kanji

Meaning

Deliberation

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)義Righteousness

Example Word

議論: discussion. The Japanese verbal noun '議論 (ぎろん)' means 'discussion' or 'debate'. It refers to the act of discussing or debating a topic, often involving an exchange of opinions or arguments. This word is commonly used in formal or serious contexts, such as academic, political, or professional settings. For example: We had a heated discussion about the policy「私たちはその政策について熱い議論をした」(わたしたちはそのせいさくについてあついぎろんをした). The debate on environmental issues continues「環境問題についての議論は続いている」(かんきょうもんだいについてのぎろんはつづいている). Note that '議論' often implies a structured or formal exchange of ideas, rather than casual conversation.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

319

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Echo, Reverberate

Reading

Parts

郷Hometown 音Sound

Example Word

響く: resonate. The Japanese verb '響く (ひびく)' means 'to resonate' or 'to reverberate'. It is used to describe sounds that echo or carry over a distance, or to describe something that has a profound impact or influence. For example: the sound of the bell resonates through the valley「鐘の音が谷に響く」(かねのおとがたににひびく). His words resonated deeply with me「彼の言葉が私に深く響いた」(かれのことばがわたしにふかくひびいた). This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe how actions or events have a lasting effect or influence on people or situations.

Radical

音

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

697

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Protect, Defend

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)蒦

Example Word

弁護士: lawyer. The Japanese noun '弁護士 (べんごし)' refers to a 'lawyer' or 'attorney'. This term specifically denotes a legal professional who is qualified to represent clients in court, provide legal advice, and handle legal matters. In Japan, becoming a 弁護士 requires passing the national bar examination and completing legal training. Example sentences: I consulted a lawyer「弁護士に相談した」(べんごしにそうだんした). The lawyer defended the client「弁護士は依頼人を弁護した」(べんごしはいらいにんをべんごした). Note that 弁護士 is distinct from other legal professionals like 司法書士 (しほうしょし, judicial scrivener) or 行政書士 (ぎょうせいしょし, administrative scrivener).

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

783

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Suspend

Reading

Parts

縣 心Heart

Example Word

一生懸命: hard or earnestly. The Japanese adverb '一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい)' means 'hard' or 'earnestly'. It is used to describe doing something with great effort, determination, or seriousness. This word often conveys a sense of giving one's all or putting in maximum effort. For example: I studied hard for the exam「試験のために一生懸命勉強した」(しけんのためにいっしょうけんめいべんきょうした). She worked earnestly to achieve her dream「彼女は夢を叶えるために一生懸命働いた」(かのじょはゆめをかなえるためにいっしょうけんめいはたらいた). The word can also be used to describe physical effort, such as running hard「一生懸命走った」(いっしょうけんめいはしった). Note that while 'hard' is a common translation, the nuance of '一生懸命' often includes a sense of sincerity and dedication.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

911

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Compete

Reading

Parts

立Stand 兄Older brother

Example Word

競争: competition. The Japanese verbal noun '競争 (きょうそう)' means 'competition'. It refers to a situation in which individuals or groups strive to outperform each other, often in a specific activity or field. This word is commonly used in contexts such as sports, business, academics, or any scenario where rivalry or striving for superiority is involved. For example: The competition was fierce「競争は激しかった」(きょうそうははげしかった). They are in competition for the top position「彼らはトップの座を競争している」(かれらはトップのざをきょうそうしている). Note that '競争' can also imply a sense of striving or effort, not just direct rivalry.

Radical

立

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1336

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Bell

Reading

Parts

釒Gold (金)童Juvenile

Example Word

鐘: bell. The Japanese noun '鐘 (かね)' refers to a 'bell', typically a large bell used in temples or churches. It is often associated with religious or ceremonial contexts, such as ringing a bell to mark time or during rituals. For example: the temple bell rings「お寺の鐘が鳴る」(おてらのかねがなる). The sound of the bell is beautiful「鐘の音が美しい」(かねのおとがうつくしい). This word can also be used metaphorically to signify something that resonates deeply, like a bell's sound.

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1387

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Hand over, Defer

Reading

Parts

訁Say (言)㐮

Example Word

譲る: transfer or yield. The Japanese verb '譲る (ゆずる)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to yield' or 'to give way,' often used in situations where one person allows another to go first or concedes in a discussion. For example: He yielded his seat to the elderly woman「彼はお年寄りの女性に席を譲った」(かれはおとしよりのじょせいにせきをゆずった). The second meaning is 'to transfer' or 'to hand over,' such as transferring ownership or rights. For example: She transferred the property to her son「彼女は財産を息子に譲った」(かのじょはざいさんをむすこにゆずった). The verb is versatile and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Radical

言

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1566

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Column

Reading

Parts

木Tree, Wood 闌

Example Word

欄: column. The Japanese noun '欄 (らん)' refers to a 'column' or 'section' in a document, form, or publication. It is commonly used to describe a specific area designated for particular information, such as in a newspaper, spreadsheet, or application form. For example: Please fill in the name column「名前欄を記入してください」(なまえらんをきにゅうしてください). The article is in the sports column「その記事はスポーツ欄にあります」(そのきじはスポーツらんにあります). This word is often used in contexts where information is organized into distinct sections.

Radical

木

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1599

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Enroll, Register

Reading

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)耤

Example Word

戸籍: family register. The Japanese noun '戸籍 (こせき)' refers to the official family register system in Japan. It is a legal document that records vital information about individuals, such as birth, marriage, adoption, and death, and is used to establish family relationships and legal status. The 戸籍 is maintained by local government offices and is essential for various administrative procedures. Example sentences: I need to update my family register「戸籍を更新する必要があります」(こせきをこうしんするひつようがあります). The family register shows my parents' names「戸籍には私の両親の名前が載っています」(こせきにはわたしのりょうしんのなまえがのっています).

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1618

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Rise, Inflation

Reading

Parts

月Moon, Month 駦

Example Word

沸騰: boiling. The Japanese verbal noun '沸騰 (ふっとう)' means 'boiling'. It refers to the process of a liquid reaching its boiling point and bubbling vigorously due to heat. This term is commonly used in both scientific and everyday contexts. For example: the water is boiling「お湯が沸騰している」(おゆがふっとうしている). The excitement reached a boiling point「興奮が沸騰点に達した」(こうふんがふっとうてんにたっした). In a figurative sense, it can also describe a situation or emotions reaching a peak or climax, such as 'the crowd's excitement was boiling over'「群衆の興奮が沸騰していた」(ぐんしゅうのこうふんがふっとうしていた).

Radical

馬

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1839

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Brew

Reading

Parts

酉Bird of the zodiac 㐮

Radical

酉

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

2033

Handwriting