Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical
Radical 月
kanji
月Meaning
Moon, Month
Reading
tsuki
onyomiげつgetsu
がつgatsu
Parts
三Three 丿Katakana no 亅Barb
Example Word
月夜: moonlit night. The Japanese noun '月夜 (つきよ)' refers to a night illuminated by the moon, often evoking a serene or poetic atmosphere. It is commonly used in literature and everyday conversation to describe the beauty or tranquility of a moonlit night. For example: The moonlit night was beautiful「月夜が美しかった」(つきよがうつくしかった). We walked under the moonlit night「月夜の下を歩いた」(つきよのしたをあるいた). The word carries a romantic or nostalgic nuance, often associated with calmness and natural beauty.
Radical
月
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
76
Handwriting
kanji
有Meaning
Exist
Reading
a
onyomiゆうyuu
うu
Parts
𠂇Cliff (厂)月Moon, Month
Example Word
有り: existence. The Japanese noun '有り (ある)' refers to the concept of existence or presence. It is often used in formal or written contexts to indicate that something exists or is present. For example: There is a solution「解決策が有り」(かいけつさくがあり). There is a possibility「可能性が有り」(かのうせいがあり). This word is less commonly used in casual conversation, where 'ある' (without the kanji) is more typical. It carries a slightly more formal or literary tone.
Radical
月
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
165
Handwriting
kanji
朝Meaning
Morning
Reading
asa
onyomiちょうchou
Parts
月Moon, Month 龺Eminent (卓)
Example Word
明朝: Ming Dynasty. The Japanese noun '明朝 (みょうちょ う)' refers to the Ming Dynasty, which ruled China between 1368 and 1644. This word is used when referring to the historical period, its culture, art, or related historical events. Example: The Ming Dynasty was prosperous 「明朝は繁栄していた」 (みょうちょうははんえいしていた). This painting is from the Ming Dynasty 「この絵は明朝のものです」 (このえはみょうちょうのものです). Note that '明朝' can also refer to 'next morning' in some contexts, but this usage is less common and typically requires additional context to clarify.
Radical
月
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
210
Handwriting
kanji
望Meaning
Hope, Ambition
Reading
nozo
onyomiもうmou
ぼうbou
Parts
亡Death, Deceased 月Moon, Month 王King
Example Word
望ましい: desirable. The Japanese adjective '望ましい (のぞましい)' means 'desirable' or 'preferable'. It is used to describe something that is considered favorable, ideal, or worth aiming for. This word often carries a nuance of something being socially or morally appropriate, rather than just personally preferred. For example: It is desirable to arrive on time「時間通りに到着するのが望ましい」(じかんどおりにとうちゃくするのがのぞましい). A calm response is desirable in such situations「そのような状況では落ち着いた対応が望ましい」(そのようなじょうきょうではおちついたたいおうがのぞましい). The word is commonly used in formal or written contexts, such as guidelines, recommendations, or advice.
Radical
月
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
367
Handwriting
kanji
服Meaning
Obey, Clothing
Reading
fuku
Parts
月Moon, Month 𠬝Clothing (服)
Example Word
洋服: clothes. The Japanese noun '洋服 (ようふく)' refers to 'Western-style clothes' or simply 'clothes' in a general sense. This term is used to distinguish Western-style clothing from traditional Japanese attire like kimono or yukata. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to clothing items such as shirts, pants, dresses, and suits. For example: I bought new clothes「新しい洋服を買いました」(あたらしいようふくをかいました). She is wearing beautiful clothes「彼女はきれいな洋服を着ています」(かのじょはきれいなようふくをきています). The term is widely understood and used in modern Japanese society, where Western-style clothing is the norm.
Radical
月
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
460
Radical Form
𠬝
Handwriting
kanji
期Meaning
Time, Period
Reading
go
きki
Parts
月Moon, Month 其That
Example Word
前期: first half. The Japanese noun '前期 (ぜんき)' refers to the 'first half' of a period, such as a school term, fiscal year, or any other divided timeframe. It is commonly used in academic, business, and organizational contexts to distinguish between the first and second parts of a period. For example: The first half of the fiscal year was successful「前期の決算は成功でした」(ぜんきのけっさんはせいこうでした). The first half of the school term ends next week「前期は来週で終わります」(ぜんきはらいしゅうでおわります). This term is often paired with '後期 (こうき)', which means 'second half'.
Radical
月
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
511
Handwriting