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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
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4,238words (N1–N5 total)
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N2
分岐
ぶんき
Refers to a single flow or path dividing into several branches. It is used not only for physical roads or railway lines, but also for the branching points of discussions, choices, or careers. Used in expressions like 「分岐点 (a turning point)」「議論が分岐する (a discussion branches off)」. 「分」 means to divide, 「岐」 means a fork in the road. It is also widely used as a metaphor to express critical points of judgment or moments of transition.
AI-generated translation
N1
紛糾
ふんきゅう
Refers to a situation in which opinions or interests clash and the matter becomes tangled and unresolved. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「議論が紛糾する (a debate becomes tangled)」「会議が紛糾する (a meeting becomes turbulent)」「事態が紛糾する (the situation becomes confused)」. 「紛」 means to be tangled, 「糾」 means to be intertwined; together they express the appearance of an affair that cannot be untangled, like threads knotted together. It is used widely in scenes of impasse such as meetings, negotiations, and Diet deliberations.
AI-generated translation
N2
噴出
ふんしゅつ
Refers to gushing out forcefully from the inside by inner power. Used in expressions like 「溶岩の噴出 (a lava eruption)」「不満の噴出 (an outpouring of discontent)」「問題が噴出する (problems erupt)」. It has both physical senses (volcanoes, hot springs, water pipes) and metaphorical senses in which complaints, problems, or doubts surface all at once. In the metaphorical sense, it expresses the force of suppressed things bursting forth together.
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
文章
ぶんしょう
Something in which several sentences are connected to convey a single piece of content.
AI-generated translation
N1
憤然
ふんぜん
Refers to the appearance of being intensely angry and openly displaying that emotion. Used in expressions like 「憤然と席を立つ (to rise from one's seat in fury)」「憤然たる態度 (an indignant attitude)」「憤然として抗議する (to protest indignantly)」. 「憤」 means anger, 「然」 is a suffix indicating manner; together they express "a manner full of anger". It is a written-language, hard-edged expression that depicts not suppressing one's anger but openly expressing it, used in scenes describing strong dissatisfaction or protest. It is hardly used in everyday conversation and appears in narrative prose of news reports and novels.
AI-generated translation
N2
奮戦
ふんせん
Refers to fighting with all one's might. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「孤軍奮戦 (a lone-handed fight)」「最後まで奮戦する (to fight valiantly to the end)」「奮戦むなしく敗れる (to be defeated in spite of a gallant fight)」. 「奮」 means to summon up one's spirit, 「戦」 means to fight; together they express "to fight summoning all one's strength". It is widely used in contexts of competitions, sports, and battles, and carries the implication of evaluating the very posture of giving one's all, regardless of the outcome.
AI-generated translation
N2
紛争
ふんそう
Refers to disputes arising between nations, groups, or individuals from conflicts of interest or opinion. Used in expressions like 「国際紛争 (international conflict)」「労使紛争 (labor disputes)」「紛争解決 (dispute resolution)」. 「紛」 means to become tangled, 「争」 means to contend; together they express a state of opposition between parties that cannot be easily resolved. It is a formal word covering broadly from armed conflict to legal disputes, used widely in news reports and contexts of international relations and labor issues.
AI-generated translation
N2
奮闘
ふんとう
Refers to fighting and striving with all one's might. It expresses the appearance of tenaciously tackling something in a difficult situation. Used in expressions like 「孤軍奮闘 (lone-handed struggle)」「奮闘努力 (strenuous effort)」. 「奮」 means to enliven one's spirit, 「闘」 means to fight; together they express "summoning up one's spirit and fighting". It is used in scenes of giving one's all regardless of the object, whether in competitions, work, or nursing.
AI-generated translation
N2
奮発
ふんぱつ
Refers to spending money with a willingness to splurge. Also refers to summoning up one's spirit. Used in expressions like 「奮発して時計を買う (to splurge on a watch)」「一念奮発 (a sudden surge of resolve)」. 「奮」 means to make one's spirit vigorous, 「発」 means to start; together they express "to summon up one's spirit". In everyday life it is most often used for boldness in spending, in contexts that positively describe an extravagance for a special occasion.
