Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Return

Reading

Parts

刂Sword (刀)巾Towel 冖Crown 彐Katakana yo

Example Word

帰国: return. The Japanese verbal noun '帰国 (きこく)' means 'return to one's home country'. It is used to describe the act of going back to one's native country after being abroad. This term is often used in contexts such as studying, working, or traveling overseas. For example: I will return to my country next month「来月帰国します」(らいげつきこくします). After studying abroad, she returned to her home country「留学後、彼女は帰国しました」(りゅうがくご、かのじょはきこくしました). Note that '帰国' specifically refers to returning to one's home country, not just any return.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

141

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Usual, Normal

Reading

Parts

尚Still, Esteem 巾Towel

Example Word

常: usual. The Japanese noun '常 (つね)' means 'usual' or 'normal'. It refers to something that is regular, customary, or unchanging. This word is often used to describe a state of being that is consistent or habitual. For example: That's the usual way「それが常だ」(それがつねだ). He is always calm, as usual「彼は常に落ち着いている」(かれはつねにおちついている). The word can also imply a sense of permanence or something that is always true, as in '常の理 (つねのり) (the usual principle)'.

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

市街: city. The Japanese noun '市街 (しがい)' refers to the urban or city area, typically the built-up part of a city with streets, buildings, and infrastructure. It is often used to describe the central or commercial district of a city. For example: The city is bustling with activity「市街は活気で溢れている」(しがいわかっきであふれている). We walked through the city at night「私たちは夜に市街を歩いた」(わたしたちはよるにしがいをあるいた). This term is commonly used in contexts related to urban planning, geography, or everyday descriptions of city life.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

468

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cloth, Linen

Reading

Example Word

毛布: blanket. The Japanese noun '毛布 (もうふ)' refers to a 'blanket'. It is commonly used to describe a thick, warm covering used on beds or for wrapping oneself in. This word is often used in everyday contexts, such as when discussing bedding or staying warm. Example sentences: I bought a new blanket「新しい毛布を買いました」(あたらしいもうふをかいました). This blanket is very warm「この毛布はとても暖かいです」(このもうふはとてもあたたかいです). The word '毛布' can also be used metaphorically to describe something that provides comfort or protection, though this usage is less common.

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

728

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Belt, Wear

Reading

Parts

丗Thirty 冖Crown 巾Towel

Example Word

地帯: zone. The Japanese noun '地帯 (ちたい)' refers to a 'zone' or 'area', typically used to describe a specific region or section that is distinguished by particular characteristics. This term is often used in geographical, environmental, or military contexts. For example: This is a dangerous zone「これは危険な地帯です」(これはきけんなちたいです). The tropical zone has a lot of biodiversity「熱帯地帯は生物多様性が豊かです」(ねったいちたいはせいぶつたようせいがゆたかです). It can also be used metaphorically to describe abstract areas or fields, such as in 'comfort zone' or 'economic zone'.

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

幕府: shogunate. The Japanese noun '幕府 (ばくふ)' refers to the 'shogunate', which was the military government of Japan during the feudal period. The shogunate was headed by the shogun, the supreme military commander, and it was the de facto government of Japan from the 12th to the 19th century, while the emperor remained a symbolic figurehead. The term is often used in historical contexts to describe the political and military structure of feudal Japan. For example: The Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan for over 250 years「徳川幕府は250年以上日本を支配した」(とくがわばくふはにひゃくごじゅうねんいじょうにほんをしはいした). The shogunate was abolished during the Meiji Restoration「幕府は明治維新の際に廃止された」(ばくふはめいじいしんのさいにはいしされた).

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: emperor. The Japanese noun '帝 (みかど)' refers to an 'emperor', specifically the sovereign ruler of an empire. This term is deeply rooted in Japanese history and culture, often associated with the imperial family of Japan. It carries a formal and respectful tone, typically used in historical or ceremonial contexts. Example sentences: The emperor resides in the Imperial Palace「帝は皇居に住んでいます」(みかどはこうきょにすんでいます). The emperor's decree was announced「帝の勅令が発表された」(みかどのちょくれいがはっぴょうされた).

Radical

巾

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

922

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Notebook

Reading

Parts

巾Towel 長Long, Leader

Example Word

帳: book. The Japanese suffix '帳 (ちょう)' is commonly used to denote a type of book or notebook, often used for recording or keeping track of information. It is attached to nouns to specify the kind of book, such as a notebook for notes, a ledger, or a registry. For example: a notebook「ノート帳」(ノートちょう), an address book「住所帳」(じゅうしょちょう). This suffix is versatile and can be used in various contexts to refer to different types of books or records, emphasizing its role in organization and documentation.

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