kanji

Meaning

Teach

Reading

Parts

孝Filial piety 攵Strike

Example Word

教員: teacher. The Japanese noun '教員 (きょういん)' refers to a teacher or educator, typically in a formal educational setting such as a school or university. It is a professional term used to describe someone who is employed to teach students. For example: The teacher is preparing for class「教員は授業の準備をしている」(きょういんはじゅぎょうのじゅんびをしている). Our school has many excellent teachers「私たちの学校には多くの優秀な教員がいます」(わたしたちのがっこうにはおおくのゆうしゅうなきょういんがいます). Note that '教員' is more formal than '先生 (せんせい)', which is a more general term for teacher or mentor.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

172

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Number

Reading

Parts

攵Strike 米Rice 女Woman

Example Word

日数: days. The Japanese noun '日数 (にっすう)' refers to the number of days or the duration counted in days. It is commonly used when discussing time frames, deadlines, or periods. For example: The number of days until the deadline is short「締め切りまでの日数は少ない」(しめきりまでのにっすうはすくない). We need to calculate the total number of days「総日数を計算する必要がある」(そうにっすうをけいさんするひつようがある). This word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

235

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Government, Politics

Reading

Parts

正Correct 攵Strike

Example Word

行政: administration. The Japanese noun '行政 (ぎょうせい)' refers to 'administration', particularly in the context of government or public administration. It encompasses the activities and processes involved in managing and governing public affairs, policies, and services. This term is often used in discussions about government operations, public sector management, and bureaucratic functions. For example: The administration is implementing new policies「行政は新しい政策を実施しています」(ぎょうせいがあたらしいせいさくをじっししています). The local administration handles community services「地方行政が地域サービスを担当しています」(ちほうぎょうせいがちいきサービスをたんとうしています).

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

348

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Reason, Deceased

Reading

Parts

古Old 攵Strike

Example Word

交通事故: accident. The Japanese noun '交通事故 (こうつうじこ)' refers to a 'traffic accident'. It is commonly used to describe incidents involving vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, or bicycles, that result in damage, injury, or death. This term is often seen in news reports, legal contexts, or everyday conversations about road safety. For example: There was a traffic accident on the highway「高速道路で交通事故があった」(こうそくどうろでこうつうじこがあった). The traffic accident caused a major delay「その交通事故で大渋滞が起きた」(そのこうつうじこでだいじゅうたいがおきた). It is important to note that this term specifically refers to accidents involving vehicles and not other types of accidents.

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

放射能: radiation. The Japanese noun '放射能 (ほうしゃのう)' refers to 'radiation', specifically the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles. This term is often used in scientific, medical, and environmental contexts. For example: the radiation level is high「放射能のレベルが高い」(ほうしゃのうのレベルがたかい). Exposure to radiation is dangerous「放射能への被曝は危険だ」(ほうしゃのうへのひばくはきけんだ). It's important to note that this word is commonly associated with nuclear energy, medical treatments, and discussions about safety and health risks.

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

散る: scatter. The Japanese verb '散る (ちる)' primarily means 'to scatter' or 'to fall and disperse'. It is often used to describe things like petals, leaves, or snow falling and spreading out. For example: cherry blossoms scatter「桜の花が散る」(さくらのはながちる). The snow is scattering「雪が散っている」(ゆきがちっている). This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe things like emotions or attention dispersing. For instance: my concentration scattered「集中力が散った」(しゅうちゅうりょくがちった).

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

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: emergency. The Japanese noun '救急 (きゅうきゅう)' refers to 'emergency' or 'urgent medical care'. It is commonly used in contexts related to medical emergencies or urgent situations requiring immediate attention. For example: call an ambulance in case of emergency「救急の場合は救急車を呼んでください」(きゅうきゅうのばあいはきゅうきゅうしゃをよんでください). The emergency room is on the first floor「救急室は一階にあります」(きゅうきゅうしつはいっかいにあります). This term is often seen in phrases like '救急車 (きゅうきゅうしゃ)' (ambulance) or '救急医療 (きゅうきゅういりょう)' (emergency medical care).

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

987

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Defeat

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 攵Strike

Example Word

勝敗: outcome. The Japanese noun '勝敗 (しょうはい)' refers to the outcome or result of a competition, match, or battle, specifically whether it is a win or a loss. It is commonly used in contexts involving sports, games, or any competitive scenario. For example: The outcome of the game was decided「試合の勝敗が決まった」(しあいのしょうはいがきまった). The team focused on the outcome「チームは勝敗に集中した」(チームはしょうはいにしゅうちゅうした). This word emphasizes the final result rather than the process of competing.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1005

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Organize

Reading

Parts

正Correct 束Bundle, Bind 攵Strike

Example Word

整備: maintenance. The Japanese verbal noun '整備 (せいび)' refers to the act of maintaining, servicing, or preparing something to ensure it functions properly. It is commonly used in contexts like vehicle maintenance, equipment upkeep, or system preparation. For example: regular maintenance is important「定期的な整備は大切です」(ていきてきなせいびはたいせつです). The mechanic is servicing the car「整備士が車を整備しています」(せいびしがくるまをせいびしています). This word emphasizes the process of keeping things in good working order.

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