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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
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4,238words (N1–N5 total)
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N1
保身
ほしん
Refers to trying to protect one's own position, standing, and personal safety while evading responsibility and danger. Used in expressions like 「保身を図る (to seek to protect oneself)」「保身に走る (to resort to self-preservation)」「保身的な態度 (a self-protective attitude)」. It is a formal word used frequently in critical contexts pointing to an attitude of evading one's organizational responsibilities and seeking only to secure one's own safe position. It appears often in discussions of political and corporate scandals.
AI-generated translation
N1
母性
ぼせい
Refers to qualities one has as a mother, or the instinctive tendency to cherish and protect one's child. Used in expressions like 「母性愛 (maternal love)」「母性本能 (maternal instinct)」「母性が芽生える (maternal feelings begin to grow)」. It is also a word used in psychological and sociological contexts, but in recent years there has been criticism of the view that takes this as something unique to women, and usage is shifting. Its conceptual counterpart is 「父性」.
AI-generated translation
N5
細い
ほそい
A state where the width of a round thing is small. The antonym is 「太い」 (thick).
AI-generated translation
N2
舗装
ほそう
Refers to hardening and finishing the surface of roads using asphalt, concrete, and the like. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「道路を舗装する (to pave a road)」「舗装工事 (pavement construction)」「未舗装の道 (an unpaved road)」. It refers to construction work that brings an earthen road to a state convenient for vehicles and pedestrians to use, and is used both in the specialized contexts of civil engineering and construction, and in everyday contexts discussing urban development and road maintenance.
AI-generated translation
N2
補足
ほそく
To later add something to make up for what is lacking.
AI-generated translation
N1
母胎
ぼたい
Refers to inside the mother's body, the womb. From there, by extension, it is used metaphorically for the organization or foundation that gives birth to something. It is a formal word used both in the physical sense, as in 「母胎から離れる (to leave the mother's body)」, and in the metaphorical sense, as in 「文化の母胎 (the matrix of culture)」「会社の母胎となった研究所 (the research institute that served as the matrix of the company)」. In the metaphorical sense, it often refers to the organization or environment that was the origin and starting point of what is now a developed form.
AI-generated translation
N1
没収
ぼっしゅう
Refers to the act of forcibly taking away someone's property by authority based on law or regulation. Used in expressions like 「財産を没収する (to confiscate property)」「違反者から免許を没収する (to revoke a violator's license)」「カードを没収される (to have one's card confiscated)」. Unlike private 「取り上げ (taking away)」, its distinctive feature is that it accompanies the exercise of public authority, and it is a formal word used in legal, sports, and customs contexts.
AI-generated translation
N2
没頭
ぼっとう
Refers to becoming so absorbed in one thing that one disregards everything else. Used in expressions like 「研究に没頭する (to immerse oneself in research)」「執筆に没頭する (to be absorbed in writing)」. Its original meaning is 「頭を没する (to sink one's head into)」, expressing the state of being so deeply engaged that even one's head is submerged. It is used for objects one actively engages with, such as work, creative activity, or hobbies, and often carries a positive evaluation.
AI-generated translation
N1
没落
ぼつらく
Refers to a family, nation, or organization that once flourished losing its status, wealth, and power, and falling into decline. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「名家が没落する (a noble family falls into ruin)」「没落貴族 (the fallen aristocracy)」. Rather than a temporary downturn, it expresses a decisive decline involving the loss of social standing, and often implies an irreversible change. It is frequently used in historical writings and literary works.
AI-generated translation
N4
ほとんど
ほとんど
Not all, but very close to it. Example: 「しゅくだいはほとんどおわった」 (the homework is almost finished). When used together with 「〜ない」, it expresses that the amount or the number of times is very small. Examples: 「お金がほとんどない」 (to have almost no money), 「ほとんど話さない」 (to hardly speak).
AI-generated translation
N4
褒める
ほめる
To find something good in someone and say so.
