kanji

Meaning

Heaven

Reading

Parts

一One 大Big

Example Word

天井: ceiling. The Japanese noun '天井 (てんじょう)' refers to the ceiling of a room or structure. It is commonly used to describe the upper interior surface of a space. For example: the ceiling is high「天井が高い」(てんじょうがたかい). The light is attached to the ceiling「照明が天井に取り付けられている」(しょうめいがてんじょうにとりつけられている). In some contexts, it can also metaphorically represent a limit or boundary, such as in financial or performance terms, though this usage is less common.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

136

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Point

Reading

Parts

灬Fire (火)占Fortune telling

Example Word

要点: main point. The Japanese noun '要点 (ようてん)' means 'main point' or 'key point.' It refers to the essential or central idea of something, such as a speech, document, or discussion. This word is often used when summarizing or highlighting the most important parts of a complex subject. For example: Please explain the main points of the report 「レポートの要点を説明してください」 (レポートのようてんをせつめいしてください). He captured the key points of the lecture 「彼は講義の要点を把握した」 (かれはこうぎのようてんをはあくした). '要点' is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

332

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shop

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 占Fortune telling

Example Word

閉店: closing. The Japanese verbal noun '閉店 (へいてん)' refers to the act of closing a store or business for the day. It is commonly used in contexts related to retail, restaurants, or any establishment that operates on a daily schedule. For example: The store is closing now「店はもう閉店です」(みせはもうへいてんです). What time does the shop close?「お店は何時に閉店しますか？」(おみせはなんじにへいてんしますか？). It can also be used to indicate permanent closure, as in 'The shop closed permanently last month'「その店は先月閉店しました」(そのみせはせんげつへいてんしました). Note that '閉店' is often paired with '開店 (かいてん)', which means 'opening'.

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

転職: job change. The Japanese noun '転職 (てんしょく)' refers to the act of changing one's job or career. It is commonly used when someone leaves their current job to start a new one, often in a different company or field. This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: I am thinking about changing jobs「転職を考えています」(てんしょくをかんがえています). He successfully changed jobs last year「彼は去年転職に成功しました」(かれはきょねんてんしょくにせいこうしました). The word is often associated with career development or seeking better opportunities.

Radical

車

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

625

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Unfold, Expand

Reading

Parts

尸Corpse 龷Twenty (廿)

Example Word

進展: progress. The Japanese noun '進展 (しんてん)' means 'progress' or 'advancement'. It is used to describe the development or forward movement of a situation, project, or event. This word is often used in formal or professional contexts, such as business, research, or negotiations. For example: The project is making progress「プロジェクトは進展している」(ぷろじぇくとはしんてんしている). There has been significant progress in the negotiations「交渉に大きな進展があった」(こうしょうにおおきなしんてんがあった). Note that '進展' emphasizes measurable or noticeable progress, rather than gradual or subtle changes.

Radical

尸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

976

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Add to, Annexed

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)忝

Example Word

添える: add. The Japanese verb '添える (そえる)' means 'to add' or 'to accompany'. It is often used to describe adding something extra to complement or enhance the main item, such as adding a garnish to a dish or including a note with a gift. For example: I added a note to the gift「プレゼントにメモを添えた」(ぷれぜんとにめもをそえた). The chef added parsley to the dish「シェフは料理にパセリを添えた」(しぇふはりょうりにぱせりをそえた). This verb can also imply providing something supplementary or supportive, as in adding an explanation to a document.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1076

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Code, Rule

Reading

Parts

八Eight

Example Word

典型的: typical. The Japanese adjective '典型的 (てんけいてき)' means 'typical'. It is used to describe something that is representative of a particular type, group, or category. This word often carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation, implying that something is predictable or lacks uniqueness. For example: That's a typical Japanese dish「それは典型的な日本料理です」(それはてんけいてきなにほんりょうりです). His reaction was typical of him「彼の反応は典型的だった」(かれのはんのうはてんけいてきだった). The adjective is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe behaviors, characteristics, or events that are considered standard or expected.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1237

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fill in

Reading

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2116

Handwriting