Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

One

Reading

Example Word

一応: tentatively. The Japanese adverb '一応 (いちおう)' means 'tentatively' or 'for the time being'. It is often used to indicate that something is done as a preliminary measure, without full commitment or certainty. It can also imply that something is done just in case or as a formality. For example: I tentatively finished the report「一応レポートは終わらせた」(いちおうレポートはおわらせた). I checked it just in case「一応確認した」(いちおうかくにんした). This adverb is commonly used in casual and formal contexts to express a sense of provisionality or precaution.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Up

Reading

Parts

一One 卜Divination

Example Word

値上がり: price increase. The Japanese verbal noun '値上がり (ねあがり)' refers to an increase in price or a rise in cost. It is commonly used in economic, financial, or everyday contexts to describe situations where the price of goods, services, or commodities goes up. For example: The price of gasoline has increased「ガソリンの値上がりが続いている」(ガソリンのねあがりがつづいている). Due to the shortage, prices are rising「不足のため値上がりが起こっている」(ふそくのためねあがりがおこっている). This term is neutral and does not imply whether the increase is good or bad, but it often carries a connotation of concern or impact on consumers.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

12

Radical Form

丄

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Three

Reading

Parts

一One 二Two

Example Word

三百: three hundred. The Japanese noun '三百 (さんびゃく)' means 'three hundred'. It is a numerical term used to denote the quantity or number 300. This word is often used in contexts involving counting, measurements, or quantities. For example: there are three hundred people「三百人がいます」(さんびゃくにんがいます). The price is three hundred yen「値段は三百円です」(ねだんはさんびゃくえんです). Note that '三百' is a specific number and is not used metaphorically or abstractly.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

28

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Down

Reading

Parts

一One 卜Divination

Example Word

零下: below zero. The Japanese noun '零下 (れいか)' means 'below zero'. It is used to describe temperatures that are below the freezing point of water (0°C or 32°F). This term is commonly used in weather forecasts or when discussing cold climates. For example: The temperature is below zero today「今日の気温は零下です」(きょうのきおんはれいかです). It was below zero last night「昨夜は零下でした」(さくやはれいかでした). Note that '零下' is often used in combination with temperature numbers, such as '零下5度 (れいかごど)' meaning '5 degrees below zero'.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

34

Radical Form

丅

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Not

Reading

Example Word

不: not. The Japanese prefix '不 (ふ)' is used to negate or express the absence of a quality, state, or action. It is commonly attached to nouns or adjectives to form words that mean the opposite of the original term. For example: '不安 (ふあん)' means 'unease' or 'anxiety' (literally 'not peace'), and '不満 (ふまん)' means 'dissatisfaction' (literally 'not satisfaction'). This prefix is versatile and widely used in both formal and informal contexts. Example sentences: He is not satisfied「彼は不満です」(かれはふまんです). This situation is uncertain「この状況は不確かです」(このじょうきょうはふたしかです).

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

61

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

World, Generation

Reading

Parts

廿Twenty 𠃊Second (乙)

Example Word

この世: this world. The Japanese noun 'この世 (このよ)' translates to 'this world.' It refers to the physical world or the realm of existence where we live, often contrasted with the spiritual or afterlife. It is used to describe the world in its present state or form. For example: This world is full of wonders 「この世は驚きに満ちている」 (このよはおどろきにみちている). He wants to leave everything in this world behind 「彼はこの世のすべてを置き去りにしたい」 (かれはこのよのすべてをおきざりにしたい). The term can also be used in philosophical or religious contexts to discuss the transient nature of life and existence.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

81

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seven

Reading

Parts

一One ⺃Second (乙)

Example Word

七千: seven thousand. The Japanese noun '七千 (ななせん)' means 'seven thousand'. It is a numerical term used to denote the quantity of 7,000. This word is commonly used in contexts involving counting, measurements, or quantities. For example: The population is seven thousand「人口は七千です」(じんこうはななせんです). The price is seven thousand yen「値段は七千円です」(ねだんはななせんえんです). Note that '七千' is a specific number and is used in formal or written contexts more often than in casual speech.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

159

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Both

Reading

Parts

一One 冂Enclosure 山Mountain

Example Word

両替: exchange. The Japanese verbal noun '両替 (りょうがえ)' refers to the act of exchanging one form of currency for another, such as converting yen to dollars or vice versa. It is commonly used in contexts involving money exchange, such as at banks, airports, or currency exchange offices. For example: I exchanged yen for dollars「円をドルに両替しました」(えんをドルにりょうがえしました). Where can I exchange money?「どこでお金を両替できますか？」(どこでおかねをりょうがえできますか？). This term is specific to currency exchange and does not apply to other types of exchanges.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

