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JLPT N1 Vocabulary
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N1
極力
きょくりょく
「極」 means to reach the extreme, and 「力」 means power; together they mean to exert oneself to the utmost. It means "as much as possible" or "to the maximum within what is feasible". Used in expressions like 「極力避ける」 or 「極力協力する」, it is an adverb modifying verbs. It is a formal expression used in formal situations and business documents.
AI-generated translation
N1
挙動
きょどう
「挙」 means to behave or carry oneself, and 「動」 means to move; together they refer to a person's behavior and movement. It refers to a person's actions and conduct. Used in expressions like 「挙動が怪しい」 or 「不審な挙動」. It is a formal word describing the movements of an observed subject, frequently appearing in security and investigation contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
拒否反応
きょひはんのう
Originally a medical term referring to the immune response in which the body rejects a transplanted organ as a foreign substance and tries to eliminate it. From this, the term came to be used metaphorically for an unconscious strong refusal to accept something new or unfamiliar. It is a relatively formal word frequently used in psychological and social contexts, as in 「○○に拒否反応を示す」.
AI-generated translation
N1
切り口
きりくち
Originally it means the cross-section that appears when something is cut. From this, it came to be used metaphorically for the perspective or angle from which one approaches a matter. Used in expressions like 「新しい切り口」 or 「斬新な切り口」, it is a somewhat formal word for grasping things from one's own perspective.
AI-generated translation
N1
切り詰める
きりつめる
It refers to eliminating waste and reducing costs or quantities to the minimum necessary. It is a word used in forms like 「生活費を切り詰める」 or 「支出を切り詰める」, used in the context of frugality and saving.
AI-generated translation
N1
切り盛り
きりもり
The original meaning is the action of cutting food and dividing it onto plates. From this, it came to be used metaphorically for skillfully managing household finances or running a shop. Used in expressions like 「家計を切り盛りする」 or 「店を切り盛りする」, it is a somewhat formal word for managing a household or small-scale business.
AI-generated translation
N1
極める
きわめる
「極」 means the utmost, the very edge. It refers to deeply pursuing something to its highest stage. Used in expressions like 「道を極める」 or 「栄華を極める」, in the sense of skill or state reaching its highest stage. While the same-reading 「究める」 means to pursue and understand truth, 「極める」 more often expresses the peak of a state.
AI-generated translation
N1
究める
きわめる
「究」 means to investigate to the depths. It refers to deeply pursuing and clarifying the essence or truth of a matter. Used in expressions like 「学問を究める」 or 「真理を究める」, in contexts of intellectual inquiry. While the same-reading 「極める」 means to reach the peak of a state, 「究める」 leans toward the sense of pursuing and understanding deeply.
AI-generated translation
N1
均衡
きんこう
「均」 means equal, and 「衡」 means the crossbar of a balance, that is, equilibrium; the word combines two characters both related to balance. It refers to a state in which the forces or quantities of two or more things are balanced with each other. Used in expressions like 「均衡を保つ」 or 「均衡を破る」. It is a formal word frequently appearing in contexts of power relations in economy, politics, and nature.
AI-generated translation
N1
緊縮
きんしゅく
「緊」 means to tighten, and 「縮」 means to shrink; together they mean to tighten and shrink. It refers to constraining and reducing expenditure or scale. Used in expressions like 「緊縮財政」 or 「緊縮政策」, it is a formal word frequently appearing in economic and administrative contexts, contrasted with 「拡大」.
AI-generated translation
N1
緊迫
きんぱく
「緊」 means tense, and 「迫」 means to press in; together they mean tense and pressing in. It refers to a situation in a strained, imminent state. Used in expressions like 「緊迫した情勢」 or 「現場が緊迫する」, it is a formal word frequently appearing in news reports, used for political, diplomatic, or incident-scene contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
吟味
ぎんみ
「吟」 means to recite poetry and savor it, and 「味」 means to taste; the word combines two characters both meaning to savor and consider. It refers to closely examining content or quality and selecting carefully. Used in expressions like 「材料を吟味する」 or 「言葉を吟味する」, it means to carefully consider in order to choose what is good, and is a formal word used broadly for selecting ingredients, language, and products.
AI-generated translation
N1
食い込む
くいこむ
It refers to going beyond the original range and entering another domain. Used in expressions like 「予算に食い込む」 or 「上位に食い込む」, in situations where what should originally be on the outside enters the inside, such as time, budget, or ranking. It also has the physical meaning of being deeply embedded.
AI-generated translation
N1
食い下がる
くいさがる
It refers to not giving up and persistently pressing on the other party. Used in expressions like 「記者が大臣に食い下がる」, in situations of pursuing without retreating even when the other party hesitates to answer. It is derived from the original meaning of physically clinging on.
AI-generated translation
N1
苦境
くきょう
「苦」 means hardship, and 「境」 means situation; together they mean a painful situation. It refers to a position or circumstance that is extremely painful. Used in expressions like 「苦境に立たされる」 or 「苦境に陥る」, it is a formal word for situations of being driven into difficulty. It frequently appears in economic and political articles.
