kanji

Meaning

Degrees, Times

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 又Again 廿Twenty

Example Word

度忘れ: forget. The Japanese verbal noun '度忘れ (どわすれ)' refers to the act of temporarily forgetting something, often something that one usually knows well. It implies a momentary lapse in memory rather than a permanent forgetfulness. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe situations where someone can't recall a word, name, or fact they are familiar with. For example: I forgot the word for a moment「その言葉を度忘れした」(そのことばをどわすれした). He forgot his friend's name「彼は友達の名前を度忘れした」(かれはともだちのなまえをどわすれした). The nuance here is that the memory is expected to return soon, as it is a temporary forgetfulness.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

58

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sit, Seat

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 坐

Example Word

座: seat. The Japanese noun '座 (ざ)' primarily means 'seat'. It refers to a place where someone sits, such as in a theater, a meeting, or any gathering. This word is often used in formal contexts or when referring to seating arrangements. For example: Please take your seat「どうぞお座りください」(どうぞおすわりください). The seats in the theater are comfortable「劇場の座は快適です」(げきじょうのざはかいてきです). Additionally, '座' can also refer to a group or association, particularly in traditional Japanese arts like Noh or Kabuki, where it denotes a troupe or guild. For example: He belongs to a famous Noh troupe「彼は有名な能の座に所属しています」(かれはゆうめいなのうのざにしょぞくしています).

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

293

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bottom

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 氐

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

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

373

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Garden

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 廷Court

Example Word

家庭: family or home. The Japanese noun '家庭 (かてい)' refers to both 'home' and 'family', depending on the context. It emphasizes the domestic environment or household, often including the family unit living together. For example: My home is peaceful「私の家庭は平和です」(わたしのかていはへいわです). A happy family「幸せな家庭」(しあわせなかてい). It is commonly used in contexts discussing family life, household management, or domestic situations. The word carries a sense of warmth and togetherness, often implying a close-knit family unit.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

402

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shop

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 占Fortune telling

Example Word

書店: bookstore. The Japanese noun '書店 (しょてん)' refers to a 'bookstore', a place where books are sold. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to a shop that specializes in selling books. It can be used in various contexts, such as asking for directions to a bookstore or discussing where to buy a specific book. For example: I bought this novel at the bookstore「この小説は書店で買いました」(このしょうせつはしょてんでかいました). There is a bookstore near the station「駅の近くに書店があります」(えきのちかくにしょてんがあります). The word '書店' is often used interchangeably with '本屋 (ほんや)', though '書店' can sound slightly more formal or literary.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

406

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wide

Reading

Parts

厶Private 广Dotted cliff

Example Word

広げる: spread or expand. The Japanese verb '広げる (ひろげる)' primarily means 'to spread' or 'to expand'. It is used to describe the action of making something wider, broader, or more extensive. This can refer to physical objects, such as spreading out a map or expanding a business. For example: She spread the map on the table「彼女はテーブルに地図を広げた」(かのじょはテーブルにちずをひろげた). The company is expanding its operations「その会社は事業を広げている」(そのかいしゃはじぎょうをひろげている). The verb can also be used metaphorically, such as expanding one's horizons or spreading ideas. Note that '広げる' is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

428

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bed, Floor

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 木Tree, Wood

Example Word

床屋: barber. The Japanese noun '床屋 (とこや)' refers to a 'barber' or a 'barbershop'. It is commonly used to describe a place where men go to get their hair cut or styled. The term is often associated with traditional barbershops, which may also offer services like shaving. Example sentences: I went to the barber「床屋に行った」(とこやにいった). The barber is skilled「床屋は上手だ」(とこやはじょうずだ). Note that '床屋' is typically used for male-oriented haircuts, while '美容院 (びよういん)' is more commonly used for hair salons catering to women.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

638

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Government office, Urban prefecture

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 付Attach

Example Word

府立: prefectural. The Japanese noun '府立 (ふりつ)' refers to something that is established or operated by a prefecture, specifically in the context of institutions like schools, hospitals, or other public facilities. It is often used in the names of such institutions to indicate their affiliation with a prefecture. For example: prefectural high school「府立高校」(ふりつこうこう). prefectural hospital「府立病院」(ふりつびょういん). The term is commonly used in the Kansai region, particularly in Kyoto and Osaka, where '府' refers to the prefectural-level administrative divisions.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

