Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Obey, Clothing

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 𠬝Clothing (服)

Example Word

和服: kimono. The Japanese noun '和服 (わふく)' refers to traditional Japanese clothing, commonly known as a 'kimono'. This term is used to describe the full-length robe with wide sleeves and a sash (obi) that is tied around the waist. It is distinct from Western-style clothing (洋服, ようふく). The word is often used in contexts discussing traditional Japanese culture, ceremonies, or formal events. Example sentences: She is wearing a beautiful kimono「彼女は美しい和服を着ています」(かのじょはうつくしいわふくをきています). I bought a kimono at the festival「祭りで和服を買いました」(まつりでわふくをかいました). Note that '和服' is a general term and can include various types of traditional garments, not just the formal kimono.

Radical

月

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

460

Radical Form

𠬝

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Abdomen

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 复

Example Word

御腹: stomach. The Japanese noun '御腹 (おなか)' means 'stomach'. This word is commonly used to refer to the physical stomach or abdomen area of a person or animal. It can also be used more generally to talk about hunger or the state of one's stomach. For example: my stomach is full「私の御腹はいっぱいです」(わたしのおなかはいっぱいです). I have a stomach ache「御腹が痛いです」(おなかがいたいです). The term is polite and often used in everyday conversation. It is important to note that '御腹' is a more formal or polite version of '腹 (はら)', which also means 'stomach' but is less formal.

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

483

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Blessing

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)畐Fill

Example Word

幸福: happiness. The Japanese adjectival noun '幸福 (こうふく)' means 'happiness'. It refers to a state of well-being, contentment, or joy. This word is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a deep or lasting sense of happiness. For example: I wish you happiness「あなたに幸福を願います」(あなたにこうふくをねがいます). True happiness is hard to find「真の幸福を見つけるのは難しい」(しんのこうふくをみつけるのはむずかしい). Note that '幸福' is more profound and less casual than other words for happiness like '幸せ (しあわせ)', which is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

590

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Restore

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 复

Example Word

往復: roundtrip. The Japanese noun '往復 (おうふく)' refers to a round trip, meaning going to a destination and returning. It is commonly used in contexts like transportation (e.g., train or plane tickets) or communication (e.g., letters or emails). For example: I bought a round-trip ticket「往復のチケットを買いました」(おうふくのチケットをかいました). The round-trip fare is 5,000 yen「往復料金は5000円です」(おうふくりょうきんはごせんえんです). This word can also metaphorically describe the back-and-forth nature of communication or exchanges.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

867

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Prostrated

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)犬Dog

Example Word

伏せる: hide or lay. The Japanese verb '伏せる (ふせる)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'to lay something down' or 'to place something face down'. For example: he laid the book face down「彼は本を伏せた」(かれはほんをふせた). The second meaning is 'to hide' or 'to conceal', often used in contexts where something is intentionally kept out of sight. For example: she hid her face in her hands「彼女は顔を手で伏せた」(かのじょはかおをてでふせた). This verb is versatile and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, depending on the situation.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

892

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Duplicate

Reading

Parts

衤 复

Example Word

複合: combination. The Japanese noun '複合 (ふくごう)' refers to the act or state of combining multiple elements or factors into one. It is often used in contexts where different components are merged or integrated to form a complex whole. For example: the combination of technology and art「技術と芸術の複合」(ぎじゅつとげいじゅつのふくごう). This word is commonly used in fields like science, business, and art to describe hybrid or multifaceted concepts. Another example: the compound interest effect「複利の複合効果」(ふくりのふくごうこうか).

Radical

衣

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1428

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cover, Capsize

Reading

Parts

覀 復Restore

Example Word

覆う: cover. The Japanese verb '覆う (おおう)' means 'to cover'. It is used to describe the action of placing something over or around an object, area, or surface to conceal, protect, or enclose it. This verb can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: The snow covered the ground「雪が地面を覆った」(ゆきがじめんをおおった). She covered her face with her hands「彼女は手で顔を覆った」(かのじょはてでかおをおおった). In a figurative sense, it can also describe situations where something is hidden or obscured, such as 'The truth was covered by lies'「真実は嘘に覆われていた」(しんじつはうそにおおわれていた).

Radical

西

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1462

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Width

Reading

Parts

巾Towel 畐Fill

Example Word

幅: width or range. The Japanese noun '幅 (はば)' primarily means 'width', referring to the measurement of something from side to side. It can also mean 'range', indicating the extent or scope of something. For example: The width of the river is 10 meters「川の幅は10メートルです」(かわのはばはじゅうメートルです). There is a wide range of opinions「意見の幅が広いです」(いけんのはばがひろいです). This word is versatile and can be used in various contexts to describe physical dimensions or the extent of abstract concepts.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1465

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Secondary

Reading

Parts

畐Fill 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

副: vice. The Japanese prefix '副 (ふく)' means 'vice' or 'deputy'. It is commonly used to denote a secondary or subordinate position, often in titles or roles. For example: vice president「副社長」(ふくしゃちょう). This prefix is typically attached to nouns to indicate a secondary role or position. Another example: vice minister「副大臣」(ふくだいじん). It is important to note that '副 (ふく)' is always used as a prefix and not as a standalone word.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1824

Handwriting