AI-generated translation
N1
具現化
ぐげんか
「具」 means concrete, 「現」 means to manifest, and 「化」 means to turn into; together they mean to manifest in a concrete form. It refers to giving an abstract idea or ideal a visible, concrete form and realizing it. Used in expressions like 「理想を具現化する」 or 「夢を具現化する」, it is a formal word used when bringing a concept into actual form.
AI-generated translation
N1
駆使
くし
「駆」 means to drive forward, and 「使」 means to use; together they mean to drive forward and use at will. It refers to skillfully using knowledge, technique, or language that one possesses, as one wishes. Used in expressions like 「最新技術を駆使する」 or 「三カ国語を駆使する」, in situations of freely employing high-level abilities.
AI-generated translation
N1
くしくも
くしくも
By a mysterious turn of events. Used in expressions like 「くしくも同じ日に」, it is an adverb leaning toward written language, used in situations where a coincidental match is felt to be fateful. It is also written with the kanji 「奇しくも」.
AI-generated translation
N1
口裏
くちうら
「口裏」 refers to the back side of spoken words—that is, the content of what has been said. It expresses multiple people aligning the content of their stories. It is a noun used in a virtually fixed form as 「口裏を合わせる」, and often appears in contexts suggesting illicit collusion.
AI-generated translation
N1
駆逐
くちく
「駆」 means to drive away, and 「逐」 means to drive away; the word combines two synonymous characters. It refers to driving away undesirable things. Used in expressions like 「悪貨は良貨を駆逐する」 or 「敵を駆逐する」, it is a formal word used in the sense of completely removing something from a certain area.
AI-generated translation
N1
口車
くちぐるま
「口車」 is a metaphorical term referring to something that, like a wheel, uses skillful words to move the other person. It refers to a way of speaking that tries to deceive others through clever talk. Used idiomatically in the forms 「口車に乗る」 or 「口車に乗せる」, in situations of being deceived by clever speech.
AI-generated translation
N1
口先
くちさき
A word transferred from the original meaning of the tip of the mouth, referring to superficial words that have no heart in them. Used in expressions like 「口先だけ」 or 「口先で言う」, it critically points to a manner in which words do not match action or one's true heart.
AI-generated translation
N1
口添え
くちぞえ
It refers to adding helpful words from the side so that another's request or negotiation goes smoothly. Used in expressions like 「口添えを頼む」, in situations where a third party steps in between to provide support.
AI-generated translation
N1
口止め
くちどめ
It refers to telling someone not to mention something to others. Used in expressions like 「口止めをする」 or 「口止め料」, in situations of warning someone in advance to keep something secret.
AI-generated translation
N1
口走る
くちばしる
It refers to thoughtlessly, or in excitement, blurting out something one should not say. Used in expressions like 「秘密を口走る」 or 「失言を口走る」, it indicates a remark made contrary to the speaker's intention.
AI-generated translation
N1
口火
くちび
「口火」 originally referred to the part used to light the first fire in a matchlock gun or a stove. From this, it came to be used metaphorically for the trigger that starts something. As in 「議論の口火を切る」 or 「事件の口火となる」, it refers to an action or event that becomes the initial trigger for something to occur.
AI-generated translation
N1
朽ちる
くちる
It refers to wood or plants rotting and falling to pieces over time. Used in expressions like 「朽ちた門」 or 「名声が朽ちる」, by metaphor it is also used for the decline of reputation or memory, not just for physical things.
AI-generated translation
N1
覆す
くつがえす
Originally it means to physically turn over a boat or vessel. From the original use as in 「机を覆す」, it came to be used metaphorically for overturning a stable state and changing it at its root. It is most often used in situations of reversing what has been decided or an established view, such as judgments, accepted theories, or political systems, as in 「定説を覆す」 or 「政権を覆す」.
AI-generated translation
N1
覆る
くつがえる
Originally it means for a boat or vessel to physically turn over. From the original use as in 「船が覆る」, it came to be used metaphorically for a stable state being overturned and changing at its root. It is most often used in situations where what had been decided or an established view is reversed, as in 「判決が覆る」 or 「定説が覆る」.
AI-generated translation
N1
屈強
くっきょう
「屈」 means to bend or be broken in spirit, and 「強」 means strong. It describes being so strong that even when bent one does not yield, hence having a sturdy build and strong physical power. Used in expressions like 「屈強な体格」 or 「屈強な男たち」, it is a formal word for describing a person of outstanding physical strength.
AI-generated translation
N1
屈指
くっし
It refers to being so few that they can be counted on one's fingers, or outstanding enough to be included among them. Used in expressions like 「世界屈指の名選手」 or 「業界屈指の企業」, it is a formal word for being included in the top few people or companies.
AI-generated translation
N1
屈託
くったく
A state in which worry or anxiety lingers in one's heart and does not clear away. It is also used in the affirmative, as in 「屈託のある表情」, but it is especially often used in the negative form, as in 「屈託のない笑顔」 or 「屈託なく笑う」, to express a bright, carefree appearance.
