Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Before, Front

Reading

Parts

䒑Herbs 月Moon, Month 刂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

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

32

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sort of thing, In that case

Reading

Parts

火Fire 肰

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

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

73

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Whole, All

Reading

Parts

王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

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