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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
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4,238words (N1–N5 total)
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N1
羽目
はめ
Refers to a troublesome situation or unfavorable position. Used in expressions like 「羽目になる (to find oneself in a tight spot)」「羽目に陥る (to fall into a predicament)」「面倒な羽目になった (one ended up in a troublesome situation)」. There is the noun use expressing a situation in which one finds oneself as an unwanted result, and the idiomatic use 「羽目を外す (to go too far, to let loose)」 expressing "appropriate limits". The 「羽目」 in the latter is originally a kind of part of a horse's bit, and the sense "to lose moderation" was established from the idea that, once removed, the horse runs wild.
AI-generated translation
N3
場面
ばめん
scene. The state of the place where something is happening. Example: 「感動的な場面」 (a moving scene). Also used to refer to a segment of a movie or play.
AI-generated translation
N4
林
はやし
woods. A place with many trees growing. Often refers to something smaller than a 「森」 (forest).
AI-generated translation
N3
流行る
はやる
To become widely popular with many people. Example: 「このアプリが流行っている」 (this app is popular). Also used when a disease spreads widely, as in 「インフルエンザが流行る」 (the flu is spreading). In written language, 「流行（りゅうこう）する」 is also used.
AI-generated translation
N4
払う
はらう
To hand over money to a shop or person. Example: 「お金を払う」 (to pay money).
AI-generated translation
N3
針
はり
needle. A thin, pointed tool used for sewing or injections. Example: 「針と糸」 (needle and thread). Also broadly refers to thin, pointed objects such as a clock's hands or a fishing hook.
AI-generated translation
N1
張り合い
はりあい
Refers to the sense of worthwhileness and feedback when one tackles something. Used in expressions like 「張り合いのある仕事 (a rewarding job)」「張り合いがない (there is no satisfaction in it)」「張り合いを失う (to lose one's drive)」. It is a daily-use word expressing emotional fulfillment and the sense that one's effort is worthwhile, used in contexts that positively evaluate a state of having purpose and motivation. It is a different word from 「張り合い (rivalry)」, which also derives from 「張り合う」, and the meanings are distinguished by context.
AI-generated translation
N1
張り詰める
はりつめる
Refers to feelings or atmosphere being so tense that they are pulled tight. Used in expressions like 「神経を張り詰める (to keep one's nerves taut)」「張り詰めた空気 (a taut atmosphere)」「張り詰めた糸のような心 (a mind taut as a stretched string)」. It is a derivative usage from the sense of something being stretched tight across a surface, established as a metaphor for a psychological state with no slack or for the tension of a scene. Its focus is on prolonged high tension, indicating a sustained state of concentration rather than a momentary surprise or fear.
AI-generated translation
N1
破廉恥
はれんち
Refers to behavior that lacks restraint and does not regard shame as shame. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「破廉恥な行為 (a shameless act)」「破廉恥極まりない (utterly shameless)」「破廉恥漢 (a shameless scoundrel)」. 「廉」 means a heart that is pure and upright, 「恥」 means the sense of shame; the original sense is "to break (disregard) these". It is an old-fashioned expression used in contexts that strongly condemn morally inexcusable speech or behavior, especially violations of sexual or financial morality.
AI-generated translation
N1
反旗
はんき
Refers to the posture of rebellion against a ruler or superior. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「反旗を翻す (to raise the banner of revolt)」「反旗を掲げる (to hoist the banner of rebellion)」. It originally meant to raise a flag indicating the intention to revolt, and in modern usage is most often used as the idiom 「反旗を翻す」, used in scenes of clearly declaring rebellion against an entity one had previously been following. It is used in contexts that discuss political confrontation, organizational strife, and historical rebellions.
AI-generated translation
N4
番組
ばんぐみ
A single program broadcast on television or radio, such as news or a drama.
AI-generated translation
N1
煩雑
はんざつ
Refers to the appearance of a matter being complicated and laborious. Used in expressions like 「煩雑な手続き (cumbersome procedures)」「業務が煩雑だ (the work is intricate)」「煩雑な事務作業 (complicated clerical work)」. 「煩」 means troublesome, 「雑」 means tangled; together they express "a state of being troublesome and tangled". Rather than mere complexity, it focuses on the burden and bothersomeness for the one handling it, used widely in evaluations of administrative procedures, clerical work, and regulations.
