To be so taken by the beauty or excellence of something that one becomes absorbed in gazing at it. Also written 「見惚れる」. 「惚れる」 means "to have one's heart taken," capturing a state in which consciousness is drawn into the appeal of an object. Used as in 「夕日に見とれる」「演技に見とれる」「美しさに見とれる」. The object is limited to things beautiful, excellent, or moving; the word is not used for staring at something critical or negative. It carries the nuance of unconsciously gazing on without noticing how long one has been looking.
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N4港みなと
A place where ships load and unload cargo or people.
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N4見舞いみまい
To go visit a person who is sick or injured, to cheer them up. Often used in the form 「お見舞いに行く」 (to go visit someone who is ill).
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N1耳障りみみざわり
A sound or words felt unpleasant to the ear. A combination of 「耳」 and 「障り (something that hinders or harms)」, expressing something that unpleasantly disturbs hearing. Used as an adjectival noun, as in 「耳障りな音」, 「耳障りな言い方」, 「耳障りな騒音」. It is a word paired with 「目障り」, both expressing sensory discomfort. Note that 「耳触り (the feel something gives to the ear)」 is a different word, which can be used both positively and negatively, as in 「耳触りの良い言葉」.
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N1脈絡みゃくらく
The connection or logical thread of things. 「脈」 is the connection of blood vessels, 「絡」 means to link together, together expressing "a thread running continuously like blood vessels." It refers to the relationship between the parts of speech or writing, the flow of logic, and the causal connection between events. Mostly used in the negative as in 「脈絡がない」, 「脈絡を欠く」, 「脈絡なく話す」, frequently appearing in contexts criticizing a state where the thread of speech does not hold together. Whereas 「文脈」 refers to the connection of preceding and following words, 「脈絡」 refers more broadly to logical and causal connections.
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N1魅惑みわく
To attract and bewitch a person's heart. 「魅」 means to captivate the heart, 「惑」 means to confuse and lead the heart astray, together expressing a state of attracting so strongly as to captivate the heart and cloud judgment. Whereas 「魅了」 simply means to attract strongly, 「魅惑」 has a stronger nuance of allure and temptation, expressing a charm that shakes the other's reason. Often used adjectivally as in 「魅惑的な香り」, 「魅惑の眼差し」, 「魅惑のメロディ」, frequently appearing in literary and sensual contexts.
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N4向かうむかう
To proceed toward a certain direction. Example: 「駅に向かう」 (to head toward the station).
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N4迎えるむかえる
To wait for and welcome someone who is coming. The antonym is 「送る」 (to see someone off).
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N4昔むかし
An era much earlier than now.
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N1無惨むざん
A state so pitiful and tragic that it is unbearable to watch. Originally a Buddhist term meaning "without a sense of shame or contrition," but it came to be used to mean "exceedingly pitiful." Used for states in which the original form has been damaged, such as accidents, destruction, defeat, and death, as in 「無惨な姿」, 「無惨に踏みにじられる」, 「無惨な最期」. Also written 「無残」, which is likewise common as a modern spelling. A bookish word, frequently appearing in literary and journalistic contexts.
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N4虫むし
A small-bodied living creature, such as ants or butterflies.
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N1無尽蔵むじんぞう
The state of being so abundant in quantity that it never runs out no matter how much is used. 「無尽」 means not running out, 「蔵」 means a store, together expressing "an inexhaustible store." Originally a Buddhist term meaning "inexhaustible merit," but in modern usage it expresses a state in which something that ought to be finite—goods, resources, stamina, affection—is extremely abundant. A hard word used as in 「無尽蔵の資源」, 「体力が無尽蔵だ」, 「無尽蔵のエネルギー」, often used in contrast with finiteness.
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N4息子むすこ
One's own son.
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N2, N4娘むすめ
One's own daughter.