AI-generated translation
N1
踏ん張る
ふんばる
Refers to bracing one's legs and standing firm so as not to fall. Metaphorically, it also expresses enduring difficult circumstances and seeing things through. Used in expressions like 「最後まで踏ん張る (to hold out until the end)」「土俵際で踏ん張る (to dig in at the edge of the ring)」. It is used broadly, from physical bracing to mental endurance and tenacity. It is frequently used in contexts describing trying times in sports and business.
AI-generated translation
N2
分布
ぶんぷ
Something existing spread across several locations; the extent of that spread.
AI-generated translation
N2
分別
ふんべつ
Refers to the power to grasp the logic of matters and exercise appropriate judgment without acting rashly. Used in expressions like 「分別のある大人 (a mature, thoughtful adult)」「分別がつく年齢 (an age at which one can exercise discretion)」「分別を欠いた行動 (rash action)」. It often refers to the calm judgment found in those who have accumulated experience with age, appearing frequently in contexts that contrast it with the rashness of the young. Since the same characters are also read 「ぶんべつ (sorting, as in garbage separation)」, the reading must be distinguished by context.
AI-generated translation
N2
分別
ぶんべつ
Separating things by type. Used in situations of sorting according to fixed criteria, as in "ごみを分別する" (to separate the garbage) or "資源ごみの分別". The same "分別" read as "ふんべつ" is a different word meaning the power to grasp the logic of matters and judge appropriately.
AI-generated translation
N1
墳墓
ふんぼ
Refers to a grave built by piling up earth. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「墳墓の地 (one's ancestral land)」「古代の墳墓 (an ancient burial mound)」「巨大な墳墓 (a colossal tomb)」. It often refers to the tombs of powerful figures of antiquity, and is widely used in archaeological and historical contexts. 「墳墓の地」 is an idiomatic expression that has shifted from "the land containing one's ancestral graves" to mean "homeland", and is often seen in literary works.
AI-generated translation
N2
平易
へいい
Refers to content or expression being easy and understandable. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「平易な言葉で説明する (to explain in easy language)」「平易な文章 (a plain piece of writing)」「平易に解説する (to explain plainly)」. It is used when evaluating the clarity of an explanation or description, with 「難解 (difficult to understand)」 as its antonym. It is used widely in educational, publishing, and explanatory contexts, and is established as a more formal written word than 「易しい」.
AI-generated translation
N2
平穏
へいおん
Refers to a state in which there are no incidents, disturbances, or upheavals, and things are calm. Used in expressions like 「平穏な暮らし (a peaceful life)」「平穏に過ぎる日々 (days that pass peacefully)」「平穏無事 (peaceful and uneventful)」. It is used to describe daily life or the flow of time, and is used in contexts where the absence of special events is positively evaluated. Whereas 「平和」 refers to the absence of war at the national or social level, 「平穏」 tends to refer to the everyday tranquility of individuals or local communities.
AI-generated translation
N1
弊害
へいがい
Refers to a harmful influence or outcome that arises along with some matter. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「制度の弊害 (the ill effects of a system)」「弊害が生じる (ill effects arise)」「弊害をもたらす (to bring about ill effects)」. It points to the negative side that an originally desirable mechanism or act brings about as a secondary consequence. It is used widely in contexts discussing reforms, systems, and customs in a critical light.
AI-generated translation
N3
平気
へいき
A calm state, not worrying about something. Example: 「失敗しても平気だ」 (fine even if it fails). Also used when someone does something bad without any concern, as in 「平気でうそをつく」 (to lie without any qualms).
AI-generated translation
N3
平均
へいきん
average. The middle value obtained by leveling out numbers or amounts. Example: 「平均点」 (average score).
