Page 1
kanji
引Meaning
Pull
Reading
kunyomiひhi
onyomiいんin
Parts
弓Bow 丨Stick
Example Word
引っ掛かる: catch or get stuck. The Japanese verb '引っ掛かる (ひっかかる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to catch' or 'to get caught', often referring to something physically getting caught or snagged. For example: The kite got caught in the tree「凧が木に引っ掛かった」(たこがきにひっかかった). The second meaning is 'to get stuck', which can refer to both physical and metaphorical situations, such as being stuck in traffic or caught in a scam. For example: I got stuck in traffic「渋滞に引っ掛かった」(じゅうたいにひっかかった). This verb is commonly used in everyday situations and carries a sense of something unexpectedly getting caught or stuck.
Radical
弓
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
138
Handwriting
kanji
張Meaning
Spread, Stretch
Reading
kunyomiはha
onyomiちょうchou
Parts
弓Bow 長Long, Leader
Example Word
見張る: watch or guard. The Japanese verb '見張る (みはる)' means 'to watch' or 'to guard'. It is used to describe the act of keeping a close eye on something or someone, often to prevent danger or ensure safety. This verb is commonly used in contexts involving surveillance, security, or monitoring. For example: The guard is watching the entrance「警備員が入り口を見張っている」(けいびいんがはいりぐちをみはっている). She watched the children playing in the park「彼女は公園で遊んでいる子供たちを見張っていた」(かのじょはこうえんであそんでいるこどもたちをみはっていた). Note that '見張る' can also imply vigilance or alertness, as in watching for potential threats or changes.
Radical
弓
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
255
Handwriting
kanji
強Meaning
Strong
Reading
kunyomiしshi
つよtsuyo
onyomiきょうkyou
ごうgou
Parts
虫Insect 厶Private 弓Bow
Example Word
強烈: intense. The Japanese adjective '強烈 (きょうれつ)' means 'intense'. It is used to describe something that is extremely strong, powerful, or impactful, often in a way that leaves a deep impression. This word can be applied to physical sensations, emotions, or even abstract concepts. For example: The flavor was intense「その味は強烈だった」(そのあじはきょうれつだった). He has an intense personality「彼は強烈な性格だ」(かれはきょうれつなせいかくだ). The word can also imply a sense of overwhelming or striking nature, such as in '強烈な印象 (きょうれつないんしょう) (intense impression)'.
Radical
弓
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
258
Handwriting
kanji
弟Meaning
Younger brother
Reading
kunyomiおとうとotouto
onyomiだいdai
ていtei
Parts
丿Katakana no 弓Bow 丨Stick 丷Divide
Example Word
弟: younger brother. The Japanese noun '弟 (おとうと)' means 'younger brother'. It specifically refers to a male sibling who is younger than the speaker. This term is commonly used in family contexts and is neutral in tone. For example: my younger brother is kind「私の弟は優しい」(わたしのおとうとはやさしい). I have a younger brother「私は弟がいます」(わたしはおとうとがいます). Note that '弟' is used only for younger brothers; older brothers are referred to as '兄 (あに)'. The term does not change based on the speaker's gender.
Radical
弓
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
518
Handwriting
kanji
弱Meaning
Weak
Reading
kunyomiよわyowa
onyomiじゃくjaku
Parts
冫Ice (水)弓Bow
Example Word
弱み: weakness. The Japanese noun '弱み (よわみ)' means 'weakness'. It refers to a point of vulnerability or a flaw in someone or something. This term is often used in contexts discussing personal characteristics, strategies, or structures. For example: Everyone has their own weaknesses「誰にでも弱みがある」(だれにでもよわみがある). He exploited her weakness「彼は彼女の弱みにつけこんだ」(かれはかのじょのよわみにつけこんだ). It's important to note that '弱み' can be used both in a physical sense, such as a weak point in a structure, and in a metaphorical sense, such as a character flaw.
Radical
弓
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N2Grade
2Frequency
643
Handwriting
kanji
弾Meaning
Bullet, Projectile
Reading
kunyomiひhi
たまtama
はずhazu
onyomiだんdan
Parts
弓Bow 単Simple, Single
Example Word
弾く: pluck or repel. The Japanese verb '弾く (はじく)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'to pluck', as in plucking the strings of a musical instrument. For example: he plucks the guitar「彼はギターを弾く」(かれはギターをはじく). The second meaning is 'to repel' or 'to flick away', often used to describe repelling water or flicking something off a surface. For example: the umbrella repels water「傘が水を弾く」(かさがみずをはじく). These two meanings are unrelated and depend on the context in which the verb is used.
Radical
弓
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
981
Handwriting
kanji
弧Meaning
Arc, Arch
Reading
onyomiこko
Parts
弓Bow 瓜
Example Word
括弧: parentheses. The Japanese verbal noun '括弧 (かっこ)' refers to 'parentheses' or 'brackets'. It is used to indicate a pair of punctuation marks that enclose additional information or asides within a sentence. In Japanese, there are different types of brackets, such as 丸括弧 (まるかっこ) for round brackets (), 角括弧 (かくかっこ) for square brackets [], and 波括弧 (なみかっこ) for curly brackets {}. Example sentences: Please put the word in parentheses「その言葉を括弧に入れてください」(そのことばをかっこにいれてください). The explanation is in brackets「説明は括弧内にあります」(せつめいはかっこないにあります).
Radical
弓
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
2096
Handwriting