kanji

Meaning

Degrees, Times

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 又Again 廿Twenty

Example Word

丁度: exactly. The Japanese adverb '丁度 (ちょうど)' means 'exactly' or 'just'. It is used to indicate precision in time, quantity, or condition. It can also imply that something happens at the perfect moment or fits perfectly. For example: It's exactly 3 o'clock「ちょうど3時です」(ちょうどさんじです). This shirt fits me just right「このシャツはちょうどいい」(このシャツはちょうどいい). The train arrived exactly on time「電車はちょうど時間通りに到着した」(でんしゃはちょうどじかんどおりにとうちゃくした). Note that 'ちょうど' is often used in casual and formal contexts alike, making it a versatile word in Japanese.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

58

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Marsh, Swamp

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)尺Foot

Example Word

沢山: many. The Japanese adverb '沢山 (たくさん)' means 'many' or 'a lot'. It is used to indicate a large quantity of something, whether it be objects, people, or abstract concepts. It can be used in both positive and neutral contexts. For example: There are many books「本が沢山ある」(ほんがたくさんある). I ate a lot「沢山食べた」(たくさんたべた). Note that '沢山' is often used in casual conversation and can also imply 'enough' or 'plenty' in certain contexts, such as 'That's enough, thank you'「もう沢山です、ありがとう」(もうたくさんです、ありがとう).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

538

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

House

Reading

Parts

宀Roof 乇Depend

Example Word

宅: home. The Japanese noun '宅 (たく)' refers to one's home or residence. It is often used in formal or polite contexts, such as when referring to someone else's home. For example: I will visit your home「あなたの宅を訪問します」(あなたのたくをほうもんします). This word can also be used in compound words like '自宅 (じたく)' (one's own home) or '帰宅 (きたく)' (returning home). It carries a slightly formal tone and is commonly used in written language or polite speech.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

840

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eminent

Reading

Parts

早Early, Fast 卜Divination

Example Word

電卓: calculator. The Japanese noun '電卓 (でんたく)' refers to a 'calculator', specifically an electronic one. This term is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as in schools, offices, or at home. It is a compound word combining '電' (でん), meaning 'electric', and '卓' (たく), meaning 'desk' or 'table', reflecting its function as a portable electronic device. For example: I bought a new calculator「新しい電卓を買いました」(あたらしいでんたくをかいました). Can I borrow your calculator?「電卓を借りてもいいですか？」(でんたくをかりてもいいですか？). This word is neutral in tone and widely understood in all contexts.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1118

Radical Form

龺

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Entrust, Consign

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)乇Depend

Example Word

託する: entrust. The Japanese verb '託する (たくする)' means 'to entrust' or 'to leave something to someone'. It is often used when someone delegates a task, responsibility, or decision to another person. This verb carries a nuance of trust and reliance. For example: I entrusted the decision to my friend「私はその決定を友人に託した」(わたしはそのけっていをゆうじんにたくした). He entrusted his will to his lawyer「彼は遺言を弁護士に託した」(かれはいごんをべんごしにたくした). This verb is typically used in formal or serious contexts, such as legal, business, or personal matters.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1802

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Choose, Select

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)尺Foot

Example Word

選択: selection or choice. The Japanese verbal noun '選択 (せんたく)' refers to the act of selecting or choosing something from a set of options. It is commonly used in contexts where decisions are made, such as selecting items, options, or courses of action. For example: Please make a selection from the menu「メニューから選択してください」(メニューからせんたくしてください). The choice of words is important「言葉の選択は重要です」(ことばのせんたくはじゅうようです). This word is often used in formal or practical situations, such as in menus, surveys, or decision-making processes.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1825

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wash, Rinse

Reading

Parts

氵Water (水)翟Surname

Example Word

洗濯: laundry. The Japanese verbal noun '洗濯 (せんたく)' refers to the act of washing clothes or doing laundry. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to talk about household chores. For example: I did the laundry today「今日は洗濯をしました」(きょうはせんたくをしました). The laundry is drying outside「洗濯物が外で乾いています」(せんたくものがそとでかわいています). This word is often combined with other words to form phrases like '洗濯機 (せんたくき)' (washing machine) or '洗濯物 (せんたくもの)' (laundry items).

Radical

水

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1890

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reclaim, Cultivation

Reading

Parts

扌Hand (手)石Stone

Example Word

開拓: development or pioneering. The Japanese noun '開拓 (かいたく)' refers to the act of pioneering or developing new land, ideas, or fields. It is often used in contexts related to exploring uncharted territories, creating new opportunities, or advancing in a particular area. For example: Pioneering new markets is essential for growth「新しい市場の開拓は成長に不可欠だ」(あたらしいしじょうのかいたくはせいちょうにふかけつだ). They are developing unused land「彼らは未使用の土地を開拓している」(かれらはみしようのとちをかいたくしている). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe innovation or breaking new ground in various fields.

Radical

手

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1920

Handwriting