Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

God

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)申Report

Example Word

神様: god. The Japanese noun '神様 (かみさま)' refers to a 'god' or 'deity'. It is a respectful term used to refer to gods in various religions, including Shinto and Buddhism. The term carries a sense of reverence and is often used when speaking about or to a god. For example: I prayed to the god「神様に祈りました」(かみさまにいのりました). The god of this shrine is very powerful「この神社の神様はとても強いです」(このじんじゃのかみさまはとてもつよいです). The term can also be used metaphorically to refer to someone who is exceptionally skilled or revered in a particular field, such as 'a god of baseball'「野球の神様」(やきゅうのかみさま).

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

99

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Company

Reading

Parts

土Soil 礻Cult (示)

Example Word

商社: trading company. The Japanese noun '商社 (しょうしゃ)' refers to a 'trading company'. These companies specialize in the import and export of goods, often acting as intermediaries between manufacturers and buyers. They play a significant role in global trade, handling a wide range of products from raw materials to finished goods. Example sentences: He works for a trading company「彼は商社に勤めている」(かれはしょうしゃにつとめている). This trading company deals with electronics「この商社は電子機器を扱っている」(このしょうしゃはでんしききをあつかっている).

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

240

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Show, Indicate

Reading

Parts

二Two 小Small

Example Word

展示: exhibition. The Japanese noun '展示 (てんじ)' refers to an 'exhibition' or 'display'. It is commonly used to describe a public showing of items, such as art, products, or historical artifacts, often in a museum, gallery, or event space. For example: The art exhibition was impressive「その美術の展示は素晴らしかった」(そのびじゅつのてんじはすばらしかった). They are preparing a product display「彼らは製品の展示を準備している」(かれらはせいひんのてんじをじゅんびしている). The word can also be used in contexts like trade shows or cultural events where items are showcased for viewing.

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

574

Radical Form

礻

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Blessing

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)畐Fill

Example Word

福祉: welfare. The Japanese noun '福祉 (ふくし)' refers to 'welfare' or 'well-being'. It is commonly used in contexts related to social welfare, public health, and the overall well-being of individuals or communities. This term is often associated with government programs, social services, and policies aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens. For example: The government is improving welfare services「政府は福祉サービスを改善しています」(せいふはふくしサービスをかいぜんしています). Welfare is important for a healthy society「福祉は健康な社会にとって重要です」(ふくしはけんこうなしゃかいにとってじゅうようです). The word can also appear in compound terms like '社会福祉 (しゃかいふくし)' (social welfare) or '福祉施設 (ふくししせつ)' (welfare facilities).

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

590

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bow, Salute

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)乙Second, Latter

Example Word

礼儀: manners. The Japanese noun '礼儀 (れいぎ)' refers to 'manners' or 'etiquette'. It is used to describe proper behavior, politeness, and respect in social interactions. This word is often associated with traditional Japanese customs and the importance of showing respect to others. For example: Good manners are important「礼儀は大切です」(れいぎはたいせつです). He has no manners「彼は礼儀を知らない」(かれはれいぎをしらない). The concept of '礼儀' is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is often emphasized in both personal and professional settings.

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

605

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ancestor

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)且Moreover, Also

Example Word

祖先: ancestor. The Japanese noun '祖先 (そせん)' refers to one's ancestors or forebears. It is commonly used to describe the lineage or family heritage of a person, group, or species. This word carries a respectful tone and is often used in historical, cultural, or genealogical contexts. For example: My ancestors came from Japan「私の祖先は日本から来ました」(わたしのそせんはにほんからきました). We should respect our ancestors「私たちは祖先を尊敬すべきです」(わたしたちはそせんをそんけいすべきです). The word can also be used in a broader sense to refer to the ancestors of humanity or other species, such as in scientific discussions about evolution.

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

737

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ritual

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 又Again 示Show, Indicate

Example Word

祭る: enshrine. The Japanese verb '祭る (まつる)' means 'to enshrine' or 'to worship'. It is used to describe the act of enshrining a deity or spirit, often in a shrine or sacred place. This verb is commonly used in religious or spiritual contexts. For example: they enshrined the god in the temple「彼らはその神を寺に祭った」(かれらはそのかみをてらにまつった). The villagers worship the mountain spirit「村人たちは山の精霊を祭る」(むらびとたちはやまのせいれいをまつる). It's important to note that this verb is often used in the context of traditional Japanese religious practices.