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N1無造作むぞうさ
A state of doing something easily without taking trouble; or, a state of handling something carelessly without paying attention. 「造作」 originally means "trouble or effort," and 「無造作」 has the original meaning of "taking no trouble." Used as in 「無造作に置く」, 「無造作に髪を結ぶ」, 「無造作な仕草」. It is sometimes used with a positive connotation of being unpretentious and natural, and sometimes with a negative connotation of being careless and inconsiderate, with the nuance changing by context.
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N2〜N4無理むり
Not being possible. Also used to mean overexerting oneself in a way that's bad for one's health, as in 「無理をする」 (to push oneself too hard).
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N1目覚しいめざましい
A state in which remarkable progress or activity stands out. Originally meaning "impressive enough to wake one up," it expresses being so conspicuous as to draw one's attention involuntarily. Used as in 「目覚しい発展」, 「目覚しい活躍」, 「目覚しい進歩」, 「目覚しい成果」, in contexts praising positive change or achievement. Frequently appears regarding subjects where progress or improvement appears in visible form, such as economy, technology, sports, and academics. Also written 「目覚ましい」.
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N4召し上がるめしあがる
A very polite way of saying 「食べる」 (to eat) or 「飲む」 (to drink).
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N4珍しいめずらしい
A state of being unusual and special, not often seen.
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N4申し上げるもうしあげる
A humble, polite way of saying 「言う」 (to say).
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N4申すもうす
A humble way of saying 「言う」 (to say).
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N1網羅もうら
To take in everything related without leaving anything out. 「網」 is a net for catching fish, 「羅」 is a net for catching birds, both characters expressing nets for capture. From the image of scooping up everything with a net, it came to mean "to take in without omission." Used as in 「資料を網羅する」, 「全分野を網羅した辞典」, 「関連情報を網羅的に集める」. Frequently appears regarding books, databases, and surveys, expressing the comprehensive inclusion of an object without leaving anything out. The adjectival noun 「網羅的」 is also often used.
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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」.
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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」.
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N3, N4戻るもどる
To return to the place or state one was originally in.
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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.
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N4木綿もめん
Thread or cloth made from the cotton plant.
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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.
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N4貰うもらう
To receive something from a person.
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N4森もり
A wide area with many trees growing. Larger than a 「林」 (grove/copse).
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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.
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N4, N5問題もんだい
problem. Something that requires an answer to be given.
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N4焼くやく
To apply fire to food, etc., using flames. Example:「肉を焼く」(to grill meat). The paired word is「焼ける(やける)」(to be grilled/baked).
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N4約束やくそく
To decide with another person that a certain thing will be done.
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N4焼けるやける
For fire to pass through an object or for it to char, due to fire or heat. Also used to mean bread, etc., being done. The paired word is「焼く(やく)」(to grill/bake).
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N4優しいやさしい
kind. A manner of being considerate toward others.
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N4痩せるやせる
To lose body weight. The antonym is 「太る」 (to gain weight).
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N1, N2野蛮やばん
Being uncivilized and rough or violent.
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N4止むやむ
For rain or wind, etc., to stop. Example: 「雨が止む」 (the rain stops).
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N3〜N5やめるやめる
To stop doing something one had been doing. Example: 「たばこをやめる」 (to quit smoking). Also used to mean quitting a job.
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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).
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N4, N5湯ゆ
Water that has been heated until it is hot. As opposed to cold water (『水(みず)』, mizu), it refers to the hot side. Used for baths or when making tea.
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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.
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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.
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N1, N2誘導ゆうどう
To guide a person or thing toward an intended direction or state.
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N4, N5指ゆび
The thin parts at the end of the hands or feet.
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N4指輪ゆびわ
An ornament worn on the finger. Often worn as a symbol of marriage.
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N2, N4夢ゆめ
The various events seen while sleeping. Also used to mean a hope for the future.
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N4揺れるゆれる
For something to move left and right or up and down.
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N4用よう
Something that must be done. Example: 「用がある」 (to have something to attend to).
This word has different meanings and uses at each level
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