Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Before, Front

Reading

Parts

䒑Herbs 月Moon, Month 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

出前: delivery. The Japanese noun '出前 (でまえ)' refers to the service of delivering food, typically from a restaurant, to a customer's home or another location. It is commonly used in the context of ordering meals like sushi, ramen, or other dishes. For example: I ordered sushi delivery「寿司の出前を頼んだ」(すしのでまえをたのんだ). The ramen delivery arrived quickly「ラーメンの出前が早く届いた」(ラーメンのでまえがはやくとどいた). This term is widely understood in Japan and is associated with convenience and quick service.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

32

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sort of thing, In that case

Reading

Parts

火Fire 肰

Example Word

当然: natural or obvious. The Japanese adjectival noun '当然 (とうぜん)' can mean 'natural' or 'obvious'. It is used to describe something that is expected, self-evident, or logically follows from a situation. This word often conveys a sense of inevitability or something that should be taken for granted. For example: It's natural that he won「彼が勝つのは当然だ」(かれがかつのはとうぜんだ). It's obvious that she would refuse「彼女が断るのは当然だ」(かのじょがことわるのはとうぜんだ). The word can also be used in contexts where something is considered a given or a matter of course, such as in '当然の結果 (とうぜんのけっか) (natural outcome)'.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

73

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Whole, All

Reading

Parts

王King 𠆢Person (人)

Example Word

全速力: full speed. The Japanese noun '全速力 (ぜんそくりょく)' means 'full speed' or 'maximum speed'. It is used to describe the highest possible speed that someone or something can achieve. This term is often used in contexts involving physical movement, such as running, driving, or any activity where speed is a factor. For example: he ran at full speed「彼は全速力で走った」(かれはぜんそくりょくではしった). The car accelerated to full speed「車は全速力に加速した」(くるまはぜんそくりょくにかそくした). Note that '全速力' is a compound noun, combining '全' (ぜん, meaning 'all' or 'full') and '速力' (そくりょく, meaning 'speed').

Radical

入

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

135

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Good, Virtuous

Reading

Parts

口Mouth

Example Word

改善: improvement. The Japanese verbal noun '改善 (かいぜん)' means 'improvement'. It refers to the act of making something better or enhancing its quality, often used in contexts like business, processes, or personal development. For example: We need to make improvements to the system「システムの改善が必要です」(システムのかいぜんがひつようです). The company is working on improving its services「会社はサービスの改善に取り組んでいます」(かいしゃはサービスのかいぜんにとりくんでいます). This word is commonly used in professional or formal settings to describe efforts to refine or optimize something.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

672

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tray, Small low table

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 善Good, Virtuous

Radical

肉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1238

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gradually, Steadily

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)斬Slice

Example Word

漸と: finally. The Japanese adverb '漸と (やっと)' means 'finally' or 'at last'. It is used to express relief or satisfaction after a long wait, effort, or struggle. This word often conveys a sense of accomplishment or the overcoming of difficulty. For example: I finally finished my homework「やっと宿題が終わった」(やっとしゅくだいがおわった). The train finally arrived「やっと電車が来た」(やっとでんしゃがきた). It can also imply that something was achieved with great effort or just barely, as in 'I finally caught the last train'「やっと終電に間に合った」(やっとしゅうでんにまにあった).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1260

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Zen

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)単Simple, Single

Example Word

禅: Zen. The Japanese noun '禅 (ぜん)' refers to 'Zen', a school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes meditation and intuition. Zen is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is often associated with simplicity, mindfulness, and the pursuit of enlightenment. It has influenced various aspects of Japanese life, including art, tea ceremonies, and martial arts. Example sentences: He practices Zen meditation「彼は禅の瞑想をします」(かれはぜんのめいそうをします). Zen teaches the importance of being present「禅は今を大切にすることを教えます」(ぜんはいまをたいせつにすることをおしえます).

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1634

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mend, Darning

Reading

Parts

糸Thread 善Good, Virtuous

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1930

Handwriting