JLPT N4 Kanji Study List – 218 Kanji by Theme

Explore 218 kanji in the Kanji Guide N4 study scope. The characters are grouped by theme to make review and navigation easier.

Select a linked kanji to open its complete guide, including meanings, readings, common words, and example sentences. Kanji shown under “Upcoming” are planned for future guides as the site expands.

Items marked “Extended” are useful for N4 study, although their level may vary between learning resources.

Jump to: Size, Degree, and Condition / Numbers and Quantity / Time and When / Seasons and Weather / Learning and School / Words and Communication / Movement and Travel / Everyday Actions / Body and Feelings / Food and Drink / Shops and Places / Family and People / Health and Medicine / Land and Water / Regions and Administration / Directions and Geography / Society and Community / Work and Occupation / Media, Shapes, and Representation / Technology and Materials / Existence and Contrast / Everyday Life and Living / Abstract and Functional Kanji

Size, Degree, and Condition (大きさ・程度・状態)

強
strong, powerful, intense
On: kyou / gou (キョウ・ゴウ)
Kun: tsuyoi / tsuyomaru (つよ-い・つよ-まる)
強い (つよい) — strong, powerful, tough
弱
weak, frail, vulnerable
On: jaku (ジャク)
Kun: yowai / yowaru (よわ-い・よわ-る)
弱い (よわい) — weak, frail, faint
高
high, tall, expensive
On: kou (コウ)
Kun: takai / taka (たか-い・たか)
高い (たかい) — tall, high; expensive
低
low
On: tei (テイ)
Kun: hikui / hikumeru (ひく-い・ひく-める)
低い (ひくい) — low; short (of a person)
新
new, fresh
On: shin (シン)
Kun: atarashii / arata (あたら-しい・あらた)
新しい (あたらしい) — new
古
old, ancient
On: ko (コ)
Kun: furui / furusu (ふる-い・ふる-す)
古い (ふるい) — old (for things)
多
many, much
On: ta (タ)
Kun: ooi (おお-い)
多い (おおい) — many, numerous
少
few, little
On: shou (ショウ)
Kun: sukunai / sukoshi (すく-ない・すこ-し)
少し (すこし) — a little, a bit
長
long, chief
On: chou (チョウ)
Kun: nagai (なが-い)
長い (ながい) — long
短
short
On: tan (タン)
Kun: mijikai (みじか-い)
短い (みじかい) — short
太
thick, fat
On: tai / ta (タイ・タ)
Kun: futoi / futoru (ふと-い・ふと-る)
太い (ふとい) — thick (lines, long objects)
安
cheap, safe, peaceful
On: an (アン)
Kun: yasui (やす-い)
安い (やすい) — cheap
広
wide, spacious, broad
On: kou (コウ)
Kun: hiroi / hiromaru (ひろ-い・ひろ-まる)
広い (ひろい) — wide, spacious
重
heavy, important
On: juu / chou (ジュウ・チョウ)
Kun: omoi / kasaneru (おも-い・かさ-ねる)
重い (おもい) — heavy; serious
明
bright, clear
On: mei / myou (メイ・ミョウ)
Kun: akarui / akari (あか-るい・あ-かり)
明るい (あかるい) — bright; cheerful
暗
dark
On: an (アン)
Kun: kurai (くら-い)
暗い (くらい) — dark
暑
hot (weather)
On: sho (ショ)
Kun: atsui (あつ-い)
暑い (あつい) — hot (weather, air)
寒
cold
On: kan (カン)
Kun: samui (さむ-い)
寒い (さむい) — cold

Numbers and Quantity (数・量)

万
ten thousand
On: man / ban (マン・バン)
一万 (いちまん) — ten thousand
半
half
On: han (ハン)
Kun: nakaba (なか-ば)
半分 (はんぶん) — half
全

Extended

all, whole
On: zen (ゼン)
Kun: mattaku / subete (まった-く・すべ-て)
全部 (ぜんぶ) — all, everything
分
minute, part, understand
On: bun / fun (ブン・フン)
Kun: wakeru / wakaru (わ-ける・わ-かる)
五分 (ごふん) — five minutes
何
what, how many
On: ka (カ)
Kun: nani / nan (なに・なん)
何時 (なんじ) — what time
Upcoming Kanji

億Ext

Time and When (時・とき)

