Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Return

Reading

Parts

刂Sword (刀)巾Towel 冖Crown 彐Katakana yo

Example Word

帰り: return. The Japanese noun '帰り (かえり)' means 'return' and refers to the act of going back to a place, typically one's home or a starting point. It is often used in contexts involving travel, commuting, or daily routines. For example: I will be late on my return「帰りが遅くなります」(かえりがおそくなります). The way back was quiet「帰りは静かだった」(かえりはしずかだった). This word can also be used in compound phrases like '帰り道 (かえりみち)' (the way back) or '帰り際 (かえりぎわ)' (just before leaving).

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

師走: December. The Japanese noun '師走 (しわす)' refers to the month of December, the twelfth and final month of the year. The term is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and tradition, often associated with the busy end-of-year activities, such as preparing for the New Year. The word itself has an interesting etymology, with one theory suggesting that it comes from the idea of even Buddhist monks (師) running around (走る) busily during this month. Example sentences: December is a busy month「師走は忙しい月です」(しわすはいそがしいつきです). I will visit my family in December「師走に家族を訪ねます」(しわすにかぞくをたずねます).

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

288

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

City, Market

Reading

Parts

亠Lid 巾Towel

Example Word

都市: city. The Japanese noun '都市 (とし)' refers to a 'city', typically a large and densely populated urban area. It is used to describe major urban centers, often in contrast to rural areas or smaller towns. The term carries a sense of modernity, infrastructure, and economic activity. Example sentences: Tokyo is a big city「東京は大きな都市です」(とうきょうはおおきなとしです). Many people move to cities for work「多くの人が仕事のために都市に引っ越します」(おおくのひとがしごとのためにとしにひっこします).

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

468

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cloth, Linen

Reading

Example Word

布団: futon. The Japanese noun '布団 (ふとん)' refers to a traditional Japanese-style bedding, which typically includes a mattress and a duvet. Futons are designed to be laid directly on the floor and are commonly used in Japanese homes. They are known for their portability and space-saving qualities, as they can be folded and stored away during the day. Example sentences: I spread out the futon「布団を敷いた」(ふとんをしいた). The futon is comfortable「布団は気持ちいい」(ふとんはきもちいい).

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

728

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Belt, Wear

Reading

Parts

丗Thirty 冖Crown 巾Towel

Example Word

世帯: household. The Japanese noun '世帯 (せたい)' refers to a 'household', which is a group of people living together in a single dwelling unit, typically sharing resources and responsibilities. This term is often used in official contexts, such as census data, government forms, or social services. For example: The number of households in this city is increasing「この街の世帯数は増えている」(このまちのせたいすうはふえている). Our household consists of four people「私たちの世帯は四人です」(わたしたちのせたいはよにんです). The word can also be used to describe the economic or social unit of a household, such as in '世帯主 (せたいぬし)', meaning 'head of the household'.

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

電話帳: phone book. The Japanese noun '電話帳 (でんわちょう)' refers to a 'phonebook', which is a directory containing telephone numbers and addresses. This term is commonly used in contexts where one needs to look up contact information. For example: I found his number in the phonebook「電話帳で彼の番号を見つけた」(でんわちょうでかれのばんごうをみつけた). The phonebook is on the table「電話帳はテーブルの上にある」(でんわちょうはテーブルのうえにある). While digital directories are becoming more common, '電話帳' remains a relevant term in Japanese.

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