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JLPT N2 Vocabulary
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N2
応募
おうぼ
To apply in response to a call for applicants.
AI-generated translation
N2
往来
おうらい
The coming and going of people and vehicles, or the road on which they travel. Used in expressions like 「人の往来が激しい」 or 「往来で遊ぶな」. A formal word used in contexts about traffic or places.
AI-generated translation
N2
覆う
おおう
To cover something from above and hide it, enveloping the whole. Used for situations where something is broadly enveloped over a surface, like cloth or snow.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
大柄
おおがら
A state of having a body larger than ordinary. Used as in 「大柄な男性」 or 「大柄な体格」 to express that a person's build is large. Also used in the meaning of large patterns on cloth or designs.
AI-generated translation
N2
大げさ
おおげさ
A state of showing or expressing things in a way that is exaggerated beyond reality. Used as in 「大げさに騒ぐ」 or 「大げさな身振り」. Carries the nuance that the speaker feels it is excessive.
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
おかしい
おかしい
A state that makes one want to laugh. Also used to mean something unusual and strange. Example: 「あじがおかしい」 (the taste is off).
AI-generated translation
N2
侵す
おかす
To wrongfully intrude on another person's territory or rights and cause harm. Although read the same way, 「冒す」 is used for facing danger and 「犯す」 for committing a crime. Note that the kanji changes depending on the meaning.
AI-generated translation
N2
置き去り
おきざり
To leave a person or thing behind at a place and go away. Used in expressions like 「置き去りにされる」 and 「問題を置き去りにする」.
AI-generated translation
N2
臆病
おくびょう
The nature or state of being easily frightened even by trivial matters. Used as in 「臆病な性格」 or 「臆病風に吹かれる」. A na-adjective, used in the forms 「臆病だ」 or 「臆病な」. The antonym of 「大胆」.
AI-generated translation
N2
お蔵入り
おくらいり
For a plan or work to be shelved without being realized or released. Used in expressions like 「企画がお蔵入りになる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
怠る
おこたる
A verb meaning to lazily fail to do what one ought to do. Used in situations of not fulfilling duties one is supposed to carry out, as in「注意を怠る」「義務を怠る」. While「怠ける」(using the same kanji) carries the general meaning of "being lazy to take it easy,"「怠る」is used with the nuance of failing to fulfill an obligation.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
幼い
おさない
Being young in age. Example: 「幼い子ども」 (a young child). Also used to mean being childish for one's age, as in 「考えが幼い」 (a childish way of thinking).
AI-generated translation
N2
おざなり
おざなり
To deal with something carelessly, just to get by for the moment. Used in expressions like 「おざなりな対応」 and 「おざなりに済ませる」. It is easily confused with 「なおざり」, but the difference is that おざなり means "doing something, but carelessly," while なおざり means "neglecting it entirely."
AI-generated translation
N2
治まる
おさまる
(1) For a country or society to become stable and for order to be maintained. 「世が治まる」. (2) For disorder or agitation to subside. 「怒りが治まる」. 「治める」 is used for the person who acts to calm something, and 「治まる」 for what calms down of its own accord: 「争いを治める」 versus 「争いが治まる」. In the meaning of pain subsiding, it is often written in hiragana as 「おさまる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
治める
おさめる
(1) To manage a country or society well and maintain order. 「国を治める」. (2) To calm disorder or conflict. 「争いを治める」. 「治める」 is used for the person who acts to calm something, and 「治まる」 for what calms down of its own accord: 「争いを治める」 versus 「争いが治まる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
収める
おさめる
To put something neatly where it belongs (棚に収める "put away on a shelf"). From this, also to obtain a good result (成功を収める "achieve success", 利益を収める "make a profit"). Distinguished in writing from the homophones 納める (to pay or deliver money or goods), 治める (to govern, to settle a conflict), and 修める (to master learning or a skill). 「収める」 is used when someone puts something in place, and 「収まる」 when it settles into place by itself: 「棚に収める」 versus 「棚に収まる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
惜しむ
おしむ
To feel regret about losing or giving something up, and to treasure it. Used as in 「別れを惜しむ」. Also used to mean being reluctant to spend or give something, as in 「骨身を惜しまず」.
