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Nihongo

Classroom

こく koku Jōyō Kanji Practice Quiz

Page 1

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Country

    Reading

    kunyomiくに

    kuni

    onyomiこく

    koku

    Parts

    Ball, Jewel Mouth

    Example Word

    韓国: Korea. The Japanese proper noun '韓国 (かんこく)' refers to 'Korea', specifically South Korea. It is used to denote the country, its culture, people, or anything related to it. For example: I want to visit Korea「韓国に行きたい」(かんこくにいきたい). Korean food is delicious「韓国料理は美味しい」(かんこくりょうりはおいしい). The term is commonly used in everyday conversation and media when discussing South Korea. Note that '韓国' specifically refers to South Korea, while North Korea is referred to as '北朝鮮 (きたちょうせん)'.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    8

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    97

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Black

    Reading

    kunyomiくろ

    kuro

    onyomiこく

    koku

    Parts

    Fire (火)Hometown

    Example Word

    黒人: black person. The Japanese noun '黒人 (こくじん)' refers to a person of African descent or someone with dark skin. It is a neutral term used to describe race or ethnicity. However, it is important to use this term with sensitivity, as discussions about race can be culturally nuanced. For example: He is a black person「彼は黒人です」(かれはこくじんです). Many black people live in that city「その都市には多くの黒人が住んでいます」(そのとしにはおおくのこくじんがすんでいます). Note that while the term itself is not inherently offensive, context and tone matter greatly in its usage.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    11

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    276

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Valley

    Reading

    kunyomiたに

    tani

    onyomiこく

    koku

    Parts

    Mouth Person 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

    Stroke Count

    7

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    427

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Engrave

    Reading

    kunyomiきざ

    kiza

    onyomiこく

    koku

    Parts

    Sword (刀)

    Example Word

    彫刻: sculpture. The Japanese noun '彫刻 (ちょうこく)' refers to 'sculpture'. It is used to describe the art of creating three-dimensional forms by carving, modeling, or assembling materials. This term can refer to both the process of creating sculptures and the finished artwork itself. For example: This museum has many sculptures「この博物館には彫刻がたくさんある」(このはくぶつかんにはちょうこくがたくさんある). He is famous for his sculptures「彼は彫刻で有名だ」(かれはちょうこくでゆうめいだ). The word is often used in contexts related to art, museums, and craftsmanship.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    8

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    503

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Announce

    Reading

    kunyomi

    tsu

    onyomiこく

    koku

    Parts

    Cow Mouth

    Example Word

    広告: advertisement. The Japanese verbal noun '広告 (こうこく)' means 'advertisement'. It refers to a notice or announcement promoting a product, service, or event. This word is commonly used in contexts related to marketing, media, and business. For example: I saw an advertisement on TV「テレビで広告を見た」(テレビでこうこくをみた). The company placed an advertisement in the newspaper「会社は新聞に広告を出した」(かいしゃはしんぶんにこうこくをだした). '広告' can also be used in compound words like '広告費 (こうこくひ)' (advertising expenses) or '広告代理店 (こうこくだいりてん)' (advertising agency).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    7

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    564

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Cruel, Severe

    Reading

    kunyomiひど

    hido

    onyomiこく

    koku

    Parts

    Bird of the zodiac 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

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    9

    Frequency

    1380

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Grain, Cereal

    Reading

    onyomiこく

    koku

    Parts

    Samurai Crown Cereal Pike

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    1768

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Overcome

    Reading

    onyomiこく

    koku

    Parts

    Legs 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

    Stroke Count

    7

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    8

    Frequency

    1795

    Handwriting

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Shell, Husk

    Reading

    kunyomiから

    kara

    がら

    gara

    onyomiこく

    koku

    ばい

    bai

    かく

    kaku

    Parts

    Pike

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    11

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    9

    Frequency

    1804

    Handwriting