A four-character idiom expressing constant progress day by day and month by month. Used as in「技術は日進月歩で発展している」. Used when describing a field where change and development are rapid.
AI-generated translation
N1煮詰まるにつまる
A verb meaning that a discussion or plan has been thoroughly examined and has reached the stage where a conclusion can be drawn. Used as in 「議論が煮詰まる」「計画が煮詰まる」. The word originally derives from the image of "the contents of a pot reducing as they simmer, with the dish nearing completion," and carries the positive meaning of "having exhausted examination and being on the verge of a conclusion." Recently, however, more people use it with the negative meaning of "no more ideas come" or "no progress is being made." The correct reading according to the original usage is "having reached the stage where a conclusion can be drawn."
AI-generated translation, reviewed by a native speaker
N1二の次にのつぎ
Literally "after the first," meaning placed in second position. It indicates being put off in favor of something more important, given low priority. Used in contexts where something is not the top priority, as in「利益は二の次だ」(profit is secondary) or「安全は二の次にできない」(safety cannot be made a secondary concern).
AI-generated translation
N1鈍るにぶる
A verb meaning that a blade becomes dull. Used literally as in 「包丁が鈍る」 (the kitchen knife becomes dull). It is also used figuratively to mean that ability or perception becomes less sharp, or that momentum weakens. Used in situations where strength or precision has dropped compared to before, as in 「腕が鈍る」「勘が鈍る」.
AI-generated translation
N1にべもないにべもない
An expression describing a cold, unfriendly response. Used as in「にべもなく断る」. Used when bluntly refusing another's request or proposal.
AI-generated translation
N5荷物にもつ
luggage. Something to be carried.
AI-generated translation
N1入魂にゅうこん
A word meaning putting one's whole heart into something, pouring in all of one's spirit. Used for a work or task into which one has poured everything, as in「入魂の一作」or「入魂の力作」.
AI-generated translation
N1入札にゅうさつ
A word for offering a desired price to compete for a contract in construction or procurement deals. Used as in「入札に参加する」or「入札を実施する」. Used when ordering public works or large-scale projects.
AI-generated translation
N1入念にゅうねん
A word meaning to pay attention to every detail and do something carefully. Used as in「入念に準備する」or「入念な点検」. Used with the sense of doing something thoroughly without cutting corners.
AI-generated translation
N3入力にゅうりょく
input. To enter characters or data into a computer, etc. Example: 「パスワードを入力する」 (to enter a password). The antonym is 「出力」 (output).
AI-generated translation
N1如実にょじつ
A word meaning being exactly as the reality is, just as it is. Used as in「如実に表す」or「如実に物語る」. Used when data or facial expressions reveal the truth just as it stands.
AI-generated translation
N1二律背反にりつはいはん
A word for two propositions or claims that contradict each other and cannot both hold true. Used as in「経済成長と環境保護の二律背反」. Refers to a relationship in which choosing one side makes the other impossible.
AI-generated translation
N3煮るにる
To heat food together with water or seasoning, adding flavor as it cooks. Example: 「野菜を煮る」 (to simmer vegetables). While 「ゆでる」 refers to just heating in hot water, 「煮る」 often refers to cooking that adds flavor.
AI-generated translation
N5庭にわ
garden. A place outside a house where trees and flowers are planted.
AI-generated translation
N1にわかにわか
A word meaning starting suddenly, being temporary. Used as in「にわか雨」or「にわかファン」. Often carries the nuance of being not full-fledged but only short-lived.
AI-generated translation
N1にわかににわかに
An adverb meaning suddenly, abruptly. Used as in「にわかに空が暗くなる」or「にわかに信じがたい」. Used when an unexpected change occurs.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3人間にんげん
human. A person. Example: 「人間関係」 (human relationships). Often used to distinguish from animals.
AI-generated translation
N1忍従にんじゅう
A word meaning to silently endure hardship and submit to it. Used as in「忍従の日々」or「忍従を強いられる」. Used when one yields and bears an unjust situation without resisting.