時
time, hour, when
On: ji (ジ)
Kun: toki (とき)
時間 (じかん) — time, hours, duration
週
week
On: shuu (シュウ)
今週 (こんしゅう) — this week
朝
morning
On: chou (チョウ)
Kun: asa (あさ)
朝 (あさ) — morning
昼
noon, daytime
On: chuu (チュウ)
Kun: hiru (ひる)
昼 (ひる) — noon, daytime
夜
night, evening
On: ya (ヤ)
Kun: yoru / yo (よる・よ)
夜 (よる) — night
午
noon
On: go (ゴ)
午前 (ごぜん) — morning, a.m.
前
before, front
On: zen (ゼン)
Kun: mae (まえ)
前 (まえ) — front, before
後
after, behind
On: go / kou (ゴ・コウ)
Kun: ato / ushiro (あと・うし-ろ)
後 (あと) — after, later
今
now
On: kon / kin (コン・キン)
Kun: ima (いま)
今 (いま) — now
毎
every
On: mai (マイ)
毎日 (まいにち) — every day
間
interval, between
On: kan / ken (カン・ケン)
Kun: aida / ma (あいだ・ま)
時間 (じかん) — time, hour
世
world, generation
On: sei / se (セイ・セ)
Kun: yo (よ)
世界 (せかい) — world
度
times, degree
On: do / taku (ド・タク)
Kun: tabi (たび)
今度 (こんど) — next time; this time
曜
day of the week
On: you (ヨウ)
曜日 (ようび) — day of the week

Seasons and Weather (季節・天気)

春
spring (season)
On: shun (シュン)
Kun: haru (はる)
春 (はる) — spring
夏
summer
On: ka (カ)
Kun: natsu (なつ)
夏 (なつ) — summer
秋
autumn, fall
On: shuu (シュウ)
Kun: aki (あき)
秋 (あき) — autumn, fall
冬
winter
On: tou (トウ)
Kun: fuyu (ふゆ)
冬 (ふゆ) — winter
風
wind, style
On: fuu / fu (フウ・フ)
Kun: kaze / kaza- (かぜ・かざ-)
風 (かぜ) — wind
晴

Extended

clear (weather)
On: sei (セイ)
Kun: hareru / hare (は-れる・は-れ)
晴れ (はれ) — clear weather, sunny
雪

Extended

snow
On: setsu (セツ)
Kun: yuki (ゆき)
雪 (ゆき) — snow
雲

Extended

cloud
On: un (ウン)
Kun: kumo (くも)
雲 (くも) — cloud

Learning and School (学習)

教
teach, education, doctrine
On: kyou (キョウ)
Kun: oshieru / osowaru (おし-える・おそ-わる)
教える (おしえる) — to teach, to tell, to explain
知
know, knowledge, wisdom
On: chi (チ)
Kun: shiru (し-る)
知る (しる) — to know, to find out
考
think, consider, reflect
On: kou (コウ)
Kun: kangaeru (かんが-える)
考える (かんがえる) — to think, to consider
思
think, feel
On: shi (シ)
Kun: omou (おも-う)
思う (おもう) — to think, to feel
勉
study, diligence, effort
On: ben (ベン)
勉強 (べんきょう) — study, studying
問
question, ask, problem
On: mon (モン)
Kun: tou / toi (と-う・と-い)
問題 (もんだい) — problem, question, issue
題
topic, subject, title
On: dai (ダイ)
問題 (もんだい) — problem, question, issue
答
answer, reply, response
On: tou (トウ)
Kun: kotaeru / kotae (こた-える・こた-え)
答え (こたえ) — an answer, a solution
試
try, test, attempt
On: shi (シ)
Kun: kokoromiru / tamesu (こころ-みる・ため-す)
試験 (しけん) — exam, test
験
test, verify, experience
On: ken (ケン)
試験 (しけん) — exam, test
習
learn, practice, custom
On: shuu (シュウ)
Kun: narau (なら-う)
習う (ならう) — to learn (from a teacher), to take lessons in
究
research, study deeply
On: kyuu (キュウ)
Kun: kiwameru (きわ-める)
研究 (けんきゅう) — research
研
polish, research
On: ken (ケン)
Kun: togu (と-ぐ)
研究 (けんきゅう) — research
漢
Chinese, Han, kanji
On: kan (カン)
漢字 (かんじ) — kanji

Words and Communication (言葉)

話
talk, speak, story, conversation
On: wa (ワ)
Kun: hanasu / hanashi (はな-す・はなし)
話す (はなす) — to speak, to talk
言
say, word
On: gen / gon (ゲン・ゴン)
Kun: iu / koto (い-う・こと)
言う (いう) — to say
聞
hear, listen, ask
On: bun / mon (ブン・モン)
Kun: kiku / kikoeru (き-く・き-こえる)
聞く (きく) — to listen, to hear, to ask
読
read, reading
On: doku (ドク)
Kun: yomu (よ-む)
読む (よむ) — to read
書
write, writing, document
On: sho (ショ)
Kun: kaku (か-く)
書く (かく) — to write
会
meet, meeting
On: kai / e (カイ・エ)
Kun: au (あ-う)
会う (あう) — to meet
Upcoming Kanji

