Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Before, Front

Reading

Parts

䒑Herbs 月Moon, Month 刂Sword (刀)

Example Word

事前: advance or prior. The Japanese noun '事前 (じぜん)' refers to something that is done or prepared beforehand, in advance, or prior to an event. It is often used in contexts where preparation or planning is emphasized. For example: Please inform us in advance「事前に知らせてください」(じぜんにしらせてください). We need prior approval「事前の承認が必要です」(じぜんのしょうにんがひつようです). The word can also be used to describe actions or arrangements made before a specific event or deadline. It is commonly used in formal or professional settings.

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

32

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sort of thing, In that case

Reading

Parts

火Fire 肰

Example Word

天然: nature. The Japanese noun '天然 (てんねん)' primarily means 'nature' or 'natural'. It refers to things that exist or occur in the natural world, without human intervention. This term can also be used to describe someone who is naturally talented or has an innate quality. For example: This park is full of natural beauty「この公園は天然の美しさに満ちている」(このこうえんはてんねんのうつくしさにみちている). She has a natural talent for singing「彼女は歌うことが天然の才能だ」(かのじょはうたうことがてんねんのさいのうだ).

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

73

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Whole, All

Reading

Parts

王King 𠆢Person (人)

Example Word

全然: not at all. The Japanese adverb '全然 (ぜんぜん)' is commonly used to express 'not at all' or 'entirely not'. It is often used in negative sentences to emphasize the complete absence or negation of something. For example: I don't understand at all「全然わからない」(ぜんぜんわからない). This is not interesting at all「これは全然面白くない」(これはぜんぜんおもしろくない). It can also be used in casual speech to mean 'completely' or 'totally' in positive contexts, though this usage is more informal. For example: I'm completely fine「全然平気だよ」(ぜんぜんへいきだよ).

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