字Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Face

Reading

Parts

立Stand 八Eight 厂Cliff 𦣻Neck (首)彡Fur

Example Word

顔: face. The Japanese noun '顔 (かお)' means 'face'. It refers to the front part of a person's head, from the forehead to the chin, including the eyes, nose, and mouth. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can also be used metaphorically to represent one's expression, appearance, or reputation. For example: She has a beautiful face「彼女は顔がきれいです」(かのじょはかおがきれいです). I can't show my face there「私はそこに顔を出せない」(わたしはそこにかおをだせない). The word '顔' can also be used in idiomatic expressions, such as '顔を出す (かおをだす)', which means 'to show up' or 'to make an appearance'.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

79

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Head

Reading

Parts

豆Beans 八Eight 𦣻Neck (首)

Example Word

頭: head. The Japanese noun '頭 (あたま)' primarily means 'head'. It refers to the physical head of a person or animal, but it can also be used metaphorically to refer to intelligence or leadership. For example: my head hurts「頭が痛い」(あたまがいたい). He is the head of the company「彼は会社の頭だ」(かれはかいしゃのあたまだ). Additionally, '頭' can be used in idiomatic expressions, such as '頭がいい (あたまがいい)' meaning 'smart' or 'intelligent'.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

129

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Approximate

Reading

Parts

匕Spoon 頁Page

Example Word

頃: time or period. The Japanese noun '頃 (ころ)' refers to a specific time or period, often implying a general or approximate time frame rather than an exact moment. It is commonly used to describe a period in the past, present, or future, and can be associated with seasons, events, or life stages. For example: around this time last year「去年のこの頃」(きょねんのこのころ). When I was a child「子供の頃」(こどものころ). It can also be used to indicate a suitable or appropriate time for something, as in 'it's about time to leave'「そろそろ帰る頃だ」(そろそろかえるころだ). The word carries a nuance of vagueness, making it useful for expressing general time frames without precision.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

227

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Topic

Reading

Parts

是Right, Absolutely 頁Page

Example Word

問題: question or problem. The Japanese noun '問題 (もんだい)' can mean either 'problem' or 'question', depending on the context. As 'problem', it refers to an issue or difficulty that needs to be resolved. For example: there is a problem with the computer「コンピューターに問題がある」(コンピューターにもんだいがある). As 'question', it refers to a query or an item on a test. For example: I have a question「問題があります」(もんだいがあります). This word is commonly used in both academic and everyday situations, and its meaning is usually clear from the context.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

285

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kind, Type

Reading

Parts

类 頁Page

Example Word

種類: kind or type. The Japanese noun '種類 (しゅるい)' refers to a 'kind' or 'type' of something. It is used to categorize or classify things based on their characteristics. For example: there are many kinds of flowers「花の種類はたくさんあります」(はなのしゅるいはたくさんあります). What type of music do you like?「どんな種類の音楽が好きですか？」(どんなしゅるいのおんがくがすきですか？). This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can apply to a wide range of contexts, such as food, animals, products, or ideas.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

407

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ask, Trust

Reading

Parts

束Bundle, Bind 頁Page

Example Word

頼む: request or ask. The Japanese verb '頼む (たのむ)' primarily means 'to ask' or 'to request'. It is used when someone is asking for a favor, help, or a service from another person. The nuance is often polite but can vary depending on the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener. For example: Please help me「手伝ってくださいと頼む」(てつだってくださいとたのむ). I asked him to buy some bread「彼にパンを買ってくるように頼んだ」(かれにパンをかってくるようにたのんだ). It can also imply trust or reliance on someone, as in 'I rely on you'「君を頼む」(きみをたのむ). The verb is versatile and commonly used in everyday conversations.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

424

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Request, Wish

Reading

Parts

原Meadow, Original 頁Page

Example Word

お願い: request. The Japanese verbal noun 'お願い (おねがい)' means 'request'. It is a polite and formal way to ask for something or to make a request. This term is often used in various contexts, such as asking for a favor, making a formal request, or even in customer service settings. For example: Please help me「お願い、助けてください」(おねがい、たすけてください). I have a request「お願いがあります」(おねがいがあります). It is important to note that 'お願い' is often used with the verb 'する' to form the phrase 'お願いします', which is a common way to make a polite request, as in 'Please do this for me「これをやってください、お願いします」(これをやってください、おねがいします)'.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

599

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Territory

Reading

Parts

令Orders 頁Page

Example Word

領域: territory or domain. The Japanese noun '領域 (りょういき)' refers to a specific area, region, or domain. It can be used to describe physical territories, such as land or regions, as well as abstract domains, such as fields of expertise or areas of control. For example: This is the territory of our company「これは私たちの会社の領域です」(これはわたしたちのかいしゃのりょういきです). He is an expert in the field of science「彼は科学の領域の専門家です」(かれはかがくのりょういきのせんもんかです). The word can also imply boundaries or limits, such as in '侵入してはいけない領域 (しんにゅうしてはいけないりょういき) (a restricted area).'

