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JLPT N1 Vocabulary
1,325words ・ 0Learned
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N1
握りつぶす
にぎりつぶす
A verb meaning to grip tightly with the hand and crush. Used literally as in 「紙を握りつぶす」「空き缶を握りつぶす」. It is also used figuratively to mean burying an opinion or proposal by ignoring it and refusing to take it up. Used in situations where someone in authority disposes of inconvenient information, as in 「提案を握りつぶす」「告発を握りつぶす」.
AI-generated translation
N1
肉薄
にくはく
A word meaning to close in to within an extremely small margin of an opponent or target. Used as in「首位に肉薄する」or「敵陣に肉薄する」. Used when a rank or distance becomes very close.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
濁す
にごす
A verb meaning to make a liquid cloudy and no longer transparent. Used literally as in 「水を濁す」 (to make water cloudy). It is also used figuratively to mean expressing one's true feelings or intentions vaguely rather than clearly. Used in situations where someone avoids or glosses over inconvenient matters, as in 「言葉を濁す」「お茶を濁す」.
AI-generated translation, reviewed by a native speaker
N1
にじみ出る
にじみでる
A verb meaning that a liquid seeps out onto a surface. Used literally as in 「汗がにじみ出る」「インクがにじみ出る」. It is also used figuratively to mean that inner feelings or character naturally show on the outside. Used in situations where something appears unintentionally, as in 「人柄がにじみ出る」「苦労がにじみ出る」.
AI-generated translation
N1
にじむ
にじむ
A verb meaning that liquid seeps out and spreads, and also that feelings or character naturally come to the surface. Used as in「インクがにじむ」or「人柄がにじむ」.
AI-generated translation
N1
日常茶飯事
にちじょうさはんじ
A word expressing something extremely ordinary and common. Used as in「遅刻は日常茶飯事だ」. Used with the sense of "nothing unusual, an everyday matter."
AI-generated translation
N1
似つかわしい
につかわしい
An adjective meaning fitting and well suited to a person or thing. Used as in「地位に似つかわしい」or「年齢に似つかわしい」. Used when appearance or behavior matches one's position.
AI-generated translation
N1
日進月歩
にっしんげっぽ
A four-character idiom expressing constant progress day by day and month by month. Used as in「技術は日進月歩で発展している」. Used when describing a field where change and development are rapid.
AI-generated translation
N1
煮詰まる
につまる
A verb meaning that a discussion or plan has been thoroughly examined and has reached the stage where a conclusion can be drawn. Used as in 「議論が煮詰まる」「計画が煮詰まる」. The word originally derives from the image of "the contents of a pot reducing as they simmer, with the dish nearing completion," and carries the positive meaning of "having exhausted examination and being on the verge of a conclusion." Recently, however, more people use it with the negative meaning of "no more ideas come" or "no progress is being made." The correct reading according to the original usage is "having reached the stage where a conclusion can be drawn."
AI-generated translation, reviewed by a native speaker
N1
二の次
にのつぎ
Literally "after the first," meaning placed in second position. It indicates being put off in favor of something more important, given low priority. Used in contexts where something is not the top priority, as in「利益は二の次だ」(profit is secondary) or「安全は二の次にできない」(safety cannot be made a secondary concern).
AI-generated translation
N1
鈍る
にぶる
A verb meaning that a blade becomes dull. Used literally as in 「包丁が鈍る」 (the kitchen knife becomes dull). It is also used figuratively to mean that ability or perception becomes less sharp, or that momentum weakens. Used in situations where strength or precision has dropped compared to before, as in 「腕が鈍る」「勘が鈍る」.
AI-generated translation
N1
にべもない
にべもない
An expression describing a cold, unfriendly response. Used as in「にべもなく断る」. Used when bluntly refusing another's request or proposal.
AI-generated translation
N1
入魂
にゅうこん
A word meaning putting one's whole heart into something, pouring in all of one's spirit. Used for a work or task into which one has poured everything, as in「入魂の一作」or「入魂の力作」.
AI-generated translation
N1
入札
にゅうさつ
A word for offering a desired price to compete for a contract in construction or procurement deals. Used as in「入札に参加する」or「入札を実施する」. Used when ordering public works or large-scale projects.
AI-generated translation
N1
入念
にゅうねん
A word meaning to pay attention to every detail and do something carefully. Used as in「入念に準備する」or「入念な点検」. Used with the sense of doing something thoroughly without cutting corners.
