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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
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4,238words (N1–N5 total)
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N1
ひいては
ひいては
An adverb expressing that as one matter spreads, its influence reaches another related matter as well. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「個人の利益、ひいては社会全体の利益 (the benefit of the individual, and by extension the benefit of society as a whole)」「健康、ひいては人生の質 (health, and by extension the quality of life)」. It expresses spreading and expansion to a larger scope, used in contexts that develop reasoning step by step. It mostly appears in formal styles such as academic papers, editorials, and speeches, and is hardly used in everyday conversation.
AI-generated translation
N3
被害
ひがい
To suffer damage or harm. Also refers to the damage received. Example: 「台風の被害」 (typhoon damage). The antonym is 「加害」 (inflicting harm).
AI-generated translation
N3
比較
ひかく
comparison. To compare two or more things. Example: 「値段を比較する」 (to compare prices).
AI-generated translation
N2
悲願
ひがん
Refers to a strong heartfelt wish that has been held for many years. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「悲願の優勝 (a long-desired victory)」「悲願達成 (the fulfillment of a long-held wish)」「悲願の初出場 (a first appearance long aspired to)」. 「悲」 was originally a Buddhist term, the 「悲」 of 「慈悲 (compassion)」, meaning the deep wish to save all beings. It is used for goals not easily attained and wishes aimed at realization through overcoming difficulty, and is widely used in sports reporting, biographies, and historical accounts.
AI-generated translation
N1
卑近
ひきん
Refers to an appearance of being familiar, commonplace, and easily understandable by anyone. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「卑近な例 (a familiar example)」「卑近な話題 (a familiar topic)」「卑近な比喩 (a familiar metaphor)」. 「卑」 means low, 「近」 means near; together they express "something at a low, near position". As opposed to the abstract and difficult, it refers to the concrete and close at hand, and is widely used as an introductory phrase in explanation, as in 「卑近な例で言えば (to give a familiar example)」.
AI-generated translation
N2〜N5
引く
ひく
pull. To move something toward oneself by applying force. Example: 「戸を引く」 (to pull a door). The antonym is 「押す」 (to push). There is also the homophone 「弾く」 (to play a musical instrument), among others.
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
低い
ひくい
low. A state where the length from bottom to top is small. The antonym is 「高い」 (high).
AI-generated translation
N1
卑屈
ひくつ
Refers to viewing oneself lower than necessary, becoming dejected or fawning. Used in expressions like 「卑屈な態度 (a servile attitude)」「卑屈になる (to become servile)」「卑屈な笑い (a fawning smile)」. 「卑」 means low, 「屈」 means to bend; together they express a posture of lowering and bending oneself. It refers to a negative posture arising from failure, inferiority complexes, or differences in status, distinguished from appropriate modesty ('「謙虚」'). Whereas 「謙虚」 is a virtue, 「卑屈」 is excessive self-deprecation that becomes the object of criticism.
AI-generated translation
N1
秘訣
ひけつ
Refers to a knack or method, little known to others, for doing something well. Used in expressions like 「成功の秘訣 (the secret of success)」「長寿の秘訣 (the secret of long life)」「秘訣を伝授する (to pass on a secret)」. 「秘」 means secret, 「訣」 means the heart of a mystery; together they express "the secret essence". It is a word for essential know-how hard to see from the surface, appearing frequently in self-help books, interview articles, and contexts that discuss the skills of artisans.
AI-generated translation
N2
否決
ひけつ
Refers to a proposal not being approved and being rejected in a meeting or parliament. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「議案が否決される (a bill is rejected)」「動議を否決する (to vote down a motion)」「否決される見込みだ (it is likely to be rejected)」. It refers to the failure of a proposal as the result of a formal voting procedure, and is widely used in legal, political, and organizational contexts. Paired with 「可決」, it is an institutional term implying not mere 「反対 (opposition)」 but a formal decision by vote.
