Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Kill

Reading

Parts

殳Pike 木Tree, Wood

Example Word

殺人: murder. The Japanese noun '殺人 (さつじん)' means 'murder'. It refers to the act of intentionally killing another person. This word is often used in legal, criminal, or dramatic contexts. For example: The detective solved the murder「探偵は殺人を解決した」(たんていはさつじんをかいけつした). The movie is about a series of murders「その映画は連続殺人についてです」(そのえいがはれんぞくさつじんについてです). Note that '殺人' is a formal term and is not used in casual conversation.

Radical

殳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

265

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Guess

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 祭Ritual

Example Word

察する: guess. The Japanese verb '察する (さっする)' means 'to guess' or 'to infer'. It is often used when someone deduces or understands something based on subtle hints, context, or intuition, rather than explicit information. This verb is commonly used in situations where empathy or understanding of another person's feelings or thoughts is involved. For example: I guessed his feelings「彼の気持ちを察した」(かれのきもちをさっした). She inferred the situation from his expression「彼の表情から状況を察した」(かれのひょうじょうからじょうきょうをさっした). The verb carries a nuance of sensitivity and insight, making it a key term in contexts involving emotional intelligence or subtle communication.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

553

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Draw close, Be imminent

Reading

Example Word

挨拶: greeting. The Japanese verbal noun '挨拶 (あいさつ)' primarily means 'greeting'. It refers to the act of greeting someone, which can include saying hello, goodbye, or other polite expressions. This word is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, emphasizing politeness and social harmony. It can also refer to formal speeches or remarks made at events. Example sentences: He gave a greeting「彼は挨拶をした」(かれはあいさつをした). Please say hello to everyone「みんなに挨拶してください」(みんなにあいさつしてください). In a formal setting, '挨拶' might refer to a speech: The president made an opening greeting「社長が開会の挨拶をした」(しゃちょうがかいかいのあいさつをした).

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1195

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tag, Bill

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 乚

Example Word

名札: name tag. The Japanese noun '名札 (なふだ)' refers to a 'nametag', which is a small piece of paper, plastic, or other material that displays a person's name. Nametags are commonly used in workplaces, schools, events, or any situation where identification is necessary. For example: Please wear your nametag「名札を付けてください」(なふだをつけてください). I lost my nametag「名札をなくしました」(なふだをなくしました). The word is a combination of '名 (な)' meaning 'name' and '札 (ふだ)' meaning 'tag' or 'card'. It is a straightforward term with no significant nuances, but it is essential in formal or organized settings.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1211

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Book, Volume

Reading

Parts

冂Enclosure 卄

Example Word

冊: counter. The Japanese suffix '冊 (さつ)' is a counter used specifically for books, magazines, and other bound printed materials. It is attached to numbers to count these items. For example: one book「一冊」(いっさつ), two books「二冊」(にさつ). This counter is essential when discussing quantities of books or similar items in Japanese. Example sentences: I bought three books「本を三冊買いました」(ほんをさんさつかいました). She has five magazines「彼女は雑誌を五冊持っています」(かのじょはざっしをごさつもっています).

Radical

冂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1508

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Printing

Reading

Parts

尸Corpse 巾Towel 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

印刷: printing. The Japanese verbal noun '印刷 (いんさつ)' means 'printing'. It refers to the process of producing text and images, typically with ink on paper, using a printing press or other methods. This term is commonly used in contexts related to publishing, office work, and manufacturing. For example: I will do the printing tomorrow「明日印刷をします」(あしたいんさつをします). This book is out of print「この本は絶版です」(このほんはぜっぱんです). Note that '印刷' can also be used in compound words, such as '印刷機 (いんさつき)' (printing machine) or '印刷物 (いんさつぶつ)' (printed matter).

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1605

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Snapshot, Photograph

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)最Most

Example Word

撮る: photograph. The Japanese verb '撮る (とる)' primarily means 'to photograph' or 'to take a picture'. It is commonly used when referring to capturing images with a camera or smartphone. For example: I will take a picture of the mountain「山の写真を撮る」(やまのしゃしんをとる). She took a photo of her friends「彼女は友達の写真を撮った」(かのじょはともだちのしゃしんをとった). This verb can also be used in contexts like filming or recording, but its most frequent usage is related to photography. Note that '撮る' is often paired with '写真 (しゃしん)' (photo) to specify the action of taking a photo.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1701

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rub, Grate

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)察Guess

Example Word

擦る: rub. The Japanese verb '擦る (する)' means 'to rub'. This verb is used when describing the action of moving one object back and forth against another, often to clean, polish, or cause friction. It can also imply applying pressure while moving. For example: I rubbed my eyes「目を擦った」(めをすった). She rubbed the stain with a cloth「彼女はその染みを布で擦った」(かのじょはそのしみをぬのですった). Additionally, '擦る' can sometimes imply a sense of scraping or grinding, depending on the context. It is important to note that this verb is transitive and typically requires a direct object.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1729

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Temple

Reading

Parts

㐅Katakana me 木Tree, Wood 刂Sword (刀)

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1782

Handwriting