Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Return

Reading

Parts

刂Sword (刀)巾Towel 冖Crown 彐Katakana yo

Example Word

日帰り: day trip. The Japanese verbal noun '日帰り (ひがえり)' refers to a trip or outing that is completed within a single day, without staying overnight. It is commonly used to describe short trips, such as visiting a nearby city or tourist spot and returning home the same day. For example: We went on a daytrip to Kyoto「私たちは京都に日帰りで行きました」(わたしたちはきょうとにひがえりでいきました). A daytrip to the hot springs「温泉に日帰りで行く」(おんせんにひがえりでいく). This term is often used in travel contexts and emphasizes the brevity of the trip.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

141

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Usual, Normal

Reading

Parts

尚Still, Esteem 巾Towel

Example Word

常識: commonsense. The Japanese noun '常識 (じょうしき)' refers to 'commonsense' or 'general knowledge'. It describes the basic understanding or awareness that is commonly shared by people in a society. This term is often used to refer to what is considered normal or expected behavior in a given context. For example: He lacks commonsense「彼は常識がない」(かれはじょうしきがない). It's common sense to be polite「礼儀正しくするのは常識だ」(れいぎただしくするのはじょうしきだ). The word can also imply societal norms or shared values, and it is frequently used in discussions about cultural expectations or social behavior.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

214

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Master, Expert

Reading

Example Word

講師: lecturer. The Japanese noun '講師 (こうし)' refers to a 'lecturer' or 'instructor', typically someone who teaches at educational institutions, seminars, or workshops. This term is often used in academic or professional settings to denote someone who delivers lectures or provides specialized instruction. For example: The lecturer explained the theory clearly「講師は理論をはっきりと説明した」(こうしはりろんをはっきりとせつめいした). She works as a part-time lecturer at the university「彼女は大学で非常勤講師として働いている」(かのじょはだいがくでひじょうきんこうしとしてはたらいている). Note that '講師' can also refer to instructors in non-academic contexts, such as fitness or art classes.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

288

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

City, Market

Reading

Parts

亠Lid 巾Towel

Example Word

市: city. The Japanese noun '市 (し)' means 'city'. It refers to a large and permanent human settlement, typically with a local government. This term is often used in the names of cities, such as '東京市 (とうきょうし)' (Tokyo City) or '大阪市 (おおさかし)' (Osaka City). Example sentences: I live in a city「私は市に住んでいます」(わたしはしにすんでいます). This city is very big「この市はとても大きい」(このしはとてもおおきい). Note that '市' can also be part of compound words, such as '市場 (いちば)' (market) or '市民 (しみん)' (citizen), but in these cases, it takes on a different meaning and reading.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

468

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cloth, Linen

Reading

Example Word

座布団: cushion. The Japanese noun '座布団 (ざぶとん)' refers to a traditional Japanese cushion used for sitting on the floor. It is typically square-shaped, filled with cotton or other soft material, and often placed on tatami mats. '座布団' is commonly used in Japanese homes, especially during tea ceremonies or when sitting at a low table. Example sentences: Please sit on the cushion「座布団に座ってください」(ざぶとんにすわってください). This cushion is very comfortable「この座布団はとても快適です」(このざぶとんはとてもかいてきです).

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

728

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Belt, Wear

Reading

Parts

丗Thirty 冖Crown 巾Towel

Example Word

一帯: area. The Japanese noun '一帯 (いったい)' refers to a specific area or region, often implying a continuous or connected expanse. It is commonly used to describe a geographical area, such as a neighborhood, district, or even a broader region. For example: this area is famous for its cherry blossoms「この一帯は桜で有名です」(このいったいはさくらでゆうめいです). The entire area was affected by the flood「一帯が洪水の影響を受けました」(いったいがこうずいのえいきょうをうけました). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a range or scope of something, such as a field of study or influence.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

743

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seat

Reading

Parts

巾Towel 广Dotted cliff 廿Twenty

Example Word

出席: attendance. The Japanese verbal noun '出席 (しゅっせき)' means 'attendance'. It refers to the act of being present at a meeting, class, event, or other gathering. It is commonly used in formal or academic contexts. For example: attendance is mandatory「出席は必須です」(しゅっせきはひっすです). I will attend the meeting「会議に出席します」(かいぎにしゅっせきします). The word can also be used in phrases like '出席を取る (しゅっせきをとる)' (to take attendance) or '出席率 (しゅっせきりつ)' (attendance rate).

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

777

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Curtain

Reading

Parts

莫 巾Towel

Example Word

幕末: end of shogunate. The Japanese noun '幕末 (ばくまつ)' refers to the final years of the Edo period (1603–1868), specifically the period leading up to the Meiji Restoration in 1868. This era was marked by significant political and social upheaval, as Japan transitioned from a feudal society under the Tokugawa shogunate to a modern nation-state. The term is often used in historical contexts to describe the events, figures, and cultural shifts of this transformative time. For example: The end of the shogunate was a turbulent time「幕末は激動の時代だった」(ばくまつはげきどうのじだいだった). Many samurai fought during the end of the shogunate「幕末には多くの侍が戦った」(ばくまつにはおおくのさむらいがたたかった).