AI-generated translation
N2
閉口
へいこう
Refers to being utterly at a loss in the face of another's words or a situation and becoming thoroughly fed up. Used in expressions like 「閉口する (to be at a loss)」「閉口させられる (to be made fed up)」. The original meaning is "to be unable to retort and close one's mouth", from which the senses "to be at a loss as to how to handle" and "to be fed up" developed. It is a somewhat casual word expressing perplexity at the level of having difficulty managing rather than deep despair, and can be used even in everyday conversation.
AI-generated translation
N2
平然
へいぜん
Refers to an appearance of remaining unshaken and composed even when faced with serious circumstances. It is a formal word used in forms like 「平然と」「平然たる態度 (a composed attitude)」「平然としている (to remain unperturbed)」. It expresses the appearance of maintaining calm in a scene where one ought to be shaken, and is used both positively and negatively. Positively it is the evaluation of 「胆力がある (having nerve)」「冷静沈着 (cool and collected)」; negatively it carries the critical implication of 「無神経 (insensitive)」「悪びれない (showing no remorse)」.
AI-generated translation
N1
閉塞
へいそく
Refers to a state in which exits or passages are blocked. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「閉塞感 (a sense of stagnation)」「閉塞した状況 (a stagnant situation)」「腸閉塞 (intestinal obstruction)」. There are both physical uses, referring to roads or blood vessels being blocked, and metaphorical uses, referring to society, the economy, or life situations in which no way forward can be seen. In the metaphorical sense, 「閉塞感」 has become an established cliché expressing the stagnation of modern society, and is used widely in news reports and editorials.
AI-generated translation
N2
閉幕
へいまく
Refers to an event, tournament, play, conference, etc. coming to an end. Used in expressions like 「閉幕を迎える (to reach the closing)」「閉幕の辞 (closing address)」「大会が閉幕する (the tournament closes)」. The original meaning is the lowering of the theater curtain to end a performance, from which the meaning extended to the conclusion of events in general. Paired with 「開幕」, it is a word that formally expresses the ending of some time-limited event.
AI-generated translation
N3
平和
へいわ
peace. A state with no war or conflict, being calm. Example: 「世界平和」 (world peace). The antonym is 「戦争」 (war).
AI-generated translation
N1
辟易
へきえき
Refers to becoming fed up with another's words or a situation, and feeling thoroughly weary. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「彼の長話に辟易する (to be worn out by his long-winded talk)」「同じ苦情に辟易した (to be fed up with the same complaints)」. The old meaning is "to give way under the force of the other's momentum", from which the modern sense "to be fed up" developed. It is synonymous with 「閉口」, but 「辟易」 is more written-language in style, accompanied by a stronger sense of exhaustion and aversion to repeated matters.
AI-generated translation
N2
隔たり
へだたり
Refers to the distance, gap, or difference between two things. Used in expressions like 「両者の間に大きな隔たりがある (there is a great gap between the two)」「世代の隔たり (a generation gap)」「意見の隔たり (a divergence of opinion)」. It points broadly to physical distance, the passage of time, and differences in thinking or position, and is often used especially in the psychological, abstract sense of "gap". It implies the existence of an element that separates the two parties.
AI-generated translation
N2
隔てる
へだてる
Refers to placing something between two things and separating them in terms of distance, space, or time. Used in expressions like 「川を隔てる (to be separated by a river)」「歳月を隔てる (to be separated by years)」「壁を隔てて声がする (a voice is heard through the wall)」. It is used for physical partitions, intervals of time, and even psychological distance. It is often used adverbially in the form 「〜を隔てて (separated by ~)」, appearing frequently in contexts that describe the relationship between two things.
AI-generated translation
N1
別個
べっこ
Refers to things being separate and independent of one another. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「別個の問題 (separate problems)」「別個に検討する (to examine separately)」「別個に扱う (to handle separately)」. It is used in contexts that explicitly distinguish two or more matters that are easily confused, indicating that "they are not the same" or "they should be considered separately". It is used widely in discussions, analyses, and administrative documents.
