Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Ten

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 一One

Example Word

不十分: insufficient. The Japanese adjectival noun '不十分 (ふじゅうぶん)' means 'insufficient'. It is used to describe something that lacks the necessary quantity, quality, or completeness. This term is often used in formal or critical contexts to indicate that more is needed or that something is not adequate. For example: The explanation was insufficient「説明が不十分だった」(せつめいがふじゅうぶんだった). The preparation was insufficient「準備が不十分だった」(じゅんびがふじゅうぶんだった). It can also be used to describe abstract concepts, such as efforts or measures, indicating they are not enough to achieve a desired outcome.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

30

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Half

Reading

Parts

丷Divide 干Dry

Example Word

半ば: middle or halfway. The Japanese noun '半ば (なかば)' can mean 'middle' or 'halfway'. It is often used to describe a point in time, space, or progress that is neither the beginning nor the end. For example: we are halfway through the year「今年も半ばです」(ことしもなかばです). The meeting is in the middle of the agenda「会議は議題の半ばです」(かいぎはぎだいのなかばです). The word can also imply a sense of incompleteness or ongoing progress, as in 'the project is halfway done'「プロジェクトは半ばです」(ぷろじぇくと は なかばです).

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

228

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thousand

Reading

Parts

十Ten 丿Katakana no

Example Word

五千: five thousand. The Japanese noun '五千 (ごせん)' means 'five thousand'. This word is used to denote the number 5000 in Japanese. It is a combination of the kanji for 'five' (五) and 'thousand' (千). This term is commonly used in contexts involving counting, pricing, or any situation where large numbers are discussed. For example: the price is five thousand yen「値段は五千円です」(ねだんはごせんえんです). There are five thousand people in the stadium「スタジアムには五千人がいます」(スタジアムにはごせんにんがいます).

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

261

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

South

Reading

Parts

十Ten 冂Enclosure 羊Sheep

Example Word

南西: southwest. The Japanese noun '南西 (なんせい)' means 'southwest'. It is a compound word formed by combining '南 (なん)' meaning 'south' and '西 (せい)' meaning 'west'. This term is commonly used in geographical contexts, such as giving directions or describing locations. For example: The wind is coming from the southwest「風が南西から吹いている」(かぜがなんせいからふいている). The island is located to the southwest of the mainland「その島は本土の南西に位置している」(そのしまはほんどのなんせいにいちしている). It can also be used in weather forecasts or navigation.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

493

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Extensive, Doctor

Reading

Parts

十Ten 尃

Example Word

博士: doctor or expert. The Japanese noun '博士 (はかせ)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning refers to someone who has earned a doctoral degree, such as a PhD, and is commonly used in academic contexts. For example: he is a doctor of physics「彼は物理学の博士です」(かれはぶつりがくのはかせです). The second meaning refers to someone who is an expert or highly skilled in a particular field, often used in a more general sense. For example: he is an expert in traditional Japanese art「彼は日本の伝統芸術の博士です」(かれはにほんのでんとうげいじゅつのはかせです). It's important to note that the context in which this word is used will determine whether it refers to an academic title or a general expert.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

521

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Simple, Single

Reading

Parts

⺍Small 日Day, Sun 十Ten

Example Word

単位: unit. The Japanese noun '単位 (たんい)' primarily means 'unit'. It is used to refer to a standard measurement, such as in science, mathematics, or everyday contexts. For example: The unit of length is the meter「長さの単位はメートルです」(ながさのたんいはメートルです). Additionally, in educational contexts, it can refer to academic credits: I need three more units to graduate「卒業するにはあと3単位必要です」(そつぎょうするにはあと3たんいひつようです). The word is versatile and widely used in both technical and casual settings.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

554

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Noon

Reading

Parts

𠂉Person (人)十Ten

Example Word

午後: afternoon. The Japanese noun '午後 (ごご)' refers to the time period of the 'afternoon'. It is commonly used to indicate the time of day from around 12:00 PM (noon) until evening, typically around 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. This word is often used in schedules, appointments, or when specifying time. For example: I have a meeting in the afternoon「午後に会議があります」(ごごにかいぎがあります). Let's meet at 3 PM in the afternoon「午後3時に会いましょう」(ごごさんじにあいましょう). Note that '午後' is often paired with specific times, such as '午後2時 (ごごにじ)' for 2:00 PM.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

753

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eminent

Reading

Parts

早Early, Fast 卜Divination

Example Word

電卓: calculator. The Japanese noun '電卓 (でんたく)' refers to a 'calculator', specifically an electronic one. This term is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as in schools, offices, or at home. It is a compound word combining '電' (でん), meaning 'electric', and '卓' (たく), meaning 'desk' or 'table', reflecting its function as a portable electronic device. For example: I bought a new calculator「新しい電卓を買いました」(あたらしいでんたくをかいました). Can I borrow your calculator?「電卓を借りてもいいですか？」(でんたくをかりてもいいですか？). This word is neutral in tone and widely understood in all contexts.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1118

Radical Form

龺

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Graduate

Reading

Parts

十Ten 人Person

Example Word

卒業: graduation. The Japanese verbal noun '卒業 (そつぎょう)' means 'graduation'. It refers to the act of completing a course of study, typically from a school or university. This word is commonly used in contexts related to education, such as graduating from high school or university. For example: I graduated from university last year「私は去年大学を卒業しました」(わたしはきょねんだいがくをそつぎょうしました). She will graduate from high school next spring「彼女は来春高校を卒業します」(かのじょはらいしゅんこうこうをそつぎょうします). Additionally, '卒業' can sometimes be used metaphorically to indicate moving on from a phase or stage in life, such as '卒業する' meaning 'to graduate from' a particular habit or mindset.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1191

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mean, Lowly

Reading

Parts

白White 丿Katakana no 十Ten

Example Word

卑しい: vulgar or greedy. The Japanese adjective '卑しい (いやしい)' can mean 'greedy' or 'vulgar'. When used to mean 'greedy', it describes someone who is excessively desirous of wealth or possessions. For example: He is greedy for money「彼は金に卑しい」(かれはかねにいやしい). When used to mean 'vulgar', it describes something or someone that is lacking in refinement or good taste. For example: Her manners are vulgar「彼女のマナーは卑しい」(かのじょのマナーはいやしい). The word carries a negative connotation and is often used to criticize someone's behavior or character.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1213

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cooperate

Reading

Parts

十Ten 劦

Example Word

協定: agreement. The Japanese noun '協定 (きょうてい)' refers to a formal agreement or pact between parties, often used in legal, political, or business contexts. It implies a mutual understanding or arrangement that has been officially established. For example: The two countries signed a trade agreement「両国は貿易協定に調印した」(りょうこくはぼうえききょうていにちょういんした). The company reached an agreement with the union「会社は労働組合と協定を結んだ」(かいしゃはろうどうくみあいときょうていをむすんだ). This term is commonly used in formal settings and emphasizes the binding nature of the agreement.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1354

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sho, Measuring box

Reading

Parts

十Ten 廾Twenty

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1809

Handwriting