kanji

Meaning

Year

Reading

Parts

厂Cliff 午Noon

Example Word

今年: this year. The Japanese noun '今年 (ことし)' means 'this year'. It refers to the current year in which the speaker is living or the event is taking place. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate the present year. For example: This year is going well「今年は順調です」(ことしはじゅんちょうです). I will graduate this year「今年卒業します」(ことしそつぎょうします). It is important to note that '今年' is always used to refer to the current year and does not change based on the context of the sentence.

Radical

干

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

37

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Flat

Reading

Parts

干Dry 丷Divide

Example Word

平行: parallel. The Japanese verbal noun '平行 (へいこう)' means 'parallel'. It is used to describe lines, paths, or situations that run alongside each other without ever meeting. It can also be used metaphorically to describe situations or processes that occur simultaneously without influencing each other. For example: these two lines are parallel「この二つの線は平行です」(このふたつのせんはへいこうです). Their opinions are parallel and never meet「彼らの意見は平行で、決して交わらない」(かれらのいけんはへいこうで、けっしてまじわらない).

Radical

干

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

111

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Happiness

Reading

Parts

土Soil 𢆉Sheep (羊)

Example Word

不幸せ: unhappy. The Japanese adjectival noun '不幸せ (ふしあわせ)' means 'unhappy'. It describes a state of not being happy or content, often due to unfavorable circumstances or emotional distress. This word is commonly used to express a lack of happiness in a general sense, whether it pertains to life, relationships, or specific situations. For example: She looks unhappy「彼女は不幸せそうだ」(かのじょはふしあわせそうだ). His life seems unhappy「彼の人生は不幸せだ」(かれのじんせいはふしあわせだ). Note that '不幸せ' is often used in contexts where the lack of happiness is noticeable or significant, and it carries a slightly more emotional weight compared to its antonym '幸せ (しあわせ)' (happy).

Radical

干

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

380

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Dry

Reading

Example Word

若干: few or some. The Japanese noun '若干 (じゃっかん)' means 'some' or 'a few'. It is used to indicate a small or indefinite quantity of something. This word is often used in formal or written contexts to describe a modest amount or degree. For example: There are some problems「若干の問題がある」(じゃっかんのもんだいがある). A few people attended the meeting「若干の人が会議に出席した」(じゃっかんのひとがかいぎにしゅっせきした). Note that '若干' is more formal than alternatives like '少し (すこし)' or 'いくつか', and it is commonly used in reports, documents, or speeches.

Radical

干

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1121

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Trunk, Main

Reading

Parts

車Car 干Dry

Example Word

幹線: mainline. The Japanese noun '幹線 (かんせん)' refers to a mainline, such as a principal railway line, highway, or other major transportation route. It is often used in the context of transportation infrastructure to denote the primary routes that connect major cities or regions. For example: The mainline train is fast「幹線電車は速い」(かんせんでんしゃははやい). This highway is a mainline「この高速道路は幹線です」(このこうそくどうろはかんせんです). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is central or principal in a system or network.

Radical

干

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1480

Handwriting