Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Big

Reading

Parts

一One 人Person

Example Word

大概: mostly. The Japanese adverb '大概 (たいがい)' means 'mostly' or 'generally'. It is used to indicate that something is true in most cases or applies to the majority of a situation. This word often conveys a sense of approximation or generalization. For example: He is mostly right「彼の言うことは大概正しい」(かれのいうことはたいがいただしい). Most people go home after work「大概の人は仕事の後家に帰る」(たいがいのひとはしごとのあといえにかえる). Note that '大概' can also imply a sense of 'probably' or 'likely' in some contexts, but its primary meaning remains 'mostly'.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

6

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Man, Husband

Reading

Parts

人Person 二Two

Example Word

丈夫: strong or durable. The Japanese adjectival noun '丈夫 (じょうぶ)' primarily means 'strong' or 'durable'. It is used to describe objects, materials, or even people that are sturdy, robust, or resistant to damage. For example: This bag is durable「このカバンは丈夫です」(このかばんはじょうぶです). He is strong and healthy「彼は丈夫です」(かれはじょうぶです). The word can also imply reliability or resilience, such as in the phrase '丈夫な建物 (じょうぶなたてもの)' (a sturdy building). Note that while 'strong' and 'durable' are closely related, they are distinct enough to warrant separate meanings in this context.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

133

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Heaven

Reading

Parts

一One 大Big

Example Word

天国: heaven. The Japanese noun '天国 (てんごく)' means 'heaven'. It refers to the concept of a paradise or a blissful afterlife in various religious and spiritual contexts. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a place or situation of great happiness or perfection. For example: I want to go to heaven「天国に行きたい」(てんごくにいきたい). This place is like heaven「この場所は天国みたい」(このばしょはてんごくみたい). The word is often used in a positive and uplifting manner, and it carries a sense of ultimate peace and joy.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

136

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thick, Fat

Reading

Parts

大Big 丶Dot

Example Word

太い: thick. The Japanese adjective '太い (ふとい)' primarily means 'thick'. It is used to describe something that has a large diameter or width, such as a tree trunk, a rope, or a person's body part. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a bold or thick line in art. For example: This rope is thick「このロープは太い」(このロープはふとい). He has thick arms「彼は太い腕をしている」(かれはふというでをしている). Note that '太い' can sometimes carry a negative connotation when describing a person's body, implying they are overweight, so it should be used carefully in such contexts.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

147

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lose, Fault

Reading

Parts

大Big 丿Katakana no 夫Man, Husband

Example Word

喪失: loss. The Japanese noun '喪失 (そうしつ)' means 'loss'. It refers to the state of losing something important, such as a person, object, or abstract concept like hope or identity. This word is often used in emotional or serious contexts, such as grief or significant life changes. For example: the loss of a loved one「愛する人を喪失する」(あいするひとをそうしつする). A sense of loss「喪失感」(そうしつかん). It can also be used in broader contexts, such as the loss of trust「信頼の喪失」(しんらいのそうしつ).

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

335

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Core, Heart

Reading

Parts

米Rice 大Big

Example Word

奥さん: wife. The Japanese noun '奥さん (おくさん)' is a polite and respectful way to refer to someone else's wife. It is commonly used in formal or polite conversations. For example: His wife is very kind「彼の奥さんはとても親切です」(かれのおくさんはとてもしんせつです). I met your wife yesterday「昨日、奥さんに会いました」(きのう、おくさんにあいました). Note that '奥さん' is not used to refer to one's own wife; instead, '妻 (つま)' or '家内 (かない)' is used in such cases.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

382

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Strange, Unusual

Reading

Parts

大Big 可Possible

Example Word

好奇: curiosity. The Japanese noun '好奇 (こうき)' means 'curiosity'. It refers to a strong desire to know or learn something, often about things that are unusual, mysterious, or unfamiliar. This word is commonly used in contexts where someone is intrigued or fascinated by something. For example: His curiosity was piqued by the strange object「彼の好奇はその奇妙な物にそそられた」(かれのこうきはそのきみょうなものにそそられた). Curiosity drives scientific discovery「好奇は科学の発見を駆り立てる」(こうきはかがくのはっけんをかりたてる). The word can also imply a sense of inquisitiveness or a thirst for knowledge.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

