kanji

Meaning

Nothing

Reading

Example Word

無くなる: disappear or runout. The Japanese verb '無くなる (なくなる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to disappear', referring to something vanishing or ceasing to exist. For example: my keys disappeared「鍵が無くなった」(かぎがなくなった). The second meaning is 'to run out', referring to the depletion of something. For example: the milk ran out「牛乳が無くなった」(ぎゅうにゅうがなくなった). This verb is often used in everyday conversation to describe the loss or exhaustion of items, feelings, or states.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

52

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Not

Reading

Example Word

不平等: inequality. The Japanese adjectival noun '不平等 (ふびょうどう)' means 'inequality'. It is used to describe a state of unfairness or lack of equality, often in social, economic, or legal contexts. For example: There is inequality in the distribution of wealth「富の分配に不平等がある」(とみのぶんぱいにとみのぶんぱいにふびょうどうがある). The law is unequal「その法律は不平等だ」(そのほうりつはふびょうどうだ). This term can also be used to describe unequal treatment or conditions in various situations, such as in relationships or opportunities.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

61

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Section, Department

Reading

Parts

咅Spit ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

部屋: room. The Japanese noun '部屋 (へや)' means 'room'. It refers to a space within a building, enclosed by walls, a floor, and a ceiling, typically used for a specific purpose such as living, sleeping, or working. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe rooms in homes, offices, or other buildings. For example: This room is bright「この部屋は明るい」(このへやはあかるい). I cleaned my room「私は部屋を掃除した」(わたしはへやをそうじした). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '寝室 (しんしつ) (bedroom)' or '会議室 (かいぎしつ) (meeting room)', but '部屋' alone generally refers to a generic room.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

94

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Walk

Reading

Parts

止Stop 少Few

Example Word

歩: step. The Japanese suffix '歩 (ほ)' is used to indicate a unit of measurement for steps or walking distance. It is often used in contexts related to walking, such as counting steps or measuring distances in terms of steps. For example: I walked 10,000 steps today「今日は1万歩歩きました」(きょうはいちまんほあるきました). The park is about 500 steps away from here「公園はここから約500歩です」(こうえんはここからやくごひゃくほです). This suffix is commonly used in health and fitness contexts to track physical activity.

Radical

止

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

150

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Military

Reading

Parts

一One 弋Ceremony 止Stop

Example Word

武家: samurai. The Japanese noun '武家 (ぶけ)' refers to the samurai class or warrior families in feudal Japan. It specifically denotes the social class of professional warriors who served the nobility and were bound by the code of bushido. The term is often used in historical contexts to describe the samurai's role, lifestyle, and influence in Japanese society. For example: The samurai were loyal to their lords「武家は主君に忠誠を誓った」(ぶけはしゅくんにちゅうせいをちかった). The culture of the warrior class was unique「武家の文化は独特だった」(ぶけのぶんかはどくとくだった).

Radical

止

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

327

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dance

Reading

Example Word

舞台: stage. The Japanese noun '舞台 (ぶたい)' primarily means 'stage' as in a physical platform where performances take place. It is commonly used in contexts related to theater, concerts, and other performances. For example: The actor stood on the stage「俳優は舞台に立った」(はいゆうはぶたいにたった). The play will be performed on this stage「この舞台でその劇が上演される」(このぶたいでそのげきがじょうえんされる). Additionally, '舞台' can metaphorically refer to a setting or scene where significant events occur, such as in '人生の舞台 (じんせいのぶたい)' (the stage of life). This word is versatile and deeply embedded in both literal and figurative Japanese expressions.

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

貝Shellfish 武Military

Radical

貝

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1980

Handwriting