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

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

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

事故: accident. The Japanese noun '事故 (じこ)' refers to an 'accident'. This term is commonly used to describe unexpected and unfortunate events, often involving physical harm or damage. It can be used in various contexts, such as traffic accidents, workplace accidents, or other mishaps. For example: There was a car accident「車の事故があった」(くるまのじこがあった). The factory had an accident「工場で事故があった」(こうじょうでじこがあった). It's important to note that '事故' typically implies a negative outcome and is often used in serious or formal contexts.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

374

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spread, Lay

Reading

Parts

旉 攵Strike

Example Word

敷く: lay. The Japanese verb '敷く (しく)' primarily means 'to lay' or 'to spread out'. It is used when placing something flat over a surface, such as laying down a carpet, spreading out a blanket, or even laying railroad tracks. For example: I laid a carpet in the room「部屋にカーペットを敷いた」(へやにかーぺっとをしいた). They are laying new train tracks「新しい線路を敷いている」(あたらしいせんろをしいている). Additionally, '敷く' can be used metaphorically, such as establishing rules or foundations. For example: The company laid down new rules「会社は新しい規則を敷いた」(かいしゃはあたらしいきそくをしいた).

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

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

散歩: walk. The Japanese verbal noun '散歩 (さんぽ)' means 'walk' or 'stroll'. It refers to the act of walking leisurely, often for relaxation, exercise, or enjoyment. This word is commonly used to describe a casual walk, such as taking a stroll in a park or around the neighborhood. For example: I took a walk in the park「公園で散歩しました」(こうえんでさんぽしました). Let's go for a walk「散歩に行きましょう」(さんぽにいきましょう). It can also be used to describe walking a pet, as in '犬の散歩 (いぬのさんぽ) (walking the dog)'. Note that '散歩' implies a relaxed and unhurried pace, unlike more purposeful walking like commuting or hiking.

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

敬う: respect. The Japanese verb '敬う (うやまう)' means 'to respect' or 'to honor'. It is used to express deep respect or reverence towards someone, often someone of higher status, such as elders, teachers, or deities. This verb carries a formal and respectful tone, and it is commonly used in contexts where showing deference is important. Example sentences: We respect our ancestors「私たちは先祖を敬う」(わたしたちはせんぞをうやまう). He respects his teacher deeply「彼は先生を深く敬う」(かれはせんせいをふかくうやまう). The verb is often used in formal or ceremonial contexts, emphasizing a sense of dignity and reverence.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

906

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rescue

Reading

Parts

求Request, Seek 攵Strike

Example Word

救助: rescue. The Japanese verbal noun '救助 (きゅうじょ)' means 'rescue'. It refers to the act of saving someone from danger, distress, or harm. This term is often used in contexts involving emergencies, such as natural disasters, accidents, or life-threatening situations. For example: The rescue team arrived quickly「救助隊がすぐに到着した」(きゅうじょたいがすぐにとうちゃくした). They provided rescue to the victims「彼らは被害者に救助を提供した」(かれらはひがいしゃにきゅうじょをていきょうした). The word can also be used in a broader sense to describe helping someone in need, but it is most commonly associated with urgent or critical situations.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

987

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Defeat

Reading

Parts

貝Shellfish 攵Strike

Example Word

敗れる: lose. The Japanese verb '敗れる (やぶれる)' means 'to lose' in the context of a competition, battle, or contest. It is often used to describe defeat in sports, games, or conflicts. This verb carries a nuance of being defeated by an opponent rather than simply failing. For example: They lost the match「彼らは試合に敗れた」(かれらはしあいにやぶれた). The army was defeated in the battle「軍隊は戦いに敗れた」(ぐんたいはたたかいにやぶれた). Note that this verb is typically used in formal or serious contexts and is less common in casual conversation.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1005

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Organize

Reading

Parts

正Correct 束Bundle, Bind 攵Strike

Example Word

調整: adjustment. The Japanese verbal noun '調整 (ちょうせい)' means 'adjustment'. It refers to the act of making small changes to something in order to achieve the desired result or to make it function correctly. This term is commonly used in various contexts, such as adjusting settings on a device, fine-tuning plans, or balancing different elements. For example: I need to adjust the schedule「スケジュールを調整する必要がある」(スケジュールをちょうせいするひつようがある). Please adjust the volume「音量を調整してください」(おんりょうをちょうせいしてください). The term can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as adjusting one's attitude or approach to a situation.

Radical

攴

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1280

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Attack, Aggression

Reading

Parts

工Construction 攵Strike

Example Word

攻撃: attack. The Japanese verbal noun '攻撃 (こうげき)' primarily means 'attack'. It refers to an aggressive and violent action against someone or something, often used in contexts like military, sports, or debates. It can describe both physical and verbal attacks. For example: The army launched an attack「軍隊が攻撃を開始した」(ぐんたいがこうげきをかいしした). He was criticized for his harsh attack on the policy「彼はその政策への厳しい攻撃で批判された」(かれはそのせいさくへのきびしいこうげきでひはんされた). Note that '攻撃' can also be used metaphorically, such as attacking a problem or issue, indicating a strong and direct approach to solving it.

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