Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Snow

Reading

Parts

雨Rain 彐Katakana yo

Example Word

雪: snow. The Japanese noun '雪 (ゆき)' means 'snow'. This word refers to the frozen precipitation that falls from the sky in cold weather. It is commonly used to describe weather conditions or to talk about snowy landscapes. For example: The snow is beautiful「雪がきれいです」(ゆきがきれいです). I like snow「私は雪が好きです」(わたしはゆきがすきです). Snow can also be used metaphorically to describe something pure or white, such as '雪のような肌 (ゆきのようなはだ)' meaning 'skin like snow'.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

338

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Electricity

Reading

Parts

雨Rain ⺃Second (乙)日Day, Sun

Example Word

電力: power or electricity. The Japanese noun '電力 (でんりょく)' primarily refers to 'electricity' or 'electric power'. It is commonly used in contexts related to energy, such as electricity generation, consumption, or supply. For example: The electricity supply was cut off「電力の供給が止まった」(でんりょくのきょうきゅうがとまった). We need to save electricity「電力の節約が必要だ」(でんりょくのせつやくがひつようだ). In some cases, it can also refer to 'power' in a broader sense, such as the capacity or ability to perform work, though this usage is less common.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

353

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rain

Reading

Parts

丶Dot 冂Enclosure 丅Down (下)

Example Word

小雨: drizzle. The Japanese noun '小雨 (こさめ)' refers to a light rain or drizzle. It is used to describe a gentle, fine rain that falls softly and is not heavy or intense. This word is often used in weather forecasts or when describing the atmosphere of a scene. For example: The drizzle feels refreshing「小雨が気持ちいい」(こさめがきもちいい). It's drizzling outside「外は小雨が降っている」(そとはこさめがふっている). The word carries a poetic nuance and is often associated with a calm or serene mood.

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

披露: announcement. The Japanese noun '披露 (ひろう)' refers to an announcement or a public declaration, often used in formal contexts. It is commonly associated with events where something is revealed or presented to the public, such as a wedding announcement or the unveiling of a new project. For example: The couple made their wedding announcement「カップルは結婚を披露した」(かっぷるはけっこんをひろうした). The company unveiled its new product「会社は新製品を披露した」(かいしゃはしんせいひんをひろうした). This word carries a sense of formality and is often used in ceremonial or official settings.

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

震える: tremble. The Japanese verb '震える (ふるえる)' means 'to tremble' or 'to shiver'. It is used to describe physical shaking due to cold, fear, excitement, or other strong emotions. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is unstable or shaky. Example sentences: She trembled with fear「彼女は恐怖で震えた」(かのじょはきょうふでふるえた). The leaves trembled in the wind「葉っぱが風で震えた」(はっぱがかぜでふるえた). The ground trembled during the earthquake「地震で地面が震えた」(じしんでじめんがふるえた).

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: zero. The Japanese noun '零 (れい)' means 'zero'. It is used to denote the number zero, often in contexts such as mathematics, scores, or temperatures. For example: The temperature is zero degrees「温度は零度です」(おんどはれいどです). The score is zero「スコアは零です」(スコアはれいです). This word can also be used metaphorically to indicate nothingness or the absence of something, as in 'He has zero experience「彼は経験が零です」(かれはけいけんがれいです)'. Note that '零' is more formal than the alternative 'ゼロ', which is also commonly used in Japanese.

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