Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Teach

Reading

Parts

孝Filial piety 攵Strike

Example Word

教室: classroom. The Japanese noun '教室 (きょうしつ)' means 'classroom'. It refers to a room in a school or educational institution where lessons are conducted. This word is commonly used in educational contexts and can also refer to a place where specific classes or courses are held. For example: The classroom is quiet「教室は静かです」(きょうしつはしずかです). I study in the classroom「私は教室で勉強します」(わたしはきょうしつでべんきょうします). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a place of learning or instruction, such as in '人生の教室 (じんせいのきょうしつ) (classroom of life)'.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

172

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Number

Reading

Parts

攵Strike 米Rice 女Woman

Example Word

変数: variable. The Japanese noun '変数 (へんすう)' means 'variable'. This term is primarily used in mathematics, programming, and scientific contexts to refer to a quantity or value that can change or vary. For example: In programming, variables store data「プログラミングでは、変数がデータを保存する」(ぷろぐらみんぐでは、へんすうがでーたをほぞんする). The value of the variable changes「変数の値が変わる」(へんすうのあたいがかわる). It is important to note that this word is technical and is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

235

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Government, Politics

Reading

Parts

正Correct 攵Strike

Example Word

政党: political party. The Japanese noun '政党 (せいとう)' refers to a 'political party'. This term is used to describe an organized group of people who share similar political goals and work together to influence government policies and gain political power. For example: The new political party was established「新しい政党が設立された」(あたらしいせいとうがせつりつされた). He joined a major political party「彼は主要な政党に加入した」(かれはしゅようなせいとうかにゅうした). The term is commonly used in discussions about politics, elections, and governance.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

348

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reason, Deceased

Reading

Parts

古Old 攵Strike

Example Word

故郷: hometown. The Japanese noun '故郷 (こきょう)' refers to one's hometown or birthplace, the place where someone was born or raised. It carries a nostalgic and emotional connotation, often evoking feelings of longing or fond memories. For example: I miss my hometown「故郷が恋しい」(こきょうがこいしい). I returned to my hometown after many years「長い年月を経て故郷に戻った」(ながいとしつきをへてこきょうにもどった). This word is commonly used in literature, songs, and conversations to express a deep connection to one's roots.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

374

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spread, Lay

Reading

Parts

旉 攵Strike

Example Word

敷金: deposit. The Japanese noun '敷金 (しききん)' refers to a 'deposit' paid when renting a property, such as an apartment or house. This deposit is typically paid to the landlord or property owner at the beginning of the lease and is intended to cover potential damages or unpaid rent. It is common in Japan for the deposit to be non-refundable or partially refundable, depending on the terms of the rental agreement. For example: The deposit for this apartment is high「このアパートの敷金は高いです」(このアパートのしききんはたかいです). I paid the deposit when I moved in「引っ越しの時に敷金を払いました」(ひっこしのときにしききんをはらいました). Note that '敷金' is often used alongside '礼金 (れいきん)', which is a non-refundable 'key money' payment also common in Japanese rental agreements.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

400

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Release

Reading

Parts

方Direction 攵Strike

Example Word

放棄: abandonment. The Japanese noun '放棄 (ほうき)' means 'abandonment'. It refers to the act of giving up or relinquishing something, such as rights, responsibilities, or possessions. This word is often used in legal, formal, or serious contexts. For example: the abandonment of property「財産の放棄」(ざいさんのほうき). The government announced the abandonment of the project「政府はそのプロジェクトの放棄を発表した」(せいふはそのプロジェクトのほうきをはっぴょうした). It can also be used in personal contexts, such as abandoning a dream「夢の放棄」(ゆめのほうき). Note that this word carries a formal tone and is not typically used in casual conversation.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

435

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enemy

Reading

Parts

啇 攵Strike

Example Word

敵: enemy. The Japanese noun '敵 (てき)' means 'enemy'. It refers to a person or group that is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something. This word is commonly used in contexts such as war, competition, or personal conflicts. For example: He is my enemy「彼は私の敵です」(かれはわたしのてきです). They defeated the enemy「彼らは敵を倒した」(かれらはてきをたおした). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe challenges or obstacles, such as 'time is the enemy'「時間は敵だ」(じかんはてきだ). Note that '敵' is a neutral term and does not carry additional emotional connotations unless specified by context.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

