Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Against

Reading

Parts

寸Measurement 文Sentence

Example Word

対面: face to face. The Japanese noun '対面 (たいめん)' refers to a situation where two or more people meet or interact directly, face-to-face. It is often used in formal or professional contexts, such as meetings, interviews, or consultations. For example: We had a face-to-face meeting with the client「クライアントと対面で会議をした」(クライアントとたいめんでかいぎをした). The teacher conducted a face-to-face consultation with the student「先生は生徒と対面で相談を行った」(せんせいはせいととたいめんでそうだんをおこなった). This term emphasizes the direct and personal nature of the interaction, as opposed to remote or indirect communication.

Radical

寸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

148

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Temple

Reading

Parts

土Soil 寸Measurement

Example Word

寺院: temple. The Japanese noun '寺院 (じいん)' refers to a 'temple', specifically a Buddhist temple. This term is used to describe a place of worship and practice for Buddhists, often characterized by its architecture, statues, and religious activities. For example: I visited a famous temple「有名な寺院を訪れました」(ゆうめいなじいんをおとずれました). The temple is very old「その寺院はとても古いです」(そのじいんはとてもふるいです). It's important to note that '寺院' is distinct from '神社 (じんじゃ)', which refers to Shinto shrines.

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

注射: injection. The Japanese verbal noun '注射 (ちゅうしゃ)' means 'injection'. It refers to the act of injecting a substance, such as a vaccine or medicine, into the body using a syringe. This term is commonly used in medical contexts. For example: I received a flu shot「私はインフルエンザの注射を打った」(わたしはインフルエンザのちゅうしゃをうった). The doctor gave me an injection「医者が私に注射をした」(いしゃがわたしにちゅうしゃをした). It can also be used metaphorically to describe something being introduced forcefully, though this usage is less common.

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

専ら: mainly. The Japanese adverb '専ら (もっぱら)' means 'mainly' or 'primarily'. It is used to indicate that something is done or focused on exclusively or predominantly. This adverb often implies that the subject is concentrating on one particular thing to the exclusion of others. For example: He mainly focuses on his studies「彼は専ら勉強に集中している」(かれはもっぱらべんきょうにしゅうちゅうしている). She mainly eats vegetables「彼女は専ら野菜を食べる」(かのじょはもっぱらやさいをたべる). The word can also carry a nuance of exclusivity or specialization, suggesting that the action or focus is not just primary but almost entirely so.

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

寿命: lifespan. The Japanese noun '寿命 (じゅみょう)' refers to the length of time that a living being, object, or system is expected to live or function. It is commonly used in contexts discussing the natural life expectancy of humans, animals, or even the durability of machines and technology. For example: The lifespan of a cat is about 15 years「猫の寿命は約15年です」(ねこのじゅみょうはやく15ねんです). This smartphone has a short lifespan「このスマートフォンは寿命が短い」(このスマートフォンはじゅみょうがみじかい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe the 'life' of non-living things, such as the lifespan of a product or trend.

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