Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Protect, Defense

Reading

Parts

行Go 韋

Example Word

衛星: satellite. The Japanese noun '衛星 (えいせい)' means 'satellite'. This term is used to refer to both natural satellites, such as the moon, and artificial satellites launched into space for communication, observation, or scientific purposes. For example: The moon is Earth's natural satellite「月は地球の衛星です」(つきはちきゅうのえいせいです). Japan launched a new satellite「日本は新しい衛星を打ち上げた」(にほんはあたらしいえいせいをうちあげた). The word is commonly used in scientific, technological, and astronomical contexts.

Radical

行

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

312

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shadow

Reading

Parts

景Scene 彡Fur

Example Word

影: shadow or silhouette. The Japanese noun '影 (かげ)' primarily means 'shadow', referring to the dark area or shape produced by an object blocking light. It can also mean 'silhouette', which is the dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background. This word is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. For example: the shadow of a tree「木の影」(きのかげ). Her silhouette was visible in the moonlight「月明かりに彼女の影が見えた」(つきあかりにかのじょのかげがみえた). In literature and poetry, '影' can also symbolize something fleeting or intangible, such as memories or emotions.

Radical

彡

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

386

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eternity

Reading

Parts

水Water 丶Dot

Example Word

永遠: eternity. The Japanese adjectival noun '永遠 (えいえん)' means 'eternity' or 'perpetual'. It is used to describe something that lasts forever, without end. This word is often used in poetic or philosophical contexts to express timelessness or unending continuity. For example: Their love is eternal「彼らの愛は永遠だ」(かれらのあいはえいえんだ). The beauty of nature is eternal「自然の美しさは永遠だ」(しぜんのうつくしさはえいえんだ). It can also be used to describe abstract concepts like time, life, or emotions that are perceived as infinite.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

664

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

England, Distinguished

Reading

Parts

央Center 艹Grass

Example Word

英国: Britain. The Japanese proper noun '英国 (えいこく)' refers to 'Britain' or 'the United Kingdom'. It is a formal term often used in written or official contexts. For example: I went to Britain last year「去年英国に行きました」(きょねんえいこくにいきました). Britain is famous for its history「英国は歴史で有名です」(えいこくはれきしでゆうめいです). The term is derived from the kanji 英 (えい), meaning 'England' or 'British', and 国 (こく), meaning 'country'. It is important to note that this term is more formal than 'イギリス', which is the more commonly used term in everyday conversation.

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

756

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reflect

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 央Center

Example Word

反映: influence or reflection. The Japanese verbal noun '反映 (はんえい)' has two distinct meanings. The first is 'reflection', which refers to the literal or figurative representation of something, such as light or ideas. For example: The lake reflects the mountains「湖が山を反映している」(みずうみがやまをはんえいしている). The second meaning is 'influence', where something affects or shapes another thing. For example: The new policy reflects public opinion「新しい政策は世論を反映している」(あたらしいせいさくはよろんをはんえいしている). This word is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as in discussions about art, science, or politics.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

793

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Prosper, Flourish

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood ⺍Small 冖Crown

Example Word

栄養: nutrition. The Japanese noun '栄養 (えいよう)' means 'nutrition'. It refers to the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth. This word is commonly used in contexts related to health, diet, and biology. For example: good nutrition is important for health「良い栄養は健康に重要です」(よいえいようはけんこうにじゅうようです). This food is rich in nutrition「この食べ物は栄養が豊富です」(このたべものはえいようがほうふです). The word can also be used in compound words like '栄養素 (えいようそ)' which means 'nutrient'.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

841

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sharp

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)兑

Example Word

鋭い: sharp. The Japanese adjective '鋭い (するどい)' primarily means 'sharp'. This can refer to physical sharpness, such as a knife or blade, but it is also commonly used to describe mental sharpness, keen senses, or intense emotions. For example: a sharp knife「鋭いナイフ」(するどいナイフ). He has a sharp mind「彼は鋭い頭脳を持っている」(かれはするどいずのうをもっている). The word can also describe something piercing or intense, like a sharp pain or a sharp gaze. For instance: a sharp pain「鋭い痛み」(するどいいたみ). It is important to note that '鋭い' is often used metaphorically to describe abstract qualities, such as sharp wit or keen observation.

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1190

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Manage

Reading

Parts

呂Bath ⺍Small 冖Crown

Example Word

営業: business. The Japanese verbal noun '営業 (えいぎょう)' primarily means 'business' or 'sales'. It refers to the activities involved in running a business, particularly those related to selling products or services. This term is often used in contexts such as business operations, sales strategies, or customer service. For example: The store is open for business「店は営業中です」(みせはえいぎょうちゅうです). Our company's sales are increasing「うちの会社の営業が伸びています」(うちのかいしゃのえいぎょうがのびています). It's important to note that '営業' can also refer to the act of soliciting or promoting business, as in '営業活動 (えいぎょうかつどう) (sales activities)'.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1243

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Swim

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)永Eternity

Example Word

泳ぐ: swim. The Japanese verb '泳ぐ (およぐ)' means 'to swim'. It is used to describe the action of moving through water by using one's body, typically arms and legs. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as swimming in a pool, ocean, or river. For example: I swim every morning「私は毎朝泳ぎます」(わたしはまいあさおよぎます). The children are swimming in the pool「子供たちはプールで泳いでいます」(こどもたちはプールでおよいでいます). It's important to note that '泳ぐ' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. When specifying the location where someone is swimming, the particle 'で' is used, as in 'プールで泳ぐ (プールでおよぐ) (to swim in the pool)'.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1544

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Recitation, Recite poetry

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)永Eternity

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1715

Handwriting