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JLPT N1 Vocabulary
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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
N1
形跡
けいせき
「形」 means form, and 「跡」 means a trace; together they mean a trace of form, that is, a sign that something existed. It refers to a trace showing that something was done or that something had been there. Used in expressions like 「侵入の形跡」 or 「使用した形跡」, it expresses physical or circumstantial clues that allow one to infer past facts.
AI-generated translation
N1
傾聴
けいちょう
It refers to leaning one's ear deeply into the other person's words and listening earnestly. Used in expressions like 「傾聴の姿勢」 or 「ご意見を傾聴する」, it is a formal word for an attitude of respecting and listening to the other party in formal settings.
AI-generated translation
N1
傾倒
けいとう
「傾倒」 originally meant the body leaning and falling over. From this, it came to be used metaphorically for devoting oneself so strongly to a person, philosophy, or art that one almost leans into it, becoming absorbed. It is a formal word expressing being deeply influenced and enthusiastically devoted, as in 「彼の思想に傾倒する」.
AI-generated translation
N1
汚れる
けがれる
For sanctity, honor, or purity of heart to be spoiled. Used not for dirt or stains but for scenes in which something of value is damaged, as in "家名が汚れる" or "聖地が汚れる". When the one doing the damage is the subject, "けがす" is used, as in "名誉を汚す". The same "汚れる" read as "よごれる" is a different word meaning to become dirty in appearance from mud or stains.
AI-generated translation
N1
けじめ
けじめ
The original meaning is to clearly distinguish boundaries between things. It refers to an attitude of clearly separating public and private matters, or right and wrong. From this, it developed the derived meaning of drawing a line and taking responsibility, and is often used in the form 「けじめをつける」 to mean making one's attitude clear or taking responsibility.
AI-generated translation
N1
けたたましい
けたたましい
It describes a manner in which a sound suddenly resounds loudly and feels grating to the ears. Used in expressions like 「けたたましい音」 or 「けたたましく笑う」, it is used in situations of negatively describing noise or shrill voices.
AI-generated translation
N1
桁違い
けたちがい
「桁」 refers to digits, that is, the positional values of ones, tens, hundreds, and so on. 「桁違い」 expresses a difference in scale so great that the very digit count differs. Used in expressions like 「桁違いの規模」 or 「桁違いに速い」, it is used when differences in quantity or ability stand out, in both positive and negative senses.
AI-generated translation
N1
血気
けっき
It refers to the youthful spirit of trying to act on momentum without considering consequences. Used in expressions like 「血気盛んな若者」 or 「血気にはやる」, it is a formal word for youthful zeal accompanied by recklessness.
AI-generated translation
N1, N5
結構
けっこう
A word used to politely decline, meaning "no thank you." Example: 「もう結構です」 (that's enough, thank you). Also used to mean "more than expected," as in 「結構おいしい」 (surprisingly delicious).
AI-generated translation
N1
傑出
けっしゅつ
「傑」 means to be outstanding, and 「出」 means to come out; together they mean to stand out prominently. It is a word describing being far superior to others. Used in expressions like 「傑出した才能」 or 「傑出した人物」, it is a formal word for strongly praising remarkable ability or achievement.
AI-generated translation
N1
結束
けっそく
「結」 means to tie, and 「束」 means a bundle; originally the word means to bundle and bind. From this, it came to be used metaphorically for people uniting firmly for a common purpose. Used in expressions like 「結束を固める」 or 「結束が強い」, in contexts that emphasize the cohesion of an organization or group.
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.