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JLPT N3 Vocabulary
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N3
味方
みかた
ally. A person who stands on one's own side and helps. Example: 「味方につける」 (to win someone over as an ally). The antonym is 「敵」 (enemy).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
見せる
みせる
To make it so a person can see something. Example: 「写真を見せる」 (to show a photo).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
見つめる
みつめる
To look intently without taking one's eyes away. Example: 「相手の目を見つめる」 (to gaze into the other person's eyes).
AI-generated translation
N1, N3
認める
みとめる
To accept something as correct or true. Example: 「失敗を認める」 (to admit a failure). Also used to mean evaluating something as having value (「実力が認められる」, to have one's ability recognized), or to notice or confirm something by observation (「変化が認められる」, a change is observed).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
緑
みどり
green. A color like that of tree leaves.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
実る
みのる
For a plant to bear fruit. Example: 「稲が実る」 (rice ripens). Also used to mean a good result coming about, as in 「努力が実る」 (effort bears fruit).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
見本
みほん
sample. A model or example shown for reference. Example: 「商品の見本」 (a product sample).
AI-generated translation
N3
未満
みまん
Being less than a number, not including that number itself. Example: 「18歳未満」 (under 18 years old). Whereas 「18歳以下」 includes 18, 「18歳未満」 does not include 18.
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
耳
みみ
ear. The part of the body for hearing sound.
AI-generated translation
N3
未来
みらい
future. Time yet to come. Example: 「明るい未来」 (a bright future). While 「将来」 often refers to one's own personal future, 「未来」 broadly refers to the future of society or the world as well.
AI-generated translation
N3
向く
むく
For one's face or body to be turned in a certain direction. Example: 「右を向く」 (to face right). Also used to mean being suited to something, as in 「この仕事に向いている」 (suited to this job). 「向く」 is used when one's face or body turns that way, while 「向ける」 is used when a person turns a face or object that way: compare 「右を向く」 with 「顔を右に向ける」.
AI-generated translation
N3
剥く
むく
peel. To remove the outer skin of something. Example: 「りんごの皮を剥く」 (to peel an apple). Often written in hiragana as 「むく」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
向ける
むける
To turn a face or object toward a certain direction. Example: 「カメラを向ける」 (to point a camera). Also used to mean directing one's feelings or attention that way, as in 「注意を向ける」 (to direct one's attention). 「向ける」 is used when a person turns a face or object that way, while 「向く」 is used when one's face or body turns that way: compare 「顔を右に向ける」 with 「右を向く」.
AI-generated translation
N3
無視
むし
Treating something as if it did not exist. Example: 「信号無視」 (ignoring a traffic signal), 「質問を無視する」 (to ignore a question).
AI-generated translation
N3
虫歯
むしば
A tooth with a hole caused by bacteria. Example: 「虫歯になる」 (to get a cavity).
AI-generated translation
N3
蒸す
むす
steam. To heat food with hot vapor. Example: 「肉まんを蒸す」 (to steam a meat bun). Also used to mean it is hot and humid, as in 「今日は蒸すね」 (it's humid today, isn't it).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
結ぶ
むすぶ
To tie things together with a string, etc., and fasten them. Example: 「くつのひもを結ぶ」 (to tie one's shoelaces). Also used to mean establishing a promise or relationship, as in 「契約を結ぶ」 (to conclude a contract).
AI-generated translation
N3
無駄
むだ
waste. Being of no use. Having no effect. Example: 「時間の無駄」 (a waste of time), 「無駄づかい」 (wasteful spending).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
夢中
むちゅう
Being so absorbed in one thing that one forgets everything else. Example: 「ゲームに夢中になる」 (to be absorbed in a game).
AI-generated translation
N3
胸
むね
chest. The front part of the body between the neck and the abdomen. Example: 「胸が痛い」 (one's chest hurts). Also used to mean the heart/mind, as in 「胸がいっぱいになる」 (to be filled with emotion).
AI-generated translation
N3
紫
むらさき
purple. A color made by mixing red and blue. Example: 「紫の花」 (a purple flower).
