deceive. To make someone believe something that is not true. Example: 「うそを言って人をだます」 (to deceive someone by lying). Written with the kanji 「騙す」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana.
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N3たまたまたまたま
By chance, just at that moment. Example: 「たまたま駅で友人に会った」 (happened to meet a friend at the station by chance).
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N3黙るだまる
To remain silent, saying nothing. To stop talking. Example: 「黙って聞く」 (to listen silently).
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N3試すためす
To actually try something to check whether it works well. Example: 「新しい方法を試す」 (to try a new method).
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N3貯めるためる
To gradually collect something without using it. Mainly used for money, as in 「旅行のためにお金を貯める」 (to save up money for a trip). For things like water or trash, it is often written in hiragana as 「ためる」.
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N3頼るたよる
To rely not only on one's own strength but also on the help of a person or thing. Example: 「親に頼る」 (to rely on one's parents), 「地図に頼る」 (to rely on a map).
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N3, N4足りるたりる
For a necessary number or amount to be sufficient. Example: 「お金が足りない」 (not enough money).
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N3単位たんい
unit. The standard used for counting length, weight, etc., such as meters or kilograms. Also used to mean units of academic credit at a university, etc., as in 「単位を取る」 (to earn credits).
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N3単純たんじゅん
simple. Being uncomplicated in structure or way of thinking. Example: 「単純な作業」 (simple work). The antonym is 「複雑」 (complex).
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N3たんすたんす
A piece of furniture with drawers used for storing clothing, etc. Written with the kanji 「箪笥」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is written in hiragana.
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N3団体だんたい
A gathering of people who share the same purpose. Example: 「団体で申し込む」 (to apply as a group). The paired expression is 「個人」 (individual).
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N3担当たんとう
To take charge of a job or role. Also, the person who does so. Example: 「営業を担当する」 (to be in charge of sales), 「担当者」 (the person in charge).
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N3地域ちいき
region. A defined area of land. Example: 「地域の行事」 (a regional event).
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N3, N5小さいちいさい
small. A state where the shape, number, sound, etc., of something is below normal. The antonym is 「大きい」 (big).
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N3知恵ちえ
The ability to think well and make judgments about things, or the ability to come up with ideas. Used in expressions such as 「知恵を絞る」「生活の知恵」. Refers not to mere knowledge but to thinking ability that can actually be applied.
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N3地下ちか
underground. Below the ground. Example: 「地下鉄」 (subway), 「地下1階」 (basement level 1). The antonym is 「地上」 (above ground).
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N3〜N5近いちかい
near. A state where the distance is small. Also used for a short amount of time. The antonym is 「遠い」 (far).
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N2, N3, N5近くちかく
A nearby place. Example: 「駅の近く」 (near the station).
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N2, N3近づくちかづく
For a distance or time to become closer. Example: 「台風が近づく」 (a typhoon approaches), 「試験が近づく」 (the exam draws near). Also used to mean becoming closer/friendlier with someone. 「近づく」 is used when something comes closer on its own, while 「近づける」 is used when a person moves something closer: compare 「台風が近づく」 with 「いすを壁に近づける」.
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N3近寄るちかよる
Approaching something. Also, trying to interact closely with a person. Used in expressions such as 「危険だから近寄るな」「なかなか近寄りがたい人」.
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N3地球ちきゅう
earth. The planet we live on.
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N3遅刻ちこく
To be late for a set time. Example: 「学校に遅刻する」 (to be late for school).
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N3知識ちしき
knowledge. Content one knows from learning or experience. Example: 「知識が豊富だ」 (to have abundant knowledge), 「専門知識」 (specialized knowledge).
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N3知人ちじん
acquaintance. Someone one knows. Also used for a person not as close as a 「友人」 (friend).
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N3縮むちぢむ
The length or size of something becoming smaller. Also, the body becoming compact from cold or surprise. Used in expressions such as 「セーターが縮む」「寒さで体が縮む」.
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N3縮めるちぢめる
Making the length, distance, or time of something shorter. Used in expressions such as 「時間を縮める」「距離を縮める」 in contexts of one's own action shortening something.
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N3ちっともちっとも
Not even a little (with a negative). Always followed by a negative form. Example: 「ちっとも知らなかった」 (didn't know at all).
