Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Self, Ego

Reading

Parts

手Hand 戈

Example Word

我: I or we. The Japanese pronoun '我 (われ)' is a formal or literary way to refer to oneself or a group. It can mean 'I' or 'we' depending on the context. This pronoun is often used in written language, speeches, or formal settings, and it carries a somewhat archaic or solemn tone. It is less commonly used in everyday conversation, where '私 (わたし)' or '僕 (ぼく)' are more typical for 'I', and '私たち (わたしたち)' for 'we'. Example sentences: I will never forget this「我はこれを忘れない」(われはこれをわすれない). We must protect our homeland「我らは祖国を守らねばならない」(われらはそこくをまもらねばならない). Note that '我' can also appear in compound words like '我々 (われわれ)', which explicitly means 'we'.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

182

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Become

Reading

Parts

戊

Example Word

育成: cultivation or development. The Japanese noun '育成 (いくせい)' refers to the process of nurturing, developing, or cultivating something or someone. It is often used in contexts related to raising children, training employees, or growing plants. For example: the development of young athletes「若いアスリートの育成」(わかいアスリートのいくせい). The cultivation of new talent「新しい才能の育成」(あたらしいさいのうのいくせい). This word emphasizes a deliberate and systematic effort to foster growth or improvement.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

204

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fight, War

Reading

Parts

単Simple, Single 戈

Example Word

合戦: battle. The Japanese noun '合戦 (かっせん)' refers to a 'battle' or 'fight', typically used in the context of historical or large-scale conflicts. It often evokes imagery of samurai or feudal-era battles. For example: The battle was fierce「合戦は激しかった」(かっせんははげしかった). They prepared for the battle「彼らは合戦の準備をした」(かれらはかっせんのじゅんびをした). This word is less commonly used in modern contexts and is more associated with historical or literary descriptions.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

290

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Play, Frolic

Reading

Parts

虚Empty, Void 戈

Example Word

悪戯: mischief or prank. The Japanese noun '悪戯 (いたずら)' can mean 'mischief' or 'prank'. It refers to playful or harmless actions intended to cause amusement or minor trouble. It can also imply a sense of naughtiness or teasing. For example: The child's mischief made everyone laugh「子供の悪戯がみんなを笑わせた」(こどものいたずらがみんなをわらわせた). He played a prank on his friend「彼は友達に悪戯をした」(かれはともだちにいたずらをした). The word can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation depending on the context, but it generally describes lighthearted behavior.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1057

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Receive

Reading

Example Word

頂戴: receive. The Japanese verbal noun '頂戴 (ちょうだい)' is a polite and humble way to say 'receive' or 'accept'. It is often used when asking for something politely or when receiving something from someone of higher status. It can also be used as a humble way to say 'eat' or 'drink'. For example: Please give me that book「その本を頂戴」(そのほんをちょうだい). I received a gift from my teacher「先生からプレゼントを頂戴しました」(せんせいからプレゼントをちょうだいしました). It's important to note that this word is often used in formal or polite situations, and is not typically used in casual conversation.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1383

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Admonish, Commandment

Reading

Parts

廾Twenty 戈

Example Word

警戒: caution. The Japanese verbal noun '警戒 (けいかい)' means 'caution' or 'vigilance'. It refers to the act of being watchful or alert to potential danger or trouble. This word is often used in contexts where one needs to be careful or on guard, such as in security, safety, or even interpersonal relationships. For example: The police are on high alert「警察は警戒を強めている」(けいさつはけいかいをつよめている). We must be cautious of natural disasters「自然災害に警戒しなければならない」(しぜんさいがいにけいかいしなければならない). The word can also be used in phrases like '警戒心 (けいかいしん)', which means 'sense of caution' or 'wariness'.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1421

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Grieve, Relatives

Reading

Parts

戊 尗

Example Word

親戚: relative. The Japanese noun '親戚 (しんせき)' refers to a 'relative' or 'family member'. It is used to describe someone who is related by blood or marriage, such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws. This term is broader than '家族 (かぞく)', which specifically refers to immediate family members like parents, siblings, or children. For example: I visited my relatives「親戚を訪ねた」(しんせきをたずねた). She has many relatives「彼女は親戚が多い」(かのじょはしんせきがおおい). The word can also be used in formal or casual contexts, depending on the situation.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1827

Handwriting