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JLPT N2 Vocabulary
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N2
愛想
あいそ
The attitude of dealing pleasantly with others. Used as in「愛想がいい」「愛想を振りまく」「愛想を尽かす」.
AI-generated translation
N2
相づち
あいづち
When listening to someone speak, briefly responding with words like 「ええ」 or 「なるほど」 at pauses in their speech. Used to keep the conversation flowing smoothly. Generally used in the form 「相づちを打つ」.
AI-generated translation
N2
哀悼
あいとう
To deeply mourn and grieve over a person's death. Used in expressions like 「哀悼の意を表する」 and 「哀悼の辞」, in formal situations related to funerals.
AI-generated translation
N2
相乗り
あいのり
A word expressing multiple parties jointly participating in the same activity or plan. Originally meaning to ride together in someone else's vehicle, but used metaphorically in political or business contexts as in 「候補者に相乗りする」 or 「計画に相乗りする」.
AI-generated translation
N2
曖昧
あいまい
A state in which the meaning or attitude of something is unclear and can be taken either way. Used as in 「曖昧な返事」 or 「態度を曖昧にする」, expressing a state in which judgment or position is not clearly defined.
AI-generated translation
N2
悪質
あくしつ
A state in which the nature of something is bad and harmful. A formal na-adjective used in contexts of criticizing acts intentionally harming others or the business practices of dealers, as in 「悪質な詐欺」 or 「悪質ないたずら」.
AI-generated translation
N2
悪評
あくひょう
A bad reputation. Used as in 「悪評が立つ」 or 「悪評を招く」, expressing a situation in which a product, person, or act receives negative evaluation from society.
AI-generated translation
N2
あくまで
あくまで
An adverb meaning thoroughly to the end, or as one's basic standpoint. Used as in「あくまで反対する」or「あくまで参考にすぎない」in contexts of showing one's persistence in an attitude or the limitation of one's position. As an adverb it is usually written in hiragana, though in kanji it is written「飽くまで」.
AI-generated translation
N2
悪夢
あくむ
A bad dream. By extension, often refers to terrible events that occurred in reality or experiences one does not want to recall. Used metaphorically when expressing horrific memories from the past, as in 「悪夢のような事故」 or 「悪夢が蘇る」.
AI-generated translation
N2
憧れ
あこがれ
The feeling of being drawn to something and strongly wishing to become like it. Used as in「海外生活への憧れ」「彼女は憧れの存在だ」. The noun form of the verb「憧れる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
足場
あしば
A word expressing the foundation or base on which to advance matters. Originally a temporary platform on which workers stand at construction sites, but used broadly metaphorically in the sense of the foundation of activities, as in 「事業の足場を築く」 or 「交渉の足場を固める」.
AI-generated translation
N2
味わい
あじわい
The flavor or depth one can sense from something. Not merely taste perceived by the tongue, but often refers to the emotional depth contained in works of art or experiences, as in 「味わいのある文章」 or 「独特の味わい」.
AI-generated translation
N2
仇
あだ
To repay a kindness not with gratitude but with harm. Used in expressions like 「恩を仇で返す」, in situations where harm is returned for a kindness received. It is also used in expressions like 「情けが仇になる」, in the sense of something done with good intentions backfiring. When read as 「かたき」, it takes on a different meaning, referring to a person one holds a grudge against.
AI-generated translation
N2
頭打ち
あたまうち
For a figure or result to stop growing further after reaching a certain level. Used in expressions like 「売上が頭打ちになる」 and 「成長が頭打ちだ」.
AI-generated translation
N2
扱う
あつかう
Taking something as an object and carrying out processing or response. A basic verb whose meaning broadens according to the object, as in operation 「機械を扱う」, dealing with 「問題を扱う」, customer service 「顧客を扱う」, or sales 「商品を扱う」.
AI-generated translation
N2
厚かましい
あつかましい
A state of being shameless and without reserve. Used in expressions like 「厚かましいお願い」 and 「厚かましい人」.
