Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Snow

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 彐Katakana yo

Example Word

大雪: heavy snow. The Japanese noun '大雪 (おおゆき)' refers to 'heavy snow'. It is used to describe a significant snowfall, often implying that the snow is deep or has caused disruptions. This term is commonly used in weather forecasts or when discussing winter conditions. For example: Heavy snow is expected tomorrow「明日は大雪が予想されています」(あしたはおおゆきがよそうされています). The heavy snow blocked the roads「大雪で道路がふさがれた」(おおゆきでどうろがふさがれた). Note that '大雪' can also be used metaphorically to describe something overwhelming or abundant, though this usage is less common.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

338

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Electricity

Reading

Parts

雨Rain ⺃Second (乙)日Day, Sun

Example Word

電話帳: phone book. The Japanese noun '電話帳 (でんわちょう)' refers to a 'phonebook', which is a directory containing telephone numbers and addresses. This term is commonly used in contexts where one needs to look up contact information. For example: I found his number in the phonebook「電話帳で彼の番号を見つけた」(でんわちょうでかれのばんごうをみつけた). The phonebook is on the table「電話帳はテーブルの上にある」(でんわちょうはテーブルのうえにある). While digital directories are becoming more common, '電話帳' remains a relevant term in Japanese.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

353

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rain

Reading

Parts

丶Dot 冂Enclosure 丅Down (下)

Example Word

雨天: rainy weather. The Japanese noun '雨天 (うてん)' refers to 'rainy weather' or a 'rainy day'. It is commonly used in weather forecasts, event planning, or when discussing outdoor activities. For example: The event was postponed due to rainy weather「雨天のためイベントは延期されました」(うてんのためイベントはえんきされました). Rainy weather continued for three days「雨天が三日続きました」(うてんがみっかつづきました). This word is often used in formal or written contexts and is less common in casual conversation.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

383

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cloud

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 云Say

Example Word

雲: cloud. The Japanese noun '雲 (くも)' means 'cloud'. It refers to the visible mass of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. This word is commonly used in weather-related contexts or to describe the sky. For example: There are many clouds in the sky「空に雲がたくさんある」(そらにくもがたくさんある). The clouds are white「雲は白い」(くもはしろい). It can also be used metaphorically to describe something vague or unclear, such as 'a cloud of doubt'「疑いの雲」(うたがいのくも).

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

517

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dew, Expose

Reading

Parts

⻗ 路Path

Example Word

露: dew. The Japanese noun '露 (つゆ)' primarily means 'dew', referring to the tiny drops of water that form on surfaces, especially in the early morning. It is often used in poetic or descriptive contexts to evoke imagery of nature. For example: The dew on the grass sparkles in the morning light「草の露が朝の光に輝いている」(くさのつゆがあさのひかりにかがやいている). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something fleeting or transient, like the ephemeral nature of dew itself. Additionally, '露 (つゆ)' can sometimes refer to 'sauce' or 'broth' in culinary contexts, but this usage is less common and typically specified by context.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

741

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Spirits

Reading

Parts

⻗ 一One 亚

Example Word

霊: spirit. The Japanese noun '霊 (れい)' refers to a 'spirit' or 'soul', often in a supernatural or religious context. It can denote the spirit of a deceased person, a ghost, or a spiritual entity. This word is commonly used in discussions about the afterlife, folklore, or spiritual practices. For example: the spirit of the deceased「亡くなった人の霊」(なくなったひとのれい). She believes in spirits「彼女は霊を信じている」(かのじょはれいをしんじている). It can also appear in compound words like '霊感 (れいかん)' (spiritual intuition) or '霊界 (れいかい)' (spirit world). Note that '霊' carries a nuanced, often mystical connotation and is distinct from more casual terms like '幽霊 (ゆうれい)' (ghost).

