Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Lively

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)舌Tongue

Example Word

活性: activation. The Japanese noun '活性 (かっせい)' means 'activation'. It is commonly used in scientific, technical, or biological contexts to describe the process of making something active or functional. For example: the activation of enzymes「酵素の活性」(こうそのかっせい). This term can also be used metaphorically to describe the revitalization or energizing of something, such as a business or community. For example: the activation of the local economy「地域経済の活性」(ちいきけいざいのかっせい). Note that this word is often paired with other terms to form compound nouns, such as '活性化 (かっせいか)' (activation/revitalization).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

193

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Divide, Split

Reading

Parts

害Harm 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

割合: proportion or relatively. The Japanese adverb '割合 (わりあい)' has two distinct meanings. First, it can mean 'relatively' or 'comparatively', often used to describe something in relation to a standard or expectation. For example: This task is relatively easy「この作業は割合簡単だ」(このさぎょうはわりあいかんたんだ). Second, it can mean 'proportion' or 'ratio', referring to the quantitative relationship between parts. For example: The proportion of men to women is equal「男性と女性の割合は同じだ」(だんせいとじょせいのわりあいはおなじだ). The context will determine which meaning is intended.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

787

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slide, Smooth

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)骨Bone

Example Word

滑らか: smooth. The Japanese adjective '滑らか (なめらか)' means 'smooth'. It is used to describe something that has a smooth texture, surface, or motion. This can apply to physical objects, such as skin or fabric, as well as abstract concepts like speech or processes. For example: Her skin is smooth「彼女の肌は滑らかだ」(かのじょのはだはなめらかだ). The machine operates smoothly「その機械は滑らかに動く」(そのきかいはなめらかにうごく). The word can also imply elegance or fluidity in actions or expressions, such as smooth speech「滑らかな話し方」(なめらかではなしかた).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1297

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kudzu, Arrowroot

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 曷

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1665

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thirst, Parched

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)日Day, Sun 匂Fragrance, Scent

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1856

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bind, Fasten

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)舌Tongue

Example Word

括弧: parentheses. The Japanese verbal noun '括弧 (かっこ)' refers to 'parentheses' or 'brackets'. It is used to indicate a pair of punctuation marks that enclose additional information or asides within a sentence. In Japanese, there are different types of brackets, such as 丸括弧 (まるかっこ) for round brackets (), 角括弧 (かくかっこ) for square brackets [], and 波括弧 (なみかっこ) for curly brackets {}. Example sentences: Please put the word in parentheses「その言葉を括弧に入れてください」(そのことばをかっこにいれてください). The explanation is in brackets「説明は括弧内にあります」(せつめいはかっこないにあります).

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1857

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hoarse, Shout at

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 日Day, Sun 匂Fragrance, Scent

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1859

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Brown, Woollen kimono

Reading

Parts

衤 日Day, Sun 匂Fragrance, Scent

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1979

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Control, Linchpin

Reading

Parts

車Car 害Harm

Radical

車

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2111

Handwriting