306

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ten thousand

Reading

Parts

一One 勹Wrap

Example Word

万: ten thousand. The Japanese noun '万 (まん)' means 'ten thousand'. It is used to denote the number 10,000 and is commonly used in contexts involving large quantities or sums. For example: ten thousand yen「一万円」(いちまんえん). There are ten thousand people「一万人がいます」(いちまんにんがいます). It's important to note that '万' is often combined with other numbers to form larger numbers, such as '十万 (じゅうまん)' for 100,000 or '百万 (ひゃくまん)' for 1,000,000.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

331

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Give, Involvement

Reading

Example Word

与える: give. The Japanese verb '与える (あたえる)' means 'to give'. It is used to describe the act of providing something to someone, often in a formal or authoritative context. This verb can be used for tangible items, such as gifts or money, as well as intangible things like opportunities, rights, or responsibilities. For example: The teacher gave the students homework「先生は学生に宿題を与えた」(せんせいはがくせいにしゅくだいをあたえた). The government gave the citizens new rights「政府は市民に新しい権利を与えた」(せいふはしみんにあたらしいけんりをあたえた). Note that '与える' often implies a sense of authority or control over what is being given, distinguishing it from more casual verbs like 'あげる'.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

437

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Line, Row

Reading

Parts

䒑Herbs 业Business (業)

Example Word

並び: line or row. The Japanese noun '並び (ならび)' refers to a 'line' or 'row' of things or people arranged in an orderly manner. It can be used to describe physical arrangements, such as a line of trees or a row of seats, as well as abstract sequences, like a series of events. For example: a line of trees「木の並び」(きのならび). A row of houses「家の並び」(いえのならび). The word can also imply a sense of order or sequence, as in 'the order of events'「事件の並び」(じけんのならび).

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

525

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Street

Reading

Parts

一One 亅Barb

Example Word

丁度: exactly. The Japanese adverb '丁度 (ちょうど)' means 'exactly' or 'just'. It is used to indicate precision in time, quantity, or condition. It can also imply that something happens at the perfect moment or fits perfectly. For example: It's exactly 3 o'clock「ちょうど3時です」(ちょうどさんじです). This shirt fits me just right「このシャツはちょうどいい」(このシャツはちょうどいい). The train arrived exactly on time「電車はちょうど時間通りに到着した」(でんしゃはちょうどじかんどおりにとうちゃくした). Note that 'ちょうど' is often used in casual and formal contexts alike, making it a versatile word in Japanese.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

594

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Stout, Length

Reading

Example Word

頑丈: sturdy. The Japanese adjectival noun '頑丈 (がんじょう)' means 'sturdy' or 'robust'. It is used to describe something that is strongly built, durable, or tough, often referring to physical objects or structures. For example: This table is sturdy「このテーブルは頑丈だ」(このテーブルはがんじょうだ). The bridge is robust「その橋は頑丈だ」(そのはしはがんじょうだ). It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's health or resolve, as in 'He has a sturdy constitution'「彼は頑丈な体を持っている」(かれはがんじょうなからだをもっている).

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

653

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hill

Reading

Parts

一One 斤Axe, Catty

Example Word

丘: hill. The Japanese noun '丘 (おか)' means 'hill'. This word refers to a naturally raised area of land, not as high as a mountain, often with a rounded top. It is commonly used to describe geographical features in landscapes. For example: There is a small hill near my house「私の家の近くに小さな丘があります」(わたしのいえのちかくにちいさなおかがあります). We had a picnic on the hill「丘の上でピクニックをしました」(おかのうえでぴくにっくをしました). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a gentle rise or elevation in various contexts.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1265

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Moreover, Also

Reading

Example Word

且つ: and. The Japanese conjunction '且つ (かつ)' is used to connect two statements or ideas, similar to the English 'and'. However, it is more formal and often used in written language or formal speech. It emphasizes that both connected elements are true or applicable. For example: He is intelligent and diligent「彼は賢く且つ勤勉だ」(かれはかしこくかつきんべんだ). This method is effective and safe「この方法は効果的且つ安全だ」(このほうほうはこうかてきかつあんぜんだ). Note that '且つ' is less common in casual conversation, where 'そして' or 'そして' might be used instead.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1576

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Third, Third class

Reading

Parts

一One 内Inside

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2064

Handwriting