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JLPT N3 Vocabulary
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N3
作曲
さっきょく
composition. To create a piece of music. Example: 「作曲家」 (a composer), 「歌を作曲する」 (to compose a song). Writing lyrics is called 「作詞」.
AI-generated translation
N3
砂漠
さばく
desert. Land where rain almost never falls, covered in sand or rock. Example: 「サハラ砂漠」 (the Sahara Desert), 「砂漠化」 (desertification).
AI-generated translation
N3
錆びる
さびる
rust. For metal to come into contact with air or water and have its surface turn reddish-brown. Example: 「くぎが錆びる」 (a nail rusts), 「錆びた自転車」 (a rusty bicycle).
AI-generated translation
N3
座布団
ざぶとん
floor cushion. A cushion laid down for sitting on tatami or a floor. Example: 「座布団をすすめる」 (to offer someone a floor cushion).
AI-generated translation
N3
差別
さべつ
discrimination. To treat certain people unfairly without a valid reason. Example: 「差別をなくす」 (to eliminate discrimination), 「人種差別」 (racial discrimination). The similar word 「区別」 refers to the act of distinguishing things by their differences itself, and does not carry a negative meaning.
AI-generated translation
N3
様々
さまざま
various. A state of many different kinds, each different from the other. Example: 「様々な意見」 (various opinions), 「様々な国の人」 (people from various countries). More formal than 「色々」.
AI-generated translation
N3
覚める
さめる
wake up. For sleep to end and consciousness to become clear. Example: 「目が覚める」 (to wake up), 「夢から覚める」 (to wake from a dream). The homophone 「冷める」 refers to the temperature of something hot going down (e.g. 「スープが冷める」, soup cools down), and is written differently.
AI-generated translation
N3
左右
さゆう
left and right. Left and right. Example: 「左右を確認する」 (to check left and right). Also used to mean having a major influence on something, as in 「結果を左右する」 (to have a decisive effect on the result).
AI-generated translation
N3
更に
さらに
furthermore. On top of that, even more. It expresses that a degree becomes greater than it is now. 「更に努力する」「値段が更に上がる」. It is also used when adding another matter to what was said before. 「駅から近い。更に、周りに店も多い」「更に詳しく言うと」 is a way of adding further to a story or an explanation. Often written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N3
去る
さる
leave. To go away from a place. Example: 「故郷を去る」 (to leave one's hometown), 「会社を去る」 (to leave a company). Also used to refer to a past date, as in 「去る10日」 (the 10th of last month). The antonym is 「来る」 (to come).
AI-generated translation
N3
騒がしい
さわがしい
noisy. A state in which voices or sounds are loud and disruptive. Example: 「教室が騒がしい」 (the classroom is noisy). Also used to mean an unsettled state of affairs, as in 「世の中が騒がしい」 (society is in turmoil).
AI-generated translation
N3
騒ぎ
さわぎ
commotion. A noisy, unsettled state caused by loud voices or movement. Example: 「騒ぎを起こす」 (to cause an uproar), 「大騒ぎ」 (a big commotion). There is also the expression 「それどころの騒ぎではない」 (this is no time for such trivial matters).
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N3
参加
さんか
participation. To join a group or activity as a member. Example: 「大会に参加する」 (to participate in a tournament), 「参加者」 (a participant).
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N3
参考
さんこう
reference. To use another opinion or material as a help when thinking about something. Example: 「参考にする」 (to use as a reference), 「参考書」 (a reference book).
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N3
賛成
さんせい
agreement. To recognize someone's opinion as good and agree with it. Example: 「提案に賛成する」 (to agree to a proposal), 「賛成多数」 (a majority in favor). The antonym is 「反対」 (opposition).
AI-generated translation
N3
酸素
さんそ
oxygen. A gas contained in the air, used by living things for breathing. Example: 「酸素が足りない」 (there isn't enough oxygen), 「酸素マスク」 (an oxygen mask).
AI-generated translation
N3
幸せ
しあわせ
A feeling of being fulfilled at heart and happy. Example: 「幸せな毎日」 (happy everyday life), 「幸せになる」 (to become happy). The antonym is 「不幸」 (unhappiness).
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N3
寺院
じいん
temple. A temple. A more formal way of saying 「寺」, used in written language and news.
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N3
資格
しかく
qualification. A condition or license needed to do something. 「受験資格」「資格を取る」. It is also used to mean the right to do so, or a position that befits it. As in 「約束を守らない人に文句を言う資格はない」「代表としての資格がある」, it refers not to something tangible like a license but to the rightness of one's position.
AI-generated translation
N3
四角
しかく
square. A shape with four corners. Example: 「四角い箱」 (a square/rectangular box). 「真四角」 specifically means a perfect square.
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N3
時期
じき
A period during which something takes place. Example: 「田植えの時期」 (the season for rice planting), 「時期が早い」 (it's too early). The homophone 「時機」 refers to a good opportunity/timing, is a more formal word, and is used differently.
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N3
資金
しきん
Money needed to carry out a business or activity.
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N3
刺激
しげき
stimulus. Something that strongly acts on the senses or mind. Example: 「強い光の刺激」 (the stimulus of strong light), 「刺激的な映画」 (a stimulating movie). Also used to mean something that motivates someone, as in 「刺激を受ける」 (to be stimulated/inspired).