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

797

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Crown, Accept

Reading

Parts

丁Street 頁Page

Example Word

頂く: eat or receive. The Japanese verb '頂く (いただく)' is a humble form of 'もらう' (to receive) and '食べる' (to eat). It is used to express receiving something from someone of higher status or to humbly express eating or drinking. This verb conveys respect and gratitude towards the giver or the act of consuming. For example: I received a gift from the teacher「先生からプレゼントを頂きました」(せんせいからぷれぜんとをいただきました). I will eat this meal「この食事を頂きます」(このしょくじをいただきます). The verb is often used in formal situations or when showing politeness.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

819

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Amount, Forehead

Reading

Parts

客Guest, Customer 頁Page

Example Word

額: forehead. The Japanese noun '額 (ひたい)' refers to the 'forehead', the part of the face above the eyebrows and below the hairline. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and can also appear in idiomatic expressions or descriptive contexts. For example: She has a wide forehead「彼女は額が広い」(かのじょはひたいがひろい). He wiped the sweat from his forehead「彼は額の汗を拭いた」(かれはひたいのあせをぬぐった). The word is straightforward and primarily used in its literal sense.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

929

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Order, Obey

Reading

Parts

川River 頁Page

Example Word

順: order. The Japanese noun '順 (じゅん)' means 'order' or 'sequence'. It refers to the arrangement or progression of things in a particular sequence. This word is often used in contexts where the sequence or arrangement is important, such as in instructions, rankings, or processes. For example: Please line up in order「順に並んでください」(じゅんにならんでください). The order of events is important「順番が大切です」(じゅんばんがたいせつです). It can also be used in compound words like '順番 (じゅんばん)' meaning 'turn' or 'order of turns'.

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

頁Page 雇Employ, Hire

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

預ける: entrust. The Japanese verb '預ける (あずける)' means 'to entrust' or 'to leave something in someone's care'. It is commonly used when you want to leave an object, responsibility, or even a person in the care of someone else. For example: I entrusted my bag to the hotel「ホテルに荷物を預けた」(ほてるににもつをあずけた). She left her child with her friend「彼女は友達に子供を預けた」(かのじょはともだちにこどもをあずけた). This verb implies a sense of trust and reliance on the person being entrusted. It can also be used in financial contexts, such as depositing money in a bank.

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

頑張る: persist. The Japanese verb '頑張る (がんばる)' means 'to persist' or 'to do one's best'. It is commonly used to encourage someone to keep trying or to put in effort. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as work, studies, sports, or personal challenges. For example: I will do my best at work「仕事で頑張ります」(しごとでがんばります). Please do your best in the exam「試験で頑張ってください」(しけんでがんばってください). It's important to note that '頑張る' can also be used to express encouragement or support, as in '頑張って！ (がんばって！) (Do your best!)'.

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

頻繁: frequent. The Japanese adjectival noun '頻繁 (ひんぱん)' means 'frequent'. It is used to describe something that happens often or repeatedly. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate regularity or high occurrence. For example: He makes frequent trips to Japan「彼は頻繁に日本へ行く」(かれはひんぱんににほんへいく). The train delays are frequent「電車の遅延は頻繁だ」(でんしゃのちえんはひんぱんだ). Note that '頻繁' is often used with the particle 'に' when modifying a verb, as in '頻繁に会う (ひんぱんにあう) (to meet frequently)'.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1575

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Chin

Reading

Parts

頁Page 咢

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: term. The Japanese noun '項 (こう)' refers to a 'term' or 'clause' in a legal, mathematical, or logical context. It is often used in formal or technical writing to denote a specific part of a document, equation, or argument. For example: the terms of the contract「契約の項」(けいやくのこう). This term is important in the equation「この項は方程式で重要です」(このこうはほうていしきでじゅうようです). The word can also refer to a 'paragraph' or 'section' in a broader sense, depending on the context.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1808

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Partition, Distribute widely

Reading

Parts

頁Page 分Minute, Part

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2097

Handwriting