Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Eye

Reading

Parts

二Two 口Mouth

Example Word

目撃: witness. The Japanese noun '目撃 (もくげき)' means 'witness' or 'eyewitness'. It refers to the act of seeing an event, typically something significant or unusual, with one's own eyes. This word is often used in contexts involving accidents, crimes, or other notable incidents. For example: I witnessed the accident「私はその事故を目撃した」(わたしはそのじこをもくげきした). The police are looking for witnesses「警察は目撃者を探している」(けいさつはもくげきしゃをさがしている). The nuance of '目撃' emphasizes the direct observation of an event, making it a key term in legal or investigative contexts.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

46

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mutual

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 目Eye

Example Word

相場: market price. The Japanese noun '相場 (そうば)' refers to the market price or current rate of something, often used in the context of stocks, commodities, or currency exchange. It can also imply the general consensus or going rate for something in a more abstract sense. For example: The market price of gold is high today「今日の金の相場は高い」(きょうのきんのそうばはたかい). What's the going rate for part-time jobs these days?「最近のアルバイトの相場はいくらですか？」(さいきんのアルバイトのそうばはいくらですか？). This term is commonly used in financial and economic discussions but can also apply to everyday situations where a standard rate or price is discussed.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

104

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eyeball

Reading

Parts

目Eye 艮Stopping

Example Word

近眼: nearsightedness. The Japanese noun '近眼 (きんがん)' refers to the condition of being nearsighted, meaning one can see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurry. It is commonly used in medical or everyday contexts to describe vision impairment. For example: I have nearsightedness「私は近眼です」(わたしはきんがんです). Nearsightedness makes it hard to see far away「近眼だと遠くが見えにくい」(きんがんだととおくがみえにくい). This term is often used in discussions about eye health or when describing someone's vision.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

112

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Truth

Reading

Parts

十Ten 具Tool

Example Word

真似: imitation. The Japanese noun '真似 (まね)' means 'imitation' or 'mimicry'. It refers to the act of copying or replicating someone's actions, behavior, or style. This word is often used in contexts where someone is mimicking another person, either for fun, learning, or mockery. For example: children often imitate adults「子供はよく大人の真似をする」(こどもはよくおとなのまねをする). He is good at imitating famous people「彼は有名人の真似が上手い」(かれはゆうめいじんのまねがうまい). The word can also be used in a negative sense, such as when someone is copying another's work or ideas without originality.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

142

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Straight, Repair

Reading

Parts

十Ten 目Eye 𠃊Second (乙)

Example Word

直す: correct or fix. The Japanese verb '直す (なおす)' has two primary meanings: 'fix' and 'correct'. When used to mean 'fix', it refers to repairing something that is broken or not functioning properly. For example: I will fix the broken chair「壊れた椅子を直します」(こわれたちすをなおします). When used to mean 'correct', it refers to making something right or accurate, such as correcting a mistake. For example: Please correct the error in the document「書類の誤りを直してください」(しょるいのあやまりをなおしてください). The verb is versatile and can be applied to physical objects, situations, or even behaviors. It is often used in both casual and formal contexts.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

166

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Arrive, Wear

Reading

Parts

目Eye ⺶Sheep (羊)

Example Word

下着: underwear. The Japanese noun '下着 (したぎ)' refers to 'underwear'. It is a general term used to describe clothing worn beneath outer garments, typically next to the skin. This includes items like bras, panties, undershirts, and boxers. The word is neutral and can be used in both formal and casual contexts. For example: I bought new underwear「新しい下着を買いました」(あたらしいしたぎをかいました). Please wash the underwear「下着を洗ってください」(したぎをあらってください). The term is commonly used in everyday conversations and is essential when discussing clothing or laundry.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

