Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Radical
Radical 辵
kanji
通Meaning
Commute, Pass
Reading
too
かよkayo
onyomiつうtsuu
Parts
辶Walk 甬Path
Example Word
通り: way or street. The Japanese noun '通り (とおり)' can mean 'street' or 'way'. When referring to 'street', it describes a physical road or path, such as in the sentence: I walked down the street「通りを歩いた」(とおりをあるいた). When referring to 'way', it can describe a method, manner, or style of doing something, as in: That's the way to do it「それがやり方の通りだ」(それがやりかたのとおりだ). The word can also imply conformity or accordance, as in: according to the plan「計画通りに」(けいかくとおりに). The context often determines which meaning is intended.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
72
Handwriting
kanji
道Meaning
Way
Reading
michi
onyomiどうdou
Parts
辶Walk 首Neck
Example Word
高速道路: highway. The Japanese noun '高速道路 (こうそくどうろ)' refers to a 'highway' or 'expressway'. It is a type of road designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, typically with multiple lanes and limited access points. Highways in Japan are often toll roads and are crucial for long-distance travel and transportation. For example: We took the highway to get to the city quickly「高速道路を使って早く街に着きました」(こうそくどうろをつかってはやくまちにつきました). The highway was congested due to an accident「高速道路は事故で渋滞していました」(こうそくどうろはじこでじゅうたいしていました).
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
89
Handwriting
kanji
近Meaning
Near
Reading
chika
onyomiきんkin
Parts
斤Axe, Catty ⻌Walk
Example Word
近付ける: bring close. The Japanese verb '近付ける (ちかづける)' means 'to bring something or someone closer.' It is used when the action of moving an object or a person closer to another thing or person is performed by the subject. Example: He brought the chair closer to the table 「彼は椅子をテーブルに近付けた」 (かれはいすをテーブルにちかづけた). Please move the vase closer to the window 「花瓶を窓に近付けてください」 (かびんをまどにちかづけてください). This verb can also be used metaphorically, as in 'to bring people closer together,' for example: She brought the two teams closer together 「彼女は2つのチームを近付けた」 (かのじょはふたつのチームをちかづけた).
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
122
Handwriting
kanji
達Meaning
Attain, Plural
Reading
tachi
onyomiたつtatsu
Parts
⻌Walk 羍
Example Word
上達: improvement. The Japanese verbal noun '上達 (じょうたつ)' refers to the act of improving or making progress in a skill, ability, or knowledge. It is often used in contexts where someone has become better at something through practice or study. For example: His English has improved「彼の英語は上達した」(かれのえいごはじょうたつした). I want to improve my piano skills「ピアノの上達を目指したい」(ぴあののじょうたつをめざしたい). This word is commonly used in educational or self-improvement contexts, emphasizing gradual progress over time.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
160
Handwriting
kanji
込Meaning
Put in, Crowded
Reading
ko
Parts
⻌Walk 入Enter
Example Word
吸い込む: inhale. The Japanese verb '吸い込む (すいこむ)' primarily means 'to inhale' or 'to suck in'. It is used to describe the action of drawing something in, such as air, smoke, or even abstract concepts like emotions. For example: She inhaled the fresh air deeply「彼女は新鮮な空気を深く吸い込んだ」(かのじょはしんせんなくうきをふかくすいこんだ). The vacuum cleaner sucked in all the dust「掃除機がすべてのほこりを吸い込んだ」(そうじきがすべてのほこりをすいこんだ). This verb can also be used metaphorically, such as when describing being absorbed or engrossed in something, like a story or a situation.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
174
Handwriting
kanji
違Meaning
Differ, Different
Reading
chiga
onyomiいi
Parts
⻌Walk 韋
Example Word
間違う: mistake. The Japanese verb '間違う (まちがう)' means 'to make a mistake' or 'to be incorrect'. It is used when someone does something wrong or incorrectly. This verb can be applied to actions, decisions, or judgments. For example: I made a mistake in my calculations「計算を間違った」(けいさんをまちがった). Don't mistake me for someone else「私を他の人と間違わないで」(わたしをほかのひととまちがわないで). The verb can also be used in its negative form to express correctness, as in '間違っていない (まちがっていない)' meaning 'not mistaken' or 'correct'.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
184
Handwriting
kanji
返Meaning
Return
Reading
kae
onyomiへんhen
Parts
辶Walk 反Anti
Example Word
振り返る: look back. The Japanese verb '振り返る (ふりかえる)' means 'to look back' or 'to reflect on the past'. It is commonly used to describe the act of turning one's head to look behind or to metaphorically reflect on past events or experiences. For example: He looked back at his childhood「彼は子供時代を振り返った」(かれはこどもじだいをふりかえった). Let's reflect on what we've learned「学んだことを振り返りましょう」(まなんだことをふりかえりましょう). This verb can be used both literally and figuratively, making it versatile in various contexts.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
199
Handwriting
kanji
