kanji

Meaning

Soldier

Reading

Parts

丘Hill 八Eight

Example Word

兵: soldier. The Japanese noun '兵 (へい)' primarily means 'soldier'. It refers to a person who serves in an army or military force. This term is often used in formal or historical contexts. For example: The soldier fought bravely「兵は勇敢に戦った」(へいはゆうかんにたたかった). Many soldiers were injured「多くの兵が負傷した」(おおくのへいがふしょうした). The word can also appear in compound nouns, such as '兵士 (へいし)' which also means 'soldier', but '兵' alone is more concise and often used in literary or formal settings.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

218

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Surface, Express

Reading

Parts

𧘇Garment (衣)龶Life (生)

Example Word

表明: statement. The Japanese noun '表明 (ひょうめい)' means 'statement' or 'declaration'. It refers to the act of clearly expressing one's thoughts, opinions, or intentions, often in a formal or public context. This word is commonly used in political, business, or official settings. For example: The president made a statement「大統領が表明した」(だいとうりょうがひょうめいした). The company issued a declaration of its new policy「会社が新しい方針を表明した」(かいしゃがあたらしいほうしんをひょうめいした). Note that '表明' is often used with verbs like 'する' (to do) or '出す' (to issue) to indicate the act of making a statement.

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

251

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Evaluate

Reading

Parts

言Say 平Flat

Example Word

評論: critique or commentary. The Japanese noun '評論 (ひょうろん)' refers to a critical analysis or commentary on a subject, often used in the context of literature, art, politics, or social issues. It implies a detailed and thoughtful examination, often with an evaluative or analytical perspective. For example: His critique of the novel was insightful「彼の小説の評論は洞察に富んでいた」(かれのしょうせつのひょうろんはどうさつにとんでいた). The professor's commentary on the political situation was widely read「教授の政治状況に関する評論は広く読まれた」(きょうじゅのせいじじょうきょうにかんするひょうろんはひろくよまれた). This word is often used in formal or academic contexts.

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

標準: standard. The Japanese noun '標準 (ひょうじゅん)' means 'standard'. It refers to a level of quality, achievement, or norm that is widely accepted or used as a basis for comparison. This word is commonly used in contexts such as education, manufacturing, and technology to describe benchmarks or criteria. For example: This product meets the industry standard「この製品は業界標準を満たしています」(このせいひんはぎょうかいひょうじゅんをみたしています). The standard for this exam is very high「この試験の標準はとても高いです」(このしけんのひょうじゅんはとてもたかいです). It can also be used in phrases like '標準化 (ひょうじゅんか)' (standardization) or '標準的な (ひょうじゅんてきな)' (standard, typical).

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1188

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Clap, Beat

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)白White

Example Word

拍手: clap. The Japanese verbal noun '拍手 (はくしゅ)' means 'clap' or 'applause'. It refers to the act of clapping one's hands together, often as a form of appreciation, approval, or celebration. This word is commonly used in contexts such as performances, speeches, or ceremonies. For example: let's give a round of applause「拍手をお願いします」(はくしゅをおねがいします). The audience clapped loudly「観客は大きな拍手を送りました」(かんきゃくはおおきなはくしゅをおくりました). It's important to note that '拍手' can also be used metaphorically to express approval or encouragement in a broader sense.

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