168

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Stare, Look out over

Reading

Parts

目Eye 兆Omen, Trillion

Example Word

眺める: gaze. The Japanese verb '眺める (ながめる)' means 'to gaze' or 'to look at something for a long time, often with a sense of contemplation or admiration'. It is used when someone is looking at something thoughtfully, such as a view, scenery, or an object. For example: I gazed at the beautiful sunset「美しい夕日を眺めた」(うつくしいゆうひをながめた). She gazed at the painting for a long time「彼女はその絵を長い間眺めていた」(かのじょはそのえをながいあいだながめていた). This verb often carries a nuance of taking time to appreciate or reflect on what is being observed.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

631

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sleep, Sleepy

Reading

Parts

目Eye 民People, Nation

Example Word

眠る: sleep. The Japanese verb '眠る (ねむる)' means 'to sleep'. It is used to describe the act of being in a state of rest where consciousness is suspended. This verb is often used in contexts where someone is sleeping deeply or peacefully. For example: I slept well last night「昨夜はよく眠った」(さくやはよくねむった). The baby is sleeping「赤ちゃんが眠っている」(あかちゃんがねむっている). It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is dormant or inactive, such as '眠っている才能 (ねむっているさいのう)' (dormant talent).

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

652

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Blink, Flash

Reading

Parts

目Eye 舜

Example Word

瞬間: moment. The Japanese noun '瞬間 (しゅんかん)' means 'moment'. It refers to a very brief period of time, often emphasizing the fleeting nature of an event or experience. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversation and literary contexts to describe a specific instant or a critical point in time. For example: That was the decisive moment「それが決定的な瞬間だった」(それがけっていてきなしゅんかんだった). I captured the moment in a photo「その瞬間を写真に収めた」(そのしゅんかんをしゃしんにおさめた). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a significant or emotional instant, such as 'the moment of truth' or 'a moment of realization'.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

924

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Watch

Reading

Parts

手Hand 目Eye

Example Word

看護婦: nurse. The Japanese noun '看護婦 (かんごふ)' specifically refers to a 'female nurse'. This term is used to describe a woman who is trained to care for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital setting. Historically, this term was commonly used, but in modern Japanese, the gender-neutral term '看護師 (かんごし)' is preferred to refer to nurses of any gender. Example sentences: The nurse is kind「看護婦は優しい」(かんごふはやさしい). She became a nurse「彼女は看護婦になった」(かのじょはかんごふになった). Note that while '看護婦' is still understood, it is considered outdated in professional contexts.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1053

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ministry, Conserve

Reading

Parts

少Few 目Eye

Example Word

大蔵省: finance ministry. The Japanese noun '大蔵省 (おおくらしょう)' refers to the 'Ministry of Finance', which was a key government body in Japan responsible for financial and monetary policy, as well as managing the national budget. It was replaced by the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Services Agency in 2001. This term is often used in historical or formal contexts. Example sentences: The Ministry of Finance announced a new policy「大蔵省は新しい政策を発表した」(おおくらしょうはあたらしいせいさくをはっぴょうした). He works at the Ministry of Finance「彼は大蔵省で働いている」(かれはおおくらしょうではたらいている).

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1058

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eyebrows

Reading

Parts

目Eye

Example Word

眉: eyebrow. The Japanese noun '眉 (まゆ)' refers to the 'eyebrow', the strip of hair growing above the eye. This word is used in various contexts, from describing facial features to expressing emotions or reactions, as eyebrows play a significant role in non-verbal communication. For example: Her eyebrows are thick「彼女の眉は太い」(かのじょのまゆはふとい). He raised his eyebrows in surprise「彼は驚いて眉を上げた」(かれはおどろいてまゆをあげた). In Japanese culture, eyebrows can also be a focal point in beauty and fashion, with trends in shaping and styling them.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1201

