Kanji

Readings, stroke counts, common words, and example sentences for each character — focused on kanji you will meet at work.

939 kanji

early

N5
On
Kun
Strokes
6

The early is very important.

💡 The sun (日) just above the horizon (十) — early morning. 早 means early or fast.

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fish

N5
On
Kun
Strokes
11

The fish is very important.

💡 A fish with head, body, and tail fins. 魚 means fish.

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sky / empty

N5
On
Kun
Strokes
8

The airport is very important.

💡 A hole (穴) of nothing under the sky — emptiness. 空 means sky or empty.

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snow

N5
On
Kun
Strokes
11

I learned the kanji "雪".

💡 雪 means "snow". Its on'yomi セツ and kun'yomi ゆき. To remember it, picture "snow" every time you see 雪, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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bad

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
11

The misuse is very important.

💡 悪 means "bad". Its on'yomi アク and kun'yomi わる(い). To remember it, picture "bad" every time you see 悪, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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by means of / since

N4
On
Strokes
5

I learned the kanji "以".

💡 以 means "by means of / since". Its on'yomi イ. To remember it, picture "by means of" every time you see 以, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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mind / meaning

N4
On
Strokes
13

The attention is very important.

💡 意 means "mind / meaning". Its on'yomi イ. To remember it, picture "mind" every time you see 意, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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medicine / doctor

N4
On
Strokes
7

The dentist is very important.

💡 医 means "medicine / doctor". Its on'yomi イ. To remember it, picture "medicine" every time you see 医, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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member

N4
On
Strokes
10

The member is very important.

💡 員 means "member". Its on'yomi イン. To remember it, picture "member" every time you see 員, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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institution

N4
On
Strokes
10

The hospital is very important.

💡 院 means "institution". Its on'yomi イン. To remember it, picture "institution" every time you see 院, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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carry / luck

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
12

The driving is very important.

💡 運 means "carry / luck". Its on'yomi ウン and kun'yomi はこ(ぶ). To remember it, picture "carry" every time you see 運, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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reflect / project

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
9

The reflection (of opinions) is very important.

💡 映 means "reflect / project". Its on'yomi エイ and kun'yomi うつ(る). To remember it, picture "reflect" every time you see 映, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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garden

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
13

The park is very important.

💡 園 means "garden". Its on'yomi エン and kun'yomi その. To remember it, picture "garden" every time you see 園, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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far

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
13

The reserve is very important.

💡 遠 means "far". Its on'yomi エン and kun'yomi とお(い). To remember it, picture "far" every time you see 遠, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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roof / shop

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
9

The roof is very important.

💡 屋 means "roof / shop". Its on'yomi オク and kun'yomi や. To remember it, picture "roof" every time you see 屋, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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sound

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
9

The sound is very important.

💡 音 means "sound". Its on'yomi オン and kun'yomi おと. To remember it, picture "sound" every time you see 音, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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song / sing

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
14

The song is very important.

💡 歌 means "song / sing". Its on'yomi カ and kun'yomi うた・うた(う). To remember it, picture "song" every time you see 歌, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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house / family

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
10

The house is very important.

💡 家 means "house / family". Its on'yomi カ・ケ and kun'yomi いえ・うち. To remember it, picture "house" every time you see 家, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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picture / stroke

N4
On
Strokes
8

The plan is very important.

💡 画 means "picture / stroke". Its on'yomi ガ・カク. To remember it, picture "picture" every time you see 画, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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times / turn

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
6

The collection is very important.

💡 回 means "times / turn". Its on'yomi カイ and kun'yomi まわ(る). To remember it, picture "times" every time you see 回, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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sea

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
9

The coast is very important.

💡 海 means "sea". Its on'yomi カイ and kun'yomi うみ. To remember it, picture "sea" every time you see 海, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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world / boundary

N4
On
Strokes
9

The world is very important.

💡 界 means "world / boundary". Its on'yomi カイ. To remember it, picture "world" every time you see 界, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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open

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
12

The holding (an event) is very important.

💡 Two hands lifting the bar off a gate (門) to open it. 開 means to open.

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music / fun

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
13

The music is very important.

💡 楽 means "music / fun". Its on'yomi ガク・ラク and kun'yomi たの(しい). To remember it, picture "music" every time you see 楽, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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building / hall

N4
On
Strokes
16

The library is very important.

💡 館 means "building / hall". Its on'yomi カン. To remember it, picture "building" every time you see 館, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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China / Han

N4
On
Strokes
13

I learned the kanji "漢".