AI-generated translation
N5
本
ほん
book. Something with letters or pictures on it, made to be read. It is also used as a word for counting long, thin things such as pencils and bottles. いっぽん・にほん・さんぼん・よんほん・ごほん・ろっぽん・ななほん・はっぽん・きゅうほん・じゅっぽん, and 「なんぼん」. For 1, 6, 8 and 10 it becomes 「ぽん」, and for 3 and 「なん」 it becomes 「ぼん」.
AI-generated translation
N1
本意
ほんい
Refers to the true intention or feeling that one desires from the bottom of one's heart. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「本意ではない (it is not my true intention)」「本意を遂げる (to fulfill one's true wish)」. It expresses the genuine inner wish, not the surface words or the result of compromise. It is often used in the form 「本意ではないが (although it is not my true intention)」 as a preface when accepting a conclusion that differs from one's wishes. There is a tendency for 「本心」 to point to the emotional side and 「本意」 to point to the volitional, intentional side.
AI-generated translation
N1
翻意
ほんい
Refers to changing a thought or decision that one has once made. Used in expressions like 「翻意を促す (to urge someone to reconsider)」「翻意する (to change one's mind)」. It is a formal word used primarily in contexts where one tries to persuade a person who has announced resignation, retirement, withdrawal, or cancellation to retract that decision. It is hardly used in everyday conversation and is biased toward the style of news reports and official statements.
AI-generated translation
N2
本腰
ほんごし
Refers to the posture of settling oneself in and tackling something in earnest. Used idiomatically as 「本腰を入れる (to put one's lower back into something — i.e., to get serious)」, it describes a situation in which one revises a previously halfhearted or sideline approach and begins to engage seriously. It is an expression rooted in bodily sensation: 「腰 (the lower back/hips)」 is the center of the body, and the steadiness of the hips reflects the seriousness of one's commitment. It is a relatively casual word that can be used even in everyday conversation.
AI-generated translation
N2
本心
ほんしん
Refers to the true feelings or thoughts hidden deep in one's heart. Used in expressions like 「本心を打ち明ける (to reveal one's true feelings)」「本心を隠す (to conceal one's true feelings)」. It refers to the genuine emotion that lies behind the attitude or statements one shows on the surface. It is nearly synonymous with 「本音」, but while 「本音」 is more colloquial and casual, 「本心」 is used in a somewhat more formal, harder-edged context.
AI-generated translation
N2
本筋
ほんすじ
Refers to the main current, the central core of a conversation, discussion, or story. Used in expressions like 「議論が本筋から外れる (the discussion strays from the main point)」「話を本筋に戻す (to bring the conversation back to the main thread)」. As opposed to side-tracks or peripheral details, it refers to the original theme or main axis that should be addressed. It is frequently used in contexts of organizing the flow of meetings and discussions, and in discussions of story structure. Compared to 「本論」, it is more colloquial and used practically in the setting of meeting facilitation.
AI-generated translation
N5
本棚
ほんだな
A shelf for storing books.
AI-generated translation
N5
本当
ほんとう
Being true, not a lie. Example: 「本当ですか」 (is that true?).
AI-generated translation
N2
本音
ほんね
Refers to what one truly thinks in one's heart, as opposed to one's 「建前 (tatemae, official public stance)」. Used in expressions like 「本音を漏らす (to let slip one's true feelings)」「本音と建前 (one's true feelings and one's public stance)」「本音で話す (to speak frankly)」. As a concept paired with 「建前 (the public statements valued in Japanese society)」, it refers to honest feelings that are hard to express publicly. More colloquial than 「本心」, it is used widely in everyday conversation, workplace chatter, and contexts that discuss human relationships.
AI-generated translation
N1
本末転倒
ほんまつてんとう
Refers to mistaking the essential parts of a matter for trivial ones. It is a four-character idiom that critically describes a state in which means have been substituted for ends, or in which priorities of importance have been reversed. Used in expressions like 「本末転倒な議論 (an argument that puts the cart before the horse)」「健康のためのダイエットで体を壊しては本末転倒だ (ruining one's health on a diet for one's health is putting the cart before the horse)」. 「本」 means the root or essence, 「末」 means the branches or tip, and the word expresses that this relationship has been 「転倒 (inverted)」.
