Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Man

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 力Power

Example Word

男らしい: manly. The Japanese adjective '男らしい (おとこらしい)' means 'manly' or 'masculine'. It is used to describe traits, behaviors, or appearances that are traditionally associated with men, such as strength, courage, or assertiveness. This word carries a positive connotation and is often used to compliment someone. For example: He is very manly「彼はとても男らしい」(かれはとてもおとこらしい). It's manly to take responsibility「責任を取るのは男らしい」(せきにんをとるのはおとこらしい). Note that this word reflects cultural expectations of masculinity and may not always align with modern perspectives on gender roles.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

86

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rice field

Reading

Parts

十Ten 口Mouth

Example Word

水田: paddy. The Japanese noun '水田 (すいでん)' refers to a 'paddy field', which is a flooded parcel of arable land used for growing rice. This term is specifically used in the context of agriculture and farming. Example sentences: The paddy fields are beautiful in the summer「夏の水田は美しい」(なつのすいでんはうつくしい). Farmers work hard in the paddy fields「農家は水田で一生懸命働く」(のうかはすいでんでいっしょうけんめいはたらく).

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

100

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Town

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 丁Street

Example Word

町: town. The Japanese noun '町 (まち)' refers to a 'town' or a smaller urban area, typically larger than a village but smaller than a city. It is commonly used to describe a populated area with a sense of community. For example: I live in a small town「私は小さな町に住んでいます」(わたしはちいさなまちにすんでいます). This town is very quiet「この町はとても静かです」(このまちはとてもしずかです). The word can also refer to a specific district or neighborhood within a larger city, such as 'Ginza is a famous district in Tokyo'「銀座は東京の有名な町です」(ぎんざはとうきょうのゆうめいなまちです).

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

211

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Report

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 丨Stick

Example Word

申し訳ない: apologetic. The Japanese adjective '申し訳ない (もうしわけない)' means 'apologetic' or 'feeling deeply sorry'. It is used to express sincere regret or apology, often in formal or serious situations. This phrase conveys a strong sense of responsibility and remorse. For example: I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience「ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません」(ごめいわくをおかけしてもうしわけありません). I feel terrible for being late「遅れてしまって申し訳ない」(おくれてしまってもうしわけない). The phrase is often used in polite or formal contexts, and it can be intensified by adding 'ございません' (e.g., '申し訳ございません') to make it even more respectful.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

221

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reason

Reading

Parts

十Ten 口Mouth

Example Word

自由: freedom or liberty. The Japanese adjectival noun '自由 (じゆう)' primarily means 'freedom' or 'liberty'. It refers to the state of being free from constraints, whether physical, social, or psychological. This word is often used in contexts discussing personal freedom, free will, or the absence of restrictions. For example: I want freedom「自由が欲しい」(じゆうがほしい). Children have the freedom to play「子供たちは自由に遊べる」(こどもたちはじゆうにあそべる). It can also describe something being optional or unrestricted, as in 'free seating'「自由席」(じゆうせき). Note that while 'freedom' and 'liberty' are closely related, 'freedom' emphasizes the absence of constraints, while 'liberty' often implies the right or permission to act freely.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

278

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Turn

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 米Rice 丿Katakana no

Example Word

番号: number. The Japanese noun '番号 (ばんごう)' means 'number'. It refers to a numerical identifier used for various purposes, such as phone numbers, identification numbers, or serial numbers. For example: What is your phone number?「あなたの電話番号は何ですか？」(あなたのでんわばんごうはなんですか？). Please write your student number here「ここに学生番号を書いてください」(ここにがくせいばんごうをかいてください). This word is commonly used in formal and informal contexts to refer to any kind of numerical identifier.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

300

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

World

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 介Mediate, Jammed in

Example Word

限界: limit. The Japanese noun '限界 (げんかい)' means 'limit'. It refers to the boundary or point beyond which something cannot or should not go. This word is often used in contexts involving physical, mental, or abstract boundaries. For example: I reached my limit「限界に達した」(げんかいにたっした). The limit of human endurance「人間の限界」(にんげんのげんかい). It can also be used to describe the maximum capacity or extent of something, such as 'the limit of technology'「技術の限界」(ぎじゅつのげんかい).

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

309

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Picture

Reading

Parts

一One 凵Open box 由Reason

Example Word

絵画: painting. The Japanese noun '絵画 (かいが)' refers to 'painting' as an art form. It is used to describe works of art created with paint, typically on canvas or paper. This term is often used in formal or artistic contexts. For example: I like this painting「この絵画が好きです」(このかいががすきです). The museum has many paintings「美術館には多くの絵画があります」(びじゅつかんにはおおくのかいががあります). The word can also refer to the broader category of visual art, but it is most commonly associated with painted works.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

384

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rare, Different

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 井Well

Example Word

異: different. The Japanese prefix '異 (い)' means 'different' or 'unusual'. It is commonly used to form compound words that indicate something is different, unusual, or distinct from the norm. For example: different culture「異文化」(いぶんか). unusual phenomenon「異現象」(いげんしょう). This prefix is often used in formal or academic contexts to denote something that stands out or deviates from the standard. It can also imply a sense of otherness or foreignness, as in '異国 (いこく) (foreign country)'.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

453

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Stay, Detain

Reading

Example Word

留守番: house sitting. The Japanese noun '留守番 (るすばん)' refers to the act of looking after a house or property while the owner is away. It is commonly used when someone stays at home to take care of things, such as receiving packages, watching over pets, or ensuring security. For example: I will do the house-sitting「私が留守番をします」(わたしがるすばんをします). The dog is good at house-sitting「その犬は留守番が上手です」(そのいぬはるすばんがじょうずです). This term is often used in contexts where someone is temporarily responsible for a home in the absence of its usual occupants.

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

田畑: fields. The Japanese noun '田畑 (たはた)' refers to cultivated fields, specifically rice fields (田) and other crop fields (畑). It is used to describe agricultural land where crops are grown. This word is often used in rural or farming contexts. For example: the fields stretch far and wide「田畑が広がっている」(たはたがひろがっている). Farmers work in the fields「農家は田畑で働く」(のうかはたはたではたらく). Note that '田畑' is a compound noun combining two types of fields, emphasizing the broader agricultural landscape.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1077

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Abbreviation, Strategy

Reading

Parts

田Rice field 各Each

Example Word

略: abbreviation. The Japanese noun '略 (りゃく)' refers to an abbreviation or a shortened form of something. It is commonly used in contexts where something is being summarized or condensed, such as in the names of organizations, titles, or technical terms. For example: This is an abbreviation of the company name「これは会社名の略です」(これはかいしゃめいのりゃくです). The abbreviation for 'United Nations' is 'UN'「国際連合の略はUNです」(こくさいれんごうのりゃくはUNです). It can also imply simplification or omission of details, as in: He explained it in a simplified way「彼はそれを略して説明した」(かれはそれをりゃくしてせつめいした).

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