Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Return

Reading

Parts

刂Sword (刀)巾Towel 冖Crown 彐Katakana yo

Example Word

帰宅: returning home. The Japanese verbal noun '帰宅 (きたく)' means 'returning home'. It is used to describe the act of going back to one's home, typically after being out for work, school, or other activities. This term is often used in formal or written contexts. For example: I will be returning home late tonight「今夜は帰宅が遅くなります」(こんやはきたくがおそくなります). After returning home, I took a bath「帰宅してからお風呂に入りました」(きたくしてからおふろにはいりました). The term can also be used in compound verbs, such as '帰宅する (きたくする)', which means 'to return home'.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

141

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Usual, Normal

Reading

Parts

尚Still, Esteem 巾Towel

Example Word

通常: usual or normal. The Japanese noun '通常 (つうじょう)' refers to something that is normal, usual, or standard. It is often used to describe a state or condition that is typical or expected. For example: The store is open as usual「通常通り店は開いています」(つうじょうどおりみせはあいています). The train is running on its normal schedule「電車は通常のスケジュールで運行しています」(でんしゃはつうじょうのスケジュールでうんこうしています). This word is commonly used in formal or business contexts to indicate standard procedures or conditions.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

214

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Master, Expert

Reading

Example Word

教師: teacher. The Japanese noun '教師 (きょうし)' means 'teacher'. It refers to someone who teaches professionally, typically in schools or educational institutions. This word is formal and is often used to describe educators in academic settings. For example: The teacher is kind「教師は優しい」(きょうしはやさしい). I want to become a teacher「教師になりたい」(きょうしになりたい). Note that '教師' is more formal than other words like '先生 (せんせい)', which is also used to mean 'teacher' but can be used more broadly to address professionals like doctors or mentors.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

288

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

City, Market

Reading

Parts

亠Lid 巾Towel

Example Word

市場: market. The Japanese noun '市場 (しじょう)' primarily means 'market'. This word refers to a physical place where goods are bought and sold, such as a farmer's market or a fish market. It can also refer to an economic market, such as the stock market or a specific industry market. For example: I went to the fish market「魚市場に行きました」(さかなしじょうにいきました). The stock market is unstable today「株式市場は今日不安定です」(かぶしきしじょうはきょうふあんていです). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a competitive environment, such as in 'the job market'.

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

包帯: bandage. The Japanese verbal noun '包帯 (ほうたい)' refers to a 'bandage', which is a strip of material used to cover and protect wounds. It is commonly used in medical contexts or when discussing injuries. For example: I wrapped a bandage around the wound「傷に包帯を巻いた」(きずにほうたいをまいた). The nurse changed the bandage「看護師が包帯を替えた」(かんごしがほうたいをかえた). This word is often used in both casual and formal settings when discussing medical care or first aid.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

743

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seat

Reading

Parts

巾Towel 广Dotted cliff 廿Twenty

Example Word

座席: seat. The Japanese noun '座席 (ざせき)' refers to a 'seat'. This term is commonly used in contexts such as theaters, airplanes, trains, or any place where seating arrangements are provided. For example: Please take your seat「どうぞ座席にお座りください」(どうぞざせきにおすわりください). The seat is reserved「その座席は予約済みです」(そのざせきはよやくずみです). It's important to note that '座席' specifically refers to the physical seat itself, not the act of sitting.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

777

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Curtain

Reading

Parts

莫 巾Towel

Example Word

幕: curtain. The Japanese noun '幕 (まく)' primarily means 'curtain'. It refers to the physical curtain used in theaters or stages, but it can also metaphorically represent the beginning or end of an event or era. For example: The curtain rose「幕が上がった」(まくがあがった). The curtain fell on his career「彼のキャリアに幕が下りた」(かれのキャリアにまくがおりた). Additionally, '幕' can be used in compound words like '開幕 (かいまく)' (opening of an event) or '閉幕 (へいまく)' (closing of an event).

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

皇帝: emperor. The Japanese noun '皇帝 (こうてい)' refers to an 'emperor', specifically a sovereign ruler of an empire. This term is often used in historical or formal contexts to describe the supreme monarch of a large territory or empire. For example: The emperor ruled the vast empire「皇帝は広大な帝国を治めた」(こうていはこうだいなていこくをおさめた). The emperor's palace was magnificent「皇帝の宮殿は壮大だった」(こうていのきゅうでんはそうだいだった). In modern usage, it is less common but still appears in historical discussions or titles, such as 'Roman Emperor'「ローマ皇帝」(ろーまこうてい).

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

大幅: greatly. The Japanese adverb '大幅 (おおはば)' means 'greatly' or 'significantly'. It is used to describe a large or substantial change, difference, or extent. This word is often used in contexts involving adjustments, revisions, or shifts, such as in business, economics, or policy. For example: The company greatly increased its profits「会社は利益を大幅に増やした」(かいしゃはりえきをおおはばにふやした). The government significantly revised the policy「政府は政策を大幅に改定した」(せいふはせいさくをおおはばにかいていした). Note that '大幅' emphasizes the scale or degree of change, making it suitable for formal or impactful contexts.

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