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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
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4,238words (N1–N5 total)
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N1
不詳
ふしょう
Refers to something whose details are unknown. Used in expressions like 「身元不詳 (unknown identity)」「作者不詳 (author unknown)」. It is a formal expression used in news reports, official documents, and records for items whose information cannot be verified. 「詳」 means detailed, and 「不」 added to it indicates the state of "details unknown".
AI-generated translation
N1
不祥事
ふしょうじ
Refers to disgraceful incidents that damage trust or honor, caused by organizations or people in positions of responsibility. Used in expressions like 「企業の不祥事 (a corporate scandal)」「不祥事が発覚する (a scandal comes to light)」「相次ぐ不祥事 (a series of scandals)」. 「祥」 means "auspicious, fortunate", and the original sense is "an inauspicious event". It refers broadly to incidents involving legal or ethical violations, or matters drawing social criticism, and is used frequently when such matters are reported as organizational problems. It tends to point to misconduct in positions of public responsibility rather than to an individual's private failings.
AI-generated translation
N2
腐食
ふしょく
Refers to metals and the like gradually degrading and being damaged from the surface through chemical reactions. Used in expressions like 「金属の腐食 (the corrosion of metal)」「腐食が進む (corrosion progresses)」. It can also be used metaphorically for the degradation of organizations and institutions. 「腐」 means to rot, 「食」 means to erode; together they express the process of "rotting and being eaten away".
AI-generated translation
N2
侮辱
ぶじょく
Refers to looking down on another and committing words or acts that wound their personality and dignity. Used in expressions like 「侮辱を受ける (to be insulted)」「侮辱罪 (the crime of insult)」「公衆の面前で侮辱する (to insult someone in public)」. 「侮」 means to make light of, 「辱」 means to shame; together they express "to belittle and shame". It is established as a legal term (the crime of insult), and is an important word used widely from everyday conversation to legal documents.
AI-generated translation
N1
腐心
ふしん
Refers to wearing out one's mind in continual contrivance in order to accomplish something. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「資金繰りに腐心する (to rack one's brains over financing)」「経営再建に腐心する (to rack one's brains over corporate restructuring)」「対応に腐心する (to wrestle with how to respond)」. 「腐」 conveys the image of "worrying until one's mind rots", expressing effort accompanied by mental anguish. It is a formal word stating in measured fashion the appearance of grappling earnestly with difficulty, and is used widely in business and political contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
風情
ふぜい
Refers to a deeply felt charm or flavor. It is a word expressing traditional Japanese aesthetics, referring to feelings drawn from natural scenery, old townscapes, gestures, or the changing seasons. Used in expressions like 「秋の風情 (the charm of autumn)」「風情のある宿 (an inn with character)」「風情を楽しむ (to enjoy the atmosphere)」. In addition, when attached to a word referring to a person, as in 「私風情 (someone like me)」「子供風情 (a mere child)」, it has a secondary usage carrying the meaning "a worthless person like ~", expressing either humility or contempt.
AI-generated translation
N3
防ぐ
ふせぐ
prevent. To keep a bad thing from happening. Example: 「事故を防ぐ」 (to prevent an accident). Also used for blocking an enemy or wind and rain, as in 「寒さを防ぐ」 (to keep out the cold).
AI-generated translation
N1
伏字
ふせじ
Refers to concealing portions of text that cannot be expressed and indicating them with symbols such as 〇 or ×. Used in expressions like 「伏字にする (to render as bowdlerized text)」「実名を伏字で表記する (to indicate a real name with placeholder symbols)」. 「伏」 means to conceal, 「字」 means character; together they express "concealing characters". It is a specialized term in printing and editing, used for reasons of censorship, discretion, or editorial considerations, in contexts of news reporting and publishing.
AI-generated translation
N2
武装
ぶそう
To equip oneself with weapons and gear for fighting.
AI-generated translation
N1
不測
ふそく
Refers to something that cannot be foreseen. Used in expressions like 「不測の事態 (an unforeseen situation)」「不測の事故 (an unforeseen accident)」. 「測」 means to measure or predict, and 「不」 added to it expresses the state of "cannot be predicted". It refers to sudden, unexpected events, and is used widely in crisis management and news reporting.
AI-generated translation
N2
附属
ふぞく
Refers to being attached to and belonging to a main entity, or such an attached thing. Used in expressions like 「附属品 (an accessory)」「附属病院 (an attached hospital)」. Both 「附」 and 「属」 mean "to be attached", expressing a relationship of "being incidental to the main entity". It can also be written 「付属」 with the same meaning. It is a formal word expressing the relationship between schools, institutions, and components.