語説計

Movement and Travel (移動・旅行)

乗
ride, board, get on
On: jou (ジョウ)
Kun: noru / noseru (の-る・の-せる)
乗る (のる) — to ride, to board, to get on
通
pass through, commute, street
On: tsuu / tsu (ツウ・ツ)
Kun: tooru / toosu (とお-る・とお-す)
通る (とおる) — to pass through, to go along
道
road, way, path
On: dou / tou (ドウ・トウ)
Kun: michi (みち)
道 (みち) — road, way, path
旅
travel, trip, journey
On: ryo (リョ)
Kun: tabi (たび)
旅行 (りょこう) — travel, trip
歩
walk, step
On: ho / bu (ホ・ブ)
Kun: aruku / ayumu (ある-く・あゆ-む)
歩く (あるく) — to walk
走
run
On: sou (ソウ)
Kun: hashiru (はし-る)
走る (はしる) — to run; to travel (of vehicles)
動
move, motion
On: dou (ドウ)
Kun: ugoku / ugokasu (うご-く・うご-かす)
動く (うごく) — to move (intransitive)
止
stop, halt
On: shi (シ)
Kun: tomaru / tomeru (と-まる・と-める)
止まる (とまる) — to stop (intransitive)
進
advance, proceed, progress
On: shin (シン)
Kun: susumu / susumeru (すす-む・すす-める)
進む (すすむ) — to advance, to proceed, to make progress (intransitive)
発
depart, start, emit, launch
On: hatsu / hatsu (ハツ・ハッ)
出発 (しゅっぱつ) — departure, setting off
着
arrive, wear
On: chaku / jaku (チャク・ジャク)
Kun: kiru / kiseru (き-る・き-せる)
着く (つく) — to arrive, to reach
来
to come
On: rai (ライ)
Kun: kuru / kitaru (く-る・きた-る)
来る (くる) — to come
行
to go, to carry out
On: kou / gyou (コウ・ギョウ)
Kun: iku / yuku (い-く・ゆ-く)
行く (いく) — to go
運
carry, luck, movement
On: un (ウン)
Kun: hakobu (はこ-ぶ)
運ぶ (はこぶ) — to carry
転
to turn, roll, change
On: ten (テン)
Kun: korogaru / korogeru (ころ-がる・ころ-げる)
運転 (うんてん) — driving, operation
帰
return home
On: ki (キ)
Kun: kaeru / kaesu (かえ-る・かえ-す)
帰る (かえる) — to return; to go home
遠
far, distant
On: en / on (エン・オン)
Kun: tooi / tooku (とお-い・とお-く)
遠い (とおい) — far, distant
近
near, close
On: kin / kon (キン・コン)
Kun: chikai / chikazuku (ちか-い・ちか-づく)
近い (ちかい) — near, close

Everyday Actions (日常の動作)

買
buy, purchase
On: bai (バイ)
Kun: kau (か-う)
買う (かう) — to buy
売
sell, sale
On: bai (バイ)
Kun: uru / ureru (う-る・う-れる)
売る (うる) — to sell
使
use, employ
On: shi (シ)
Kun: tsukau (つか-う)
使う (つかう) — to use
持
hold, have, carry, possess
On: ji (ジ)
Kun: motsu (も-つ)
持つ (もつ) — to hold, to carry, to have
集
gather, collect, assemble
On: shuu (シュウ)
Kun: atsumaru / atsumeru (あつ-まる・あつ-める)
集まる (あつまる) — to gather, to come together (intransitive)
送
send; see off
On: sou (ソウ)
Kun: okuru (おく-る)
送る (おくる) — to send; to see someone off
貸
lend, loan
On: tai (タイ)
Kun: kasu (か-す)
貸す (かす) — to lend, to loan
借
borrow, rent
On: shaku (シャク)
Kun: kariru (か-りる)
借りる (かりる) — to borrow; to rent (apartment, car, etc.)
洗
wash
On: sen (セン)
Kun: arau (あら-う)
洗う (あらう) — to wash
始
begin, start
On: shi (シ)
Kun: hajimaru / hajimeru (はじ-まる・はじ-める)
始まる (はじまる) — to begin, to start (intransitive)
終
end, finish
On: shuu (シュウ)
Kun: owaru / oeru (お-わる・お-える)
終わる (おわる) — to end, to finish (intransitive)
作
make, create
On: saku / sa (サク・サ)
Kun: tsukuru (つく-る)
作る (つくる) — to make, to create
起
wake up, rise, happen
On: ki (キ)
Kun: okiru / okoru (お-きる・お-こる)
起きる (おきる) — to wake up; to happen
待
wait, expect
On: tai (タイ)
Kun: matsu (ま-つ)
待つ (まつ) — to wait
Upcoming Kanji

