りゅう ryuu

kanji

流

Meaning

Flow

Reading

kunyomiなが

naga

onyomiりゅう

ryuu

Parts

氵Water (水)㐬Newborn

Example Word

流れる: flow. The Japanese verb '流れる (ながれる)' means 'to flow'. It is commonly used to describe the movement of liquids, such as water in a river, but can also be used metaphorically to describe the passage of time, the movement of air, or even abstract concepts like emotions. For example: The river flows「川が流れる」(かわがながれる). Time flows quickly「時間が流れるのは早い」(じかんがながれるのははやい). The wind flows through the trees「風が木々の間を流れる」(かぜがきぎのあいだをながれる). This verb is often used in both literal and figurative contexts, making it versatile in everyday conversation.

Radical

水

Stroke Count

10

JLPT

N3

Grade

3

Frequency

192

Handwriting

kanji

留

Meaning

Stay, Detain

Reading

kunyomiと

to

onyomiりゅう

ryuu

る

ru

Example Word

留学生: foreign student. The Japanese noun '留学生 (りゅうがくせい)' means 'foreign student'. This term refers to a student who is studying in a country other than their own, typically for higher education or long term study programs. It is a common term used in Japanese campuses and academic contexts. For example: He is a foreign student from China「彼は中国からの留学生です」(かれはちゅうごくからのりゅうがくせいです).The university has many foreign students「その大学には留学生がたくさんいます」(そのだいがくにはりゅうがくせいがたくさんいます).The word is a combination of '留学'(りゅうがく), meaning 'studying abroad', and '生'(せい), meaning 'student' or 'life'.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

10

JLPT

N3

Grade

5

Frequency

626

Handwriting

kanji

柳

Meaning

Willow

Reading

kunyomiやなぎ

yanagi

onyomiりゅう

ryuu

Parts

木Tree, Wood 卯

Radical

木

Stroke Count

9

JLPT

N1

Grade

9

Frequency

919

Handwriting

kanji

竜

Meaning

Dragon

Reading

kunyomiたつ

tatsu

onyomiりゅう

ryuu

Parts

立Stand 电

Example Word

竜: dragon. The Japanese noun '竜 (りゅう)' refers to a 'dragon', a mythical creature often depicted as a large, serpentine or reptilian being with magical or spiritual qualities. In Japanese culture, dragons are typically seen as benevolent and associated with water, rain, and protection. They are a common motif in folklore, art, and festivals. Example sentences: The dragon flew across the sky「竜が空を飛んだ」(りゅうがそらをとんだ). The shrine is guarded by a dragon「その神社は竜に守られている」(そのじんじゃはりゅうにまもられている). Note that '竜' is often used in names, stories, and symbolic contexts, and it carries a more traditional or mythical connotation compared to the word 'ドラゴン' (doragon), which is used for Western-style dragons.

Radical

立

Stroke Count

10

JLPT

N1

Grade

9

Frequency

1151

Handwriting

kanji

隆

Meaning

Hump, Prosper

Reading

onyomiりゅう

ryuu

Parts

生Life ⻖夂Late

Radical

阜

Stroke Count

11

JLPT

N1

Grade

8

Frequency

1504

Handwriting

kanji

粒

Meaning

Grain, Grains

Reading

kunyomiつぶ

tsubu

onyomiりゅう

ryuu

Parts

立Stand 米Rice

Example Word

粒: grain or particle. The Japanese noun '粒 (つぶ)' refers to a small, discrete unit or piece, often used to describe grains, particles, or tiny objects. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing rice grains, sand particles, or even small items like beads. For example: There are many grains of rice「ご飯の粒がたくさんある」(ごはんのつぶがたくさんある). The sand particles are fine「砂の粒が細かい」(すなのつぶがこまかい). This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can also be found in idiomatic expressions, such as '粒が揃う (つぶがそろう)', which means 'to be of uniform quality'.

Radical

米

Stroke Count

11

JLPT

N2

Grade

7

Frequency

1567

Handwriting

kanji