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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
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4,238words (N1–N5 total)
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N3
雇う
やとう
hire. To pay someone a wage to have them work. Example: 「アルバイトを雇う」 (to hire a part-time worker).
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
野蛮
やばん
Being uncivilized and rough or violent.
AI-generated translation
N3
破る
やぶる
To tear paper or cloth apart. Example: 「手紙を破る」 (to tear up a letter). Also used to mean not keeping a promise or rule, as in 「約束を破る」 (to break a promise). 「破る」 is used when a person tears something, while 「破れる」 is used when something tears on its own: compare 「紙を破る」 with 「紙が破れる」.
AI-generated translation
N3
破れる
やぶれる
For paper or cloth, etc., to tear. Example: 「ズボンが破れる」 (trousers get torn). 「破れる」 is used when something tears on its own, while 「破る」 is used when a person tears it: compare 「紙が破れる」 with 「紙を破る」. When it means losing a match, it is written 「敗れる」.
AI-generated translation
N2
野望
やぼう
An exceedingly large and audacious ambition, going beyond one's own measure. Close in meaning to 「野心」, but as the character 「望」 suggests, the goal or scale envisioned is large, and the word often implies a "grandeur that borders on the unrealistic." Used in expressions such as 「野望を抱く」, 「世界制覇の野望」, or 「野望が打ち砕かれる」. Often carries a negative, critical nuance and tends to appear in contexts where the speaker is judging the ambition as "a desire that fails to recognize one's proper station."
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
山
やま
mountain. A place where the ground is raised high.
AI-generated translation
N2
やむを得ない
やむをえない
There being no other way but to do so; unavoidable.
AI-generated translation
N2
やり遂げる
やりとげる
To carry something one has started through to completion.
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
やる
やる
Do; give. The colloquial way of saying "to do." Also used to mean giving something to someone.
AI-generated translation
N2
和らげる
やわらげる
To ease the degree of severity, intensity, pain, or the like.
AI-generated translation
N2
遺言
ゆいごん
Words or a document left behind in preparation for one's death. In a legal sense, it refers to a document specifying matters such as the disposal of one's property. Used in expressions like 「遺言を残す」 and 「遺言書」. The reading 「ゆいごん」 is the common one, but it can also be read as 「いごん」.
AI-generated translation
N2
優位
ゆうい
Being in an advantageous position or a superior status compared to others. 「優」 means "to excel" and 「位」 means "rank" or "position." Used in expressions such as 「優位に立つ」, 「優位を保つ」, 「圧倒的な優位」, or 「優位性」, the word expresses being in a higher position or under more favorable conditions than an opponent in situations of competition, opposition, or comparison. Frequently appears in contexts where victory or balance of power is at issue, such as sports, business, or international relations. The antonym is 「劣位」.
AI-generated translation
N2
有効
ゆうこう
Having an effect or being valid; being useful.
AI-generated translation
N1
優柔不断
ゆうじゅうふだん
The state of being unable to decide and continuing to waver. 「優柔」 means weak and soft, while 「不断」 means not cutting off or not being decisive; together they form a four-character idiom expressing a nature that lacks decisiveness. Refers to the tendency, in situations requiring decision or action, to vacillate between options and postpone conclusions. Often used adjectivally, as in 「優柔不断な性格」 or 「優柔不断な態度」. Used as a negative evaluation, in contexts that point out weakness of will or lack of judgment in the person in question.
AI-generated translation
N3
優勝
ゆうしょう
To come in first place in a competition or tournament. Example: 「大会で優勝する」 (to win the tournament).
AI-generated translation
N3
友人
ゆうじん
friend. A more formal way of saying 「友だち」 (friend), often used in writing or greetings.
AI-generated translation
N1
有数
ゆうすう
Being so outstanding that one can be counted on the fingers, ranking among the top. The original meaning is "being among those that can be counted" — that is, "being among the few that can be counted on the fingers" — and from there came to mean "an outstanding one ranked among the top within a given range." Often used in the form 「○○有数の〜」, as in 「世界有数の都市」, 「業界有数の規模」, or 「日本有数の温泉地」. A written-style word expressing positive evaluation, used in reference to scale, achievement, or status.
