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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
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4,256words (N1–N5 total)
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N2, N3
燃える
もえる
For fire to catch and flames to rise. Example: 「紙が燃える」 (paper burns). Also used to mean feelings rising, as in 「やる気に燃える」 (burning with motivation). 「燃える」 is used when something is burning, while 「燃やす」 is used when a person sets it alight: compare 「紙が燃える」 with 「紙を燃やす」.
AI-generated translation
N2
黙認
もくにん
To overlook something without reproach, even while knowing it is not good.
AI-generated translation
N1
木目
もくめ
It refers to the grain pattern that appears on the surface of wood. While it can also be read as 「きめ」, the reading 「もくめ」 is more common. Note that 「きめ」 in expressions like 「肌のきめ」 or 「きめ細かい」 (referring to fine textures or attentive care) is originally a separate word written as 「肌理」.
AI-generated translation
N1
目論見
もくろみ
A plan or scheme set up to accomplish something. The noun form of the verb 「目論む」 (to plan secretly). Mostly used for ambitious or secretive plans, referring to something calculated inwardly without bringing it to the surface. Used as in 「目論見が外れる」, 「目論見通り」, 「目論見が当たる」, 「相手の目論見を見抜く」. Compared with the neutral 「計画」, it has a nuance emphasizing the party's intent or designs, often used in wary or critical contexts. It is paired with the verb 「目論む」.
AI-generated translation
N2
模索
もさく
To search and seek by feeling one's way, without a clear method. 「模」 means to feel and search by touch, 「索」 means a rope or clue, together giving the original meaning of "searching for a clue by feeling one's way." Used for tasks where the answer is not fixed, exploring a direction through trial and error, as in 「解決策を模索する」, 「新たな道を模索する」, 「可能性を模索する」. A bookish, hard word, frequently appearing in contexts expressing prolonged exploration or a process of trying multiple options.
AI-generated translation
N2
もたらす
もたらす
To bring about or cause a certain result or state; also, to bring something along.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3, N5
持つ
もつ
Hold. Grasping something with the hand. 「かばんを持つ」(hold a bag).
AI-generated translation
N2
模範
もはん
A good example that others should follow.
AI-generated translation
N1
模倣
もほう
To imitate something else. A word combining 「模」 and 「倣」, both meaning "to follow, to imitate," expressing the act of copying a model object exactly as it is. Its objects are wide-ranging, including art, culture, products, and behavioral styles, used as in 「他者の作品を模倣する」, 「先進国の制度を模倣する」. Often used as the antonym concept to creativity, appearing frequently in contexts like 「模倣ではなく独創を」. It can neutrally refer to "imitation" as part of a learning process, and can also be used with a negative meaning close to plagiarism or theft.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
燃やす
もやす
To set fire to something so that it burns. Example: 「落ち葉を燃やす」 (to burn fallen leaves). Also used to mean intensifying one's feelings, as in 「闘志を燃やす」 (to fire up one's fighting spirit). 「燃やす」 is used when a person sets something alight, while 「燃える」 is used when something is burning: compare 「紙を燃やす」 with 「紙が燃える」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
模様
もよう
pattern. A drawing or arrangement of colors on the surface of an object. Example: 「花の模様」 (a floral pattern). Also used to mean a general state or condition, as in 「空模様」 (the look of the sky/weather).
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
催す
もよおす
To gather people and hold an event or meeting; also, to give rise to a certain feeling or state within oneself.
AI-generated translation
N1
脆い
もろい
Weak against force and liable to break or crumble easily. The character 「脆」conveys weakness and a tendency to fall apart. The primary use describes physical fragility, as in 「脆い氷」(fragile ice), 「脆い陶器」(delicate pottery), or 「脆い地盤」(unstable ground). Extended to abstract weakness, it appears in expressions such as 「脆い関係」(a precarious relationship) or 「脆い計画」(a shaky plan), as well as in 「涙脆い」(easily moved to tears) or 「情に脆い」(soft-hearted, easily swayed by emotion). Slightly more formal than 「壊れやすい」and used in both written and spoken registers.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
文句
もんく
complaint. Words of dissatisfaction. Example: 「文句を言う」 (to complain). Also has the meaning of wording or a set phrase, as in song lyrics or fixed expressions.
AI-generated translation
N2
屋敷
やしき
A house with a spacious lot and a stately structure. Originally referred to "a house together with its land," but in modern Japanese it usually refers specifically to a large and imposing residence. Used in expressions such as 「武家屋敷」, 「古い屋敷」, 「お屋敷」, or 「屋敷町」, and frequently appears in contexts describing historical or traditional buildings or the residences of the wealthy. A written-style word often used in literature, novels, and historical contexts.
AI-generated translation
N2
野心
やしん
A strong desire to achieve a higher position or greater results, refusing to be satisfied with the status quo. The character 「野」 carries the nuance of "going beyond one's proper station," expressing an inner drive to achieve something beyond the current state. Used in expressions such as 「野心を持つ」, 「野心的な計画」, or 「若き野心」. Depending on context, it can carry either positive or negative connotations: it may be praised as aspirational drive, or viewed with some wariness as a form of desire.
AI-generated translation
N2, N5
休む
やすむ
To let the body rest. To not go to school or work.
AI-generated translation
N2
厄介
やっかい
Being troublesome and requiring a lot of effort; also, receiving someone's care or assistance.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
野蛮
やばん
Being uncivilized and rough or violent.
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
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, N4
柔らかい
やわらかい
A soft, fluffy state whose shape changes easily when pressed. The antonym is「硬い（かたい）」(hard).
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
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
N2
油断
ゆだん
To let one's guard down and neglect to pay attention.
AI-generated translation
N2, N4
夢
ゆめ
The various events seen while sleeping. Also used to mean a hope for the future.
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
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
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
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
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.