AI-generated translation
N3
不足
ふそく
shortage. Not being enough. Example: 「睡眠不足」 (lack of sleep), 「人手不足」 (labor shortage).
AI-generated translation
N1
不遜
ふそん
Refers to lacking modesty and being arrogant. Used in expressions like 「不遜な態度 (an arrogant attitude)」「不遜極まりない (utterly arrogant)」. 「遜」 means to be modest, and 「不」 added to it expresses the state of "not being modest". It is often used as a critical, negative evaluation.
AI-generated translation
N2
札
ふだ
A small piece of paper or board on which a name, number, price, or the like is written and attached as a marker. Used as in "番号の書かれた札を受け取る" (to receive a tag with a number on it), "荷札", or "名札". The same "札" read as "さつ" is a different word meaning paper money.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
舞台
ぶたい
stage. A raised platform for presenting plays, dances, etc. Example: 「舞台に立つ」 (to stand on stage). Also used to mean the setting/background of a story, as in 「京都を舞台にした小説」 (a novel set in Kyoto).
AI-generated translation
N1
不退転
ふたいてん
Refers to seeing through to the end a resolve once made, never turning back. Originally a Buddhist term meaning not retreating from a stage attained in spiritual practice. As in 「不退転の決意 (a resolve never to retreat)」「不退転の覚悟 (steadfast determination)」, it combines with words emphasizing resolve and readiness. It is used widely in politicians' policy speeches and in important public commitments.
AI-generated translation
N3
双子
ふたご
twins. Two children born from the same mother at the same time.
AI-generated translation
N3
再び
ふたたび
again. Once more. Example: 「再び会う」 (to meet again). This is a literary word; in spoken language, 「また」 is normal.
AI-generated translation
N3
普段
ふだん
Always, usually. Example: 「普段の生活」 (everyday life), 「普段着」 (everyday clothes).
AI-generated translation
N2
物価
ぶっか
The general level of prices for goods and services in society. Used for overall price movements across society, as in 物価が上がる (prices rise), not for the price of a single item.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
ぶつかる
ぶつかる
To collide with force. Example: 「車が壁にぶつかる」 (a car crashes into a wall). Also used when opinions conflict or schedules overlap, as in 「意見がぶつかる」 (opinions clash), 「日程がぶつかる」 (schedules conflict). 「ぶつかる」 is used when something strikes against something else, while 「ぶつける」 is used when a person makes something strike: compare 「車が壁にぶつかる」 with 「車を壁にぶつける」.
AI-generated translation
N1
払拭
ふっしょく
Refers to wiping something clean and removing it. Rather than physical situations of wiping away stains, it is used much more often metaphorically for completely dispelling distrust, anxiety, doubts, or bad impressions. As in 「不信感を払拭する (to dispel distrust)」「イメージを払拭する (to dispel an image)」「疑念を払拭する (to dispel doubts)」, it typically takes abstract objects. Both 「払」 and 「拭」 mean "to wipe away, to remove", forming a compound that stacks two characters to emphasize the meaning.
AI-generated translation
N1
払底
ふってい
Refers to a state in which supplies, funds, or personnel have hit bottom and almost nothing remains. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「人材が払底する (talent runs out)」「在庫が払底する (stock runs out)」「資金が払底する (funds are exhausted)」. 「払」 means to sweep away, 「底」 means the bottom or the point where something runs out; together they create the image of "sweeping right down to the bottom". It is rarely used in everyday conversation, and is biased toward formal styles such as reports on the economy, industry, or administration.
AI-generated translation
N3
筆
ふで
A tool for writing characters or painting, made by bundling hair together. Example: 「筆で書く」 (to write with a brush). 「筆が速い」 is also used as a metaphor for writing quickly.
AI-generated translation
N2
赴任
ふにん
Refers to going to one's assigned post and taking up duty. Used in expressions like 「海外赴任 (overseas posting)」「単身赴任 (a posting away from one's family)」. 「赴」 means to go off to, 「任」 means duty; together they express "going to one's post". It is widely used in contexts describing transfers of employees, public officials, teachers, and the like.
AI-generated translation
N1
腐敗
ふはい
Refers to things rotting. Or, it refers to organizations or politics becoming corrupt through moral decay. Used in expressions like 「政治の腐敗 (political corruption)」「腐敗した食品 (rotten food)」「腐敗が進む (corruption advances)」. The original meaning is the spoiling of food and other things by microbial action, but from there the word is also used broadly as a metaphor for the collapse of an organization from within due to private greed. In the metaphorical sense, it is used widely in contexts that criticize bribery, abuse of authority, and moral decline.
