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JLPT N1 Vocabulary
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N1
兆し
きざし
A small initial sign that something is about to happen. 「兆」 originally referred to the shape of cracks that appeared on a turtle's shell during divination, and from this it came to mean a foretoken of events. Used in expressions like 「春の兆し」 or 「回復の兆し」 to indicate the early signs of something that is about to begin.
AI-generated translation
N1
気質
きしつ
「気」 means temperament, and 「質」 means innate nature; together they refer to one's innate temperament. It refers to the disposition and mental tendency one is born with. Used in expressions like 「職人気質」 or 「学者気質」, it is a somewhat formal word for the character common to a particular group or occupation.
AI-generated translation
N1
既成
きせい
「既」 means already, and 「成」 means to come into being; together they mean already established. It refers to something that has already taken shape and become rooted in society. Used in expressions like 「既成概念」 or 「既成事実」, in combination with a following noun. It is a formal word used in contrast with what is new, frequently appearing in essays and criticism.
AI-generated translation
N1
帰属
きぞく
It refers to a person or thing belonging to the affiliation or possession of a particular organization or region. Used in expressions like 「○○に帰属する」 or 「帰属意識」. It is a formal word frequently appearing in legal, administrative, and organizational theory contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
擬態
ぎたい
It refers to a living creature making its appearance similar to surrounding objects or other creatures. Used in expressions like 「擬態する」 or 「保護擬態」. It is a formal specialized term frequently appearing in biology contexts, indicating a survival strategy for protecting oneself from enemies.
AI-generated translation
N1
気立て
きだて
「気」 means feeling, and 「立て」 means manner of holding; together they refer to the way one holds one's feelings. It refers to the disposition and character one shows when relating to others. Used in expressions like 「気立てがよい」 or 「気立てがやさしい」, it is a somewhat formal word used in positive personality evaluation.
AI-generated translation
N1
忌憚
きたん
「忌」 means to be reserved or cautious, and 「憚」 means to hold back; the word combines two synonymous characters. It refers to holding back. It is mostly used in negative forms like 「忌憚のない意見」, as a fixed expression when wanting the other party to speak frankly. It is used in formal situations such as meetings and greetings.
AI-generated translation
N1
基調
きちょう
「基」 means foundation, and 「調」 means tone or rhythm; together they refer to the foundational tone. It refers to the basic tone or direction running through the whole. Used in expressions like 「基調講演」, 「基調を成す」, or 「青を基調とした」. It is a somewhat formal word used in broad fields including color, music, economic trends, and speeches.
AI-generated translation
N1
喫緊
きっきん
「喫」 means to undergo or feel keenly, and 「緊」 means urgent; together they mean to feel urgency keenly upon oneself. It refers to being pressing and important. It is a fixed expression used in forms like 「喫緊の課題」 or 「喫緊の問題」. It is a formal word frequently appearing in political, economic, and administrative documents, referring to matters that must be dealt with immediately.
AI-generated translation
N1
詰問
きつもん
「詰」 means to press in or to corner, and 「問」 means to ask; together they mean to press in and ask. It refers to severely questioning someone in a reproachful manner. Used in expressions like 「詰問する」 or 「詰問を受ける」. Unlike simply asking a question, it is a formal word with a nuance of pressing the other party.
AI-generated translation
N1
既定
きてい
「既」 means already, and 「定」 means to determine; together they mean already determined. It refers to something already decided. Used in expressions like 「既定路線」 or 「既定の方針」, in combination with a following noun. It is a formal word frequently appearing in meetings and administrative documents, indicating that there is no room for change.
AI-generated translation
N1
既得
きとく
It refers to having already obtained something as one's own. Used in expressions like 「既得権」 or 「既得権益」, it is used in combination with a following noun, and is a formal word frequently appearing in political and economic contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
気の毒
きのどく
Feeling sympathy for another person's misfortune or suffering. 気の毒に思う (feel sorry for someone). Also used for feeling apologetic about troubling someone (わざわざ来てもらって気の毒なことをした "I felt bad for making them come all this way").
AI-generated translation
N1
気迫
きはく
「気」 means vigor, and 「迫」 means pressing in or pressing momentum; together they refer to vigor that presses upon the other party. It refers to a feeling so strong that it overwhelms others. It is a somewhat formal word for momentum in competitive or performance contexts, as in 「気迫がこもる」 or 「気迫に満ちた演技」.
