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Nihongo

Classroom

Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

ぜん zen

 

    kanji

    Meaning

    Before, Front

    Reading

    kunyomiまえ

    mae

    onyomiぜん

    zen

    Parts

    Herbs Moon, Month Sword (刀)

    Example Word

    前日: previous day. The Japanese noun '前日 (ぜんじつ)' refers to 'the previous day' or 'the day before'. It is commonly used to indicate the day immediately preceding a specific event or date. For example: The meeting was held the previous day「会議は前日に行われた」(かいぎはぜんじつにおこなわれた). I prepared everything the day before「私は前日にすべて準備した」(わたしはぜんじつにすべてじゅんびした). This term is often used in formal or written contexts to specify timing relative to an event.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    32

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sort of thing, In that case

    Reading

    kunyomi

    sa

    しか

    shika

    onyomiねん

    nen

    ぜん

    zen

    Parts

    Fire

    Example Word

    突然: suddenly. The Japanese adverb '突然 (とつぜん)' means 'suddenly'. It is used to describe an action or event that occurs without warning or unexpectedly. This word is often used in both spoken and written Japanese to emphasize the abruptness of an occurrence. For example: Suddenly, it started raining「突然、雨が降り始めた」(とつぜん、あめがふりはじめた). He suddenly appeared「彼は突然現れた」(かれはとつぜんあらわれた). The word can also be used to describe sudden changes in situations or emotions, such as '突然の変化 (とつぜんのへんか)' (sudden change).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    12

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    73

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Whole, All

    Reading

    kunyomiまった

    matta

    すべ

    sube

    onyomiぜん

    zen

    Parts

    King 𠆢Person (人)

    Example Word

    全く: completely. The Japanese adverb '全く (まったく)' means 'completely' or 'entirely'. It is often used to emphasize the degree or extent of something, either positively or negatively. For example: I completely forgot「全く忘れていた」(まったくわすれていた). It can also be used to express agreement or confirmation, similar to 'exactly' or 'absolutely'. For example: That's exactly right!「全くその通り!」(まったくそのとおり!). In negative contexts, it can mean 'not at all', as in: I don't understand at all「全く分からない」(まったくわからない). This adverb is versatile and commonly used in both casual and formal speech.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    6

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    135

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Good, Virtuous

    Reading

    kunyomi

    yo

    onyomiぜん

    zen

    Parts

    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

    Stroke Count

    12

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    672

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tray, Small low table

    Reading

    kunyomiすす

    susu

    そな

    sona

    かしわ

    kashiwa

    onyomiせん

    sen

    ぜん

    zen

    Parts

    Moon, Month Good, Virtuous

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    16

    Grade

    10

    Frequency

    1238

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gradually, Steadily

    Reading

    kunyomiようや

    youya

    やや

    yaya

    onyomiぜん

    zen

    Parts

    Water (水)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

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    9

    Frequency

    1260

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Zen

    Reading

    onyomiぜん

    zen

    Parts

    Cult (示)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

    Stroke Count

    13

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    9

    Frequency

    1634

    Handwriting

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mend, Darning

    Reading

    kunyomiつくろ

    tsukuro

    onyomiぜん

    zen

    Parts

    Thread Good, Virtuous

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    18

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    8

    Frequency

    1930

    Handwriting

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Onyomi reading Groups

Group 94 of 305