AI-generated translation
N1認証にんしょう
A word meaning to officially verify and recognize a person or qualification. Used as in「本人認証」or「認証を受ける」. Used broadly in security and quality-control contexts.
AI-generated translation
N3人数にんずう
The number of people. Example: 「人数を数える」 (to count the number of people).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3縫うぬう
sew. To join cloth, etc., together with a needle and thread. Example: 「服を縫う」 (to sew clothes). Also used to mean weaving through something, as in 「人ごみを縫って歩く」 (to walk weaving through a crowd).
AI-generated translation
N1抜かりぬかり
Lapses in attention or care that lead to overlooking what should be done or doing it carelessly. Used as in「抜かりなく準備する」「抜かりがあった」or「手抜かりがないように」. Has the same meaning as「手落ち」, expressing inadequacies in planning or preparation.
AI-generated translation
N1ぬかるみぬかるみ
A patch of ground that has become soft and muddy from rain, where one's feet sink in. Used as in「ぬかるみにはまる」(get stuck in mud) or「ぬかるみを歩く」(walk through mud). It also serves as a metaphor for a difficult situation from which one cannot easily escape, as in「不況のぬかるみから抜け出す」(get out of the mire of recession).
AI-generated translation
N1抜き差しならないぬきさしならない
A state in which one can neither move forward nor pull back. Used as in「抜き差しならない事態」or「抜き差しならない立場」. Used when one has been driven into a serious situation.
AI-generated translation
N1抜きん出るぬきんでる
Being clearly superior to others. Used as in「才能が抜きん出る」or「成績が抜きん出る」. It is a form with「ん」inserted within「抜き出る」, and is read「ぬきんでる」, not「ぬきでる」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3抜くぬく
To pull something out from inside. 「歯を抜く」 (to pull a tooth), 「くぎを抜く」 (to pull out a nail). Also used broadly for meanings such as holding back one's effort or getting ahead, as in 「手を抜く」 (to cut corners) and 「追い抜く」 (to overtake). 「抜く」 is used when a person pulls something out, while 「抜ける」 is used when something comes out on its own: compare 「歯を抜く」 with 「歯が抜ける」.
AI-generated translation
N5脱ぐぬぐ
To take off clothes or shoes, etc., from the body. The antonym is 「着る」 (to wear) or 「履く」 (to put on footwear).
AI-generated translation
N1拭い去るぬぐいさる
A verb meaning to wipe with a cloth or similar item to completely remove dirt or moisture. Used literally as in 「汗を拭い去る」 (to wipe away sweat). It is also used figuratively to mean completely removing anxiety, suspicion, or similar feelings. Used in situations where abstract things are erased, as in 「疑念を拭い去る」「不安を拭い去る」.
AI-generated translation
N1拭うぬぐう
To wipe away dirt or tears. Also used to remove abstract things, as in「不安を拭う」or「疑念を拭う」.
AI-generated translation
N1抜け落ちるぬけおちる
A verb meaning that something that should be there is missing and gone. Used both physically, as in 「髪の毛が抜け落ちる」「葉が抜け落ちる」, and abstractly, as in 「データが抜け落ちる」「記憶が抜け落ちる」.
AI-generated translation
N1抜け駆けぬけがけ
Acting alone ahead of others, ignoring an agreement or arrangement with one's group. Used as in「抜け駆けする」or「抜け駆けは許さない」. Used in situations involving competition or shared interests.
AI-generated translation, reviewed by a native speaker
N1抜け目ないぬけめない
Not missing anything to one's own advantage and acting swiftly. Used as in「抜け目ない商売人」or「抜け目なく立ち回る」, describing a shrewd, calculating manner.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3抜けるぬける
For something that was inside to come loose and come out. Example: 「髪が抜ける」 (hair falls out). Also used to mean passing through, as in 「トンネルを抜ける」 (to pass through a tunnel), or leaving, as in 「メンバーから抜ける」 (to leave the members/group). 「抜く」 is used when a person pulls something out, while 「抜ける」 is used when something comes out on its own: compare 「歯を抜く」 with 「歯が抜ける」.