630

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dedicate, Observance

Reading

Example Word

奉行: magistrate. The Japanese noun '奉行 (ぶぎょう)' refers to a magistrate or a high-ranking official in feudal Japan, typically responsible for administrative or judicial duties. This term is historically significant and often associated with the Edo period, where such officials played crucial roles in governance. For example: The magistrate issued a new decree「奉行が新しい法令を出した」(ぶぎょうがあたらしいほうれいをだした). The magistrate's decision was final「奉行の決定は最終的だった」(ぶぎょうのけっていはさいしゅうてきだった). It's important to note that this term is largely historical and may not be commonly used in modern contexts, except when referring to historical settings or figures.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

813

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Take by force, Rob

Reading

Parts

大Big 奞

Example Word

奪う: take or rob. The Japanese verb '奪う (うばう)' primarily means 'to take' or 'to rob'. It is used when someone forcibly takes something away from someone else, often implying a sense of loss or deprivation. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as physically taking an object, or metaphorically taking something intangible like time or opportunities. For example: The thief took my wallet「泥棒が私の財布を奪った」(どろぼうがわたしのさいふをうばった). The accident robbed him of his happiness「その事故は彼の幸せを奪った」(そのじこはかれのしあわせをうばった). Note that '奪う' carries a strong connotation of force or violence, and is not used for casual or neutral taking.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1167

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Invigorated

Reading

Parts

奞 田Rice field

Example Word

興奮: excitement. The Japanese verbal noun '興奮 (こうふん)' refers to a state of excitement, agitation, or arousal. It is often used to describe emotional or physical excitement, such as the thrill of an event or the agitation caused by a situation. For example: I felt excitement at the concert「コンサートで興奮を感じた」(コンサートでこうふんをかんじた). The crowd was in a state of excitement「群衆は興奮状態だった」(ぐんしゅうはこうふんじょうたいだった). This word can also be used in contexts like sports, debates, or even scientific discussions to describe heightened energy or tension.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1215

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

But, Nara

Reading

Parts

大Big 示Show, Indicate

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1248

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Play music

Reading

Parts

禾Cereal

Example Word

演奏: performance. The Japanese verbal noun '演奏 (えんそう)' refers to the act of performing music, typically on an instrument or as part of an ensemble. It is commonly used in contexts involving concerts, recitals, or any musical presentation. For example: The piano performance was beautiful「ピアノの演奏は美しかった」(ぴあののえんそうはうつくしかった). I will attend a violin performance tomorrow「明日、バイオリンの演奏を聴きに行きます」(あした、ばいおりんのえんそうをききにいきます). This word is often associated with formal or artistic settings and emphasizes the act of playing music rather than just listening to it.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1324

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Center

Reading

Parts

大Big 口Mouth

Example Word

中央: center or middle. The Japanese noun '中央 (ちゅうおう)' primarily means 'center' or 'middle'. It refers to the central part of something, whether it's a physical space, an organization, or a concept. For example: the center of the city「街の中央」(まちのちゅうおう). The middle of the room「部屋の中央」(へやのちゅうおう). It can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as the central government「中央政府」(ちゅうおうせいふ). The word is versatile and can be applied to various contexts where the concept of centrality is relevant.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1349

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rush, Bustle

Reading

Parts

大Big 卉

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1744

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pledge

Reading

Parts

㓞 大Big

Example Word

契機: opportunity or turning point. The Japanese noun '契機 (けいき)' refers to a significant event or moment that serves as a catalyst for change or action. It can mean 'opportunity' when referring to a chance to start something new, or 'turning point' when describing a pivotal moment that leads to a major shift. For example: This meeting was the opportunity to start a new project「この会議が新しいプロジェクトの契機となった」(このかいぎがあたらしいぷろじぇくとのけいきとなった). The accident became a turning point in his life「その事故が彼の人生の契機となった」(そのじこがかれのじんせいのけいきとなった). The word is often used in formal or written contexts to describe moments of transformation or initiation.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1778

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Urge, Encourage

Reading

Parts

大Big 将Leader, Commander

Example Word

奨学金: scholarship. The Japanese noun '奨学金 (しょうがくきん)' refers to a 'scholarship', which is financial aid awarded to students to help pay for their education. This term is commonly used in academic contexts and can refer to both merit-based and need-based scholarships. For example: I received a scholarship「奨学金をもらいました」(しょうがくきんをもらいました). She applied for a scholarship「彼女は奨学金に申し込んだ」(かのじょはしょうがくきんにもうしこんだ). It is important to note that '奨学金' is often associated with higher education, such as university or graduate school, and can cover tuition, living expenses, or both.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1957

Handwriting