The act of offering flowers, incense, water, or food to the deceased or to deities and Buddhas, or the items thus offered. Used as in 「手向けの花」「手向けの一句」「霊前に手向ける」 in scenes of mourning, memorial offering, and farewell. It is the noun form of the verb 「手向ける」, originally deriving from the custom of offering items to the deity of a mountain pass to pray for the safety of travelers. The word 「はなむけ(餞・贐)」 used in similar contexts is a separate word, referring to money or words given to someone setting out on a journey or beginning a new venture.
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N1矯めるためる
To straighten something bent. Also, to correct a bad habit or fault. Known through the idiom 「角を矯めて牛を殺す」. Used in expressions such as 「子供の癖を矯める」.
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N1容易いたやすい
Simple and not requiring much effort. Used in expressions such as 「容易く片付ける」「容易い仕事」. 「容易い」 with the okurigana 「い」 is read 「たやすい」, while 「容易」 without okurigana is read 「ようい」.
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N1弛むたるむ
Means that something taut loosens, or that one's mental tension slackens. Used as in 「ロープが弛む」 and 「気が弛む」. More often written in hiragana as 「たるむ」.
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N1弾劾だんがい
To expose the wrongdoing or crime of a person in a position of responsibility and harshly hold them accountable. Used in expressions such as 「弾劾裁判」「政府を弾劾する」. A formal word used in legal and political contexts.
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N1嘆願たんがん
Earnestly pleading by setting forth one's circumstances. Used in expressions such as 「助命を嘆願する」「嘆願書を提出する」. A formal word used in serious contexts with a stronger sense of urgency than an ordinary request.
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N1断行だんこう
Resolutely carrying something out despite opposition or difficulty. Used in expressions such as 「改革を断行する」「増税を断行する」. A formal word describing pushing past hesitation to act.
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N1断続だんぞく
Repeatedly being interrupted and continued. Mostly used in the adverbial form 「断続的に」. Describes a state in which something does not end at once but occurs repeatedly with intervals.
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N1端的たんてき
A state of being clear and easy to understand. A state of going straight to the point without being roundabout. Used in expressions such as 「端的に言う」「端的な例」. A formal word describing characteristics being clearly expressed.
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N1単刀直入たんとうちょくにゅう
Skipping introductions and roundabout expressions, getting straight to the main point. Used in expressions such as 「単刀直入に言う」「単刀直入に質問する」 in contexts of starting a conversation or negotiation directly.
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N1丹念たんねん
A state of carefully doing something attentively down to fine details. Used in expressions such as 「丹念に調べる」「丹念に仕上げる」. Describes an attitude of not begrudging time or attention.
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N1堪能たんのう
Read as 「たんのう」, this word carries two meanings. The first is to be deeply skilled in a certain technique or field of learning, used as in 「外国語に堪能だ」「ピアノに堪能な人」 in the form of a na-adjective. The second is to fully savor something to one's satisfaction, used as in 「料理を堪能する」「景色を堪能する」「温泉を堪能する」 as a suru-verb. The character 「堪」 means "to endure, to bear up under," and 「能」 means "to be able, capability"; 「堪能」 originally meant "to have enough capability to bear something," that is, "to possess sufficient strength to handle the field fully." From this, the first meaning of "skilled" derived directly, and "having sufficient capability" further extended to "to feel satisfied," giving rise to the second meaning.
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N1断片だんぺん
A small portion of a whole. Used in expressions such as 「記憶の断片」「会話の断片」. Describes a state where the whole is invisible and only parts can be grasped.
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N1鍛錬たんれん
Strictly training body or mind to make it stronger. Used in expressions such as 「心身を鍛錬する」「日々の鍛錬」. A formal word used in contexts of sports, martial arts, or spiritual cultivation.
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N1地殻ちかく
The layer of rock that covers the surface of the Earth. Looking at the Earth's structure from the inside outward, the 「核」 lies at the center, the 「マントル」 surrounds it, and the 「地殻」 is the outermost layer; the 「地殻」 is the thinnest surface layer of all. Its thickness is said to be about 30–50 km beneath continents and about 5–10 km beneath the oceans. Used as in 「地殻変動」「地殻運動」「地殻の下にマントルがある」 in topics of geology, seismology, and geography, it is a formal word that often appears in explanations of earthquakes and volcanic activity.
