Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Teach

Reading

Parts

孝Filial piety 攵Strike

Example Word

教授: professor. The Japanese noun '教授 (きょうじゅ)' refers to a 'professor', typically in an academic or educational setting. This term is used to denote someone who holds a high-ranking teaching position at a university or college. It can also be used more broadly to refer to someone who is an expert in a particular field and imparts knowledge. For example: The professor is giving a lecture「教授が講義をしています」(きょうじゅがこうぎをしています). I respect my professor「私は教授を尊敬しています」(わたしはきょうじゅをそんけいしています). The term is formal and is often used in professional or academic contexts.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

172

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Number

Reading

Parts

攵Strike 米Rice 女Woman

Example Word

関数: function. The Japanese noun '関数 (かんすう)' means 'function'. In mathematics and programming, it refers to a relation or expression involving one or more variables. For example: this function calculates the area「この関数は面積を計算する」(このかんすうはめんせきをけいさんする). The function returns a value「関数は値を返す」(かんすうはあたいをかえす). It is commonly used in technical contexts, particularly in mathematics, computer science, and engineering.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

235

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Government, Politics

Reading

Parts

正Correct 攵Strike

Example Word

政策: policy. The Japanese noun '政策 (せいさく)' refers to a 'policy', particularly in the context of government or organizational strategies and plans. It is used to describe a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an authority. For example: The government announced a new economic policy「政府は新しい経済政策を発表した」(せいふはあたらしいけいざいせいさくをはっぴょうした). This company has a strict environmental policy「この会社は厳しい環境政策を持っている」(このかいしゃはきびしいかんきょうせいさくをもっている). The term is often used in formal contexts and can apply to various fields such as economic, social, or foreign policy.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

348

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reason, Deceased

Reading

Parts

古Old 攵Strike

Example Word

故: reason. The Japanese noun '故 (ゆえ)' means 'reason' or 'cause'. It is often used in formal or literary contexts to explain the cause or reason behind something. It can also imply a sense of inevitability or consequence due to the reason stated. For example: due to illness, he couldn't attend「病気の故、彼は出席できなかった」(びょうきのゆえ、かれはしゅっせきできなかった). Because of the rain, the event was canceled「雨の故、イベントは中止された」(あめのゆえ、イベントはちゅうしされた). This word is typically used in written Japanese or formal speech and is less common in casual conversation.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

374

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spread, Lay

Reading

Parts

旉 攵Strike

Example Word

屋敷: mansion. The Japanese noun '屋敷 (やしき)' refers to a large, often luxurious residence or estate, typically associated with wealth or nobility. It can also imply a historical or traditional property. This word is commonly used to describe grand homes or estates, often with significant land. For example: that mansion is beautiful「あの屋敷は美しい」(あのやしきはうつくしい). The old mansion has a large garden「古い屋敷には大きな庭がある」(ふるいやしきにはおおきなにわがある). The term can also carry a sense of historical or cultural significance, as many '屋敷' are preserved as landmarks.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

400

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Release

Reading

Parts

方Direction 攵Strike

Example Word

放置: neglect. The Japanese noun '放置 (ほうち)' means 'neglect' or 'leaving something as it is without taking action'. It is often used to describe situations where something is ignored or abandoned, either intentionally or unintentionally. For example: the neglect of the problem led to bigger issues「問題の放置が大きな問題を引き起こした」(もんだいのほうちがおおきなもんだいをひきおこした). The car was left abandoned on the side of the road「車が道端に放置されていた」(くるまがみちばたにほうちされていた). This word can also be used in contexts like '放置プレイ (ほうちプレイ)', which refers to a gaming strategy where the player leaves the game running without active input.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

435

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enemy

Reading

Parts

啇 攵Strike

Example Word

素敵: lovely. The Japanese adjective '素敵 (すてき)' means 'lovely' or 'wonderful'. It is used to describe something or someone that is charming, delightful, or attractive. This word is often used in casual conversations to express admiration or approval. For example: That dress is lovely「そのドレスは素敵」(そのドレスはすてき). Your idea is wonderful「あなたのアイデアは素敵」(あなたのアイデアはすてき). The word can also be used to describe situations or experiences that are enjoyable or impressive. It carries a positive and warm connotation, making it a common compliment in Japanese.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

561

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Scatter

Reading

Parts

攵Strike 月Moon, Month

Example Word

散らばる: scatter. The Japanese verb '散らばる (ちらばる)' means 'to scatter' or 'to be scattered'. It describes things that are spread out or dispersed in various directions, often in a random or disorganized manner. This verb is commonly used for physical objects like leaves, papers, or people, but it can also describe abstract concepts like ideas or emotions. For example: The leaves scattered in the wind「風で葉っぱが散らばった」(かぜではっぱがちらばった). The children scattered across the park「子供たちが公園に散らばった」(こどもたちがこうえんにちらばった). Note that '散らばる' often implies a natural or unintentional scattering, as opposed to a deliberate action.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

