Page 1
kanji
国Meaning
Country
Reading
kunyomiくにkuni
onyomiこくkoku
Parts
玉Ball, Jewel 口Mouth
Example Word
国名: country name. The Japanese noun '国名 (こくめい)' refers to the name of a country. It is a compound word formed from '国 (くに)' meaning 'country' and '名 (めい)' meaning 'name'. This term is commonly used in contexts where the specific name of a country is being discussed or identified. For example: What is the country name?「国名は何ですか？」(こくめいはなんですか？). The country name is Japan「国名は日本です」(こくめいはにほんです). It is a straightforward term often used in geography, travel, and international discussions.
Radical
囗
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
97
Handwriting
kanji
黒Meaning
Black
Reading
kunyomiくろkuro
onyomiこくkoku
Parts
灬Fire (火)里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
黑
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
276
Handwriting
kanji
谷Meaning
Valley
Reading
kunyomiたにtani
onyomiこくkoku
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
7JLPT
N2Grade
2Frequency
427
Handwriting
kanji
刻Meaning
Engrave
Reading
kunyomiきざkiza
onyomiこくkoku
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
8JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
503
Handwriting
kanji
告Meaning
Announce
Reading
kunyomiつtsu
onyomiこくkoku
Parts
⺧Cow 口Mouth
Example Word
告白: confession. The Japanese noun '告白 (こくはく)' means 'confession'. It is commonly used to describe the act of confessing one's feelings, such as love, guilt, or a secret. This word is often used in romantic contexts, where someone confesses their love to another person. For example: He made a confession of love to her「彼は彼女に愛の告白をした」(かれはかのじょにあいのこくはくをした). She confessed her feelings to him「彼女は彼に自分の気持ちを告白した」(かのじょはかれにじぶんのきもちをこくはくした). The word can also be used in other contexts, such as confessing a crime or a mistake, but it is most frequently associated with romantic confessions.
Radical
口
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
564
Handwriting
kanji
酷Meaning
Cruel, Severe
Reading
kunyomiひどhido
onyomiこくkoku
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
14JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1380
Handwriting
kanji
克Meaning
Overcome
Reading
onyomiこくkoku
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
7JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1795
Handwriting