Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Duty

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 殳Pike

Example Word

役所: government or office. The Japanese noun '役所 (やくしょ)' refers to a government office or administrative building where official business is conducted. It is commonly used to describe local government offices, such as city halls or municipal offices, where services like issuing documents, handling taxes, or providing public information are carried out. For example: I went to the city office to submit documents「役所に書類を提出しに行きました」(やくしょにしょるいをていしゅつにいきました). The government office is closed on weekends「役所は週末に閉まっています」(やくしょはしゅうまつにしまっています). Note that while '役所' often refers to local government offices, it can also broadly refer to any government administrative body.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

354

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reason, Translation

Reading

Parts

言Say 尺Foot

Example Word

訳す: translate. The Japanese verb '訳す (やくす)' means 'to translate'. It is used when converting text or speech from one language to another. This verb is commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday contexts. For example: I will translate this book「この本を訳します」(このほんをやくします). She translates Japanese into English「彼女は日本語を英語に訳す」(かのじょはにほんごをえいごにやくす). Note that '訳す' is often used with the particle 'を' to indicate the object being translated, as in '日本語を訳す (にほんごをやくす) (translate Japanese)'.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

597

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Promise, Approximately

Reading

Parts

糸Thread

Example Word

婚約: engagement. The Japanese verbal noun '婚約 (こんやく)' refers to the state of being engaged to be married. It is used to describe the formal agreement or promise to marry someone. This term is often used in formal contexts, such as announcing an engagement or discussing marriage plans. For example: They announced their engagement「彼らは婚約を発表した」(かれらはこんやくをはっぴょうした). She broke off her engagement「彼女は婚約を解消した」(かのじょはこんやくをかいしょうした). The word can also be used in compound terms like '婚約指輪 (こんやくゆびわ)' (engagement ring).

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

635

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Medicine

Reading

Parts

艹Grass 楽Music, Pleasure

Example Word

風邪薬: cold medicine. The Japanese noun '風邪薬 (かぜぐすり)' refers to 'cold medicine'. This term is used to describe medication specifically designed to treat symptoms of the common cold, such as fever, cough, and sore throat. It is commonly found in pharmacies and is a staple in Japanese households, especially during the colder months. Example sentences: I bought cold medicine at the pharmacy「薬局で風邪薬を買いました」(やっきょくでかぜぐすりをかいました). Take this cold medicine before bed「寝る前にこの風邪薬を飲んでください」(ねるまえにこのかぜぐすりをのんでください).

Radical

艸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

816

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Profit, Benefit

Reading

Parts

皿Plate ハ

Example Word

益々: increasingly. The Japanese adverb '益々 (ますます)' means 'increasingly' or 'more and more'. It is used to indicate that something is growing or intensifying over time. This word is often used in formal or written contexts, such as business communications, speeches, or literature. For example: The company is increasingly successful「その会社は益々成功しています」(そのかいしゃはますますせいこうしています). The weather is getting colder and colder「天気は益々寒くなっています」(てんきはますますさむくなっています). Note that '益々' is typically used in positive contexts to describe growth or improvement, but it can also be used neutrally to describe any kind of increase.

Radical

皿

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

972

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Leap

Reading

Example Word

活躍: activity or success. The Japanese verbal noun '活躍 (かつやく)' refers to being active, energetic, or successful in a particular field or endeavor. It is often used to describe someone who is making significant contributions or achieving notable success in their work, sports, or other activities. For example: He is very active in the business world「彼はビジネス界で大いに活躍している」(かれはビジネスかいでおおいにかつやくしている). She succeeded in her new role「彼女は新しい役割で活躍した」(かのじょはあたらしいやくわりでかつやくした). The word can also imply a sense of dynamism and prominence in one's actions.

Radical

足

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1272

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Misfortune, Unlucky

Reading

Parts

厂Cliff 㔾

Example Word

厄介: trouble. The Japanese noun '厄介 (やっかい)' primarily means 'trouble' or 'bother'. It refers to something that is troublesome, inconvenient, or difficult to deal with. This word can be used to describe situations, tasks, or even people who are causing difficulty. For example: He is a troublesome person「彼は厄介な人だ」(かれはやっかいなひとだ). This problem is a real hassle「この問題は本当に厄介だ」(このもんだいはほんとうにやっかいだ). The word can also imply a sense of burden or responsibility, as in taking care of someone who is dependent on you.

Radical

厂

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1613

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Epidemic

Reading

Parts

疒Sick 殳Pike

Example Word

免疫: immunity. The Japanese noun '免疫 (めんえき)' means 'immunity'. It refers to the biological defense mechanism of an organism against diseases or infections. This term is commonly used in medical and health-related contexts. For example: he has strong immunity「彼は免疫が強い」(かれはめんえきがつよい). Vaccines help build immunity「ワクチンは免疫を作るのに役立つ」(ワクチンはめんえきをつくるのにやくだつ). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe resistance to non-biological influences, such as stress or criticism, though this usage is less common.

Radical

疒

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2001

Handwriting