Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Stroke Count

kanji

Meaning

Person

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

使用人: employee. The Japanese noun '使用人 (しようにん)' refers to an 'employee' or 'servant'. It is a formal term used to describe someone who is employed by another person or organization, typically in a service or domestic role. The word carries a slightly old-fashioned or formal tone and is often used in historical or legal contexts. For example: The employee works diligently「使用人は勤勉に働く」(しようにんはきんべんにはたらく). The servant prepared the meal「使用人が食事を用意した」(しようにんがしょくじをよういした). Note that in modern contexts, the term '従業員 (じゅうぎょういん)' is more commonly used for 'employee'.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1

Radical Forms

𠂉, 亻, 𠆢

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Two

Reading

Parts

一One

Example Word

二千: two thousand. The Japanese noun '二千 (にせん)' means 'two thousand'. It is a number used to denote the quantity or count of 2000. This word is commonly used in contexts involving numbers, such as counting, dates, or quantities. For example: two thousand yen「二千円」(にせんえん). The year two thousand「二千の年」(にせんのとし). It is important to note that this word is a specific numerical term and is used in the same way as other numbers in Japanese.

Radical

二

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

17

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ten

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 一One

Example Word

十分: enough. The Japanese adjectival noun '十分 (じゅうぶん)' means 'enough' or 'sufficient'. It is used to indicate that something is adequate or satisfactory in quantity, quality, or degree. This word can be used in various contexts, such as describing time, resources, or effort. For example: I have enough time「時間は十分です」(じかんはじゅうぶんです). This meal is sufficient「この食事は十分です」(このしょくじはじゅうぶんです). It can also be used to express that no further action is needed, as in 'That's enough, thank you'「十分です、ありがとう」(じゅうぶんです、ありがとう).

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

30

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enter

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

入手: acquisition. The Japanese noun '入手 (にゅうしゅ)' means 'acquisition' or 'obtaining'. It refers to the act of acquiring or obtaining something, often something valuable or hard to get. This word is commonly used in contexts where someone has successfully obtained an item, information, or resource. For example: I finally acquired the rare book「やっとその珍しい本を入手した」(やっとそのめずらしいほんをにゅうしゅした). The company obtained the necessary permits「会社は必要な許可を入手した」(かいしゃはひつようなきょかをにゅうしゅした). It is often used in formal or business contexts.

Radical

入

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

43

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eight

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

八つ: eight. The Japanese noun '八つ (やっつ)' means 'eight'. It is a traditional way of counting items, often used for objects that do not have a specific counter or for general counting. This term is part of the native Japanese counting system, which is different from the Sino-Japanese system (e.g., 八 (はち)). For example: there are eight apples「りんごが八つある」(りんごがやっつある). I bought eight books「本を八つ買いました」(ほんをやっつかいました). Note that '八つ' is typically used for counting objects in a more traditional or casual context, and it is less common in modern, formal settings.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

108

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Power

Reading

Parts

勹Wrap 丿Katakana no

Example Word

力: strength. The Japanese noun '力 (ちから)' primarily means 'strength' or 'power'. It can refer to physical strength, mental strength, or even the power of influence. This word is versatile and can be used in various contexts, such as describing a person's physical ability, the force of nature, or the effectiveness of an argument. For example: He has great strength「彼は力がある」(かれはちからがある). The power of nature is amazing「自然の力はすごい」(しぜんのちからはすごい). It's also commonly used in compound words, such as '体力 (たいりょく)' (physical strength) or '学力 (がくりょく)' (academic ability).

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

116

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seven

Reading

Parts

一One ⺃Second (乙)

Example Word

七十: seventy. The Japanese noun '七十 (ななじゅう)' means 'seventy'. It is a number used to denote the quantity or age of seventy. This word is commonly used in contexts involving counting, age, or numerical references. For example: I am seventy years old「私は七十歳です」(わたしはななじゅうさいです). There are seventy books on the shelf「本棚に七十冊の本があります」(ほんだなにななじゅうさつのほんがあります).

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

159

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Nine

Reading

Parts

乙Second, Latter 丿Katakana no

Example Word

九日: nine days or ninth. The Japanese noun '九日 (ここのか)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning refers to the ninth day of the month, such as in 'today is the ninth'「今日は九日です」(きょうはここのかです). The second meaning refers to a period of nine days, as in 'a nine-day trip'「九日の旅行」(ここのかのりょこう). This word is commonly used in contexts involving dates or durations. For example: the event is on the ninth「イベントは九日です」(イベントはここのかです). We stayed for nine days「九日滞在しました」(ここのかたいざいしました).

Radical

乛

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

225

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Again

Reading

Example Word

又: again or also. The Japanese adverb '又 (また)' has two primary meanings: 'again' and 'also'. When used to mean 'again', it indicates repetition or recurrence of an action or event. For example: I will visit Japan again「また日本を訪れます」(またにほんをおとずれます). When used to mean 'also', it adds information or indicates an additional item or action. For example: He is also a teacher「彼はまた先生です」(かれはまたせんせいです). The nuance of 'また' can vary depending on context, but it generally conveys a sense of addition or repetition. It is commonly used in both casual and formal settings.

Radical

又

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

247

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Street

Reading

Parts

一One 亅Barb

Example Word

丁寧: polite. The Japanese adjectival noun '丁寧 (ていねい)' primarily means 'polite' or 'courteous'. It is used to describe actions, speech, or behavior that is considerate, respectful, and carefully executed. This word can also imply thoroughness or meticulousness in how something is done. For example: She speaks politely「彼女は丁寧に話します」(かのじょはていねいにはなします). He wrote a polite letter「彼は丁寧な手紙を書いた」(かれはていねいなてがみをかいた). The teacher explained the lesson carefully「先生は丁寧に授業を説明した」(せんせいはていねいにじゅぎょうをせつめいした). Note that '丁寧' can also describe something done with great care or attention to detail, such as '丁寧な仕事 (ていねいなしごと)' (careful work).

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

594

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sword

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 𠃌Enclosure

Example Word

刀: sword. The Japanese noun '刀 (かたな)' refers to a traditional Japanese sword, particularly the single-edged, curved blade used by samurai. It is a culturally significant weapon in Japan, often associated with the samurai class and martial arts. The term can also be used more broadly to refer to any type of sword, but it is most commonly associated with the katana. Example sentences: He owns a beautiful sword「彼は美しい刀を持っている」(かれはうつくしいかたなをもっている). The sword is sharp「その刀は鋭い」(そのかたなはするどい).

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

603

Radical Form

刂

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Finish, Complete

Reading

Example Word

了解: understanding. The Japanese noun '了解 (りょうかい)' means 'understanding' or 'comprehension'. It is commonly used to acknowledge that one has understood a message, instruction, or situation. It is often used in formal or professional settings, such as in the workplace or military, to confirm receipt and understanding of information. For example: I understand「了解です」(りょうかいです). Understood, I will proceed「了解しました、進めます」(りょうかいしました、すすめます). It can also be used in casual conversations to indicate that one has grasped what someone else is saying. Note that '了解' is often used in response to instructions or requests, and it carries a sense of agreement or compliance.

Radical

亅

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

902

Handwriting