AI-generated translation
N3
膝
ひざ
knee. The bendable joint in the middle of the leg. Example: 「膝をつく」 (to kneel down).
AI-generated translation
N2
微細
びさい
Refers to an appearance of being very small and fine. It is a formal na-adjective used in expressions like 「微細な粒子 (fine particles)」「微細な傷 (a minute scratch)」「微細な変化 (a minute change)」. Both 「微」 and 「細」 mean "small, fine"; the two characters together emphasize the meaning. It expresses physical smallness on the verge of being barely visible to the naked eye, or fine details one notices only on closer attention, and is used widely in science, technology, and analysis. It is nearly synonymous with 「細微」.
AI-generated translation
N3
肘
ひじ
elbow. The bendable joint in the middle of the arm. Example: 「肘をつく」 (to rest on one's elbow).
AI-generated translation
N3
非常
ひじょう
An unusual, urgent situation. It is used on its own as a noun, as in 「非常の際」 (in an emergency), 「非常の場合」 (in case of emergency). It is also often combined with other words, as in 「非常口」 (emergency exit), 「非常ベル」 (emergency bell), 「非常階段」 (emergency stairs), 「非常食」 (emergency rations). Adding 「に」 gives 「非常に」, an adverb meaning the same as 「とても」 (very); the part of speech and the meaning both change, as in 「非常の際に備える」 versus 「非常に寒い」.
AI-generated translation
N3, N4
非常に
ひじょうに
Expresses that the degree of something is very strong. It has the same meaning as 「とても」 and 「たいへん」, and is often used in written language. It is formed by adding 「に」 to the noun 「非常」 (an unusual, urgent situation; 「非常口」「非常ベル」); 「非常」 on its own does not mean 「とても」. Compare 「非常の場合」, which means in an emergency, with 「非常に寒い」, which means very cold.
AI-generated translation
N3
額
ひたい
forehead. The part of the face from above the eyebrows to the hairline. Also called おでこ. When read as 「がく」, it means a sum of money or a frame for holding a picture.
AI-generated translation
N1
ひた隠し
ひたがくし
Refers to thoroughly concealing something so that others will not learn of it. Used in expressions like 「過去をひた隠しにする (to keep one's past tightly hidden)」「真相をひた隠す (to keep the truth tightly hidden)」「ひた隠しに隠す (to hide thoroughly)」. 「ひた」 is a prefix meaning 「ひたすら (single-mindedly) / もっぱら (entirely)」, expressing consistent dedication. It is mostly used for serious matters or the concealment of inconvenient information, and is used in news reports and the narrative prose of novels.
AI-generated translation
N1
ひたむき
ひたむき
Refers to the appearance of devoting oneself to a single thing without looking aside. Used in expressions like 「ひたむきな努力 (single-minded effort)」「ひたむきに取り組む (to tackle wholeheartedly)」「ひたむきな姿勢 (a wholehearted attitude)」. 「ひた」 is a prefix meaning 「ひたすら (single-mindedly)」, expressing a pure and earnest posture, used in contexts of positive evaluation. It carries praise for pure, unselfish effort without calculation or expectation of return, and appears frequently in contexts of youth, sports, and depictions of artisans.
AI-generated translation
N3
ぴったり
ぴったり
A state of fitting together without any gap. Example: 「サイズがぴったりだ」 (the size fits perfectly). Also used to mean "exactly," as in 「3時ぴったり」 (exactly 3 o'clock).
AI-generated translation
N1
匹敵
ひってき
Refers to capacity, value, or scale being at a level equal to the object of comparison. It is a formal word used in the form 「Aに匹敵するB (a B that matches A)」, or in expressions like 「世界に匹敵する技術 (technology that matches that of the world)」「彼に匹敵する選手はいない (there is no player who matches him)」. Both 「匹」 and 「敵」 mean "counterpart, equal"; together they express "to stand shoulder to shoulder". It expresses a relationship in which it is hard to rank one above the other, and carries the nuance that the evaluator acknowledges "taking A's level as the standard, B is equal to that level".
