Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Stroke Count

kanji

Meaning

Person

Reading

Parts

乀Stretch 丿Katakana no

Example Word

人: person. The Japanese noun '人 (ひと)' means 'person'. It is a general term used to refer to a human being, regardless of gender or age. This word is commonly used in various contexts, such as describing someone's character, occupation, or relationship to others. For example: that person is kind「あの人は優しい」(あのひとはやさしい). I met a new person today「今日新しい人に会った」(きょうあたらしいひとにあった). It can also be used in compound words to specify types of people, such as '外国人 (がいこくじん) (foreigner)' or '先生 (せんせい) (teacher)'. Note that '人' can sometimes be pronounced differently depending on the context, such as 'じん' in '日本人 (にほんじん) (Japanese person)'.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1

Radical Forms

𠂉, 亻, 𠆢

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Two

Reading

Parts

一One

Example Word

二: two. The Japanese noun '二 (に)' means 'two'. It is a basic numeral used to represent the number two in counting or numbering. This word is often used in various contexts, such as counting objects, indicating age, or specifying quantities. For example: two apples「二つのりんご」(ふたつのりんご). I am two years old「私は二歳です」(わたしはにさいです). It is important to note that '二 (に)' is typically used in combination with counters or other words to specify what is being counted, as in '二匹 (にひき) (two small animals)' or '二回 (にかい) (two times)'.

Radical

二

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

17

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ten

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 一One

Example Word

十: ten. The Japanese noun '十 (じゅう)' means 'ten'. It is used to represent the number ten in counting or numerical contexts. This word is fundamental in Japanese for counting, mathematics, and everyday use. For example: There are ten apples「りんごが十あります」(りんごがじゅうあります). I have ten fingers「私は指が十本あります」(わたしはゆびがじゅうほんあります). The word can also appear in compound numbers, such as '二十 (にじゅう)' (twenty) or '三十 (さんじゅう)' (thirty).

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

30

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enter

Reading

Parts

乀Stretch 丿Katakana no

Example Word

入る: enter. The Japanese verb '入る (はいる)' means 'to enter' or 'to go into'. It is used to describe the action of moving into a space, such as a room, building, or container. It can also be used in abstract contexts, such as entering a state or condition. For example: I entered the room「部屋に入った」(へやにはいった). The cat went into the box「猫が箱に入った」(ねこがはこにはいった). Additionally, it can be used in expressions like 'to join' or 'to be included', such as in 'the price includes tax「値段に税が入っている」(ねだんにぜいがはいっている)'. Note that this verb is often paired with particles like に (ni) to indicate the destination or target of entry.

Radical

入

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

43

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eight

Reading

Parts

乀Stretch 丿Katakana no

Example Word

八: eight. The Japanese noun '八 (はち)' means 'eight'. It is used to denote the number eight in various contexts, such as counting, age, or quantity. For example: I have eight apples「りんごを八つ持っています」(りんごをやっつもっています). She is eight years old「彼女は八歳です」(かのじょははっさいです). The word can also be part of compound words or phrases, such as '八月 (はちがつ)' meaning 'August' or '八日 (ようか)' meaning 'the eighth day of the month'.

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

108

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Power

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 勹Wrap

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: seven. The Japanese noun '七 (なな)' means 'seven'. It is used to denote the number seven in various contexts, such as counting, age, or quantity. For example: I have seven apples「りんごを七つ持っています」(りんごをななつもっています). She is seven years old「彼女は七歳です」(かのじょはななさいです). The word '七' can also be read as 'しち' in certain contexts, such as when counting in a sequence or in specific compound words, but 'なな' is more commonly used in everyday speech to avoid confusion with '一 (いち)' which sounds similar.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

159

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Nine

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乙Second, Latter

Example Word

九: nine. The Japanese noun '九 (きゅう)' means 'nine'. It is used to represent the number nine in various contexts, such as counting, age, or quantities. For example: I have nine apples「りんごが九つあります」(りんごがきゅうつあります). She is nine years old「彼女は九歳です」(かのじょはきゅうさいです). This word is commonly used in everyday conversations and is essential for basic counting and numerical expressions in Japanese.

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

亅Barb 一One

Example Word

丁度: exactly. The Japanese adverb '丁度 (ちょうど)' means 'exactly' or 'just'. It is used to indicate precision in time, quantity, or condition. It can also imply that something happens at the perfect moment or fits perfectly. For example: It's exactly 3 o'clock「ちょうど3時です」(ちょうどさんじです). This shirt fits me just right「このシャツはちょうどいい」(このシャツはちょうどいい). The train arrived exactly on time「電車はちょうど時間通りに到着した」(でんしゃはちょうどじかんどおりにとうちゃくした). Note that 'ちょうど' is often used in casual and formal contexts alike, making it a versatile word in Japanese.

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

終了: end. The Japanese verbal noun '終了 (しゅうりょう)' means 'end' or 'completion'. It is used to indicate the conclusion or termination of an event, process, or activity. This word is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as the end of a program, meeting, or task. For example: The meeting has ended「会議が終了しました」(かいぎがしゅうりょうしました). The program will end at 5 PM「プログラムは午後5時に終了します」(プログラムはごご5じにしゅうりょうします). It can also be used in everyday situations, such as the end of a game or event. For example: The game is over「ゲームが終了しました」(ゲームがしゅうりょうしました).

Radical

亅

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

902

Handwriting