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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
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4,238words (N1–N5 total)
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
N2
描写
びょうしゃ
To depict the state of things or one's feelings through words, pictures, or the like.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
表面
ひょうめん
surface. The outermost side of an object. Example: 「水の表面」 (the surface of water). Also used to mean outward appearance, as in 「表面上は仲がいい」 (on the surface, they get along well).
AI-generated translation
N1
肥沃
ひよく
Refers to land being fertile and crops growing well. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「肥沃な土壌 (fertile soil)」「肥沃な大地 (a fertile earth)」「肥沃な三日月地帯 (the Fertile Crescent)」. 「肥」 means to be plump and rich, 「沃」 means to be moistened with water; together they express "land rich in nutrients and well-watered". It is widely used in agricultural, geographical, and historical contexts, appearing frequently in geographical descriptions such as the birthplaces of civilizations. There is also a metaphorical use expressing rich creativity, as in 「肥沃な想像力 (a fertile imagination)」.
AI-generated translation
N2
開き直る
ひらきなおる
Refers to suddenly switching one's attitude and turning defiant when cornered. Used in expressions like 「失敗を指摘されて開き直る (to brazen it out when one's failure is pointed out)」「開き直った態度 (a defiant attitude)」. It expresses the appearance of casting aside one's previously weak or cringing stance and turning bold and shameless, often with a critical, negative evaluation. The original meaning was "to straighten one's posture and face things squarely", but in modern usage it has settled into the sense of "shamelessly brazening it out".
AI-generated translation
N1
非力
ひりき
Refers to lacking strength. Used in expressions like 「非力ながら全力を尽くす (lacking power, but doing one's utmost)」「非力な自分を恥じる (to be ashamed of one's powerlessness)」「非力さを痛感する (to keenly feel one's powerlessness)」. 「非」 is a negative, 「力」 means capability or physical strength; together they express the state in which "one's power does not reach". It is used both for modestly saying that one's own ability falls short and for objectively pointing to a lack of capability, and is often used as an expression of humility.
AI-generated translation
N1
翻す
ひるがえす
Refers to quickly changing direction or attitude to the opposite. Used in expressions like 「身を翻す (to turn one's body)」「前言を翻す (to retract a previous statement)」「旗を翻す (to wave a flag)」. It is used both for the physical reversal of the body or a flag and for the retraction of promises, assertions, or decisions, accompanied by the nuance of a sudden change that catches the other party off guard. In metaphorical use it shares its root with 「翻意」, referring to the act of overturning what has once been decided, and often carries the nuance of damaging trust.
AI-generated translation
N1
ひるむ
ひるむ
Refers to one's spirit being broken and one shrinking back in the face of an opponent's momentum or a difficult situation. Used in expressions like 「敵の威圧にひるむ (to flinch at the enemy's intimidation)」「批判にひるまず立ち向かう (to confront criticism without flinching)」「ひるむことなく (without flinching)」. It is a word focused on psychological wavering and retreat rather than physical withdrawal, and is used both in positive contexts that show strength of will through the negative form 「ひるまず」 and in contexts that depict weakness through the positive form 「ひるんだ」.
AI-generated translation
N2
比例
ひれい
A relationship in which, when one thing increases or decreases, the other increases or decreases by the same proportion accordingly.
AI-generated translation
N2
披露
ひろう
Refers to showing or announcing something to others for the first time. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「新作を披露する (to unveil a new work)」「腕前を披露する (to display one's skills)」「結婚披露宴 (a wedding reception)」. 「披」 means to open, 「露」 means to reveal; together they express "opening and bringing out". It refers to the act of publicly disclosing one's works, skills, or new information to others, and appears frequently in formal occasions such as weddings, stage performances, and product launches.
AI-generated translation
N1
吹聴
ふいちょう
Refers to bragging about one's own achievements or information all around in a triumphant tone. As in 「自慢話を吹聴する (to brag everywhere)」「手柄を吹聴する (to boast of one's exploits)」「噂を吹聴して回る (to go around spreading rumors)」, it is used in scenes that critically describe the appearance of oneself proudly spreading word. It mostly carries negative connotations and is evaluated as a lack of modesty. 「吹」 means to spread as if blowing, 「聴」 means to make others hear.
AI-generated translation
N1
風格
ふうかく
Refers to the dignity and gravitas naturally inherent in a person or object. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「風格のある建物 (a building of dignified bearing)」「大物の風格 (the air of a great figure)」「横綱の風格 (the dignity of a yokozuna)」. It refers to the dignity that emerges naturally from long-cultivated experience or essential quality, and is spoken of as something unattainable through surface decoration. It is often used with praise, in evaluations of people, architecture, and works of art.
AI-generated translation
N1
風采
ふうさい
Refers to the outward impression of a person received from their dress and bearing. Used in expressions like 「風采が上がらない (one's bearing is unimpressive)」「立派な風采 (a fine appearance)」. 「采」 means coloring or manner, and together the two characters express "a manner viewed from outside". Rather than physical features alone, it refers to overall appearance including clothing and demeanor.
AI-generated translation
N2
風刺
ふうし
Refers to criticizing the faults or contradictions of society or persons indirectly by mocking them. Used in expressions like 「風刺画 (a satirical cartoon)」「社会風刺 (social satire)」「風刺の効いた作品 (a sharply satirical work)」. 「風」 means indirectly, 「刺」 means to pierce; together they express a method of criticism that is not direct. It is established as an expressive technique in literature, manga, drama, and comedy, and is used widely in critical contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
風潮
ふうちょう
Refers to a trend in views or behavior spreading throughout an era or society. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「最近の風潮 (recent trends)」「悪しき風潮 (an unfortunate trend)」「世の風潮 (the prevailing trend)」. 「風」 means the movement of the times, 「潮」 means a current; together they form a metaphor expressing the flow of society as a whole. The word includes a sense of being temporary and fashion-like in character, and is often referred to critically. Compared to 「傾向 (tendency)」, it is more fleeting, and is widely used in news reports and editorials as a term that captures the spirit of the times.
AI-generated translation
N1
風貌
ふうぼう
Refers to the outward impression of a person received from their face, build, and dress. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「異様な風貌 (a strange appearance)」「学者らしい風貌 (a scholarly appearance)」「貫禄のある風貌 (an appearance of authority)」. 「風」 means manner, 「貌」 means face; rather than referring to appearance itself, the word refers to the overall impression including atmosphere. It is a stylistic expression in character description, widely used in novels, criticism, and profiles.
AI-generated translation
N1
不穏
ふおん
Refers to an appearance that is not peaceful, in which something dangerous is likely to happen. Used in expressions like 「不穏な空気 (an uneasy atmosphere)」「不穏な動き (an ominous movement)」. 「穏」 means calm, and 「不」 added to it expresses the state of "not being calm". It is used in situations where tension or conflict lies beneath the surface in society, politics, or human relations.
AI-generated translation
N1
不可解
ふかかい
Refers to a matter whose reason or meaning cannot be understood no matter how one tries. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「不可解な行動 (incomprehensible behavior)」「不可解な事件 (an inscrutable case)」「不可解な発言 (an inscrutable remark)」. 「解」 means "to solve, to understand", with the original sense being "cannot be solved". It is used for matters that cannot be explained within the bounds of logic or common sense, and is widely used in mystery novels, crime reports, and character assessments.
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.