Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Stone

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 丆Cliff (厂)

Example Word

石油: oil. The Japanese noun '石油 (せきゆ)' refers to 'oil', specifically petroleum or crude oil. It is commonly used in contexts related to energy, fuel, and industrial applications. For example: This country imports a lot of oil「この国は石油をたくさん輸入する」(このくにはせきゆをたくさんゆにゅうする). Oil is an important resource「石油は重要な資源だ」(せきゆはじゅうようなしげんだ). The word is often associated with discussions about energy production, environmental issues, and global markets.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

197

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Certain

Reading

Parts

石Stone 隹Bird

Example Word

確か: certain or sure. The Japanese adjectival noun '確か (たしか)' is used to express certainty or sureness about something. It can be used to confirm information or to indicate that something is reliable or accurate. For example: I'm sure he will come「彼は確かに来るでしょう」(かれはたしかにくるでしょう). This is certainly the right way「これは確かに正しい方法です」(これはたしかにただしいほうほうです). It can also be used to recall something from memory, often with a sense of uncertainty, as in 'I think it was last year, but I'm not sure「確か去年だったと思うけど、確かじゃない」(たしかきょねんだったとおもうけど、たしかじゃない)'. The word can be used in both affirmative and negative contexts, and it often carries a nuance of seeking confirmation or reassurance.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

488

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Break, Tear

Reading

Parts

石Stone 皮Skin

Example Word

破産: bankruptcy. The Japanese noun '破産 (はさん)' means 'bankruptcy'. This term is used in legal and financial contexts to describe the state of being unable to pay outstanding debts. It can refer to both individuals and businesses. For example: he declared bankruptcy「彼は破産を宣告した」(かれははさんをせんこくした). The company went bankrupt「その会社は破産した」(そのかいしゃははさんした). In Japanese law, bankruptcy is a formal legal process that involves the liquidation of assets to pay off creditors. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe a complete failure or collapse, though this usage is less common.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

566

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sharpen

Reading

Parts

石Stone 开Open

Example Word

研究: research. The Japanese verbal noun '研究 (けんきゅう)' means 'research'. It refers to the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. This term is commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts. For example: I am conducting research on Japanese history「私は日本の歴史を研究しています」(わたしはにほんのれきしをけんきゅうしています). His research was published in a scientific journal「彼の研究は科学雑誌に掲載された」(かれのけんきゅうはかがくざっしにけいさいされた). The word can also be used to describe the act of studying or investigating something in depth, as in '研究する (けんきゅうする)' which means 'to research' or 'to study'.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

618

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sand

Reading

Parts

石Stone 少Few

Example Word

砂糖: sugar. The Japanese noun '砂糖 (さとう)' means 'sugar'. It refers to the sweet crystalline substance used to flavor food and drinks. This word is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as cooking or discussing food. For example: I put sugar in my coffee「コーヒーに砂糖を入れました」(コーヒーにさとうをいれました). This cake has a lot of sugar「このケーキは砂糖が多い」(このケーキはさとうがおおい). The word '砂糖' is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

940

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gun, Cannon

Reading

Parts

石Stone 包Wrap

Example Word

鉄砲: gun. The Japanese noun '鉄砲 (てっぽう)' refers to a 'gun' or 'firearm'. Historically, it specifically refers to matchlock guns introduced to Japan in the 16th century. In modern usage, it broadly refers to firearms. Example sentences: He bought a gun「彼は鉄砲を買った」(かれはてっぽうをかった). The samurai used guns「侍は鉄砲を使った」(さむらいはてっぽうをつかった). Note that this word is often associated with historical or traditional contexts, though it can also be used in modern settings.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1236

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Polish

Reading

Parts

麻Hemp, Numb 石Stone

Example Word

歯磨き: toothpaste or tooth brushing. The Japanese noun '歯磨き (はみがき)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'toothbrushing', referring to the act of cleaning one's teeth. The second is 'toothpaste', the substance used during toothbrushing. This word is commonly used in daily life and can refer to either the action or the product, depending on the context. For example: I do toothbrushing every morning「毎朝歯磨きをします」(まいあさはみがきをします). This toothpaste is mint-flavored「この歯磨きはミント味です」(このはみがきはみんとあじです). Note that the meaning is usually clear from the context, but it can sometimes be ambiguous without additional clarification.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1410

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Niter, Nitrate

Reading

Parts

石Stone 肖Resemble, Resemblance

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1495

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Foundation stone, Foundation

Reading

Parts

石Stone 楚

Example Word

基礎: foundation. The Japanese noun '基礎 (きそ)' means 'foundation'. It refers to the base or underlying support of something, whether physical, conceptual, or abstract. This word is often used in contexts like education, construction, or skills development. For example: The foundation of this building is strong「この建物の基礎は強い」(このたてもののきそはつよい). Learning the basics is important「基礎を学ぶことは大切です」(きそをまなぶことはたいせつです). It can also refer to the fundamental principles or groundwork of a subject, as in '基礎知識 (きそちしき) (basic knowledge)'.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1642

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Smash

Reading

Parts

石Stone 卆

Example Word

砕く: break or crush. The Japanese verb '砕く (くだく)' primarily means 'to crush' or 'to break'. It is used to describe the action of physically breaking something into smaller pieces, such as rocks, ice, or other hard materials. It can also be used metaphorically to describe breaking down abstract concepts, such as breaking down a problem or someone's spirit. For example: He crushed the ice with a hammer「彼はハンマーで氷を砕いた」(かれはハンマーでこおりをくだいた). The news broke her heart「その知らせは彼女の心を砕いた」(そのしらせはかのじょのこころをくだいた). Note that '砕く' often implies a deliberate or forceful action, and it is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1680

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hard, Stiff

Reading

Parts

石Stone 更Renew, Grow late

Example Word

硬さ: hardness. The Japanese noun '硬さ (かたさ)' refers to the quality or state of being hard, firm, or rigid. It is often used to describe the physical property of materials, such as metals, rocks, or even food. For example: the hardness of this stone is remarkable「この石の硬さはすごい」(このいしのかたさはすごい). The hardness of the bread made it difficult to eat「パンの硬さで食べにくかった」(パンのかたさでたべにくかった). In some contexts, it can also metaphorically describe someone's stubbornness or inflexibility, though this usage is less common.

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1759

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Stone, Monument, Tombstone

Reading

Parts

石Stone 卑Mean, Lowly

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1791

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Go, The game of Go

Reading

Parts

石Stone 其That

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1829

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Magnet, Porcelain

Reading

Parts

石Stone 兹

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1904

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sulfur, Sulphur

Reading

Parts

石Stone 㐬Newborn

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2017

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reef

Reading

Parts

石Stone 焦Char, Scorch

Radical

石

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2073

Handwriting