AI-generated translation
N1
如実
にょじつ
A word meaning being exactly as the reality is, just as it is. Used as in「如実に表す」or「如実に物語る」. Used when data or facial expressions reveal the truth just as it stands.
AI-generated translation
N1
二律背反
にりつはいはん
A word for two propositions or claims that contradict each other and cannot both hold true. Used as in「経済成長と環境保護の二律背反」. Refers to a relationship in which choosing one side makes the other impossible.
AI-generated translation
N1
にわか
にわか
A word meaning starting suddenly, being temporary. Used as in「にわか雨」or「にわかファン」. Often carries the nuance of being not full-fledged but only short-lived.
AI-generated translation
N1
にわかに
にわかに
An adverb meaning suddenly, abruptly. Used as in「にわかに空が暗くなる」or「にわかに信じがたい」. Used when an unexpected change occurs.
AI-generated translation
N1
忍従
にんじゅう
A word meaning to silently endure hardship and submit to it. Used as in「忍従の日々」or「忍従を強いられる」. Used when one yields and bears an unjust situation without resisting.
AI-generated translation
N1
認証
にんしょう
A word meaning to officially verify and recognize a person or qualification. Used as in「本人認証」or「認証を受ける」. Used broadly in security and quality-control contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
抜かり
ぬかり
Lapses in attention or care that lead to overlooking what should be done or doing it carelessly. Used as in「抜かりなく準備する」「抜かりがあった」or「手抜かりがないように」. Has the same meaning as「手落ち」, expressing inadequacies in planning or preparation.
AI-generated translation
N1
ぬかるみ
ぬかるみ
A patch of ground that has become soft and muddy from rain, where one's feet sink in. Used as in「ぬかるみにはまる」(get stuck in mud) or「ぬかるみを歩く」(walk through mud). It also serves as a metaphor for a difficult situation from which one cannot easily escape, as in「不況のぬかるみから抜け出す」(get out of the mire of recession).
AI-generated translation
N1
抜き差しならない
ぬきさしならない
A state in which one can neither move forward nor pull back. Used as in「抜き差しならない事態」or「抜き差しならない立場」. Used when one has been driven into a serious situation.
AI-generated translation
N1
抜きん出る
ぬきんでる
Being clearly superior to others. Used as in「才能が抜きん出る」or「成績が抜きん出る」. It is a form with「ん」inserted within「抜き出る」, and is read「ぬきんでる」, not「ぬきでる」.
AI-generated translation
N1
拭い去る
ぬぐいさる
A verb meaning to wipe with a cloth or similar item to completely remove dirt or moisture. Used literally as in 「汗を拭い去る」 (to wipe away sweat). It is also used figuratively to mean completely removing anxiety, suspicion, or similar feelings. Used in situations where abstract things are erased, as in 「疑念を拭い去る」「不安を拭い去る」.
AI-generated translation
N1
拭う
ぬぐう
To wipe away dirt or tears. Also used to remove abstract things, as in「不安を拭う」or「疑念を拭う」.
AI-generated translation
N1
抜け落ちる
ぬけおちる
A verb meaning that something that should be there is missing and gone. Used both physically, as in 「髪の毛が抜け落ちる」「葉が抜け落ちる」, and abstractly, as in 「データが抜け落ちる」「記憶が抜け落ちる」.
AI-generated translation
N1
抜け駆け
ぬけがけ
Acting alone ahead of others, ignoring an agreement or arrangement with one's group. Used as in「抜け駆けする」or「抜け駆けは許さない」. Used in situations involving competition or shared interests.
AI-generated translation, reviewed by a native speaker
N1
抜け目ない
ぬけめない
Not missing anything to one's own advantage and acting swiftly. Used as in「抜け目ない商売人」or「抜け目なく立ち回る」, describing a shrewd, calculating manner.
AI-generated translation
N1
主
ぬし
The owner of something or the central figure in a matter. Used as in「家の主」or「噂の主」. It also refers to a being that has long dwelt in a place and is treated like its master, as in「池の主」or「山の主」, describing a large animal or the like that has lived there for a long time. The same「主」read as「しゅ」is a different word referring to the central or most important thing.
