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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
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4,238words (N1–N5 total)
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N1
払拭
ふっしょく
Refers to wiping something clean and removing it. Rather than physical situations of wiping away stains, it is used much more often metaphorically for completely dispelling distrust, anxiety, doubts, or bad impressions. As in 「不信感を払拭する (to dispel distrust)」「イメージを払拭する (to dispel an image)」「疑念を払拭する (to dispel doubts)」, it typically takes abstract objects. Both 「払」 and 「拭」 mean "to wipe away, to remove", forming a compound that stacks two characters to emphasize the meaning.
AI-generated translation
N1
払底
ふってい
Refers to a state in which supplies, funds, or personnel have hit bottom and almost nothing remains. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「人材が払底する (talent runs out)」「在庫が払底する (stock runs out)」「資金が払底する (funds are exhausted)」. 「払」 means to sweep away, 「底」 means the bottom or the point where something runs out; together they create the image of "sweeping right down to the bottom". It is rarely used in everyday conversation, and is biased toward formal styles such as reports on the economy, industry, or administration.
AI-generated translation
N5
太い
ふとい
A state where the width of a round thing is large. The antonym is 「細い」 (thin).
AI-generated translation
N1
腐敗
ふはい
Refers to things rotting. Or, it refers to organizations or politics becoming corrupt through moral decay. Used in expressions like 「政治の腐敗 (political corruption)」「腐敗した食品 (rotten food)」「腐敗が進む (corruption advances)」. The original meaning is the spoiling of food and other things by microbial action, but from there the word is also used broadly as a metaphor for the collapse of an organization from within due to private greed. In the metaphorical sense, it is used widely in contexts that criticize bribery, abuse of authority, and moral decline.
AI-generated translation
N1
不抜
ふばつ
Refers to a will that is extremely strong and does not waver no matter what. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「堅忍不抜 (firm endurance and steadfastness)」「不抜の精神 (an indomitable spirit)」, almost always as a component of four-character idioms. 「抜」 means to pull out; its original sense is "cannot be pulled out". It expresses a state in which one's will or conviction is firm and not easily moved, and is used in formal styles, speeches, and personal mottoes.
AI-generated translation
N1
侮蔑
ぶべつ
Refers to looking down on and despising another. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「侮蔑のまなざし (a contemptuous gaze)」「侮蔑を込めた言葉 (words steeped in contempt)」「侮蔑の対象 (an object of contempt)」. Both 「侮」 and 「蔑」 mean "to belittle", and the compound expresses a strong feeling of contempt. It is synonymous with 「軽蔑」 and 「侮辱」, but 「侮蔑」 is more written-language in character, combining strength of feeling with hardness of style. It is used widely in literary works, criticism, and the narrative prose of novels.
AI-generated translation
N1
普遍
ふへん
Refers to applying in common to all things — a quality of validity that holds broadly regardless of era, region, or subject. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「普遍的な真理 (a universal truth)」「普遍の原理 (a universal principle)」「普遍性 (universality)」. 「普」 means widely spreading, 「遍」 means reaching everywhere; together they emphasize "extending broadly over the whole". It appears frequently in contexts of philosophy, ethics, and science where universality is discussed, and is an important concept that forms a pair with 「特殊 (the particular)」.
AI-generated translation
N1
不偏
ふへん
Refers to not leaning toward either side, being neutral and impartial. Used in expressions like 「不偏不党 (impartial and non-partisan)」「不偏の立場 (an impartial stance)」. 「偏」 means to be biased, and the prefix 「不」 expresses the state of "not being biased". It is used in contexts where neutrality is required, such as journalism, education, and the judiciary.
AI-generated translation
N1
不本意
ふほんい
Refers to something being contrary to one's wishes or true intention. It is used in cases where one must reluctantly accept something, or for unsatisfactory results. Used in expressions like 「不本意な結果 (an unsatisfactory result)」「不本意ながら承諾する (to consent reluctantly)」「不本意な異動 (a transfer against one's wishes)」. 「本意」 means "true intention, original wish", and the prefix 「不」 makes it "not what one had hoped for". It is a formal expression used often in the form 「不本意ながら」 as a preface when accepting a conclusion that differs from one's wishes.
