Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Reason

Reading

Parts

王King 里Hometown

Example Word

生理: menstruation or physiology. The Japanese noun '生理 (せいり)' has two distinct meanings. The first and most common meaning is 'menstruation', referring to the monthly cycle in women. For example: She is on her period「彼女は生理中です」(かのじょはせいりちゅうです). The second meaning is 'physiology', referring to the biological functions and processes of living organisms. For example: The study of human physiology is fascinating「人間の生理の研究は興味深い」(にんげんのせいりのけんきゅうはきょうみぶかい). These two meanings are unrelated and should be understood in their respective contexts.

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

88

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Profit, Advantage

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

勝利: victory. The Japanese noun '勝利 (しょうり)' means 'victory'. It is used to describe the act of winning or achieving success in a competition, battle, or any challenging situation. This word is often used in contexts such as sports, games, or conflicts. For example: The team achieved victory「チームは勝利を収めた」(チームはしょうりをおさめた). Victory is near「勝利は近い」(しょうりはちかい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe overcoming personal struggles or challenges.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

262

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Detach, Separate

Reading

Parts

离 隹Bird

Example Word

離す: separate. The Japanese verb '離す (はなす)' means 'to separate' or 'to detach'. It is used when describing the action of moving something away from another thing, creating distance or disconnection. This verb can be used in both physical and abstract contexts. For example: please separate the papers「紙を離してください」(かみをはなしてください). He detached himself from the group「彼はグループから離した」(かれはグループからはなした). Note that '離す' often implies an intentional action of separation, distinguishing it from similar verbs like '離れる (はなれる)', which means 'to be separated' or 'to leave'.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

401

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Inside, Rear

Reading

Parts

亠Lid 里Hometown

Example Word

裏返す: reverse. The Japanese verb '裏返す (うらがえす)' means 'to reverse' or 'to turn something inside out'. It is used when flipping or turning something over, such as a piece of clothing, a page, or an object. This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe reversing a situation or perspective. For example: I reversed the shirt to see the other side「シャツを裏返した」(しゃつをうらがえした). She reversed her opinion after hearing the facts「彼女は事実を聞いて意見を裏返した」(かのじょはじじつをきいていけんをうらがえした). The teacher flipped the page of the book「先生は本のページを裏返した」(せんせいはほんのページをうらがえした).

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

497

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hometown

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 土Soil

Example Word

里: village. The Japanese noun '里 (さと)' refers to a 'village' or a rural area, often contrasting with urban areas. It carries a sense of nostalgia and simplicity, evoking images of traditional Japanese countryside life. This word is commonly used in literature and poetry to depict idyllic rural settings. For example: I returned to my hometown village「私は里に帰りました」(わたしはさとかえりました). The village is surrounded by mountains「里は山に囲まれている」(さとはやまにかこまれている). Additionally, '里' can sometimes refer to a foster home or a place where someone is raised, as in '里親 (さとおや)' (foster parent).

Radical

里

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

556

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fulfill, Footgear

Reading

Parts

尸Corpse 復Restore

Example Word

履く: wear. The Japanese verb '履く (はく)' specifically means 'to wear' but is used exclusively for items worn on the lower body, such as pants, skirts, or shoes. It is important to note that this verb is not used for clothing items worn on the upper body, like shirts or jackets. For example: I wear shoes「靴を履く」(くつをはく). She wears a skirt「彼女はスカートを履く」(かのじょはスカートをはく). The verb '履く' is commonly used in daily conversations when discussing attire, and it is essential to use it correctly to avoid confusion with other verbs like '着る (きる)', which is used for upper body clothing.

Radical

尸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1537

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Glassy

Reading

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1651

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Officer, Official

Reading

Parts

丈Stout, Length 口Mouth

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1675

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pear

Reading

Parts

利Profit, Advantage 木Tree, Wood

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1837

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Diarrhea, Diarrhoea

Reading

Parts

疒Sick 利Profit, Advantage

Example Word

下痢: diarrhea. The Japanese verbal noun '下痢 (げり)' refers to 'diarrhea', a condition characterized by frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements. It is commonly used in medical or everyday contexts to describe this specific health issue. For example: I have diarrhea「下痢をしています」(げりをしています). He got diarrhea from bad food「彼は悪い食べ物で下痢になった」(かれはわるいたべものでげりになった). This term is straightforward and typically used in both formal and informal settings to describe the condition.

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2082

Handwriting