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JLPT N2 Vocabulary
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N2
空しい
むなしい
A state in which there is no content or substance, and no value or meaning can be felt. Originally meaning "empty inside," it broadened from there to the nuances of "without substance" and "unrewarded." A representative usage expresses the feeling when effort or expectations go unrewarded, as in 「空しい努力」, 「空しく終わる」, 「空しい気持ち」. It also frequently appears in philosophical and literary contexts expressing a state of having lost the meaning of life or existence. Also written 「虚しい」, which is likewise common as a modern spelling.
AI-generated translation
N2
無念
むねん
A feeling of frustration and regret because something one had hoped for did not come true. Originally a Buddhist term meaning "a state free of worldly thoughts," but in modern usage it means "regretful and frustrated because a wish was not fulfilled." Used in contexts expressing strong frustration, as in 「無念の涙」, 「無念を晴らす」, 「無念の思い」, 「無念な最期」. A hard word frequently appearing in situations where effort or hopes went unrewarded, such as matches, contests, and turning points in life. The intensity of emotion is greater than mere 「残念」, carrying a nuance of bitter regret.
AI-generated translation
N2
無闇
むやみ
A state of acting thoughtlessly and recklessly without proper consideration. 「闇」 originally means "dark and unable to see ahead," carrying the nuance of "pushing forward without thinking about what lies ahead." Mostly used adverbially in the form 「無闇に」, as in 「無闇に動く」, 「無闇に信じる」, 「無闇に薬を飲む」, in contexts criticizing carelessness or lack of judgment. Also frequently appears in the doubled form 「無闇やたらに」, further emphasizing lack of discretion. A bookish word carrying a negative evaluation.
AI-generated translation
N2〜N4
無理
むり
Not being possible. Also used to mean overexerting oneself in a way that's bad for one's health, as in 「無理をする」 (to push oneself too hard).
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
目
め
eye. The part of the body for seeing things.
AI-generated translation
N2
明確
めいかく
Being clear and leaving no room for confusion.
AI-generated translation
N2
銘柄
めいがら
The name of a product, stock, or the like; a brand name. 「銘」 means an inscribed or proper name, 「柄」 means an item or type, together expressing "an item identified by its proper name." Used as in 「人気銘柄」, 「優良銘柄」, 「お気に入りの銘柄」. In everyday use, the representative usages are referring to product brands such as cigarettes, alcohol, and rice, and referring to individual stocks traded on the stock market. A word with a strong sense of distinguishing from others, as a proper name for a trademark or item.
AI-generated translation
N2
名目
めいもく
A reason or title held up on the surface. 「名」 means a surface name, 「目」 means an item or heading, together expressing "a surface name." Often used in situations where reality and pretext diverge, as in 「会議という名目で集まる」, 「名目上は休暇だが実際には仕事をしている」, frequently referring to a pretext that conceals the real purpose. Used idiomatically in forms like 「名目上」, 「名目だけ」, 「〜という名目で」. In economics it is also used to mean a surface figure before reflecting price changes, as in 「名目賃金」, 「名目GDP」, paired with 「実質」.
AI-generated translation
N2
名誉
めいよ
Being recognized by society as excellent and highly regarded; also, the pride that comes with this.
AI-generated translation
N2
恵まれる
めぐまれる
Being given good conditions or an environment, and being in a fortunate state.
AI-generated translation
N2
滅多
めった
An adverb expressing that frequency is extremely low, used in the form 「滅多に〜ない」. Mostly used with a following negative. Used as in 「滅多に怒らない」, 「滅多に外出しない」, 「滅多にない機会」, emphasizing that something hardly ever happens. Note that in the affirmative form it is also used to mean "careless" or "thoughtless," as in 「滅多なことを言うな (= don't say careless things)」, but in modern usage the negative form is overwhelmingly more common.
AI-generated translation
N2
目安
めやす
A standard or marker used to make a rough estimate.
AI-generated translation
N2
免除
めんじょ
To grant permission that an obligation or burden need not be fulfilled.
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
申し上げる
もうしあげる
A humble, polite way of saying 「言う」 (to say).
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
申す
もうす
A humble way of saying 「言う」 (to say).
AI-generated translation
N2
猛烈
もうれつ
A state in which momentum or degree is extremely intense. 「猛」 means wild and intense, 「烈」 means strong and intense, a word emphasizing intensity by combining characters of the same meaning. Used widely from natural phenomena to human activity, emotion, and criticism, as in 「猛烈な勢い」, 「猛烈に働く」, 「猛烈な暑さ」, 「猛烈な批判」. A word harder and more bookish than 「激しい」, frequently appearing in both the adjectival-noun form 「猛烈な」 and the adverbial form 「猛烈に」. Used in situations emphasizing the extremity of degree.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
燃える
もえる
For fire to catch and flames to rise. Example: 「紙が燃える」 (paper burns). Also used to mean feelings rising, as in 「やる気に燃える」 (burning with motivation). 「燃える」 is used when something is burning, while 「燃やす」 is used when a person sets it alight: compare 「紙が燃える」 with 「紙を燃やす」.
AI-generated translation
N2
黙認
もくにん
To overlook something without reproach, even while knowing it is not good.
