To forcefully expel breath from the throat. Example: 「せきが出る」 (to cough). Written with the kanji 「咳」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana.
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N3責任せきにん
responsibility. A duty one has taken on and must carry through. Example: 「責任がある」 (to bear responsibility). Also used to mean accepting the consequences of a failure, as in 「責任を取る」 (to take responsibility).
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N3石油せきゆ
petroleum. Oil extracted from underground. It becomes a raw material for fuel and plastics.
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N3積極的せっきょくてき
A state of doing things on one's own initiative. Example: 「積極的に発言する」 (to speak up proactively). The antonym is 「消極的」 (passive).
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N3絶対ぜったい
absolutely. No matter what, without fail. Example: 「絶対に行く」 (I will definitely go). When used with a negative form, it means "never," as in 「絶対にしない」 (I will never do it).
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N3節約せつやく
To reduce waste and use money or things carefully. Example: 「電気代を節約する」 (to save on electricity bills). The paired expression is 「むだづかい」 (wasteful spending).
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N3全員ぜんいん
everyone. All the people present at that place or gathering. Example: 「全員が賛成した」 (everyone agreed).
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N3選挙せんきょ
election. To choose a representative by voting. Example: 「選挙に行く」 (to go vote in an election).
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N3洗剤せんざい
detergent. A chemical used for washing laundry or dishes to remove dirt.
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N3選手せんしゅ
A person chosen to compete in a competition. Often broadly used to refer to someone who plays sports in general. Example: 「野球選手」 (a baseball player).
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N3全身ぜんしん
The whole body. Example: 「全身がぬれる」 (to get soaked all over). Note the distinction from the homophone 「前進」 (moving forward).
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N3先祖せんぞ
ancestor. People from generations before oneself in a family line. Example: 「先祖の墓」 (an ancestor's grave). The antonym is 「子孫」 (descendants).
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N3選択せんたく
choice. To choose among several options. Example: 「選択肢」 (a choice/option). Note the distinction from the homophone 「洗濯」 (doing laundry).
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N3宣伝せんでん
To let many people know about a product or idea, spreading it widely. Example: 「新商品を宣伝する」 (to advertise a new product).
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N3象ぞう
elephant. The largest land animal, with a long trunk and large ears.
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N3騒音そうおん
noise. Sound that feels bothersome. Used for sounds that disturb daily life, such as construction or traffic noise.
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N3増加ぞうか
increase. For a number or amount to grow. Example: 「人口の増加」 (population increase). The antonym is 「減少」 (decrease).
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N3想像そうぞう
imagination. To picture in one's mind something not actually seen. Example: 「想像がつく」 (able to imagine). Note the distinction from the homophone 「創造」 (to create something new).
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N3早退そうたい
To leave school or work earlier than the scheduled time. Example: 「体調が悪くて早退する」 (to leave early due to feeling unwell).
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N3速度そくど
speed. The speed at which one moves. Example: 「速度を上げる」 (to increase speed).
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N2, N3底そこ
bottom. The lowest part of a container, the sea, or a river. Example: 「くつの底」 (the sole of a shoe). Also used to mean the deepest part, as in 「心の底」 (the depths of one's heart).
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N2, N3そっくりそっくり
A state of being very similar. Example: 「父親にそっくりだ」 (to look just like one's father). Also used to mean entirely, with nothing left out, as in 「そっくりそのまま」 (exactly as is, in its entirety).
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N2, N3そっとそっと
A manner of doing something quietly and gently, without making a sound. Example: 「そっとドアを閉める」 (to close a door quietly). There is also the expression 「そっとしておく」 (to leave someone/something alone).
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N3その後そのご
Meaning "after that" or "from then on." Used in forms like 「その後の状況」「その後、連絡がない」 in contexts referring to the period following a certain point in time.
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N3それぞれそれぞれ
each. Each and every one, one by one. Example: 「人それぞれ考えが違う」 (each person thinks differently).
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N2, N3そろうそろう
For two or more things to become the same state. Example: 「サイズがそろう」 (sizes match). Also used to mean all the necessary things or people gathering, as in 「メンバーがそろう」 (all members are present). Written with the kanji 「揃う」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana. A person making things the same is 「そろえる」, while the things themselves becoming the same is 「そろう」; they are used as in 「くつをそろえる」 versus 「くつがそろう」.
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N3そろえるそろえる
To make two or more things into the same state. Example: 「くつをそろえる」 (to line up shoes neatly). Also used to mean gathering all the necessary things, as in 「道具をそろえる」 (to gather all the tools). Written with the kanji 「揃える」. A person making things the same is 「そろえる」, while the things themselves becoming the same is 「そろう」; they are used as in 「くつをそろえる」 versus 「くつがそろう」.
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N3損そん
loss. To lose money or profit. To not benefit. Example: 「損をする」 (to suffer a loss). The antonym is 「得」 (gain).
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N3尊敬そんけい
respect. To think highly of someone and hold them in esteem. Example: 「先生を尊敬する」 (to respect one's teacher).
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N3存在そんざい
existence. To be there, to exist. Example: 「宇宙人の存在」 (the existence of aliens). Also used to refer to an important person or thing, as in 「大きな存在」 (a significant presence).
AI-generated translation
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