AI-generated translation
N2
筆頭
ひっとう
Refers to occupying the top position in a list or ranking, or to the person in that position. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「候補者の筆頭 (the foremost candidate)」「筆頭株主 (the largest shareholder)」「筆頭格 (top-ranking class)」. Originally meaning the person whose name was written first on a list (literally "head of the brush"), it came to refer to the entity regarded as most important or highest in a list. It is a word that indicates ranking within an organization or order, and is widely used in business, news reporting, and historical writing.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
引っ張る
ひっぱる
To pull something toward oneself with force. Example: 「ロープを引っ張る」 (to pull a rope). Also used to mean leading a group from the front, as in 「チームを引っ張る」 (to lead the team).
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
人
ひと
person. A human being. It is also used as a word for counting people. ひとり・ふたり・さんにん・よにん・ごにん・ろくにん・しちにん・はちにん・きゅうにん・じゅうにん, and 「なんにん」. For 1 and 2 it becomes 「ひとり」 and 「ふたり」, and for 4 it becomes 「よにん」.
AI-generated translation
N2
微動
びどう
Refers to moving only very slightly. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「微動だにしない (not stirring at all)」「微動の気配 (signs of slight movement)」. Most uses are the idiomatic form 「微動だにしない」, emphasizing the appearance of being entirely still. It is used in expressions of small tremors picked up by seismographs and the like, or states of stiffening with tension, and is biased toward written language rather than everyday conversation.
AI-generated translation
N2
一際
ひときわ
An adverb expressing the appearance of standing out conspicuously in degree above the rest. Used in expressions like 「一際目立つ (to stand out conspicuously)」「一際輝く (to shine conspicuously)」「一際大きな歓声 (a particularly loud cheer)」. It refers to standing out especially among many, and is often used with positive evaluation. Synonymous with 「一段と」, but 「一際」 is more written-language in character, and tends to be used especially for visually impressive objects, as in 「目立つ」「美しい」「光る」.
AI-generated translation
N1
一頃
ひところ
Refers to a certain past period of time. Used in expressions like 「一頃の勢いを失う (to lose the momentum one once had)」「一頃は流行した (was once in fashion)」「一頃に比べて (compared with a former time)」. It is a noun referring to a past period in which conditions differed from the present, used when speaking of past circumstances in contrast with the present. It is a word with a specific period of time in mind rather than a vague past, used widely in contexts that look back on changes.
AI-generated translation
N2
人質
ひとじち
Refers to a person whose body is held as a means in negotiation or threat. Used in expressions like 「人質を取る (to take a hostage)」「人質を解放する (to release a hostage)」「人質事件 (a hostage incident)」. It is a word used for incidents in which kidnappers, armed groups, and the like restrain people as bargaining chips to push their demands through, appearing frequently in incident reports, historical writings, and international news. By extension, it is also used in scenes where one seizes another's weak point to gain leverage in negotiation, as in 「データを人質にする (to hold data hostage)」.
AI-generated translation
N2
一筋
ひとすじ
Refers to the appearance of focusing on and devoting oneself to a single thing. Used in expressions like 「研究一筋 (devoted solely to research)」「仕事一筋に生きる (to live solely for one's work)」「料理一筋四十年 (forty years devoted solely to cooking)」. It expresses a long-term commitment to a particular target, and is often used with positive, respectful evaluation. There is also a counter-like usage for things forming a thin extended line, as in 「一筋の光 (a single ray of light)」「一筋の涙 (a single trail of tears)」, distinguished by context.
AI-generated translation
N1
一筋縄
ひとすじなわ
A set phrase used in the form 「一筋縄ではいかない」, meaning that something is so difficult to handle that ordinary means will not work. Used in expressions like 「彼は一筋縄ではいかない相手だ (he is no easy opponent)」「一筋縄ではいかない問題 (a tricky problem)」. The original meaning is "a single rope", and the phrase was born from the metaphor that the target is too tough to be caught with simple equipment. 「一筋縄」 is hardly used on its own, and almost always appears within this idiomatic expression.
