Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Young man, Guy

Reading

Parts

良Good ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

野郎: guy or jerk. The Japanese noun '野郎 (やろう)' has two distinct meanings depending on the context. The first meaning is a casual or informal way to refer to a 'guy' or 'dude', often used among friends or in a neutral tone. For example: That guy is my friend「あの野郎は友達だ」(あのやろうはともだちだ). The second meaning is more derogatory, referring to someone as a 'jerk' or 'idiot', often used when expressing frustration or anger. For example: That jerk ruined everything「あの野郎が全部台無しにした」(あのやろうがぜんぶだいなしにした). The tone and context are crucial in determining which meaning is intended, as the word can range from neutral to highly offensive.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

62

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Section, Department

Reading

Parts

咅Spit ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

全部: all. The Japanese adverb '全部 (ぜんぶ)' means 'all' or 'entirely'. It is used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of something, leaving nothing out. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be applied to objects, actions, or abstract concepts. For example: I ate all the cake「ケーキを全部食べた」(ケーキをぜんぶたべた). All the students came「学生は全部来た」(がくせいはぜんぶきた). It can also be used in negative sentences, such as: I didn't understand all of it「全部は分からなかった」(ぜんぶはわからなかった). Note that '全部' is often used with verbs to emphasize completeness.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

94

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Metropolis

Reading

Parts

者Someone ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

首都: capital. The Japanese noun '首都 (しゅと)' refers to the capital city of a country or region. It is used to denote the primary city where the government is based and often serves as the political, cultural, and economic center. For example: Tokyo is the capital of Japan「東京は日本の首都です」(とうきょうはにほんのしゅとです). Paris is the capital of France「パリはフランスの首都です」(ぱりはふらんすのしゅとです). The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

409

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

What

Reading

Parts

⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

支那: China. The Japanese proper noun '支那 (しな)' is an archaic term for China. It was commonly used in Japan before World War II, but its usage has declined significantly due to its historical connotations and potential to cause offense. In modern contexts, '中国 (ちゅうごく)' is the standard and neutral term for China. Example sentences: He studied the history of China「彼は支那の歴史を勉強した」(かれはしなのれきしをべんきょうした). The word '支那' is rarely used today「支那という言葉は今日ではほとんど使われない」(しなということばはきょうではほとんどつかわれない).

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

425

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hometown

Reading

Parts

幺Slight 艮Stopping ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

故郷: hometown. The Japanese noun '故郷 (こきょう)' refers to one's hometown or birthplace, the place where someone was born or raised. It carries a nostalgic and emotional connotation, often evoking feelings of longing or fond memories. For example: I miss my hometown「故郷が恋しい」(こきょうがこいしい). I returned to my hometown after many years「長い年月を経て故郷に戻った」(ながいとしつきをへてこきょうにもどった). This word is commonly used in literature, songs, and conversations to express a deep connection to one's roots.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

752

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wicked

Reading

Parts

牙Fang, Tusk ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

無邪気: innocent. The Japanese adjectival noun '無邪気 (むじゃき)' means 'innocent' and is used to describe someone who is pure, naive, or free from malice. It often conveys a sense of childlike simplicity or lack of guile. For example: She has an innocent smile「彼女は無邪気な笑顔をしている」(かのじょはむじゃきなえがおをしている). Children are naturally innocent「子供は無邪気だ」(こどもはむじゃきだ). This word is commonly used to describe behavior, expressions, or attitudes that are free from deceit or ulterior motives.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

928

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Residence

Reading

Parts

氐 ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

邸: residence. The Japanese suffix '邸 (てい)' is used to denote a residence or mansion, often implying a certain level of grandeur or formality. It is commonly attached to family names to refer to someone's home in a respectful manner. For example: Mr. Tanaka's residence「田中邸」(たなかてい). The mansion of the wealthy family「裕福な家族の邸」(ゆうふくなかぞくのてい). This suffix is typically used in formal contexts and can be found in addresses or when referring to the homes of notable individuals.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1134

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

County, District

Reading

Parts

君Ruler, You ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

郡: county. The Japanese noun '郡 (ぐん)' refers to a 'county', which is an administrative division in Japan, smaller than a prefecture but larger than a city, town, or village. This term is used in geographical and administrative contexts to denote a specific area within a prefecture. For example: This county is known for its beautiful landscapes「この郡は美しい景色で知られています」(このぐんはうつくしいけしきでしられています). The county office is located in the center of the town「郡役所は町の中心にあります」(ぐんやくしょはまちのちゅうしんにあります). It's important to note that '郡' is a formal term and is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to more specific terms like '市 (し)' (city) or '町 (まち)' (town).

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1222

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

State, Japan

Reading

Parts

丰 ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

連邦: federation. The Japanese noun '連邦 (れんぽう)' refers to a 'federation', which is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions under a central federal government. This term is often used in the context of political science and international relations to describe countries like the United States or Russia, which are federations. For example: The United States is a federation「アメリカは連邦です」(アメリカはれんぽうです). Russia is also a federation「ロシアも連邦です」(ロシアもれんぽうです). The term can also be used in historical contexts, such as referring to the Holy Roman Empire as a federation「神聖ローマ帝国は連邦でした」(しんせいローマていこくはれんぽうでした).

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1641

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Mail

Reading

Parts

垂Hang down ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

郵送: mailing. The Japanese verbal noun '郵送 (ゆうそう)' means 'mailing' or 'sending by post'. It refers to the act of sending letters, packages, or other items through the postal system. This term is commonly used in formal or business contexts. For example: I will send the documents by mail「書類を郵送します」(しょるいをゆうそうします). Please mail this package to the address「この荷物を住所に郵送してください」(このにもつをじゅうしょにゆうそうしてください). Note that '郵送' is often used in written or formal communication, while '送る (おくる)' is a more general verb for 'to send'.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1728

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Suburbs

Reading

Parts

交Mix ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

郊外: suburbs. The Japanese noun '郊外 (こうがい)' refers to the 'suburbs' or the outlying areas of a city. It is used to describe residential areas located on the outskirts of urban centers, often characterized by quieter environments, more spacious housing, and a slower pace of life compared to the city center. For example: I live in the suburbs「私は郊外に住んでいます」(わたしはこうがいにすんでいます). The suburbs are peaceful「郊外は静かです」(こうがいはしずかです). This term is commonly used in discussions about urban planning, commuting, and lifestyle preferences.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1805

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enclosure

Reading

Parts

享Receive ⻏Mound (阜)

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1894

Handwriting