Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Third person pronoun, He

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 皮Skin

Example Word

彼氏: boyfriend. The Japanese noun '彼氏 (かれし)' means 'boyfriend'. It is a commonly used term to refer to a male romantic partner. This word is casual and is often used in everyday conversation. For example: My boyfriend is kind「私の彼氏は優しい」(わたしのかれしはやさしい). I went to the movies with my boyfriend「彼氏と映画に行った」(かれしとえいがにいった). It is important to note that '彼氏' is specifically used for romantic relationships and not for male friends in general. The term '彼 (かれ)' can also mean 'he' or 'boyfriend', but '彼氏' is more commonly used to clearly indicate a romantic relationship.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

19

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

After, Behind

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 夂Late 幺Slight

Example Word

戦後: postwar. The Japanese noun '戦後 (せんご)' refers to the period after a war, specifically the time following World War II in Japan. It is often used to describe the era of reconstruction, economic growth, and social change that occurred in Japan after the war. For example: Japan experienced rapid economic growth in the postwar period「日本は戦後に急速な経済成長を経験した」(にほんはせんごにきゅうそくなけいざいせいちょうをけいけんした). The postwar generation has a different perspective on life「戦後世代は人生に対する異なる視点を持っている」(せんごせだいはじんせいにたいすることなるしてんをもっている). This term is deeply tied to Japanese history and culture, often evoking a sense of transformation and renewal.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

45

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Honorable, General honorific term

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 卸Wholesale

Example Word

御免: permission or sorry. The Japanese noun '御免 (ごめん)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'sorry', often used in casual apologies, similar to 'ごめんなさい'. The second meaning is 'permission', used in formal contexts to request or grant permission. For example: Sorry for being late「遅れて御免」(おくれてごめん). May I have your permission?「御免をいただけますか？」(ごめんをいただけますか？). Note that '御免' is more formal and less commonly used in modern casual speech compared to 'ごめんなさい' for apologies.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

54

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Acquire

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 㝵

Example Word

所得: income. The Japanese noun '所得 (しょとく)' refers to 'income' or 'earnings'. It is commonly used in contexts related to finance, economics, and personal earnings. This term can refer to various types of income, such as salary, wages, or profits. For example: His income is high「彼の所得は高い」(かれのしょとくはたかい). The government taxes income「政府は所得に課税する」(せいふはしょとくにかぜいする). It is important to note that '所得' is often used in formal or official contexts, such as tax-related discussions or financial reports.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

139

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wait

Reading

Parts

寺Temple 彳Stop

Example Word

待遇: treatment. The Japanese noun '待遇 (たいぐう)' refers to the way someone is treated, particularly in terms of their position, status, or conditions in a workplace or social setting. It often implies the level of respect, benefits, or privileges one receives. For example: The company offers good treatment to its employees「その会社は従業員に良い待遇を提供する」(そのかいしゃはじゅうぎょういんにいいたいぐうをていきょうする). She received unfair treatment at her previous job「彼女は前の職場で不公平な待遇を受けた」(かのじょはまえのしょくばでふこうへいなたいぐうをうけた). This word is commonly used in professional or formal contexts to discuss employment conditions or social treatment.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

241

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Duty

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 殳Pike

Example Word

主役: lead. The Japanese noun '主役 (しゅやく)' refers to the 'lead' or 'main role' in a performance, such as in a play, movie, or any event. It can also metaphorically describe someone who plays a central role in a situation. For example: She is the lead in the play「彼女はその劇の主役です」(かのじょはそのげきのしゅやくです). He always wants to be the main character「彼はいつも主役になりたがる」(かれはいつもしゅやくになりたがる). This term is often used in both literal and figurative contexts to denote prominence or centrality.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

354

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Follow, Obey

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 䒑Herbs 龰Stop (止)

Example Word

従業員: employee. The Japanese noun '従業員 (じゅうぎょういん)' refers to an 'employee', someone who works for a company or organization. This term is commonly used in business and workplace contexts to describe individuals who are employed by a company, regardless of their specific role or position. For example: The company has many employees「その会社には多くの従業員がいます」(そのかいしゃにはおおくのじゅうぎょういんがいます). She is a new employee「彼女は新しい従業員です」(かのじょはあたらしいじゅうぎょういんです). The term is neutral and can refer to both full-time and part-time workers.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

466

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Virtue

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 十Ten 罒Net 心Heart

Example Word

道徳: morality. The Japanese noun '道徳 (どうとく)' refers to 'morality' or 'ethical principles'. It is used to describe the system of values and principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong behavior. This term is often used in discussions about societal norms, personal ethics, and philosophical teachings. For example: Morality is important in society「道徳は社会で重要です」(どうとくはしゃかいでじゅうようです). Teaching morality to children is essential「子供に道徳を教えることは大切です」(こどもにどうとくをおしえることはたいせつです). The word is commonly used in educational and philosophical contexts.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

513

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Journey, Go on

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 主Master

Example Word

往復: roundtrip. The Japanese noun '往復 (おうふく)' refers to a round trip, meaning going to a destination and returning. It is commonly used in contexts like transportation (e.g., train or plane tickets) or communication (e.g., letters or emails). For example: I bought a round-trip ticket「往復のチケットを買いました」(おうふくのチケットをかいました). The round-trip fare is 5,000 yen「往復料金は5000円です」(おうふくりょうきんはごせんえんです). This word can also metaphorically describe the back-and-forth nature of communication or exchanges.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

573

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slight, Delicate

Reading

Parts

彳Stop

Example Word

微か: faint. The Japanese adjective '微か (かすか)' means 'faint'. It is used to describe something that is barely perceptible, weak, or subtle. This can refer to sounds, smells, lights, or even emotions. For example: I heard a faint sound「微かな音が聞こえた」(かすかなおとがきこえた). There was a faint light in the distance「遠くに微かな光があった」(とおくにかすかなひかりがあった). The word can also describe something that is vague or indistinct, such as a faint memory「微かな記憶」(かすかなきおく).

