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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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N4用事ようじ
Something one must do. Example:「用事があるので、先に帰ります」(I have something to do, so I'll leave first).
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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.
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N4汚れるよごれる
To become no longer clean. It means becoming dirty in appearance from mud or stains. Used as in 「服が汚れる」 (clothes get dirty). When someone makes something dirty, 「よごす」 is used, as in 「服を汚す」. The same 「汚れる」 read as 「けがれる」 becomes a different word expressing that sanctity or honor is spoiled.
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N4予習よしゅう
To study before a lesson. The antonym is「復習(ふくしゅう)」(review).
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N1予兆よちょう
A sign or omen that appears before something occurs. The character 「兆」 means "sign" or "omen," and 「予」 means "in advance." Used for phenomena or sensations indicating that something is approaching but has not yet actually happened, such as earthquakes, disasters, changes, or ominous events. Often used as a noun in the form 「〜の予兆」, as in 「地震の予兆」, 「不吉な予兆」, or 「変化の予兆」. A somewhat formal, written-style word, used for both objectively observable signs and vague intuitive premonitions.
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N4予定よてい
Something one is going to do. To decide in advance.
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N2, N4, N5呼ぶよぶ
call. To say a person's name, etc., aloud to get their attention.
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N4予約よやく
To reserve a seat or room, etc., in advance.
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N2, N4, N5寄るよる
To go somewhere nearby. Used in the sense of stopping by a place. Example: 「店に寄る」 (to stop by a shop).
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N4喜ぶよろこぶ
To feel happy, and show that feeling.
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N1拉致らち
The act of forcibly taking a person away against their will. Refers to moving someone's body against their wishes. Used in expressions such as 「観光客が拉致される」 or 「拉致事件」. Close in meaning to 「誘拐」 (abduction), but more often used for politically or organizationally motivated incidents.
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N1埒らち
「埒」 originally referred to the fence of a horse training ground, and from there came to mean the boundary or settlement of a matter. In modern Japanese, it is used almost exclusively in the idiom 「埒が明かない」 (meaning that things are not settled and not progressing). Used in expressions such as 「議論が埒が明かない」 or 「いつまでも埒が明かない」.
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N1埒外らちがい
The state of being outside the scope, expectations, or rules of something. Used in the form 「〜の埒外」, as in 「予想の埒外」, 「議論の埒外」, or 「規則の埒外」. For 「埒」, the word it derives from, see the separate entry.
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N1利己りこ
An attitude or way of thinking that prioritizes only one's own interests. Most often used in the forms 「利己的な〜」, 「利己心」, or 「利己主義」, in contexts that criticize a selfish stance lacking consideration for others. The antonym is 「利他」.
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N1履行りこう
Carrying out something that has already been decided, such as a contract, promise, or obligation. Used in contexts of fulfilling what one must do, as in 「契約を履行する」 or 「義務を履行する」.
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N1略奪りゃくだつ
The act of forcibly seizing the possessions of others. Originally referred to the taking of goods during war or riots. Used in expressions such as 「都市が略奪される」 or 「略奪行為が後を絶たない」.
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N4理由りゆう
The reason why something happened.
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N4利用りよう
To make good use of a thing or system.
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N4両方りょうほう
Both of two things. Not just one side, but a word that refers to both of them.
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N1類推るいすい
Inferring something unknown based on similar examples or known facts. Used in contexts involving logical reasoning, as in 「過去の例から類推する」 or 「類推によって結論を導く」.
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N4留守るす
Not being at home, or being away from home.
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N1流布るふ
Spreading widely and circulating throughout society. Used when rumors, information, or ideas become known to many people. Used in expressions such as 「噂が流布する」 or 「誤った情報が流布している」. The character 「流」 is read here as the short 「ル」, not 「リュウ」.
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N4冷房れいぼう
To cool a room, and the machine for it. The antonym is「暖房(だんぼう)」(heating).
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N4歴史れきし
The flow of events from long ago to now.
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N1歴然れきぜん
A state in which the existence of something or the difference between things is so clear that anyone can see it. Used for objective facts, differences, or evidence, not for emotions or subjective judgments. Used in expressions such as 「歴然たる事実」, 「実力差が歴然となる」, or 「歴然と現れる」.
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N4連絡れんらく
To inform someone by phone, letter, etc.
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N1狼藉ろうぜき
Violent and unmannerly behavior, or a state of things being scattered in disarray. Originally referred to the appearance of things scattered like the traces left by a wolf trampling grass, and from there extended to mean violent conduct. Used in expressions such as 「狼藉を働く」 or 「無礼狼藉」.
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N1狼狽ろうばい
Losing one's composure and becoming flustered due to an unexpected event. Used in contexts of being shaken or thrown off balance, as in 「突然の連絡に狼狽する」 or 「狼狽した様子を見せる」. A formal, written-style word.
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N1濾過ろか
Passing liquids or gases through a mesh, paper, cloth, or similar material to remove impurities or solids. Used widely in scientific, industrial, and everyday contexts, as in 「水を濾過する」 or 「コーヒーを濾過する」.
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N1露骨ろこつ
Showing emotions or intentions openly and without concealment. Often used for emotions that are normally better kept hidden, such as criticism, disgust, or desire. Used in expressions such as 「露骨な表現」 or 「露骨に嫌な顔をする」. The word comes from the image of something so exposed that even the 「骨」 (bones) are laid bare.
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N4沸かすわかす
To make water, etc., hot. Example:「お湯を沸かす」(to boil water). The paired word is「沸く(わく)」(to boil).
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N4別れるわかれる
To part from a person one was with.
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N4沸くわく
For water, etc., to become hot. Example:「お湯が沸く」(water boils). The paired word is「沸かす(わかす)」(to boil).
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N4訳わけ
The reason why something turned out as it did. Used as in 『会社をやめたわけを話す』 ("to tell the reason one left the company"). In the meaning of "reason," it is usually written in kana as 『わけ』. When the same character is read 『やく』, it becomes a separate word meaning to render words into another country's language (such as interpreting).
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N4忘れ物わすれもの
A thing left behind by mistake.
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N4笑うわらう
To express happiness or amusement through one's voice or face. The antonym is「泣く(なく)」(to cry).
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N4割合わりあい
The proportion that a part occupies within the whole. Used as in 「三人に一人の割合で車をもっている」 (one in three people owns a car), 「男女の割合」 (the ratio of men to women). Adding 「に」 gives 「割合に」, which no longer refers to a ratio but means "more ... than expected," as in 「割合にやさしい問題だった」 (it was an easier question than expected). In spoken Japanese, however, 「割と」 is used far more often.
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N4, N5悪いわるい
bad. Not being good. The antonym is 「良い」 (good).
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N1, N2, N4割れるわれる
For a hard object to be broken and separated by force. Example: 「ガラスが割れる」 (glass shatters).
This word has different meanings and uses at each level
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