Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical

kanji

Meaning

Thing

Reading

Parts

牛Cow 勿Must not

Example Word

動物園: zoo. The Japanese noun '動物園 (どうぶつえん)' means 'zoo'. It refers to a facility where animals are kept within enclosures, displayed to the public, and often bred for conservation purposes. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing when referring to places where people can see and learn about various animals. For example: Let's go to the zoo「動物園に行きましょう」(どうぶつえんにいきましょう). The zoo has many animals「その動物園にはたくさんの動物がいます」(そのどうぶつえんにはたくさんのどうぶつがいます). The word is a compound of '動物 (どうぶつ)' meaning 'animal' and '園 (えん)' meaning 'garden' or 'park', reflecting its purpose as a place for animals.

Radical

牛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

38

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Special

Reading

Parts

牛Cow 寺Temple

Example Word

特急: express. The Japanese noun '特急 (とっきゅう)' refers to an 'express' train or service, typically one that makes fewer stops and travels faster than regular services. It is commonly used in the context of transportation, especially trains. For example: I took the express train to Osaka「特急で大阪に行きました」(とっきゅうでおおさかにいきました). The express train is faster than the local train「特急は各駅停車より速いです」(とっきゅうはかくえきていしゃよりはやいです). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is done quickly or efficiently, though this usage is less common.

Radical

牛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

362

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Cow

Reading

Parts

𠂉Person (人)十Ten

Example Word

牛肉: beef. The Japanese noun '牛肉 (ぎゅうにく)' refers to 'beef', which is the meat from cattle. This term is commonly used in culinary contexts, such as when ordering or discussing dishes that include beef. For example: I ate beef for dinner「夕食に牛肉を食べた」(ゆうしょくにぎゅうにくをたべた). This restaurant serves delicious beef「このレストランは美味しい牛肉を出す」(このレストランはおいしいぎゅうにくをだす). It's important to note that '牛肉' specifically refers to beef, distinguishing it from other types of meat like pork (豚肉, ぶたにく) or chicken (鶏肉, とりにく).

Radical

牛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

821

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Breed, Pasture

Reading

Parts

牜 攵Strike

Example Word

牧場: pasture or ranch. The Japanese noun '牧場 (ぼくじょう)' refers to a place where livestock such as cows, horses, or sheep are raised. It can mean both a 'ranch' (a large farm for raising animals) and a 'pasture' (a field where animals graze). This word is commonly used in rural or agricultural contexts. Example sentences: I visited a ranch「牧場を訪れました」(ぼくじょうをおとずれました). The cows are grazing in the pasture「牛が牧場で草を食べています」(うしがぼくじょうでくさをたべています). The distinction between 'ranch' and 'pasture' depends on the context, but both meanings are closely related to animal husbandry.

Radical

牛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1263

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sacrifice, Offering

Reading

Parts

牛Cow 生Life

Example Word

犠牲: sacrifice. The Japanese noun '犠牲 (ぎせい)' means 'sacrifice'. It refers to the act of giving up something valuable or important for the sake of others or a greater cause. This word is often used in contexts involving personal loss, such as in war, accidents, or even in daily life when someone makes a significant compromise. For example: He made a great sacrifice for his family「彼は家族のために大きな犠牲を払った」(かれはかぞくのためにおおきなぎせいをはらった). The victims of the disaster were a tragic sacrifice「その災害の犠牲者は悲劇的な犠牲だった」(そのさいがいのぎせいしゃはひげきてきなぎせいだった).

Radical

牛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1582

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sacrifice

Reading

Parts

牛Cow 義Righteousness

Example Word

犠牲: sacrifice. The Japanese noun '犠牲 (ぎせい)' means 'sacrifice'. It refers to the act of giving up something valuable or important for the sake of others or a greater cause. This word is often used in contexts involving personal loss, such as in war, accidents, or even in daily life when someone makes a significant compromise. For example: He made a great sacrifice for his family「彼は家族のために大きな犠牲を払った」(かれはかぞくのためにおおきなぎせいをはらった). The victims of the disaster were a tragic sacrifice「その災害の犠牲者は悲劇的な犠牲だった」(そのさいがいのぎせいしゃはひげきてきなぎせいだった).

Radical

牛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1626

Handwriting