kanji

Meaning

Person

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

軍人: soldier. The Japanese noun '軍人 (ぐんじん)' refers to a 'soldier' or 'military personnel'. This term is used to describe individuals who are members of the armed forces, including those in the army, navy, or air force. It is a formal term and can be used in various contexts, such as discussing military history, current events, or personal stories. For example: He is a soldier「彼は軍人です」(かれはぐんじんです). Many soldiers were present at the ceremony「多くの軍人が式典に出席しました」(おおくのぐんじんがしきてんにしゅっせきしました). The term can also be used in a broader sense to refer to anyone who serves in a military capacity, regardless of rank or branch.

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

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

十

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

30

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enter

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

入力: input. The Japanese verbal noun '入力 (にゅうりょく)' means 'input'. It refers to the act of entering data or information into a system, device, or form. This term is commonly used in contexts involving computers, forms, or any situation where information is being entered. For example: please input your name「名前を入力してください」(なまえをにゅうりょくしてください). The data input was incorrect「データの入力が間違っていました」(データのにゅうりょくがまちがっていました). It is important to note that '入力' is often used in technical or formal settings, and it can be paired with verbs like 'する' to form the action of inputting, as in '入力する (にゅうりょくする)'.

Radical

入

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

43

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Eight

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 乀Stretch

Example Word

八百屋: greengrocer. The Japanese noun '八百屋 (やおや)' refers to a 'greengrocer', which is a store or shop that sells fresh vegetables and fruits. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to places where one can buy produce. Historically, '八百屋' also had a broader meaning, referring to shops that sold a variety of goods, but in modern usage, it is almost exclusively associated with vegetable and fruit shops. Example sentences: I bought vegetables at the greengrocer「八百屋で野菜を買いました」(やおやでやさいをかいました). The greengrocer is closed today「今日は八百屋が閉まっています」(きょうはやおやがしまっています).

Radical

八

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

108

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Power

Reading

Parts

勹Wrap 丿Katakana no

Example Word

出力: output. The Japanese verbal noun '出力 (しゅつりょく)' means 'output'. It is commonly used in contexts related to technology, engineering, and computing to refer to the result or data produced by a system, device, or process. For example: the output of the printer is clear「プリンターの出力はきれいです」(ぷりんたーのしゅつりょくはきれいです). The power output of the generator is high「発電機の出力は高いです」(はつでんきのしゅつりょくはたかいです). This term can also be used metaphorically to describe the result of effort or work, such as in creative or intellectual contexts.

Radical

力

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

116

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Seven

Reading

Parts

一One ⺃Second (乙)

Example Word

七日: seven days or seventh. The Japanese noun '七日 (なのか)' can have two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'seventh', referring to the seventh day of the month. The second meaning is 'seven days', indicating a period of one week. For example: Today is the seventh「今日は七日です」(きょうはなのかです). I will stay for seven days「七日間滞在します」(なのかかんたいざいします). It's important to note that the context in which '七日' is used will determine whether it refers to the seventh day or a period of seven days.

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

包丁: knife. The Japanese noun '包丁 (ほうちょう)' refers specifically to a 'kitchen knife' or 'chef's knife'. It is commonly used in the context of cooking and food preparation. This word is often associated with professional chefs or home cooks who use it for cutting, slicing, and chopping ingredients. For example: I bought a new kitchen knife「新しい包丁を買いました」(あたらしいほうちょうをかいました). The chef sharpened the knife「シェフは包丁を研ぎました」(シェフはほうちょうをとぎました). Note that '包丁' is distinct from other types of knives, such as pocket knives or utility knives, as it is specifically designed for culinary use.

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