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JLPT N1 Vocabulary
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N1
紛れる
まぎれる
To become mixed in with other things and indistinguishable from them. The basic meaning is to blend into a crowd or darkness so as not to stand out, as in 「人混みに紛れる」(to get lost in a crowd) or 「闇に紛れる」(to slip away under cover of darkness). Extended use: 「気が紛れる」means that one's attention is drawn to something else, easing an unpleasant feeling or sadness. This second sense is close in nuance to distraction or relief, and frequently appears in contexts where worry or grief is alleviated through another activity.
AI-generated translation
N1
交える
まじえる
To bring in and mix different elements or people into a setting. 「交」 originally means "to come and go with one another," expressing the action of bringing something else into a single place and making it coexist. It takes as its object speech, emotions, words, people, and so on, as in 「冗談を交える」, 「私情を交えない」, 「言葉を交える」, 「老若男女を交えて」. 「言葉を交える」 is close to 「話を交わす」, and 「砲火を交える」 is close to 「戦いを交わす」, both idiomatic usages. 「交える」 is used when a person intentionally mixes something in, while 「交わる」 expresses things coming into contact and becoming involved with each other of their own accord.
AI-generated translation
N1
交わる
まじわる
To come into contact or become intermingled with something separate; also, to associate with others. The literal meaning covers physical intersection or contact, as in 「線が交わる」(lines intersect) or 「川と川が交わる」(rivers meet). The social meaning refers to forming relationships, as in 「友と交わる」(to associate with friends) or 「他人と交わる」(to mingle with others). 「交える」 is used when a person intentionally mixes something in, while 「交わる」 expresses things coming into contact and becoming involved with each other of their own accord. A somewhat formal, written-register word used across both geometric and interpersonal contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
またがる
またがる
To get on top of something with one's legs spread on either side. Derived from 「股(また)」, expressing the action of spreading both legs apart over an object. It has a literal usage expressing physical action, as in 「馬にまたがる」, 「自転車にまたがる」, and a figurative usage meaning to extend over multiple domains, regions, or periods, as in 「両県にまたがる山脈」, 「複数の分野にまたがる研究」, 「三日間にまたがる会議」. The latter expresses that a range does not fit within a single frame but spreads across several.
AI-generated translation
N1
末期
まっき
A period close to the end of an era or matter. 「末」 means the end, 「期」 means a period. Refers to the final stage of some division, as in 「江戸時代末期」, 「平安末期」, 「末期癌」, 「末期的状況」. Its objects are wide-ranging—history, illness, social conditions—and it is a bookish, hard word. Note that reading the same kanji as 「まつご」 gives the meaning "deathbed, the moment of death," used as in 「末期の水」, 「末期の言葉」. Note that the reading and meaning diverge by context.
AI-generated translation
N1
真っ向
まっこう
The front, the head-on direction. 「真っ」 is an emphatic prefix and 「向」 means direction, together expressing "directly in front." Mostly used adverbially in the form 「真っ向から」 to express facing or confronting something head-on, as in 「真っ向から反対する」, 「真っ向から否定する」, 「真っ向勝負」, 「真っ向対立」, in contexts describing an attitude of meeting matters directly without detour. It carries the nuance of confronting directly, excluding avoidance or compromise.
AI-generated translation
N1
真っ只中
まっただなか
The very center of a matter, or the midst of its most intense moment. 「真っ」 is an intensifying prefix, and 「只中」 originally means "right in the middle," referring to the very heart of something. Used as in 「議論の真っ只中」「嵐の真っ只中」「戦乱の真っ只中」 for both spatial center (the middle of a crowd, for instance) and temporal center (the period when an event is at its peak). It mostly appears in contexts emphasizing being in the thick of an intensely unfolding situation.
AI-generated translation
N1
全う
まっとう
The act of fulfilling a duty or role completely to the very end. Originally from the same source as 「全(まった)く」, meaning "completely, without anything missing." Used as a suru-verb in the form 「全うする」, as in 「責務を全うする」, 「役目を全うする」, 「天寿を全うする」, in contexts of carrying out duties, jobs, or one's lifespan to completion without abandoning them midway. A formal, hard word that is bookish and used in formal settings. It is a different word from the adjective 「真っ当(まっとう)な」 (meaning serious and proper).
AI-generated translation
N1
眼差し
まなざし
The look in one's eyes or the gaze when looking at something. 「眼」 means the eye, 「差し」 means to direct light or a gaze, together expressing "a gaze directed from the eyes." Its characteristic is that it implies not just the direction of the gaze but the emotion or attitude carried in it. Used in contexts expressing a gaze accompanied by emotion, as in 「優しい眼差し」, 「鋭い眼差し」, 「冷たい眼差し」, 「温かい眼差し」. A word with a bookish, literary ring, frequently appearing in descriptions of people and psychology.
