kanji

Meaning

Wake up

Reading

Parts

走Run 己Oneself

Example Word

起こる: happen. The Japanese verb '起こる (おこる)' means 'to happen' or 'to occur'. It is used to describe events or incidents that take place, often unexpectedly or naturally. This verb is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: An accident happened「事故が起こった」(じこがおこった). A big earthquake occurred「大きな地震が起こった」(おおきなじしんがおこった). The verb '起こる' is intransitive, meaning it does not take a direct object. It is often used with natural phenomena, accidents, or significant events. Note that '起こる' is different from '起きる (おきる)', which can mean 'to wake up' or 'to occur' but is more commonly used for waking up.

Radical

走

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

187

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Go across, Go beyond

Reading

Parts

走Run 戉

Example Word

越える: exceed or cross. The Japanese verb '越える (こえる)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'to exceed' or 'to go beyond', often used in contexts involving limits, boundaries, or expectations. For example: The temperature exceeded 30 degrees「気温が30度を越えた」(きおんが30どをこえた). The second meaning is 'to cross', typically referring to physically crossing over something like a mountain or a border. For example: We crossed the mountain「私たちは山を越えた」(わたしたちはやまをこえた). The verb can also be used metaphorically, such as crossing a threshold or overcoming a challenge. Note that the nuance depends on the context, so pay attention to the object being crossed or exceeded.

Radical

走

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

420

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Run

Reading

Parts

土Soil 龰Stop (止)

Example Word

走る: run. The Japanese verb '走る (はしる)' means 'to run'. It is used to describe the action of moving quickly on foot, typically faster than walking. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as running in a race, running away from something, or even metaphorically, like a river running through a valley. For example: I run every morning「私は毎朝走る」(わたしはまいあさはしる). The river runs through the valley「川が谷間を走る」(かわがたにまをはしる). It's important to note that '走る' can also be used in compound verbs, such as '駆け走る (かけはしる)' which means 'to dash' or 'to sprint'.

Radical

走

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

438

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Gist, Flavor

Reading

Parts

走Run 取Take

Example Word

趣味: hobby. The Japanese noun '趣味 (しゅみ)' means 'hobby'. It refers to activities or interests that one enjoys doing in their free time. This word is commonly used to describe personal interests, such as sports, arts, or collecting items. For example: My hobby is reading books「私の趣味は本を読むことです」(わたしのしゅみはほんをよむことです). What is your hobby?「あなたの趣味は何ですか？」(あなたのしゅみはなんですか？). The word can also imply a sense of personal taste or preference, as in '趣味が良い (しゅみがいい)' meaning 'to have good taste'.

Radical

走

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

951

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Surpass, Transcend

Reading

Parts

走Run 召Seduce, Summon

Example Word

超える: exceed. The Japanese verb '超える (こえる)' means 'to exceed' or 'to go beyond'. It is used to describe surpassing a limit, boundary, or expectation. This verb can be applied in various contexts, such as physical boundaries, numerical limits, or abstract concepts. For example: The temperature exceeded 30 degrees「気温が30度を超えた」(きおんが30どをこえた). His skills exceed mine「彼のスキルは私を超えている」(かれのスキルはわたしをこえている). It can also be used metaphorically, as in 'to transcend' or 'to overcome'. Note that '超える' is often used with specific limits or thresholds, such as time, age, or quantity.

Radical

走

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1369

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Proceed to

Reading

Parts

走Run 卜Divination

Example Word

赴く: go or proceed. The Japanese verb '赴く (おもむく)' primarily means 'to go' or 'to proceed' towards a specific destination or situation, often implying a sense of purpose or inevitability. It is commonly used in formal or literary contexts to describe moving towards a place, role, or state. For example: He went to the battlefield「彼は戦場に赴いた」(かれはせんじょうにおもむいた). She proceeded to her new job「彼女は新しい仕事に赴いた」(かのじょはあたらしいしごとにおもむいた). The verb can also carry a nuanced sense of moving towards a fate or outcome, as in '赴く運命 (おもむくうんめい) (destined fate)'.

Radical

走

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1845

Handwriting