AI-generated translation
N2
模索
もさく
To search and seek by feeling one's way, without a clear method. 「模」 means to feel and search by touch, 「索」 means a rope or clue, together giving the original meaning of "searching for a clue by feeling one's way." Used for tasks where the answer is not fixed, exploring a direction through trial and error, as in 「解決策を模索する」, 「新たな道を模索する」, 「可能性を模索する」. A bookish, hard word, frequently appearing in contexts expressing prolonged exploration or a process of trying multiple options.
AI-generated translation
N2
もたらす
もたらす
To bring about or cause a certain result or state; also, to bring something along.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3, N5
持つ
もつ
Hold. Grasping something with the hand. 「かばんを持つ」(hold a bag).
AI-generated translation
N2
模範
もはん
A good example that others should follow.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
燃やす
もやす
To set fire to something so that it burns. Example: 「落ち葉を燃やす」 (to burn fallen leaves). Also used to mean intensifying one's feelings, as in 「闘志を燃やす」 (to fire up one's fighting spirit). 「燃やす」 is used when a person sets something alight, while 「燃える」 is used when something is burning: compare 「紙を燃やす」 with 「紙が燃える」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
模様
もよう
pattern. A drawing or arrangement of colors on the surface of an object. Example: 「花の模様」 (a floral pattern). Also used to mean a general state or condition, as in 「空模様」 (the look of the sky/weather).
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
N2, N3
文句
もんく
complaint. Words of dissatisfaction. Example: 「文句を言う」 (to complain). Also has the meaning of wording or a set phrase, as in song lyrics or fixed expressions.
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
約束
やくそく
To decide with another person that a certain thing will be done.
AI-generated translation
N2
屋敷
やしき
A house with a spacious lot and a stately structure. Originally referred to "a house together with its land," but in modern Japanese it usually refers specifically to a large and imposing residence. Used in expressions such as 「武家屋敷」, 「古い屋敷」, 「お屋敷」, or 「屋敷町」, and frequently appears in contexts describing historical or traditional buildings or the residences of the wealthy. A written-style word often used in literature, novels, and historical contexts.
AI-generated translation
N2
野心
やしん
A strong desire to achieve a higher position or greater results, refusing to be satisfied with the status quo. The character 「野」 carries the nuance of "going beyond one's proper station," expressing an inner drive to achieve something beyond the current state. Used in expressions such as 「野心を持つ」, 「野心的な計画」, or 「若き野心」. Depending on context, it can carry either positive or negative connotations: it may be praised as aspirational drive, or viewed with some wariness as a form of desire.
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
休む
やすむ
To let the body rest. To not go to school or work.
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
痩せる
やせる
To lose body weight. The antonym is 「太る」 (to gain weight).
AI-generated translation
N2
厄介
やっかい
Being troublesome and requiring a lot of effort; also, receiving someone's care or assistance.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
野蛮
やばん
Being uncivilized and rough or violent.
AI-generated translation
N2
野望
やぼう
An exceedingly large and audacious ambition, going beyond one's own measure. Close in meaning to 「野心」, but as the character 「望」 suggests, the goal or scale envisioned is large, and the word often implies a "grandeur that borders on the unrealistic." Used in expressions such as 「野望を抱く」, 「世界制覇の野望」, or 「野望が打ち砕かれる」. Often carries a negative, critical nuance and tends to appear in contexts where the speaker is judging the ambition as "a desire that fails to recognize one's proper station."
AI-generated translation
N2
やむを得ない
やむをえない
There being no other way but to do so; unavoidable.
AI-generated translation
N2
やり遂げる
やりとげる
To carry something one has started through to completion.
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
やる
やる
Do; give. The colloquial way of saying "to do." Also used to mean giving something to someone.
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
柔らかい
やわらかい
A soft, fluffy state whose shape changes easily when pressed. The antonym is「硬い（かたい）」(hard).
AI-generated translation
N2
和らげる
やわらげる
To ease the degree of severity, intensity, pain, or the like.
AI-generated translation
N2
遺言
ゆいごん
Words or a document left behind in preparation for one's death. In a legal sense, it refers to a document specifying matters such as the disposal of one's property. Used in expressions like 「遺言を残す」 and 「遺言書」. The reading 「ゆいごん」 is the common one, but it can also be read as 「いごん」.
AI-generated translation
N2
優位
ゆうい
Being in an advantageous position or a superior status compared to others. 「優」 means "to excel" and 「位」 means "rank" or "position." Used in expressions such as 「優位に立つ」, 「優位を保つ」, 「圧倒的な優位」, or 「優位性」, the word expresses being in a higher position or under more favorable conditions than an opponent in situations of competition, opposition, or comparison. Frequently appears in contexts where victory or balance of power is at issue, such as sports, business, or international relations. The antonym is 「劣位」.
AI-generated translation
N2
有効
ゆうこう
Having an effect or being valid; being useful.
AI-generated translation
N2
融通
ゆうずう
To lend or arrange money or goods for each other as needed; also, to handle a situation flexibly as it arises.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
誘導
ゆうどう
To guide a person or thing toward an intended direction or state.
AI-generated translation
N2
裕福
ゆうふく
Having abundant wealth and a comfortable, unhurried life.
AI-generated translation
N2
油断
ゆだん
To let one's guard down and neglect to pay attention.
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
夢
ゆめ
The various events seen while sleeping. Also used to mean a hope for the future.
AI-generated translation
N2
揺らぐ
ゆらぐ
To sway or shake; also, for something that was stable to become unstable.
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
揺れる
ゆれる
For something to move left and right or up and down.
AI-generated translation
N2
容易
ようい
Being easy; something that can be done simply.
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.