字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Reason

Reading

Parts

里Hometown 王King

Example Word

理由: reason. The Japanese noun '理由 (りゆう)' means 'reason'. It refers to the cause, explanation, or justification for something. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to explain why something happened or why someone did something. For example: What is the reason for your absence?「欠席の理由は何ですか？」(けっせきのりゆうはなんですか？). There is no reason to worry「心配する理由はない」(しんぱいするりゆうはない). It can also be used in legal or logical contexts to denote grounds or rationale.

Radical

玉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

88

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Profit, Advantage

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

利益: profit or benefit. The Japanese noun '利益 (りえき)' can mean either 'profit' or 'benefit', depending on the context. When referring to 'profit', it is often used in business or financial contexts to describe monetary gain. For example: The company made a large profit「その会社は大きな利益を得た」(そのかいしゃはおおきなりえきをえた). When referring to 'benefit', it is used to describe an advantage or positive outcome, often in a more general or non-monetary sense. For example: This policy will bring benefits to society「この政策は社会に利益をもたらす」(このせいさくはしゃかいにりえきをもたらす). The word can be used in both formal and informal settings, but it is more commonly encountered in formal or written contexts.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

262

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Detach, Separate

Reading

Parts

隹Bird 离

Example Word

離れる: separate or leave. The Japanese verb '離れる (はなれる)' has two primary meanings: 'to separate' and 'to leave'. It is used to describe physical or emotional separation from someone or something. For example: the train is leaving the station「電車が駅を離れる」(でんしゃがえきをはなれる). She felt separated from her family「彼女は家族から離れた気がした」(かのじょはかぞくからはなれたきがした). The verb can also imply a sense of distance or detachment, such as in 'to drift apart' emotionally. Note that the verb is often used with particles like を or から to indicate what is being separated from.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

401

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Inside, Rear

Reading

Parts

里Hometown 亠Lid

Example Word

裏: reverse or back. The Japanese noun '裏 (うら)' primarily means 'back' or 'reverse'. It refers to the opposite side or hidden aspect of something, whether physical or abstract. For example, it can describe the backside of an object, the reverse side of a situation, or even the hidden truth behind an event. Example sentences: The back of the house is quiet「家の裏は静かです」(いえのうらはしずかです). There is a park on the reverse side of the station「駅の裏には公園があります」(えきのうらにはこうえんがあります). The word can also imply something concealed or not immediately visible, such as in the phrase '裏の意味 (うらのいみ)' meaning 'hidden meaning'.

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

497

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hometown

Reading

Parts

土Soil 田Rice field

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

復Restore 尸Corpse

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

口Mouth 丈Stout, Length

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1675

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pear

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 利Profit, Advantage

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