Page 1
kanji
石Meaning
Stone
Reading
kunyomiいしishi
onyomiせきseki
しゃくshaku
Parts
口Mouth 丆Cliff (厂)
Example Word
石: stone. The Japanese noun '石 (いし)' means 'stone'. This word is used to refer to a small piece of rock or a mineral substance. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing objects, natural formations, or even in idiomatic expressions. For example: I found a beautiful stone「きれいな石を見つけた」(きれいないしをみつけた). The stone is heavy「その石は重い」(そのいしはお もい). In Japanese culture, stones can also have symbolic meanings, such as in the context of gardens or traditional games like '石取り (いしとり)' (stone collecting).
Radical
石
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
1Frequency
197
Handwriting
kanji
確Meaning
Certain
Reading
kunyomiたしtashi
onyomiかくkaku
Parts
石Stone 隹Bird
Example Word
的確: accurate. The Japanese adjectival noun '的確 (てきかく)' means 'accurate' or 'precise'. It is used to describe something that is correct, appropriate, or exactly right in a given context. This word is often used to describe judgments, decisions, or actions that are well-suited to the situation. For example: His analysis was accurate「彼の分析は的確だった」(かれのぶんせきは てきかくだった). She gave a precise answer「彼女は的確な答えを出した」(かのじょはてきかくなこたえをだした). The word can also be used to describe someone's ability to make accurate assessments or decisions, as in '彼は的確な判断をする (かれはてきかくなはんだんをする) (He makes accurate judgments).'
Radical
石
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
488
Handwriting
kanji
破Meaning
Break, Tear
Reading
kunyomiやぶyabu
onyomiはha
Parts
石Stone 皮Skin
Example Word
破綻: collapse or failure. The Japanese noun '破綻 (はたん)' refers to a collapse or failure, often in the context of systems, plans, or relationships. It implies a breakdown or disintegration of something that was previously functioning. For example: the plan ended in failure「その計画は破綻した」(そのけいかくははたんした). Their marriage fell apart「彼らの結婚は破綻した」(かれらのけっこんははたんした). This word is commonly used in formal or serious contexts to describe significant failures or collapses.
Radical
石
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
566
Handwriting
kanji
研Meaning
Sharpen
Reading
kunyomiとto
onyomiけんken
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
9JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
618
Handwriting
kanji
砂Meaning
Sand
Reading
kunyomiすなsuna
onyomiさsa
しゃsha
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
9JLPT
N2Grade
6Frequency
940
Handwriting
kanji
砲Meaning
Gun, Cannon
Reading
onyomiほうhou
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
10JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1236
Handwriting
kanji
磨Meaning
Polish
Reading
kunyomiみがmiga
onyomiまma
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
16JLPT
N2Grade
9Frequency
1410
Handwriting
kanji
礎Meaning
Foundation stone, Foundation
Reading
kunyomiいしずえishizue
onyomiそso
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
18JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1642
Handwriting
kanji
砕Meaning
Smash
Reading
kunyomiくだkuda
onyomiさいsai
Parts
石Stone 卆
Example Word
砕ける: break. The Japanese verb '砕ける (くだける)' primarily means 'to break' or 'to be broken'. It is often used to describe something physically breaking into smaller pieces, such as glass or rocks. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something abstract, like a person's spirit or resolve, being broken. For example: The glass broke into pieces「ガラスが砕けた」(ガラスがくだけた). His spirit was broken by the harsh criticism「彼の精神は厳しい批判で砕けた」(かれのせいしんはきびしいひはんでくだけた). Additionally, '砕ける' can imply a sense of softening or becoming more approachable, as in '砕けた態度 (くだけたたいど)' (a relaxed or informal attitude).
Radical
石
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1680
Handwriting
kanji
硬Meaning
Hard, Stiff
Reading
kunyomiかたkata
onyomiこうkou
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
12JLPT
N2Grade
8Frequency
1759
Handwriting