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N1近々ちかぢか
An adverb meaning "in the near future, before too long." Used as in 「近々発表する」「近々お伺いします」「近々結果が出る」 to convey the prospect that, although no specific date has been set, something will happen or be done before too much time passes. It is a somewhat formal word used in formal settings, business contexts, and announcements, while in everyday conversation 「近いうちに」「もうすぐ」 are often more natural. Its structure of two identical characters repeated serves to emphasize the meaning of "near."
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N1力添えちからぞえ
Helping someone by lending one's strength. A somewhat formal word used in contexts of requesting or expressing gratitude, as in 「お力添えをお願いします」.
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N1力尽きるちからつきる
Using up all of one's physical and mental strength and being unable to move any further. Used in expressions such as 「ゴール直前で力尽きる」「長い闘病の末に力尽きる」. A somewhat literary word.
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N1知己ちき
A close friend who understands oneself well, or an acquaintance. An old-style and formal word used in expressions such as 「知己を得る」「十年来の知己」.
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N1契りちぎり
A firm promise, especially an old-style and formal word expressing a heartfelt bond between people. Used in expressions such as 「契りを交わす」「夫婦の契り」 when forming a deep relationship. The noun form of the verb 「契る」.
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N1逐一ちくいち
An adverb meaning one by one, in detail without omission. A formal word used in expressions such as 「逐一報告する」「逐一確認する」 to describe doing something thoroughly and in order.
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N1知遇ちぐう
Being recognized for one's talent by a superior and treated with special care. Often used in the form 「知遇を得る」, a formal word. Used in contexts where scholars or artists are supported by influential figures.
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N1畜産ちくさん
The industry of raising cattle, pigs, or chickens to produce meat, milk, or eggs. A formal word used in expressions such as 「畜産業」「畜産農家」 in agricultural and food contexts.
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N1逐次ちくじ
An adverb meaning successively in order. A formal word used in expressions such as 「逐次発表する」「逐次処理」 to describe proceeding one at a time in sequence.
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N1蓄積ちくせき
Things, experiences, or knowledge accumulating little by little. A formal word used in expressions such as 「経験を蓄積する」「疲労の蓄積」 in contexts of building up over time.
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N1秩序ちつじょ
The proper order and rules of things, the rules that allow society to function well. A formal word used in expressions such as 「秩序を保つ」「秩序が乱れる」 to describe the state of society, organizations, or groups.
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N1血の気ちのけ
Literally, the redness of blood that rises to the face or skin. It is used in expressions like 「血の気が引く」(the blood drains from one's face), describing how someone turns pale from shock or fear. By extension, it is also used metaphorically for youthful vigor or a hot-tempered nature evoked by that redness, as in 「血の気の多い若者」(a hot-blooded young person).
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N1血眼ちまなこ
A word describing the look of someone frantically searching for or chasing after something. Literally meaning "bloodshot eyes," it expresses a state of being so earnest that the eyes become bloodshot, or so absorbed in something as to lose composure. Used as in 「血眼になって探す」「血眼で追う」「血眼になって犯人を追跡する」, mostly as an idiomatic expression in the forms 「〜になる」「〜で」. Because it describes the appearance of someone who has lost composure and is fixated on a single thing, it can be used both positively and negatively, with the nuance shifting between sympathy for one's desperation and criticism of one's obsession depending on context.
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N1緻密ちみつ
A state of being attentive to fine details and being well structured. Used in expressions such as 「緻密な計画」「緻密な描写」 for plans, writing, or drawings. The opposites are 「粗雑」「大ざっぱ」.
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N1致命的ちめいてき
So serious as to cost a life, and impossible to recover from. 「致命」 means reaching the point of losing one's life, and the word is used literally, as in 「致命的な傷を負う」, but far more often it means that something is grave enough to bring the whole thing down, as in 「致命的なミス」 or 「致命的な欠陥」. 「致命傷」, which uses the same 「致命」, likewise refers both to a mortal wound and to a blow one cannot recover from.
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N1着想ちゃくそう
A new thought or idea at the beginning of something. A formal word used in expressions such as 「面白い着想」「斬新な着想」 referring to the idea that becomes the basis of a plan or work.