AI-generated translation
N1
不抜
ふばつ
Refers to a will that is extremely strong and does not waver no matter what. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「堅忍不抜 (firm endurance and steadfastness)」「不抜の精神 (an indomitable spirit)」, almost always as a component of four-character idioms. 「抜」 means to pull out; its original sense is "cannot be pulled out". It expresses a state in which one's will or conviction is firm and not easily moved, and is used in formal styles, speeches, and personal mottoes.
AI-generated translation
N3
部品
ぶひん
Each individual piece that makes up a machine, etc. Example: 「車の部品」 (car parts).
AI-generated translation
N3
部分
ぶぶん
part. A section within a whole. Example: 「壊れた部分」 (the broken part). The antonym is 「全体」 (the whole).
AI-generated translation
N1
侮蔑
ぶべつ
Refers to looking down on and despising another. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「侮蔑のまなざし (a contemptuous gaze)」「侮蔑を込めた言葉 (words steeped in contempt)」「侮蔑の対象 (an object of contempt)」. Both 「侮」 and 「蔑」 mean "to belittle", and the compound expresses a strong feeling of contempt. It is synonymous with 「軽蔑」 and 「侮辱」, but 「侮蔑」 is more written-language in character, combining strength of feeling with hardness of style. It is used widely in literary works, criticism, and the narrative prose of novels.
AI-generated translation
N1
普遍
ふへん
Refers to applying in common to all things — a quality of validity that holds broadly regardless of era, region, or subject. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「普遍的な真理 (a universal truth)」「普遍の原理 (a universal principle)」「普遍性 (universality)」. 「普」 means widely spreading, 「遍」 means reaching everywhere; together they emphasize "extending broadly over the whole". It appears frequently in contexts of philosophy, ethics, and science where universality is discussed, and is an important concept that forms a pair with 「特殊 (the particular)」.
AI-generated translation
N1
不偏
ふへん
Refers to not leaning toward either side, being neutral and impartial. Used in expressions like 「不偏不党 (impartial and non-partisan)」「不偏の立場 (an impartial stance)」. 「偏」 means to be biased, and the prefix 「不」 expresses the state of "not being biased". It is used in contexts where neutrality is required, such as journalism, education, and the judiciary.
AI-generated translation
N1
不本意
ふほんい
Refers to something being contrary to one's wishes or true intention. It is used in cases where one must reluctantly accept something, or for unsatisfactory results. Used in expressions like 「不本意な結果 (an unsatisfactory result)」「不本意ながら承諾する (to consent reluctantly)」「不本意な異動 (a transfer against one's wishes)」. 「本意」 means "true intention, original wish", and the prefix 「不」 makes it "not what one had hoped for". It is a formal expression used often in the form 「不本意ながら」 as a preface when accepting a conclusion that differs from one's wishes.
AI-generated translation
N3
不満
ふまん
Not being satisfied. Example: 「給料に不満がある」 (dissatisfied with one's salary). The antonym is 「満足」 (satisfaction).
AI-generated translation
N1
踏み込む
ふみこむ
Refers to taking a strong step forward and entering inside. Or, metaphorically, to going deeply into a domain or the core of an issue where one ordinarily should not. Used in expressions like 「敷地に踏み込む (to enter the premises)」「議論に踏み込む (to delve into a discussion)」. It is used broadly, from physical intrusion to deep involvement in discussions, investigations, or private matters. It carries a nuance of "boldly" or "without hesitation".
AI-generated translation
N1
踏みにじる
ふみにじる
Refers to trampling something underfoot and crushing it. Metaphorically, it expresses cruelly wounding another's feelings, dignity, efforts, or rights. Used in expressions like 「人の善意を踏みにじる (to trample on someone's goodwill)」「夢を踏みにじる (to trample on a dream)」. It is used broadly, from the physical sense of crushing underfoot to spiritual or moral acts of trampling on others. It carries a strong sense of condemnation.
AI-generated translation
N1
不明瞭
ふめいりょう
Refers to being unclear — the appearance of the outline of an object, sound, intention, or description being indistinct. Used in expressions like 「不明瞭な発音 (unclear pronunciation)」「不明瞭な指示 (vague instructions)」「責任の所在が不明瞭だ (responsibility lies unclearly)」. 「明瞭」 means "clear and distinct", and the prefix 「不」 indicates the state of "not being clear". It can apply both to physical indistinctness and to the vagueness of logic or intention, and often carries a critical evaluation.
