kanji

Meaning

Person

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

本人: person. The Japanese noun '本人 (ほんにん)' refers to 'the person in question' or 'the person themselves'. It is used to emphasize that the action or situation directly involves the specific individual being discussed. This term is often used in formal or legal contexts to clarify that the matter pertains directly to the individual, not someone else. For example: Only the person themselves can decide「本人だけが決めることができる」(ほんにんだけがきめることができる). The person in question has already left「本人はもう帰りました」(ほんにんはもうかえりました). It is important to note that '本人' is used to stress the direct involvement or responsibility of the individual being referred to.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1

Radical Forms

𠂉, 亻, 𠆢

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Two

Reading

Parts

一One

Example Word

二百: two hundred. The Japanese noun '二百 (にひゃく)' means 'two hundred'. This word is used to denote the number 200 in various contexts, such as counting objects, money, or age. It is a combination of '二 (に)' meaning 'two' and '百 (ひゃく)' meaning 'hundred'. For example: I have two hundred yen「私は二百円を持っています」(わたしはにひゃくえんをもっています). The store is two hundred meters away「その店は二百メートル先です」(そのみせはにひゃくメートルさきです).

Radical

二

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

17

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ten

Reading

Parts

丨Stick 一One

Example Word

六十: sixty. The Japanese noun '六十 (ろくじゅう)' means 'sixty'. It is a number used to represent the quantity or age of sixty. This word is commonly used in contexts involving counting, age, or numerical references. For example: He is sixty years old「彼は六十歳です」(かれはろくじゅうさいです). The price is sixty yen「値段は六十円です」(ねだんはろくじゅうえんです). Note that '六十' is often combined with counters or other words to specify context, such as '六十歳 (ろくじゅうさい)' for 'sixty years old'.

Radical

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

30

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enter

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

入選: selection. The Japanese verbal noun '入選 (にゅうせん)' refers to the act of being selected or chosen, often in the context of competitions, contests, or exhibitions. It implies that someone or something has been chosen from a larger group to be recognized or awarded. For example: Her painting was selected for the exhibition「彼女の絵が入選した」(かのじょのえがにゅうせんした). He was thrilled to be selected for the competition「彼は入選して大喜びだった」(かれはにゅうせんしておおよろこびだった). This term is commonly used in formal or artistic contexts to denote recognition or achievement.

Radical

入

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

43

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eight

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

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

勹Wrap 丿Katakana no

Example Word

能力: ability. The Japanese noun '能力 (のうりょく)' means 'ability'. It refers to the capacity or skill to do something, whether physical, mental, or technical. This word is often used in contexts related to personal skills, professional competencies, or innate talents. For example: He has the ability to solve problems quickly「彼は問題を素早く解決する能力がある」(かれはもんだいをすばやくかいけつするのうりょくがある). Improving your language ability is important「言語能力を向上させることは重要だ」(げんごのうりょくをこうじょうさせることはじゅうようだ). The word can also be used in broader contexts, such as organizational or technological capabilities.

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

116

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seven

Reading

Parts

一One ⺃Second (乙)

Example Word

七夕: Tanabata. The Japanese noun '七夕 (たなばた)' refers to the Tanabata festival, also known as the Star Festival, celebrated on July 7th. This festival originates from a Chinese legend about two stars, Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair), who are lovers separated by the Milky Way and allowed to meet only once a year on this day. During Tanabata, people write wishes on colorful strips of paper (tanzaku) and hang them on bamboo branches. Example sentences: Let's celebrate Tanabata「七夕を祝いましょう」(たなばたをいわいましょう). I wrote my wish on a tanzaku for Tanabata「七夕に短冊に願いを書きました」(たなばたにたんざくにねがいをかきました).

Radical

一

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

159

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Nine

Reading

Parts

乙Second, Latter 丿Katakana no

Example Word

九つ: nine. The Japanese noun '九つ (ここのつ)' means 'nine'. This word is specifically used to count items or objects, and it is part of the traditional Japanese counting system for general objects (as opposed to the Sino-Japanese system used for numbers in isolation or specific categories). It is often used in contexts where items are being counted individually, such as in shopping or when describing quantities. For example: there are nine apples「りんごが九つある」(りんごがここのつある). I bought nine books「本を九つ買いました」(ほんをここのつかいました). Note that '九つ' is typically used for counting objects, while '九 (きゅう)' is used for abstract numbers or specific counting systems like time or age.

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

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