AI-generated translation
N2
融通
ゆうずう
To lend or arrange money or goods for each other as needed; also, to handle a situation flexibly as it arises.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
誘導
ゆうどう
To guide a person or thing toward an intended direction or state.
AI-generated translation
N2
裕福
ゆうふく
Having abundant wealth and a comfortable, unhurried life.
AI-generated translation
N3
有料
ゆうりょう
Requiring payment. Example: 「有料駐車場」 (paid parking lot). The antonym is 「無料」 (free).
AI-generated translation
N3
床
ゆか
floor. The flat surface at the bottom of a room where people stand. Example: 「床をふく」 (to wipe the floor). When read as 「とこ」, it refers to a place for sleeping, as in 「床につく」 (to go to bed).
AI-generated translation
N3
輸出
ゆしゅつ
export. To sell and send goods abroad. The antonym is 「輸入」 (import).
AI-generated translation
N3
豊か
ゆたか
A state in which one has plenty of goods or money. Example: 「豊かな生活」 (an affluent life). Also broadly used to mean an abundance in quantity or content, as in 「豊かな自然」 (rich nature) or 「豊かな心」 (a rich heart/spirit). The antonym is 「貧しい」 (poor).
AI-generated translation
N2
油断
ゆだん
To let one's guard down and neglect to pay attention.
AI-generated translation
N3
ゆでる
ゆでる
boil. To heat something by putting it in hot water. Example: 「卵をゆでる」 (to boil an egg). Written with the kanji 「茹でる」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana. Distinguished from 「煮る」 (to simmer/cook while adding flavor).
AI-generated translation
N3
輸入
ゆにゅう
import. To buy goods from abroad and bring them in. The antonym is 「輸出」 (export).
AI-generated translation
N2
揺らぐ
ゆらぐ
To sway or shake; also, for something that was stable to become unstable.
AI-generated translation
N3
許す
ゆるす
To decide not to blame someone for a wrongdoing or mistake. Example: 「失敗を許す」 (to forgive a mistake). Also used to mean recognizing that something is permitted, as in 「外出が許される」 (to be permitted to go out).
AI-generated translation
N3
酔う
よう
For one's head or body to become abnormal from drinking alcohol. Example: 「酒に酔う」 (to get drunk on alcohol). Also used to mean feeling sick from a vehicle, as in 「車に酔う」 (to get carsick).
AI-generated translation
N2
容易
ようい
Being easy; something that can be done simply.
AI-generated translation
N1
用意周到
よういしゅうとう
Being thoroughly prepared, with attention paid to every detail and nothing overlooked. 「用意」 means preparing, and 「周到」 means that care has been taken everywhere; combined, they express how complete the preparation is. Used as in 「用意周到な計画」 or 「用意周到に下調べをする」. It can be praise, but it can also carry the sense that someone is shrewd and not to be taken lightly.
AI-generated translation
N1
要員
よういん
The personnel needed to carry out a specific task or duty. The character 「員」 means "person" and the word refers to people who fulfill a defined role in an organization or on site. Used in expressions such as 「警備要員」, 「要員を確保する」, 「要員不足」, or 「予備要員」. Compared to general terms like 「人手」 or 「人員」, this word is more often used for people with clearly defined roles and duties, and is a formal word that frequently appears in business and organizational contexts.
AI-generated translation
N2
要因
よういん
The main cause or factor behind a result or event. The character 「因」 means "cause" and refers to elements that influence an outcome. Used in expressions such as 「成功の要因」, 「失敗の要因を分析する」, or 「複数の要因が絡む」, the word frequently appears when multiple causes combine to produce an outcome. Compared to 「原因」, which refers to a single direct cause, this word carries an analytical nuance of identifying multiple contributing factors, and is used in written and analytical contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
要綱
ようこう
An official document summarizing the basic policy or framework of a matter. The character 「綱」 originally meant "thick rope" and came to refer to the core or main outline of something. Used in expressions such as 「予算要綱」, 「改革要綱」, or 「法案要綱」, the word refers to a document presenting the overall policy of a policy initiative, system, or plan. Unlike 「要項」, which itemizes concrete procedures and items, 「要綱」 presents higher-level policies and frameworks.
