JLPT list
The 370 JLPT N3 kanji
370 kanji at this level, 620 in total since N5. They're sorted from most to least common: start at the top.
The tipping point: social media, simple articles, almost all signage.
Every page gives the meaning, readings and stroke order. Memory hooks and vocabulary for this level are in Kanzen.
Order: frequency of use in written Japanese.
- 政Politics, government9 strokes
- 議Deliberation, consultation20 strokes
- 民People, nation5 strokes
- 連Take along, lead10 strokes
- 対Vis-a-vis, opposite7 strokes
- 部Section, bureau11 strokes
- 合Fit, suit6 strokes
- 市City, market5 strokes
- 内Inside, within4 strokes
- 相Inter-, mutual9 strokes
- 定Determine, fix8 strokes
- 回Round, -times6 strokes
- 選Choose, elect15 strokes
- 米Rice, USA6 strokes
- 実Reality, truth8 strokes
- 関Connection, barrier14 strokes
- 決Decide, fix7 strokes
- 全Whole, entire6 strokes
- 表Surface, front8 strokes
- 戦War, battle13 strokes
- 経Pass thru, sutra11 strokes
- 最Utmost, most12 strokes
- 現Present, existing11 strokes
- 調Tune, tone15 strokes
- 化Change, take the form of4 strokes
- 当Hit, right6 strokes
- 約Promise, approximately9 strokes
- 首Neck, counter for songs and poems9 strokes
- 法Law, method8 strokes
- 性Nature, sex8 strokes
- 要Need, main point9 strokes
- 制System, law8 strokes
- 治Reign, be at peace8 strokes
- 務Task, duties11 strokes
- 成Turn into, become6 strokes
- 期Period, time12 strokes
- 取Take, fetch8 strokes
- 都Metropolis, capital11 strokes
- 和Harmony, Japanese style8 strokes
- 機Machine, loom16 strokes
- 平Even, flat5 strokes
- 加Add, addition5 strokes
- 受Accept, undergo8 strokes
- 続Continue, series13 strokes
- 進Advance, proceed11 strokes
- 数Number, strength13 strokes
- 記Account, scribe10 strokes
- 初First time, beginning7 strokes
- 指Finger, point to9 strokes
- 権Authority, power15 strokes
- 支Support, sustain4 strokes
- 産Products, bear11 strokes
- 点Spot, point9 strokes
- 報Report, news12 strokes
- 済Complete, finish11 strokes
- 活Lively, resuscitation9 strokes
- 原Meadow, original10 strokes
- 共Together, both6 strokes
- 得Gain, get11 strokes
- 解Unravel, notes13 strokes
- 交Mingle, mixing6 strokes
- 資Assets, resources13 strokes
- 予Beforehand, previous4 strokes
- 向Facing, yonder6 strokes
- 際Occasion, side14 strokes
- 勝Victory, win12 strokes
- 面Face, mask9 strokes
- 告Tell, revelation7 strokes
- 反Anti-, opposite4 strokes
- 判Judgement, judgment7 strokes
- 認Acknowledge, witness14 strokes
- 参Going, nonplussed8 strokes
- 利Profit, advantage7 strokes
- 組Association, braid11 strokes
- 信Faith, truth9 strokes
- 在Exist, outskirts6 strokes
- 件Affair, case6 strokes
- 側Side, flank11 strokes
- 任Responsibility, duty6 strokes
- 引Pull, tug4 strokes
- 求Request, want7 strokes
- 所Place, extent8 strokes
- 次Next, order6 strokes
- 昨Yesterday, previous9 strokes
- 論Argument, discourse15 strokes
- 官Bureaucrat, the government8 strokes
- 増Increase, add14 strokes
- 係Person in charge, connection9 strokes
- 感Emotion, feeling13 strokes
- 情Feelings, emotion11 strokes
- 投Throw, discard7 strokes
- 示Show, indicate5 strokes
- 変Change, unusual9 strokes
- 打Strike, hit5 strokes
- 直Straightaway, honesty8 strokes
- 両Both, old Japanese coin6 strokes
- 式Ceremony, rite6 strokes
- 確Assurance, firm15 strokes
- 果Fruit, reward8 strokes
- 容Contain, form10 strokes
- 必Invariably, certain5 strokes
- 演Performance, act14 strokes
- 歳Age, year-end13 strokes
- 争Contend, dispute6 strokes
- 談Discuss, talk15 strokes
- 能Ability, skill10 strokes
- 位Rank, grade7 strokes
- 置Placement, put13 strokes
- 流Flow, current10 strokes
- 格Status, rank10 strokes
- 疑Doubt, distrust14 strokes
- 過Exceed, overdo12 strokes
- 局Bureau, board7 strokes
- 放Set free, release8 strokes
- 常Usual, ordinary11 strokes
- 状Conditions, status quo7 strokes
