kanji

Meaning

Man

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 力Power

Example Word

男の子: boy. The Japanese noun '男の子 (おとこのこ)' means 'boy'. It is used to refer to a male child or young male. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation and is neutral in tone. For example: That boy is running「あの男の子は走っている」(あのおとこのこははしっている). I saw a boy at the park「公園で男の子を見た」(こうえんでおとこのこをみた). The term can also be used to describe a young male in general, such as in the phrase '男の子の友達 (おとこのこのともだち)' which means 'a boy friend'.

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

判断: judgment. The Japanese verbal noun '判断 (はんだん)' means 'judgment' or 'decision'. It refers to the act of making a decision or forming an opinion after careful consideration. This word is often used in contexts where someone evaluates a situation or information to reach a conclusion. For example: I made a quick judgment「私はすぐに判断した」(わたしはすぐにはんだんした). His judgment was correct「彼の判断は正しかった」(かれのはんだんはただしかった). It can also be used in professional or formal settings, such as in legal or medical contexts, to describe the process of making a critical decision.

Radical

斤

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

418

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Discuss

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)炎Flame, Blaze

Example Word

相談: discussion or consultation. The Japanese verbal noun '相談 (そうだん)' refers to the act of seeking advice, discussing a matter, or consulting with someone. It is commonly used when someone wants to share their concerns or problems and seek guidance or opinions from others. For example: I consulted with my teacher about my future「先生に将来の相談をした」(せんせいにしょうらいのそうだんをした). Let's discuss this matter「この件について相談しましょう」(このけんについてそうだんしましょう). The word can also imply a collaborative effort to resolve an issue or make a decision, often involving mutual understanding and support.

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

旦那: husband. The Japanese noun '旦那 (だんな)' primarily means 'husband'. It is a somewhat formal or traditional term used to refer to one's husband, often implying respect or a certain level of formality. It can also be used to address or refer to a master or boss, particularly in historical or service contexts. For example: my husband is kind「私の旦那は優しい」(わたしのだんなはやさしい). The master of the house is strict「旦那様は厳しい」(だんなさまはきびしい). Note that in modern usage, '旦那' is less common in casual speech, with '夫 (おっと)' or '主人 (しゅじん)' being more frequently used to refer to a husband.

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