Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Eight

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

八日: eight days or eighth. The Japanese noun '八日 (ようか)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'eighth', referring to the eighth day of the month. For example: Today is the eighth「今日は八日です」(きょうはようかです). The second meaning is 'eight days', referring to a duration of eight days. For example: The festival lasts for eight days「祭りは八日続きます」(まつりはようかつづきます). It's important to note that the context will usually make it clear which meaning is intended, as the first is typically used in dates, while the second is used to describe a period of time.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

108

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Six

Reading

Parts

亠Lid 八Eight

Example Word

六千: six thousand. The Japanese noun '六千 (ろくせん)' means 'six thousand'. It is a numerical term used to denote the quantity of six thousand. This word is often used in contexts involving counting, pricing, or any situation where large numbers are discussed. For example: the price is six thousand yen「値段は六千円です」(ねだんはろくせんえんです). There are six thousand people in the audience「観客は六千人です」(かんきゃくはろくせんにんです). Note that '六千' is a specific number and is used in formal or written contexts, while in casual speech, numbers are often expressed in a more simplified manner.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

140

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Soldier

Reading

Parts

丘Hill 八Eight

Example Word

兵: soldier. The Japanese noun '兵 (へい)' primarily means 'soldier'. It refers to a person who serves in an army or military force. This term is often used in formal or historical contexts. For example: The soldier fought bravely「兵は勇敢に戦った」(へいはゆうかんにたたかった). Many soldiers were injured「多くの兵が負傷した」(おおくのへいがふしょうした). The word can also appear in compound nouns, such as '兵士 (へいし)' which also means 'soldier', but '兵' alone is more concise and often used in literary or formal settings.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

218

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Public

Reading

Parts

八Eight 厶Private

Example Word

公表: announcement. The Japanese noun '公表 (こうひょう)' refers to the act of making something publicly known or announcing it officially. It is often used in formal contexts, such as government announcements, corporate disclosures, or public statements. For example: The company made an announcement about the new product「会社は新製品について公表しました」(かいしゃはしんせいひんについてこうひょうしました). The government announced the new policy「政府は新しい政策を公表しました」(せいふはあたらしいせいさくをこうひょうしました). The word carries a formal tone and is typically used for significant or official information.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

295

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Together

Reading

Parts

龷Twenty (廿)八Eight

Example Word

共: companion. The Japanese noun '共 (とも)' primarily means 'companion' or 'someone who accompanies another'. It is often used to refer to a person who shares an experience or journey with someone else. For example: He is my companion「彼は私の共だ」(かれはわたしのともだ). We are companions in this journey「私たちはこの旅の共だ」(わたしたちはこのたびのともだ). Additionally, '共' can sometimes imply a sense of equality or shared status, as in '共に戦う (ともにたたかう) (to fight together)'. It is important to note that '共' is often used in a more formal or literary context, and in everyday conversation, words like '友達 (ともだち)' might be more commonly used to refer to friends or companions.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

340

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Tool

Reading

Parts

目Eye 兀Lofty

Example Word

具体的: concrete. The Japanese adjectival noun '具体的 (ぐたいてき)' means 'concrete' or 'specific'. It is used to describe something that is tangible, clear, or well-defined, as opposed to abstract or vague. This term is often used in discussions, explanations, or plans to emphasize clarity and detail. For example: Please give me a concrete example「具体的な例を教えてください」(ぐたいてきなれいをおしえてください). The plan needs to be more specific「その計画はもっと具体的にする必要がある」(そのけいかくはもっとぐたいてきにするひつようがある). Note that '具体的' is often followed by the particle 'な' when modifying a noun, as in '具体的な説明 (ぐたいてきなせつめい) (concrete explanation)'.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

528

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Combine, Concurrently

Reading

Example Word

兼ねる: unable. The Japanese verb '兼ねる (かねる)' is often used to express the idea of being unable to do something or finding it difficult to do something, usually due to circumstances or conflicting factors. It conveys a sense of hesitation or reluctance. For example: I cannot agree with that「それには賛成しかねる」(それにはさんせいしかねる). It is hard to accept that explanation「その説明は受け入れがたい」(そのせつめいはうけいれがたい). This verb is commonly used in formal or polite contexts and often appears in phrases like '～しかねる' to express difficulty or inability.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1079

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Code, Rule

Reading

Parts

八Eight

Example Word

典型: typical or archetype. The Japanese noun '典型 (てんけい)' refers to something that is representative or characteristic of a particular type, category, or group. It can mean 'typical' when describing something that embodies the usual qualities of a group, or 'archetype' when referring to a perfect example or model of something. For example: He is a typical example of a hardworking student「彼は勤勉な学生の典型だ」(かれはきんべんながくせいのてんけいだ). This story is an archetype of Japanese folklore「この物語は日本の民話の典型です」(このものがたりはにほんのみんわのてんけいです). The word is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe something that perfectly represents a category or idea.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1237

Handwriting