Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Obey, Clothing

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 𠬝Clothing (服)

Example Word

洋服: clothes. The Japanese noun '洋服 (ようふく)' refers to 'Western-style clothes' or simply 'clothes' in a general sense. This term is used to distinguish Western-style clothing from traditional Japanese attire like kimono or yukata. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to clothing items such as shirts, pants, dresses, and suits. For example: I bought new clothes「新しい洋服を買いました」(あたらしいようふくをかいました). She is wearing beautiful clothes「彼女はきれいな洋服を着ています」(かのじょはきれいなようふくをきています). The term is widely understood and used in modern Japanese society, where Western-style clothing is the norm.

Radical

月

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

460

Radical Form

𠬝

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Abdomen

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 复

Example Word

腹: stomach or abdomen. The Japanese noun '腹 (はら)' primarily refers to the 'stomach' or 'abdomen', the part of the body containing the digestive organs. It can also be used metaphorically to describe one's feelings or emotions, such as anger or determination, as in '腹が立つ (はらがたつ)', which means 'to get angry'. Example sentences: My stomach hurts「腹が痛い」(はらがいたい). He has a strong will「彼は腹が据わっている」(かれははらがすわっている).

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

483

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Blessing

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)畐Fill

Example Word

福祉: welfare. The Japanese noun '福祉 (ふくし)' refers to 'welfare' or 'well-being'. It is commonly used in contexts related to social welfare, public health, and the overall well-being of individuals or communities. This term is often associated with government programs, social services, and policies aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens. For example: The government is improving welfare services「政府は福祉サービスを改善しています」(せいふはふくしサービスをかいぜんしています). Welfare is important for a healthy society「福祉は健康な社会にとって重要です」(ふくしはけんこうなしゃかいにとってじゅうようです). The word can also appear in compound terms like '社会福祉 (しゃかいふくし)' (social welfare) or '福祉施設 (ふくししせつ)' (welfare facilities).

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

590

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Restore

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 复

Example Word

復興: recovery or revival. The Japanese noun '復興 (ふっこう)' refers to the act of recovering or reviving something, often after a period of decline or destruction. It is commonly used in contexts such as economic recovery, reconstruction after disasters, or cultural revival. For example: The town is in recovery after the earthquake「その町は地震の後、復興中です」(そのまちはじしんのあと、ふっこうちゅうです). The revival of traditional arts is important「伝統芸術の復興は重要です」(でんとうげいじゅつのふっこうはじゅうようです). Note that while 'recovery' and 'revival' are closely related, they can apply to different contexts, such as physical reconstruction versus cultural or economic resurgence.

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

複雑: complex. The Japanese adjectival noun '複雑 (ふくざつ)' means 'complex'. It is used to describe situations, systems, or problems that are intricate, complicated, or difficult to understand. It can also describe emotions or relationships that are tangled or not straightforward. For example: The situation is complex「状況は複雑だ」(じょうきょうはふくざつだ). This machine has a complex structure「この機械は複雑な構造をしている」(このきかいはふくざつなこうぞうをしている). The relationship between them is complex「彼らの関係は複雑だ」(かれらのかんけいはふくざつだ). Note that '複雑' is often used in both formal and informal contexts to describe anything that is not simple or easy to grasp.

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

大幅: greatly. The Japanese adverb '大幅 (おおはば)' means 'greatly' or 'significantly'. It is used to describe a large or substantial change, difference, or extent. This word is often used in contexts involving adjustments, revisions, or shifts, such as in business, economics, or policy. For example: The company greatly increased its profits「会社は利益を大幅に増やした」(かいしゃはりえきをおおはばにふやした). The government significantly revised the policy「政府は政策を大幅に改定した」(せいふはせいさくをおおはばにかいていした). Note that '大幅' emphasizes the scale or degree of change, making it suitable for formal or impactful contexts.

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