字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Nothing

Reading

Example Word

無い: non existent. The Japanese adjective '無い (ない)' means 'nonexistent' or 'not present'. It is used to indicate the absence of something or to negate the existence of an object, state, or condition. This word is often used in everyday conversation and can be attached to nouns or used independently. For example: There is no money「お金がない」(おかねがない). I have no time「時間がない」(じかんがない). It can also be used to express the lack of necessity or obligation, as in 'You don't have to go'「行かなくてもいい」(いかなくてもいい). Note that 'ない' is often used in negative sentences and can be combined with verbs to form negative conjugations, such as '食べない' (たべない) meaning 'do not eat'.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

52

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Not

Reading

Example Word

不: not. The Japanese prefix '不 (ふ)' is used to negate or express the absence of a quality, state, or action. It is commonly attached to nouns or adjectives to form words that mean the opposite of the original term. For example: '不安 (ふあん)' means 'unease' or 'anxiety' (literally 'not peace'), and '不満 (ふまん)' means 'dissatisfaction' (literally 'not satisfaction'). This prefix is versatile and widely used in both formal and informal contexts. Example sentences: He is not satisfied「彼は不満です」(かれはふまんです). This situation is uncertain「この状況は不確かです」(このじょうきょうはふたしかです).

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

61

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Section, Department

Reading

Parts

咅Spit ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

全部: all. The Japanese adverb '全部 (ぜんぶ)' means 'all' or 'entirely'. It is used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of something, leaving nothing out. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be applied to objects, actions, or abstract concepts. For example: I ate all the cake「ケーキを全部食べた」(ケーキをぜんぶたべた). All the students came「学生は全部来た」(がくせいはぜんぶきた). It can also be used in negative sentences, such as: I didn't understand all of it「全部は分からなかった」(ぜんぶはわからなかった). Note that '全部' is often used with verbs to emphasize completeness.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

94

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Walk

Reading

Parts

少Few 止Stop

Example Word

歩く: walk. The Japanese verb '歩く (あるく)' means 'to walk'. It is used to describe the action of moving on foot at a regular pace. This verb is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be applied to various contexts, such as walking to a destination, taking a stroll, or simply moving from one place to another on foot. For example: I walk to school every day「私は毎日学校に歩く」(わたしはまいにちがっこうであるく). Let's walk in the park「公園を歩きましょう」(こうえんであるきましょう). The verb can also be used metaphorically to describe progress or movement in a non-literal sense, such as 'walking through life'.

Radical

止

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

150

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Military

Reading

Parts

止Stop 弋Ceremony 一One

Example Word

武士: samurai. The Japanese noun '武士 (ぶし)' refers to a 'samurai', a member of the warrior class in feudal Japan. Samurai were known for their strict adherence to the code of bushido, which emphasized honor, discipline, and loyalty. They were skilled in martial arts and often served as retainers to daimyo (feudal lords). Example sentences: The samurai was very brave「武士はとても勇敢だった」(ぶしはとてもゆうかんだった). The samurai carried a sword「武士は刀を持っていた」(ぶしはかたなをもっていた). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who embodies the qualities of a samurai, such as bravery and honor.

Radical

止

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

327

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dance

Reading

Example Word

仕舞う: put away. The Japanese verb '仕舞う(しまう)' primarily means 'put away' or 'store'. It is used to describe the action of putting something in its proper place or out of sight, often implying that the item is being stored neatly or securely. This verb can also imply completing an action or finishing something, though this usage is less common. For example: I put away th ebooks「本を仕舞った」(ほんをしまった).She put away her toys「彼女はおもちゃを仕舞った」(かのじょはおもちゃをしまった). Note that'しまう'can also be used as an auxiliary verb to denote the completion of an action with a sense of finality, as in '食べてしまった' (たべてしまった), meaning' I ate it up' or 'I ended up eating it'.

Radical

舛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

452

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dedicate, Observance

Reading

Example Word

奉行: magistrate. The Japanese noun '奉行 (ぶぎょう)' refers to a magistrate or a high-ranking official in feudal Japan, typically responsible for administrative or judicial duties. This term is historically significant and often associated with the Edo period, where such officials played crucial roles in governance. For example: The magistrate issued a new decree「奉行が新しい法令を出した」(ぶぎょうがあたらしいほうれいをだした). The magistrate's decision was final「奉行の決定は最終的だった」(ぶぎょうのけっていはさいしゅうてきだった). It's important to note that this term is largely historical and may not be commonly used in modern contexts, except when referring to historical settings or figures.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

813

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Despise

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)毎Every

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1712

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Levy, Installment

Reading

Parts

武Military 貝Shellfish

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1980

Handwriting