Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Interval, Space

Reading

Parts

日Day, Sun 門Gate

Example Word

分間: minutes. The Japanese suffix '分間 (ぶんかん)' is used to indicate a duration of time in minutes. It is attached to a number to specify how many minutes something lasts or takes. For example: 10 minutes「10分間」(じゅっぷんかん). I waited for 30 minutes「30分間待った」(さんじゅっぷんかんまった). This suffix is commonly used in everyday conversation to talk about time durations, such as in schedules, cooking times, or waiting periods.

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

21

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gate

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 亅Barb 日Day, Sun

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

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

176

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Barrier, Related

Reading

Parts

門Gate 关Close

Example Word

関わる: involve. The Japanese verb '関わる (かかわる)' means 'to be involved in' or 'to relate to'. It is used to describe a connection, involvement, or relevance to a particular matter, situation, or person. This verb often implies a significant or meaningful connection rather than a superficial one. For example: This decision involves everyone「この決定は全員に関わる」(このけっていはぜんいんにかかわる). His work is related to environmental issues「彼の仕事は環境問題に関わる」(かれのしごとはかんきょうもんだいにかかわる). The verb can also be used in negative contexts, such as 'I don't want to be involved in this matter'「この件には関わりたくない」(このけんにはかかわりたくない).

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

215

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Open

Reading

Parts

門Gate 开Open

Example Word

公開: release. The Japanese verbal noun '公開 (こうかい)' primarily means 'release' or 'public disclosure'. It is commonly used in contexts where something is made available to the public, such as the release of a movie, the disclosure of information, or the opening of a facility to the public. For example: The movie will be released next week「その映画は来週公開されます」(そのえいがはらいしゅうこうかいされます). The government disclosed the data「政府はデータを公開した」(せいふはデータをこうかいした). Note that '公開' can also imply transparency or making something accessible to a wider audience.

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

244

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Close, Shut

Reading

Parts

門Gate 才Talent, Age

Example Word

閉まる: close. The Japanese verb '閉まる (しまる)' means 'to close'. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object and describes something closing on its own. This verb is often used to describe doors, windows, or shops closing. For example: The door closed「ドアが閉まった」(ドアがしまった). The store closes at 9 PM「店は9時に閉まる」(みせはくじにしまる). Note that '閉まる' is different from '閉める (しめる)', which is a transitive verb meaning 'to close something' (e.g., 'I closed the door'「ドアを閉めた」(ドアをしめた)).

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

907

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Darkness

Reading

Parts

門Gate 音Sound

Example Word

闇: darkness. The Japanese noun '闇 (やみ)' means 'darkness'. It refers to the absence of light, often used to describe physical darkness, such as in a room or at night. It can also metaphorically represent emotional or moral darkness, such as despair, ignorance, or evil. For example: The room was filled with darkness「部屋は闇に包まれていた」(へやはやみにつつまれていた). He fell into the darkness of despair「彼は絶望の闇に落ちた」(かれはぜつぼうのやみにおちた). The word can also be used in idiomatic expressions, such as '闇取引 (やみとりひき)' (black market dealings).

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

927

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fight, Struggle

Reading

Parts

門Gate 豆Beans 寸Measurement

Example Word

戦闘: battle. The Japanese noun '戦闘 (せんとう)' means 'battle' or 'combat'. It refers to a fight or conflict between armed forces, often in a war or military context. This word is commonly used in discussions about military operations, historical battles, or even metaphorical battles in non-physical contexts. For example: The battle was intense「戦闘は激しかった」(せんとうははげしかった). They engaged in combat「彼らは戦闘に参加した」(かれらはせんとうにさんかした). Note that '戦闘' is a formal term and is typically used in serious or professional contexts.

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1108

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cabinet

Reading

Parts

門Gate 各Each

Example Word

内閣: cabinet. The Japanese noun '内閣 (ないかく)' refers to the 'cabinet' in a governmental context. It specifically denotes the group of ministers or executives who are responsible for the administration and policy-making of a government. This term is commonly used in political discussions and news reports. For example: The cabinet held a meeting「内閣は会議を開いた」(ないかくはかいぎをひらいた). The prime minister reshuffled the cabinet「首相は内閣を改造した」(しゅしょうはないかくをかいぞうした). The term is often associated with the executive branch of government and is a key component in the political structure of Japan.

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1251

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Quiet, Leisure

Reading

Parts

門Gate 木Tree, Wood

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1313

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Inspect, Inspection

Reading

Parts

門Gate 兑

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1988

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Clan, Clique

Reading

Parts

門Gate 伐Fell, Cut down

Example Word

派閥: faction. The Japanese noun '派閥 (はばつ)' refers to a 'faction' or a group within a larger organization, often political or corporate, that has its own distinct interests or agenda. This term is commonly used in contexts where there is internal division or competition within a group. For example: There is a strong faction within the party「党内に強い派閥がある」(とうないにつよいはばつがある). The company is divided into several factions「その会社はいくつかの派閥に分かれている」(そのかいしゃはいくつかのはばつにわかれている). The term can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying internal strife or power struggles.

Radical

門

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2018

Handwriting