kanji

Meaning

Self, Ego

Reading

Parts

手Hand 戈

Example Word

我が: my. The Japanese determiner '我が (わが)' is an archaic or formal way to say 'my' or 'our'. It is often used in literary, formal, or poetic contexts to convey a sense of pride, possession, or belonging. For example: my country「我が国」(わがくに). our school「我が校」(わがこう). It is less commonly used in everyday conversation, where '私の (わたしの)' or '私たちの (わたしたちの)' are more typical. Note that '我が' is often followed by a noun, as in '我が家 (わがいえ) (my home)'.

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

182

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Become

Reading

Parts

戊

Example Word

平成: Heisei. The Japanese noun '平成 (へいせい)' refers to the 'Heisei' era, which was the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of Emperor Akihito, from January 8, 1989, to April 30, 2019. This term is often used in historical or cultural contexts to denote events, policies, or cultural phenomena that occurred during this era. For example: The Heisei era ended in 2019「平成は2019年に終わりました」(へいせいは2019ねんにおわりました). Many technological advancements were made during the Heisei era「平成の時代に多くの技術的進歩がありました」(へいせいのじだいにおおくのぎじゅつてきしんぽがありました).

Radical

戈

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

204

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Fight, War

Reading

Parts

単Simple, Single 戈

Example Word

敗戦: defeat. The Japanese verbal noun '敗戦 (はいせん)' means 'defeat' or 'losing a war'. It is commonly used to refer to a military defeat, particularly in the context of wars or battles. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a significant loss in other areas, such as sports or competitions. For example: Japan experienced defeat in World War II「日本は第二次世界大戦で敗戦を経験した」(にほんはだいにじせかいたいせんではいせんをけいけんした). The team suffered a crushing defeat「チームは惨敗を喫した」(チームはざんぱいをきっした). Note that '敗戦' carries a formal tone and is often used in historical or serious contexts.

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