Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Bright

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 月Moon, Month

Example Word

明々後日: day after tomorrow. The Japanese noun '明々後日 (しあさって)' refers to 'the day after tomorrow'. This word is used to specify a day that is two days after the current day. It is a more formal or specific term compared to '明後日 (あさって)', which also means 'the day after tomorrow'. Example sentences include: I will visit you the day after tomorrow「明々後日にあなたを訪ねます」(しあさってにあなたをたずねます). The meeting is scheduled for the day after tomorrow「会議は明々後日に予定されています」(かいぎはしあさってによていされています).

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

63

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Name

Reading

Parts

夕Evening 口Mouth

Example Word

代名詞: pronoun. The Japanese noun '代名詞 (だいめいし)' means 'pronoun'. In grammar, it refers to a word that substitutes for a noun or noun phrase, such as 'he', 'she', 'it', or 'they' in English. This term is used in linguistic contexts to describe parts of speech. For example: Pronouns are important in Japanese「代名詞は日本語で重要です」(だいめいしはにほんごでじゅうようです). She is a pronoun「彼女は代名詞です」(かのじょはだいめいしです). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is representative or symbolic of a larger concept, though this usage is less common.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

90

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Command, Life

Reading

Parts

令Orders 口Mouth

Example Word

一生懸命: hard or earnestly. The Japanese adverb '一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい)' means 'hard' or 'earnestly'. It is used to describe doing something with great effort, determination, or seriousness. This word often conveys a sense of giving one's all or putting in maximum effort. For example: I studied hard for the exam「試験のために一生懸命勉強した」(しけんのためにいっしょうけんめいべんきょうした). She worked earnestly to achieve her dream「彼女は夢を叶えるために一生懸命働いた」(かのじょはゆめをかなえるためにいっしょうけんめいはたらいた). The word can also be used to describe physical effort, such as running hard「一生懸命走った」(いっしょうけんめいはしった). Note that while 'hard' is a common translation, the nuance of '一生懸命' often includes a sense of sincerity and dedication.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

203

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Chirp

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 鳥Bird

Example Word

鳴く: cry. The Japanese verb '鳴く (なく)' means 'to cry' or 'to make a sound', specifically referring to the sounds made by animals, such as birds chirping or dogs barking. It is not used for human crying, which would be '泣く (なく)' (same pronunciation but different kanji). For example: The bird is chirping「鳥が鳴いている」(とりがないている). The dog barked at night「犬が夜に鳴いた」(いぬがよるにないた). This verb is commonly used to describe animal sounds in nature or in everyday situations.

Radical

鳥

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

442

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Perplexed, Astray

Reading

Parts

辶Walk 米Rice

Example Word

迷う: lose or hesitate. The Japanese verb '迷う (まよう)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to lose one's way' or 'to get lost', often used in the context of physical navigation. For example: I got lost in the city「街で迷った」(まちでまよった). The second meaning is 'to hesitate' or 'to be uncertain', used when someone is indecisive or unsure about a decision. For example: She hesitated to answer「彼女は答えるのに迷った」(かのじょはこたえるのにまよった). This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe being lost in thought or confused about a situation. For example: He was lost in thought「彼は考えに迷っていた」(かれはかんがえにまよっていた).

Radical

辵

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

811

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Inscription

Reading

Parts

金Gold 名Name

Example Word

銘柄: brand. The Japanese noun '銘柄 (めいがら)' refers to a brand, particularly in the context of products, goods, or stocks. It is often used to specify a particular brand name or type of product. For example: This brand of coffee is popular「この銘柄のコーヒーは人気です」(このめいがらのコーヒーはにんきです). I bought a new brand of wine「新しい銘柄のワインを買いました」(あたらしいめいがらのワインをかいました). In financial contexts, it can also refer to a specific stock or security, as in: This stock is performing well「この銘柄は好調です」(このめいがらはこうちょうです).

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1652

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Alliance

Reading

Parts

明Bright 皿Plate

Example Word

加盟: membership. The Japanese noun '加盟 (かめい)' refers to the act of joining or becoming a member of an organization, group, or alliance. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as when a country joins an international organization or a company becomes part of a larger association. For example: Japan's membership in the United Nations「日本の国連への加盟」(にほんのこくれんへのかめい). The company decided to join the trade association「その会社はその業界団体への加盟を決めた」(そのかいしゃはそのぎょうかいだんたいへのかめいをきめた). The term emphasizes the formal and official nature of the membership.

Radical

皿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1660

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dark

Reading

Parts

冖Crown 日Day, Sun 六Six

Radical

冖

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1899

Handwriting