建引切別

Body and Feelings (体・気持ち)

体
body, physical
On: tai / tei (タイ・テイ)
Kun: karada (からだ)
体 (からだ) — body
頭
head; mind
On: tou / zu (トウ・ズ)
Kun: atama / kashira (あたま・かしら)
頭 (あたま) — head; mind, intelligence (informal)
声
voice
On: sei / shou (セイ・ショウ)
Kun: koe (こえ)
声 (こえ) — voice
心
こころ, 精神, 気持ち
On: shin (シン)
Kun: kokoro (こころ)
心 (こころ) — heart, mind, inner feeling
意
idea, mind, meaning
On: i (イ)
意味 (いみ) — meaning
急
sudden, urgent, steep
On: kyuu (キュウ)
Kun: isogu (いそ-ぐ)
急ぐ (いそぐ) — to hurry
悪
bad, evil
On: aku / o (アク・オ)
Kun: warui (わる-い)
悪い (わるい) — bad
Upcoming Kanji

首顔

Food and Drink (食べ物・飲み物)

食
eat, food, meal
On: shoku / jiki (ショク・ジキ)
Kun: taberu / kuu (た-べる・く-う)
食べる (たべる) — to eat
肉
meat, flesh
On: niku (ニク)
肉 (にく) — meat
魚
fish
On: gyo (ギョ)
Kun: sakana / uo (さかな・うお)
魚 (さかな) — fish
牛
cow, cattle
On: gyuu (ギュウ)
Kun: ushi (うし)
牛 (うし) — cow, cattle
鳥
bird
On: chou (チョウ)
Kun: tori (とり)
鳥 (とり) — bird; (in food contexts) chicken
飯
cooked rice, meal
On: han (ハン)
Kun: meshi (めし)
ご飯 (ごはん) — cooked rice; meal
茶
tea
On: cha / sa (チャ・サ)
お茶 (おちゃ) — tea; green tea; tea break
味
taste, flavor
On: mi (ミ)
Kun: aji / ajiwau (あじ・あじ-わう)
味 (あじ) — taste, flavor
料
materials, fee, cooking
On: ryou (リョウ)
料理 (りょうり) — cooking; a dish, cuisine
品
goods, article, quality
On: hin (ヒン)
Kun: shina (しな)
品物 (しなもの) — goods, article, item
飲
drink
On: in (イン)
Kun: nomu (の-む)
飲む (のむ) — to drink
Upcoming Kanji

菜

Shops and Places (店・場所)

店
shop, store
On: ten (テン)
Kun: mise (みせ)
店 (みせ) — shop, store
堂
hall, public building
On: dou (ドウ)
食堂 (しょくどう) — cafeteria, dining hall, casual restaurant
市
city, market
On: shi (シ)
Kun: ichi (いち)
市 (し) — city
屋
shop, roof, house
On: oku (オク)
Kun: ya (や)
本屋 (ほんや) — bookstore
室
room
On: shitsu (シツ)
Kun: muro (むろ)
教室 (きょうしつ) — classroom
場
place, location
On: jou (ジョウ)
Kun: ba (ば)
場所 (ばしょ) — place, location
地
ground, land, area
On: chi / ji (チ・ジ)
地図 (ちず) — map
院
institution, hospital
On: in (イン)
病院 (びょういん) — hospital
館
large building, hall
On: kan (カン)
図書館 (としょかん) — library
駅
station
On: eki (エキ)
駅 (えき) — station
開
open
On: kai (カイ)
Kun: hiraku / akeru (ひら-く・あ-ける)
開く (ひらく) — to open
Upcoming Kanji

工門

Family and People (家族・人)

