Page 1
kanji
役Meaning
Duty
Reading
onyomiえきeki
やくyaku
Parts
彳Stop 殳Pike
Example Word
市役所: city hall. The Japanese noun '市役所 (しやくしょ)' refers to a 'city hall' or 'municipal office'. This is the administrative center of a city where local government services are provided, such as issuing official documents, handling taxes, and managing public services. For example: I went to the city hall to register my address「市役所に住所を登録しに行きました」(しやくしょにじゅうしょをとうろくしにいきました). The city hall is located in the center of the city「市役所は市の中心にあります」(しやくしょはしのちゅうしんにあります). This term is commonly used in daily life when dealing with administrative tasks or local government matters.
Radical
彳
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
354
Handwriting
kanji
訳Meaning
Reason, Translation
Reading
kunyomiわけwake
onyomiやくyaku
Parts
言Say 尺Foot
Example Word
通訳: interpretation. The Japanese verbal noun '通訳 (つうやく)' refers to the act of interpreting, particularly spoken language, between two parties who do not share a common language. It is commonly used in contexts such as international conferences, business meetings, or any situation where real-time language translation is required. For example: She is good at interpretation「彼女は通訳が上手です」(かのじょはつうやくがじょうずです). We need an interpreter for the meeting「会議に通訳が必要です」(かいぎにつうやくがひつようです). The term is distinct from '翻訳 (ほんやく)', which refers to written translation.
Radical
言
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
597
Handwriting
kanji
約Meaning
Promise, Approximately
Reading
onyomiやくyaku
Parts
糸Thread
Example Word
制約: constraint. The Japanese noun '制約 (せいやく)' refers to a 'constraint' or 'limitation'. It is used to describe restrictions or conditions that limit freedom or possibilities. This word is often used in contexts such as rules, regulations, or technical limitations. For example: There are many constraints in this project「このプロジェクトには多くの制約がある」(このプロジェクトにはおおくのせいやくがある). The law imposes constraints on businesses「その法律はビジネスに制約を課す」(そのほうりつはビジネスにせいやくをかす). The word can also be used in abstract contexts, such as time constraints or social constraints.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
635
Handwriting
kanji
薬Meaning
Medicine
Reading
kunyomiくすりkusuri
onyomiやくyaku
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
16JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
816
Handwriting
kanji
益Meaning
Profit, Benefit
Reading
onyomiえきeki
やくyaku
Parts
皿Plate ハ
Example Word
利益: profit or benefit. The Japanese noun '利益 (りえき)' can mean either 'profit' or 'benefit', depending on the context. When referring to 'profit', it is often used in business or financial contexts to describe monetary gain. For example: The company made a large profit「その会社は大きな利益を得た」(そのかいしゃはおおきなりえきをえた). When referring to 'benefit', it is used to describe an advantage or positive outcome, often in a more general or non-monetary sense. For example: This policy will bring benefits to society「この政策は社会に利益をもたらす」(このせいさくはしゃかいにりえきをもたらす). The word can be used in both formal and informal settings, but it is more commonly encountered in formal or written contexts.
Radical
皿
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
972
Handwriting
kanji
躍Meaning
Leap
Reading
kunyomiおどodo
onyomiやくyaku
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
21JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1272
Handwriting
kanji
厄Meaning
Misfortune, Unlucky
Reading
onyomiやくyaku
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
4JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1613
Handwriting
kanji
疫Meaning
Epidemic
Reading
onyomiえきeki
やくyaku
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
9JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
2001
Handwriting