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

619

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Follower, Junior

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 走Run

Example Word

徒: follower. The Japanese noun '徒 (と)' means 'follower' or 'disciple'. It is often used to refer to someone who follows a particular person, group, or ideology. This term can carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation depending on the context, implying blind adherence or lack of independent thought. Example sentences: He is a follower of that philosophy「彼はその哲学の徒だ」(かれはそのてつがくのとだ). The followers of the cult were devoted「そのカルトの徒は熱心だった」(そのカルトのとはねっしんだった). Note that '徒' can also appear in compound words, such as '信徒 (しんと)' (believer) or '学徒 (がくと)' (student).

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

815

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Restore

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 复

Example Word

復興: recovery or revival. The Japanese noun '復興 (ふっこう)' refers to the act of recovering or reviving something, often after a period of decline or destruction. It is commonly used in contexts such as economic recovery, reconstruction after disasters, or cultural revival. For example: The town is in recovery after the earthquake「その町は地震の後、復興中です」(そのまちはじしんのあと、ふっこうちゅうです). The revival of traditional arts is important「伝統芸術の復興は重要です」(でんとうげいじゅつのふっこうはじゅうようです). Note that while 'recovery' and 'revival' are closely related, they can apply to different contexts, such as physical reconstruction versus cultural or economic resurgence.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

867

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Law, Rhythm

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 聿Brush

Example Word

法律: law. The Japanese noun '法律 (ほうりつ)' refers to 'law' in the sense of a system of rules established by a government or authority. It is used to describe legal statutes, regulations, or the body of laws governing a society. This term is often used in formal or legal contexts. For example: This law protects the environment「この法律は環境を守る」(このほうりつはかんきょうをまもる). He studies law at university「彼は大学で法律を勉強している」(かれはだいがくでほうりつをべんきょうしている). The nuance of '法律' is broader than specific rules or regulations, as it refers to the overall legal framework.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1095

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Levy, Symptom

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 山Mountain 王King 攵Strike

Example Word

特徴: feature. The Japanese noun '特徴 (とくちょう)' means 'feature' or 'characteristic'. It refers to a distinctive attribute or quality of something or someone. This word is often used to describe what makes something unique or different. For example: The main feature of this product is its durability「この製品の特徴は耐久性です」(このせいひんのとくちょうはたいきゅうせいです). Another example: The characteristic of this region is its rich culture「この地域の特徴は豊かな文化です」(このちいきのとくちょうはゆたかなぶんかです). The word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to highlight specific traits or aspects.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1266

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Penetrate, Go through

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 育Raise, Grow 攵Strike

Example Word

徹底的: thorough. The Japanese adjective '徹底的 (てっていてき)' means 'thorough'. It describes something that is done completely, meticulously, or exhaustively, leaving no room for oversight. This word is often used in contexts where precision, completeness, or intensity is emphasized. For example: He conducted a thorough investigation「彼は徹底的な調査を行った」(かれはてっていてきなちょうさをおこなった). The company implemented thorough reforms「その会社は徹底的な改革を実施した」(そのかいしゃはてっていてきなかいかくをじっしした). Note that '徹底的' is often used in formal or professional settings to emphasize the depth or completeness of an action.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1312

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Subjugate

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 正Correct

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1522

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Slowly, Gradually

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 余Excess

Example Word

徐行: slow driving. The Japanese verbal noun '徐行 (じょこう)' refers to the act of driving slowly or proceeding at a reduced speed. It is commonly used in contexts related to traffic regulations, such as when drivers are required to slow down in specific areas like school zones or residential neighborhoods. For example: Drive slowly in the school zone「学校の近くで徐行してください」(がっこうのちかくでじょこうしてください). The car is moving slowly「車が徐行している」(くるまがじょこうしている). This term emphasizes the deliberate reduction of speed for safety or compliance purposes.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1645

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Path, Diameter

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 圣Holy

Example Word

半径: radius. The Japanese noun '半径 (はんけい)' means 'radius'. It is used in mathematics and geometry to describe the distance from the center of a circle to its circumference. This term is also used in everyday contexts to describe the range or extent of something circular or spherical. For example: the radius of the circle is 5 meters「円の半径は5メートルです」(えんのはんけいはごメートルです). The explosion affected everything within a 10-kilometer radius「爆発は半径10キロメートル以内に影響を及ぼした」(ばくはつははんけいじゅっキロメートルいないにえいきょうをおよぼした).

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1755

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Circulate, Sequential

Reading

Parts

彳Stop 盾Shield

Example Word

循環: circulation. The Japanese noun '循環 (じゅんかん)' means 'circulation'. It refers to the movement or flow of something in a circular or recurring pattern. This word is commonly used in contexts such as blood circulation, environmental cycles, or the circulation of goods and money. For example: blood circulation is important for health「血液の循環は健康に重要です」(けつえきのじゅんかんはけんこうにじゅうようです). The circulation of money stimulates the economy「お金の循環が経済を活性化します」(おかねのじゅんかんがけいざいをかっせいかします). It can also be used metaphorically to describe the cyclical nature of events or ideas.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2068

Handwriting