561

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Scatter

Reading

Parts

攵Strike 月Moon, Month

Example Word

散らかす: scatter or mess up. The Japanese verb '散らかす (ちらかす)' primarily means 'to scatter' or 'to mess up'. It is used to describe the action of spreading things around in a disorderly manner, often resulting in a messy or cluttered state. This verb is commonly used in contexts where items are left untidy or disorganized. For example: He scattered his toys all over the room「彼はおもちゃを部屋中に散らかした」(かれはおもちゃをへやじゅうにちらかした). Don't mess up the living room「リビングルームを散らかさないで」(リビングルームをちらかさないで). The verb can also imply negligence or carelessness in handling objects.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

570

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reform

Reading

Parts

己Oneself 攵Strike

Example Word

改革: reform. The Japanese verbal noun '改革 (かいかく)' means 'reform'. It refers to making changes to something in order to improve it, often used in the context of systems, organizations, or policies. For example: The government is planning a reform「政府は改革を計画している」(せいふはかいかくをけいかくしている). The company needs a reform「その会社は改革が必要だ」(そのかいしゃはかいかくがひつようだ). This term is commonly used in political, economic, and social contexts to describe significant and often systematic changes aimed at improvement.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

588

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Respect

Reading

Parts

苟 攵Strike

Example Word

敬語: honorifics. The Japanese noun '敬語 (けいご)' refers to 'honorifics', which are a system of linguistic expressions used to show respect, politeness, or social distance. It is a crucial aspect of Japanese language and culture, often used in formal settings, business interactions, or when speaking to someone of higher status. There are three main types of 敬語: 尊敬語 (そんけいご, respectful language), 謙譲語 (けんじょうご, humble language), and 丁寧語 (ていねいご, polite language). For example: Please use honorifics when speaking to the teacher「先生には敬語を使ってください」(せんせいにはけいごをつかってください). I struggle with using honorifics correctly「敬語を正しく使うのが難しい」(けいごをただしくつかうのがむずかしい). Mastering 敬語 is essential for navigating Japanese social hierarchies and maintaining proper etiquette.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

906

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rescue

Reading

Parts

求Request, Seek 攵Strike

Example Word

救う: save. The Japanese verb '救う (すくう)' means 'to save' or 'to rescue'. It is used in contexts where someone or something is being saved from danger, harm, or a difficult situation. This verb can be applied to both physical and metaphorical situations, such as saving a person from drowning or rescuing someone from a financial crisis. For example: He saved the child from the river「彼は子供を川から救った」(かれはこどもをかわからすくった). The doctor saved many lives「医者は多くの命を救った」(いしゃはおおくのいのちをすくった). The verb can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as saving someone from despair or emotional distress.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

987

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Defeat

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 攵Strike

Example Word

失敗: failure. The Japanese verbal noun '失敗 (しっぱい)' means 'failure'. It refers to the act of failing to achieve a desired result or making a mistake. This word is commonly used in various contexts, such as academic, professional, or personal situations. For example: I made a mistake in the exam「試験で失敗した」(しけんでしっぱいした). He failed in his attempt to climb the mountain「彼は山登りに失敗した」(かれはやまのぼりにしっぱいした). It can also be used to describe a failed experiment or project: The experiment was a failure「その実験は失敗だった」(そのじっけんはしっぱいだった).

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1005

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Organize

Reading

Parts

正Correct 束Bundle, Bind 攵Strike

Example Word

整列: formation or alignment. The Japanese verbal noun '整列 (せいれつ)' refers to the act of arranging or organizing things or people in a straight line or orderly manner. It is often used in contexts such as military formations, queues, or organizing objects. For example: The soldiers stood in perfect alignment「兵士たちは完璧に整列していた」(へいしたちはかんぺきにせいれつしていた). Please form a line「整列してください」(せいれつしてください). The books were neatly arranged on the shelf「本は棚に整列していた」(ほんはたなにせいれつしていた). The second meaning, 'formation', is used when referring to the arrangement of people or objects in a specific pattern or structure, such as in military or sports contexts.

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

敢えて: dare. The Japanese adverb '敢えて (あえて)' means 'dare' or 'deliberately'. It is used when someone does something intentionally, often despite potential risks, challenges, or social norms. This word carries a nuance of going against the usual expectations or taking a bold step. For example: I dare to say it「敢えて言います」(あえていいます). He deliberately chose the harder path「彼は敢えて難しい道を選んだ」(かれはあえてむずかしいみちをえらんだ). It can also imply doing something despite knowing it might not be the best or easiest choice, as in '敢えて挑戦する (あえてちょうせんする) (dare to challenge)'.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1478

Handwriting