「昨日、博物館に行きました」(きのう、はくぶつかんにいきました). The museum has many interesting exhibits「その博物館には面白い展示がたくさんあります」(そのはくぶつかんにはおもしろいてんじがたくさんあります). The word is often paired with specific types of museums, such as 'art museum' (美術館, びじゅつかん) or 'science museum' (科学博物館, かがくはくぶつかん).

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

521

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thin, Dilute

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 溥

Example Word

薄暗い: dim. The Japanese adjective '薄暗い (うすぐらい)' means 'dim'. It is used to describe a place or environment that is not fully lit, often implying a faint or weak light. This word can evoke a sense of gloominess or mystery, depending on the context. For example: The room was dim「部屋は薄暗かった」(へやはうすぐらかった). The forest was dim in the evening「夕方の森は薄暗かった」(ゆうがたのもりはうすぐらかった). Note that '薄暗い' is often used to describe natural lighting conditions, such as twilight or the interior of a poorly lit space.

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

550

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Chief, Older sibling of parent

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)白White

Example Word

伯母: aunt. The Japanese noun '伯母 (おば)' refers to one's aunt, specifically the sister of one's parent. It is used to denote a familial relationship and is a respectful term. The term can be used for both the father's and mother's sisters, but it is important to note that in Japanese, there are different terms for older and younger aunts, with '伯母 (おば)' typically referring to an older aunt. For example: My aunt is coming to visit「私の伯母が訪ねてきます」(わたしのおばがたずねてきます). She is my father's older sister「彼女は私の父の伯母です」(かのじょはわたしのちちのおばです).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

883

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Urge, Press

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 白White

Example Word

迫る: press or approach. The Japanese verb '迫る (せまる)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'to approach,' often used to describe something coming closer in time, space, or situation. For example: The deadline is approaching「締め切りが迫っている」(しめきりがせまっている). The second meaning is 'to press' or 'to urge,' often used in contexts where someone is being pressured or compelled to act. For example: He pressed me for an answer「彼は私に答えを迫った」(かれはわたしにこたえをせまった). The verb can also imply a sense of urgency or inevitability, depending on the context.

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

926

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Overnight, Stay overnight

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)白White

Example Word

泊まる: stay. The Japanese verb '泊まる (とまる)' means 'to stay' or 'to lodge', typically referring to staying overnight at a place such as a hotel, inn, or someone's home. It is commonly used when talking about accommodations or temporary stays. For example: I stayed at a hotel「ホテルに泊まった」(ほてるにとまった). We will stay at a friend's house「友達の家に泊まる」(ともだちのいえにとまる). This verb is often used in travel or hospitality contexts and implies a temporary stay rather than permanent residence.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

936

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Clap, Beat

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)白White

Example Word

拍手: clap. The Japanese verbal noun '拍手 (はくしゅ)' means 'clap' or 'applause'. It refers to the act of clapping one's hands together, often as a form of appreciation, approval, or celebration. This word is commonly used in contexts such as performances, speeches, or ceremonies. For example: let's give a round of applause「拍手をお願いします」(はくしゅをおねがいします). The audience clapped loudly「観客は大きな拍手を送りました」(かんきゃくはおおきなはくしゅをおくりました). It's important to note that '拍手' can also be used metaphorically to express approval or encouragement in a broader sense.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1446

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Peel off

Reading

Example Word

剥く: peel. The Japanese verb '剥く (むく)' means 'to peel'. It is commonly used when referring to removing the outer layer or skin of something, such as fruits, vegetables, or even objects. For example: I peeled the apple「リンゴを剥いた」(りんごをむいた). He peeled the potato「彼はジャガイモを剥いた」(かれはじゃがいもをむいた). This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe stripping away layers of something abstract, such as emotions or concepts. However, the primary and most common usage is in the context of physically peeling something.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1548

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hegemony, Supremacy

Reading

Parts

覀 䩗

Radical

西

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2019

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ship

Reading

Parts

舟Boat 白White

Radical

舟

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2056

Handwriting