- 球Ball, sphere11 strokes
- 職Post, employment18 strokes
- 与Give, bestow3 strokes
- 供Offer, submit8 strokes
- 役Duty, war7 strokes
- 構Posture, stance14 strokes
- 割Proportion, comparatively12 strokes
- 費Expense, cost12 strokes
- 付Adhere, attach5 strokes
- 由A reason, wherefore5 strokes
- 説Opinion, theory14 strokes
- 難Difficult, impossible18 strokes
- 優Tenderness, excel17 strokes
- 夫Husband, man4 strokes
- 収Obtain, income4 strokes
- 断Severance, decline11 strokes
- 石Stone5 strokes
- 違Differ, difference13 strokes
- 消Extinguish, blow out10 strokes
- 神Gods, mind9 strokes
- 番Turn, number in a series12 strokes
- 規Standard, measure11 strokes
- 術Art, technique11 strokes
- 備Equip, provision12 strokes
- 宅Home, house6 strokes
- 害Harm, injury10 strokes
- 配Distribute, spouse10 strokes
- 警Warn, admonish19 strokes
- 育Bring up, grow up8 strokes
- 席Seat, mat10 strokes
- 訪Visit, call on11 strokes
- 乗Ride, power9 strokes
- 残Remainder, leftover10 strokes
- 想Idea, thought13 strokes
- 声Voice7 strokes
- 念Wish, sense8 strokes
- 助Help, rescue7 strokes
- 労Labor, thank for7 strokes
- 例Example, custom8 strokes
- 然Sort of thing, so12 strokes
- 限Limit, restrict9 strokes
- 追Chase, drive away9 strokes
- 商Make a deal, selling11 strokes
- 葉Leaf, plane12 strokes
- 伝Transmit, go along6 strokes
- 働Work, (kokuji)13 strokes
- 形Shape, form7 strokes
- 景Scenery, view12 strokes
- 落Fall, drop12 strokes
- 好Fond, pleasing6 strokes
- 退Retreat, withdraw9 strokes
- 頭Head, counter for large animals16 strokes
- 負Defeat, negative9 strokes
- 渡Cross over, transit12 strokes
- 失Lose, error5 strokes
- 差Difference, distinction10 strokes
- 末End, close5 strokes
- 守Guard, protect6 strokes
- 若Young, if8 strokes
- 種Species, kind14 strokes
- 美Beauty, beautiful9 strokes
- 岡Mount, hill8 strokes
- 命Command, fate8 strokes
- 福Blessing, fortune13 strokes
- 望Ambition, full moon11 strokes
- 非Un-, mistake8 strokes
- 観Outlook, look18 strokes
- 察Guess, presume14 strokes
- 段Grade, steps9 strokes
- 横Sideways, side15 strokes
- 深Deep, heighten11 strokes
- 申Have the honor to, sign of the monkey5 strokes
- 様Esq., manner14 strokes
- 財Property, money10 strokes
- 港Harbor12 strokes
- 識Discriminating, know19 strokes
- 呼Call, call out to8 strokes
- 達Reach, accomplished12 strokes
- 良Good, pleasing7 strokes
- 候Climate, season10 strokes
- 程Extent, degree12 strokes
- 満Full, fullness12 strokes
- 敗Failure, defeat11 strokes
- 値Price, cost10 strokes
- 突Stab, protruding8 strokes
- 光Ray, light6 strokes
- 路Path, route13 strokes
- 科Department, course9 strokes
- 積Pile up, volume16 strokes
- 他Another, other5 strokes
- 処Deal with, dispose5 strokes
- 太Plump, thick4 strokes
- 客Guest, visitor9 strokes
- 否Negate, no7 strokes
- 師Expert, teacher10 strokes
- 登Ascend, climb up12 strokes
- 易Easy, ready to8 strokes
- 速Quick, fast10 strokes
- 存Exist, suppose6 strokes
- 飛Fly, skip (pages)9 strokes
- 殺Kill, murder10 strokes
- 号Number, nickname5 strokes
- 単Simple, one9 strokes
- 座Seat, squat10 strokes
- 破Rend, rip10 strokes
- 除Exclude, division (x10 strokes
- 完Perfect, completion7 strokes
- 降Descend, precipitate10 strokes
- 責Responsibility, blame11 strokes
- 捕Catch, capture10 strokes
- 危Dangerous, danger6 strokes
- 給Salary, wage12 strokes
- 苦Suffering, trial8 strokes
- 迎Welcome, meet7 strokes
- 園Park, garden13 strokes
- 具Tool, utensil8 strokes
- 辞Resign, word13 strokes
- 因Cause, factor6 strokes
- 馬Horse10 strokes
- 愛Love, affection13 strokes
- 富Wealth, enrich12 strokes
- 彼He, that8 strokes
- 未Un-, not yet5 strokes
- 舞Dance, flit15 strokes
- 亡Deceased, the late3 strokes
- 冷Cool, cold (beer, person)7 strokes
- 適Suitable, occasional14 strokes
- 婦Lady, woman11 strokes
- 寄Draw near, stop in11 strokes
- 込Crowded, mixture5 strokes