💡 漢 means "China / Han". Its on'yomi カン. To remember it, picture "China" every time you see 漢, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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wake up / occur

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
10

The appointment (to a role) is very important.

💡 起 means "wake up / occur". Its on'yomi キ and kun'yomi お(きる). To remember it, picture "wake up" every time you see 起, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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research

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
7

The research is very important.

💡 究 means "research". Its on'yomi キュウ and kun'yomi きわ(める). To remember it, picture "research" every time you see 究, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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hurry / sudden

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
9

The to hurry is very important.

💡 急 means "hurry / sudden". Its on'yomi キュウ and kun'yomi いそ(ぐ). To remember it, picture "hurry" every time you see 急, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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cow

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
4

The cow is very important.

💡 牛 means "cow". Its on'yomi ギュウ and kun'yomi うし. To remember it, picture "cow" every time you see 牛, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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leave / past

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
5

The removal is very important.

💡 去 means "leave / past". Its on'yomi キョ・コ and kun'yomi さ(る). To remember it, picture "leave" every time you see 去, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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capital

N4
On
Strokes
8

I learned the kanji "京".

💡 京 means "capital". Its on'yomi キョウ. To remember it, picture "capital" every time you see 京, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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strong

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
11

The tough is very important.

💡 強 means "strong". Its on'yomi キョウ and kun'yomi つよ(い). To remember it, picture "strong" every time you see 強, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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teach

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
11

The sermon is very important.

💡 教 means "teach". Its on'yomi キョウ and kun'yomi おし(える). To remember it, picture "teach" every time you see 教, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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business / industry

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
13

The overtime work is very important.

💡 業 means "business / industry". Its on'yomi ギョウ and kun'yomi わざ. To remember it, picture "business" every time you see 業, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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near

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
7

The neighborhood is very important.

💡 近 means "near". Its on'yomi キン and kun'yomi ちか(い). To remember it, picture "near" every time you see 近, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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silver

N4
On
Strokes
14

The bank is very important.

💡 銀 means "silver". Its on'yomi ギン. To remember it, picture "silver" every time you see 銀, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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ward / district

N4
On
Strokes
4

I learned the kanji "区".

💡 区 means "ward / district". Its on'yomi ク. To remember it, picture "ward" every time you see 区, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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measure / plan

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
9

The plan is very important.

💡 計 means "measure / plan". Its on'yomi ケイ and kun'yomi はか(る). To remember it, picture "measure" every time you see 計, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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older brother

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
5

I learned the kanji "兄".

💡 兄 means "older brother". Its on'yomi ケイ・キョウ and kun'yomi あに. To remember it, picture "older brother" every time you see 兄, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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light (weight)

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
12

The disregard is very important.

💡 軽 means "light (weight)". Its on'yomi ケイ and kun'yomi かる(い). To remember it, picture "light (weight)" every time you see 軽, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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dog

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
4

I learned the kanji "犬".

💡 A dog (大 with a leash dot) wagging. 犬 means dog.

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sharpen / research

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
9

The research is very important.

💡 研 means "sharpen / research". Its on'yomi ケン and kun'yomi と(ぐ). To remember it, picture "sharpen" every time you see 研, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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test / verify

N4
On
Strokes
18

The experience is very important.

💡 験 means "test / verify". Its on'yomi ケン. To remember it, picture "test" every time you see 験, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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origin

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
4

The return is very important.

💡 元 means "origin". Its on'yomi ゲン・ガン and kun'yomi もと. To remember it, picture "origin" every time you see 元, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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say / word

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
7

The word is very important.

💡 言 means "say / word". Its on'yomi ゲン・ゴン and kun'yomi い(う)・こと. To remember it, picture "say" every time you see 言, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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craft / construction

N4
On
Strokes
3

The factory is very important.

💡 工 means "craft / construction". Its on'yomi コウ・ク. To remember it, picture "craft" every time you see 工, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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wide

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
5

The public relations is very important.

💡 広 means "wide". Its on'yomi コウ and kun'yomi ひろ(い). To remember it, picture "wide" every time you see 広, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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think

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
6

The to think about is very important.

💡 考 means "think". Its on'yomi コウ and kun'yomi かんが(える). To remember it, picture "think" every time you see 考, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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fit / combine

N4
On
Kun
Strokes
6

The to be in time is very important.

💡 合 means "fit / combine". Its on'yomi ゴウ and kun'yomi あ(う). To remember it, picture "fit" every time you see 合, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.

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