kanji

Meaning

Eye

Reading

Parts

二Two 口Mouth

Example Word

目指す: aim. The Japanese verb '目指す (めざす)' means 'to aim' or 'to strive for'. It is used when someone is working towards a specific goal or target. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as career goals, personal achievements, or physical destinations. For example: I aim to become a doctor「医者を目指しています」(いしゃをめざしています). He is aiming for the top of the mountain「彼は山の頂上を目指している」(かれはやまのちょうじょうをめざしている). The nuance of '目指す' implies a deliberate and focused effort towards achieving something significant.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

46

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mutual

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 目Eye

Example Word

首相: prime minister. The Japanese noun '首相 (しゅしょう)' refers to the 'prime minister', who is the head of government in Japan. This term is specifically used to denote the leader of the cabinet and the chief executive of the country. The prime minister is appointed by the emperor after being designated by the National Diet. For example: The prime minister held a press conference「首相は記者会見を行った」(しゅしょうはきしゃかいけんをおこなった). The prime minister visited the disaster area「首相は被災地を訪れた」(しゅしょうはひさいちをおとずれた). It's important to note that '首相' is a formal title and is used in both written and spoken contexts when referring to the head of the government.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

104

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eyeball

Reading

Parts

目Eye 艮Stopping

Example Word

眼科: ophthalmology. The Japanese noun '眼科 (がんか)' refers to the medical field of ophthalmology, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. It is also commonly used to refer to an eye clinic or an ophthalmologist's office. For example: I went to the eye clinic「眼科に行きました」(がんかにいきました). She is an ophthalmologist「彼女は眼科医です」(かのじょはがんかいです). The term is often used in medical contexts and is essential for discussing eye health or seeking medical attention for eye-related issues.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

112

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Truth

Reading

Parts

十Ten 具Tool

Example Word

真夏: midsummer. The Japanese noun '真夏 (まなつ)' refers to the peak of summer, specifically the hottest part of the season. It is often used to describe the intense heat and typical weather conditions during this period. For example: The midsummer heat is unbearable「真夏の暑さは耐えられない」(まなつのあつさはたえられない). We went to the beach in midsummer「真夏に海に行った」(まなつにうみにいった). This word is commonly used in contexts related to weather, seasonal activities, or events that occur during the hottest part of summer.

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: direct. The Japanese adjectival noun '直 (ちょく)' means 'direct' and is often used to describe something that is straightforward, immediate, or without intermediaries. It can be used in various contexts, such as communication, travel, or actions. For example: direct communication「直のコミュニケーション」(ちょくのコミュニケーション). He took a direct flight「彼は直行便に乗った」(かれはちょっこうびんにのった). Note that '直' is often combined with other words to form compound terms, such as '直行 (ちょっこう)' (direct travel) or '直感 (ちょっかん)' (intuition).

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

166

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Arrive, Wear

Reading

Parts

目Eye ⺶Sheep (羊)

Example Word

着陸: landing. The Japanese verbal noun '着陸 (ちゃくりく)' means 'landing'. It is specifically used to describe the act of an aircraft or spacecraft touching down on the ground or another surface. This term is commonly used in aviation and space contexts. For example: The airplane made a smooth landing「飛行機は着陸がスムーズだった」(ひこうきはちゃくりくがスムーズだった). The spacecraft will attempt a landing on Mars「宇宙船は火星に着陸を試みる」(うちゅうせんはかせいちゃくりくをこころみる). Note that '着陸' is distinct from '着地 (ちゃくち)', which can refer to landing in a broader sense, such as a person or object landing on the ground.

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

居眠り: doze. The Japanese verbal noun '居眠り (いねむり)' refers to the act of dozing off or taking a nap, often unintentionally or in a situation where one is expected to be awake, such as during a meeting or class. It implies a light, brief sleep rather than a deep, intentional rest. For example: I dozed off during the meeting「会議中に居眠りをした」(かいぎちゅうにいねむりをした). The student was dozing in class「その学生は授業中に居眠りをしていた」(そのがくせいはじゅぎょうちゅうにいねむりをしていた). This word is often used to describe a situation where someone falls asleep due to boredom or fatigue.

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

看病: nursing. The Japanese verbal noun '看病 (かんびょう)' refers to the act of nursing or caring for someone who is sick. It is often used in contexts where someone is providing care to a patient, whether at home or in a medical setting. This term emphasizes the attentive and compassionate aspect of caregiving. For example: She is nursing her sick mother「彼女は病気の母親を看病している」(かのじょはびょうきのははおやをかんびょうしている). The nurse provided excellent care「看護師は素晴らしい看病をした」(かんごしはすばらしいかんびょうをした). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe taking care of something in a nurturing manner, though this usage is less common.

Radical

目

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1053

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ministry, Conserve

Reading

Parts

少Few 目Eye

Example Word

省: ministry. The Japanese suffix '省 (しょう)' refers to a government ministry or department. It is commonly used in the names of various ministries in Japan, such as '外務省 (がいむしょう)' (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or '財務省 (ざいむしょう)' (Ministry of Finance). This suffix is attached to the name of the specific area of governance to denote the corresponding ministry. For example: Ministry of Education「文部科学省」(もんぶかがくしょう). Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare「厚生労働省」(こうせいろうどうしょう). The term is formal and is used in official contexts to refer to government bodies.

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

県立: prefectural. The Japanese noun '県立 (けんりつ)' means 'prefectural'. It is used to describe institutions or facilities that are established or managed by a prefecture, which is a type of administrative division in Japan. For example: prefectural hospital「県立病院」(けんりつびょういん). prefectural university「県立大学」(けんりつだいがく). This term is commonly used in the names of schools, hospitals, and other public institutions to indicate that they are operated by the prefectural government.

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

盾: shield. The Japanese noun '盾 (たて)' means 'shield'. This word refers to a piece of armor held in the hand or on the arm to protect against attacks. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that provides protection or defense. For example: He raised his shield to block the attack「彼は盾を上げて攻撃を防いだ」(かれはたてをあげてこうげきをふせいだ). The law acts as a shield for citizens「法律は市民の盾となる」(ほうりつはしみんのたてとなる). In historical or fantasy contexts, '盾' is often associated with knights or warriors.

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