AI-generated translation
N1
浮揚
ふよう
Refers to rising up in water or in the air. By extension, it expresses recovering upward from a depressed state. Used in expressions like 「景気浮揚 (an economic upturn)」「浮揚力 (lift / buoyancy)」. 「浮」 means to float, 「揚」 means to raise up; together they express "to rise up". It is used widely from physical rising to economic and moral recovery.
AI-generated translation
N2
扶養
ふよう
Refers to taking care of someone's livelihood and supporting them, namely sustaining their life through economic means. Used in expressions like 「扶養家族 (dependent family members)」「扶養義務 (the duty to support)」. 「扶」 means to help, 「養」 means to nurture; together they express "to help and nurture". It is a formal word appearing frequently in legal, tax, and social-security contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
不履行
ふりこう
Refers to the failure to perform an obligation set out in a contract or promise. It is a formal word used widely in legal and economic contexts. Used in expressions like 「契約不履行 (breach of contract)」「債務不履行 (default on a debt)」. 「履」 means to carry out, 「行」 means to perform; 「履行」 means "to fulfill a promise", and the prefix 「不」 indicates the state of "not performing".
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
振る
ふる
To shake or swing something. Example: 「手を振る」 (to wave a hand), 「首を振る」 (to shake one's head). Also used to mean rejecting a romantic partner, as in 「彼女に振られる」 (to be dumped by one's girlfriend).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3, N5
古い
ふるい
A state of much time having passed since something was made. The antonym is 「新しい」 (new).
AI-generated translation
N3
震える
ふるえる
tremble. To shake with small, repeated movements. Example: 「寒さで手が震える」 (hands tremble from the cold), 「声が震える」 (voice trembles).
AI-generated translation
N3
ふるさと
ふるさと
hometown. The land where one was born and raised. Written with the kanji 「故郷」, which can also be read 「こきょう」.
AI-generated translation
N2
古びる
ふるびる
Refers to becoming aged with the passage of time and losing the appearance of newness. Used in expressions like 「古びた建物 (a weathered building)」「古びた写真 (an aged photograph)」「古びた看板 (a faded signboard)」. It expresses a state in which objects show changes such as fading, dimming, or wear, and is a word formed by combining 「古い (old)」 with 「びる (a suffix meaning "to become in a state of ~")」. It implies the process of gradually taking on age — not becoming old suddenly, but the appearance of having passed through time.
AI-generated translation
N1
古めかしい
ふるめかしい
Refers to an appearance that strongly feels old and is not contemporary. It expresses the state in which buildings, clothing, expressions, and the like look out of date. Used in expressions like 「古めかしい屋敷 (an old-fashioned mansion)」「古めかしい言い回し (an old-fashioned phrasing)」. It is a word formed by combining 「古い (old)」 and 「めかしい (looking as if ~)」, focusing on the impression of "evoking a sense of oldness" rather than the actual age. It also carries a slightly negative undertone.
AI-generated translation
N2
雰囲気
ふんいき
Refers to the atmosphere or air given off by a place or person, which can be sensed. It points to an impression that cannot be clearly stated but is conveyed from the whole. Used in expressions like 「和やかな雰囲気 (a peaceful atmosphere)」「店の雰囲気 (the ambience of a shop)」. Both 「雰」 and 「囲気」 mean "what surrounds an essence", and the compound expresses "the air or feeling that fills the surroundings". It is used widely in expressing impressions of places, groups, or persons.
AI-generated translation
N1
憤慨
ふんがい
Refers to being intensely angry, with the feeling not subsiding. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「彼の発言に憤慨する (to be indignant at his remarks)」「憤慨に堪えない (to be unable to suppress one's indignation)」「憤慨の念 (a sense of indignation)」. It expresses strong anger toward injustice or what is contrary to reason, carrying a sense closer to "righteous indignation" than mere 「怒り (anger)」. 「憤」 means anger, 「慨」 means lament; together they express an emotion mingled with anger and lament. It is used widely in news reports, protests, and criticism.
AI-generated translation
N2
分解
ぶんかい
To break something that forms a single whole down into its constituent parts.
AI-generated translation
N2
奮起
ふんき
Refers to summoning up one's spirit and tackling a task. Used in expressions like 「奮起を促す (to urge someone to rouse themselves)」「敗戦を機に奮起する (to rouse oneself on the occasion of a defeat)」「再起奮起 (rising again with renewed vigor)」. 「奮」 means to enliven one's spirit, 「起」 means to rise; together they express "to rouse one's spirit and rise". It expresses the appearance of pulling up sunken feelings and moving toward action, and is used widely in contexts of encouragement, sports, and recovery from defeat.
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.