Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Color

Reading

Parts

勹Wrap 巴Swirling water

Example Word

色: color or appearance. The Japanese noun '色 (いろ)' primarily means 'color'. It refers to the hue or shade of an object, such as red, blue, or green. For example: the color of the sky is blue「空の色は青い」(そらのいろはあおい). Additionally, '色 (いろ)' can also mean 'appearance' or 'look', often used to describe the outward expression or mood of a situation or person. For example: her face showed a troubled look「彼女の顔に困った色が見えた」(かのじょのかおにこまったいろがみえた). This dual meaning makes '色 (いろ)' a versatile word in Japanese, used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Radical

色

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

126

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eat, Food

Reading

Parts

人Person 良Good

Example Word

朝食: breakfast. The Japanese noun '朝食 (ちょうしょく)' means 'breakfast'. It refers to the first meal of the day, typically eaten in the morning. This word is more formal compared to the casual term '朝ごはん (あさごはん)'. It is commonly used in written language, formal settings, or when emphasizing the meal's importance. For example: I eat breakfast every morning「私は毎朝朝食を食べます」(わたしはまいあさちょうしょくをたべます). Breakfast is the most important meal of the day「朝食は一日で最も重要な食事です」(ちょうしょくはいちにちでもっともじゅうようなしょくじです).

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

153

Radical Form

飠

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Employment

Reading

Parts

耳Ear 戠

Example Word

職員: staff. The Japanese noun '職員 (しょくいん)' refers to 'staff' or 'employees' of an organization, institution, or company. It is commonly used to describe people who work in a professional capacity, such as school staff, hospital staff, or office workers. For example: The staff is very helpful「職員はとても親切です」(しょくいんはとてもしんせつです). The hospital staff works hard「病院の職員は一生懸命働いています」(びょういんのしょくいんはいっしょうけんめいはたらいています). This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Radical

耳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

671

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Weave

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 戠

Example Word

組織: organization. The Japanese verbal noun '組織 (そしき)' primarily means 'organization'. It refers to a structured group of people working together towards a common goal, such as a company, institution, or association. It can also refer to the act of organizing or structuring something. For example: The organization is growing「組織が成長している」(そしきがせいちょうしている). He is in charge of organizing the event「彼はイベントの組織を担当している」(かれはイベントのそしきをたんとうしている). Additionally, in a biological context, '組織' can refer to 'tissue', such as in the human body. For example: This tissue is damaged「この組織は損傷している」(このそしきはそんしょうしている).

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

766

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Touch, Contact

Reading

Parts

角Corner, Angle 虫Insect

Example Word

触れる: touch. The Japanese verb '触れる (ふれる)' primarily means 'to touch' or 'to come into contact with'. It can be used both literally and figuratively. In its literal sense, it refers to physical contact, such as touching an object or surface. For example: Please do not touch the painting「絵に触れないでください」(えにふれないでください). In a figurative sense, it can mean to touch upon a topic or subject, as in: The speaker touched on an important issue「スピーカーは重要な問題に触れた」(スピーカーはじゅうようなもんだいにふれた). Additionally, '触れる' can also imply a brief or light touch, often suggesting a delicate or careful interaction. For example: The wind gently touched my face「風が私の顔に優しく触れた」(かぜがわたしのかおにやさしくふれた).

Radical

角

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

882

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Plant

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 直Straight, Repair

Example Word

田植え: rice planting. The Japanese verbal noun '田植え (たうえ)' refers to the act of planting rice seedlings in a paddy field. This term is deeply rooted in Japanese agriculture and culture, as rice has been a staple food in Japan for centuries. The process of '田植え' is typically carried out during the rainy season in early summer. For example: Rice planting is hard work「田植えは大変な仕事です」(たうえはたいへんなしごとです). They started rice planting early in the morning「彼らは朝早く田植えを始めました」(かれらはあさはやくたうえをはじめました). This term is often used in contexts related to farming, rural life, and traditional Japanese practices.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

885

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Decorate

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)人Person 巾Towel

Example Word

飾る: decorate. The Japanese verb '飾る (かざる)' means 'to decorate' or 'to adorn'. It is used when embellishing or beautifying something, such as a room, a cake, or even oneself. This verb can be applied to both physical objects and abstract concepts. For example: She decorated the room with flowers「彼女は部屋を花で飾った」(かのじょはへやをはなでかざった). He adorned himself with jewelry「彼は宝石で身を飾った」(かれはほうせきでみをかざった). The verb can also imply adding something to enhance appearance or value, as in 'to embellish a story'「話を飾る」(はなしをかざる).

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1040

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wipe

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)式Style, Ceremony

Example Word

拭う: wipe. The Japanese verb '拭う (ぬぐう)' means 'to wipe'. It is used to describe the action of removing something (like dirt, tears, or sweat) by wiping with a cloth, hand, or similar object. This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe removing or erasing something intangible, such as suspicion or a bad reputation. For example: she wiped her tears「彼女は涙を拭った」(かのじょはなみだをぬぐった). He wiped the table clean「彼はテーブルをきれいに拭った」(かれはテーブルをきれいにぬぐった). The company tried to wipe away the scandal「会社はスキャンダルを拭い去ろうとした」(かいしゃはスキャンダルをぬぐいさろうとした).

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1156

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Multiply

Reading

Parts

歹Bad 直Straight, Repair

Example Word

増殖: proliferation. The Japanese noun '増殖 (ぞうしょく)' refers to the process of rapid increase or multiplication, often used in biological contexts to describe cell growth or reproduction. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the spread or expansion of ideas, technologies, or other phenomena. For example: The proliferation of bacteria is concerning「細菌の増殖が心配だ」(さいきんのぞうしょくがしんぱいだ). The rapid proliferation of smartphones has changed society「スマートフォンの急速な増殖が社会を変えた」(スマートフォンのきゅうそくなぞうしょくがしゃかいをかえた).

Radical

歹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1695

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Request, Entrust

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 属Belong

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2105

Handwriting