Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Man

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 力Power

Example Word

男: man. The Japanese noun '男 (おとこ)' means 'man'. It refers to an adult human male. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be used to describe someone's gender, role, or identity. For example: that man is tall「あの男は背が高い」(あのおとこはせがたかい). He is a strong man「彼は強い男だ」(かれはつよいおとこだ). The word can also be used in compound words, such as '男の子 (おとこのこ)' (boy) or '男らしい (おとこらしい)' (manly).

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

86

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rice field

Reading

Parts

十Ten 口Mouth

Example Word

田植え: rice planting. The Japanese verbal noun '田植え (たうえ)' refers to the act of planting rice seedlings in a paddy field. This term is deeply rooted in Japanese agriculture and culture, as rice has been a staple food in Japan for centuries. The process of '田植え' is typically carried out during the rainy season in early summer. For example: Rice planting is hard work「田植えは大変な仕事です」(たうえはたいへんなしごとです). They started rice planting early in the morning「彼らは朝早く田植えを始めました」(かれらはあさはやくたうえをはじめました). This term is often used in contexts related to farming, rural life, and traditional Japanese practices.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

100

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Town

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 丁Street

Example Word

町外れ: outskirts. The Japanese noun '町外れ (まちはずれ)' refers to the outskirts or edge of a town. It is used to describe areas that are on the periphery of a town or city, often less populated or developed compared to the central areas. For example: The park is on the outskirts of town「公園は町外れにある」(こうえんはまちはずれにある). They built a new factory on the outskirts「彼らは町外れに新しい工場を建てた」(かれらはまちはずれにあたらしいこうじょうをたてた). This term is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to describe locations that are away from the main part of a town.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

211

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Report

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 丨Stick

Example Word

申し立て: claim. The Japanese noun '申し立て (もうしたて)' refers to a formal statement or claim made, often in a legal or official context. It is used when someone presents a case, assertion, or complaint to an authority or in a formal setting. For example: He made a claim about the contract「彼は契約についての申し立てをした」(かれはけいやくについてのもうしたてをした). The company submitted a formal complaint「会社は正式な申し立てを提出した」(かいしゃはせいしきなもうしたてをていしゅつした). This term is commonly used in legal proceedings, disputes, or when lodging grievances.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

221

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reason

Reading

Parts

十Ten 口Mouth

Example Word

理由: reason. The Japanese noun '理由 (りゆう)' means 'reason'. It refers to the cause, explanation, or justification for something. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to explain why something happened or why someone did something. For example: What is the reason for your absence?「欠席の理由は何ですか？」(けっせきのりゆうはなんですか？). There is no reason to worry「心配する理由はない」(しんぱいするりゆうはない). It can also be used in legal or logical contexts to denote grounds or rationale.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

278

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Turn

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 米Rice 丿Katakana no

Example Word

番地: address. The Japanese noun '番地 (ばんち)' refers to a specific part of an address, typically the block or lot number in a Japanese address system. It is used to identify the precise location of a building or property within a neighborhood. For example: What is your address?「あなたの番地は何ですか？」(あなたのばんちはなんですか？). The address is 3-5-2「番地は3-5-2です」(ばんちは3-5-2です). Note that '番地' is often used in conjunction with other address components like the district name and street name to form a complete address.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

300

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

World

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 介Mediate, Jammed in

Example Word

境界: boundary. The Japanese noun '境界 (きょうかい)' refers to a boundary or border, often used to describe a physical or conceptual line separating two areas, ideas, or states. It can be used in various contexts, such as geographical boundaries, personal limits, or abstract distinctions. For example: the boundary between the two countries「二つの国の境界」(ふたつのくにのきょうかい). The boundary between dreams and reality「夢と現実の境界」(ゆめとげんじつのきょうかい). This word is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, emphasizing the idea of separation or division.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

309

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Picture

Reading

Parts

一One 凵Open box 由Reason

Example Word

洋画: foreign film. The Japanese noun '洋画 (ようが)' refers to 'foreign films', particularly those from Western countries. It is commonly used to distinguish non-Japanese films from domestic Japanese films (邦画, ほうが). This term is often used in discussions about cinema, movie genres, or cultural comparisons. Example sentences: I enjoy watching foreign films「洋画を見るのが好きです」(ようがをみるのがすきです). This theater specializes in foreign films「この映画館は洋画専門です」(このえいがかんはようがせんもんです). Note that '洋画' specifically emphasizes the Western origin of the films, as '洋' refers to the West or Western culture.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