AI-generated translation
N1
本望
ほんもう
Refers to the feeling of satisfaction that comes when a long-cherished wish is fulfilled. Used in expressions like 「本望を遂げる (to achieve one's heart's desire)」「これで本望だ (this is enough to satisfy me)」. It is a formal word expressing the sense of fulfillment when a long-held wish or a determined goal is achieved, and is often used for great wishes worth even risking one's life for. There is also an idiomatic expression like 「死んでも本望 (it would be worth dying for)」, indicating a resolve that accepts even sacrifice.
AI-generated translation
N4
翻訳
ほんやく
To convert the language of one country into the language of another.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
ぼんやり
ぼんやり
A state in which the shape of something, a memory, or the like is not clear. 「遠くの山がぼんやり見える」 (the distant mountains look hazy). It also describes a state of thinking about nothing, with one's attention directed nowhere in particular. 「授業中にぼんやりする」 (to space out during class), 「ぼんやりしていて駅を乗り過ごした」 (I was spacing out and missed my station).
AI-generated translation
N1
凡庸
ぼんよう
Refers to something mediocre, lacking any distinguishing features, and unremarkable. Used in expressions like 「凡庸な作品 (a mediocre work)」「凡庸な人物 (a mediocre person)」. It is a formal na-adjective used by an evaluator to describe an object as having no notable qualities in terms of talent, personality, or quality. Compared to simply saying 「普通 (ordinary)」, this word carries a stronger negative, critical undertone, and is frequently used in critical or commentary-style writing. Its antonym is 「非凡 (extraordinary)」.
AI-generated translation
N1
翻弄
ほんろう
Refers to being tossed about as if being toyed with by some other force, regardless of one's own will. As in 「波に翻弄される (to be tossed about by the waves)」「運命に翻弄される (to be played with by fate)」「相手の戦術に翻弄される (to be confounded by the opponent's tactics)」, it is normally used in the passive form. It is a written-language word expressing situations of being swayed by great irresistible forces, such as the power of nature, fate, the intentions of the strong, or emotions.
AI-generated translation
N5
枚
まい
counter for flat things. A word for counting thin, flat things such as paper, shirts, and plates. いちまい・にまい・さんまい…じゅうまい, 「なんまい」. The sound does not change with the number.
AI-generated translation
N5
毎朝
まいあさ
every morning. Every day's morning.
AI-generated translation
N5
毎週
まいしゅう
every week. Every week.
AI-generated translation
N5
毎月
まいつき
Every month. Also read 「まいげつ」.
AI-generated translation
N5
毎年
まいとし
Every year. Also read 「まいねん」.
AI-generated translation
N5
毎日
まいにち
every day. Every day.
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N5
毎晩
まいばん
Every night.
AI-generated translation
N4
参る
まいる
A humble way of saying 「行く」 (to go) or 「来る」 (to come).
AI-generated translation
N5
前
まえ
before. Being earlier in place or time. The antonym is 「後ろ」 (behind) or 「後」 (after).
AI-generated translation
N4, N5
曲がる
まがる
turn. To no longer be straight. Also used when turning on a road. Example: 「右に曲がる」 (to turn right).
AI-generated translation
N2
巻き込む
まきこむ
To draw in the people or things around one and involve them together; to pull someone into a certain situation.
AI-generated translation
N2
紛らわしい
まぎらわしい
A state of being hard to distinguish because things resemble each other and are easily mistaken. It shares the same origin as the verb 「紛れる」 (to become indistinguishable by mixing in with other things), with the original meaning "easily blended in." Used as in 「紛らわしい名前」, 「紛らわしい表現」, 「紛らわしい行為」. Used when appearance, name, expression, or behavior is similar to something else and thus apt to invite misunderstanding. It carries a nuance of treating the cause of misrecognition or confusion as a problem, rather than the neutral "resembling."
AI-generated translation
N1
紛れる
まぎれる
To become mixed in with other things and indistinguishable from them. The basic meaning is to blend into a crowd or darkness so as not to stand out, as in 「人混みに紛れる」(to get lost in a crowd) or 「闇に紛れる」(to slip away under cover of darkness). Extended use: 「気が紛れる」means that one's attention is drawn to something else, easing an unpleasant feeling or sadness. This second sense is close in nuance to distraction or relief, and frequently appears in contexts where worry or grief is alleviated through another activity.