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N3地方ちほう
A certain region within a country. Example: 「東北地方」 (the Tohoku region). Also used to mean an area away from a big city, as in 「地方に住む」 (to live in the countryside). The paired term is 「都会」 (city).
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N3ちゃんとちゃんと
properly. Neatly, correctly. 「ちゃんと片づける」「ちゃんと説明する」. When the form 「ちゃんとした」 modifies a following noun, it means being proper rather than careless, and trustworthy. 「ちゃんとした会社」「ちゃんとした服装」. Commonly used in spoken language.
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N2, N3中央ちゅうおう
center. The middle. Example: 「町の中央」 (the center of a town). Also used to mean the center of government, etc., as in 「中央政府」 (central government).
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N3中古ちゅうこ
secondhand. An item that has been used before. Example: 「中古車」 (a used car). The antonym is 「新品」 (brand new).
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N3中心ちゅうしん
The middle. Example: 「円の中心」 (the center of a circle). While 「中央」 refers to the physical middle of a place, 「中心」 is also broadly used for the most important part or person in something, as in 「チームの中心」 (the core of a team).
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N3調査ちょうさ
To investigate something in order to clarify the actual state of affairs. Example: 「アンケート調査」 (a questionnaire survey).
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N2, N3調子ちょうし
The condition or state of one's body or a machine, etc. Example: 「体の調子がいい」 (feeling well physically). There is also the expression 「調子に乗る」 (to get carried away when things go well).
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N3頂上ちょうじょう
summit. The very top of a mountain. Example: 「富士山の頂上」 (the summit of Mt. Fuji).
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N3貯金ちょきん
savings. To save up money. Also, the money saved. Example: 「毎月1万円貯金する」 (to save 10,000 yen every month). The word 「預金」 is also used for depositing money in a bank.
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N3直接ちょくせつ
directly. Without anything in between, firsthand. Example: 「本人に直接話す」 (to talk directly to the person). The antonym is 「間接」 (indirectly).
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N3治療ちりょう
treatment. To take care of an illness or injury in order to cure it. Example: 「歯の治療」 (dental treatment).
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N3追加ついか
To add something later. Example: 「注文を追加する」 (to add to an order).
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N3遂についに
finally. At last, after a long time or various developments. 「遂に完成した」. When used with a negative form, it means that although one waited or searched, it never came about in the end. 「待っていたが遂に来なかった」「遂に見つからなかった」. Often written in hiragana as 「ついに」.
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N3通学つうがく
To commute to school. Example: 「電車で通学する」 (to commute to school by train).
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N3通勤つうきん
To commute to one's workplace. Example: 「通勤時間」 (commuting time).
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N3通行つうこう
People or vehicles passing along a road. Example: 「通行止め」 (road closed), 「右側通行」 (keep to the right).
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N3通じるつうじる
For a road, etc., to be connected so one can travel through. Example: 「この道は駅に通じている」 (this road leads to the station). Also used to mean that meaning or feeling is conveyed to the other person, as in 「日本語が通じる」 (Japanese is understood), 「話が通じない」 (the message doesn't get across).
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N3通信つうしん
To exchange information by letter, phone, the internet, etc. Example: 「通信速度」 (communication speed).
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N3通訳つうやく
To stand between people speaking different languages and translate on the spot. Also, the person who does this. Translating written text is called 「翻訳」 instead.
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N3捕まるつかまる
To be caught so one cannot escape. Example: 「犯人が捕まる」 (the criminal is caught). When it means gripping something firmly, as in 「手すりにつかまる」 (to hold onto a handrail), it is usually written in hiragana. 「捕まえる」 is used when a person chases and seizes someone, while 「捕まる」 is used when the one pursued gets seized: compare 「犯人を捕まえる」 with 「犯人が捕まる」.
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N2, N3つかむつかむ
To firmly grip and hold something with one's hand. Example: 「ロープをつかむ」 (to grab a rope). Also used to mean seizing an opportunity or someone's heart, as in 「チャンスをつかむ」 (to seize a chance). Written with the kanji 「掴む」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana.
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N3付き合うつきあう
To be closely involved with someone. Also used to mean being in a romantic relationship, as in 「彼と付き合っている」 (dating him). Also used to mean acting together to match someone else, as in 「買い物に付き合う」 (to go along with someone shopping).
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N3次々つぎつぎ
One after another, continuously. Example: 「新しい店が次々にできる」 (new shops open one after another). Also used in the form 「次々と」.
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