AI-generated translation
N1
忌避
きひ
「忌」 means to abhor, and 「避」 means to avoid; together they mean to avoid out of dislike. Used in expressions like 「責任を忌避する」 or 「裁判官を忌避する」. It is a formal word often used in legal and social-system contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
気品
きひん
「気」 means atmosphere, and 「品」 means dignity; together they refer to dignity that naturally emanates. It refers to the elegance that naturally emanates from one's appearance or attitude. It is a somewhat formal word used positively for people, gestures, and artworks, as in 「気品がある」 or 「気品にあふれる」.
AI-generated translation
N1
欺瞞
ぎまん
To deceive and trick someone. Used in expressions like 「欺瞞に満ちた」, it is often said to strongly criticize an attitude of covering something up with a false appearance.
AI-generated translation
N1
肝煎り
きもいり
「肝」 means liver, here as a metaphor for enthusiasm and concern, and 「煎り」 means to roast; together they convey caring for something to the point of putting one's heart into it as if roasting it. It refers to an influential person actively taking care and putting in effort to realize something. Used in expressions like 「社長の肝煎りで始まったプロジェクト」, it is a formal expression indicating the existence of a backer, used in business and political contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
逆境
ぎゃっきょう
「逆」 means contrary, and 「境」 means boundary or situation; together they refer to a situation that goes against one's wishes. It refers to an unfortunate situation or hard environment in which things do not go as one wishes. Used in expressions like 「逆境に立ち向かう」 or 「逆境を乗り越える」. It is a somewhat formal word frequently appearing when speaking of figures who face difficulties.
AI-generated translation
N1
窮する
きゅうする
「窮」 means to come to an end or to reach a dead end. It refers to being stuck in a matter and struggling to know how to respond. Used in expressions like 「答えに窮する」 or 「返答に窮する」. It is also used for money or livelihood becoming unsustainable, as in 「生活に窮する」 or 「資金に窮する」. A formal verb that often takes a fixed set of objects.
AI-generated translation
N1
旧態
きゅうたい
「旧」 means old, and 「態」 means appearance or condition; together they refer to a state that remains as old as ever. It refers to an old state that has not progressed at all from the past. Almost always used in the form 「旧態依然」, it is a formal word critically referring to an unchanged old constitution.
AI-generated translation
N1
窮地
きゅうち
「窮」 means to come to an end or be cornered, and 「地」 means place; together they refer to a situation of being cornered. It refers to a painful situation in which there is no way out and one is driven to the wall. Used in expressions like 「窮地に陥る」 or 「窮地を脱する」. It is a formal word frequently appearing in contexts of being cornered, in politics, economy, and sports.
AI-generated translation
N1
旧知
きゅうち
「旧」 means old, and 「知」 means an acquaintance; together they refer to an acquaintance from long ago. It refers to a person whom one has known for a long time. Used in expressions like 「旧知の仲」 or 「旧知の友」. It is a somewhat formal word for a longtime acquaintance in formal contexts, often used in writing.
AI-generated translation
N1
急騰
きゅうとう
「急」 means sudden, and 「騰」 means to leap up; the latter character originally depicted a horse rearing up. Because it means to suddenly leap up, the word refers to prices or numerical values rising sharply and suddenly. Used in expressions like 「株価が急騰する」 or 「物価が急騰する」. It is a formal word frequently appearing in economic news, referring to sudden upward change.
AI-generated translation
N1
旧弊
きゅうへい
「旧」 means old, and 「弊」 means bad practice; together they mean old bad practice. It refers to bad customs or ways of thinking that have continued from old times. Used in expressions like 「旧弊を打破する」 or 「旧弊にとらわれる」, it is used negatively in contexts speaking of reform or modernization. It is a formal word.
AI-generated translation
N1
窮乏
きゅうぼう
「窮」 means to be cornered, and 「乏」 means to be scarce; together they mean to fall into a state of being cornered and lacking. It refers to a state of being severely in trouble due to lack of money or goods. Used in expressions like 「窮乏生活」 or 「家計が窮乏する」. It is a formal word used in newspapers and editorials rather than everyday conversation, indicating serious economic distress.
AI-generated translation
N1
急務
きゅうむ
「急」 means urgent, and 「務」 means duty; together they refer to a duty that must be undertaken urgently. It refers to a task that must be tackled as soon as possible. Used in expressions like 「急務である」 or 「○○は急務だ」. It is a formal word frequently appearing in policy and management contexts, indicating high priority.