384

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rare, Different

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 井Well

Example Word

異様: strange. The Japanese adjectival noun '異様 (いよう)' means 'strange' or 'unusual'. It is used to describe something that is out of the ordinary, peculiar, or abnormal. This word often carries a nuance of something being unsettling or eerie. For example: The atmosphere was strange「その雰囲気は異様だった」(そのふんいきはいようだった). His behavior was unusual「彼の行動は異様だった」(かれのこうどうはいようだった). '異様' is typically used in situations where something deviates significantly from what is considered normal or expected, and it can be applied to a wide range of contexts, including environments, behaviors, or appearances.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

453

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Stay, Detain

Reading

Example Word

留まる: stop. The Japanese verb '留まる (とまる)' primarily means 'to stop'. It is used to indicate that something or someone comes to a halt or ceases movement. This verb can be applied to both physical and abstract contexts. For example: the train stopped「電車が留まった」(でんしゃがとまった). The conversation stopped「会話が留まった」(かいわがとまった). It's important to note that '留まる' can also imply a temporary pause or staying in a place for a short period, but the core meaning remains centered around the concept of stopping.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

626

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Armor, Shell

Reading

Parts

田Rice field ｜

Example Word

甲: shell or first. The Japanese noun '甲 (こう)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning refers to the shell of a turtle or tortoise, often used in traditional contexts or literature. For example: the turtle's shell is hard「亀の甲は硬い」(かめのこうはかたい). The second meaning is 'first' in a sequence, such as in the traditional ordering system (甲, 乙, 丙, etc.), which is similar to 'A, B, C' in English. For example: this is the first item「これは甲の項目です」(これはこうのこうもくです). The word is also used in compound words like '甲羅 (こうら)' (shell) or '甲乙 (こうおつ)' (first and second).

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

696

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tatami, Fold up

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 冝

Example Word

畳: tatami. The Japanese noun '畳 (たたみ)' refers to 'tatami', which are traditional Japanese straw mats used as flooring material in homes and other buildings. Tatami mats are typically made of woven straw and have a soft, yet firm texture. They are a defining feature of traditional Japanese rooms and are often associated with Japanese culture and aesthetics. For example: The room has tatami flooring「その部屋は畳の床です」(そのへやはたたみのゆかです). I sat on the tatami mat「畳の上に座りました」(たたみのうえにすわりました). Tatami mats are often measured in '畳 (じょう)', a unit that represents the size of one tatami mat, which is roughly 1.65 square meters.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

983

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Field

Reading

Parts

火Fire 田Rice field

Example Word

畑: field. The Japanese noun '畑 (はたけ)' refers to a cultivated field, typically used for growing crops or vegetables. It is distinct from rice fields, which are referred to as '田 (た)'. This word is commonly used in agricultural contexts or when discussing farming. For example: The farmer works in the field「農夫は畑で働く」(のうふははたけではたらく). We grow vegetables in the field「私たちは畑で野菜を育てる」(わたしたちははたけでやさいをそだてる). Note that '畑' can also metaphorically refer to a specialized field of expertise, such as '彼は科学の畑で働いている (かれはかがくのはたけではたらいている)' (He works in the field of science).

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1077

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Abbreviation, Strategy

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 各Each

Example Word

中略: omission. The Japanese noun '中略 (ちゅうりゃく)' refers to the act of omitting or skipping a part of something, typically in the middle of a text, conversation, or sequence. It is commonly used in contexts where certain details are left out for brevity or clarity. For example: Please omit the middle part「中略してください」(ちゅうりゃくしてください). The omitted section is marked as '...'「中略は'...'と記されています」(ちゅうりゃくは'...'ときされています). This term is often seen in written materials, such as books or articles, where parts of the text are intentionally left out.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1148

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Livestock

Reading

Parts

玄Profound, Mysterious 田Rice field

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1514

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Apprehensive

Reading

Parts

田Rice field

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1783

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Edge of, Shore

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 半Half

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1860

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Furrow

Reading

Parts

亩 久Long time

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2059

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Capital, Suburbs of capital

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 幺Slight 戈

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2107

Handwriting