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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

    前年: previous year. The Japanese noun '前年 (ぜんねん)' means 'previous year'. This term is used to refer to the year immediately before the current one, often in contexts comparing data, statistics, or events between years. For example: The sales increased compared to the previous year「前年比で売上が増加した」(ぜんねんひでうりあげがぞうかした). The company's profit was higher than the previous year「会社の利益は前年より高かった」(かいしゃのりえきはぜんねんよりたかかった). It is commonly used in formal or business settings to discuss trends or changes over time.

    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

    依然: still or unchanged. The Japanese adverb '依然 (いぜん)' means 'still' or 'unchanged'. It is used to indicate that a situation or condition remains the same as before, often implying a lack of progress or change. This word is commonly used in formal or written contexts. For example: The problem is still unresolved「問題は依然として解決されていない」(もんだいはいぜんとしてかいけつされていない). The situation remains unchanged「状況は依然として変わらない」(じょうきょうはいぜんとしてかわらない). Note that '依然' is often paired with particles like 'として' to emphasize the continuity of a state.

    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

    全面: entirety. The Japanese noun '全面 (ぜんめん)' means 'entirety' or 'the whole surface/area'. It is used to refer to the complete extent or scope of something, often emphasizing that nothing is left out. For example: The company supports the plan in its entirety「会社はその計画を全面支持している」(かいしゃはそのけいかくをぜんめんしじしている). The wall was painted entirely white「壁は全面白く塗られた」(かべはぜんめんしろくぬられた). This word is commonly used in formal or descriptive contexts to emphasize completeness or totality.

    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

    親善: friendship. The Japanese noun '親善 (しんぜん)' refers to 'friendship' or 'goodwill' between people, groups, or nations. It is often used in formal or diplomatic contexts to describe efforts to foster positive relationships and mutual understanding. For example: The event promoted international friendship「そのイベントは国際親善を促進した」(そのイベントはこくさいしんぜんをそくしんした). They exchanged gifts as a gesture of goodwill「彼らは親善の印として贈り物を交換した」(かれらはしんぜんのしるしとしておくりものをこうかんした). The term can also be used in phrases like '親善試合 (しんぜんしあい)', meaning a friendly match or exhibition game.

    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