AI-generated translation
N2
あっけない
あっけない
An adjective expressing a state in which something ends so easily, contrary to expectation or prediction, that one feels unsatisfied. Used as in 「あっけない幕切れ」 or 「あっけない敗北」 in contexts of ending without any climax.
AI-generated translation
N2
あっさり
あっさり
An adverb expressing a state in which something is plain and without attachment, or a state in which something is done unexpectedly easily. Also used for food, as in 「あっさりした味」, but usages such as 「あっさり負ける」 or 「あっさり認める」 are also common.
AI-generated translation
N2
圧縮
あっしゅく
A word expressing the act of physically pressing something to reduce its volume, or by extension condensing content or time to make it shorter. Used widely in scenes of data processing and efficiency improvement, as in 「ファイルを圧縮する」 or 「工程を圧縮する」.
AI-generated translation
N2
圧倒
あっとう
Suppressing and defeating the other party with momentum or power far surpassing theirs. Also has the meaning of immobilizing people with a strong impression. Used as in 「相手を圧倒する」 or 「観客を圧倒する」, and there are also many adjectival uses like 「圧倒的な勝利」.
AI-generated translation
N2
圧迫
あっぱく
Placing a burden on an object or body by pressing it strongly, and weighing heavily on someone economically or mentally. Used broadly from physical pressing to burdens on management and daily life, as in 「神経を圧迫する」 or 「家計を圧迫する」.
AI-generated translation
N2
圧力
あつりょく
A word meaning physical pressing force, or coercive action that exerts influence on others. Used widely metaphorically in political, organizational, and human relationship contexts, as in 「圧力をかける」 or 「圧力に屈する」.
AI-generated translation
N2
当て付け
あてつけ
To indirectly criticize or make a sarcastic remark at someone. It means putting a spiteful implication into one's attitude or words without saying it directly. Used in expressions like 「当て付けがましい態度」.
AI-generated translation
N2
当てはまる
あてはまる
An intransitive verb meaning to match a certain condition or standard. Used in the form 「条件に当てはまる」 or 「例に当てはまる」, expressing whether the object satisfies the standard.
AI-generated translation
N2
当てはめる
あてはめる
A transitive verb meaning to fit a matter to some standard or template. Used as in 「理論を当てはめる」 or 「公式を当てはめる」 in scenes of applying an existing framework to another case.
AI-generated translation
N2
跡継ぎ
あとつぎ
A person who takes over a family business, headship, position, or the like. Used in expressions like 「跡継ぎを探す」 and 「跡継ぎ問題」.
AI-generated translation
N2
後回し
あとまわし
A word expressing the act of placing low-priority items in a later order. Used in the form 「後回しにする」, indicating a state of being handled later as a result of dealing with other matters first.
AI-generated translation
N2
暴く
あばく
To bring a hidden fact or secret out into the open. It also carries the meaning of digging up a grave. Used in expressions like 「不正を暴く」 and 「真相を暴く」.
AI-generated translation
N2
あぶれる
あぶれる
To fail to obtain work or an opportunity and be left out. Used in expressions like 「仕事にあぶれる」 and 「就職にあぶれる」, in the sense of missing an opportunity one had hoped for. It is somewhat colloquial.
AI-generated translation
N2
甘味
あまみ
A sweet taste; also the degree of sweetness that a food has. Often used when speaking of the sweetness an ingredient itself possesses, as in "玉ねぎの甘味が引き出される" (the sweetness of the onion is drawn out) or "果物の甘味が強い". The same "甘味" read as "かんみ" is a different word referring to sweet foods and confections themselves, used as in "甘味処".
AI-generated translation
N2
甘やかす
あまやかす
To not be strict with a child or the like, and let them do as they please. Used in expressions like 「子どもを甘やかす」 and 「甘やかされて育つ」.
AI-generated translation
N2
危うい
あやうい
An adjective expressing being in a dangerous state, or an extremely close call. Used as in 「危うく転びそうだ」 or 「危うい均衡」 in tightrope situations. Compared with the simple word 「危ない」, this is more formal because it includes the seriousness that life or position may be threatened.
