Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Eat, Food

Reading

Parts

人Person 良Good

Example Word

和食: Japanese food. The Japanese noun '和食 (わしょく)' means 'Japanese food.' It refers to traditional Japanese cuisine, which often includes dishes such as sushi, tempura, soba, and miso soup. 和食 emphasizes seasonal ingredients, balance, and presentation. It is recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Example sentences: I like Japanese food 「私は和食が好きです」 (わたしはわしょくがすきです). This restaurant serves authentic Japanese food 「このレストランは本格的な和食を提供します」 (このレストランはほんかくてきなわしょくをていきょうします).

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

153

Radical Form

飠

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Drink

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)欠Lack

Example Word

飲み物: drink. The Japanese noun '飲み物 (のみもの)' means 'drink'. It refers to any beverage that can be consumed, such as water, tea, coffee, or juice. This word is commonly used in everyday conversations when discussing what to drink or offering someone a beverage. For example: What would you like to drink?「何か飲み物はいかがですか？」(なにかのみものはいかがですか). I bought some drinks at the store「店で飲み物を買いました」(みせでのみものをかいました). It's important to note that '飲み物' is a general term and can refer to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, depending on the context.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

541

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Foster

Reading

Example Word

養う: support or nurture. The Japanese verb '養う (やしなう)' can mean 'to support' or 'to nurture'. When used in the context of 'support', it often refers to providing for someone financially or materially, such as supporting a family. For example: He supports his family「彼は家族を養っている」(かれはかぞくをやしなっている). In the context of 'nurture', it refers to raising or cultivating something, such as children, animals, or even skills. For example: She nurtures her plants carefully「彼女は植物を丁寧に養っている」(かのじょはしょくぶつをていねいにやしなっている). The verb can also imply fostering or developing something over time, such as habits or relationships.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

693

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cooked rice, Food

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)反Anti

Example Word

飯: meal. The Japanese noun '飯 (めし)' primarily means 'meal' or 'cooked rice'. It is a casual and somewhat colloquial term often used in everyday conversation. While it can refer to a meal in general, it is also specifically used to denote cooked rice, which is a staple of Japanese cuisine. For example: Let's eat a meal「飯を食べよう」(めしをたべよう). This rice is delicious「この飯は美味しい」(このめしはおいしい). The word can carry a slightly rough or masculine tone, so it is more commonly used among friends or in informal settings rather than in polite or formal contexts.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

723

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Building

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)官Government, Bureaucrat

Example Word

旅館: inn. The Japanese noun '旅館 (りょかん)' refers to a traditional Japanese inn, often featuring tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other Japanese-style amenities. These inns are commonly found in hot spring areas and are known for their hospitality and traditional meals. For example: I stayed at a Japanese inn「私は旅館に泊まりました」(わたしはりょかんにとまりました). This inn serves delicious meals「この旅館は美味しい食事を提供します」(このりょかんはおいしいしょくじをていきょうします). The term is distinct from Western-style hotels and emphasizes a cultural experience.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

747

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Decorate

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)人Person 巾Towel

Example Word

装飾: decoration. The Japanese noun '装飾 (そうしょく)' means 'decoration'. It refers to the act of decorating or embellishing something, or the decorative elements themselves. This word is often used in contexts related to art, design, fashion, and interior decoration. For example: The room was full of beautiful decorations「その部屋は美しい装飾でいっぱいだった」(そのへやはうつくしいそうしょくでいっぱいだった). She specializes in floral decoration「彼女は花の装飾を専門にしている」(かのじょははなのそうしょくをせんもんにしている). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is ornamental or non-essential, such as 'decorative language' (装飾的な言葉, そうしょくてきなことば).

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1040

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sated, Satiated

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)包Wrap

Example Word

飽きる: tire. The Japanese verb '飽きる (あきる)' means 'to tire of' or 'to get bored with'. It is used to express the feeling of losing interest in something after experiencing it for a while. This verb is often used to describe a change in emotional state, such as becoming bored with a hobby, a job, or even a relationship. For example: I got tired of playing video games「ゲームに飽きた」(ゲームにあきた). She got bored with her job「彼女は仕事に飽きた」(かのじょはしごとにあきた). It's important to note that '飽きる' is often used with the particle 'に' to indicate the object of boredom or tiredness.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1442

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Domesticate

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)司Director

Example Word

飼う: keep. The Japanese verb '飼う (かう)' means 'to keep' or 'to raise' and is specifically used in the context of keeping animals as pets or livestock. It implies taking care of an animal over time. For example: I keep a dog「犬を飼う」(いぬをかう). They raise chickens「彼らは鶏を飼う」(かれらはにわとりをかう). This verb is commonly used when talking about pets or domesticated animals, and it carries a sense of responsibility and care.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1506

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mochi rice cake

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)并

Example Word

餅: rice cake. The Japanese noun '餅 (もち)' refers to a traditional Japanese food made from glutinous rice that has been pounded into a sticky, elastic mass. It is often shaped into round or rectangular forms and can be eaten in various ways, such as grilled, boiled, or as part of soups and desserts. '餅' is particularly associated with Japanese New Year celebrations, where it is used in dishes like 'お雑煮 (おぞうに)' (ozōni), a soup containing mochi. Example sentences include: I ate a rice cake「餅を食べた」(もちをたべた). Rice cakes are sticky「餅は粘り気がある」(もちはねばりけがある).

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1530

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Feed

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)耳Ear

Example Word

餌: feed or bait. The Japanese noun '餌 (えさ)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'feed', referring to food given to animals, such as pets or livestock. For example: I gave feed to the dog「犬に餌をあげた」(いぬにえさをあげた). The second meaning is 'bait', used in the context of fishing or trapping. For example: He put bait on the hook「彼は針に餌をつけた」(かれははりにえさをつけた). The word is versatile and can be used in both domestic and outdoor settings, depending on the context.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1696

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Starve, Hunger

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)几

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1764

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Starve

Reading

Parts

飠Eat (食)我Self, Ego

Example Word

餓鬼: brat. The Japanese noun '餓鬼 (がき)' is a colloquial term often used to describe a mischievous or unruly child, similar to the English word 'brat'. It carries a slightly negative or playful tone, depending on the context. In Buddhist contexts, '餓鬼' refers to 'hungry ghosts', but in everyday usage, it is almost exclusively used to refer to children. Example sentences: That kid is such a brat「あの子は本当に餓鬼だ」(あのこはほんとうにがきだ). Don't act like a brat「餓鬼みたいなことをするな」(がきみたいなことをするな). Note that this term can be considered rude or offensive if used directly toward someone, so it is often used in a teasing or informal manner among friends or family.

Radical

食

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1794

Handwriting