Page 1
kanji
色Meaning
Color
Reading
kunyomiいろiro
onyomiしょくshoku
しきshiki
Parts
勹Wrap 巴Swirling water
Example Word
色んな: various. The Japanese determiner '色んな (いろんな)' is a colloquial form of '色々な (いろいろな)', meaning 'various' or 'all sorts of'. It is used to describe a wide range of things or situations, often implying diversity or variety. This word is commonly used in casual conversations. For example: I have various books「色んな本を持っている」(いろんなほんをもっている). She has various hobbies「彼女は色んな趣味がある」(かのじょはいろんなしゅみがある). Note that '色んな' is less formal than '色々な' and is typically used in spoken language.
Radical
色
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
126
Handwriting
kanji
食Meaning
Eat, Food
Reading
kunyomiたta
くku
onyomiじきjiki
しょくshoku
Parts
人Person 良Good
Example Word
外食: eating out. The Japanese verbal noun '外食 (がいしょく)' refers to the act of eating out or dining outside the home, typically at restaurants, cafes, or other food establishments. It is commonly used to describe the practice of consuming meals prepared by others rather than cooking at home. For example: I often eat out「私はよく外食します」(わたしはよくがいしょくします). Eating out is convenient「外食は便利です」(がいしょくはべんりです). This term is often used in contexts discussing lifestyle, convenience, or dietary habits.
Radical
食
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
153
Radical Form
飠
Handwriting
kanji
職Meaning
Employment
Reading
onyomiしょくshoku
Parts
耳Ear 戠
Example Word
職務: duties. The Japanese noun '職務 (しょくむ)' refers to the duties or responsibilities associated with a particular job or position. It is often used in formal or professional contexts to describe the tasks one is expected to perform as part of their role. For example: He is focused on his duties「彼は職務に集中している」(かれはしょくむにしゅうちゅうしている). The manager explained the duties of the new position「マネージャーは新しいポジションの職務を説明した」(マネージャーはあたらしいポジションのしょくむをせつめいした). This term emphasizes the formal and obligatory nature of the tasks involved.
Radical
耳
Stroke Count
18JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
671
Handwriting
kanji
織Meaning
Weave
Reading
kunyomiおo
onyomiしょくshoku
しきshiki
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
18JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
766
Handwriting
kanji
触Meaning
Touch, Contact
Reading
kunyomiふfu
さわsawa
onyomiしょくshoku
Parts
角Corner, Angle 虫Insect
Example Word
接触: contact. The Japanese noun '接触 (せっしょく)' means 'contact'. This word is used to describe physical touch or interaction between two entities. It can also refer to communication or connection between people or groups. For example: avoid physical contact「物理的な接触を避ける」(ぶつりてきなせっしょくをさける). The two groups had no contact「二つのグループは接触がなかった」(ふたつのグループはせっしょくがなかった). In medical contexts, it can refer to exposure to a pathogen, as in 'contact with an infected person'「感染者との接触」(かんせんしゃとのせっしょく).
Radical
角
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
882
Handwriting
kanji
植Meaning
Plant
Reading
kunyomiうu
onyomiしょくshoku
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
12JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
885
Handwriting
kanji
飾Meaning
Decorate
Reading
kunyomiかざkaza
onyomiしょくshoku
Parts
飠Eat (食)人Person 巾Towel
Example Word
装飾: decoration. The Japanese noun '装飾 (そうしょく)' means 'decoration'. It refers to the act of decorating or embellishing something, or the decorative elements themselves. This word is often used in contexts related to art, design, fashion, and interior decoration. For example: The room was full of beautiful decorations「その部屋は美しい装飾でいっぱいだった」(そのへやはうつくしいそうしょくでいっぱいだった). She specializes in floral decoration「彼女は花の装飾を専門にしている」(かのじょははなのそうしょくをせんもんにしている). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is ornamental or non-essential, such as 'decorative language' (装飾的な言葉, そうしょくてきなことば).
Radical
食
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1040
Handwriting
kanji
拭Meaning
Wipe
Reading
kunyomiふfu
ぬぐnugu
onyomiしょくshoku
しきshiki
Parts
扌Hand (手)式Style, Ceremony
Example Word
拭く: wipe. The Japanese verb '拭く (ふく)' means 'to wipe'. It is commonly used when cleaning or drying surfaces by removing dirt, dust, or moisture. For example: I wiped the table「テーブルを拭いた」(テーブルをふいた). She wiped her tears「彼女は涙を拭いた」(かのじょはなみだをふいた). This verb can also be used metaphorically, such as wiping away worries or problems. It is important to note that '拭く' is often used with objects like cloths or tissues, as in '布で拭く (ぬのでふく) (wipe with a cloth)'.
Radical
手
Stroke Count
9JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1156
Handwriting
kanji
殖Meaning
Multiply
Reading
kunyomiふfu
onyomiしょくshoku
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
12JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1695
Handwriting