Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Degrees, Times

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 又Again 廿Twenty

Example Word

今度: next or this. The Japanese noun '今度 (こんど)' can mean either 'next' or 'this', depending on the context. When referring to an upcoming event or time, it means 'next', as in 'next time' or 'next week'. When referring to the current or most recent event, it means 'this', as in 'this time' or 'this occasion'. For example: I'll do better next time「今度はもっと頑張ります」(こんどはもっとがんばります). This time was fun「今度は楽しかった」(こんどはたのしかった). The word is versatile and commonly used in both casual and formal settings.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

58

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sit, Seat

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 坐

Example Word

正座: kneel. The Japanese verbal noun '正座 (せいざ)' refers to the traditional Japanese way of sitting on the floor with one's legs folded underneath, knees bent, and feet tucked under the buttocks. This posture is commonly used in formal settings, such as during tea ceremonies, martial arts, or when sitting on tatami mats. It is considered a sign of respect and proper etiquette. For example: Please kneel properly「正座をしてください」(せいざをしてください). She sat in the formal kneeling position「彼女は正座をした」(かのじょはせいざをした). Note that '正座' is often used as a noun but can also function as a verbal noun (suru-verb) when combined with 'する' to indicate the action of kneeling in this manner.

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

庭: garden. The Japanese noun '庭 (にわ)' means 'garden'. It refers to an outdoor area, typically adjacent to a house or building, that is cultivated with plants, flowers, or trees. This word is commonly used to describe both traditional Japanese gardens and more general garden spaces. For example: The garden is beautiful「庭がきれいです」(にわがきれいです). I play in the garden「庭で遊びます」(にわであそびます). It can also be used in compound words like '庭園 (ていえん)' (garden or park) or '家庭 (かてい)' (home or household), though the latter is unrelated to the meaning of 'garden'.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

402

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shop

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 占Fortune telling

Example Word

店: shop. The Japanese noun '店 (みせ)' means 'shop'. It refers to a place where goods or services are sold. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe various types of shops, such as a grocery store, clothing store, or restaurant. For example: I went to the shop「店に行きました」(みせにいきました). This shop sells delicious bread「この店は美味しいパンを売っています」(このみせはおいしいパンをうっています). The word '店' can also be part of compound words, such as '本屋 (ほんや) (bookstore)' or '喫茶店 (きっさてん) (coffee shop)', where it retains its meaning of a place of business.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

406

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wide

Reading

Parts

厶Private 广Dotted cliff

Example Word

広大: vast. The Japanese adjectival noun '広大 (こうだい)' means 'vast' and is used to describe something of immense size or scale, such as landscapes, areas, or abstract concepts like influence. It conveys a sense of grandeur and expansiveness. For example: The desert is vast「砂漠は広大だ」(さばくはこうだいだ). His influence is vast「彼の影響力は広大だ」(かれのえいきょうりょくはこうだいだ). This word is often used in formal or descriptive contexts to emphasize the sheer size or scope of something.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

428

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bed, Floor

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 木Tree, Wood

Example Word

臨床: clinical. The Japanese noun '臨床 (りんしょう)' refers to the practical application of medical knowledge, particularly in a clinical setting. It is often used in contexts related to medicine, healthcare, and research. For example: clinical research「臨床研究」(りんしょうけんきゅう). He works in clinical medicine「彼は臨床医学に従事している」(かれはりんしょういがくにじゅうじしている). The term emphasizes the direct observation and treatment of patients, as opposed to theoretical or laboratory-based work.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

638

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Government office, Urban prefecture

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 付Attach

Example Word

政府: government. The Japanese noun '政府 (せいふ)' refers to the governing body of a nation or state, commonly translated as 'government'. It is used to describe the system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state. This term is neutral and can refer to any form of government, whether democratic, autocratic, or otherwise. Example sentences include: The government announced a new policy「政府は新しい政策を発表した」(せいふはあたらしいせいさくをはっぴょうした). The government is responsible for public safety「政府は公共の安全に責任がある」(せいふはこうきょうのあんぜんにせきにんがある).

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

順序: order or sequence. The Japanese noun '順序 (じゅんじょ)' refers to the arrangement or sequence of things, events, or steps. It emphasizes the logical or proper arrangement of elements. For example: Please follow the correct order「正しい順序に従ってください」(ただしいじゅんじょにしたがってください). The sequence of events is important「出来事の順序が重要です」(できごとのじゅんじょがじゅうようです). This word is often used in contexts like instructions, processes, or storytelling to describe the proper or logical flow of actions or events.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1159

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Warehouse

Reading

Parts

車Car 广Dotted cliff

Example Word

車庫: garage. The Japanese noun '車庫 (しゃこ)' refers to a 'garage', a structure or space where vehicles, particularly cars, are stored or parked. It is commonly used in contexts related to housing, parking, or vehicle maintenance. For example: The car is in the garage「車は車庫にあります」(くるまはしゃこにあります). We built a new garage「新しい車庫を建てました」(あたらしいしゃこをたてました). The term is straightforward and primarily used in practical, everyday situations involving vehicles.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1255

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Waste, Abolish

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 発Departure

Example Word

廃棄: disposal. The Japanese noun '廃棄 (はいき)' means 'disposal'. It refers to the act of getting rid of something, often waste or unwanted items, in a systematic or regulated manner. This term is commonly used in contexts related to waste management, recycling, or discarding obsolete items. For example: The disposal of industrial waste is strictly regulated「産業廃棄物の廃棄は厳しく規制されている」(さんぎょうはいきぶつのはいきはきびしくきせいされている). We need to dispose of old documents「古い書類を廃棄する必要がある」(ふるいしょるいをはいきするひつようがある). The word can also imply a sense of finality or irreversibility in the act of discarding.

Radical

广

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1427

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Government office, Agency

Reading

Parts

广Dotted cliff 丁Street

Example Word

庁: agency. The Japanese noun '庁 (ちょう)' refers to a government agency or office. It is commonly used in the names of governmental or administrative bodies, such as '警察庁 (けいさつちょう)' (National Police Agency) or '環境庁 (かんきょうちょう)' (Environment Agency). This term is formal and typically appears in official contexts. For example: The agency issued a new policy「庁は新しい政策を発表した」(ちょうはあたらしいせいさくをはっぴょうした). He works at the tax agency「彼は税務庁で働いている」(かれはぜいむちょうではたらいている). Note that '庁' is often part of compound words and is rarely used standalone.

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