AI-generated translation
N1
要項
ようこう
A document that lists necessary items in itemized form. The character 「項」 means "item," and the word refers to a document that presents specific items such as application requirements, documents to submit, schedules, and contact information in a list format. Used in expressions such as 「募集要項」, 「入試要項」, or 「申込要項」. Its defining feature is that it is a practical document the reader consults in order to carry out concrete procedures.
AI-generated translation
N1
養生
ようじょう
Taking care of one's body in order to maintain health. In particular, the word refers to resting quietly or avoiding strain in order to recover from illness or injury. Used in expressions such as 「術後は養生する」, 「十分な養生を心がける」, or 「養生に努める」. Used in slightly formal contexts rather than everyday conversation, and can be applied to both long-term health management and convalescence after illness. Note that 「生」 is read as 「じょう」. In construction and civil engineering, 「養生」 also refers to protecting concrete while it sets, but this is a derived technical use.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
様子
ようす
The visible state or condition of something. Example: 「空の様子」 (the look of the sky), 「様子を見る」 (to see how things are/wait and see).
AI-generated translation
N2
要請
ようせい
To strongly request something as being necessary.
AI-generated translation
N2
養成
ようせい
To teach and train someone so that they acquire full-fledged ability or skill.
AI-generated translation
N2
要約
ようやく
To sum up the main points of a piece of writing or speech briefly.
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
よく
よく
often. A state of doing something many times. Also used to mean "skillfully," as in 「よくできました」 (well done).
AI-generated translation
N3
翌日
よくじつ
The next day after a certain day. Example: 「翌日の朝」 (the morning of the next day). While 「明日」 refers to the day after today, 「翌日」 can also refer to the day after some other past or future day.
AI-generated translation
N2
予言
よげん
Foretelling something that will happen in the future, or the content of such a foretelling. Used in expressions such as 「予言する」, 「予言者」, or 「予言が的中する」. Often used in fortune-telling, religious, or mystical contexts, referring to announcements about the future based on intuition, inspiration, or revelation rather than firm evidence. Scientific predictions of the future are expressed with 「予測」 or 「予報」, not 「予言」. Also used for predictions whose accuracy is not assured, as in 「世紀末の予言」 or 「ノストラダムスの予言」.
AI-generated translation
N3
予算
よさん
budget. Money estimated in advance for a certain purpose. Example: 「予算を立てる」 (to draw up a budget).
AI-generated translation
N3
予想
よそう
prediction. To think in advance about how something will turn out. Example: 「結果を予想する」 (to predict the result).
AI-generated translation
N2
余地
よち
Room or possibility for doing or accepting something. Originally referred to physical "leftover space," but in modern Japanese the word is mainly used in an abstract sense meaning "the range of what can be allowed" or "room still available for something." Used in expressions such as 「議論の余地」, 「弁解の余地がない」, 「改善の余地」, or 「疑う余地もない」, and frequently appears in negative contexts in the form 「〜の余地がない」.
AI-generated translation
N2
予知
よち
Sensing or knowing in advance that something will happen before it occurs. The character 「知」 means "to know," and the word is used for grasping future events through observation, reasoning, or supernatural ability. Used in both scientific and technical contexts such as 「地震予知」 (earthquake prediction) and supernatural contexts such as 「予知能力」 or 「予知夢」 (premonitory dream). While 「予言」 emphasizes the act of telling, 「予知」 emphasizes the act of knowing or perceiving.
AI-generated translation
N1
予兆
よちょう
A sign or omen that appears before something occurs. The character 「兆」 means "sign" or "omen," and 「予」 means "in advance." Used for phenomena or sensations indicating that something is approaching but has not yet actually happened, such as earthquakes, disasters, changes, or ominous events. Often used as a noun in the form 「〜の予兆」, as in 「地震の予兆」, 「不吉な予兆」, or 「変化の予兆」. A somewhat formal, written-style word, used for both objectively observable signs and vague intuitive premonitions.
AI-generated translation
N3
夜中
よなか
A late time at night. Example: 「夜中に目が覚める」 (to wake up in the middle of the night).
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.