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JLPT N1 Vocabulary
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N1
脆い
もろい
Weak against force and liable to break or crumble easily. The character 「脆」conveys weakness and a tendency to fall apart. The primary use describes physical fragility, as in 「脆い氷」(fragile ice), 「脆い陶器」(delicate pottery), or 「脆い地盤」(unstable ground). Extended to abstract weakness, it appears in expressions such as 「脆い関係」(a precarious relationship) or 「脆い計画」(a shaky plan), as well as in 「涙脆い」(easily moved to tears) or 「情に脆い」(soft-hearted, easily swayed by emotion). Slightly more formal than 「壊れやすい」and used in both written and spoken registers.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
野蛮
やばん
Being uncivilized and rough or violent.
AI-generated translation
N1
優柔不断
ゆうじゅうふだん
The state of being unable to decide and continuing to waver. 「優柔」 means weak and soft, while 「不断」 means not cutting off or not being decisive; together they form a four-character idiom expressing a nature that lacks decisiveness. Refers to the tendency, in situations requiring decision or action, to vacillate between options and postpone conclusions. Often used adjectivally, as in 「優柔不断な性格」 or 「優柔不断な態度」. Used as a negative evaluation, in contexts that point out weakness of will or lack of judgment in the person in question.
AI-generated translation
N1
有数
ゆうすう
Being so outstanding that one can be counted on the fingers, ranking among the top. The original meaning is "being among those that can be counted" — that is, "being among the few that can be counted on the fingers" — and from there came to mean "an outstanding one ranked among the top within a given range." Often used in the form 「○○有数の〜」, as in 「世界有数の都市」, 「業界有数の規模」, or 「日本有数の温泉地」. A written-style word expressing positive evaluation, used in reference to scale, achievement, or status.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
誘導
ゆうどう
To guide a person or thing toward an intended direction or state.
AI-generated translation
N1
用意周到
よういしゅうとう
Being thoroughly prepared, with attention paid to every detail and nothing overlooked. 「用意」 means preparing, and 「周到」 means that care has been taken everywhere; combined, they express how complete the preparation is. Used as in 「用意周到な計画」 or 「用意周到に下調べをする」. It can be praise, but it can also carry the sense that someone is shrewd and not to be taken lightly.
AI-generated translation
N1
要員
よういん
The personnel needed to carry out a specific task or duty. The character 「員」 means "person" and the word refers to people who fulfill a defined role in an organization or on site. Used in expressions such as 「警備要員」, 「要員を確保する」, 「要員不足」, or 「予備要員」. Compared to general terms like 「人手」 or 「人員」, this word is more often used for people with clearly defined roles and duties, and is a formal word that frequently appears in business and organizational contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
要綱
ようこう
An official document summarizing the basic policy or framework of a matter. The character 「綱」 originally meant "thick rope" and came to refer to the core or main outline of something. Used in expressions such as 「予算要綱」, 「改革要綱」, or 「法案要綱」, the word refers to a document presenting the overall policy of a policy initiative, system, or plan. Unlike 「要項」, which itemizes concrete procedures and items, 「要綱」 presents higher-level policies and frameworks.
AI-generated translation
N1
要項
ようこう
A document that lists necessary items in itemized form. The character 「項」 means "item," and the word refers to a document that presents specific items such as application requirements, documents to submit, schedules, and contact information in a list format. Used in expressions such as 「募集要項」, 「入試要項」, or 「申込要項」. Its defining feature is that it is a practical document the reader consults in order to carry out concrete procedures.
AI-generated translation
N1
養生
ようじょう
Taking care of one's body in order to maintain health. In particular, the word refers to resting quietly or avoiding strain in order to recover from illness or injury. Used in expressions such as 「術後は養生する」, 「十分な養生を心がける」, or 「養生に努める」. Used in slightly formal contexts rather than everyday conversation, and can be applied to both long-term health management and convalescence after illness. Note that 「生」 is read as 「じょう」. In construction and civil engineering, 「養生」 also refers to protecting concrete while it sets, but this is a derived technical use.
