Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Man

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 力Power

Example Word

男らしい: manly. The Japanese adjective '男らしい (おとこらしい)' means 'manly' or 'masculine'. It is used to describe traits, behaviors, or appearances that are traditionally associated with men, such as strength, courage, or assertiveness. This word carries a positive connotation and is often used to compliment someone. For example: He is very manly「彼はとても男らしい」(かれはとてもおとこらしい). It's manly to take responsibility「責任を取るのは男らしい」(せきにんをとるのはおとこらしい). Note that this word reflects cultural expectations of masculinity and may not always align with modern perspectives on gender roles.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

86

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Step, Stairs

Reading

Parts

殳Pike

Example Word

段: step. The Japanese noun '段 (だん)' primarily means 'step' or 'stair'. It refers to a single level in a staircase or a stage in a process. This word is commonly used in contexts involving physical steps or metaphorical stages. For example: Please be careful on the steps「段に気をつけてください」(だんにきをつけてください). We are now at the final stage of the project「プロジェクトの最終段階です」(プロジェクトのさいしゅうだんかいです). Additionally, '段' can also refer to a rank or level in a hierarchy, though this usage is less common. For example: He has reached a high rank in the company「彼は会社で高い段に達しました」(かれはかいしゃでたかいだんにたっしました).

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

387

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Decide, Cut off

Reading

Parts

斤Axe, Catty 米Rice

Example Word

断定: conclusion. The Japanese verbal noun '断定 (だんてい)' means 'conclusion' or 'definite decision'. It is used to express a firm or definitive judgment about something. This word often appears in formal or logical contexts, such as in discussions, debates, or written analyses. For example: He reached a conclusion「彼は断定した」(かれはだんていした). The evidence led to a definite conclusion「その証拠は断定を導いた」(そのしょうこはだんていをみちびいた). Note that '断定' is often used with verbs like 'する' to form the phrase '断定する', meaning 'to conclude' or 'to assert definitively'.

Radical

斤

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

418

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Discuss

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)炎Flame, Blaze

Example Word

冗談: joke. The Japanese noun '冗談 (じょうだん)' means 'joke'. It refers to something said or done to provoke laughter or amusement, often in a playful or lighthearted manner. This word is commonly used in casual conversations and can be part of phrases like '冗談を言う (じょうだんをいう)', which means 'to tell a joke'. For example: That was just a joke「それはただの冗談だった」(それはただのじょうだんだった). Don't take it seriously, it's a joke「真剣に受け取らないで、冗談だよ」(しんけんにうけとらないで、じょうだんだよ). The word can also imply teasing or sarcasm depending on the context.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

475

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Group, Association

Reading

Parts

囗Box 寸Measurement

Example Word

団地: complex or housing. The Japanese noun '団地 (だんち)' refers to a housing complex or residential area, typically consisting of multiple apartment buildings or houses built together. These complexes are often developed by public or private entities and are common in urban and suburban areas. For example: I live in a housing complex「私は団地に住んでいます」(わたしはだんちにすんでいます). The housing complex has a park「その団地には公園があります」(そのだんちにはこうえんがあります). The term can also imply a sense of community or shared facilities within the complex.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

598

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dawn

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 一One

Example Word

元旦: new years day. The Japanese noun '元旦 (がんたん)' specifically refers to the morning or the first day of the New Year, January 1st. It is a term that carries a sense of renewal and celebration, often associated with the first sunrise of the year, which is considered auspicious. Example sentences include: We visited the shrine on New Year's Day「私たちは元旦に神社を訪れました」(わたしたちはがんたんにじんじゃをおとずれました). The first sunrise of the year on New Year's Day is beautiful「元旦の初日の出は美しい」(がんたんのはつひのではうつくしい).

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

763

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bullet, Projectile

Reading

Parts

弓Bow 単Simple, Single

Example Word

弾く: pluck or repel. The Japanese verb '弾く (はじく)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'to pluck', as in plucking the strings of a musical instrument. For example: he plucks the guitar「彼はギターを弾く」(かれはギターをはじく). The second meaning is 'to repel' or 'to flick away', often used to describe repelling water or flicking something off a surface. For example: the umbrella repels water「傘が水を弾く」(かさがみずをはじく). These two meanings are unrelated and depend on the context in which the verb is used.

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

暖房: heating. The Japanese verbal noun '暖房 (だんぼう)' refers to 'heating' or a 'heating system'. It is commonly used to describe the act of heating a space or the equipment used to provide warmth, such as heaters or central heating systems. This term is often used in contexts related to home appliances, buildings, or climate control. For example: The heating is on「暖房がついている」(だんぼうがついている). Please turn on the heating「暖房をつけてください」(だんぼうをつけてください). It is important to note that '暖房' specifically refers to heating and is distinct from '冷房 (れいぼう)', which means 'cooling' or 'air conditioning'.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1278

Handwriting