Page 1
kanji
目Meaning
Eye
Reading
kunyomiめme
onyomiもくmoku
Parts
二Two 口Mouth
Example Word
種目: event. The Japanese noun '種目 (しゅもく)' refers to a specific event, category, or item, particularly in contexts like sports, competitions, or lists. It is commonly used to describe a distinct part of a larger program or schedule. For example: the next event is the 100-meter dash「次の種目は100メートル走です」(つぎのしゅもくはひゃくメートルそうです). This event is my favorite「この種目は私のお気に入りです」(このしゅもくはわたしのおきにいりです). The word is often used in formal or organized settings, such as sports tournaments or academic competitions.
Radical
目
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
46
Handwriting
kanji
相Meaning
Mutual
Reading
kunyomiあいai
onyomiそうsou
しょうshou
Parts
木Tree, Wood 目Eye
Example Word
相撲: sumo. The Japanese noun '相撲 (すもう)' refers to the traditional Japanese sport of sumo wrestling. Sumo is a competitive full-contact wrestling sport where a wrestler (rikishi) aims to force his opponent out of a circular ring (dohyō) or to touch the ground with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet. Sumo has deep cultural and historical significance in Japan, often associated with Shinto rituals. Example sentences: I enjoy watching sumo「相撲を見るのが好きです」(すもうをみるのがすきです). Sumo wrestlers are very strong「相撲取りはとても強いです」(すもうとりはとてもつよいです).
Radical
目
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
104
Handwriting
kanji
眼Meaning
Eyeball
Reading
kunyomiまなこmanako
onyomiげんgen
がんgan
Parts
目Eye 艮Stopping
Example Word
眼鏡: glasses. The Japanese noun '眼鏡 (めがね)' refers to 'glasses' or 'spectacles', which are worn to correct or protect vision. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to eyewear. For example: I need new glasses「新しい眼鏡が必要です」(あたらしいめがねがひつようです). He is wearing glasses「彼は眼鏡をかけています」(かれはめがねをかけています). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's perspective or viewpoint, as in '彼は現実を眼鏡を通して見ている' (かれはげんじつをめがねをとおしてみている) - 'He sees reality through glasses', implying a filtered or biased view.
Radical
目
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
112
Handwriting
kanji
真Meaning
Truth
Reading
kunyomiまma
onyomiしんshin
Parts
十Ten 具Tool
Example Word
真四角: square. The Japanese adjectival noun '真四角 (ましかく)' means 'square'. It is used to describe something that has a perfectly square shape, with all sides equal and all angles at 90 degrees. This term is often used to describe objects, shapes, or even abstract concepts that resemble a square. For example: The table is square「そのテーブルは真四角だ」(そのテーブルはましかくだ). The room is square「この部屋は真四角です」(このへやはましかくです). The term emphasizes precision and exactness in shape, making it distinct from more general terms like '四角 (しかく)', which can refer to any rectangular shape.
Radical
目
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
142
Handwriting
kanji
直Meaning
Straight, Repair
Reading
kunyomiただtada
なおnao
onyomiちょくchoku
じきjiki
Parts
十Ten 目Eye 𠃊Second (乙)
Example Word
直角: right angle. The Japanese noun '直角 (ちょっかく)' means 'right angle'. It refers to an angle of exactly 90 degrees, commonly found in geometric shapes like squares and rectangles. This term is often used in mathematics, architecture, and everyday contexts when describing angles. For example: The corner of the table forms a right angle「テーブルの角は直角です」(てーぶるのかどはちょっかくです). The triangle has one right angle「その三角形は直角が一つあります」(そのさんかくけいはちょっかくがひとつあります).
Radical
目
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
166
Handwriting
kanji
着Meaning
Arrive, Wear
Reading
kunyomiきki
つtsu
onyomiちゃくchaku
Parts
目Eye ⺶Sheep (羊)
Example Word
定着: establishment or fixation. The Japanese noun '定着 (ていちゃく)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'fixation', which refers to the act of fixing something in place or making it stable. For example: the fixation of the dye on the fabric「染料の定着がしっかりしている」(せんりょうのていちゃくがしっかりしている). The second meaning is 'establishment', which refers to the process of something becoming widely accepted or recognized. For example: the establishment of new customs「新しい習慣の定着」(あたらしいしゅうかんのていちゃく). This word is often used in contexts related to technology, culture, or social norms, where something is being made permanent or widely adopted.
Radical
目
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
168
Handwriting
kanji
眺Meaning
Stare, Look out over
Reading
kunyomiながnaga
onyomiちょうchou
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
11JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
631
Handwriting
kanji
眠Meaning
Sleep, Sleepy
Reading
kunyomiねむnemu
onyomiみんmin
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
10JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
652
Handwriting
kanji
瞬Meaning
Blink, Flash
Reading
kunyomiまたたmatata
onyomiしゅんshun
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
18JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
924
Handwriting
kanji
看Meaning
Watch
Reading
onyomiかんkan
Parts
手Hand 目Eye
Example Word
看板: signboard. The Japanese noun '看板 (かんばん)' refers to a 'signboard' or 'sign', typically used to display information such as the name of a business, advertisements, or directions. It is commonly seen outside shops, restaurants, and other establishments. For example: The signboard is bright「看板が明るい」(かんばんがあかるい). The restaurant's signboard is easy to see「レストランの看板が見やすい」(レストランのかんばんがみやすい). Additionally, '看板' can metaphorically refer to something that represents or symbolizes a business or organization, such as a flagship product or service.
Radical
目
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
1053
Handwriting
kanji
省Meaning
Ministry, Conserve
Reading
kunyomiかえりkaeri
はぶhabu
onyomiしょうshou
せいsei
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
9JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
1058
Handwriting
kanji
眉Meaning
Eyebrows
Reading
kunyomiまゆmayu
onyomiみmi
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
9JLPT
N1Grade
10Frequency
1201
Handwriting
kanji
県Meaning
Prefecture
Reading
onyomiけんken
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
9JLPT
N2Grade
3Frequency
1295
Handwriting
kanji
督Meaning
Coach, Supervise
Reading
onyomiとくtoku
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
13JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1360
Handwriting
kanji
睡Meaning
Sleep, Drowsy
Reading
onyomiすいsui
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
13JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1441
Handwriting
kanji
盾Meaning
Shield
Reading
kunyomiたてtate
onyomiじゅんjun
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
9JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1510
Handwriting
kanji
瞳Meaning
Pupil
Reading
kunyomiひとみhitomi
onyomiどうdou
とうtou
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
17JLPT
N1Grade
10Frequency
1674
Handwriting
kanji
瞭Meaning
Clear
Reading
onyomiりょうryou
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
17JLPT
N1Grade
10Frequency
1722
Handwriting