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

808

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Quake

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 辰Sign of the dragon

Example Word

震度: intensity. The Japanese noun '震度 (しんど)' refers to the intensity of an earthquake, specifically as measured on the Japanese seismic intensity scale. This scale ranges from 0 to 7, with higher numbers indicating stronger shaking. For example: The earthquake had an intensity of 5「地震の震度は5でした」(じしんのしんどはごでした). The intensity of the tremor was quite high「震度がかなり高かった」(しんどがかなりたかかった). It's important to note that '震度' is specifically used in the context of earthquakes and should not be confused with other types of intensity measurements.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

969

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mist, Fog

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 務Duty, Task

Example Word

霧: fog. The Japanese noun '霧 (きり)' means 'fog'. It refers to a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface, which obscures visibility. This word is commonly used in weather-related contexts or to describe atmospheric conditions. For example: The fog is thick today「今日は霧が濃い」(きょうはきりがこい). I couldn't see the road because of the fog「霧で道が見えなかった」(きりでみちがみえなかった). In literature, '霧' can also be used metaphorically to describe confusion or uncertainty, such as '心の霧 (こころのきり)' meaning 'mental fog' or 'confusion in one's mind'.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1239

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thunder, Lightning

Reading

Parts

⻗ 田Rice field

Example Word

雷: thunder. The Japanese noun '雷 (かみなり)' means 'thunder'. It refers to the loud, rumbling sound that accompanies lightning during a storm. This word is often used in weather-related contexts and can evoke a sense of power or fear due to the loud and sudden nature of thunder. For example: The thunder is loud「雷が大きい」(かみなりがおおきい). I am scared of thunder「雷が怖い」(かみなりがこわい). In Japanese culture, thunder is sometimes associated with the gods or supernatural forces, adding a layer of cultural significance to the word.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1440

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Frost

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 相Mutual

Example Word

霜: frost. The Japanese noun '霜 (しも)' refers to 'frost', which is the thin layer of ice that forms on surfaces when the temperature drops below freezing. This word is often used in weather-related contexts or to describe the natural phenomenon of frost forming on plants, windows, or the ground. For example: The frost is beautiful this morning「今朝の霜は美しい」(けさのしもはうつくしい). The garden was covered in frost「庭が霜で覆われていた」(にわがしもでおおわれていた). Frost can also symbolize coldness or the arrival of winter in poetic or literary contexts.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1560

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Zero

Reading

Parts

⻗ 令Orders

Example Word

零下: below zero. The Japanese noun '零下 (れいか)' means 'below zero'. It is used to describe temperatures that are below the freezing point of water (0°C or 32°F). This term is commonly used in weather forecasts or when discussing cold climates. For example: The temperature is below zero today「今日の気温は零下です」(きょうのきおんはれいかです). It was below zero last night「昨夜は零下でした」(さくやはれいかでした). Note that '零下' is often used in combination with temperature numbers, such as '零下5度 (れいかごど)' meaning '5 degrees below zero'.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1863

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Atmosphere

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 分Minute, Part

Example Word

雰囲気: atmosphere. The Japanese noun '雰囲気 (ふんいき)' refers to the 'atmosphere' or 'mood' of a place, situation, or event. It describes the overall feeling or vibe that is perceived in a particular environment. This word is often used to convey the intangible qualities that make a setting unique or memorable. For example: The atmosphere of the cafe was cozy「カフェの雰囲気は居心地が良かった」(かふぇのふんいきはいごこちがよかった). The party had a lively atmosphere「パーティーの雰囲気は活気があった」(ぱーてぃーのふんいきはかっきがあった). It can also be used to describe the mood of a person or group, such as '彼の雰囲気は優しかった (かれのふんいきはやさしかった)' (His demeanor was gentle).

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1866

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Demand, Need

Reading

Parts

而 雨Rain

Example Word

需要: demand. The Japanese noun '需要 (じゅよう)' means 'demand'. It is commonly used in economic, business, and market contexts to refer to the desire or need for goods, services, or resources. For example: the demand for electric cars is increasing「電気自動車の需要が増えている」(でんきじどうしゃのじゅようがふえている). There is high demand for skilled workers「熟練労働者の需要が高い」(じゅくれんろうどうしゃのじゅようがたかい). This word is often paired with '供給 (きょうきゅう)' (supply) to discuss market dynamics, as in 'supply and demand'「需要と供給」(じゅようときょうきゅう).

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1902

Handwriting