AI-generated translation
N1
盗み聞き
ぬすみぎき
The act of secretly listening to someone else's conversation without them realizing it. Used as in 「隣の部屋の会話を盗み聞きする」「電話を盗み聞きされる」. Because it involves intentional secret listening, it is close in meaning to 「立ち聞き」 (eavesdropping while standing nearby). When done using a device, the word 「盗聴」 (electronic eavesdropping) is used instead; when communications are received by someone who is not the intended recipient, the word 「傍受」 (interception) is used.
AI-generated translation
N1
盗み見る
ぬすみみる
Secretly looking at another's belongings or state without being noticed. Used as in「答案を盗み見る」or「表情を盗み見る」.
AI-generated translation
N1
布目
ぬのめ
The pattern or texture on the surface of cloth produced by the way it is woven. Used as in「布目が細かい」or「布目に沿って切る」.
AI-generated translation
N1
塗り替える
ぬりかえる
A verb meaning to repaint walls, fences, and similar surfaces. Used as in 「外壁を塗り替える」 (to repaint the outer wall). It is also used figuratively to mean refreshing or renewing a record or situation. Used in situations where the old is replaced with the new, as in 「記録を塗り替える」「歴史を塗り替える」.
AI-generated translation
N1
濡れ衣
ぬれぎぬ
Originally meaning clothes wet from rain. By extension, it refers to a false accusation or suspicion of a crime one did not commit. The expression is said to derive from the image of being made to wear wet garments and thereby drawing suspicion. Used as in「濡れ衣を着せる」(falsely accuse) or「濡れ衣を晴らす」(clear oneself of a false charge). Read as「ぬれぎぬ」, not「ぬれごろも」.
AI-generated translation
N1
値崩れ
ねくずれ
A sharp drop in the market price of goods. Used as in「値崩れを起こす」or「値崩れが続く」, in market or distribution contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
寝覚め
ねざめ
Waking up from sleep. Also refers to one's mood upon waking. The form「寝覚めが悪い」is common, expressing a bad aftertaste or pangs of conscience.
AI-generated translation
N1
妬む
ねたむ
Feeling envy at another's happiness or success and finding them hateful. Used as in「人の成功を妬む」or「出世した同僚を妬む」.
AI-generated translation
N1
捏造
ねつぞう
Fabricating something untrue as if it were real. Used as in「証拠を捏造する」or「データの捏造」.
AI-generated translation
N1
粘り強い
ねばりづよい
A manner of not easily giving up despite difficulty and continuing through to the end. Used as in「粘り強い交渉」or「粘り強く取り組む」.
AI-generated translation
N1
根深い
ねぶかい
An adjective meaning that a problem or attitude is deeply rooted and cannot easily be resolved, like the roots of a plant extending deep into the ground. Used for serious phenomena that persist over a long period, as in 「根深い問題」「根深い偏見」.
AI-generated translation
N1
値踏み
ねぶみ
Estimating the price of an item. By extension, also used to roughly assess the value of a person or thing. Used as in「商品を値踏みする」or「相手を値踏みする」.
AI-generated translation
N1
根掘り葉掘り
ねほりはほり
Persistently questioning down to the smallest detail. Used as in「根掘り葉掘り聞く」or「根掘り葉掘り質問する」, in scenes of probing.
AI-generated translation
N1
寝耳に水
ねみみにみず
Being startled by news one had not anticipated at all. Used as in「寝耳に水の出来事」or「寝耳に水だった」, expressing surprise at sudden news.
AI-generated translation
N1
狙い撃ち
ねらいうち
Selectively attacking or focusing on a particular target. Used as in「違反業者を狙い撃ちにする」.
AI-generated translation
N1
狙い目
ねらいめ
The most suitable timing or target for achieving a goal. Used as in「今が狙い目だ」or「この価格帯が狙い目だ」, referring to a good chance or advantageous target.
AI-generated translation
N1
練り上げる
ねりあげる
Repeatedly considering something in detail to refine it into something better. Used as in「企画を練り上げる」or「戦略を練り上げる」.
AI-generated translation
N1
年季
ねんき
Long years of experience and training. Mostly used in the set form「年季が入る」, expressing mastery.
AI-generated translation
N1
年功序列
ねんこうじょれつ
A system in which rank and pay rise according to years of service and age. Used as in「年功序列の制度」or「年功序列を見直す」, when discussing personnel systems.
AI-generated translation
Vocabulary data on this site is based on the JMdict/EDICT project (© Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group, CC BY-SA 4.0). JLPT level classification is our own assessment using AI (Claude) and is not an official JLPT standard.