AI-generated translation
N2
一握り
ひとにぎり
A noun expressing the fact that the number or quantity of something is extremely small. Used in expressions like 「一握りの人々 (a handful of people)」「一握りの成功者 (a handful of successful people)」「一握りの土 (a handful of earth)」. It is a derivative usage from the metaphor of a quantity that fits in the palm of the hand, and is used in contexts emphasizing a very small portion relative to the whole. It mostly refers to "an extreme minority within a whole", often carrying nuances like "a privileged minority" or "exceptional winners".
AI-generated translation
N2
ひとまず
ひとまず
An adverb expressing the appearance of provisionally drawing a line and proceeding forward, although the matter is not fully resolved. Used in expressions like 「ひとまず安心する (to be relieved for now)」「ひとまず合意する (to come to a tentative agreement)」「ひとまず保留にする (to put on hold for now)」. It is a word indicating provisional, stepwise measures, used widely in contexts that describe postponement of fundamental resolution or immediate responses. It is a versatile adverb usable both in everyday conversation and business writing.
AI-generated translation
N1
ひねくれる
ひねくれる
Refers to losing one's natural straightforwardness and coming to receive things in a twisted way. Used in expressions like 「ひねくれた性格 (a warped disposition)」「ひねくれた解釈 (a twisted interpretation)」「ひねくれた物の見方 (a contrarian way of seeing things)」. It expresses the appearance of taking goodwill or kindness in reverse, or deliberately adopting an oppositional attitude, and carries a negative evaluation. 「捻」 means to twist, expressing the nuance of being unstraight, not earnest. It is a word for everyday use in character description.
AI-generated translation
N2
批判
ひはん
To discern and discuss whether something is good or bad; in particular, to point out its errors or flaws.
AI-generated translation
N1
響き渡る
ひびきわたる
Refers to a sound or voice traveling so strongly that it reaches every corner of a wide area. It is a compound verb used in expressions like 「鐘の音が響き渡る (the sound of the bell rings out)」「歓声が響き渡る (cheers ring out)」「号砲が響き渡る (the starting signal rings out)」. It expresses the appearance of sound reaching every corner of a space; in addition to the physical propagation of sound, it is also used as a metaphor for the spread of fame, as in 「名声が響き渡る」. It implies a wider scope and stronger impression than 「響く」.
AI-generated translation
N1
微々たる
びびたる
Refers to an appearance of being so small in quantity or degree as to be insignificant. It is an adnominal used in expressions like 「微々たる金額 (a trifling sum)」「微々たる成果 (paltry results)」「微々たる差 (a negligible difference)」. It must modify a following noun, emphasizing smallness of scale. As a reduplicated form stacking 「微」, it carries the nuance of "scant, barely worth mentioning", expressing self-deprecation or dismissiveness rather than mere "smallness".
AI-generated translation
N2
批評
ひひょう
To discuss and evaluate the worth or quality of something.
AI-generated translation
N3
皮膚
ひふ
What covers the surface of the body. A medical/formal term; in daily conversation, 「肌」 is more commonly used.
AI-generated translation
N1
疲弊
ひへい
Refers to organizations, economies, or physical strength growing tired and weakened, losing their natural vitality. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「経済が疲弊する (the economy is exhausted)」「現場が疲弊する (the front lines are exhausted)」「国土が疲弊する (the country is depleted)」. 「疲」 means to be tired, 「弊」 means to weaken or break down; together they express "becoming tired and worn out". It expresses a state of weakening as the result of long-lasting burden, indicating a state more serious and structural than the temporary tiredness of 「疲労」.
