Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Four

Reading

Parts

儿Legs 口Mouth

Example Word

四角い: square. The Japanese adjective '四角い (しかくい)' means 'square'. It is used to describe objects or shapes that have four equal sides and four right angles, resembling a square. This word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is rigid or inflexible in nature. For example: This table is square「このテーブルは四角い」(このテーブルはしかくい). His way of thinking is too square「彼の考え方は四角すぎる」(かれのかんがえかたはしかくすぎる). Note that '四角い' is often used to describe physical shapes, but it can also be applied to abstract concepts to imply a lack of flexibility.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

77

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Country

Reading

Parts

玉Ball, Jewel 口Mouth

Example Word

国外: abroad. The Japanese noun '国外 (こくがい)' means 'abroad' or 'outside the country'. It refers to any location or situation that is outside the borders of one's own country. This term is often used in contexts related to travel, immigration, or international affairs. For example: He went abroad「彼は国外に行った」(かれはこくがいにいった). The company expanded its business abroad「その会社は国外に事業を拡大した」(そのかいしゃはこくがいにじぎょうをかくだいした). Note that '国外' is a formal term and is commonly used in written or official contexts.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

97

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Trouble, Distress

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 囗Box

Example Word

困難: difficulty. The Japanese verbal noun '困難 (こんなん)' means 'difficulty'. It refers to a state of being hard to accomplish, deal with, or overcome. This word is often used to describe challenging situations, problems, or obstacles. For example: overcoming difficulties「困難を乗り越える」(こんなんをのりこえる). The difficulty of the task「その課題の困難」(そのかだいのこんなん). It can also be used in phrases like 'financial difficulties'「財政困難」(ざいせいこんなん). Note that '困難' is a noun and is often used in formal or serious contexts.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

515

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Map

Reading

Parts

囗Box 斗Ladle, Dipper

Example Word

地図: map. The Japanese noun '地図 (ちず)' means 'map'. It refers to a visual representation of an area, showing physical features, cities, roads, etc. This word is commonly used in everyday situations, such as when navigating or planning trips. For example: I bought a map of Tokyo「東京の地図を買いました」(とうきょうのちずをかいました). Can you show me the map?「地図を見せてくれますか？」(ちずをみせてくれますか？). It is also used in compound words like '世界地図 (せかいちず)' (world map) or '地下鉄地図 (ちかてつちず)' (subway map).

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

576

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Group, Association

Reading

Parts

囗Box 寸Measurement

Example Word

集団: group. The Japanese noun '集団 (しゅうだん)' means 'group'. It refers to a collection of people or things gathered together, often with a common purpose or characteristic. This term is commonly used in various contexts, such as social groups, organizations, or even inanimate objects grouped together. For example: a group of students「学生の集団」(がくせいのしゅうだん). A group of buildings「建物の集団」(たてもののしゅうだん). The word can also imply a sense of unity or collective action within the group.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

598

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Revolve, Times

Reading

Parts

口Mouth

Example Word

身の回り: surroundings or belongings. The Japanese noun '身の回り (みのまわり)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'surroundings', referring to the immediate environment or area around a person. The second meaning is 'belongings', referring to personal items or things one uses daily. For example: She keeps her surroundings clean「彼女は身の回りをきれいにしている」(かのじょはみのまわりをきれいにしている). He organized his belongings「彼は身の回りのものを整理した」(かれはみのまわりのものをせいりした). The word is often used in contexts related to personal care, organization, or daily life.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

613

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Surround

Reading

Parts

井Well 口Mouth

Example Word

範囲: range. The Japanese noun '範囲 (はんい)' means 'range'. It refers to the extent or scope of something, such as a physical area, a set of values, or a field of activity. This word is commonly used in both everyday and technical contexts. For example: the range of the mountains「山の範囲」(やまのはんい). The temperature range is wide「温度の範囲は広い」(おんどのはんいはひろい). It can also be used metaphorically, as in 'the range of his knowledge is impressive'「彼の知識の範囲はすごい」(かれのちしきのはんいはすごい).

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

711

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cause

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 大Big

Example Word

要因: factor. The Japanese noun '要因 (よういん)' means 'factor'. It refers to an element or component that contributes to a result or outcome. This term is often used in contexts such as scientific research, business analysis, and everyday discussions about causes and effects. For example: The main factor for the success was teamwork「成功の主な要因はチームワークだった」(せいこうのおもなよういんはチームワークだった). Economic factors influenced the decision「経済的要因がその決定に影響した」(けいざいてきよういんがそのけっていにえいきょうした). Note that '要因' is typically used in formal or analytical contexts.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

717

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Garden

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 衣Clothes 土Soil

Example Word

動物園: zoo. The Japanese noun '動物園 (どうぶつえん)' means 'zoo'. It refers to a facility where animals are kept within enclosures, displayed to the public, and often bred for conservation purposes. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing when referring to places where people can see and learn about various animals. For example: Let's go to the zoo「動物園に行きましょう」(どうぶつえんにいきましょう). The zoo has many animals「その動物園にはたくさんの動物がいます」(そのどうぶつえんにはたくさんのどうぶつがいます). The word is a compound of '動物 (どうぶつ)' meaning 'animal' and '園 (えん)' meaning 'garden' or 'park', reflecting its purpose as a place for animals.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

754

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hard

Reading

Parts

囗Box 古Old

Example Word

固有: inherent. The Japanese adjectival noun '固有 (こゆう)' means 'inherent' or 'intrinsic'. It refers to something that is innate, natural, or unique to a particular thing or situation. This word is often used to describe characteristics, properties, or qualities that are specific and essential to something. For example: This species has an inherent ability to adapt「この種は固有の適応能力を持っている」(このしゅはこゆうのてきおうのうりょくをもっている). The culture has its own inherent traditions「その文化には固有の伝統がある」(そのぶんかにはこゆうのでんとうがある). It can also be used in contexts like '固有の価値 (こゆうのかち)' (inherent value) or '固有の性質 (こゆうのせいしつ)' (intrinsic nature).

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

765

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Prisoner, Criminal

Reading

Parts

人Person 囗Box

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1646

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sphere, Range

Reading

Parts

囗Box 巻Scroll

Example Word

圏: sphere or region. The Japanese suffix '圏 (けん)' is used to denote a sphere, region, or area, often in a geographical, cultural, or conceptual sense. It is commonly attached to nouns to specify a particular area or domain. For example: the economic sphere「経済圏」(けいざいけん). The metropolitan area「首都圏」(しゅとけん). The influence sphere「影響圏」(えいきょうけん). This suffix is versatile and can be used in various contexts to describe boundaries or areas of influence.

Radical

囗

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2004

Handwriting