Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Color

Reading

Parts

勹Wrap 巴Swirling water

Example Word

黄色い: yellow. The Japanese adjective '黄色い (きいろい)' means 'yellow'. It is used to describe something that has the color yellow. This adjective can be applied to objects, natural phenomena, or even abstract concepts that are associated with the color yellow. For example: The flower is yellow「その花は黄色い」(そのはなはきいろい). She is wearing a yellow dress「彼女は黄色いドレスを着ている」(かのじょはきいろいドレスをきている). Note that '黄色い' is specifically used for describing the color yellow and is distinct from the noun form '黄色 (きいろ)', which simply means 'yellow' as a color.

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

職業: occupation. The Japanese noun '職業 (しょくぎょう)' means 'occupation' or 'profession'. It refers to a person's job or the type of work they do to earn a living. This word is commonly used in formal or everyday contexts to discuss careers, employment, or vocational topics. For example: What is your occupation?「あなたの職業は何ですか？」(あなたのしょくぎょうはなんですか？). Teaching is a rewarding occupation「教えることはやりがいのある職業です」(おしえることはやりがいのあるしょくぎょうです). The word can also be used in broader contexts, such as discussing career choices or societal roles.

Radical

耳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

671

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Weave

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 戠

Example Word

織物: textile. The Japanese noun '織物 (おりもの)' refers to 'textile' or 'woven fabric'. It is used to describe any material made by weaving, knitting, or felting fibers together. This term is commonly used in contexts related to clothing, crafts, and traditional Japanese arts. For example: This textile is beautiful「この織物は美しい」(このおりものはうつくしい). She bought a traditional Japanese textile「彼女は伝統的な日本の織物を買った」(かのじょはでんとうてきなにほんのおりものをかった). The word can also refer to the art or process of weaving itself.

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

766

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Touch, Contact

Reading

Parts

角Corner, Angle 虫Insect

Example Word

触る: touch. The Japanese verb '触る (さわる)' means 'to touch'. It is used when referring to physically touching something with your hands or fingers. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as touching objects, surfaces, or even people. For example: please do not touch the painting「絵に触らないでください」(えにさわらないでください). I touched the cat and it was soft「猫に触ったらふわふわだった」(ねこにさわったらふわふわだった). It's important to note that '触る' implies a gentle or casual touch, and it is often used in situations where the act of touching is significant or noteworthy.

Radical

角

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

882

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Plant

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 直Straight, Repair

Example Word

植物: plant. The Japanese noun '植物 (しょくぶつ)' means 'plant'. It refers to living organisms that typically grow in soil, have leaves, and produce their own food through photosynthesis. This word is commonly used in scientific, everyday, and educational contexts. For example: Plants need sunlight to grow「植物は成長するために日光が必要です」(しょくぶつはせいちょうするためににっこうがひつようです). I like studying about plants「私は植物について勉強するのが好きです」(わたしはしょくぶつについてべんきょうするのがすきです). The word can also be used in compound terms, such as '植物園 (しょくぶつえん)' (botanical garden).

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