Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Against

Reading

Parts

寸Measurement 文Sentence

Example Word

対: pair or opposition. The Japanese noun '対 (たい)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'opposition,' referring to a state of being against or in contrast to something. For example: opposition to the plan「計画に対する対」(けいかくにたいするたい). The second meaning is 'pair,' indicating a set of two items or people that are considered together. For example: a pair of shoes「靴の対」(くつのたい). The word can also be used in compound words to denote comparison or matching, such as '対照 (たいしょう)' (contrast) or '対戦 (たいせん)' (match, game).

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

148

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Temple

Reading

Parts

土Soil 寸Measurement

Example Word

寺: temple. The Japanese noun '寺 (てら)' refers to a Buddhist temple, a place of worship and religious practice in Buddhism. It is distinct from Shinto shrines, which are called '神社 (じんじゃ)'. Temples often house statues of Buddha, serve as centers for meditation, and host various religious ceremonies. For example: I visited a temple「寺を訪れました」(てらをおとずれました). There is an old temple in Kyoto「京都に古い寺があります」(きょうとにふるいてらがあります). The word is commonly used in contexts related to religion, history, and tourism.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

408

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Leader, Commander

Reading

Parts

丬 寽

Example Word

大将: general or boss. The Japanese noun '大将 (たいしょう)' has two primary meanings. First, it refers to a 'general' in a military context, denoting a high-ranking officer. Second, it is used colloquially to mean 'boss' or 'leader' in a group or team, often in a friendly or informal way. For example: The general led the army「大将が軍隊を率いた」(たいしょうがぐんたいをひきいた). He's the boss of our team「彼は私たちのチームの大将だ」(かれはわたしたちのチームのたいしょうだ). The term can also carry a sense of respect or endearment when used informally.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

486

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Measurement

Reading

Parts

亅Barb 丶Dot 一One

Example Word

一寸: a bit. The Japanese adverb '一寸 (ちょっと)' means 'a bit' or 'a little'. It is commonly used to indicate a small amount, degree, or extent of something. It can also be used to soften requests or statements, making them sound more polite or less direct. For example: Can you wait a bit?「ちょっと待ってくれますか？」(ちょっとまってくれますか？). I'm a bit busy「ちょっと忙しいです」(ちょっといそがしいです). Additionally, 'ちょっと' can be used to express hesitation or difficulty in answering a question, as in 'ちょっと難しいです (ちょっとむずかしいです) (It's a bit difficult).'

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

700

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Respect, Revered

Reading

Parts

寸Measurement 酋

Example Word

尊敬: respect. The Japanese verbal noun '尊敬 (そんけい)' means 'respect'. It is used to express a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something due to their abilities, qualities, or achievements. This term is often used in formal or polite contexts, such as when discussing elders, superiors, or individuals who have earned admiration. For example: I respect my teacher「私は先生を尊敬しています」(わたしはせんせいをそんけいしています). Respect is important in Japanese culture「尊敬は日本の文化で重要です」(そんけいはにほんのぶんかでじゅうようです). Note that '尊敬' can also be used as a verb in the form '尊敬する (そんけいする)', meaning 'to respect'.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

788

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Inquire

Reading

Parts

口Mouth 寸Measurement 工Construction ヨ

Example Word

尋ねる: inquire or ask. The Japanese verb '尋ねる (たずねる)' primarily means 'to ask' or 'to inquire'. It is used when someone is seeking information or clarification about something. This verb can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often carries a slightly more formal or polite nuance compared to '聞く (きく)', which also means 'to ask'. For example: I asked the teacher a question「先生に質問を尋ねた」(せんせいにしつもんをたずねた). He inquired about the meeting time「彼は会議の時間を尋ねた」(かれはかいぎのじかんをたずねた). Additionally, '尋ねる' can also mean 'to visit' or 'to call on someone', though this usage is less common and typically more formal. For example: She visited her friend's house「彼女は友達の家を尋ねた」(かのじょはともだちのいえをたずねた).

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

868

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Shoot

Reading

Parts

身Body, Self 寸Measurement

Example Word

反射: reflection or reaction. The Japanese verbal noun '反射 (はんしゃ)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'reflection', which refers to the bouncing back of light, sound, or heat from a surface. For example: The light reflects off the mirror「光が鏡に反射する」(ひかりがかがみにはんしゃする). The second meaning is 'reaction', which refers to an automatic or involuntary response to a stimulus. For example: He reacted quickly to the sound「彼はその音に素早く反射した」(かれはそのおとにすばやくはんしゃした). It's important to note that the context in which '反射' is used will determine which meaning is intended.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

914

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Lead, Guide

Reading

Parts

道Way 寸Measurement

Example Word

半導体: semiconductor. The Japanese noun '半導体 (はんどうたい)' refers to a 'semiconductor', a material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Semiconductors are fundamental components in modern electronics, used in devices like transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits. Example sentences: Semiconductors are essential for modern technology「半導体は現代技術に不可欠です」(はんどうたいはげんだいぎじゅつにふかけつです). This factory produces semiconductors「この工場は半導体を生産しています」(このこうじょうははんどうたいをせいさんしています). The term is often used in technical and industrial contexts.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1097

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Exclusive, Specialty

Reading

Parts

叀 寸Measurement

Example Word

専門家: expert. The Japanese noun '専門家 (せんもんか)' means 'expert'. It refers to a person who has specialized knowledge, skills, or experience in a particular field. This term is often used in professional or academic contexts to describe someone who is highly skilled or knowledgeable in their area of expertise. For example: He is an expert in economics「彼は経済の専門家です」(かれはけいざいのせんもんかです). We need to consult an expert「専門家に相談する必要があります」(せんもんかにそうだんするひつようがあります). The word can also imply a level of authority or trustworthiness in the given field.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1132

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seal

Reading

Parts

圭 寸Measurement

Example Word

封: seal. The Japanese noun '封 (ふう)' primarily means 'seal'. It refers to the act of sealing something, such as a letter or a package, to ensure it remains closed and secure. This word is often used in contexts involving envelopes, packages, or any item that requires sealing. For example: Please seal the letter「手紙を封じてください」(てがみをふうじてください). The package is sealed「その荷物は封がされている」(そのにもつはふうがされている). Additionally, '封' can also be used metaphorically to describe the act of closing off or restricting something, such as information or a place.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1176

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Longevity, Congratulations

Reading

Parts

三Three 丿Katakana no 寸Measurement

Example Word

寿司: sushi. The Japanese noun '寿司 (すし)' refers to 'sushi', a traditional Japanese dish consisting of vinegared rice combined with various ingredients such as raw fish, seafood, vegetables, or egg. Sushi is a staple of Japanese cuisine and is enjoyed worldwide. It comes in many forms, including nigiri (hand-pressed sushi), maki (rolled sushi), and sashimi (sliced raw fish without rice). Example sentences: I ate sushi yesterday「昨日寿司を食べた」(きのうすしをたべた). This sushi is delicious「この寿司は美味しい」(このすしはおいしい). Sushi is often served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1414

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Company officer, Military officer

Reading

Parts

尸Corpse 示Show, Indicate 寸Measurement

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1493

Handwriting