- 顔Face, expression18 strokes
- 類Sort, kind18 strokes
- 余Too much, myself7 strokes
- 王King, rule4 strokes
- 返Return, answer7 strokes
- 妻Wife, spouse8 strokes
- 背Back, stature9 strokes
- 熱Heat, temperature15 strokes
- 宿Inn, lodging11 strokes
- 薬Medicine, chemical16 strokes
- 険Precipitous, inaccessible place11 strokes
- 頼Request, ask16 strokes
- 覚Memorize, learn12 strokes
- 船Ship, boat11 strokes
- 途Route, way10 strokes
- 許Permit, approve11 strokes
- 抜Pull out, extract7 strokes
- 便Convenience, facility9 strokes
- 留Detain, fasten10 strokes
- 罪Crime, guilt13 strokes
- 努Toil, diligent7 strokes
- 精Refined, ghost14 strokes
- 散Scatter, disperse12 strokes
- 静Quiet14 strokes
- 婚Marriage11 strokes
- 喜Rejoice, take pleasure in12 strokes
- 浮Floating, float10 strokes
- 絶Discontinue, sever12 strokes
- 幸Happiness, blessing8 strokes
- 押Push, stop8 strokes
- 倒Overthrow, fall10 strokes
- 等And so forth, etc.12 strokes
- 老Old man, old age6 strokes
- 曲Bend, music6 strokes
- 払Pay, clear out5 strokes
- 庭Garden, courtyard10 strokes
- 徒On foot, junior10 strokes
- 勤Diligence, become employed12 strokes
- 遅Slow, late12 strokes
- 居Reside, to be8 strokes
- 雑Miscellaneous, mixed14 strokes
- 招Beckon, invite8 strokes
- 困Quandary, become distressed7 strokes
- 欠Lack, gap4 strokes
- 更Furthermore, grow late7 strokes
- 刻Engrave, cut fine8 strokes
- 賛Approve, praise15 strokes
- 抱Embrace, hug8 strokes
- 犯Crime, offense5 strokes
- 恐Fear, dread10 strokes
- 息Breath, respiration10 strokes
- 遠Distant, far13 strokes
- 戻Return, re-7 strokes
- 願Petition, request19 strokes
- 絵Picture, drawing12 strokes
- 越Cross over, surpass12 strokes
- 欲Longing, covetousness11 strokes
- 痛Pain, hurt12 strokes
- 笑Laugh, smile10 strokes
- 互Mutually, reciprocally4 strokes
- 束Bundle, sheaf7 strokes
- 似Resemble, becoming7 strokes
- 列File, row6 strokes
- 探Grope, search11 strokes
- 逃Escape, flee9 strokes
- 遊Play, have fun12 strokes
- 迷Astray, be perplexed9 strokes
- 夢Dream, vision13 strokes
- 君Ruler, lord7 strokes
- 閉Closed, shut11 strokes
- 緒Beginning, thong14 strokes
- 折Fold, break7 strokes
- 草Grass, weeds9 strokes
- 暮Evening, twilight14 strokes
- 酒Sake, alcohol10 strokes
- 悲Grieve, sad12 strokes
- 晴Clear up12 strokes
- 掛Hang, suspend11 strokes
- 到Arrival, proceed8 strokes
- 寝Lie down, sleep13 strokes
- 暗Darkness, disappear13 strokes
- 盗Steal, rob11 strokes
- 吸Suck, imbibe6 strokes
- 陽Sunshine, yang principle12 strokes
- 御Honorable, manipulate12 strokes
- 歯Tooth, cog12 strokes
- 忘Forget7 strokes
- 雪Snow11 strokes
- 吹Blow, breathe7 strokes
- 娘Daughter, girl10 strokes
- 誤Mistake, err14 strokes
- 洗Wash, inquire into9 strokes
- 慣Accustomed, get used to14 strokes
- 礼Salute, bow5 strokes
- 窓Window, pane11 strokes
- 昔Once upon a time, antiquity8 strokes
- 貧Poverty, poor11 strokes
- 怒Angry, be offended9 strokes
- 泳Swim8 strokes
- 祖Ancestor, pioneer9 strokes
- 杯Counter for cupfuls, wine glass8 strokes
- 疲Exhausted, tire10 strokes
- 皆All, everything9 strokes
- 鳴Chirp, cry14 strokes
- 腹Abdomen, belly13 strokes
- 煙Smoke13 strokes
- 眠Sleep, die10 strokes
- 怖Dreadful, be frightened8 strokes
- 耳Ear6 strokes
- 頂Place on the head, receive11 strokes
- 箱Box, chest15 strokes
- 晩Nightfall, night12 strokes
- 寒Cold12 strokes
- 髪Hair of the head14 strokes
- 忙Busy, occupied6 strokes
- 才Talent, genius3 strokes
- 靴Shoes13 strokes
- 恥Shame, dishonor10 strokes
- 偶Accidentally, even number11 strokes
- 偉Admirable, greatness12 strokes
- 猫Cat11 strokes
- 幾How many, how much12 strokes
- 誰Who, someone15 strokes
- 俺I, myself10 strokes
Sources: meanings and readings based on KANJIDIC2 and JMdict (EDRDG, CC BY-SA 4.0) · KanjiVG strokes © Ulrich Apel (CC BY-SA 3.0) · reading selection, French translations and memory hooks: Kanzen.