家
house, home, family
On: ka / ke (カ・ケ)
Kun: ie / ya (いえ・や)
家 (いえ) — house, home (the building)
族
family, tribe, group
On: zoku (ゾク)
家族 (かぞく) — family
親
parent, intimate
On: shin (シン)
Kun: oya / shitashii (おや・した-しい)
親 (おや) — parent
兄
older brother
On: kei / kyou (ケイ・キョウ)
Kun: ani (あに)
兄 (あに) — (my) older brother
弟
younger brother
On: tei / dai (テイ・ダイ)
Kun: otouto (おとうと)
弟 (おとうと) — (my) younger brother
姉
older sister
On: shi (シ)
Kun: ane (あね)
姉 (あね) — (my) older sister
妹
younger sister
On: mai (マイ)
Kun: imouto (いもうと)
妹 (いもうと) — (my) younger sister
友
friend
On: yuu (ユウ)
Kun: tomo (とも)
友達 (ともだち) — friend
自
self, oneself
On: ji / shi (ジ・シ)
Kun: mizukara (みずか-ら)
自分 (じぶん) — oneself, myself
Upcoming Kanji

主者

Health and Medicine (健康・医療)

医
medicine, doctor
On: i (イ)
医者 (いしゃ) — doctor
Upcoming Kanji

病死薬

Land and Water (自然・水)

海
sea, ocean
On: kai (カイ)
Kun: umi (うみ)
海 (うみ) — sea, ocean
洋
ocean, Western-style
On: you (ヨウ)
洋服 (ようふく) — Western-style clothes
Upcoming Kanji

池注

Regions and Administration (地域・行政)

国
country, nation
On: koku (コク)
Kun: kuni (くに)
国 (くに) — country
県
prefecture
On: ken (ケン)
県 (けん) — prefecture
区
ward, district, section
On: ku (ク)
区 (く) — ward; district
都
metropolis, capital
On: to / tsu (ト・ツ)
Kun: miyako (みやこ)
都市 (とし) — city, urban area
Upcoming Kanji

京

Directions and Geography (方角・地理)

東
east
On: tou (トウ)
Kun: higashi (ひがし)
東 (ひがし) — east
西
west
On: sei / sai (セイ・サイ)
Kun: nishi (にし)
西 (にし) — west
南
south
On: nan / na (ナン・ナ)
Kun: minami (みなみ)
南 (みなみ) — south
北
north
On: hoku (ホク)
Kun: kita (きた)
北 (きた) — north
Upcoming Kanji

方外内Ext

Society and Community (社会・共同体)

界
world, boundary
On: kai (カイ)
世界 (せかい) — world
Upcoming Kanji

社民公Ext野

Work and Occupation (仕事・職業)

仕
serve, do
On: shi / ji (シ・ジ)
Kun: tsukaeru (つか-える)
仕事 (しごと) — work, job
事
thing, matter, affair
On: ji / zu (ジ・ズ)
Kun: koto (こと)
仕事 (しごと) — work, job
業
work, business, industry
On: gyou / gou (ギョウ・ゴウ)
Kun: waza (わざ)
業務 (ぎょうむ) — business duties; work tasks
働
work, labor
On: dou (ドウ)
Kun: hataraku (はたら-く)
働く (はたらく) — to work
員
member, staff
On: in (イン)
店員 (てんいん) — shop staff

Media, Shapes, and Representation (図・表現)

図
diagram, map, plan
On: zu / to (ズ・ト)
Kun: hakaru (はか-る)
地図 (ちず) — map
写
copy, photograph
On: sha (シャ)
Kun: utsusu / utsuru (うつ-す・うつ-る)
写真 (しゃしん) — photograph
画
picture, stroke
On: ga / kaku (ガ・カク)
映画 (えいが) — movie, film
色
color
On: shoku / shiki (ショク・シキ)
Kun: iro (いろ)
色 (いろ) — color
Upcoming Kanji

紙映黒光

Technology and Materials (技術・素材)

銀
silver
On: gin (ギン)
銀 (ぎん) — silver
Upcoming Kanji

電物産用

Existence and Contrast (存在・対比)

軽
light, easy
On: kei (ケイ)
Kun: karui / karoyaka (かる-い・かろ-やか)
軽い (かるい) — light
Upcoming Kanji

有無Ext好便合同

Everyday Life and Living (暮らし)

服
clothes
On: fuku (フク)
服 (ふく) — clothes
Upcoming Kanji

住台楽歌

Abstract and Functional Kanji (抽象・機能)

代
generation, substitute, cost
On: dai / tai (ダイ・タイ)
Kun: kawaru / kaeru (か-わる・か-える)
時代 (じだい) — era, period
去
leave, past
On: kyo / ko (キョ・コ)
Kun: saru (さ-る)
去年 (きょねん) — last year
私
I, private
On: shi (シ)
Kun: watashi / watakushi (わたし・わたくし)
私 (わたし) — I, me
Upcoming Kanji

不以元所回Ext真英特理質