kanji

Meaning

One

Reading

Example Word

一昨年: year before last. The Japanese noun '一昨年 (おととし)' refers to 'the year before last'. It is used to indicate the year that is two years prior to the current year. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when referring to events or occurrences that happened two years ago. For example: I visited Japan the year before last「一昨年、日本を訪れました」(おととし、にほんをおとずれました). The year before last was very cold「一昨年はとても寒かった」(おととしはとてもさむかった). It's important to note that '一昨年' is a specific term and should not be confused with '去年 (きょねん)', which means 'last year'.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Up

Reading

Parts

一One 卜Divination

Example Word

値上げ: price hike. The Japanese verbal noun '値上げ (ねあげ)' refers to an increase in price or a price hike. It is commonly used in contexts related to economics, business, and everyday shopping. For example: The company announced a price hike「会社は値上げを発表した」(かいしゃはねあげをはっぴょうした). Due to inflation, prices have gone up「インフレのため、値上げが行われた」(インフレのため、ねあげがおこなわれた). This term is often used in news reports, business discussions, and consumer complaints about rising costs.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

12

Radical Form

丄

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Three

Reading

Parts

一One 二Two

Example Word

三: three. The Japanese noun '三 (さん)' means 'three'. It is a number used to denote the quantity or position of something in a sequence. This word is commonly used in various contexts, such as counting objects, indicating time, or specifying order. For example: there are three apples「りんごが三つあります」(りんごがみっつあります). It's the third of the month「今日は三日です」(きょうはみっかです). The word '三' can also be part of compound words, such as '三日月 (みかづき)' (crescent moon), where it retains its numerical meaning but contributes to a broader concept.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

28

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Down

Reading

Parts

一One 卜Divination

Example Word

低下: decline. The Japanese verbal noun '低下 (ていか)' means 'decline' or 'decrease'. It is used to describe a reduction or drop in quality, quantity, level, or status. This term is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as economics, health, or performance. For example: a decline in academic performance「学力の低下」(がくりょくのていか). The decrease in temperature「気温の低下」(きおんのていか). It can also be used to describe a decline in physical or mental condition, such as '体力の低下 (たいりょくのていか) (decline in physical strength)'. Note that '低下' is often paired with nouns using the particle 'の' to indicate what is declining.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

34

Radical Form

丅

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Not

Reading

Example Word

不注意: carelessness. The Japanese adjectival noun '不注意 (ふちゅうい)' means 'carelessness' or 'lack of attention'. It is used to describe a state of being inattentive or negligent, often leading to mistakes or accidents. This word is commonly used in contexts where someone fails to pay proper attention to details or safety. For example: His carelessness caused the accident「彼の不注意が事故を引き起こした」(かれのふちゅういがじこをひきおこした). She was scolded for her carelessness「彼女は不注意を叱られた」(かのじょはふちゅういをしかられた). The word can also be used to describe a general trait, as in '彼は不注意な人だ (かれはふちゅういなひとだ) (He is a careless person).'

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

61

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

World, Generation

Reading

Parts

廿Twenty 𠃊Second (乙)

Example Word

世論: public opinion. The Japanese noun '世論 (よろん)' refers to 'public opinion'. It is used to describe the collective views or attitudes of the general public on a particular issue or topic. This term is often used in discussions about politics, social issues, and media. For example: Public opinion is divided on this issue「この問題について世論は分かれている」(このもんだいについてよろんはわかれている). The government is paying attention to public opinion「政府は世論に注目している」(せいふはよろんにちゅうもくしている). Note that '世論' can also be read as 'せろん' in some contexts, but 'よろん' is the more common reading.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

81

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seven

Reading

Parts

一One ⺃Second (乙)

Example Word

七十: seventy. The Japanese noun '七十 (ななじゅう)' means 'seventy'. It is a number used to denote the quantity or age of seventy. This word is commonly used in contexts involving counting, age, or numerical references. For example: I am seventy years old「私は七十歳です」(わたしはななじゅうさいです). There are seventy books on the shelf「本棚に七十冊の本があります」(ほんだなにななじゅうさつのほんがあります).

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

万歳: hurrah or long live. The Japanese verbal noun '万歳 (ばんざい)' is used to express joy, celebration, or triumph. It is often shouted to cheer or celebrate something, similar to 'hurrah' or 'hooray' in English. Additionally, it can be used to wish someone or something a long life, akin to 'long live'. For example: Hurrah! We won!「万歳！勝った！」(ばんざい！かった！). Long live the king!「王様万歳！」(おうさまばんざい！). The word is commonly used in celebratory contexts, such as festivals, victories, or significant achievements.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

331

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Give, Involvement

Reading

Example Word

給与: salary. The Japanese noun '給与 (きゅうよ)' refers to 'salary' or 'wages'. It is commonly used in professional or formal contexts to describe the payment an employee receives for their work. This term is often used in business settings, contracts, or official documents. For example: The company pays a high salary「その会社は高い給与を支払う」(そのかいしゃはたかいきゅうよをしはらう). My salary increased this year「今年、給与が上がった」(ことし、きゅうよがあがった). Note that '給与' is a formal term and is typically used in written or official contexts, while '給料 (きゅうりょう)' is a more casual term for salary.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

437

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Line, Row

Reading

Parts

䒑Herbs 业Business (業)

Example Word

並み: ordinary or average. The Japanese noun '並み (なみ)' can mean 'average' or 'ordinary'. It is often used to describe something that is standard, typical, or not exceptional. For example: This is an average salary「これは並みの給料です」(これはなみのきゅうりょうです). Her skills are ordinary「彼女のスキルは並みです」(かのじょのスキルはなみです). The word can also be used to describe things that are lined up or arranged in a row, such as '並みの木 (なみのき) (a row of trees)'. However, the primary usage is to indicate something that is neither outstanding nor inferior, but rather in the middle range.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

525

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Street

Reading

Parts

一One 亅Barb

Example Word

包丁: knife. The Japanese noun '包丁 (ほうちょう)' refers specifically to a 'kitchen knife' or 'chef's knife'. It is commonly used in the context of cooking and food preparation. This word is often associated with professional chefs or home cooks who use it for cutting, slicing, and chopping ingredients. For example: I bought a new kitchen knife「新しい包丁を買いました」(あたらしいほうちょうをかいました). The chef sharpened the knife「シェフは包丁を研ぎました」(シェフはほうちょうをとぎました). Note that '包丁' is distinct from other types of knives, such as pocket knives or utility knives, as it is specifically designed for culinary use.

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