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

955

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Celebrate

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)兄Older brother

Example Word

祝い: celebration. The Japanese noun '祝い (いわい)' means 'celebration'. It refers to an event or occasion where people gather to commemorate or honor something, such as a birthday, wedding, or achievement. This word is often used in formal or festive contexts. For example: We held a celebration for his promotion「彼の昇進の祝いをしました」(かれのしょうしんのいわいをしました). The wedding celebration was beautiful「結婚の祝いは美しかった」(けっこんのいわいはうつくしかった). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '誕生日祝い (たんじょうびいわい)' (birthday celebration).

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1182

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pray

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)斤Axe, Catty

Example Word

祈り: prayer. The Japanese noun '祈り (いのり)' means 'prayer'. It refers to the act of praying or a prayer itself, often in a religious or spiritual context. This word can be used to describe both the action of praying and the content of the prayer. For example: She offered a prayer for peace「彼女は平和を祈りました」(かのじょはへいわをいのりました). His prayer was answered「彼の祈りが叶いました」(かれのいのりがかないました). The word can also be used metaphorically to express a strong wish or hope, as in '祈りのような願い (いのりのようなねがい) (a wish like a prayer)'.

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1205

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ban, Prohibition

Reading

Parts

示Show, Indicate 林Grove

Example Word

立ち入り禁止: no entry. The Japanese noun '立ち入り禁止 (たちいりきんし)' means 'no entry' or 'off-limits'. It is commonly used to indicate areas where entry is prohibited, such as restricted zones, construction sites, or private property. This term is often seen on signs and warnings. For example: This area is off-limits「このエリアは立ち入り禁止です」(このエリアはたちいりきんしです). Do not enter, it's prohibited「立ち入り禁止です、入らないでください」(たちいりきんしです、はいらないでください). The term is a combination of '立ち入り (たちいり)' meaning 'entry' and '禁止 (きんし)' meaning 'prohibition'.

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1233

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Zen

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)単Simple, Single

Example Word

禅: Zen. The Japanese noun '禅 (ぜん)' refers to 'Zen', a school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes meditation and intuition. Zen is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is often associated with simplicity, mindfulness, and the pursuit of enlightenment. It has influenced various aspects of Japanese life, including art, tea ceremonies, and martial arts. Example sentences: He practices Zen meditation「彼は禅の瞑想をします」(かれはぜんのめいそうをします). Zen teaches the importance of being present「禅は今を大切にすることを教えます」(ぜんはいまをたいせつにすることをおしえます).

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1634

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Calamity

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)咼

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1826

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Auspicious

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)羊Sheep

Radical

示

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1995

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Vote, Ballot

Reading

Parts

覀 示Show, Indicate

Example Word

票: vote. The Japanese noun '票 (ひょう)' primarily means 'vote'. It refers to a formal expression of preference or opinion in a decision-making process, such as an election or a ballot. This word is commonly used in political or organizational contexts. For example: I cast my vote「私は票を投じた」(わたしはひょうをとうじた). The majority of votes decided the outcome「票の多数が結果を決めた」(ひょうのたすうがけっかをきめた). Note that '票' can also refer to a ballot or a voting slip, depending on the context.

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2054

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Blessedness, Welfare

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)止Stop

Example Word

福祉: welfare. The Japanese noun '福祉 (ふくし)' refers to 'welfare' or 'well-being'. It is commonly used in contexts related to social welfare, public health, and the overall well-being of individuals or communities. This term is often associated with government programs, social services, and policies aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens. For example: The government is improving welfare services「政府は福祉サービスを改善しています」(せいふはふくしサービスをかいぜんしています). Welfare is important for a healthy society「福祉は健康な社会にとって重要です」(ふくしはけんこうなしゃかいにとってじゅうようです). The word can also appear in compound terms like '社会福祉 (しゃかいふくし)' (social welfare) or '福祉施設 (ふくししせつ)' (welfare facilities).

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2134

Handwriting