AI-generated translation
N1主ぬし
The owner of something or the central figure in a matter. Used as in「家の主」or「噂の主」. It also refers to a being that has long dwelt in a place and is treated like its master, as in「池の主」or「山の主」, describing a large animal or the like that has lived there for a long time. The same「主」read as「しゅ」is a different word referring to the central or most important thing.
AI-generated translation
N1盗み聞きぬすみぎき
The act of secretly listening to someone else's conversation without them realizing it. Used as in 「隣の部屋の会話を盗み聞きする」「電話を盗み聞きされる」. Because it involves intentional secret listening, it is close in meaning to 「立ち聞き」 (eavesdropping while standing nearby). When done using a device, the word 「盗聴」 (electronic eavesdropping) is used instead; when communications are received by someone who is not the intended recipient, the word 「傍受」 (interception) is used.
AI-generated translation
N1盗み見るぬすみみる
Secretly looking at another's belongings or state without being noticed. Used as in「答案を盗み見る」or「表情を盗み見る」.
AI-generated translation
N3布ぬの
cloth. Something made by weaving thread. A material for clothes, etc. Example: 「布のかばん」 (a cloth bag).
AI-generated translation
N1布目ぬのめ
The pattern or texture on the surface of cloth produced by the way it is woven. Used as in「布目が細かい」or「布目に沿って切る」.
AI-generated translation
N1塗り替えるぬりかえる
A verb meaning to repaint walls, fences, and similar surfaces. Used as in 「外壁を塗り替える」 (to repaint the outer wall). It is also used figuratively to mean refreshing or renewing a record or situation. Used in situations where the old is replaced with the new, as in 「記録を塗り替える」「歴史を塗り替える」.
AI-generated translation
N5ぬるいぬるい
Neither cold nor hot, not being at the right temperature. Used when something that should be cold is warm, or something that should be hot has cooled down. Written with the kanji 「温い」, but usually written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N1濡れ衣ぬれぎぬ
Originally meaning clothes wet from rain. By extension, it refers to a false accusation or suspicion of a crime one did not commit. The expression is said to derive from the image of being made to wear wet garments and thereby drawing suspicion. Used as in「濡れ衣を着せる」(falsely accuse) or「濡れ衣を晴らす」(clear oneself of a false charge). Read as「ぬれぎぬ」, not「ぬれごろも」.
AI-generated translation
N3願うねがう
To wish for something to happen. Example: 「成功を願う」 (to wish for success). Also used to mean asking someone for a favor, as in 「お願いします」 (please/I ask of you).
AI-generated translation
N1値崩れねくずれ
A sharp drop in the market price of goods. Used as in「値崩れを起こす」or「値崩れが続く」, in market or distribution contexts.
AI-generated translation
N5猫ねこ
cat. An animal that often lives together with people.
AI-generated translation
N1寝覚めねざめ
Waking up from sleep. Also refers to one's mood upon waking. The form「寝覚めが悪い」is common, expressing a bad aftertaste or pangs of conscience.
AI-generated translation
N3ねずみねずみ
A small, quick animal that gnaws on things. Written with the kanji 「鼠」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is written in hiragana or katakana.
AI-generated translation
N1妬むねたむ
Feeling envy at another's happiness or success and finding them hateful. Used as in「人の成功を妬む」or「出世した同僚を妬む」.
AI-generated translation
N1捏造ねつぞう
Fabricating something untrue as if it were real. Used as in「証拠を捏造する」or「データの捏造」.
AI-generated translation
N3熱中ねっちゅう
To become absorbed in one thing. Example: 「ゲームに熱中する」 (to be absorbed in a game).
AI-generated translation
N1粘り強いねばりづよい
A manner of not easily giving up despite difficulty and continuing through to the end. Used as in「粘り強い交渉」or「粘り強く取り組む」.
This word has different meanings and uses at each level
表示言語を選んでください
Choose your language
言語はあとから変更できます ・ You can change this later
About study reminders
If you haven't logged in for a while, we'll send you an email encouraging you to resume studying (on by default). You can change the time and days, or turn reminders off, anytime from My Page.
Your session has expired
Your login has expired. You can sign in again or continue without signing in.