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JLPT N2 Vocabulary
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N2
忍耐
にんたい
A word meaning to keep enduring through hardship and suffering. Used as in「忍耐力がある」or「忍耐を重ねる」. Used to refer to long-term patience or mental strength.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
縫う
ぬう
sew. To join cloth, etc., together with a needle and thread. Example: 「服を縫う」 (to sew clothes). Also used to mean weaving through something, as in 「人ごみを縫って歩く」 (to walk weaving through a crowd).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
抜く
ぬく
To pull something out from inside. 「歯を抜く」 (to pull a tooth), 「くぎを抜く」 (to pull out a nail). Also used broadly for meanings such as holding back one's effort or getting ahead, as in 「手を抜く」 (to cut corners) and 「追い抜く」 (to overtake). 「抜く」 is used when a person pulls something out, while 「抜ける」 is used when something comes out on its own: compare 「歯を抜く」 with 「歯が抜ける」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
抜ける
ぬける
For something that was inside to come loose and come out. Example: 「髪が抜ける」 (hair falls out). Also used to mean passing through, as in 「トンネルを抜ける」 (to pass through a tunnel), or leaving, as in 「メンバーから抜ける」 (to leave the members/group). 「抜く」 is used when a person pulls something out, while 「抜ける」 is used when something comes out on its own: compare 「歯を抜く」 with 「歯が抜ける」.
AI-generated translation
N2
ぬるま湯
ぬるまゆ
Water that is moderately lukewarm. Metaphorically, refers to a comfortable environment without rigor. Used as in「ぬるま湯に浸かる」or「ぬるま湯体質」, describing complacency in an easy situation.
AI-generated translation, reviewed by a native speaker
N2
値打ち
ねうち
The value that something or some matter holds. Used as in「値打ちがある」or「値打ちのない物」, in scenes of evaluating worth.
AI-generated translation
N2
寝込む
ねこむ
Being confined to bed by illness, unable to get up. Used as in「風邪で寝込む」or「一週間も寝込んだ」, in scenes of resting due to ill health.
AI-generated translation
N2
熱弁
ねつべん
Speaking forcefully with strong feeling, and also that manner of speaking. Used as in「熱弁をふるう」.
AI-generated translation
N2
熱望
ねつぼう
To deeply desire something from the bottom of the heart. Used as in「海外留学を熱望する」or「昇進を熱望する」, expressing strong aspiration.
AI-generated translation
N2
根強い
ねづよい
An adjective meaning that a tendency or opinion is firmly established and not easily changed, like the roots of a plant firmly anchored in the ground. Used for long-lasting states, as in 「根強い人気」「根強い反対」.
AI-generated translation
N2
念入り
ねんいり
Carefully attending to every detail. Used as in「念入りに確認する」or「念入りな準備」.
AI-generated translation
N2
念願
ねんがん
A long-cherished wish. Used as in「念願の優勝」or「念願がかなう」, in scenes where a strong desire is realized.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
年代
ねんだい
A block of time within an era. Example: 「1990年代」 (the 1990s). Also used to mean people of a similar age, as in 「同年代」 (people of the same generation).
AI-generated translation
N2
粘着
ねんちゃく
Sticking firmly to something. By extension, also used for clinging persistently. Used as in「粘着テープ」or「粘着質な性格」.
AI-generated translation
N2
念頭
ねんとう
One's mind or thoughts. Used as in「念頭に置く」or「念頭にない」, mostly in set forms expressing conscious consideration.
AI-generated translation
N2
濃厚
のうこう
A word meaning that the degree of something is strong and pronounced. Used as in「濃厚な味」or「疑いが濃厚」, both for richness of taste and for high probability.
AI-generated translation
N2
農耕
のうこう
A word meaning to till fields and grow crops. Used as in「農耕民族」or「農耕の歴史」, focusing within agriculture on the activity of working the land.
AI-generated translation
N2
能動的
のうどうてき
A word describing acting on one's own initiative. Used as in「能動的な姿勢」or「能動的に学ぶ」, for an attitude of moving by oneself without waiting for instructions.
AI-generated translation
N2
脳裏
のうり
A word for inside one's head, the depths of one's mind. Used as in「脳裏に浮かぶ」or「脳裏をよぎる」, in scenes where a thought or memory comes to mind.
AI-generated translation
N2
逃す
のがす
A verb meaning to let a chance or target slip away. Used as in「機会を逃す」or「犯人を逃す」.「逃げる」means oneself getting away, while「逃す」means letting an object slip away.