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N1着服ちゃくふく
To secretly take money or public funds entrusted to one's care and make them one's own. Used as in 「公金を着服する」「会社の経費を着服する」 as a suru-verb, it is a formal word that frequently appears in newspapers, news reports, and court coverage. Despite what the kanji might suggest, in modern Japanese the word is not used in its literal sense of "putting on clothes." It is closely related in meaning to 「横領」, but differs in that 「横領」 is a legal term defined in criminal law, whereas 「着服」 is used as a general term in journalism and everyday speech.
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N1着工ちゃっこう
Beginning construction work such as buildings or roads. A formal word used in construction and civil engineering contexts, as in 「着工する」「着工式」. The opposite is 「竣工」. Used as a sa-hen verb.
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N1茶番ちゃばん
An action or event that appears empty and ridiculous. Used in expressions such as 「茶番劇」「茶番を演じる」 with the implication of sarcastically pointing out a sham action lacking sincerity.
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N1ちやほやちやほや
Pampering someone greatly and treating them in a way that pleases them. Used in expressions such as 「周りからちやほやされる」 in contexts where someone is given special treatment. Mostly not used in a positive sense.
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N1中核ちゅうかく
The central part of an organization or matter that fulfills the most important function. A formal word used in expressions such as 「中核を担う」「中核企業」. Sometimes also refers metaphorically to a person.
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N1駐在ちゅうざい
Staying at a location for a long period for work. A formal word used in expressions such as 「海外駐在」「駐在員」 in contexts of being dispatched and working locally.
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N1仲裁ちゅうさい
Stepping between people in dispute to reconcile them or lead to a solution. Used in expressions such as 「仲裁に入る」「争いを仲裁する」. A formal word also used for disputes between nations.
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N1抽出ちゅうしゅつ
Selecting what is needed from among many things. A formal word used in contexts of statistics, chemistry, or information processing, as in 「データから抽出する」「成分を抽出する」.
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N1中傷ちゅうしょう
Saying things without basis and damaging another's honor. A formal word used in expressions such as 「他人を中傷する」「根拠のない中傷」 in contexts of attacking people with malicious words or rumors.
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N1中枢ちゅうすう
The central part of an organization or system that carries out the most important functions. A formal word used in expressions such as 「政権の中枢」「中枢を担う」 to indicate the core that runs the whole.
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N1躊躇ちゅうちょ
Hesitating when about to do something. A formal word used to express an undecided or hesitant feeling, as in 「決断を躊躇する」「躊躇なく飛び込む」.
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N1駐屯ちゅうとん
A military unit being stationed in a fixed location to carry out duties. A formal word used in military and news contexts, as in 「駐屯地」「部隊が駐屯する」.
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N1超越ちょうえつ
Greatly exceeding the ordinary range or limits. A formal word used in expressions such as 「理解を超越する」「常識を超越した発想」 in contexts of going far beyond something.
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N1超過ちょうか
Exceeding a set number, amount, or time. A formal word used in expressions such as 「予算を超過する」「制限時間を超過する」 in contexts of going beyond a standard limit.
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N1帳消しちょうけし
Debts, achievements, or efforts up to that point being completely erased. Used in expressions such as 「借金を帳消しにする」「努力が帳消しになる」.
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N1兆候ちょうこう
A sign foreshadowing something or indicating its beginning. A formal word used in expressions such as 「回復の兆候」「異常な兆候」 indicating the precursor of change. Also frequently appears in medical and economic articles.
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N1弔辞ちょうじ
Words of farewell read aloud to the deceased at a funeral or memorial service. Used as in 「弔辞を述べる」「弔辞を読む」「弔辞を捧げる」, it is a formal word, read by someone representing the attendees or by a person close to the deceased. The character 「弔」 means to mourn the dead, and 「辞」 means words; together they express "words spoken in mourning for the dead." Words containing the same character 「弔」, such as 「弔問」「弔電」「哀弔」, all share the meaning of mourning the deceased.
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N1聴衆ちょうしゅう
People gathered to listen to a talk or performance at lectures or concerts. A formal word used in expressions such as 「聴衆を前に話す」「大勢の聴衆」 referring to the listening side seen from the speaker or performer.
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N1徴収ちょうしゅう
Collecting taxes or membership fees according to rules. A formal word used in expressions such as 「会費を徴収する」「税を徴収する」 in contexts of organizations or nations collecting money from people.
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