Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Face

Reading

Parts

𦣻Neck (首)八Eight 立Stand 厂Cliff 彡Fur

Example Word

朝顔: morning glory. The Japanese noun '朝顔 (あさがお)' refers to the 'morning glory' flower, known for its trumpet-shaped blooms that typically open in the morning and close by afternoon. This flower is often associated with summer in Japan and is a popular subject in traditional Japanese art and poetry. Example sentences: The morning glory is blooming「朝顔が咲いている」(あさがおがさいている). I planted morning glories in my garden「庭に朝顔を植えた」(にわにあさがおをうえた).

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

79

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Head

Reading

Parts

豆Beans 𦣻Neck (首)八Eight

Example Word

到頭: finally. The Japanese adverb '到頭 (とうとう)' means 'finally' or 'at last'. It is used to indicate that something has happened after a long period of time or after much anticipation. This word often carries a nuance of relief, completion, or inevitability. For example: He finally arrived「彼は到頭到着した」(かれはとうとうとうちゃくした). The project is finally finished「そのプロジェクトは到頭終わった」(そのプロジェクトはとうとうおわった). Note that '到頭' is typically used in situations where the outcome was expected or inevitable, and it often implies a sense of closure.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

129

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Approximate

Reading

Parts

匕Spoon 頁Page

Example Word

何時頃: when. The Japanese noun '何時頃 (いつごろ)' means 'when' or 'around what time'. It is used to ask about an approximate time or period. This word is often used in casual conversations to inquire about the timing of events or actions. For example: When will you arrive?「何時頃に到着しますか？」(いつごろにとうちゃくしますか？). Around what time does the meeting start?「会議は何時頃始まりますか？」(かいぎはいつごろはじまりますか？). Note that '何時頃' is more casual and approximate compared to '何時 (なんじ)', which asks for a specific time.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

227

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Topic

Reading

Parts

是Right, Absolutely 頁Page

Example Word

話題: topic. The Japanese noun '話題 (わだい)' means 'topic'. It refers to a subject of conversation or discussion. This word is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to indicate what people are talking about. For example: That's an interesting topic「それは面白い話題だ」(それはおもしろいわだいだ). Let's change the topic「話題を変えましょう」(わだいをかえましょう). The word can also be used to describe trending or popular subjects, such as in '最近の話題 (さいきんのわだい) (recent topic/trending topic)'. It is a versatile term that can apply to any subject matter being discussed.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

285

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kind, Type

Reading

Parts

类 頁Page

Example Word

分類: classification. The Japanese verbal noun '分類 (ぶんるい)' means 'classification'. It refers to the act or process of categorizing or organizing things into groups based on shared characteristics. This term is commonly used in academic, scientific, and everyday contexts. For example: The classification of animals is important in biology「動物の分類は生物学で重要です」(どうぶつのぶんるいはせいぶつがくでじゅうようです). Please classify these documents by date「これらの書類を日付で分類してください」(これらのしょるいをひづけでぶんるいしてください). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '分類学 (ぶんるいがく)' (taxonomy).

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

407

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ask, Trust

Reading

Parts

束Bundle, Bind 頁Page

Example Word

頼り: reliance. The Japanese noun '頼り (たより)' means 'reliance' or 'dependence'. It refers to the act of relying on someone or something for support, help, or guidance. This word is often used in contexts where trust or dependence is implied, such as in relationships or when seeking assistance. For example: I have no one to rely on「頼りにする人がいない」(たよりにするひとがいない). He is my only reliance「彼が私の唯一の頼りだ」(かれがわたしのゆいいつのたよりだ). The word can also be used to describe something that serves as a source of support or information, such as a guide or reference.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

424

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Request, Wish

Reading

Parts

原Meadow, Original 頁Page

Example Word

本願: vow. The Japanese noun '本願 (ほんがん)' refers to a 'vow' or 'original vow', particularly in a religious or spiritual context. It is often used in Buddhism to describe the vows made by a Buddha or Bodhisattva to save all sentient beings. For example: Amida Buddha's original vow「阿弥陀仏の本願」(あみだぶつのほんがん). The monk spoke about the importance of the vow「僧侶は本願の重要性について話した」(そうりょはほんがんのじゅうようせいについてはなした). This term carries a deep spiritual significance and is commonly encountered in religious texts and discussions.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

599

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Territory

Reading

Parts

令Orders 頁Page

Example Word

領: territory. The Japanese suffix '領 (りょう)' refers to a territory or domain. It is often used in compound words to denote areas under control or jurisdiction, such as a country's territory or a feudal lord's domain. For example: the territory of Japan「日本の領土」(にほんのりょうど). The lord's domain「領主の領地」(りょうしゅのりょうち). This suffix is commonly seen in historical or political contexts, emphasizing control or ownership over a specific area.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

797

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Crown, Accept

Reading

Parts

丁Street 頁Page

Example Word

頂戴: receive. The Japanese verbal noun '頂戴 (ちょうだい)' is a polite and humble way to say 'receive' or 'accept'. It is often used when asking for something politely or when receiving something from someone of higher status. It can also be used as a humble way to say 'eat' or 'drink'. For example: Please give me that book「その本を頂戴」(そのほんをちょうだい). I received a gift from my teacher「先生からプレゼントを頂戴しました」(せんせいからプレゼントをちょうだいしました). It's important to note that this word is often used in formal or polite situations, and is not typically used in casual conversation.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

819

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Amount, Forehead

Reading

Parts

客Guest, Customer 頁Page

Example Word

総額: total. The Japanese noun '総額 (そうがく)' means 'total' and refers to the complete sum or aggregate amount of something, often used in financial or quantitative contexts. It is commonly used when discussing budgets, costs, or overall amounts. For example: The total cost is 10,000 yen「総額は1万円です」(そうがくはいちまんえんです). The total amount of the project is high「プロジェクトの総額は高いです」(ぷろじぇくとのそうがくはたかいです). This word is typically used in formal or business settings to emphasize the entirety of a sum.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

