Page 1
kanji
識Meaning
Knowledge, Discernment
Reading
onyomiしきshiki
Parts
訁Say (言)戠
Example Word
知識: knowledge. The Japanese noun '知識 (ちしき)' means 'knowledge'. It refers to the understanding, information, or awareness acquired through experience, study, or education. This word is often used in academic, professional, or everyday contexts to describe a person's grasp of facts, concepts, or skills. For example: He has a lot of knowledge about history「彼 は歴史について多くの知識を持っている」(かれはれきしについておおくのちしきをもっている). Knowledge is power「知識は力である」(ちしきはちからである). The word can also be used in compound terms like '専門知識 (せんもんちしき)' (specialized knowledge) or '知識人 (ちしきじん)' (intellectual).
Radical
言
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
355
Handwriting
kanji
離Meaning
Detach, Separate
Reading
kunyomiはなhana
onyomiりri
Parts
离 隹Bird
Example Word
離陸: takeoff. The Japanese verbal noun '離陸 (りりく)' means 'takeoff' and is primarily used in the context of aviation to describe the moment when an aircraft leaves the ground and begins to fly. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the start of a project or endeavor. For example: The plane is about to take off「飛行機が離陸しようとしている」(ひこうきがりりくしようとしている). The new business is ready for takeoff「新しいビジネスが離陸の準備ができている」(あたらしいビジネスがりりくのじゅんびができている). Note that '離陸' is often used in formal or technical contexts.
Radical
隹
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
401
Handwriting
kanji
警Meaning
Warn
Reading
onyomiけいkei
Parts
言Say 敬Respect
Example Word
警察: police. The Japanese noun '警察 (けいさつ)' refers to the police or law enforcement. It is used to describe the organization responsible for maintaining public order and safety, as well as enforcing laws. For example: The police arrived quickly「警察がすぐに来た」(けいさつがすぐにきた). I reported it to the police「警察に報告した」(けいさつにほうこくした). This term is commonly used in contexts involving crime, safety, and legal matters.
Radical
言
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
592
Handwriting
kanji
願Meaning
Request, Wish
Reading
kunyomiねが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
kunyomiかがみ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
kunyomiうるわ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
kunyomiくku
onyomiそうsou
Parts
糸Thread 喿
Example Word
繰り返し: repetition. The Japanese noun '繰り返し (くりかえし)' means 'repetition'. It refers to the act of repeating something, whether it be an action, a process, or a statement. This word is often used in contexts where something is done or said multiple times, either for emphasis, practice, or as part of a routine. For example: Repetition is important for learning「繰り返しは学習に重要です」(くりかえしはがくしゅうにじゅうようです). He repeated the same mistake「彼は同じ間違いを繰り返した」(かれはおなじまちがいをくりかえした). The word can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as in music or patterns, where repetition is a key element.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1030
Handwriting
kanji
霧Meaning
Mist, Fog
Reading
kunyomiきり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
onyomiぞう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
kunyomiはha
onyomiばくbaku
Parts
火Fire 暴Violent, Outburst
Example Word
爆弾: bomb. The Japanese noun '爆弾 (ばくだん)' means 'bomb'. It refers to an explosive weapon designed to cause destruction. This word is often used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: The bomb exploded「爆弾が爆発した」(ばくだんがばくはつした). He dropped a bombshell during the meeting「彼は会議中に爆弾を落とした」(かれはかいぎちゅうにばくだんをおとした). In figurative usage, it can describe shocking news or revelations. The word is neutral in tone but carries a strong connotation of danger or surprise.
Radical
火
Stroke Count
19JLPT
N2Grade
7Frequency
1399
Handwriting
kanji
鶏Meaning
Chicken, Hen, Cock
Reading
kunyomiとり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
kunyomiけ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
onyomiぼ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