Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Man

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 力Power

Example Word

男性: male. The Japanese noun '男性 (だんせい)' means 'male'. It refers to the male gender and is commonly used to describe adult men. This term is neutral and can be used in formal and informal contexts. For example: He is a male teacher「彼は男性の先生です」(かれはだんせいのせんせいです). The male population is increasing「男性の人口が増えています」(だんせいのじんこうがふえています). It is often used in contrast to '女性 (じょせい)', which means 'female'. The word can also appear in compound nouns, such as '男性用 (だんせいよう)', meaning 'for men'.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

86

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Step, Stairs

Reading

Parts

殳Pike

Example Word

一段と: more. The Japanese adverb '一段と (いちだんと)' means 'more' or 'even more'. It is used to indicate that something has increased in degree, intensity, or quality compared to before. This adverb is often used to emphasize a noticeable change or improvement. For example: The weather became even colder「一段と寒くなった」(いちだんとさむくなった). Her skills have improved even more「彼女のスキルは一段と向上した」(かのじょのスキルはいちだんとこうじょうした). It is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese to highlight a significant change.

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

387

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Decide, Cut off

Reading

Parts

斤Axe, Catty 米Rice

Example Word

診断: diagnosis. The Japanese verbal noun '診断 (しんだん)' means 'diagnosis'. It refers to the process of identifying a disease, condition, or problem by examining the symptoms or characteristics. This term is commonly used in medical contexts but can also be applied in other fields like technology or business. For example: The doctor made a diagnosis「医師が診断を下した」(いしがしんだんをくだした). We need a system diagnosis「システムの診断が必要です」(システムのしんだんがひつようです).

Radical

斤

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

418

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Discuss

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)炎Flame, Blaze

Example Word

雑談: chat. The Japanese verbal noun '雑談 (ざつだん)' refers to casual conversation or small talk. It is used to describe informal, light-hearted discussions that are not focused on any specific topic. This word is often used in social settings, such as during breaks at work or when catching up with friends. For example: Let's have a chat「雑談しましょう」(ざつだんしましょう). We had a nice chat yesterday「昨日はいい雑談をしました」(きのうはいいざつだんをしました). The term emphasizes the relaxed and unstructured nature of the conversation, contrasting with more formal or serious discussions.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

475

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Group, Association

Reading

Parts

囗Box 寸Measurement

Example Word

団体: group. The Japanese noun '団体 (だんたい)' refers to a 'group' or 'organization', typically a formal or organized one. It is often used to describe entities such as corporations, associations, or clubs. For example: a sports organization「スポーツ団体」(スポーツだんたい). The group held a meeting「その団体は会議を開いた」(そのだんたいはかいぎをひらいた). This word emphasizes the collective nature of the group, often implying a structured or official entity.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

598

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dawn

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 一One

Example Word

一旦: once. The Japanese adverb '一旦 (いったん)' means 'once' or 'for the time being'. It is used to indicate a temporary pause, interruption, or a point in time when something is done or considered before proceeding further. It often implies that after this action or state, there will be a change or continuation. For example: Let's stop here once「一旦ここで止めましょう」(いったんここでとめましょう). Once I finish this, I'll take a break「一旦これを終えたら休憩します」(いったんこれをおえたらきゅうけいします). This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to suggest a temporary halt or reconsideration.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

763

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bullet, Projectile

Reading

Parts

弓Bow 単Simple, Single

Example Word

弾む: bounce or be lively. The Japanese verb '弾む (はずむ)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to bounce', referring to the physical action of something springing back after hitting a surface. For example: The ball bounced high「ボールが高く弾んだ」(ボールがたかくはずんだ). The second meaning is 'to be lively' or 'to be in high spirits', often used to describe a cheerful or energetic mood. For example: Her voice was lively「彼女の声が弾んでいた」(かのじょのこえがはずんでいた). This verb can also imply a sense of excitement or enthusiasm, as in: The conversation was lively「会話が弾んでいた」(かいわがはずんでいた). Note that the context usually clarifies which meaning is intended.

Radical

弓

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

981

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Platform, Podium

Reading

Parts

土Soil 亶

Radical

土

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1186

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Warm

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 爰

Example Word

暖か: warm. The Japanese adjective '暖か (あたたか)' means 'warm'. It is used to describe a pleasant, moderate level of heat, often in relation to weather, temperature, or atmosphere. It can also describe a warm feeling or emotion. For example: The weather is warm today「今日は暖かいです」(きょうはあたたかいです). She has a warm heart「彼女は暖かい心を持っています」(かのじょはあたたかいこころをもっています). Note that '暖か' is often used in its adjectival form '暖かい (あたたかい)' when modifying nouns or at the end of sentences.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1278

Handwriting