Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Stroke Count
19 Strokes
kanji
識Meaning
Knowledge, Discernment
Reading
shiki
Parts
訁Say (言)戠
Example Word
常識: commonsense. The Japanese noun '常識 (じょうしき)' refers to 'commonsense' or 'general knowledge'. It describes the basic understanding or awareness that is commonly shared by people in a society. This term is often used to refer to what is considered normal or expected behavior in a given context. For example: He lacks commonsense「彼は常識がない」(かれはじょうしきがない). It's common sense to be polite「礼儀正しくするのは常識だ」(れいぎただしくするのはじょうしきだ). The word can also imply societal norms or shared values, and it is frequently used in discussions about cultural expectations or social behavior.
Radical
言
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
355
Handwriting
kanji
離Meaning
Detach, Separate
Reading
hana
onyomiりri
Parts
离 隹Bird
Example Word
離れる: separate or leave. The Japanese verb '離れる (はなれる)' has two primary meanings: 'to separate' and 'to leave'. It is used to describe physical or emotional separation from someone or something. For example: the train is leaving the station「電車が駅を離れる」(でんしゃがえきをはなれる). She felt separated from her family「彼女は家族から離れた気がした」(かのじょはかぞくからはなれたきがした). The verb can also imply a sense of distance or detachment, such as in 'to drift apart' emotionally. Note that the verb is often used with particles like を or から to indicate what is being separated from.
Radical
隹
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
401
Handwriting
kanji
警Meaning
Warn
Reading
kei
Parts
言Say 敬Respect
Example Word
警備: security. The Japanese noun '警備 (けいび)' refers to 'security' or 'guarding'. It is commonly used to describe the act of protecting or guarding a place, event, or person. This term is often associated with professional security services, such as those employed at events, buildings, or public spaces. For example: The security at the event was tight「イベントの警備は厳しかった」(イベントのけいびはきびしかった). We need to increase security for the building「建物の警備を強化する必要がある」(たてもののけいびをきょうかするひつようがある). The word can also imply vigilance and preparedness to prevent potential threats or disturbances.
Radical
言
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
592
Handwriting
kanji
願Meaning
Request, Wish
Reading
nega
onyomiがんgan
Parts
原Meadow, Original 頁Page
Example Word
願う: request or wish. The Japanese verb '願う (ねがう)' has two primary meanings: 'to wish' and 'to request'. When used to mean 'to wish', it expresses a desire or hope for something, often in a formal or earnest manner. For example: I wish for your happiness「あなたの幸せを願います」(あなたのしあわせをねがいます). When used to mean 'to request', it implies asking for something politely or formally, often in a written or official context. For example: I request your understanding「ご理解を願います」(ごりかいをねがいます). The verb is commonly used in formal settings, such as letters, speeches, or prayers, and carries a tone of sincerity and respect.
Radical
頁
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
599
Handwriting
kanji
鏡Meaning
Mirror
Reading
kagami
onyomiきょうkyou
Parts
釒Gold (金)竟
Example Word
鏡: mirror. The Japanese noun '鏡 (かがみ)' means 'mirror'. It refers to a reflective surface, typically made of glass with a metallic backing, used to see one's reflection. This word is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as looking at oneself or decorating a room. For example: I looked in the mirror「鏡を見た」(かがみをみた). The mirror is broken「鏡が壊れている」(かがみがこわれている). In Japanese culture, mirrors also hold symbolic significance, often representing truth or self-reflection.
Radical
金
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
4Frequency
828
Handwriting
kanji
麗Meaning
Beautiful, Lovely
Reading
uruwa
onyomiれいrei
Parts
丽 鹿Deer
Example Word
奇麗: beautiful or clean. The Japanese adjectival noun '奇麗 (きれい)' can mean both 'clean' and 'beautiful', depending on the context. When used to describe cleanliness, it refers to something being free from dirt or clutter. For example: The room is clean「部屋は奇麗です」(へやはきれいです). When used to describe beauty, it refers to something or someone being aesthetically pleasing. For example: She is beautiful「彼女は奇麗です」(かのじょはきれいです). The word can also be used to describe something as neat or tidy, such as handwriting: Your handwriting is neat「あなたの字は奇麗です」(あなたのじはきれいです). It's important to note that '奇麗' is often written in hiragana as 'きれい' in modern Japanese.
