kanji

Meaning

Face

Reading

Parts

𦣻Neck (首)八Eight 立Stand 厂Cliff 彡Fur

Example Word

笑顔: smile. The Japanese noun '笑顔 (えがお)' means 'smile'. It specifically refers to a smiling face or expression, often conveying happiness, friendliness, or warmth. This word is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to describe someone's cheerful or kind demeanor. For example: Her smile is beautiful「彼女の笑顔は美しい」(かのじょのえがおはうつくしい). I want to see your smile「あなたの笑顔が見たいです」(あなたのえがおがみたいです). The word '笑顔' is often associated with positive emotions and is frequently used in expressions of encouragement or gratitude.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

79

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Head

Reading

Parts

豆Beans 𦣻Neck (首)八Eight

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

近頃: recently. The Japanese noun '近頃 (ちかごろ)' means 'recently' or 'lately'. It is used to refer to a period of time that is close to the present, often implying a sense of change or something new. This word is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. For example: I've been busy recently「近頃忙しいです」(ちかごろいそがしいです). The weather has been strange lately「近頃天気が変です」(ちかごろてんきがへんです). Note that '近頃' can sometimes carry a nuance of reflecting on a change or trend over a short period of time.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

227

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Topic

Reading

Parts

是Right, Absolutely 頁Page

Example Word

議題: agenda. The Japanese noun '議題 (ぎだい)' refers to the topic or subject of discussion, particularly in formal meetings or assemblies. It is commonly used in contexts such as business meetings, conferences, or political discussions. For example: The agenda for today's meeting is set「今日の会議の議題は決まっている」(きょうのかいぎのぎだいはきまっている). Let's add this issue to the agenda「この問題を議題に加えましょう」(このもんだいをぎだにくわえましょう). The word emphasizes the formal nature of the topic being discussed.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

285

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Kind, Type

Reading

Parts

类 頁Page

Example Word

類: type. The Japanese suffix '類 (るい)' is used to indicate a category, type, or class of things. It is often attached to nouns to group similar items together. For example: animal type「動物類」(どうぶつるい). This suffix is commonly used in scientific or formal contexts to classify objects, organisms, or concepts. Another example: plant type「植物類」(しょくぶつるい). It can also be used in everyday language to describe groups, such as 'this type of person'「この人たちの類」(このひとたちのるい). Note that '類' is often used in compound words and is not typically used standalone.

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

願書: application. The Japanese noun '願書 (がんしょ)' refers to a formal written application or petition. It is commonly used in contexts such as applying for schools, jobs, or official permits. The term carries a formal tone and is often associated with official or bureaucratic processes. Example sentences: Please submit the application by tomorrow「願書を明日までに提出してください」(がんしょをあしたまでにていしゅつしてください). I filled out the application form「願書に記入しました」(がんしょにきにゅうしました). Note that '願書' is typically used in written or formal contexts, and it implies a request or desire for something to be granted.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

599

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Territory

Reading

Parts

令Orders 頁Page

Example Word

大統領: president. The Japanese noun '大統領 (だいとうりょう)' refers to the 'president' of a country, particularly in the context of a republic or democratic nation. It is commonly used to describe the head of state or government in countries like the United States. For example: The president gave a speech「大統領が演説をした」(だいとうりょうがえんぜつをした). The president visited Japan「大統領が日本を訪問した」(だいとうりょうがにほんをほうもんした). This term is specific to political leaders and is not used for other types of leaders or executives.

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

価額: value or price. The Japanese noun '価額 (かがく)' refers to the monetary value or price of something. It is often used in formal or business contexts to discuss the cost or valuation of goods, services, or assets. For example: the price of the product「その商品の価額」(そのしょうひんのかがく). The value of the property「その不動産の価額」(そのふどうさんのかがく). This term is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to words like '値段 (ねだん)' or '価格 (かかく)', which also mean 'price'.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

929

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Order, Obey

Reading

Parts

川River 頁Page

Example Word

順序: order or sequence. The Japanese noun '順序 (じゅんじょ)' refers to the arrangement or sequence of things, events, or steps. It emphasizes the logical or proper arrangement of elements. For example: Please follow the correct order「正しい順序に従ってください」(ただしいじゅんじょにしたがってください). The sequence of events is important「出来事の順序が重要です」(できごとのじゅんじょがじゅうようです). This word is often used in contexts like instructions, processes, or storytelling to describe the proper or logical flow of actions or events.

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

顧問: advisor. The Japanese noun '顧問 (こもん)' refers to an advisor or consultant, typically someone who provides expert advice or guidance in a professional or organizational setting. This term is often used in business, educational, or governmental contexts to describe someone who offers strategic or specialized advice. For example: He is a company advisor「彼は会社の顧問です」(かれはかいしゃのこもんです). The school hired a new advisor「学校は新しい顧問を雇いました」(がっこうはあたらしいこもんをやといました). The role of a '顧問' is usually formal and may involve long-term collaboration.

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

預かる: keep. The Japanese verb '預かる (あずかる)' means 'to keep' or 'to take care of something temporarily on behalf of someone else'. It is often used when someone entrusts an item, responsibility, or even a person to another for safekeeping. For example: I will keep your luggage「あなたの荷物を預かります」(あなたのにもつをあずかります). She is taking care of my child today「彼女は今日私の子供を預かっています」(かのじょはきょうわたしのこどもをあずかっています). This verb emphasizes the temporary nature of the responsibility and the trust involved in the act of keeping something safe.

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

条項: clause or article. The Japanese noun '条項 (じょうこう)' refers to a specific clause or article within a document, contract, law, or agreement. It is commonly used in legal or formal contexts to denote a distinct provision or stipulation. For example: Please review clause 5 of the contract「契約の第5条項を確認してください」(けいやくのだいごじょうこうをかくにんしてください). This article is important「この条項は重要です」(このじょうこうはじゅうようです). The word is often used in discussions about legal documents, treaties, or regulations, where precision and clarity are essential.

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