kanji

Meaning

Country

Reading

Parts

玉Ball, Jewel 口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

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

97

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Black

Reading

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

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

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

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

503

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Announce

Reading

Parts

⺧Cow 口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

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