AI-generated translation
N1
蔑視
べっし
Refers to looking down on and despising another as a thing of low value. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「人種蔑視 (racial contempt)」「女性蔑視 (contempt for women)」「蔑視のまなざし (a contemptuous gaze)」. It often refers to a discriminatory view directed at a particular group or attribute, and appears frequently in contexts discussing social problems. Whereas 「軽蔑」 is often directed at an individual target, 「蔑視」 tends to be used in the sense of collective, structural discrimination.
AI-generated translation
N2
別段
べつだん
Refers to anything especially noteworthy to mention. Used in expressions like 「別段の事情 (any particular circumstances)」「別段気にしていない (not particularly bothered)」. It is mostly used together with negative expressions such as 「ない」「なかった」, and its central use is adverbial, expressing the sense of "nothing in particular". It is used in formal styles; in everyday conversation it is usually replaced with 「特に (in particular)」.
AI-generated translation
N2
別途
べっと
Refers to being separate from the main thread or main body, and added on. Used in expressions like 「別途請求 (to be billed separately)」「別途連絡する (to contact separately)」「別途料金がかかる (a separate fee applies)」. It indicates that something is handled separately from a certain item or main body, and is a formal word appearing widely in business documents, contracts, and notices. In everyday conversation it can be replaced with 「別に」 or 「別で」, but in writing 「別途」 has become standard.
AI-generated translation
N3
減らす
へらす
To make a number or amount smaller. Example: 「体重を減らす」 (to lose weight). 「減らす」 is used when a person makes it smaller, while 「減る」 is used when it decreases on its own: compare 「体重を減らす」 with 「体重が減る」. The word with the opposite meaning is 「増やす」 (to increase).
AI-generated translation
N1
へりくだる
へりくだる
Refers to elevating the other party while lowering one's own status or standing and adopting a modest attitude. Used in expressions like 「へりくだった物言い (a humble manner of speaking)」「相手にへりくだる (to humble oneself before the other party)」. It is closely tied to Japanese honorific expression, appearing through the use of humble forms and reserved conduct. Excessive practice can border on 「卑屈」, but within an appropriate range it is evaluated positively as politeness.
AI-generated translation
N2
経る
へる
Refers to passing through time, places, or stages. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「歳月を経る (years pass)」「審査を経て採用される (to be hired after passing a screening)」「東京を経て大阪に向かう (to go via Tokyo to Osaka)」. It has three meanings — the passage of time, passing through a place, and going through procedures or stages — and the reading must be distinguished by context. The adverbial usage in the form 「〜を経て (after passing through)」, indicating a preceding stage, is especially common, and appears frequently in formal styles.
AI-generated translation
N3
減る
へる
For a number or amount to become smaller. Example: 「人口が減る」 (the population decreases). 「おなかが減る」 means "to become hungry." 「減る」 is used when something decreases on its own, while 「減らす」 is used when a person makes it smaller: compare 「体重が減る」 with 「体重を減らす」. The word with the opposite meaning is 「増える」 (to increase).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
辺
へん
The area, the vicinity of a place. Example: 「この辺」 (around here).
AI-generated translation
N3
変化
へんか
change. A state or quality of something changing. Example: 「気温の変化」 (change in temperature).
AI-generated translation
N2
変革
へんかく
Refers to fundamentally changing the structures of society, organizations, or systems. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「意識の変革 (a change in consciousness)」「構造変革 (structural reform)」「社会変革 (social transformation)」. It expresses change that reaches the structure itself, rather than surface-level adjustment or partial improvement, and is often discussed from a long-term, historical perspective. It appears frequently in political, business, and social-theory contexts.
AI-generated translation
N2
返還
へんかん
Refers to returning something one has borrowed or been entrusted with to its original owner. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「土地の返還 (the return of land)」「優勝旗の返還 (the return of the championship flag)」. It is used in situations where ownership or possession reverts to its former place, and is often discussed in connection with public or symbolic objects such as national treasures, prizes, or items in trust. For the everyday returning of objects, 「返す」 is used.