AI-generated translation
N1
美貌
びぼう
Refers to a person whose appearance is strikingly beautiful. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「美貌の持ち主 (a person of beauty)」「美貌を誇る (to be proud of one's beauty)」「絶世の美貌 (peerless beauty)」. 「美」 means beautiful, 「貌」 means face or appearance; together they express "a beautiful appearance". It is mostly used in contexts that praise the appearance of women or young men, pointing to the beauty of well-proportioned features. The focus is on outward beauty rather than inner attractiveness, and it is used in literary works, biographies, and entertainment journalism.
AI-generated translation
N1
備忘録
びぼうろく
Refers to a document or notebook in which one records key points so as not to forget them. Used in expressions like 「備忘録に記す (to write in one's memorandum)」「備忘録として残す (to leave as a memorandum)」「備忘録代わりのメモ (a memo serving as a memorandum)」. 「備」 means to prepare, 「忘」 means to forget, 「録」 means a record; together they express "something recorded in preparation for forgetting". A typical example is a document briefly summarizing the key points of a meeting or daily observations, and it is a word used in formal and business contexts.
AI-generated translation
N2
日増しに
ひましに
An adverb expressing the appearance of degree increasing gradually day by day. Used in expressions like 「日増しに寒くなる (it grows colder by the day)」「日増しに回復する (to recover day by day)」「日増しに人気が高まる (popularity grows day by day)」. It is used in situations where change progresses with the passage of time, and is a neutral word usable for both positive change (recovery, growth, improvement) and negative change (deterioration, decline). It carries the nuance of change accumulating gradually and steadily.
AI-generated translation
N3
秘密
ひみつ
secret. Something kept hidden from others. Example: 「秘密を守る」 (to keep a secret).
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
微妙
びみょう
Having fine differences that are hard to state clearly; subtle. 微妙な色の違い (a subtle difference in color). In conversation, also used as an indirect way of saying something is not good (味は微妙だった "the taste was so-so").
AI-generated translation
N3
ひも
ひも
A long, thin thing used for tying or binding items. Thicker than thread but thinner than rope. Written with the kanji 「紐」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N3
冷やす
ひやす
To lower the temperature of something to make it cold. Example: 「ビールを冷やす」 (to chill beer). 「頭を冷やす」 means "to calm down." 「冷やす」 is used when a person lowers the temperature, while 「冷える」 is used when it drops on its own: compare 「ビールを冷やす」 with 「ビールが冷える」.
AI-generated translation
N2
冷ややか
ひややか
Refers to the appearance of being cool to the touch, slightly chilly. Or, the appearance of an attitude, gaze, or reaction being cold and devoid of sympathy or empathy. Used in expressions like 「冷ややかな目 (a cold gaze)」「冷ややかな反応 (a chilly reaction)」「冷ややかな笑い (a cold laugh)」. Compared with the physical use for low temperature, the metaphorical use for psychological distance or coldness is more frequent. It contains critical, negative emotion, depicting an attitude of looking down on or rejecting the other party.
AI-generated translation
N3
費用
ひよう
expense. Money required to do something. Example: 「旅行の費用」 (travel expenses).
AI-generated translation
N3
表
ひょう
table, chart. Something in which figures or items are arranged vertically and horizontally so they are easy to read. Used as in "調査の結果を表にまとめる" (to compile survey results into a table), "成績表", or "時刻表". The same "表" read as "おもて" is a different word meaning the side of an object seen from the front or outside.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
評価
ひょうか
evaluation. To judge and determine the value or quality of something. 「作品を評価する」「高い評価を受ける」. Going a step further from this, it is also used to mean recognizing something as good, or thinking highly of it. 「努力が評価される」「その点は評価できる」 do not mean judging whether something is good or bad, but recognizing its good points.
AI-generated translation
N3
表現
ひょうげん
expression. To express one's thoughts or feelings in words or in some form. 「気持ちを言葉で表現する」「絵で表現する」. It also refers to the form of words expressed in that way, that is, the wording itself. As in 「丁寧な表現」「わかりにくい表現を直す」, it is used in the sense of what manner of speaking is used.
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.