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Nihongo

Classroom

Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

めい mei

 

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bright

    Reading

    kunyomiあか

    aka

    a

    onyomiめい

    mei

    みょう

    myou

    Parts

    Day, Sun Moon, Month

    Example Word

    明白: clear or obvious. The Japanese adjectival noun '明白 (めいはく)' means 'clear' or 'obvious'. It is used to describe something that is evident, unambiguous, or easily understood. This word is often used in formal or written contexts to emphasize clarity or certainty. For example: The evidence is clear「証拠は明白だ」(しょうこはめいはくだ). It's obvious that he is lying「彼が嘘をついているのは明白だ」(かれがうそをついているのはめいはくだ). Note that '明白' is often followed by the copula 'だ' or 'です' to form a complete statement.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    8

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    63

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Name

    Reading

    kunyomi

    na

    onyomiめい

    mei

    みょう

    myou

    Parts

    Evening Mouth

    Example Word

    国名: country name. The Japanese noun '国名 (こくめい)' refers to the name of a country. It is a compound word formed from '国 (くに)' meaning 'country' and '名 (めい)' meaning 'name'. This term is commonly used in contexts where the specific name of a country is being discussed or identified. For example: What is the country name?「国名は何ですか?」(こくめいはなんですか?). The country name is Japan「国名は日本です」(こくめいはにほんです). It is a straightforward term often used in geography, travel, and international discussions.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    6

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    1

    Frequency

    90

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Command, Life

    Reading

    kunyomiいのち

    inochi

    onyomiめい

    mei

    みょう

    myou

    Parts

    Orders Mouth

    Example Word

    懸命: earnest. The Japanese adjectival noun '懸命 (けんめい)' means 'earnest' or 'doing one's utmost'. It describes a state of putting in great effort or being very serious about something. This term is often used to commend someone's dedication or hard work. For example: He is earnest in his studies「彼は勉強に懸命だ」(かれはべんきょうにけんめいだ). She worked hard to achieve her goal「彼女は目標を達成するために懸命に働いた」(かのじょはもくひょうをたっせいするためにけんめいにはたらいた). The word can also imply a sense of desperation or urgency in certain contexts, highlighting the intensity of the effort being made.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    8

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    203

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chirp

    Reading

    kunyomi

    na

    onyomiめい

    mei

    Parts

    Mouth Bird

    Example Word

    鳴らす: sound or ring. The Japanese verb '鳴らす (ならす)' primarily means 'to ring' or 'to sound'. It is used when making a sound or noise, often intentionally, such as ringing a bell or sounding an alarm. For example: He rang the bell「彼はベルを鳴らした」(かれはベルをならした). The alarm sounded loudly「アラームが大きく鳴らした」(アラームがおおきくならした). This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe making one's presence or opinion known, as in 'to make noise' in a figurative sense. It is important to note that '鳴らす' is transitive, meaning it requires a direct object to indicate what is being sounded or rung.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    442

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Perplexed, Astray

    Reading

    kunyomiまよ

    mayo

    onyomiめい

    mei

    Parts

    Walk Rice

    Example Word

    迷惑: trouble. The Japanese verbal noun '迷惑 (めいわく)' primarily means 'trouble' or 'inconvenience'. It is used to describe a situation where someone's actions cause annoyance, difficulty, or distress to others. This word often carries a nuance of being bothered or inconvenienced by someone else's behavior. For example: I caused trouble to my neighbor「私は隣人に迷惑をかけた」(わたしはりんじんにめいわくをかけた). Loud noises at night are a nuisance「夜の騒音は迷惑だ」(よるのそうおんはめいわくだ). It is commonly used in expressions like '迷惑をかける (めいわくをかける)' which means 'to cause trouble/inconvenience to someone'.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    811

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inscription

    Reading

    onyomiめい

    mei

    Parts

    Gold 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

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    9

    Frequency

    1652

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Alliance

    Reading

    onyomiめい

    mei

    Parts

    Bright 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

    Stroke Count

    13

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    1660

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dark

    Reading

    kunyomiくら

    kura

    onyomiめい

    mei

    みょう

    myou

    Parts

    Crown Day, Sun Six

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    10

    Grade

    10

    Frequency

    1899

    Handwriting

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Onyomi reading Groups

Group 89 of 305