929

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Order, Obey

Reading

Parts

川River 頁Page

Example Word

道順: route or directions. The Japanese noun '道順 (みちじゅん)' refers to the route or path to a destination, or the directions to get there. It is commonly used when asking for or giving instructions on how to reach a specific place. For example: Can you tell me the route to the station?「駅への道順を教えてくれますか？」(えきへのみちじゅんをおしえてくれますか？). I followed the directions and arrived safely「道順に従って、無事に着きました」(みちじゅんにしたがって、ぶじにつきました). This word emphasizes the sequence or order of steps to reach a destination, making it useful in navigation or travel contexts.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

954

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Jaw, Cheeks

Reading

Example Word

頬: cheek. The Japanese noun '頬 (ほお)' refers to the 'cheek', the part of the face below the eye and between the nose and ear. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and literature to describe this specific part of the face. For example: Her cheeks turned red「彼女の頬が赤くなった」(かのじょのほおがあかくなった). He gently touched her cheek「彼は優しく彼女の頬に触れた」(かれはやさしくかのじょのほおにふれた). The word can also be used metaphorically or in idiomatic expressions, such as '頬を染める (ほおをそめる)', which means 'to blush'.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

957

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Look back, Review

Reading

Parts

雇Employ, Hire 頁Page

Example Word

顧客: customer. The Japanese noun '顧客 (こきゃく)' means 'customer'. It refers to a person or entity that purchases goods or services from a business. This term is commonly used in business and retail contexts to describe clients or patrons. For example: The store values its customers「その店は顧客を大切にしている」(そのみせはこきゃくをたいせつにしている). We need to attract more customers「もっと顧客を集める必要がある」(もっとこきゃくをあつめるひつようがある). The word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1338

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Necessary

Reading

Parts

彡Fur 頁Page

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1378

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Deposit

Reading

Parts

予Beforehand 頁Page

Example Word

預金: deposit. The Japanese verbal noun '預金 (よきん)' refers to the act of depositing money into a bank or financial institution, or the money that has been deposited. It is commonly used in contexts related to banking and finance. For example: I made a deposit at the bank「銀行に預金をした」(ぎんこうによきんをした). The deposit earns interest「その預金は利息がつく」(そのよきんはりそくがつく). This term is often used in formal or financial contexts, and it can refer to both the action of depositing and the deposited funds themselves.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1417

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Appear, Manifest

Reading

Parts

显 頁Page

Example Word

顕著: remarkable. The Japanese adjectival noun '顕著 (けんちょ)' means 'remarkable' or 'notable'. It is used to describe something that is clearly visible, noticeable, or stands out due to its significance or impact. This word is often used in formal or academic contexts to highlight something that is particularly striking or evident. For example: The progress in technology is remarkable「技術の進歩は顕著だ」(ぎじゅつのしんぽはけんちょだ). The difference between the two groups was notable「二つのグループの違いは顕著だった」(ふたつのグループのちがいはけんちょだった). Note that '顕著' is typically used in written or formal speech rather than casual conversation.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1477

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Stubborn

Reading

Parts

元Origin 頁Page

Example Word

頑丈: sturdy. The Japanese adjectival noun '頑丈 (がんじょう)' means 'sturdy' or 'robust'. It is used to describe something that is strongly built, durable, or tough, often referring to physical objects or structures. For example: This table is sturdy「このテーブルは頑丈だ」(このテーブルはがんじょうだ). The bridge is robust「その橋は頑丈だ」(そのはしはがんじょうだ). It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's health or resolve, as in 'He has a sturdy constitution'「彼は頑丈な体を持っている」(かれはがんじょうなからだをもっている).

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1535

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Immediate

Reading

Parts

屯Barracks, Station troops 頁Page

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1549

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Frequently, Frequent

Reading

Parts

步 頁Page

Example Word

頻り: frequently or eagerly. The Japanese adverb '頻り (しきり)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'frequently', which is used to describe something that happens often or repeatedly. For example: It rained frequently yesterday「昨日は頻りと雨が降った」(きのうはしきりとあめがふった). The second meaning is 'eagerly', which is used to describe doing something with enthusiasm or intensity. For example: She eagerly asked questions「彼女は頻りに質問をした」(かのじょはしきりにしつもんをした). The nuance of this word often conveys a sense of persistence or intensity in the action being described.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1575

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Chin

Reading

Parts

咢 頁Page

Example Word

顎: jaw. The Japanese noun '顎 (あご)' refers to the 'jaw', the bony structure that forms the framework of the mouth and holds the teeth. It is commonly used in both anatomical and everyday contexts. For example: my jaw hurts「顎が痛い」(あごがいたい). He has a strong jaw「彼は顎が強い」(かれはあごがつよい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's determination or stubbornness, as in '顎が外れるほど笑う (あごがはずれるほどわらう)', which means 'to laugh so hard one's jaw might fall off'.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1654

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Clause, Paragraph

Reading

Parts

工Construction 頁Page

Example Word

項目: item. The Japanese noun '項目 (こうもく)' means 'item' and is commonly used to refer to a specific entry, point, or topic in a list, document, or discussion. It is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as in reports, forms, or agendas. For example: Please check each item on the list「リストの各項目を確認してください」(リストのかくこうもくをかくにんしてください). The agenda has five items「議題は五つの項目があります」(ぎだいはいつつのこうもくがあります). This word is particularly useful when organizing or categorizing information.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1808

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Partition, Distribute widely

Reading

Parts

分Minute, Part 頁Page

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2097

Handwriting