AI-generated translation
N1
間延び
まのび
A state in which actions, speech, or timing lack snap and feel slack and dull. 「間」 refers to a pause or break in time or action; 「延び」 means stretching out; together the word describes "a state in which the breaks are dragged out limply." Used as in 「間延びした顔」「間延びした話し方」「間延びしたメロディ」 in contexts that critically evaluate a lack of tension and tautness. It is commonly used for things in which rhythm and crispness are at issue, such as speech arts, music, facial expressions, and writing.
AI-generated translation
N1
まばゆい
まばゆい
Describes light so bright you can hardly keep your eyes open. Used as in 「まばゆい朝日」, 「まばゆい光」, and 「まばゆいばかりの白さ」. Also often used figuratively, as in 「まばゆいばかりの才能」 and 「まばゆいばかりの美しさ」, for something so striking it captivates the eye. Close in meaning to 「まぶしい」, but 「まばゆい」 has a more literary, formal ring. In kanji it is written 「眩い」 or 「目映い」, but it is also often written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N1
まばら
まばら
A state in which things or people are scattered here and there, with low density. Expresses a sparse state of something that ought to gather or be continuous, as in 「まばらに生えた木々」, 「客足がまばら」, 「観客はまばらだった」. Basically refers to a state where gaps are visually conspicuous, used for people, things, vegetation, hair, and so on. Also written 「疎ら」 in kanji, but the hiragana spelling is common. Often used with a negative, lonely nuance.
AI-generated translation
N1
瞼
まぶた
The part of skin that covers the eye. It protects the eyeball and carries out the actions of blinking and closing the eyes. Used as in 「瞼を閉じる」, 「瞼が腫れる」, 「瞼が重い」. Also used in compound forms such as 「上瞼」, 「下瞼」, 「一重瞼」, 「二重瞼」. Figuratively, it is also used in contexts of visually recalling memories or recollections, as in 「瞼に焼き付く」, 「瞼に浮かぶ」. Also written 「目蓋」, but the spelling 「瞼」 is common.
AI-generated translation
N1
繭
まゆ
A covering of thread that the larva of a silkworm or the like makes around itself before metamorphosis. To protect itself until it becomes an adult (a moth), the larva wraps its body in thread spun from its mouth. The silkworm's cocoon is the raw material for silk thread and has historically played a central role as a material in the silk-reeling industry. Used as in 「繭を作る」, 「繭から糸を取る」, 「白い繭」. There is also a figurative usage expressing a state shut off from the outside, as in 「繭にこもる」.
AI-generated translation
N1
丸腰
まるごし
The state of not carrying any weapon. Originally meaning "not having a sword at one's hip," derived from the historical background that for a samurai, carrying a sword was called 「腰に差す」. In modern Japanese, beyond the literal sense of being unarmed, it is used figuratively for "facing a matter with no preparation or countermeasures." Used as in 「丸腰で交渉に臨む」「丸腰の状態で警察に出頭する」. It carries the nuance of confronting a situation defenselessly, with nothing to shield oneself.
AI-generated translation
N1
丸っきり
まるっきり
An adverb meaning "completely / entirely," accompanied by a following negative or negative content. 「丸」 expresses complete or whole, and 「っきり」 is a suffix-like element adding emphasis. Used as in 「丸っきり知らない」, 「丸っきり違う」, 「丸っきり駄目だ」, emphasizing that the degree of something is complete. A somewhat colloquial and slangy word; in writing 「全く」 or 「全然」 are more often chosen. Also written 「丸きり」, 「まるきり」.
AI-generated translation
N1
蔓延
まんえん
The spreading of something undesirable over a wide range. 「蔓」 is the vine of a plant, 「延」 means to extend and spread, together giving the original meaning of "spreading like a vine growing." Mostly used in contexts where illnesses, bad trends, or social problems spread over a wide range, as in 「感染症の蔓延」, 「悪習の蔓延」, 「不正の蔓延」. Its characteristic is that, unlike the neutral 「広がる」 or 「普及する」, its object is limited to undesirable things. A bookish, hard word, frequently appearing in journalism, argument, and public settings.
AI-generated translation
N1
漫然
まんぜん
A state of being vague, without a clear purpose or attention. 「漫」 means as one feels, without discipline, and 「然」 is a suffix expressing "the appearance of ~." Basically used adverbially in the 「〜と」 form, as in 「漫然と過ごす」, 「漫然と眺める」, 「漫然と聞く」. It expresses a state of scattered awareness lacking concentration or sense of purpose, mostly used in critical or reflective contexts. A bookish, hard word, appearing more frequently in writing and argument than in everyday conversation.