AI-generated translation
N1
究明
きゅうめい
「究」 means to investigate to the utmost, and 「明」 means to make clear; together they mean to investigate thoroughly and make clear. It refers to deeply investigating the cause or truth of a matter and making it plain. Used in expressions like 「原因究明」 or 「真相究明」. It is a formal word frequently appearing in public contexts such as accident reports and investigation findings.
AI-generated translation
N1
丘陵
きゅうりょう
「丘」 means hill, and 「陵」 means a mound or low hill; the word combines two synonymous characters. It refers to a low mountainous area with gentle undulations. It refers to terrain that lies between plains and mountains. Used in expressions like 「丘陵地帯」 or 「多摩丘陵」, it is a formal word used in geographical and nature descriptions.
AI-generated translation
N1
仰々しい
ぎょうぎょうしい
It describes a manner that is exaggerated beyond necessity, trying to appear grander than reality. Used in expressions like 「仰々しい身ぶり」 or 「仰々しい言い方」, it is an adjective with a slightly critical tone toward affected attitudes or expressions.
AI-generated translation
N1
凝視
ぎょうし
「凝」 means to concentrate on one point, and 「視」 means to look; together they mean to concentrate one's gaze on one point. It refers to staring without averting one's eyes. Used in expressions like 「凝視する」 or 「凝視を続ける」. It is a formal, literary, observational word expressing looking with strong attention or concern.
AI-generated translation
N1
享受
きょうじゅ
「享」 means to receive and savor, and 「受」 means to receive; together they mean to receive and savor. It refers to accepting something good and enjoying it as one's own. Used in expressions like 「自由を享受する」 or 「恩恵を享受する」, in the sense of receiving and enjoying rights, benefits, or arts. It is a formal word.
AI-generated translation
N1
強靭
きょうじん
「強」 means strong, and 「靭」 means tough and supple; together they mean strong and resilient. It refers to not easily breaking or losing. Used in expressions like 「強靭な肉体」 or 「強靭な精神力」. It is a somewhat formal word used for both physical and mental strength.
AI-generated translation
N1
矯正
きょうせい
「矯」 means to straighten what is bent, and 「正」 means to correct; together they mean to straighten distortion. It refers to correcting a bad state or habit into a good one. Used in expressions like 「歯列矯正」, 「視力矯正」, or 「矯正施設」. It is a formal word used in the sense of returning the body, character, or behavior to a normal state.
AI-generated translation
N1
驚嘆
きょうたん
「驚」 means to be amazed, and 「嘆」 means to exclaim in admiration; together they mean to be amazed and admire. It refers to being deeply impressed and amazed. Used in expressions like 「驚嘆に値する」 or 「驚嘆の声を上げる」. It is a formal word with a sense of praise, expressing deep emotion at something excellent.
AI-generated translation
N1
仰天
ぎょうてん
「仰」 means to look up, and 「天」 means the sky or heaven; the original meaning is being so astonished that one looks up to the sky. From this, it came to mean being so amazed that one cannot even speak. Used in expressions like 「びっくり仰天」 or 「仰天する」. It is a somewhat archaic word expressing amazement of a greater degree than ordinary surprise.
AI-generated translation
N1
共謀
きょうぼう
「共」 means together, and 「謀」 means to plot or scheme; together they mean to plot together. It refers to two or more people conspiring to carry out a wrongful act. Used in expressions like 「共謀して犯行に及ぶ」 or 「共謀罪」. It is a formal word frequently appearing in legal and crime news, always used in a negative sense.
AI-generated translation
N1
極限
きょくげん
「極」 means to reach the extreme, and 「限」 means a limit; together they mean a limit pushed to the utmost. It refers to a state from which one can go no further. Used in expressions like 「極限状態」 or 「極限まで追求する」. It is a somewhat formal word for physical or mental limits, used broadly in academic papers, novels, and sports.
AI-generated translation
N1
極致
きょくち
「極」 means to reach the extreme, and 「致」 means to arrive; together they mean a state of arriving at the extreme. It refers to the highest state reached by pursuing something to its end. Used in expressions like 「美の極致」 or 「贅沢の極致」, it is a formal word expressing a quality having reached its limit, carrying praise or criticism.
AI-generated translation
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
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.