Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Gather

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 隹Bird

Example Word

集団: group. The Japanese noun '集団 (しゅうだん)' means 'group'. It refers to a collection of people or things gathered together, often with a common purpose or characteristic. This term is commonly used in various contexts, such as social groups, organizations, or even inanimate objects grouped together. For example: a group of students「学生の集団」(がくせいのしゅうだん). A group of buildings「建物の集団」(たてもののしゅうだん). The word can also imply a sense of unity or collective action within the group.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

322

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Difficult

Reading

Example Word

難い: difficult. The Japanese suffix '難い (がたい)' is used to express that something is difficult or hard to do. It is often attached to the stem of verbs to convey that the action is challenging or nearly impossible to achieve. This suffix carries a nuance of something being not just difficult, but also rare or unlikely. For example: it's hard to believe「信じがたい」(しんじがたい). It's difficult to refuse「断りがたい」(ことわりがたい). Note that '難い (がたい)' is typically used in written or formal contexts, and it is less common in casual conversation.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

337

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Detach, Separate

Reading

Parts

离 隹Bird

Example Word

距離: distance. The Japanese noun '距離 (きょり)' refers to the physical or metaphorical distance between two points, objects, or concepts. It is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: the distance between Tokyo and Osaka is about 500 kilometers「東京と大阪の距離は約500キロです」(とうきょうとおおさかのきょりはやく500キロです). There is a distance between their opinions「彼らの意見には距離がある」(かれらのいけんにはきょりがある). The word can also imply emotional or relational distance, such as in '彼との距離を感じる (かれときょりをかんじる) (I feel a distance between us).'

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

401

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Miscellaneous

Reading

Parts

杂 隹Bird

Example Word

雑談: chat. The Japanese verbal noun '雑談 (ざつだん)' refers to casual conversation or small talk. It is used to describe informal, light-hearted discussions that are not focused on any specific topic. This word is often used in social settings, such as during breaks at work or when catching up with friends. For example: Let's have a chat「雑談しましょう」(ざつだんしましょう). We had a nice chat yesterday「昨日はいい雑談をしました」(きのうはいいざつだんをしました). The term emphasizes the relaxed and unstructured nature of the conversation, contrasting with more formal or serious discussions.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

534

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Male, Heroic

Reading

Parts

厷 隹Bird

Example Word

英雄: hero. The Japanese noun '英雄 (えいゆう)' means 'hero'. This word is used to describe a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. It often refers to historical or legendary figures who have performed great deeds. For example: He is a hero「彼は英雄だ」(かれはえいゆうだ). The hero saved the village「英雄が村を救った」(えいゆうがむらをすくった). This term is commonly used in stories, history, and discussions about people who have made significant impacts.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

731

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Elegance, Elegant

Reading

Parts

牙Fang, Tusk 隹Bird

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1573

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Employ, Hire

Reading

Parts

戸Door 隹Bird

Example Word

雇用: employment. The Japanese verbal noun '雇用 (こよう)' means 'employment'. It refers to the act of hiring or employing someone, or the state of being employed. This term is commonly used in contexts related to jobs, labor, and workforce. For example: The company is increasing employment「その会社は雇用を増やしている」(そのかいしゃはこようをふやしている). Stable employment is important「安定した雇用は重要だ」(あんていしたこようはじゅうようだ). Note that '雇用' can also be used in compound words like '雇用契約 (こようけいやく)' (employment contract) or '雇用主 (こようぬし)' (employer).

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1636

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Female

Reading

Parts

此 隹Bird

Example Word

雌: female. The Japanese noun '雌 (めす)' refers to the female of a species, particularly in animals. It is commonly used to distinguish the sex of animals, such as in '雌の猫 (めすのねこ)' meaning 'female cat'. This term is often used in biological contexts or when specifying the gender of animals. For example: That is a female bird「あれは雌の鳥です」(あれはめすのとりです). The female dog is gentle「雌の犬はおとなしい」(めすのいぬはおとなしい). Note that '雌' is less commonly used for humans; instead, '女性 (じょせい)' is preferred when referring to female humans.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1924

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

One of a pair, Ship counter

Reading

Parts

隹Bird 又Again

Example Word

隻: counter for ships. The Japanese suffix '隻 (せき)' is a counter used specifically for counting ships or vessels. It is a specialized counter and is not used for other objects. For example: one ship「一隻の船」(いっせきのふね). two ships「二隻の船」(にせきのふね). This counter is often used in contexts related to maritime activities, shipping, or naval discussions. It is important to note that '隻' is not a standalone word but a suffix that must be attached to a number to indicate the count of ships.

Radical

隹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1933

Handwriting