kanji

Meaning

Heaven

Reading

Parts

一One 大Big

Example Word

天の川: Milky Way. The Japanese noun '天の川 (あまのがわ)' refers to the 'Milky Way', the galaxy that contains our solar system. In Japanese culture, it is often associated with the Tanabata festival, where the story of two star-crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, is celebrated. The Milky Way is seen as a river that separates the lovers, who are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. Example sentences: The Milky Way is beautiful tonight「今夜の天の川は美しい」(こんやのあまのがわはうつくしい). According to legend, the Milky Way separates the lovers「伝説によると、天の川が恋人たちを隔てている」(でんせつによると、あまのがわがこいびとたちをへだてている).

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

136

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Point

Reading

Parts

灬Fire (火)占Fortune telling

Example Word

満点: perfect score. The Japanese noun '満点 (まんてん)' means 'perfect score.' It is used to describe achieving the highest possible mark or rating, often in tests, exams, or assessments. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is considered perfect or flawless. For example: She got a perfect score on the test 「彼女はテストで満点を取った」 (かのじょはテストでまんてんをとった). This dish is perfect 「この料理は満点だ」 (このりょうりはまんてんだ). The word can also be used to describe a feeling of complete satisfaction, as in the phrase '満点の笑顔 (まんてんのえがお),' which means 'a beaming, perfect smile.'

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

332

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shop

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 占Fortune telling

Example Word

支店: branch. The Japanese noun '支店 (してん)' refers to a 'branch' of a company, store, or organization. It is commonly used to describe a secondary location or office that operates under the main headquarters. For example: The bank has a branch in Osaka「銀行は大阪に支店があります」(ぎんこうはおおさかにしてんがあります). I work at the Tokyo branch「私は東京の支店で働いています」(わたしはとうきょうのしてんではたらいています). This term is often used in business contexts to specify locations of offices, stores, or institutions.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

406

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Palace, Formal honorific title

Reading

Parts

尸Corpse 共Together 殳Pike

Example Word

殿: lord. The Japanese suffix '殿 (との)' is a formal and respectful title used to address or refer to someone of high status, such as a lord, master, or superior. It is often used in historical contexts or in formal writing, such as letters or official documents. For example: addressing a lord「殿、お願いがあります」(との、おねがいがあります). In modern usage, it is less common but can still be found in certain formal or ceremonial contexts. It is important to note that this suffix conveys a high level of respect and should be used appropriately.

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

474

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Revolve

Reading

Parts

車Car 云Say

Example Word

転勤: transfer. The Japanese verbal noun '転勤 (てんきん)' refers to a job transfer, typically involving relocation to a different workplace or branch within the same company. It is commonly used in professional contexts to describe an employee being reassigned to a new location. For example: I was transferred to the Osaka branch「大阪支店に転勤しました」(おおさかしてんにてんきんしました). His transfer was sudden「彼の転勤は突然でした」(かれのてんきんはとつぜんでした). This term is often associated with corporate culture in Japan, where employees may be required to move frequently for work.

Radical

車

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

625

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Unfold, Expand

Reading

Parts

尸Corpse 龷Twenty (廿)

Example Word

展開: development. The Japanese verbal noun '展開 (てんかい)' primarily means 'development' or 'unfolding'. It is used to describe the progression or evolution of events, situations, or ideas. This word is often used in contexts such as storylines, plans, or discussions. For example: The story's development was unexpected「物語の展開は予想外だった」(ものがみのてんかいはよそうがいだった). The plan's development is proceeding smoothly「計画の展開は順調に進んでいる」(けいかくのてんかいはじゅんちょうにすすんでいる). It can also refer to the deployment or spreading out of something, such as troops or resources, though this usage is less common in everyday conversation.

Radical

尸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

976

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Add to, Annexed

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)忝

Example Word

添付: attachment. The Japanese noun '添付 (てんぷ)' means 'attachment'. It is commonly used in contexts such as emails or documents, where files or additional materials are attached. For example: please check the attached file「添付ファイルを確認してください」(てんぷファイルをかくにんしてください). I will send the document with the attachment「書類を添付して送ります」(しょるいをてんぷしておくります). This word is often used in professional or formal settings to refer to supplementary materials included with a main document or message.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1076

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Code, Rule

Reading

Parts

八Eight

Example Word

百科事典: encyclopedia. The Japanese noun '百科事典 (ひゃっかじてん)' means 'encyclopedia'. It refers to a comprehensive written compendium that provides information on a wide range of subjects or branches of knowledge. This term is often used in academic or educational contexts. For example: I bought a new encyclopedia「新しい百科事典を買いました」(あたらしいひゃっかじてんをかいました). The encyclopedia is very useful for research「百科事典は研究にとても役立ちます」(ひゃっかじてんはけんきゅうにとてもやくたちます). The word is a compound of '百科 (ひゃっか)', meaning 'various subjects', and '事典 (じてん)', meaning 'reference book'.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1237

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fill in

Reading

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2116

Handwriting