Radical
鹿
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
967
Handwriting
kanji
繰Meaning
Reel, Spin
Reading
ku
onyomiそうsou
Parts
糸Thread 喿
Example Word
繰り返す: repeat. The Japanese verb '繰り返す (くりかえす)' means 'to repeat'. It is used to describe the action of doing something again or multiple times. This verb can be applied to various contexts, such as repeating a task, a phrase, or an event. For example: Please repeat after me「私の後について繰り返してください」(わたしのあとについてくりかえしてください). History repeats itself「歴史は繰り返す」(れきしはくりかえす). The verb can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as repeating a mistake or a pattern. It is important to note that '繰り返す' often implies a deliberate or conscious repetition, rather than something happening by chance.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1030
Handwriting
kanji
霧Meaning
Mist, Fog
Reading
kiri
onyomiむmu
Parts
雨Rain 務Duty, Task
Example Word
霧: fog. The Japanese noun '霧 (きり)' means 'fog'. It refers to a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface, which obscures visibility. This word is commonly used in weather-related contexts or to describe atmospheric conditions. For example: The fog is thick today「今日は霧が濃い」(きょうはきりがこい). I couldn't see the road because of the fog「霧で道が見えなかった」(きりでみちがみえなかった). In literature, '霧' can also be used metaphorically to describe confusion or uncertainty, such as '心の霧 (こころのきり)' meaning 'mental fog' or 'confusion in one's mind'.
Radical
雨
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1239
Handwriting
kanji
臓Meaning
Entrails, Viscera
Reading
zou
Parts
肉Meat 蔵Storehouse
Example Word
心臓: heart. The Japanese adjectival noun '心臓 (しんぞう)' refers to the 'heart', the organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. It is used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: His heart is strong「彼の心臓は強い」(かれのしんぞうはつよい). This can also be used metaphorically to describe courage or emotional strength, as in: She has the heart of a lion「彼女は心臓が強い」(かのじょはしんぞうがつよい). Note that '心臓' is often used in medical or biological contexts, but can also appear in everyday language to describe emotional states or characteristics.
Radical
肉
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N2Grade
6Frequency
1398
Handwriting
kanji
爆Meaning
Burst, Explode
Reading
ha
onyomiばくbaku
Parts
火Fire 暴Violent, Outburst
Example Word
爆発: explosion. The Japanese verbal noun '爆発 (ばくはつ)' means 'explosion'. It refers to a sudden and violent release of energy, often accompanied by a loud noise and destruction. This word can be used literally, such as in the context of a bomb exploding, or figuratively, to describe a sudden outburst of emotions or events. For example: The explosion was heard far away「爆発が遠くまで聞こえた」(ばくはつがとおくまできこえた). His anger exploded「彼の怒りが爆発した」(かれのいかりがばくはつした). The word can also be used in compound forms, such as '爆発物 (ばくはつぶつ)' (explosive material) or '爆発力 (ばくはつりょく)' (explosive power).
Radical
火
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
1399
Handwriting
kanji
鶏Meaning
Chicken, Hen, Cock
Reading
tori
にわとりniwatori
onyomiけいkei
Parts
爫 夫Man, Husband 鳥Bird
Example Word
鶏: chicken. The Japanese noun '鶏 (にわとり)' refers to a chicken, specifically the domesticated bird commonly raised for its meat and eggs. It is often used in everyday conversation and cooking contexts. For example: I bought a chicken at the market「市場で鶏を買いました」(いちばでにわとりをかいました). The chicken is delicious「その鶏は美味しいです」(そのにわとりはおいしいです). Note that '鶏' specifically refers to the bird itself, while '鶏肉 (とりにく)' refers to chicken meat.
Radical
鳥
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1434
Handwriting
kanji
蹴Meaning
Kick
Reading
ke
onyomiしゅうshuu
しゅくshuku
Parts
⻊Foot (足)就Settle, Concerning
Example Word
蹴る: kick. The Japanese verb '蹴る (ける)' means 'to kick'. It is used to describe the action of striking or hitting something with the foot. This verb can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: he kicked the ball「彼はボールを蹴った」(かれはボールをけった). She kicked the habit「彼女はその癖を蹴った」(かのじょはそのくせをけった). In the second example, '蹴る' is used figuratively to mean 'to quit' or 'to give up' a habit. The verb can also be used in various forms to indicate different tenses or levels of politeness.
Radical
足
Stroke Count
19JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1516
Handwriting
kanji
簿Meaning
Notebook for record, Record book
Reading
bo
Example Word
名簿: roster. The Japanese noun '名簿 (めいぼ)' refers to a 'roster' or 'register', which is a list of names, typically used in formal or organizational contexts. It is commonly used in schools, companies, or events to keep track of participants, members, or attendees. For example: Please check the roster for your name「名簿に名前があるか確認してください」(めいぼになまえがあるかかくにんしてください). The teacher updated the class roster「先生がクラスの名簿を更新しました」(せんせいがクラスのめいぼをこうしんしました). This word is often associated with administrative or official settings.
Radical
竹
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1943
Handwriting
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