AI-generated translation
N1
便宜
べんぎ
Refers to arranging things conveniently as the situation calls for, or such an arrangement itself. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「便宜を図る (to give favorable consideration)」「便宜上 (for convenience)」「便宜的な措置 (an expedient measure)」. In 「便宜を図る」 the meaning is to grant benefit to a particular party, and is sometimes used in contexts that criticize illicit favoritism. 「便宜上」 is an adverbial expression meaning "not officially, but as a present-day convenience".
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
勉強
べんきょう
study. To learn and remember something one doesn't know.
AI-generated translation
N2
偏見
へんけん
Refers to a biased view of a particular target held without sufficient grounds. It generally points to negative assumptions. Used in expressions like 「偏見を持つ (to have prejudice)」「偏見を捨てる (to abandon prejudice)」「偏見に満ちた発言 (a prejudiced remark)」. Whereas 「先入観 (preconception)」 can be used positively or negatively, 「偏見」 is used almost always negatively. It is an important word appearing frequently in contexts of discrimination and social problems.
AI-generated translation
N1
偏向
へんこう
Refers to thinking, reporting, education, etc. leaning from neutrality toward a particular direction. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「偏向報道 (biased reporting)」「思想の偏向 (ideological bias)」「偏向した教育 (biased education)」. It is used widely in contexts that point out and criticize the unfairness of what should originally be impartial and neutral. It is often used in fields where neutrality is institutionally required, such as journalism, education, and the judiciary.
AI-generated translation
N3
変更
へんこう
To change something that had been decided. Example: 「予定を変更する」 (to change a plan). While 「変化」 includes natural change, 「変更」 refers to a change made intentionally by a person.
AI-generated translation
N3
弁護士
べんごし
lawyer. A legal expert who helps resolve disputes and assists in court trials.
AI-generated translation
N1
変遷
へんせん
Refers to things gradually shifting and changing with the flow of time. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「時代の変遷 (the changes of an era)」「制度の変遷をたどる (to trace the development of a system)」「言葉の変遷 (the evolution of language)」. Rather than a single dramatic change, it refers to gradual progression over a long period, and is widely used in contexts describing the historical flow from past to present.
AI-generated translation
N1
偏重
へんちょう
Refers to placing excessive importance on one aspect of something while neglecting the other aspects. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「学歴偏重 (overemphasis on educational background)」「結果偏重 (overemphasis on results)」「成績偏重の教育 (education that overemphasizes grades)」. It is used frequently in contexts where biased emphasis is treated as problematic in matters that ought to maintain balance. It appears often in discussions of education, personnel evaluation, and journalistic style, and carries critical connotations.
AI-generated translation
N1
変貌
へんぼう
Refers to a great change in appearance or form. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「変貌を遂げる (to undergo a transformation)」「街が変貌する (the city is transformed)」「変貌ぶり (the extent of transformation)」. Its focus is on outward, overall change — the look or atmosphere of a building, townscape, or person — and is distinguished from 「変容」, which refers to inner change. It is often used in contexts emphasizing dramatic change over a short period.
AI-generated translation
N2
弁明
べんめい
Refers to explaining one's circumstances and reasons in response to criticism, suspicion, or accusation, in an attempt to clear up misunderstanding. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「弁明の機会 (an opportunity to explain oneself)」「弁明に努める (to make efforts to defend oneself)」「弁明の余地がない (no room for excuse)」. It is synonymous with 「釈明」「弁解」, but tends to refer to explanation in more public, formal settings. It appears frequently in contexts discussing law, politics, and organizational scandals.
AI-generated translation
N1
某
ぼう
A word that vaguely refers to a person, place, or time without specifying the name. It is a formal written word used in a prefix-like manner, as in 「某氏 (a certain Mr. X)」「某社 (a certain company X)」「某月某日 (on a certain date)」. It is used both when one wishes to anonymize intentionally and when the details are not clearly known. It appears frequently in news reports, official documents, and historical writings; in spoken language it is usually replaced with 「ある〜 (some...)」 or 「どこかの〜 (a certain...)」.
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.