AI-generated translation
N1
屈服
くっぷく
「屈」 means to bow one's body, and 「服」 means to submit; together they mean to bow one's body and submit. It refers to losing to the other's force or pressure and submitting. Used in expressions like 「武力に屈服する」 or 「圧力に屈服する」, in situations of being forced to stop resisting and follow the other party's will.
AI-generated translation
N1
駆動
くどう
「駆」 means to drive forward, and 「動」 means to set in motion; together they mean to apply power to make something move. It refers to supplying motive power to machines or devices to make them operate. Used in expressions like 「四輪駆動」 or 「電動で駆動する」, it is a technical word expressing power transmission in automobiles and machinery.
AI-generated translation
N1
具備
ぐび
「具」 means to fully equip, and 「備」 means to prepare; the word combines two synonymous characters. It refers to fully meeting all required conditions or qualifications. Used in expressions like 「要件を具備する」, it is a formal administrative term used in application or qualification review contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
くまなく
くまなく
An adverb meaning "to every corner without remainder, with no place left untouched." Used in expressions like 「くまなく探す」 or 「くまなく調べる」, it is used in situations of carrying out search or investigation thoroughly.
AI-generated translation
N1
組み直す
くみなおす
It refers to once undoing what has already been put together and rebuilding it anew. Used in expressions like 「予算を組み直す」 or 「計画を組み直す」, in situations of reconstructing after a review.
AI-generated translation
N1
組み伏せる
くみふせる
It refers to grappling with the other party and pinning them down by force so that they cannot move. It is a somewhat formal word used in situations of fighting or arrest, and also appears in news articles.
AI-generated translation
N1
汲む
くむ
Originally a verb meaning to scoop up liquid with a vessel. From this it developed the figurative meaning of perceiving and showing consideration for another person's circumstances or feelings. Used in situations where one reads and accepts another's unspoken thoughts, as in 「事情を汲む」(understand someone's circumstances)、「気持ちを汲む」(understand someone's feelings)、「真意を汲む」(grasp the true intention). The form 「汲み取る」 is also commonly used. The figurative usage is central.
AI-generated translation
N1
工面
くめん
「工」 means craft or effort, and 「面」 means contrivance; together they mean to contrive through ingenuity. It refers to somehow managing to prepare money or other things through hard effort. Used in expressions like 「学費を工面する」 or 「資金を工面する」, in situations of scraping together what is lacking.
AI-generated translation
N1
苦悶
くもん
「苦」 means pain or suffering, and 「悶」 means to writhe in agony; the word combines two synonymous characters. It refers to writhing intensely in physical pain or mental suffering. Used in expressions like 「苦悶の表情を浮かべる」, it is a formal written word expressing deep suffering, used in newspapers and literary writing.
AI-generated translation
N1, N3, N5
暗い
くらい
dark. Having little light, so things are hard to see. Example: 「暗いへや」 (a dark room). The antonym is 「明るい」 (bright).
AI-generated translation
N1
苦慮
くりょ
「苦」 means painful, and 「慮」 means to consider or worry; together they mean to think while suffering. It refers to thinking and worrying over and over. Used in expressions like 「対応に苦慮する」 or 「処遇に苦慮している」, it is a formal expression for situations of struggling with how to handle a difficult problem. Often seen in newspapers and official announcements.
AI-generated translation
N1
玄人
くろうと
A person with many years of experience and high skill in a particular field. Used in the sense of expert or connoisseur, as in「玄人はだし」. The antonym is「素人(しろうと)」.
AI-generated translation
N1
苦労人
くろうにん
A person who has experienced many hardships from a young age and understands well human feelings and the subtleties of things. Used in expressions like 「あの人は苦労人だ」, it is used in contexts of positively evaluating the other person's character.
AI-generated translation
N1
軍需
ぐんじゅ
「軍」 means military, and 「需」 means demand or need; together they refer to demand for military purposes. It refers to demand or supplies related to military matters. Used in expressions like 「軍需産業」 or 「軍需物資」, it is a word for the production and supply of weapons and military-related items, used in economic and historical articles.
AI-generated translation
N1
軍縮
ぐんしゅく
「軍」 means armaments, and 「縮」 means to reduce; the word is a shortened form of 「軍備縮小」(reduction of armaments). It refers to reducing armaments based on agreements between states. Used in expressions like 「軍縮交渉」 or 「軍縮条約」, in contexts of international negotiations aimed at reducing military forces.
AI-generated translation
N1
軍備
ぐんび
「軍」 means army, and 「備」 means preparation; together they mean preparation for military matters. It is a general term for weapons, troops, and military facilities used to defend a country. Used in expressions like 「軍備を増強する」 or 「軍備を縮小する」, it is a formal word for a nation's military power itself, used in articles on politics and history.
AI-generated translation
N1
形骸
けいがい
A word referring to a state in which substance or content has been lost, leaving only the outer form. Often used in the form「形骸化する」to describe rules or systems that no longer function.
AI-generated translation
N1
警鐘
けいしょう
「警鐘」 originally referred to a bell rung to warn people of fires or danger. From this, the word came to be used metaphorically for something that serves to warn people of the occurrence of danger or a problem. It is a formal word used in the form 「警鐘を鳴らす」 as a metaphorical expression for strongly drawing attention to social issues.
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.