過Meaning
Exceed, Error
Reading
su
あやまayama
onyomiかka
Parts
⻌Walk 咼
Example Word
通過: passage. The Japanese verbal noun '通過 (つうか)' means 'passage' or 'passing through'. It is used to describe the act of moving through a place, area, or situation without stopping or being significantly affected. This word is often used in contexts like transportation, where it refers to passing through a station or checkpoint without stopping, or in abstract situations, such as passing through a phase or stage. For example: The train passed through the station without stopping「電車は駅を通過した」(でんしゃはえきをつうかした). He passed through a difficult time「彼は困難な時期を通過した」(かれはこんなんなじきをつうかした). Note that '通過' can also imply a sense of transition or progression, depending on the context.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
223
Handwriting
kanji
遠Meaning
Far
Reading
too
onyomiえんen
Parts
⻌Walk 吉Lucky, Good luck 衣Clothes
Example Word
遠い: far. The Japanese adjective '遠い (とおい)' means 'far'. It is used to describe something that is physically distant or separated by a significant amount of space. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is distant in time, relationship, or likelihood. For example: The station is far「駅は遠い」(えきはとおい). That day feels far away「あの日は遠く感じる」(あのひはとおくかんじる). Note that '遠い' is often used to describe both literal and figurative distances, making it a versatile adjective in Japanese.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
257
Handwriting
kanji
連Meaning
Take along
Reading
tsu
つらtsura
onyomiれんren
Parts
辶Walk 車Car
Example Word
連: group. The Japanese suffix '連 (れん)' is used to denote a group or association of people, often with a shared interest, activity, or purpose. It is commonly seen in the names of clubs, organizations, or teams. For example: a group of friends「友達連」(ともだちれん). A group of musicians「音楽連」(おんがくれん). This suffix is typically attached to a noun to form a compound word that refers to a collective entity. It is important to note that '連' can also be used in other contexts, such as in the word '連続 (れんぞく)', which means 'continuation' or 'series', but in this case, we are focusing on its use as a suffix to indicate a group.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
279
Handwriting
kanji
進Meaning
Advance
Reading
susu
onyomiしんshin
Parts
⻌Walk 隹Bird
Example Word
進学: advancement. The Japanese verbal noun '進学 (しんがく)' refers to the act of advancing to a higher level of education, such as moving from high school to university. It is commonly used in the context of academic progression. For example: I plan to advance to university「私は大学に進学する予定です」(わたしはだいがくにしんがくするよていです). He advanced to graduate school「彼は大学院に進学しました」(かれはだいがくいんにしんがくしました). The term emphasizes the transition to a more advanced educational stage.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
301
Handwriting
kanji
運Meaning
Fortune
Reading
hako
onyomiうんun
Parts
⻌Walk 軍Army
Example Word
運転: driving. The Japanese verbal noun '運転 (うんてん)' primarily means 'driving'. It refers to the act of operating a vehicle, such as a car, bus, or train. This word is commonly used in contexts related to transportation and vehicle operation. For example: I am driving a car「車を運転しています」(くるまをうんてんしています). He has a driver's license「彼は運転免許を持っています」(かれはうんてんめんきょをもっています). Additionally, '運転' can also be used in a broader sense to mean 'operation' or 'management' of machinery or systems, but this usage is less common and context-dependent.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
314
Handwriting
kanji
追Meaning
Follow
Reading
o
onyomiついtsui
Parts
辶Walk 𠂤Pile up
Example Word
追い抜く: overtake. The Japanese verb '追い抜く (おいぬく)' means 'to overtake'. This verb is used when one moves ahead of someone or something that was previously in front, often in the context of racing, driving, or competition. It can also be used metaphorically to describe surpassing someone in skill, achievement, or progress. For example: The car overtook the truck「その車はトラックを追い抜いた」(そのくるまはトラックをおいぬいた). She overtook her rival in the competition「彼女は競争でライバルを追い抜いた」(かのじょはきょうそうでライバルをおいぬいた). Note that this verb implies a sense of movement and progression, and it is often used in dynamic situations.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
385
Handwriting
kanji
造Meaning
Make, Build
Reading
tsuku
onyomiぞうzou
Parts
⻌Walk 告Announce
Example Word
構造: structure. The Japanese noun '構造 (こうぞう)' refers to the 'structure' of something, whether it be physical, organizational, or conceptual. It is used to describe the arrangement and interrelation of parts in a complex entity. For example: the structure of a building「建物の構造」(たてもののこうぞう). The structure of society「社会の構造」(しゃかいのこうぞう). This word is often used in technical, architectural, or sociological contexts to describe how components are organized and function together.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