AI-generated translation
N4
負ける
まける
To be unable to win in a match or contest. The antonym is「勝つ」(to win).
AI-generated translation
N2
真心
まごころ
A genuine, sincere feeling of care toward another person. Formed by adding 「真」 to 「心」 to emphasize sincerity from the heart, rather than surface courtesy or calculation. Used as in 「真心を込める」, 「真心からのもてなし」, 「真心が伝わる」. Frequently used in situations involving consideration or kindness toward others, such as customer service, gifts, nursing, and education. Close in meaning to 「誠意」, but 「真心」 emphasizes emotional, inner sincerity, while 「誠意」 emphasizes sincerity as responsibility or response.
AI-generated translation
N2
まさか
まさか
An adverb expressing surprise at an unexpected situation, or the low likelihood of such a possibility. It has a usage expressing surprise when facing an unexpected situation, in forms like 「まさか〜とは」, 「まさか〜ない」, and a usage negating something as impossible, as in 「まさかそんなことはあるまい」. Used in contexts of negative or unexpected surprise, as in 「まさか彼が来るとは」, 「まさか負けるとは思わなかった」. Also used alone as an interjection, 「まさか!」. There is also a usage as a noun referring to an unexpected emergency, as in 「まさかの事態」, 「まさかの時に備える」.
AI-generated translation
N2
摩擦
まさつ
Two objects rubbing against each other; also, conflict arising from a difference in opinion or interests.
AI-generated translation
N2
勝る
まさる
For one's ability, degree, value, or the like to be superior to another's. The character 「勝」 originally means "to win over an opponent," and expresses being in a higher position in a comparison. Used in a comparative context, as in 「他に勝るとも劣らない」, 「経験に勝る教師はない」, and 「百聞は一見に勝る」. It is a verb, but it mostly appears in the set patterns 「AはBに勝る」 and 「AはBより勝る」, within idiomatic constructions describing superiority or inferiority. It can also be written as 「優る」. It has a somewhat formal, written-language feel, and appears frequently in proverb- and maxim-style expressions.
AI-generated translation
N1
交える
まじえる
To bring in and mix different elements or people into a setting. 「交」 originally means "to come and go with one another," expressing the action of bringing something else into a single place and making it coexist. It takes as its object speech, emotions, words, people, and so on, as in 「冗談を交える」, 「私情を交えない」, 「言葉を交える」, 「老若男女を交えて」. 「言葉を交える」 is close to 「話を交わす」, and 「砲火を交える」 is close to 「戦いを交わす」, both idiomatic usages. 「交える」 is used when a person intentionally mixes something in, while 「交わる」 expresses things coming into contact and becoming involved with each other of their own accord.
AI-generated translation
N4
真面目
まじめ
A state of being earnest and doing one's best, without lying or being careless.
AI-generated translation
N1
交わる
まじわる
To come into contact or become intermingled with something separate; also, to associate with others. The literal meaning covers physical intersection or contact, as in 「線が交わる」(lines intersect) or 「川と川が交わる」(rivers meet). The social meaning refers to forming relationships, as in 「友と交わる」(to associate with friends) or 「他人と交わる」(to mingle with others). 「交える」 is used when a person intentionally mixes something in, while 「交わる」 expresses things coming into contact and becoming involved with each other of their own accord. A somewhat formal, written-register word used across both geometric and interpersonal contexts.
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
まずい
まずい
A state of tasting bad. The antonym is 「おいしい」 (delicious).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
貧しい
まずしい
poor. Lacking money or goods, making life difficult. Example: 「貧しい家庭」 (a poor family). Also used to mean lacking in substance, as in 「貧しい発想」 (a poor/impoverished idea). The antonym is 「豊か」 (rich/abundant).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
また
また
Again. The state in which the same thing happens once more. 「また来てください」(please come again), 「またあした」(see you tomorrow). It is a different word from the similar word 「まだ」(the state of not being finished).
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.