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N3
事件
じけん
incident. An unusual event such as an accident or crime. Example: 「殺人事件」 (a murder case), 「事件が起こる」 (an incident occurs).
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N3
時刻
じこく
A single point within the flow of time. Example: 「出発時刻」 (departure time), 「時刻表」 (a timetable). While 「時間」 can also refer to a length of time, 「時刻」 refers only to a single point in time.
AI-generated translation
N3
事実
じじつ
fact. Something that actually happened. Example: 「事実を確かめる」 (to confirm the facts), 「事実と違う」 (different from the facts). 「事実上」 (in effect/practically) is also commonly used.
AI-generated translation
N3
事情
じじょう
circumstances. The detailed reasons or state behind why something is the way it is. Example: 「家庭の事情」 (family circumstances), 「事情があって遅れた」 (was late due to circumstances).
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N3
詩人
しじん
poet. A person whose job is writing poetry.
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N3
自身
じしん
The person themselves. Attached after a word referring to a person, as in 「私自身」 (myself), 「自分自身」 (oneself), to add emphasis. Distinguished from the homophones 「自信」 (self-confidence) and 「地震」 (earthquake).
AI-generated translation
N3
沈む
しずむ
sink. To go down into water or to a lower place. Example: 「船が沈む」 (a ship sinks), 「日が沈む」 (the sun sets). Also used to mean feeling down/depressed, as in 「気分が沈む」 (to feel down). The antonyms are 「浮かぶ」 (to float) and 「昇る」 (to rise).
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N3
施設
しせつ
The combined structures and equipment built for a specific purpose. Used in forms like 「福祉施設」「公共施設」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
従う
したがう
obey. To act according to what someone says or a rule. Example: 「指示に従う」 (to follow instructions), 「規則に従う」 (to obey the rules). Also used to mean going along something, as in 「川に従って歩く」 (to walk along a river).
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N3
支度
したく
Preparation for doing something. Example: 「しょくじの支度」 (preparing a meal).
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N3
支払う
しはらう
pay. To hand over money as payment for goods or services. Example: 「料金を支払う」 (to pay a fee). A more formal way of saying 「払う」, used in business and documents. The noun form is 「支払い」.
AI-generated translation
N3
死亡
しぼう
For a person to die. Example: 「事故で死亡する」 (to die in an accident), 「死亡者」 (a deceased person). A formal way of saying 「死ぬ」, used in news and documents.
AI-generated translation
N3
姉妹
しまい
sisters. Older and younger sisters. Example: 「三人姉妹」 (three sisters). Also used to mean two things bound by a deep relationship, as in 「姉妹都市」 (sister city), 「姉妹校」 (sister school). For brothers, 「兄弟」 is used.
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N3
示す
しめす
indicate. To show or point at something so the other person understands. Example: 「地図で道を示す」 (to show the way on a map), 「例を示す」 (to give an example), 「関心を示す」 (to show interest).
AI-generated translation
N3
占める
しめる
occupy. To hold a certain place or proportion for oneself. Example: 「過半数を占める」 (to hold a majority), 「大きな部分を占める」 (to occupy a large portion).
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N3
霜
しも
frost. Fine ice that forms on the ground or the surface of things during a cold night. Example: 「霜が降りる」 (frost forms).
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N3
借金
しゃっきん
debt. To borrow money. Money that has been borrowed. Example: 「借金を返す」 (to pay back a debt), 「借金がある」 (to have debt).
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N3
邪魔
じゃま
A presence or act that hinders things from proceeding smoothly. Used in forms like 「邪魔をする」「邪魔にならない」. When visiting someone's home, the form 「お邪魔する」 is used, as in 「お邪魔します」「明日お邪魔してもいいですか」. This is a greeting that humbly expresses a visit, phrased as receiving the other person's time and space; it does not actually mean causing trouble.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
収穫
しゅうかく
harvest. To gather in crops that have been grown. Example: 「米の収穫」 (a rice harvest). Also used to mean a good result gained from an activity, as in 「今日の会議は収穫が多かった」 (today's meeting was very productive).
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N3
宗教
しゅうきょう
religion. The spiritual practice of believing in gods or buddhas and following their teachings. Example: 「宗教を信じる」 (to believe in a religion), 「宗教団体」 (a religious organization).
AI-generated translation
N3
就職
しゅうしょく
To enter a company, etc., and start working. Example: 「銀行に就職する」 (to get a job at a bank), 「就職活動」 (job hunting). The antonym is 「退職」 (retiring/resigning).
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N3
修正
しゅうせい
correction. To fix a bad point or mistake. Example: 「文章を修正する」 (to revise a piece of writing), 「軌道修正」 (course correction).
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N3
渋滞
じゅうたい
For cars, etc., to get backed up so the flow stops moving smoothly.
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N3
重力
じゅうりょく
The force by which the earth pulls objects toward its center. A term learned in science class.
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N3
主題
しゅだい
The central idea of a story or work. A theme. The homophone-starting word 「首都」 (capital city) is a different word.
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N3
出血
しゅっけつ
(1) For blood to come out. Example: 「出血を止める」 (to stop the bleeding). (2) To lower a price at the cost of taking a loss. Example: 「出血大サービス」 (a big loss-leader sale).
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N3
首都
しゅと
The town that is the center of a country. The town where a country's government is located. The similarly-starting word 「主題」 (theme) is a different word.
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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.