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Prefecture

Reading

Parts

𠃊Second (乙)目Eye 小Small

Example Word

県庁: prefecture office. The Japanese noun '県庁 (けんちょう)' refers to the 'prefecture office' or 'prefectural government office'. This is the administrative center of a prefecture in Japan, where local government affairs are managed. It is typically the main building where the governor and other government officials work. Example sentences include: The prefecture office is near the station 「県庁は駅の近くです」 (けんちょうはえきのちかくです). I went to the prefecture office today 「今日は県庁に行きました」 (きょうはけんちょうにいきました). Note that '県庁' is specifically used for the prefectural level, distinct from city or ward offices.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1295

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Coach, Supervise

Reading

Parts

叔Uncle, Younger sibling of parent 目Eye

Example Word

監督: director or supervisor. The Japanese verbal noun '監督 (かんとく)' can mean 'director' or 'supervisor', depending on the context. As 'director', it refers to someone who directs films, plays, or other creative works. For example: He is the director of this movie「彼はこの映画の監督です」(かれはこのえいがのかんとくです). As 'supervisor', it refers to someone who oversees or manages a team, project, or organization. For example: The supervisor checked the work「監督が仕事を確認しました」(かんとくがしごとをかくにんしました). The word is versatile and widely used in both creative and professional settings.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1360

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sleep, Drowsy

Reading

Parts

目Eye 垂Hang down

Example Word

睡眠: sleep. The Japanese verbal noun '睡眠 (すいみん)' refers to the act or state of sleeping. It is commonly used in contexts related to health, well-being, and daily routines. For example: I need more sleep「もっと睡眠が必要です」(もっとすいみんがひつようです). Good sleep is important for health「良い睡眠は健康に重要です」(よいすいみんはけんこうにじゅうようです). This word is often used in medical or scientific discussions about sleep quality, disorders, or habits. It can also appear in phrases like '睡眠不足 (すいみんぶそく)' (lack of sleep) or '睡眠時間 (すいみんじかん)' (sleep duration).

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1441

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Blind

Reading

Parts

亡Death, Deceased 目Eye

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1488

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shield

Reading

Parts

十Ten 目Eye ⺁

Example Word

矛盾: contradiction. The Japanese verbal noun '矛盾 (むじゅん)' means 'contradiction'. It refers to a situation where two or more statements, ideas, or actions are mutually incompatible or inconsistent. This term is often used in logical, philosophical, or everyday contexts to describe conflicting elements. For example: there is a contradiction in his story「彼の話には矛盾がある」(かれのはなしにはむじゅんがある). The policy is full of contradictions「その政策は矛盾だらけだ」(そのせいさくはむじゅんだらけだ). The word originates from an ancient Chinese fable about a spear that could pierce any shield and a shield that could block any spear, highlighting the inherent contradiction.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1510

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pupil

Reading

Parts

目Eye 童Juvenile

Example Word

瞳: pupil. The Japanese noun '瞳 (ひとみ)' primarily refers to the 'pupil' of the eye, the black circular opening in the center of the iris. It can also poetically or metaphorically refer to the eyes themselves, often evoking a sense of beauty or depth. For example: Her pupils are beautiful「彼女の瞳は美しい」(かのじょのひとみはうつくしい). The child's eyes sparkled「子供の瞳が輝いていた」(こどものひとみがかがやいていた). This word is often used in literary or emotional contexts to emphasize the expressiveness or allure of someone's eyes.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1674

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Clear

Reading

Parts

目Eye 尞

Example Word

明瞭: clear. The Japanese adjectival noun '明瞭 (めいりょう)' means 'clear' and is used to describe something that is easy to understand, distinct, or unambiguous. It is often used in contexts where clarity of speech, thought, or expression is emphasized. For example: His explanation was clear「彼の説明は明瞭だった」(かれのせつめいはめいりょうだった). The image on the screen is clear「画面の映像は明瞭だ」(がめんのえいぞうはめいりょうだ). This word is commonly used in formal or technical contexts to describe precision and clarity.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1722

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Friendly

Reading

Parts

目Eye 坴

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1982

Handwriting