Page 1
kanji
通Meaning
Commute, Pass
Reading
kunyomiとおtoo
かよkayo
onyomiつうtsuu
Parts
辶Walk 甬Path
Example Word
大通り: avenue. The Japanese noun '大通り (おおどおり)' refers to a main street or avenue, typically a wide and busy road in a city or town. It is commonly used to describe major thoroughfares that are central to transportation and commerce. For example: Let's meet at the main avenue「大通りで会いましょう」(おおどおりであいましょう). The main avenue is crowded with people「大通りは人で いっぱいです」(おおどおりはひとでいっぱいです). This term emphasizes the size and importance of the road, distinguishing it from smaller streets or alleys.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
72
Handwriting
kanji
道Meaning
Way
Reading
kunyomiみちmichi
onyomiどうdou
Parts
辶Walk 首Neck
Example Word
近道: shortcut. The Japanese noun '近道 (ちかみち)' means 'shortcut'. It refers to a path or route that is shorter than the usual way, allowing one to reach a destination more quickly. This term can be used both literally, such as a physical path, and metaphorically, such as a quicker method to achieve a goal. For example: I found a shortcut to the station「駅への近道を見つけた」(えきへのちかみちをみつけ た). Taking a shortcut saved us a lot of time「近道をしたおかげで時間をたくさん節約できた」(ちかみちをしたおかげでじかんをたくさんせつやくできた).
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
89
Handwriting
kanji
近Meaning
Near
Reading
kunyomiちかchika
onyomiきんkin
Parts
斤Axe, Catty ⻌Walk
Example Word
間近: near. The Japanese adjectival noun '間近 (まぢか)' means 'near' or 'close at hand'. It is used to describe something that is physically close in proximity or something that is about to happen soon. This word often conveys a sense of immediacy or closeness in time or space. For example: The exam is near「試験が間近だ」(しけんがまぢかだ). The station is near「駅は間近 です」(えきはまぢかです). It can also be used to describe events that are imminent, such as 'The deadline is near'「締め切りが間近だ」(しめきりがまぢかだ).
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
122
Handwriting
kanji
達Meaning
Attain, Plural
Reading
kunyomiたちtachi
onyomiたつtatsu
Parts
⻌Walk 羍
Example Word
調達: procurement. The Japanese noun '調達 (ちょうたつ)' refers to the act of procuring or obtaining goods, materials, or services, often in a business or organizational context. It is commonly used in supply chain management, logistics, and corporate settings. For example: The company is responsible for the procurement of raw materials「会社は原材料の調達を担当しています」(かいしゃはげんざいりょうのちょうたつをたんとうしています). We need to procure new equipment「新しい設備を調達する必要があります」(あたらしいせつびをちょうたつするひつようがあります). The term emphasizes the process of sourcing and acquiring necessary resources efficiently.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
160
Handwriting
kanji
込Meaning
Put in, Crowded
Reading
kunyomiこko
Parts
⻌Walk 入Enter
Example Word
踏み込む: step in. The Japanese verb '踏み込む (ふみこむ)' means 'to step into' or 'to enter deeply'. This verb is often used to describe physically stepping into a space, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe delving deeply into a subject or situation. For example: He stepped into the room「彼は部屋に踏み込んだ」(かれはへやにふみこんだ). The detective delved deeply into the case「探偵は事件に踏み込んだ」(たんていはじけんにふみこんだ). It's important to note that this verb often carries a connotation of entering a space or situation with determination or force.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
174
Handwriting
kanji
違Meaning
Differ, Different
Reading
kunyomiちがchiga
onyomiいi
Parts
⻌Walk 韋
Example Word
人違い: mistaken identity. The Japanese verbal noun '人違い (ひとちがい)' refers to the act of mistaking one person for another. It is commonly used when someone incorrectly identifies or confuses another person, often leading to awkward or humorous situations. For example: I mistook you for someone else「あなたを人違いしました」(あなたをひとちがいしました). He often mistakes people「彼はよく人違いをする」(かれはよくひとちがいをする). This term is particularly useful in social contexts where recognizing individuals is important, such as in crowded places or at events.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
7Frequency
184
Handwriting
kanji
返Meaning
Return
Reading
kunyomiかえkae
onyomiへんhen
Parts
辶Walk 反Anti
Example Word
裏返し: inside out. The Japanese verbal noun '裏返し (うらがえし)' means 'inside out' or 'reversed'. It is used to describe something that is turned inside out or flipped, often referring to clothing or objects. It can also metaphorically describe a situation or meaning that is the opposite of what is expected. For example: She wore her shirt inside out「彼女はシャツを裏返しに着ていた」(かのじょはシャツをうらがえしにきていた). The meaning of his words was the opposite of what he said「彼の言葉は裏返しの意味だった」(かれのことばはうらがえしのいみだった). This term is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be applied to both literal and figurative contexts.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
199
Handwriting
kanji
過Meaning
Exceed, Error
Reading
kunyomiすsu
あやまayama
onyomiかka
Parts
⻌Walk 咼
Example Word
経過: progress or passage. The Japanese verbal noun '経過 (けいか)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'passage', referring to the passing of time or the progression of events. For example: the passage of time「時間の経過」(じかんのけいか). The second meaning is 'progress', referring to the development or advancement of a situation or process. For example: the progress of the project「プロジェクトの経過」(ぷろじぇくとのけいか). This word is often used in formal or technical contexts to describe the unfolding of events or the status of a process. Another example: the progress of the disease「病気の経過」(びょうきのけいか).