AI-generated translation
N2
逃れる
のがれる
A verb meaning to escape from danger or restraint. Used as in「追手から逃れる」or「責任から逃れる」, in scenes of breaking free from an unwanted situation.
AI-generated translation
N2
望ましい
のぞましい
An adjective expressing a state one would wish to see. Used as in「望ましい結果」or「望ましい姿」, in scenes of judging something as ideal or preferable.
AI-generated translation
N2
臨む
のぞむ
A verb meaning to go forth to face an important occasion or situation. Used as in「試験に臨む」or「交渉に臨む」, in the sense of entering a setting with resolve.
AI-generated translation
N2
のどか
のどか
A word describing a quiet, tranquil scene. Used as in「のどかな田園」or「のどかな午後」, for landscapes or moments that are leisurely and at ease.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
伸びる
のびる
For a length or force to become greater. Example: 「髪が伸びる」 (hair grows), 「売り上げが伸びる」 (sales grow). 「伸ばす」 is used when a person acts to make something longer or greater, while 「伸びる」 is used when it grows on its own: compare 「髪を伸ばす」 with 「髪が伸びる」. When it means time lengthening, it is written 「延びる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
飲み込む
のみこむ
A verb meaning to take something from the throat into the body, and additionally meaning to grasp a situation or content, or to hold back emotions without showing them. Used broadly as in「薬を飲み込む」「事情を飲み込む」or「涙を飲み込む」.
AI-generated translation, reviewed by a native speaker
N2
乗り越える
のりこえる
A verb meaning to climb over a fence, wall, or other barrier and pass to the other side. Used literally as in 「塀を乗り越える」「障害物を乗り越える」. It is also used figuratively to mean overcoming difficulties or obstacles in order to move forward. Used in situations where one breaks through standing problems, as in 「試練を乗り越える」「困難を乗り越える」.
AI-generated translation
N2
乗り込む
のりこむ
A verb meaning to board a car, ship, airplane, or similar vehicle and go inside. Used as in 「電車に乗り込む」「タクシーに乗り込む」. It is also used to mean going to the other party's location with a clear purpose. Used in situations where one steps in with strong determination, as in 「相手の陣地に乗り込む」「現場に乗り込む」.
AI-generated translation
N2
乗り出す
のりだす
A verb meaning to lean one's body forward. Used as in 「身を乗り出す」「窓から乗り出す」. It is also used figuratively to mean beginning to take an active part in something. Used in situations where one eagerly starts a new activity, as in 「事業に乗り出す」「調査に乗り出す」.
AI-generated translation
N2
把握
はあく
To firmly understand and grasp the content or circumstances of something.
AI-generated translation
N2
配置
はいち
To assign and place people or things in their appropriate positions.
AI-generated translation
N2
配布
はいふ
To distribute something so that it reaches many people.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
ばか
ばか
Dull-witted. A word used to insult someone. Example: 「ばかなことをするな」 (don't do something stupid). Also used to mean "extremely," as in 「ばかに寒い」 (unusually cold). Written with the kanji 「馬鹿」, but usually written in hiragana or katakana.
AI-generated translation
N2
破棄
はき
Refers to canceling contracts, promises, or documents, or making them invalid. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「契約を破棄する (to terminate a contract)」「文書を破棄する (to destroy a document)」「判決を破棄する (to overturn a judgment)」. 「破」 means to break, 「棄」 means to discard; together they express "to break and discard". It is used for both physical disposal and the cancellation of legal effect, used widely in legal and business contexts such as contract cancellation, data deletion, and the reversal of judgments by higher courts.
AI-generated translation
N2
歯切れ
はぎれ
Refers to the clarity and decisiveness of speech or attitude. Used in expressions like 「歯切れの悪い返事 (a vague reply)」「歯切れよく話す (to speak crisply)」「歯切れの良い文章 (a clear-cut piece of writing)」. It is a derivative usage from the sensation of biting through food with the teeth, and has been established as a metaphor for the clarity of remarks, writing, or attitude. Its central use is in the form 「歯切れが悪い」, used to negatively describe a vague, indistinct manner. It is used widely in news reports, criticism, and character assessment.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
爆発
ばくはつ
explosion. For gunpowder, gas, etc., to suddenly burst violently. Example: 「ガス爆発」 (a gas explosion). Also used to mean pent-up emotion suddenly bursting out, as in 「怒りが爆発する」 (anger explodes).