AI-generated translation
N1
漫談
まんだん
A genre of light storytelling performed for an audience, taking the events of the day and everyday life as material and weaving in humor. It is one of the yose variety arts; the basic form is a single performer addressing the audience and freely unfolding their talk. 「漫」 means "as the mood takes one," and 「談」 means a talk; together the word denotes a relaxed, free-form story. Used as in 「漫談を披露する」「漫談家」「政治漫談」. It is a traditional speech art alongside rakugo and kōdan; its distinguishing feature is that it does not center on a specific narrative but rather on topical material and light banter.
AI-generated translation
N1
水気
みずけ
The moisture contained in something. Its objects are wide-ranging: the moisture in vegetables and fruit, the droplets left on washed dishes or hair, the dampness felt in humid air or soil, and so on. Used as in 「水気を切る」, 「水気を拭き取る」, 「水気を含んだ髪」. In cooking it frequently appears as an instruction for a cooking step, as in 「茹でた野菜の水気を切る」. Close in meaning to 「水分」, but whereas 「水分」 refers to water in a quantitative or compositional sense, 「水気」 tends to be used in more sensory, practical contexts, such as water left on the surface or a moist feel.
AI-generated translation
N1
未曽有
みぞう
Something so rare that it has never happened before. A word expressing 「未だ曽て有らず」 (never yet having existed) in classical Chinese word order, meaning literally "without precedent in the past." A hard word expressing an extremely grave and unprecedented situation, as in 「未曽有の災害」, 「未曽有の危機」, 「未曽有の大事件」. Used in journalism, historical writing, and public settings, rarely used in everyday conversation. Also written 「未曾有」. The reading is 「みぞう」, with the 「ゆう」 not lengthened.
AI-generated translation
N1
見損なう
みそこなう
To misjudge the value of a person or thing. 「損なう」 originally means "to fail to bring something off well," so the original sense is "to fail at seeing correctly." It is most often used in contexts such as 「あの人を見損なった」「君を見損なったよ」 to express disappointment when someone whom one had trusted or thought well of betrays that expectation through their words or actions. It can also mean "to miss seeing something," as in 「映画の最後を見損なう」, though this usage is comparatively rare in modern Japanese.
AI-generated translation
N1
密談
みつだん
To talk together secretly so that others will not find out. 「密」 means hidden from view, and 「談」 means a discussion; combined, the word denotes a secret deliberation. Used as in 「密談を交わす」「密談の場を持つ」「密室で密談する」. It is often used in political, diplomatic, business, or conspiratorial settings, implying that the content of the talk is confidential. Unlike the neutral 「打ち合わせ」「協議」, the word carries the implication that there are circumstances that cannot be made public.
AI-generated translation
N1, N3
認める
みとめる
To accept something as correct or true. Example: 「失敗を認める」 (to admit a failure). Also used to mean evaluating something as having value (「実力が認められる」, to have one's ability recognized), or to notice or confirm something by observation (「変化が認められる」, a change is observed).
AI-generated translation
N1
見とれる
みとれる
To be so taken by the beauty or excellence of something that one becomes absorbed in gazing at it. Also written 「見惚れる」. 「惚れる」 means "to have one's heart taken," capturing a state in which consciousness is drawn into the appeal of an object. Used as in 「夕日に見とれる」「演技に見とれる」「美しさに見とれる」. The object is limited to things beautiful, excellent, or moving; the word is not used for staring at something critical or negative. It carries the nuance of unconsciously gazing on without noticing how long one has been looking.
AI-generated translation
N1
耳障り
みみざわり
A sound or words felt unpleasant to the ear. A combination of 「耳」 and 「障り (something that hinders or harms)」, expressing something that unpleasantly disturbs hearing. Used as an adjectival noun, as in 「耳障りな音」, 「耳障りな言い方」, 「耳障りな騒音」. It is a word paired with 「目障り」, both expressing sensory discomfort. Note that 「耳触り (the feel something gives to the ear)」 is a different word, which can be used both positively and negatively, as in 「耳触りの良い言葉」.
AI-generated translation
N1
脈絡
みゃくらく
The connection or logical thread of things. 「脈」 is the connection of blood vessels, 「絡」 means to link together, together expressing "a thread running continuously like blood vessels." It refers to the relationship between the parts of speech or writing, the flow of logic, and the causal connection between events. Mostly used in the negative as in 「脈絡がない」, 「脈絡を欠く」, 「脈絡なく話す」, frequently appearing in contexts criticizing a state where the thread of speech does not hold together. Whereas 「文脈」 refers to the connection of preceding and following words, 「脈絡」 refers more broadly to logical and causal connections.