AI-generated translation
N2
過ち
あやまち
A wrong action committed through carelessness or misjudgment. Used as in「過ちを犯す」「過ちを認める」.
AI-generated translation
N2
粗い
あらい
Having large grains or a wide mesh with gaps (粗い網 "a coarse net", 粒が粗い "the grains are coarse"); also, careless in one's work (仕事が粗い "sloppy work"). The homophone 荒い describes violent movement or temperament (波が荒い "rough waves", 気が荒い "short-tempered"), and the two are written with different kanji.
AI-generated translation
N2
荒稼ぎ
あらかせぎ
To earn a large sum of money in a short period by any means, without being selective. Used in expressions like 「荒稼ぎする」. It carries a somewhat negative nuance.
AI-generated translation
N2
粗削り
あらけずり
A state in which the finishing of details is not yet sufficient, but the underlying material or ability shows promise. It originally referred to roughly shaving wood or the like. Used in expressions like 「粗削りな文章」 and 「粗削りだが将来性がある」.
AI-generated translation
N2
あらゆる
あらゆる
Every conceivable; all possible. Always used directly before a noun, as in あらゆる可能性 (every possibility), あらゆる手段 (every means). Usually written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N2
淡い
あわい
An adjective expressing that color, taste, or emotion is faint and thin. Used as in 「淡い色」, 「淡い期待」, or 「淡い恋心」 in scenes expressing indistinct weakness. The antonym is 「濃い」.
AI-generated translation
N2
慌ただしい
あわただしい
An adjective describing a manner of being restlessly busy, as if being chased by something. Used as in「慌ただしい日々」「慌ただしく出発する」. Shares the same root with the verb「慌てる」, both expressing a sense of being rushed.
AI-generated translation
N2
暗示
あんじ
Showing something indirectly rather than stating it clearly. Used as in 「暗示にかける」 or 「暗示を与える」. Frequently used in literary works and psychological contexts, meaning a method of conveying information that is not explicit.
AI-generated translation
N2
案じる
あんじる
Meaning to worry or be concerned about something. Used when caring about another person's safety or situation. Often used in writing; in conversation, 「心配する」 is more commonly used. Also expressed as 「案ずる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
安否
あんぴ
A word meaning whether someone is safe or not. Used in situations of confirming someone's status after an accident or disaster, as in「安否を確認する」「安否が気遣われる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
言い掛かり
いいがかり
A groundless accusation or fault-finding. Used in expressions like 「言い掛かりをつける」.
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N2
言い分
いいぶん
One's own claim or what one wants to say. Used in expressions like 「言い分を聞く」 and 「言い分が通る」.
AI-generated translation
N2
生き甲斐
いきがい
The joy and sense of purpose one finds in being alive; a goal or pleasure that supports one's life. Used in expressions like 「生き甲斐を見つける」 and 「仕事が生き甲斐だ」.
AI-generated translation
N2
息苦しい
いきぐるしい
A state of finding it hard to breathe. Also a state in which the atmosphere of a place or human relationships is heavy and stifling. Used as in 「部屋が息苦しい」 or 「息苦しい沈黙」, both physically and metaphorically.
AI-generated translation
N2
息抜き
いきぬき
To take a short break in order to ease tension or fatigue. Used in expressions like 「息抜きに散歩する」 and 「たまには息抜きも必要だ」. It is used when refreshing oneself during a break from a long stretch of work or study.
AI-generated translation
N2
意気揚々
いきようよう
A state of being triumphant and full of energy. Used in expressions like 「意気揚々と帰る」 and 「意気揚々と語る」.
AI-generated translation
N2
潔い
いさぎよい
A state of having no lingering attachment and being clean about it. It also describes being upright and free of wrongdoing. Used in expressions like 「潔く負けを認める」 and 「潔い態度」.
AI-generated translation
N2
いざこざ
いざこざ
A minor dispute or quarrel. Used in expressions like 「いざこざが起きる」 and 「いざこざに巻き込まれる」.
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.