kanji

Meaning

Country

Reading

Parts

玉Ball, Jewel 口Mouth

Example Word

国家: nation. The Japanese noun '国家 (こっか)' refers to a 'nation' or 'state', encompassing the idea of a country as a political and geographical entity. It is often used in formal contexts to discuss matters related to national governance, sovereignty, or international relations. For example: The nation's security is important「国家の安全は重要です」(こっかのあんぜんはじゅうようです). The prosperity of the nation depends on its citizens「国家の繁栄は国民にかかっている」(こっかのはんえいはこくみんにかかっている). This term is commonly used in political, legal, and academic discussions.

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

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

忠告: advice. The Japanese verbal noun '忠告 (ちゅうこく)' means 'advice'. It refers to counsel or recommendations given to someone, often with the intention of helping them avoid mistakes or improve their situation. This word carries a formal tone and is typically used in serious or important contexts. For example: I gave him advice「彼に忠告をした」(かれにちゅうこくをした). She ignored my advice「彼女は私の忠告を無視した」(かのじょはわたしのちゅうこくをむしした). It is important to note that '忠告' often implies a sense of sincerity or earnestness in the advice being given.

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