772

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Corridor, Passageway

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 郎Young man, Guy

Example Word

廊下: hallway. The Japanese noun '廊下 (ろうか)' refers to a 'hallway' or 'corridor'. It is used to describe a long, narrow passage inside a building that connects rooms. This word is commonly used in both residential and public buildings. For example: The hallway is long「廊下が長い」(ろうかがながい). Please walk quietly in the hallway「廊下では静かに歩いてください」(ろうかではしずかにあるいてください). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a passage or pathway, but this usage is less common.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1001

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Healthy, Peaceful

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 隶

Example Word

健康: health. The Japanese adjectival noun '健康 (けんこう)' means 'health'. It refers to the state of being physically and mentally well. It is often used to describe a person's condition or lifestyle. For example: maintaining good health is important「健康を保つことは大切です」(けんこうをたもつことはたいせつです). She is in good health「彼女は健康です」(かのじょはけんこうです). This word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '健康診断 (けんこうしんだん)' (health checkup).

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1072

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Beginning, Preface

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 予Beforehand

Example Word

序で: opportunity. The Japanese noun '序で (ついで)' refers to an opportunity or a convenient moment to do something. It is often used when someone is already doing something and takes the chance to do another related task. For example: While you're at the store, could you buy some milk?「お店に行くついでに牛乳を買ってきてくれる？」(おみせにいくついでにぎゅうにゅうをかってきてくれる？). I'll clean the kitchen while I'm at it「キッチンを掃除するついでに片付けよう」(キッチンをそうじするついでにかたづけよう). This word is commonly used in casual conversations and implies making the most of a situation.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1159

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Warehouse

Reading

Parts

車Car 广Dotted cliff

Example Word

庫: storage. The Japanese suffix '庫 (こ)' means 'storage' and is commonly used in compound words to denote a place or facility where something is stored. It is often attached to nouns to specify the type of storage, such as a warehouse, garage, or repository. For example: car garage「車庫」(しゃこ). warehouse「倉庫」(そうこ). It is important to note that '庫' is rarely used as a standalone word and is typically part of a larger compound. The suffix carries a formal or technical nuance, often used in contexts related to infrastructure, logistics, or organization.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1255

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Waste, Abolish

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 発Departure

Example Word

廃止: abolition. The Japanese verbal noun '廃止 (はいし)' means 'abolition' or 'discontinuation'. It refers to the act of officially ending or stopping something, such as a system, law, or practice. This term is often used in formal or official contexts. For example: The government decided on the abolition of the law「政府はその法律の廃止を決定した」(せいふはそのほうりつのはいしをけっていした). The company announced the discontinuation of the service「その会社はサービスの廃止を発表した」(そのかいしゃはサービスのはいしをはっぴょうした). Note that '廃止' is typically used in written or formal speech, and its usage implies a permanent termination.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1427

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Government office, Agency

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 丁Street

Example Word

府庁: prefectural office. The Japanese noun '府庁 (ふちょう)' refers to the administrative office or headquarters of a prefecture, particularly in the context of Japan's governmental structure. It is often used to denote the main office where prefectural governance and administrative tasks are carried out. For example: The prefectural office is located in the city center「府庁は市の中心にあります」(ふちょうはしのちゅうしんにあります). I visited the prefectural office to submit documents「書類を提出するために府庁を訪れました」(しょるいをていしゅつするためにふちょうをおとずれました). This term is specific to Japan's administrative divisions and is commonly used in formal or bureaucratic contexts.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1679

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cheap, Bargain

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 兼Combine, Concurrently

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1835

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ordinary, Common

Reading

Parts

聿Brush 广Dotted cliff

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1843

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Commoner, Manifold

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 廿Twenty 灬Fire (火)

Example Word

庶民: commoners. The Japanese noun '庶民 (しょみん)' refers to 'commoners' or 'ordinary people'. It is used to describe the general populace, as opposed to the elite or aristocracy. This term often carries a neutral or slightly humble connotation, emphasizing the everyday lives of regular people. For example: The life of commoners is simple「庶民の生活はシンプルだ」(しょみんのせいかつはシンプルだ). Commoners enjoy festivals too「庶民もお祭りを楽しむ」(しょみんもおまつりをたのしむ). The word is commonly used in historical contexts or when discussing social classes, but it can also appear in modern contexts to contrast ordinary people with those in positions of power or wealth.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1931

Handwriting