AI-generated translation
N1
魅惑
みわく
To attract and bewitch a person's heart. 「魅」 means to captivate the heart, 「惑」 means to confuse and lead the heart astray, together expressing a state of attracting so strongly as to captivate the heart and cloud judgment. Whereas 「魅了」 simply means to attract strongly, 「魅惑」 has a stronger nuance of allure and temptation, expressing a charm that shakes the other's reason. Often used adjectivally as in 「魅惑的な香り」, 「魅惑の眼差し」, 「魅惑のメロディ」, frequently appearing in literary and sensual contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
無惨
むざん
A state so pitiful and tragic that it is unbearable to watch. Originally a Buddhist term meaning "without a sense of shame or contrition," but it came to be used to mean "exceedingly pitiful." Used for states in which the original form has been damaged, such as accidents, destruction, defeat, and death, as in 「無惨な姿」, 「無惨に踏みにじられる」, 「無惨な最期」. Also written 「無残」, which is likewise common as a modern spelling. A bookish word, frequently appearing in literary and journalistic contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
無尽蔵
むじんぞう
The state of being so abundant in quantity that it never runs out no matter how much is used. 「無尽」 means not running out, 「蔵」 means a store, together expressing "an inexhaustible store." Originally a Buddhist term meaning "inexhaustible merit," but in modern usage it expresses a state in which something that ought to be finite—goods, resources, stamina, affection—is extremely abundant. A hard word used as in 「無尽蔵の資源」, 「体力が無尽蔵だ」, 「無尽蔵のエネルギー」, often used in contrast with finiteness.
AI-generated translation
N1
無造作
むぞうさ
A state of doing something easily without taking trouble; or, a state of handling something carelessly without paying attention. 「造作」 originally means "trouble or effort," and 「無造作」 has the original meaning of "taking no trouble." Used as in 「無造作に置く」, 「無造作に髪を結ぶ」, 「無造作な仕草」. It is sometimes used with a positive connotation of being unpretentious and natural, and sometimes with a negative connotation of being careless and inconsiderate, with the nuance changing by context.
AI-generated translation
N1
目覚しい
めざましい
A state in which remarkable progress or activity stands out. Originally meaning "impressive enough to wake one up," it expresses being so conspicuous as to draw one's attention involuntarily. Used as in 「目覚しい発展」, 「目覚しい活躍」, 「目覚しい進歩」, 「目覚しい成果」, in contexts praising positive change or achievement. Frequently appears regarding subjects where progress or improvement appears in visible form, such as economy, technology, sports, and academics. Also written 「目覚ましい」.
AI-generated translation
N1
網羅
もうら
To take in everything related without leaving anything out. 「網」 is a net for catching fish, 「羅」 is a net for catching birds, both characters expressing nets for capture. From the image of scooping up everything with a net, it came to mean "to take in without omission." Used as in 「資料を網羅する」, 「全分野を網羅した辞典」, 「関連情報を網羅的に集める」. Frequently appears regarding books, databases, and surveys, expressing the comprehensive inclusion of an object without leaving anything out. The adjectival noun 「網羅的」 is also often used.
AI-generated translation
N1
木目
もくめ
It refers to the grain pattern that appears on the surface of wood. While it can also be read as 「きめ」, the reading 「もくめ」 is more common. Note that 「きめ」 in expressions like 「肌のきめ」 or 「きめ細かい」 (referring to fine textures or attentive care) is originally a separate word written as 「肌理」.
AI-generated translation
N1
目論見
もくろみ
A plan or scheme set up to accomplish something. The noun form of the verb 「目論む」 (to plan secretly). Mostly used for ambitious or secretive plans, referring to something calculated inwardly without bringing it to the surface. Used as in 「目論見が外れる」, 「目論見通り」, 「目論見が当たる」, 「相手の目論見を見抜く」. Compared with the neutral 「計画」, it has a nuance emphasizing the party's intent or designs, often used in wary or critical contexts. It is paired with the verb 「目論む」.
AI-generated translation
N1
模倣
もほう
To imitate something else. A word combining 「模」 and 「倣」, both meaning "to follow, to imitate," expressing the act of copying a model object exactly as it is. Its objects are wide-ranging, including art, culture, products, and behavioral styles, used as in 「他者の作品を模倣する」, 「先進国の制度を模倣する」. Often used as the antonym concept to creativity, appearing frequently in contexts like 「模倣ではなく独創を」. It can neutrally refer to "imitation" as part of a learning process, and can also be used with a negative meaning close to plagiarism or theft.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
催す
もよおす
To gather people and hold an event or meeting; also, to give rise to a certain feeling or state within oneself.
AI-generated translation
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
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.