AI-generated translation
N1
半信半疑
はんしんはんぎ
Refers to a state of half-belief, half-doubt. It is a four-character idiom expressing the hesitant feeling of being unable to judge whether a story is true or false. Used in expressions like 「半信半疑で話を聞く (to listen with half-belief)」「半信半疑のまま試す (to try while remaining doubtful)」「半信半疑だった (was half in doubt)」. It expresses the intermediate psychological state of being unable to fully trust, yet unable to dismiss outright. It is an established expression used in everyday conversation, novels, and news reports.
AI-generated translation
N1
反芻
はんすう
Refers to animals such as cows bringing food they have once swallowed back into the mouth to chew again. By extension, it refers to thoughts or words being repeatedly recalled. Used in expressions like 「言葉を反芻する (to ruminate on a word)」「教訓を反芻する (to ruminate on a lesson)」「会話を反芻する (to replay a conversation in one's mind)」. It is a metaphor derived from the zoological term, expressing the act of savoring memories, emotions, or knowledge over and over in the mind. It is widely used in contexts of book impressions, recollection, and meditation.
AI-generated translation
N3
反省
はんせい
To reflect on one's own words and actions and think about what was wrong. Example: 「反省して謝る」 (to reflect and apologize).
AI-generated translation
N1
判然
はんぜん
Refers to the appearance of a matter becoming clearly understood. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「原因が判然としない (the cause is not clear)」「判然たる証拠 (clear evidence)」. 「判」 means to distinguish or clarify, 「然」 is a suffix indicating manner; together they express "a state of being clearly distinguished". It is mostly used in the negative form 「判然としない」, appearing widely in contexts that describe ambiguous, indeterminate situations. The style is biased toward news reports, official documents, and analysis.
AI-generated translation
N4
反対
はんたい
When a direction or a place is completely the opposite. Examples: 「反対のほうこうへあるく」 (to walk in the opposite direction), 「道の反対がわ」 (the opposite side of the street). It also means not accepting another person's thoughts or opinion and stating a different view. Example: 「反対する」 (to oppose). The word with the opposite meaning of 「反対する」 is 「賛成（さんせい）」 (agreement).
AI-generated translation
N3
判断
はんだん
judgment. To think about something and decide. Example: 「状況を判断する」 (to judge the situation).
AI-generated translation
N3
犯人
はんにん
A person who has committed a crime. Example: 「犯人を捕まえる」 (to catch the criminal).
AI-generated translation
N3
販売
はんばい
To sell goods. Example: 「チケットを販売する」 (to sell tickets). A more formal, business-oriented way of saying 「売る」 (to sell).
AI-generated translation
N1
反駁
はんばく
Refers to refuting and denying another's opinion or claim by providing grounds. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「論文に反駁する (to rebut a paper)」「反駁の余地がない (there is no room for rebuttal)」「鋭く反駁する (to rebut sharply)」. 「反」 means to oppose, 「駁」 means to argue down; together they express "to argue back and refute". Rather than mere opposition, it carries the nuance of rebutting the other party's claim with supporting reasons, used in discussion, academic, and legal contexts.
AI-generated translation
N1
繁忙
はんぼう
Refers to work and the like being extremely busy. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「繁忙期 (a busy season)」「繁忙な日々 (busy days)」「繁忙を極める (to be extremely busy)」. 「繁」 means abundant or thriving, 「忙」 means busy; together they express "a state in which busyness is at its peak". It is mostly used in the form 「繁忙期」, as a noun referring to a time when workload concentrates in a particular industry. It is widely used in business and economic contexts, while in everyday conversation 「忙しい」 is the common form.