AI-generated translation
N2
汚染
おせん
The mixing of harmful substances into air, water, or soil so that they are no longer clean. A formal word mainly dealing with environmental issues, used as in 「大気汚染」 or 「放射能汚染」. Can also be used metaphorically for the human heart and society.
AI-generated translation
N2
襲う
おそう
(1) To attack suddenly. 「敵が襲う」. (2) A disaster or emotion striking suddenly. 「台風が町を襲う」「不安が襲う」.
AI-generated translation
N2
お粗末
おそまつ
A state in which the quality or content of something is poor and embarrassing. Used in expressions like 「お粗末な結果」 and 「お粗末な計画」. It is also used by the person who served a meal, as in the humble greeting 「お粗末さまでした」.
AI-generated translation
N2
穏やか
おだやか
A state of being quiet, settled, and undisturbed. Used broadly as in 「穏やかな天気」 or 「穏やかな人柄」 for weather, the sea, or a person's character. Also used for emotions, attitudes, or the atmosphere of a place.
AI-generated translation
N2
陥る
おちいる
A verb meaning to fall into an undesirable state. Used in situations of entering dangerous or difficult circumstances, as in「窮地に陥る」「混乱に陥る」.
AI-generated translation
N2
おどける
おどける
To deliberately clown around or make comical gestures in order to make people laugh. Used in expressions like 「おどけた表情」 and 「おどけて見せる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
劣る
おとる
A state in which quality or ability is lower compared to others. Used as in 「性能が劣る」 or 「人後に劣らない」. A basic word expressing comparative superiority or inferiority, often appearing in formal contexts.
AI-generated translation
N2
衰える
おとろえる
Vigor or strength gradually weakening. Used in situations where the vitality of a person, organization, or nation declines over time, as in「体力が衰える」「国力が衰える」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
覚える
おぼえる
To take something into one's mind and not forget it. Example: 「ことばを覚える」 (to memorize words). The antonym is 「わすれる」 (to forget).
AI-generated translation
N2
思い当たる
おもいあたる
Realizing, with the help of some trigger, a memory or cause that had been vague until then. Used as in 「思い当たる節がある」 or 「そういえば思い当たる」. Carries the nuance of realizing something belatedly.
AI-generated translation
N2
思い切り
おもいきり
A state of not hesitating and putting forth all one's strength or feeling. Used adverbially as in 「思い切り走る」 or 「思い切り笑う」, expressing carrying out an action with full force without restraint. The adverbial usage derived from the conjunctive form is central, with a noun usage meaning "resolve."
AI-generated translation
N2
思い込む
おもいこむ
To deeply believe something and not consider other possibilities. Used as in 「勝手に思い込む」 or 「一方的に思い込む」, mostly in cases where one believes something without verifying whether it is true.
AI-generated translation
N2
思い遣り
おもいやり
A heart that considers others' feelings and circumstances and acts kindly. Used as in 「思い遣りのある人」 or 「思い遣りに欠ける」. A positive word expressing the attitude of putting oneself in the other person's position and showing care.
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
面白い
おもしろい
A state of feeling like laughing, or feeling fun. Example: 「面白い話」 (an interesting story). Also used for books or work, meaning "interesting."
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
表
おもて
The side of something that faces forward or can be seen from the outside. The antonym is 「裏」 (the back/reverse side). The same 「表」 read as 「ひょう」 is a different word referring to something in which figures or items are arranged vertically and horizontally.
AI-generated translation
N2
及び腰
およびごし
Originally, an unstable half-crouched posture in which one cannot fully straighten the hips. By extension, it describes a hesitant attitude lacking confidence and passive, as if shrinking back. Used in expressions like 「及び腰で交渉に臨む」 and 「政府の及び腰な姿勢」.
