Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Soldier

Reading

Parts

丘Hill 八Eight

Example Word

兵器: weapon. The Japanese noun '兵器 (へいき)' refers to 'weapon' or 'armament'. It is commonly used to describe tools or devices designed for combat or warfare, such as guns, missiles, or tanks. This term can also be used in a broader sense to include any equipment or technology used in military contexts. For example: The country developed new weapons「その国は新しい兵器を開発した」(そのくにはあたらしいへいきをかいはつした). Modern weapons are highly advanced「現代の兵器は非常に進んでいる」(げんだいのへいきはひじょうにすすんでいる). The word can also appear in compound terms like '核兵器 (かくへいき)' (nuclear weapons) or '生物兵器 (せいぶつへいき)' (biological weapons).

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

218

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Surface, Express

Reading

Parts

𧘇Garment (衣)龶Life (生)

Example Word

裏表: both sides. The Japanese noun '裏表 (うらおもて)' refers to 'both sides' of something, such as a piece of paper, fabric, or even a situation. It can also imply the duality or contrast between two sides, such as the front and back or the surface and hidden aspects. For example: This paper has writing on both sides「この紙は裏表に字が書いてある」(このかみはうらおもてにじがかいてある). He has no ulterior motives, he is straightforward「彼には裏表がない」(かれにはうらおもてがない). The word can also metaphorically describe someone's honesty or lack of hidden intentions.

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

251

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Evaluate

Reading

Parts

言Say 平Flat

Example Word

批評: review or criticism. The Japanese verbal noun '批評 (ひひょう)' can mean both 'criticism' and 'review'. It refers to the act of evaluating or analyzing something, often in a formal or detailed manner. This word is commonly used in contexts such as literary criticism, art reviews, or critiques of performances. For example: His criticism was harsh「彼の批評は厳しかった」(かれのひひょうはきびしかった). I read a review of the movie「その映画の批評を読んだ」(そのえいがのひひょうをよんだ). Note that while 'criticism' can sometimes carry a negative connotation, '批評' is generally neutral and focuses on analysis rather than judgment.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

614

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ice

Reading

Parts

水Water 丶Dot

Example Word

氷: ice. The Japanese noun '氷 (こおり)' means 'ice'. This word refers to the solid form of water, typically found in cold environments or created artificially. It is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as describing ice cubes, icy surfaces, or frozen conditions. For example: The lake is covered with ice「湖は氷で覆われている」(みずうみはこおりでおおわれている). Please put some ice in the drink「飲み物に氷を入れてください」(のみものにこおりをいれてください). The word can also appear in compound nouns, such as '氷水 (こおりみず)' meaning 'ice water'.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1096

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Signpost, Mark

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 票Vote, Ballot

Example Word

指標: indicator. The Japanese noun '指標 (しひょう)' means 'indicator'. It refers to a sign, measure, or index that shows the state or level of something. This word is often used in contexts such as economics, science, and statistics to describe data points or metrics that provide insight into trends or conditions. For example: The economic indicators are improving「経済指標が改善している」(けいざいしひょうがかいぜんしている). This chart shows key performance indicators「このチャートは主要な業績指標を示している」(このチャートはしゅようなぎょうせきしひょうをしめしている).

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1188

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Clap, Beat

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)白White

Example Word

拍子: beat. The Japanese noun '拍子 (ひょうし)' primarily refers to the 'beat' or 'rhythm' in music, but it can also denote the timing or moment of an event. It is often used in contexts related to music, dance, or even the timing of actions. For example: keep the beat「拍子を取る」(ひょうしをとる). At that moment「その拍子に」(そのひょうしに). The word can also imply a sudden or coincidental occurrence, as in 'in the heat of the moment'.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1446

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mochi rice cake

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)并

Example Word

餅: rice cake. The Japanese noun '餅 (もち)' refers to a traditional Japanese food made from glutinous rice that has been pounded into a sticky, elastic mass. It is often shaped into round or rectangular forms and can be eaten in various ways, such as grilled, boiled, or as part of soups and desserts. '餅' is particularly associated with Japanese New Year celebrations, where it is used in dishes like 'お雑煮 (おぞうに)' (ozōni), a soup containing mochi. Example sentences include: I ate a rice cake「餅を食べた」(もちをたべた). Rice cakes are sticky「餅は粘り気がある」(もちはねばりけがある).

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1530

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Drift

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)票Vote, Ballot

Example Word

漂う: drift. The Japanese verb '漂う (ただよう)' means 'to drift' or 'to float'. It is often used to describe something that moves gently through the air or water, such as a scent, a cloud, or a boat. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a feeling or atmosphere that is present but not clearly defined. For example: the scent of flowers drifts in the air「花の香りが漂う」(はなのかおりがただよう). A mysterious atmosphere drifts in the room「不思議な雰囲気が漂う」(ふしぎなふんいきがただよう). The boat drifts on the calm sea「船が静かな海に漂う」(ふねがしずかなうみにただよう).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1533

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sack

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)表Surface, Express

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1828

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Vote, Ballot

Reading

Parts

覀 示Show, Indicate

Example Word

投票: voting. The Japanese verbal noun '投票 (とうひょう)' means 'voting'. It refers to the act of casting a vote, typically in an election or decision-making process. This word is commonly used in contexts related to elections, referendums, or any situation where a formal decision is made through votes. For example: I will participate in the voting「私は投票に参加します」(わたしはとうひょうにさんかします). The voting results were announced「投票結果が発表された」(とうひょうけっかがはっぴょうされた). It is important to note that '投票' is often used in formal or official contexts and is a key term in discussions about democracy and governance.

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2054

Handwriting