Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

God

Reading

Parts

礻Cult (示)申Report

Example Word

神: god. The Japanese noun '神 (かみ)' refers to a 'god' or 'deity'. In Japanese culture, this term is used to describe a wide range of divine beings, from the gods of Shinto (kami) to deities in other religions. It can also refer to a spirit or a revered figure. For example: The god of this shrine is powerful「この神社の神は強い」(このじんじゃのかみはつよい). People pray to the gods for good fortune「人々は幸運を祈って神に祈る」(ひとびとはこううんをいのってかみにいのる). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe someone with exceptional skill or talent, such as '彼は料理の神だ' (かれはりょうりのかみだ) (He is a god of cooking).

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

99

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Company

Reading

Parts

土Soil 礻Cult (示)

Example Word

神社: shrine. The Japanese noun '神社 (じんじゃ)' refers to a 'shrine', which is a sacred place in Shinto religion dedicated to the worship of kami (spirits or deities). Shrines are often characterized by their distinctive architecture, including torii gates, and are places for rituals, prayers, and festivals. For example: I visited a shrine「神社に行きました」(じんじゃにいきました). The shrine is old「その神社は古いです」(そのじんじゃはふるいです). Shrines play a significant role in Japanese culture and are commonly visited during New Year celebrations and other traditional events.

Radical

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Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

240

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Show, Indicate

Reading

Parts

二Two 小Small

Example Word

提示: presentation. The Japanese noun '提示 (ていじ)' refers to the act of presenting or showing something, often in a formal or official context. It is commonly used when providing evidence, documents, or information to support a claim or request. For example: Please present your ID「提示してください」(ていじしてください). The lawyer presented new evidence「弁護士は新しい証拠を提示した」(べんごしはあたらしいしょうこをていじした). This word is often used in legal, business, or academic settings where formal presentation of information is required.

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

失礼: excuse or rude. The Japanese verbal noun '失礼 (しつれい)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'rude', referring to behavior that is impolite or disrespectful. For example: That was rude「それは失礼でした」(それはしつれいでした). The second meaning is 'excuse', often used as a polite way to apologize or take leave. For example: Excuse me, I must leave now「失礼します、もう行かなければなりません」(しつれいします、もういかなければなりません). The word is commonly used in formal and casual settings to express politeness or acknowledge a social misstep.

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

お祖母さん: grandmother. The Japanese noun 'お祖母さん (おばあさん)' refers to one's grandmother. It is a polite and respectful term commonly used to address or refer to one's own grandmother or someone else's grandmother. This term is often used in family contexts and carries a sense of affection and respect. For example: my grandmother is kind「私のお祖母さんは優しい」(わたしのおばあさんはやさしい). I visited my grandmother yesterday「昨日、お祖母さんを訪ねました」(きのう、おばあさんをたずねました). It's important to note that 'お祖母さん' can also be used more broadly to refer to elderly women in general, often as a term of respect.

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

祭日: holiday. The Japanese noun '祭日 (さいじつ)' refers to a 'holiday' or 'festival day'. It is commonly used to denote national holidays or days of celebration in Japan. These days are often associated with traditional festivals, ceremonies, or public events. For example: Today is a holiday「今日は祭日です」(きょうはさいじつです). We have a holiday tomorrow「明日は祭日です」(あしたはさいじつです). It's important to note that '祭日' is often used interchangeably with '祝日 (しゅくじつ)', though '祭日' can carry a slightly more traditional or ceremonial connotation.

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

お祝い: celebration. The Japanese verbal noun 'お祝い (おいわい)' refers to a celebration or congratulatory event. It is often used to mark special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or achievements. The prefix 'お' adds politeness, making it suitable for formal contexts. Example sentences: We held a celebration for her promotion「彼女の昇進のお祝いをしました」(かのじょのしょうしんのおいわいをしました). I received a gift for the celebration「お祝いのプレゼントをもらいました」(おいわいのぷれぜんとをもらいました). The word can also refer to the act of congratulating someone, as in 'お祝いの言葉 (おいわいのことば) (words of congratulations)'.

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

禁煙: no smoking. The Japanese verbal noun '禁煙 (きんえん)' means 'no smoking' or 'smoking prohibition'. It is commonly used to indicate areas where smoking is not allowed, such as in public spaces, restaurants, or on public transportation. This term is often seen on signs and notices. For example: This is a no-smoking area「ここは禁煙です」(ここはきんえんです). Please refrain from smoking「禁煙をお願いします」(きんえんをおねがいします). The term can also be used in a broader sense to refer to the act of quitting smoking, as in '禁煙する (きんえんする)' which means 'to quit smoking'.

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