570

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reform

Reading

Parts

己Oneself 攵Strike

Example Word

改まる: reform. The Japanese verb '改まる (あらたまる)' primarily means 'to reform' or 'to change for the better'. It is often used in contexts where something is being improved, revised, or made more formal. This verb can be used in both literal and figurative senses, such as reforming a system or changing one's behavior. For example: The company reformed its policies「会社は方針を改まった」(かいしゃはほうしんをあらたまった). His attitude changed for the better「彼の態度が改まった」(かれのたいどがあらたまった). It's important to note that this verb often carries a connotation of positive change or improvement.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

588

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Respect

Reading

Parts

苟 攵Strike

Example Word

尊敬: respect. The Japanese verbal noun '尊敬 (そんけい)' means 'respect'. It is used to express a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something due to their abilities, qualities, or achievements. This term is often used in formal or polite contexts, such as when discussing elders, superiors, or individuals who have earned admiration. For example: I respect my teacher「私は先生を尊敬しています」(わたしはせんせいをそんけいしています). Respect is important in Japanese culture「尊敬は日本の文化で重要です」(そんけいはにほんのぶんかでじゅうようです). Note that '尊敬' can also be used as a verb in the form '尊敬する (そんけいする)', meaning 'to respect'.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

906

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rescue

Reading

Parts

求Request, Seek 攵Strike

Example Word

救急車: ambulance. The Japanese noun '救急車 (きゅうきゅうしゃ)' refers to an 'ambulance', a vehicle equipped to transport sick or injured people to a hospital. It is commonly used in emergency situations. For example: Call an ambulance!「救急車を呼んで！」(きゅうきゅうしゃをよんで！). The ambulance arrived quickly「救急車がすぐに到着した」(きゅうきゅうしゃがすぐにとうちゃくした). The word is a compound of '救急 (きゅうきゅう)', meaning 'emergency', and '車 (しゃ)', meaning 'vehicle'.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

987

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Defeat

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 攵Strike

Example Word

敗戦: defeat. The Japanese verbal noun '敗戦 (はいせん)' means 'defeat' or 'losing a war'. It is commonly used to refer to a military defeat, particularly in the context of wars or battles. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a significant loss in other areas, such as sports or competitions. For example: Japan experienced defeat in World War II「日本は第二次世界大戦で敗戦を経験した」(にほんはだいにじせかいたいせんではいせんをけいけんした). The team suffered a crushing defeat「チームは惨敗を喫した」(チームはざんぱいをきっした). Note that '敗戦' carries a formal tone and is often used in historical or serious contexts.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1005

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Organize

Reading

Parts

正Correct 束Bundle, Bind 攵Strike

Example Word

整う: be arranged. The Japanese verb '整う (ととのう)' means 'to be arranged' or 'to be in order'. It is used to describe a state where things are properly organized, settled, or prepared. This verb often implies a sense of completeness or readiness. For example: The preparations are complete「準備が整った」(じゅんびがととのった). The room is neatly arranged「部屋が整っている」(へやがととのっている). It can also be used in abstract contexts, such as when conditions or plans are finalized: The conditions are in place「条件が整った」(じょうけんがととのった). Note that '整う' is an intransitive verb, meaning it describes a state rather than an action performed by someone.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1280

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Attack, Aggression

Reading

Parts

工Construction 攵Strike

Example Word

攻める: attack. The Japanese verb '攻める (せめる)' means 'to attack'. This verb is used to describe the act of initiating an aggressive action against someone or something, often in the context of battle, sports, or competition. It can also be used metaphorically to describe taking an assertive approach in non-physical contexts. For example: the soldiers attacked the castle「兵士たちは城を攻めた」(へいしたちはしろをせめた). The team attacked the opponent's weak point「チームは相手の弱点を攻めた」(チームはあいてのじゃくてんをせめた). In some contexts, it can also imply a strategic or calculated approach to overcoming an obstacle or challenge.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1294

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Agile, Alert

Reading

Parts

毎Every 攵Strike

Example Word

敏感: sensitive. The Japanese adjectival noun '敏感 (びんかん)' means 'sensitive'. It is used to describe someone or something that is highly responsive to stimuli, emotions, or changes. This word can be applied to physical sensitivity (e.g., skin, senses) or emotional sensitivity (e.g., reacting strongly to criticism or subtle changes). For example: She is sensitive to cold「彼女は寒さに敏感です」(かのじょはさむさにびんかんです). The device is sensitive to slight movements「その装置はわずかな動きに敏感です」(そのそうちはわずかなうごきにびんかんです). Note that '敏感' can also imply being perceptive or alert, depending on the context.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1384

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Daring

Reading

Parts

丅Down (下)耳Ear 攵Strike

Example Word

取り敢えず: firstly. The Japanese adverb '取り敢えず (とりあえず)' is commonly used to indicate that something is being done as a first step or temporarily, often implying that further action or consideration will follow. It can be translated as 'for now,' 'firstly,' or 'to start with.' This word is often used in casual conversations to suggest that the speaker is taking an initial action without fully committing to a final decision. For example: Let's order a beer for now「取り敢えずビールを注文しよう」(とりあえずビールをちゅうもんしよう). I'll send the email for now「取り敢えずメールを送ります」(とりあえずメールをおくります). The nuance here is that the action is provisional, and more steps may follow.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1478

Handwriting