423
Handwriting
kanji
遊Meaning
Play
Reading
aso
onyomiゆうyuu
Parts
辶Walk 斿Move freely
Example Word
遊園地: amusement park. The Japanese noun '遊園地 (ゆうえんち)' refers to an 'amusement park', a place with various attractions, rides, and entertainment facilities. It is commonly used to describe places like Disneyland or Universal Studios, where people go for leisure and fun. Example sentences: Let's go to the amusement park「遊園地に行きましょう」(ゆうえんちにいきましょう). The amusement park was crowded「遊園地は混んでいた」(ゆうえんちはこんでいた). This word is often associated with family outings or childhood memories.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
432
Handwriting
kanji
逃Meaning
Escape
Reading
no
にni
のがnoga
onyomiとうtou
Parts
辶Walk 兆Omen, Trillion
Example Word
逃れる: escape. The Japanese verb '逃れる (のがれる)' means 'to escape' or 'to avoid'. It is used to describe the act of getting away from a situation, danger, or responsibility. This verb often carries a nuance of avoiding something undesirable or evading a difficult circumstance. For example: He escaped from the prison「彼は刑務所から逃れた」(かれはけいむしょからのがれた). She managed to avoid the responsibility「彼女は責任を逃れた」(かのじょはせきにんをのがれた). The verb can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as escaping from reality or avoiding a topic in conversation.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
446
Handwriting
kanji
送Meaning
Send
Reading
oku
onyomiそうsou
Parts
⻌Walk 关Close
Example Word
送信: transmission. The Japanese noun '送信 (そうしん)' refers to the act of sending or transmitting information, data, or signals. It is commonly used in contexts involving communication technologies, such as emails, messages, or data transfer. For example: I sent an email「メールを送信しました」(メールをそうしんしました). The data transmission was successful「データの送信は成功しました」(データのそうしんはせいこうしました). This term is often used in technical or formal settings, and it emphasizes the action of sending information from one point to another.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
456
Handwriting
kanji
途Meaning
Way, Route
Reading
to
Parts
辶Walk 余Excess
Example Word
途上: way. The Japanese noun '途上 (とじょう)' refers to the 'way' or 'path' in the sense of being in the process of reaching a destination or goal. It is often used to describe something that is ongoing or in progress. For example: on the way to the station「駅への途上」(えきへのとじょう). The project is still on the way「プロジェクトはまだ途上だ」(プロジェクトはまだとじょうだ). This word can also be used metaphorically to describe the journey towards achieving a goal or completing a task.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
555
Handwriting
kanji
辺Meaning
Boundary, Vicinity
Reading
ata
べbe
onyomiへんhen
Parts
辶Walk 刀Sword
Example Word
周辺: surroundings. The Japanese noun '周辺 (しゅうへん)' refers to the area or surroundings around a specific location. It is commonly used to describe the vicinity or environment near a place. For example: The surroundings of the park are quiet「公園の周辺は静かです」(こうえんのしゅうへんはしずかです). The area around the station is busy「駅の周辺は賑やかです」(えきのしゅうへんはにぎやかです). This word can also be used in a broader sense to describe the periphery or outskirts of a city or region.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
567
Handwriting
kanji
退Meaning
Retreat
Reading
shirizo
onyomiたいtai
Parts
⻌Walk 艮Stopping
Example Word
退職: retirement. The Japanese verbal noun '退職 (たいしょく)' refers to the act of retiring or resigning from a job or position. It is commonly used in professional or formal contexts to describe the process of leaving employment, often due to reaching retirement age or personal reasons. For example: He is planning his retirement「彼は退職を計画している」(かれはたいしょくをけいかくしている). She submitted her resignation letter「彼女は退職願を提出した」(かのじょはたいしょくねがいをていしゅつした). The term can also be used in phrases like '退職金 (たいしょくきん)', which means 'retirement bonus' or 'severance pay'.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
633
Handwriting
kanji
述Meaning
State, Mention
Reading
no
onyomiじゅつjutsu
Parts
⻌Walk 朮
Example Word
前述: aforementioned. The Japanese noun '前述 (ぜんじゅつ)' means 'aforementioned' or 'previously mentioned'. It is used to refer to something that has already been stated or discussed earlier in a conversation, text, or context. This term is often used in formal or written contexts to avoid repetition and to refer back to earlier points. For example: as aforementioned, the plan has changed「前述のとおり、計画は変更されました」(ぜんじゅつのとおり、けいかくはへんこうされました). The aforementioned issue will be addressed later「前述の問題は後で取り上げます」(ぜんじゅつのもんだいはあとでとりあげます).
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
769
Handwriting