Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Stroke Count

kanji

Meaning

Person

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

人生: life. The Japanese noun '人生 (じんせい)' refers to 'life' in the sense of a person's existence, experiences, and journey from birth to death. It is often used in philosophical or reflective contexts to discuss the course or quality of one's life. For example: Life is short「人生は短い」(じんせいはみじかい). He has lived a fulfilling life「彼は充実した人生を送った」(かれはじゅうじつしたじんせいをおくった). The word can also be used in expressions like '人生観 (じんせいかん)' (view of life) or '人生の目標 (じんせいのもくひょう)' (life goals).

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1

Radical Forms

𠂉, 亻, 𠆢

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Two

Reading

Parts

一One

Example Word

二三: few. The Japanese noun '二三 (にさん)' is a literary or formal term meaning 'a few' or 'several'. It is often used in written language or formal speech to indicate a small, indefinite number of things. For example: I have a few books「二三の本を持っています」(にさんのほんをもっています). There are a few people in the room「部屋に二三の人がいます」(へやににさんのひとがいます). This word is less common in casual conversation, where 'いくつか (いくつか)' or '少し (すこし)' might be used instead.

Radical

二

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

17

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ten

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 一One

Example Word

数十: dozens. The Japanese noun '数十 (すうじゅう)' means 'dozens' and is used to indicate an approximate quantity ranging from around 20 to 99. It is often used when the exact number is unknown or unimportant, but the speaker wants to convey a general sense of magnitude. For example: dozens of people attended the event「数十人がイベントに参加した」(すうじゅうにんがイベントにさんかした). There are dozens of books on the shelf「本棚には数十冊の本がある」(ほんだなにはすうじゅうさつのほんがある). Note that '数十' is a somewhat formal term and is commonly used in written or formal spoken contexts.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

30

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enter

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

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

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

武力: military or force. The Japanese noun '武力 (ぶりょく)' refers to the use of physical force or military power. It is often used in contexts related to conflict, war, or coercion. The word can describe both the concept of force in general and the specific application of military strength. For example: The country used military force to resolve the conflict「その国は武力で紛争を解決した」(そのくにはぶりょくでふんそうをかいけつした). They rely on force rather than diplomacy「彼らは外交ではなく武力に頼る」(かれらはがいこうではなくぶりょくにたよる). Note that '武力' carries a strong connotation of physical or armed power, distinguishing it from more abstract forms of influence.

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

116

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seven

Reading

Parts

一One ⺃Second (乙)

Example Word

七つ: seven. The Japanese noun '七つ (ななつ)' means 'seven'. It is used to refer to the number seven, often in contexts involving counting objects, ages, or items. This term is part of the traditional Japanese counting system, which uses specific counters for different types of objects. For example: There are seven apples「りんごが七つある」(りんごがななつある). The child is seven years old「その子は七つです」(そのこはななつです). Note that '七つ' is often used in more traditional or formal settings, and in modern contexts, the number '七 (なな)' is more commonly used.

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

159

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Nine

Reading

Parts

乙Second, Latter 丿Katakana no

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

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

完了: completion. The Japanese verbal noun '完了 (かんりょう)' means 'completion'. It refers to the act of finishing or completing something, often used in contexts where a task, process, or action has been fully carried out. For example: The project is complete「プロジェクトが完了した」(ぷろじぇくとがかんりょうした). The download is complete「ダウンロードが完了しました」(だうんろーどがかんりょうしました). This word is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to indicate that something has reached its conclusion.

Radical

亅

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

902

Handwriting