Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Country

Reading

Parts

玉Ball, Jewel 口Mouth

Example Word

国旗: flag or national flag. The Japanese noun '国旗 (こっき)' refers to a 'flag' or specifically a 'national flag'. It is used to denote the official flag of a country, symbolizing its identity and sovereignty. For example: The national flag of Japan is beautiful「日本の国旗は美しい」(にほんのこっきはうつくしい). I saw many national flags at the event「イベントでたくさんの国旗を見た」(イベントでたくさんのこっきをみた). The word is commonly used in contexts related to national identity, international events, and ceremonies.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

97

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Black

Reading

Parts

灬Fire (火)里Hometown

Example Word

黒: black. The Japanese noun '黒 (くろ)' means 'black'. It refers to the color black and is commonly used to describe objects, clothing, or anything that is black in color. For example: the cat is black「その猫は黒です」(そのねこはくろです). I like black clothes「私は黒い服が好きです」(わたしはくろいふくがすきです). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something as being 'dark' or 'sinister' in a figurative sense, such as in '黒い噂 (くろいうわさ)' (dark rumors).

Radical

黑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

276

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Valley

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 人Person ハKatakana ha

Example Word

谷: valley. The Japanese noun '谷 (たに)' means 'valley'. It refers to a low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river or stream running through it. This word is commonly used in geographical contexts or to describe natural landscapes. For example: The valley is beautiful「谷は美しい」(たにはうつくしい). We hiked through the valley「私たちは谷をハイキングした」(わたしたちはたにをハイキングした). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a low point or dip in something, such as in '声の谷 (こえのたに)' (a dip in one's voice).

Radical

谷

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

427

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Engrave

Reading

Parts

亥 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

時刻: time. The Japanese noun '時刻 (じこく)' refers to a specific point in time or the exact time of an event. It is often used in formal contexts or when precision regarding time is necessary. For example: What time is it now?「今の時刻は何時ですか？」(いまのじこくはなんじですか？). The train departs at 8:00 sharp「電車は8時ちょうどに発車します」(でんしゃは8じちょうどにはっしゃします). This word is commonly seen in schedules, announcements, and formal settings where exact timing is important.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

503

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Announce

Reading

Parts

⺧Cow 口Mouth

Example Word

申告: report or declaration. The Japanese noun '申告 (しんこく)' refers to the act of reporting or declaring something, often in an official or formal context. It is commonly used in situations such as tax reporting, customs declarations, or notifying authorities about specific information. For example: I filed a tax report「税金の申告をしました」(ぜいきんのしんこくをしました). Please declare any prohibited items「禁止されている物を申告してください」(きんしされているものをしんこくしてください). The word carries a formal tone and is typically used in legal, financial, or bureaucratic settings.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

564

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cruel, Severe

Reading

Parts

酉Bird of the zodiac 告Announce

Example Word

酷い: terrible. The Japanese adjective '酷い (ひどい)' primarily means 'terrible' or 'awful'. It is used to describe something that is extremely bad, severe, or harsh. This word can be applied to situations, actions, or even weather conditions. For example: The weather is terrible today「今日の天気は酷い」(きょうのてんきはひどい). He said something terrible「彼は酷いことを言った」(かれはひどいことをいった). Additionally, '酷い' can also imply a sense of cruelty or unfairness, as in 'That was a cruel joke'「それは酷い冗談だった」(それはひどいじょうだんだった). The nuance of this word often conveys a strong negative emotion, so it is typically used in contexts where something is notably bad or distressing.

Radical

酉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1380

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grain, Cereal

Reading

Parts

士Samurai 冖Crown 禾Cereal 殳Pike

Radical

禾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1768

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Overcome

Reading

Parts

儿Legs 古Old

Example Word

克服: overcoming. The Japanese noun '克服 (こくふく)' means 'overcoming'. It refers to the act of conquering or successfully dealing with a difficulty, challenge, or obstacle. This word is often used in contexts related to personal struggles, such as overcoming fear, illness, or adversity. For example: overcoming fear「恐怖を克服する」(きょうふをこくふくする). She overcame her illness「彼女は病気を克服した」(かのじょはびょうきをこくふくした). The word carries a sense of triumph and achievement, emphasizing the effort and perseverance required to surmount a challenge.

Radical

儿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1795

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shell, Husk

Reading

Parts

壳 殳Pike

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1804

Handwriting