Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical
Radical 日
kanji
日Meaning
Day, Sun
Reading
hi
かka
onyomiじつjitsu
にちnichi
Parts
口Mouth 一One
Example Word
日常: daily. The Japanese noun '日常 (にちじょう)' refers to the concept of 'daily life' or 'everyday routine'. It encompasses the ordinary, day-to-day activities and experiences that make up one's regular life. This term is often used to describe the mundane aspects of life, as opposed to special or extraordinary events. For example: I enjoy my daily life「私は日常を楽しんでいます」(わたしはにちじょうをたのしんでいます). The daily routine is important「日常のルーティンは大切です」(にちじょうのルーティンはたいせつです). It can also be used in phrases like '日常生活 (にちじょうせいかつ)' which means 'daily life' or 'everyday life'.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
8
Handwriting
kanji
時Meaning
Time, Hour
Reading
toki
onyomiじji
Parts
日Day, Sun 寺Temple
Example Word
時: time. The Japanese noun '時 (とき)' primarily means 'time'. It refers to a specific point or period in time, and can be used in various contexts to indicate when something happens. For example: when I was a child「私が子供の時」(わたしがこどものとき). It's also used to express moments or occasions, such as: it's time to eat「食べる時です」(たべるときです). Additionally, '時' can be used in more abstract ways, such as in the phrase 'in times of trouble'「困った時」(こまったとき). This word is versatile and appears in many common expressions and idioms.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N5Grade
2Frequency
14
Handwriting
kanji
明Meaning
Bright
Reading
aka
あa
onyomiめいmei
みょうmyou
Parts
日Day, Sun 月Moon, Month
Example Word
明く: open. The Japanese verb '明く (あく)' means 'to open'. This verb is used to describe the action of something becoming open, such as a door, window, or container. It is often used in contexts where something transitions from a closed state to an open state. For example: the door opened「ドアが明いた」(ドアがあいた). The store opens at 9 AM「店は午前9時に明く」(みせはごぜんくじにあく). Note that '明く' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. If you want to express the action of opening something, you would use the transitive verb '開ける (あける)' instead.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
63
Handwriting
kanji
早Meaning
Early, Fast
Reading
haya
onyomiそうsou
さsa
Parts
日Day, Sun 十Ten
Example Word
早まる: rush or premature. The Japanese verb '早まる (はやまる)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'to rush', which refers to acting hastily or without proper consideration. For example: Don't rush into a decision「早まって決断しないで」(はやまってけつだんしないで). The second meaning is 'to be premature', which refers to something happening too early or before the appropriate time. For example: The announcement was premature「その発表は早まった」(そのはっぴょうははやまった). This verb is often used in contexts where caution or timing is important, and it carries a nuance of acting or occurring inappropriately early.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
207
Handwriting
kanji
暗Meaning
Darkness
Reading
kura
onyomiあんan
Parts
音Sound 日Day, Sun
Example Word
暗記: memorization. The Japanese verbal noun '暗記 (あんき)' refers to the act of memorizing or committing something to memory. It is often used in academic or educational contexts, such as memorizing vocabulary, formulas, or historical facts. For example: I memorized the poem「詩を暗記した」(しをあんきした). He is good at memorization「彼は暗記が得意だ」(かれはあんきがとくいだ). The word can also be used to describe the process of rote learning, where information is repeated until it is firmly retained in memory.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
341
Handwriting
kanji
春Meaning
Spring
Reading
haru
onyomiしゅんshun
Parts
日Day, Sun 𡗗Folded hands
Example Word
春夏秋冬: seasons. The Japanese noun '春夏秋冬 (しゅんかしゅうとう)' literally translates to 'spring, summer, autumn, winter,' collectively representing the four seasons. This word is often used to symbolize the passage of time or the cyclical nature of the year. It can be used in poetic or formal contexts to evoke imagery of nature and the changing seasons. For example: The beauty of the four seasons is unparalleled「春夏秋冬の美しさは比類ない」(しゅんかしゅうとうのうつくしさはひるいない). I love the rhythm of the seasons「私は春夏秋冬のリズムが好きです」(わたしはしゅんかしゅうとうのリズムがすきです). Note that this word is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to simply saying '季節 (きせつ)' for 'season.'