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
223
Handwriting
kanji
遠Meaning
Far
Reading
kunyomiとおtoo
onyomiえんen
Parts
⻌Walk 吉Lucky, Good luck 衣Clothes
Example Word
待ち遠しい: eagerly awaited. The Japanese adjective '待ち遠しい (まちどおしい)' conveys a sense of eager anticipation or longing for something that is expected to happen in the future. It is often used to describe feelings of excitement or impatience while waiting for a highly anticipated event, person, or thing. For example: I can't wait for the festival「祭りが待ち遠しい」(まつりがまちどおしい). The children are eagerly awaiting the summer vacation「子供たちは夏休みが待ち遠しい」(こどもたちはなつやすみがまちどおしい). This word is commonly used in contexts where the speaker is looking forward to something with great enthusiasm.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
257
Handwriting
kanji
連Meaning
Take along
Reading
kunyomiつtsu
つらtsura
onyomiれんren
Parts
辶Walk 車Car
Example Word
連合: alliance or union. The Japanese noun '連合 (れんごう)' refers to a union or alliance, typically involving groups, organizations, or nations coming together for a common purpose. It can be used in various contexts, such as labor unions, political alliances, or international coalitions. For example: The labor union held a meeting「労働連合が会議を開いた」(ろうどうれんごうがかいぎをひらいた). The two countries formed an alliance「二つの国が連合を結んだ」(ふたつのくにがれんごうをむすんだ). This term emphasizes collaboration and collective action, often with a formal or organized structure.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
279
Handwriting
kanji
進Meaning
Advance
Reading
kunyomiすすsusu
onyomiしんshin
Parts
⻌Walk 隹Bird
Example Word
前進: advance. The Japanese verbal noun '前進 (ぜんしん)' means 'advance' or 'progress'. It is used to describe the act of moving forward, either physically or metaphorically. This term is often used in contexts related to movement, development, or improvement. For example: The army advanced「軍隊は前進した」(ぐんたいはぜんしんした). We need to make progress in this project「このプロジェクトで前進する必要がある」(このプロジェクトでぜんしんするひつようがある). The word can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as making progress in life or in a particular field.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
301
Handwriting
kanji
運Meaning
Fortune
Reading
kunyomiはこhako
onyomiうんun
Parts
⻌Walk 軍Army
Example Word
運用: operation. The Japanese verbal noun '運用 (うんよう)' refers to the act of operating, managing, or utilizing something, often in a systematic or strategic way. It is commonly used in contexts related to business, finance, technology, or systems management. For example: The operation of the new system is going smoothly「新しいシステムの運用は順調です」(あたらしいシステムのうんようはじゅんちょうです). Proper management of funds is essential「資金の適切な運用が重要です」(しきんのてきせつなうんようがじゅうようです). This term emphasizes the practical application and control of resources or systems.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
3Frequency
314
Handwriting
kanji
追Meaning
Follow
Reading
kunyomiおo
onyomiついtsui
Parts
辶Walk 𠂤Pile up
Example Word
追及: investigation or pursuit. The Japanese noun '追及 (ついきゅう)' can mean 'pursuit' or 'investigation', depending on the context. When used to mean 'pursuit', it often refers to the act of chasing or striving towards a goal, such as in the pursuit of knowledge or justice. For example: The pursuit of happiness is important「幸福の追及は大切だ」(こうふくのついきゅうはたいせつだ). When used to mean 'investigation', it refers to the process of examining or inquiring into something thoroughly, such as in a legal or scientific context. For example: The investigation into the incident is ongoing「事件の追及は進行中だ」(じけんのついきゅうはしんこうちゅうだ). The word can also imply a sense of accountability or holding someone responsible, as in '追究 (ついきゅう)', which is a related term often used interchangeably.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
385
Handwriting
kanji
造Meaning
Make, Build
Reading
kunyomiつくtsuku
onyomiぞうzou
Parts
⻌Walk 告Announce
Example Word
改造: modification. The Japanese verbal noun '改造 (かいぞう)' refers to the act of modifying or remodeling something, often to improve or change its function or appearance. It is commonly used in contexts such as modifying vehicles, machinery, or even software. For example: He modified his car「彼は車を改造した」(かれはくるまをかいぞうした). The company is remodeling the office「会社はオフィスを改造している」(かいしゃはオフィスをかいぞうしている). This word can also imply significant changes rather than minor adjustments, depending on the context.
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
423
Handwriting
kanji
遊Meaning
Play
Reading
kunyomiあそaso
onyomiゆうyuu
Parts
辶Walk 斿Move freely
Example Word
遊ぶ: play. The Japanese verb '遊ぶ (あそぶ)' means 'to play'. It is commonly used to describe engaging in recreational activities, games, or spending leisure time. This verb can be used for children playing, adults enjoying hobbies, or even animals playing. For example: The children are playing in the park「子供たちは公園で遊んでいる」(こどもたちはこうえんであそんでいる). I like to play video games「私はゲームで遊ぶのが好きです」(わたしはゲームであそぶのがすきです). Note that '遊ぶ' can also imply spending time idly or not working, as in 'He is just playing around and not studying'「彼は遊んでいて勉強していない」(かれはあそんでいてべんきょうしていない).
Radical
辵
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
432
Handwriting