AI-generated translation
N1
予兆
よちょう
A sign or omen that appears before something occurs. The character 「兆」 means "sign" or "omen," and 「予」 means "in advance." Used for phenomena or sensations indicating that something is approaching but has not yet actually happened, such as earthquakes, disasters, changes, or ominous events. Often used as a noun in the form 「〜の予兆」, as in 「地震の予兆」, 「不吉な予兆」, or 「変化の予兆」. A somewhat formal, written-style word, used for both objectively observable signs and vague intuitive premonitions.
AI-generated translation
N1
拉致
らち
The act of forcibly taking a person away against their will. Refers to moving someone's body against their wishes. Used in expressions such as 「観光客が拉致される」 or 「拉致事件」. Close in meaning to 「誘拐」 (abduction), but more often used for politically or organizationally motivated incidents.
AI-generated translation
N1
埒
らち
「埒」 originally referred to the fence of a horse training ground, and from there came to mean the boundary or settlement of a matter. In modern Japanese, it is used almost exclusively in the idiom 「埒が明かない」 (meaning that things are not settled and not progressing). Used in expressions such as 「議論が埒が明かない」 or 「いつまでも埒が明かない」.
AI-generated translation
N1
埒外
らちがい
The state of being outside the scope, expectations, or rules of something. Used in the form 「〜の埒外」, as in 「予想の埒外」, 「議論の埒外」, or 「規則の埒外」. For 「埒」, the word it derives from, see the separate entry.
AI-generated translation
N1
利己
りこ
An attitude or way of thinking that prioritizes only one's own interests. Most often used in the forms 「利己的な〜」, 「利己心」, or 「利己主義」, in contexts that criticize a selfish stance lacking consideration for others. The antonym is 「利他」.
AI-generated translation
N1
履行
りこう
Carrying out something that has already been decided, such as a contract, promise, or obligation. Used in contexts of fulfilling what one must do, as in 「契約を履行する」 or 「義務を履行する」.
AI-generated translation
N1
略奪
りゃくだつ
The act of forcibly seizing the possessions of others. Originally referred to the taking of goods during war or riots. Used in expressions such as 「都市が略奪される」 or 「略奪行為が後を絶たない」.
AI-generated translation
N1
類推
るいすい
Inferring something unknown based on similar examples or known facts. Used in contexts involving logical reasoning, as in 「過去の例から類推する」 or 「類推によって結論を導く」.
AI-generated translation
N1
流布
るふ
Spreading widely and circulating throughout society. Used when rumors, information, or ideas become known to many people. Used in expressions such as 「噂が流布する」 or 「誤った情報が流布している」. The character 「流」 is read here as the short 「ル」, not 「リュウ」.
AI-generated translation
N1
歴然
れきぜん
A state in which the existence of something or the difference between things is so clear that anyone can see it. Used for objective facts, differences, or evidence, not for emotions or subjective judgments. Used in expressions such as 「歴然たる事実」, 「実力差が歴然となる」, or 「歴然と現れる」.
AI-generated translation
N1
狼藉
ろうぜき
Violent and unmannerly behavior, or a state of things being scattered in disarray. Originally referred to the appearance of things scattered like the traces left by a wolf trampling grass, and from there extended to mean violent conduct. Used in expressions such as 「狼藉を働く」 or 「無礼狼藉」.
AI-generated translation
N1
狼狽
ろうばい
Losing one's composure and becoming flustered due to an unexpected event. Used in contexts of being shaken or thrown off balance, as in 「突然の連絡に狼狽する」 or 「狼狽した様子を見せる」. A formal, written-style word.
AI-generated translation
N1
濾過
ろか
Passing liquids or gases through a mesh, paper, cloth, or similar material to remove impurities or solids. Used widely in scientific, industrial, and everyday contexts, as in 「水を濾過する」 or 「コーヒーを濾過する」.
AI-generated translation
N1
露骨
ろこつ
Showing emotions or intentions openly and without concealment. Often used for emotions that are normally better kept hidden, such as criticism, disgust, or desire. Used in expressions such as 「露骨な表現」 or 「露骨に嫌な顔をする」. The word comes from the image of something so exposed that even the 「骨」 (bones) are laid bare.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2, N4
割れる
われる
For a hard object to be broken and separated by force. Example: 「ガラスが割れる」 (glass shatters).
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.