AI-generated translation
N2
及ぼす
およぼす
To exert influence, damage, etc. on something else. Often combined with set nouns, as in 影響を及ぼす (have an effect on), 損害を及ぼす (cause damage to). 「及ぼす」 is used for the side that exerts the effect, and 「及ぶ」 for the side the effect reaches: 「影響を及ぼす」 versus 「影響が及ぶ」.
AI-generated translation
N2
折り返し
おりかえし
Turning back partway, or the point at which one turns back. By extension, it also means to reply or contact someone back promptly upon receiving their message. Frequently used as a business expression, as in 「折り返し電話する」 and 「折り返しご連絡ください」.
AI-generated translation
N2
折り紙
おりがみ
A game or craft of folding paper into shapes such as animals or flowers. Also refers to a guarantee by an authoritative person that something has assured value or skill, used idiomatically in the form 「折り紙つき」. The latter meaning derives from the fact that authentication certificates were folded papers.
AI-generated translation
N2
織る
おる
To combine threads vertically and horizontally to make cloth. Incorporating another element into a story is also expressed as 「織り込む」「織り交ぜる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
愚か
おろか
Lacking careful thought, so that one's judgment or behavior is not wise. Used to describe a person or their words and actions.
AI-generated translation
N2
恩恵
おんけい
A blessing or benefit received from others, nature, and so on. Used in expressions like 「恩恵を受ける」 and 「科学の恩恵」.
AI-generated translation
N2
温床
おんしょう
A hotbed with raised soil temperature used to grow plant seedlings. By extension, it refers to a cause or environment in which something undesirable arises and grows. It is often used figuratively, as in 「犯罪の温床」 and 「不正の温床」.
AI-generated translation
N2
音波
おんぱ
Vibrations transmitted through air or other media that can be heard as sound. Used in technical contexts of physics and engineering, such as 「超音波」 or 「音波探知機」. A specialized term encountered in science classes or descriptions of medical equipment.
AI-generated translation
N2
改革
かいかく
To fundamentally change a system or structure to make it better. A written word used in political and social contexts.
AI-generated translation
N2
快活
かいかつ
「快」 means pleasant, and 「活」 means lively; together they mean pleasantly lively. It describes a character or attitude that is bright and energetic. Used in expressions like 「快活に笑う」 or 「快活な少年」, it is a positive word expressing lively brightness.
AI-generated translation
N2
階級
かいきゅう
A rank on an ordered scale, fixed within an organization or a sport according to ability or achievement. As in 「軍隊の階級」「柔道の階級」, it refers to the graded steps of position. It also refers to a layer of people divided within society by status, property and the like; as in 「労働者階級」「階級社会」, it is used when speaking about society or history.
AI-generated translation
N2
海峡
かいきょう
A narrow sea passage between two landmasses. Often used as part of a place name, as in 「津軽海峡」.
AI-generated translation
N2
解雇
かいこ
「解」 means to undo, and 「雇」 means to hire; together they mean to undo an employment relationship. It refers to a company unilaterally dismissing someone who has been employed. Used in expressions like 「解雇する」 or 「不当解雇」, in situations of the employer ending the employment relationship. Frequently appears in legal and labor contexts.
AI-generated translation
N2
介護
かいご
To care for an elderly or sick person, helping with eating, bathing, moving around, and the like.
AI-generated translation
N2
外交
がいこう
Building relations between countries and settling issues through talks; diplomacy. Used as in 外交官 (diplomat), 外交問題 (diplomatic issue).
AI-generated translation
N2
会合
かいごう
People gathering for consultation or discussion; also, the gathering itself. Covers a wider range of formality than 会議 (meeting) and is mostly used in writing.
AI-generated translation
N2
開催
かいさい
To hold and carry out a meeting, event, tournament, or the like.
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.