Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Accept

Reading

Parts

爪Claw 冖Crown 又Again

Example Word

受け付ける: receive or accept. The Japanese verb '受け付ける (うけつける)' primarily means 'to accept' or 'to receive'. It is often used in contexts where something is being formally accepted, such as applications, requests, or orders. For example: The company is now accepting applications「会社は今、申し込みを受け付けています」(かいしゃはいま、もうしこみをうけつけています). The reception desk receives inquiries「受付は問い合わせを受け付けます」(うけつけはといあわせをうけつけます). It can also imply the act of processing or handling something, such as a request or complaint. Note that this verb is commonly used in formal or business settings.

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

291

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Follow, Obey

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 䒑Herbs 龰Stop (止)

Example Word

従業員: employee. The Japanese noun '従業員 (じゅうぎょういん)' refers to an 'employee', someone who works for a company or organization. This term is commonly used in business and workplace contexts to describe individuals who are employed by a company, regardless of their specific role or position. For example: The company has many employees「その会社には多くの従業員がいます」(そのかいしゃにはおおくのじゅうぎょういんがいます). She is a new employee「彼女は新しい従業員です」(かのじょはあたらしいじゅうぎょういんです). The term is neutral and can refer to both full-time and part-time workers.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

466

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tree, Wood

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 尌

Example Word

樹: tree. The Japanese suffix '樹 (じゅ)' means 'tree'. It is commonly used as a suffix in compound words to denote something related to trees or tree-like structures. For example: oak tree「樫の樹」(かしのじゅ). This suffix is often used in botanical or scientific contexts to specify types of trees. Another example: cherry tree「桜の樹」(さくらのじゅ). It is important to note that '樹 (じゅ)' is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, whereas '木 (き)' is more commonly used in everyday language to refer to trees.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

799

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Settle, Concerning

Reading

Parts

尢 尤 京Capital

Example Word

就任: inauguration. The Japanese verbal noun '就任 (しゅうにん)' refers to the act of assuming a position or office, often used in formal contexts such as politics, business, or organizations. It implies the official start of a new role or responsibility. For example: The president's inauguration ceremony was held yesterday「大統領の就任式は昨日行われた」(だいとうりょうのしゅうにんしきはきのうおこなわれた). He assumed the position of CEO「彼はCEOに就任した」(かれはしーいーおーにしゅうにんした). The term is commonly used in news reports, official announcements, and formal speeches.

Radical

尢

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

873

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Instruct, Confer

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)受Accept

Example Word

教授: professor. The Japanese noun '教授 (きょうじゅ)' refers to a 'professor', typically in an academic or educational setting. This term is used to denote someone who holds a high-ranking teaching position at a university or college. It can also be used more broadly to refer to someone who is an expert in a particular field and imparts knowledge. For example: The professor is giving a lecture「教授が講義をしています」(きょうじゅがこうぎをしています). I respect my professor「私は教授を尊敬しています」(わたしはきょうじゅをそんけいしています). The term is formal and is often used in professional or academic contexts.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1157

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Longevity, Congratulations

Reading

Parts

三Three 丿Katakana no 寸Measurement

Example Word

寿命: lifespan. The Japanese noun '寿命 (じゅみょう)' refers to the length of time that a living being, object, or system is expected to live or function. It is commonly used in contexts discussing the natural life expectancy of humans, animals, or even the durability of machines and technology. For example: The lifespan of a cat is about 15 years「猫の寿命は約15年です」(ねこのじゅみょうはやく15ねんです). This smartphone has a short lifespan「このスマートフォンは寿命が短い」(このスマートフォンはじゅみょうがみじかい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe the 'life' of non-living things, such as the lifespan of a product or trend.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1414

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Curse

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 兄Older brother

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1499

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Confucianism, Confucian

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)需Demand, Need

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1868

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Demand, Need

Reading

Parts

而 雨Rain

Example Word

需要: demand. The Japanese noun '需要 (じゅよう)' means 'demand'. It is commonly used in economic, business, and market contexts to refer to the desire or need for goods, services, or resources. For example: the demand for electric cars is increasing「電気自動車の需要が増えている」(でんきじどうしゃのじゅようがふえている). There is high demand for skilled workers「熟練労働者の需要が高い」(じゅくれんろうどうしゃのじゅようがたかい). This word is often paired with '供給 (きょうきゅう)' (supply) to discuss market dynamics, as in 'supply and demand'「需要と供給」(じゅようときょうきゅう).

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1902

Handwriting