AI-generated translation
N2, N4, N5
走る
はしる
run. To move forward by moving one's legs quickly.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
外す
はずす
To remove something that is attached. Example: 「ボタンを外す」 (to undo a button), 「眼鏡を外す」 (to take off one's glasses). Also used to mean leaving a place, as in 「席を外す」 (to step away from one's seat). 「外す」 is used when a person removes something, while 「外れる」 is used when it comes off on its own: compare 「ボタンを外す」 with 「ボタンが外れる」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
畑
はたけ
Land used for growing vegetables and fruits. As opposed to a 「田」 (paddy field), which is flooded to grow rice, this refers to land that is not flooded.
AI-generated translation
N2
肌触り
はだざわり
Refers to the feel of an object's surface when it touches the skin. Used in expressions like 「肌触りのよいシャツ (a shirt with a pleasant feel)」「優しい肌触り (a soft touch)」「ざらついた肌触り (a rough texture)」. It is a daily-use word for expressing the texture of fabrics, materials, or products, appearing frequently in introductions and reviews for clothing, bedding, and cosmetics. There is also a metaphorical usage expressing the sensory impression received from prose or expressions, as in 「言葉の肌触り (the texture of words)」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
働く
はたらく
work. To do a job.
AI-generated translation
N2
場違い
ばちがい
Refers to being unsuited to the atmosphere or situation of a place. Used in expressions like 「場違いな服装 (out-of-place attire)」「場違いな発言 (an out-of-place remark)」「場違いな所に来てしまった (to have ended up in the wrong place)」. It expresses an appearance that stands out from one's surroundings, used in contexts that critically or self-deprecatingly comment on the mismatch with time, place, and occasion. It is a word usable widely in everyday conversation, a typical expression for the mismatch between formal settings and casual behavior.
AI-generated translation
N2
発覚
はっかく
Refers to wrongdoing or secrets that have been concealed coming to light. Used in expressions like 「不正が発覚する (corruption comes to light)」「事件が発覚する (an incident comes to light)」「発覚を恐れる (to fear exposure)」. 「発」 means to appear, 「覚」 means to be perceived; together they express "to be perceived and come out into the open". It is mostly used in contexts of facts that one wished to hide being exposed, and is a news-reporting term widely used in scenes where scandals, crimes, or secret relationships become public knowledge.
AI-generated translation
N2
発掘
はっくつ
Refers to digging out something buried in the ground. By extension, it refers to finding talent or ability that is not yet known to the world. Used in expressions like 「遺跡を発掘する (to excavate ruins)」「新人を発掘する (to discover new talent)」「埋もれた名作を発掘する (to unearth a buried masterpiece)」. 「発」 means to bring forth, 「掘」 means to dig; together they express "to dig out and bring forth". It is used broadly in both physical excavation (archaeology) and metaphorical discovery (talent, ability, hidden value).
AI-generated translation
N2
発散
はっさん
Something accumulated inside dispersing outward; also, releasing it to relieve oneself.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
発展
はってん
When the momentum of something grows and it becomes bigger or more active. Example: 「経済の発展」 (economic development), 「町が発展する」 (a town develops).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
派手
はで
A manner in which colors or behavior stand out and are showy. Example: 「派手な服」 (flashy clothes). The antonym is 「地味」 (plain/subdued).
AI-generated translation
N2
歯止め
はどめ
Refers to the function of stopping the progress or worsening of something. Used in expressions like 「価格上昇に歯止めをかける (to put a brake on rising prices)」「歯止めが利かない (the brakes do not work)」「歯止めを失う (to lose all check)」. It is a derivative usage from the original meaning of a device that stops the motion of a wheel, established as a metaphor for restraint and control. It is mostly used in the forms 「歯止めをかける」「歯止めが利く／利かない」, used widely in scenes of curbing undesirable movements in the economy, society, or organizations.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
幅
はば
width. The length across something. Example: 「道の幅」 (the width of a road). Also used to mean breadth of range, as in 「幅広い知識」 (broad knowledge).
AI-generated translation
N2
阻む
はばむ
Refers to blocking something that is trying to advance and not allowing it to proceed further. Used in expressions like 「行く手を阻む (to block one's way)」「進出を阻む (to block an advance)」「優勝を阻む (to block a championship)」. It is used broadly, from physical obstruction of a path to scenes in which abstract realization is hindered, such as plans, advances, or achievements, expressing the sense of halting partway a movement toward a goal or success. It appears frequently in diverse contexts such as sports, business, and geographical description.
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.