Radical
日
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
378
Handwriting
kanji
晩Meaning
Evening, Nightfall
Reading
ban
Parts
日Day, Sun 免Excuse, Exempt
Example Word
昨晩: last night. The Japanese noun '昨晩 (さくばん)' means 'last night'. It is used to refer to the night before the current day. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to talk about events or actions that occurred the previous night. For example: I met him last night「昨晩彼に会いました」(さくばんかれにあいました). Did you sleep well last night?「昨晩はよく眠れましたか?」(さくばんはよくねむれましたか?). Note that '昨晩' is a specific time reference and is often used in past-tense sentences.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
448
Handwriting
kanji
昔Meaning
Old times
Reading
mukashi
onyomiせきseki
Parts
日Day, Sun 龷Twenty (廿)
Example Word
昔: past. The Japanese noun '昔 (むかし)' refers to 'the past' or 'olden times'. It is used to describe a time long ago, often with a nostalgic or historical connotation. This word is commonly used in storytelling or when reminiscing about earlier days. For example: In the past, this town was very quiet「昔、この町はとても静かだった」(むかし、このまちはとてもしずかだった). Long ago, people used to travel by horse「昔、人々は馬で旅をした」(むかし、ひとびとはうまでたびをした). The word '昔' can also be used in expressions like '昔話 (むかしばなし)', which means 'old tale' or 'folktale'.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
501
Handwriting
kanji
暮Meaning
Livelihood
Reading
ku
onyomiぼbo
Parts
莫 日Day, Sun
Example Word
夕暮れ: dusk. The Japanese noun '夕暮れ (ゆうぐれ)' refers to the time of day when the sun is setting and the sky is transitioning from daylight to darkness, commonly known as 'dusk'. It is often associated with a serene and poetic atmosphere, frequently used in literature and daily conversation to evoke a sense of calm or nostalgia. For example: The sky at dusk is beautiful「夕暮れの空は美しい」(ゆうぐれのそらはうつくしい). We took a walk at dusk「私たちは夕暮れに散歩しました」(わたしたちはゆうぐれにさんぽしました). This word captures the fleeting beauty of the evening, making it a favorite in Japanese poetry and art.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
14JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
516
Handwriting
kanji
景Meaning
Scene
Reading
kei
Parts
日Day, Sun 京Capital
Example Word
風景: scenery. The Japanese noun '風景 (ふうけい)' refers to 'scenery' or 'landscape'. It is used to describe the visual appearance of a place, including natural or urban environments. This word often evokes a sense of beauty or aesthetic appreciation. For example: The scenery of the mountains is beautiful「山の風景は美しい」(やまのふうけいはうつくしい). I want to see the scenery of the countryside「田舎の風景を見たい」(いなかのふうけい をみたい). It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or atmosphere, such as 'the scenery of life'「人生の風景」(じんせいのふうけい).
Radical
日
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
563
Handwriting
kanji
昨Meaning
Yesterday, Previous
Reading
saku
Parts
日Day, Sun 乍
Example Word
昨日: yesterday. The Japanese noun '昨日 (きのう)' means 'yesterday'. It refers to the day before today. This word is commonly used in daily conversations to talk about events or actions that occurred on the previous day. For example: I went to the park yesterday「昨日、公園に行きました」(きのう、こうえんにいきました). Yesterday was a holiday「昨日は休日でした」(きのうはきゅうじつでした). The word '昨日' is straightforward and does not have additional meanings or nuances beyond its temporal reference.
Radical
日
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
589
Handwriting