AI-generated translation
N1
氾濫
はんらん
Refers to river water overflowing and spreading. By extension, it refers to a state in which things or information are so abundant that they overflow. Used in expressions like 「川が氾濫する (a river floods)」「情報が氾濫する (information floods)」「商品が氾濫する (goods are flooding the market)」. Both 「氾」 and 「濫」 mean water overflowing, forming a compound that stacks two characters to emphasize meaning. From the physical sense of flooding, it has extended in modern usage to metaphorical uses for information, goods, buzzwords, and the like spreading excessively, used widely in media and criticism contexts.
AI-generated translation
N4
火
ひ
fire. The hot thing or light that comes out when something is burning.
AI-generated translation
N1
ひいては
ひいては
An adverb expressing that as one matter spreads, its influence reaches another related matter as well. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「個人の利益、ひいては社会全体の利益 (the benefit of the individual, and by extension the benefit of society as a whole)」「健康、ひいては人生の質 (health, and by extension the quality of life)」. It expresses spreading and expansion to a larger scope, used in contexts that develop reasoning step by step. It mostly appears in formal styles such as academic papers, editorials, and speeches, and is hardly used in everyday conversation.
AI-generated translation
N4
冷える
ひえる
For the temperature to drop and become cold.
AI-generated translation
N3
被害
ひがい
To suffer damage or harm. Also refers to the damage received. Example: 「台風の被害」 (typhoon damage). The antonym is 「加害」 (inflicting harm).
AI-generated translation
N3
比較
ひかく
comparison. To compare two or more things. Example: 「値段を比較する」 (to compare prices).
AI-generated translation
N4
光
ひかり
light. Something that appears bright. The brightness coming from the sun, electricity, etc.
AI-generated translation
N4
光る
ひかる
To give off light. To shine brightly. Example:「星が光る」(a star shines).
AI-generated translation
N4
引き出し
ひきだし
The box-like part attached to a desk, etc., for putting things in.
AI-generated translation
N4
引き出す
ひきだす
To take something that is inside to the outside. Also used to mean withdrawing money from a bank, as in 「お金を引き出す」 (to withdraw money).
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
N3, N5
低い
ひくい
low. A state where the length from bottom to top is small. The antonym is 「高い」 (high).
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
N4
髭
ひげ
beard. Hair that grows around the mouth or on the chin.
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
N4
飛行場
ひこうじょう
airfield. A place where airplanes take off and land. Close in meaning to 「空港」 (airport).
AI-generated translation
N3
膝
ひざ
knee. The bendable joint in the middle of the leg. Example: 「膝をつく」 (to kneel down).
AI-generated translation
N4
久しぶり
ひさしぶり
A long time having passed since one last met someone. Example: 「久しぶりですね」 (it's been a while).
AI-generated translation
N3
肘
ひじ
elbow. The bendable joint in the middle of the arm. Example: 「肘をつく」 (to rest on one's elbow).
AI-generated translation
N4
美術館
びじゅつかん
art museum. A building that displays art such as paintings.
AI-generated translation
N3
非常
ひじょう
An unusual, urgent situation. It is used on its own as a noun, as in 「非常の際」 (in an emergency), 「非常の場合」 (in case of emergency). It is also often combined with other words, as in 「非常口」 (emergency exit), 「非常ベル」 (emergency bell), 「非常階段」 (emergency stairs), 「非常食」 (emergency rations). Adding 「に」 gives 「非常に」, an adverb meaning the same as 「とても」 (very); the part of speech and the meaning both change, as in 「非常の際に備える」 versus 「非常に寒い」.
AI-generated translation
N3, N4
非常に
ひじょうに
Expresses that the degree of something is very strong. It has the same meaning as 「とても」 and 「たいへん」, and is often used in written language. It is formed by adding 「に」 to the noun 「非常」 (an unusual, urgent situation; 「非常口」「非常ベル」); 「非常」 on its own does not mean 「とても」. Compare 「非常の場合」, which means in an emergency, with 「非常に寒い」, which means very cold.
AI-generated translation
N3
額
ひたい
forehead. The part of the face from above the eyebrows to the hairline. Also called おでこ. When read as 「がく」, it means a sum of money or a frame for holding a picture.
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
N4
びっくりする
びっくりする
To be surprised because something unexpected happened.
AI-generated translation
N4
引っ越す
ひっこす
To change where one lives to another place.
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.