AI-generated translation
N3
無料
むりょう
Not requiring any fee. Example: 「入場無料」 (free admission). In spoken language, 「ただ」 is also used. The antonym is 「有料」 (requiring payment).
AI-generated translation
N3
名刺
めいし
A small card printed with one's name and company name, etc. Exchanged with people one meets for the first time at work.
AI-generated translation
N3
命令
めいれい
command. An instruction given by a person of higher standing telling someone to do something. Example: 「命令に従う」 (to follow an order).
AI-generated translation
N3
迷惑
めいわく
Having an unpleasant experience or being troubled because of someone else. Example: 「迷惑をかける」 (to cause trouble for someone).
AI-generated translation
N3
めくる
めくる
To turn something like paper over as if flipping it. Example: 「ページをめくる」 (to turn a page).
AI-generated translation
N3
目指す
めざす
To move toward something. To make it one's goal. Example: 「優勝を目指す」 (to aim for the championship).
AI-generated translation
N3
目立つ
めだつ
To stand out and catch attention more than other things. Example: 「目立つ色の服」 (clothes in an eye-catching color).
AI-generated translation
N3
めったに
めったに
rarely. Almost (not). Followed by a negative form. Example: 「めったに風邪をひかない」 (rarely catches a cold).
AI-generated translation
N3
免許
めんきょ
license. Official qualification permitting one to do something. Example: 「運転免許」 (driver's license).
AI-generated translation
N3
面接
めんせつ
interview. Meeting someone directly to assess their character and ability, for school admission or employment, etc. Example: 「面接試験」 (interview exam).
AI-generated translation
N3
面倒
めんどう
Something that takes effort and is unpleasant. Example: 「手続きが面倒だ」 (the procedure is troublesome). 「面倒を見る」 means "to take care of someone."
AI-generated translation
N3
申し込む
もうしこむ
apply. To formally convey to another party one's intention to participate or make a contract, etc. Example: 「大会に申し込む」 (to apply/register for a tournament).
AI-generated translation
N3
毛布
もうふ
blanket. A thick woven blanket used when sleeping.
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
N3
目的
もくてき
purpose. The thing one is aiming to accomplish. Example: 「旅行の目的」 (the purpose of a trip).
AI-generated translation
N3
目標
もくひょう
goal. A point one aims to reach. Example: 「今月の目標」 (this month's goal). While 「目的」 tends to refer to the ultimate thing one wants to accomplish, 「目標」 often refers to the concrete point to reach toward that end.
AI-generated translation
N3
文字
もじ
A symbol used to write down language, such as hiragana, kanji, or the alphabet. Example: 「大きな文字」 (large characters/letters).
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
N3
戻す
もどす
To return something to its original place or state. Example: 「本を棚に戻す」 (to put a book back on the shelf). 「戻す」 is used when a person puts someone or something back, while 「戻る」 is used when one goes back oneself: compare 「本を棚に戻す」 with 「家に戻る」.
AI-generated translation
N3
求める
もとめる
To want something and wish for it. To try to obtain it. Example: 「助けを求める」 (to ask for help). Also used to mean trying to find something out, as in 「答えを求める」 (to seek an answer).
AI-generated translation
N3
もともと
もともと
originally. From the beginning, originally. Example: 「もともと丈夫な体だ」 (originally a sturdy body). Written with the kanji 「元々」.
AI-generated translation
N3
物語
ものがたり
story. A coherent tale told about people or events. Example: 「昔から伝わる物語」 (a story passed down from long ago).
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
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
N3
やがて
やがて
eventually. Before long, after some time. Example: 「やがて夜になった」 (eventually night fell).
AI-generated translation
N3
役立つ
やくだつ
To be of use. To be helpful in doing something. Example: 「勉強が仕事に役立つ」 (studying helps in one's work).
AI-generated translation
N3
やけど
やけど
A burn injury on the skin caused by contact with fire or something hot. Example: 「やけどをする」 (to get burned). Written with the kanji 「火傷」, but usually written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N3
家賃
やちん
rent. Money paid monthly to rent a house or room.
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.