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

903

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Emperor, Sovereign

Reading

Parts

亠Lid 丷Divide 冖Crown 巾Towel

Example Word

帝国: empire. The Japanese noun '帝国 (ていこく)' means 'empire'. It refers to a large and powerful group of states or countries under a single supreme authority, often an emperor or empress. This term is commonly used in historical contexts to describe vast territories ruled by a central power, such as the Roman Empire or the British Empire. In modern usage, it can also metaphorically describe large, dominant organizations or entities. Example sentences: The Roman Empire was vast「ローマ帝国は広大だった」(ろーまていこくはこうだいだった). The company is an empire in the tech industry「その会社はテック業界の帝国だ」(そのかいしゃはてっくぎょうかいのていこくだ).

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

922

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Notebook

Reading

Parts

巾Towel 長Long, Leader

Example Word

手帳: notebook. The Japanese noun '手帳 (てちょう)' refers to a small notebook or planner, often used for keeping track of schedules, notes, or personal information. It is a common item carried by many people in Japan for daily organization. Example sentences: I bought a new notebook「新しい手帳を買いました」(あたらいてちょうをかいました). Please write it in your notebook「手帳に書いてください」(てちょうにかいてください). The word can also imply a sense of personal organization and planning, as it is often used to manage daily tasks and appointments.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1048

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hat, Headgear

Reading

Parts

巾Towel 冒Risk

Example Word

帽子: hat. The Japanese noun '帽子 (ぼうし)' means 'hat'. This word refers to any type of head wear, such as caps, beanies, or formal hats. It is commonly used in everyday conversations when discussing clothing or accessories. For example: I bought a new hat「新しい帽子を買いました」(あたらしいぼうしをかいました). She is wearing a red hat「彼女は赤い帽子をかぶっています」(かのじょはあかいぼうしをかぶっています). The word can also be used metaphorically in some contexts, but its primary meaning is literal.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1060

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wish, Hope

Reading

Parts

㐅Katakana me 布Cloth, Linen

Example Word

希望: hope. The Japanese verbal noun '希望 (きぼう)' means 'hope'. It refers to a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. This word is often used to express aspirations, wishes, or desires for the future. For example: I have hope for the future「私は将来に希望を持っています」(わたしはしょうらいにきぼうをもっています). She lost hope「彼女は希望を失った」(かのじょはきぼうをうしなった). It can also be used in formal contexts, such as in job applications or surveys, to indicate preferences or desires, as in '希望の職種 (きぼうのしょくしゅ) (desired job type)'.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1142

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sail

Reading

Parts

巾Towel 凡Common

Example Word

帆: sail. The Japanese noun '帆 (ほ)' means 'sail'. It refers to the piece of fabric attached to a ship or boat that catches the wind and propels the vessel forward. This word is often used in nautical contexts and can also appear in idiomatic expressions or poetic language. For example: The ship's sail is white「船の帆は白い」(ふねのほはしろい). The wind filled the sail「風が帆を膨らませた」(かぜがほをふくらませた). Note that '帆' is typically used in written or formal contexts, while in everyday conversation, people might use more descriptive phrases like '船の帆 (ふねのほ)' to specify the sail of a ship.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1285

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Width

Reading

Parts

巾Towel 畐Fill

Example Word

幅: width or range. The Japanese noun '幅 (はば)' primarily means 'width', referring to the measurement of something from side to side. It can also mean 'range', indicating the extent or scope of something. For example: The width of the river is 10 meters「川の幅は10メートルです」(かわのはばはじゅうメートルです). There is a wide range of opinions「意見の幅が広いです」(いけんのはばがひろいです). This word is versatile and can be used in various contexts to describe physical dimensions or the extent of abstract concepts.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1465

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Towel

Reading

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1564

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Money, Cash

Reading

Parts

敝 巾Towel

Example Word

貨幣: currency. The Japanese noun '貨幣 (かへい)' refers to 'currency' or 'money' in a formal or economic context. It specifically denotes the physical form of money, such as coins and banknotes, used as a medium of exchange. This term is often used in discussions about economics, history, or finance. For example: The history of currency is fascinating「貨幣の歴史は興味深い」(かへいのれきしはきょうみぶかい). This country uses a unique currency「この国は独特な貨幣を使う」(このくにはどくとくなかへいをつかう). Note that '貨幣' is more formal than 'お金 (おかね)', which is the everyday term for money.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1686

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Command, Commander

Reading

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2046

Handwriting