AI-generated translation
N1
踏み込む
ふみこむ
Refers to taking a strong step forward and entering inside. Or, metaphorically, to going deeply into a domain or the core of an issue where one ordinarily should not. Used in expressions like 「敷地に踏み込む (to enter the premises)」「議論に踏み込む (to delve into a discussion)」. It is used broadly, from physical intrusion to deep involvement in discussions, investigations, or private matters. It carries a nuance of "boldly" or "without hesitation".
AI-generated translation
N1
踏みにじる
ふみにじる
Refers to trampling something underfoot and crushing it. Metaphorically, it expresses cruelly wounding another's feelings, dignity, efforts, or rights. Used in expressions like 「人の善意を踏みにじる (to trample on someone's goodwill)」「夢を踏みにじる (to trample on a dream)」. It is used broadly, from the physical sense of crushing underfoot to spiritual or moral acts of trampling on others. It carries a strong sense of condemnation.
AI-generated translation
N1
不明瞭
ふめいりょう
Refers to being unclear — the appearance of the outline of an object, sound, intention, or description being indistinct. Used in expressions like 「不明瞭な発音 (unclear pronunciation)」「不明瞭な指示 (vague instructions)」「責任の所在が不明瞭だ (responsibility lies unclearly)」. 「明瞭」 means "clear and distinct", and the prefix 「不」 indicates the state of "not being clear". It can apply both to physical indistinctness and to the vagueness of logic or intention, and often carries a critical evaluation.
AI-generated translation
N5
冬
ふゆ
winter. The coldest season of the year.
AI-generated translation
N1
浮揚
ふよう
Refers to rising up in water or in the air. By extension, it expresses recovering upward from a depressed state. Used in expressions like 「景気浮揚 (an economic upturn)」「浮揚力 (lift / buoyancy)」. 「浮」 means to float, 「揚」 means to raise up; together they express "to rise up". It is used widely from physical rising to economic and moral recovery.
AI-generated translation
N1
不履行
ふりこう
Refers to the failure to perform an obligation set out in a contract or promise. It is a formal word used widely in legal and economic contexts. Used in expressions like 「契約不履行 (breach of contract)」「債務不履行 (default on a debt)」. 「履」 means to carry out, 「行」 means to perform; 「履行」 means "to fulfill a promise", and the prefix 「不」 indicates the state of "not performing".
AI-generated translation
N5
降る
ふる
For rain or snow to fall from the sky. Example: 「雨が降る」 (rain falls).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3, N5
古い
ふるい
A state of much time having passed since something was made. The antonym is 「新しい」 (new).
AI-generated translation
N1
古めかしい
ふるめかしい
Refers to an appearance that strongly feels old and is not contemporary. It expresses the state in which buildings, clothing, expressions, and the like look out of date. Used in expressions like 「古めかしい屋敷 (an old-fashioned mansion)」「古めかしい言い回し (an old-fashioned phrasing)」. It is a word formed by combining 「古い (old)」 and 「めかしい (looking as if ~)」, focusing on the impression of "evoking a sense of oldness" rather than the actual age. It also carries a slightly negative undertone.
AI-generated translation
N5
風呂
ふろ
A place for washing the body or soaking in warm water. Example: 「お風呂に入る」 (to take a bath).
AI-generated translation
N5
分
ふん
minute. A unit of short time, one hour divided into 60. いっぷん・にふん・さんぷん・よんぷん・ごふん・ろっぷん・ななふん・はっぷん・きゅうふん・じゅっぷん, 「なんぷん」. With 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 it becomes 「ぷん」. When the same characters are read 「じゅうぶん」, they become a different word meaning that something is enough.
AI-generated translation
N1
憤慨
ふんがい
Refers to being intensely angry, with the feeling not subsiding. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「彼の発言に憤慨する (to be indignant at his remarks)」「憤慨に堪えない (to be unable to suppress one's indignation)」「憤慨の念 (a sense of indignation)」. It expresses strong anger toward injustice or what is contrary to reason, carrying a sense closer to "righteous indignation" than mere 「怒り (anger)」. 「憤」 means anger, 「慨」 means lament; together they express an emotion mingled with anger and lament. It is used widely in news reports, protests, and criticism.
AI-generated translation
N1
紛糾
ふんきゅう
Refers to a situation in which opinions or interests clash and the matter becomes tangled and unresolved. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「議論が紛糾する (a debate becomes tangled)」「会議が紛糾する (a meeting becomes turbulent)」「事態が紛糾する (the situation becomes confused)」. 「紛」 means to be tangled, 「糾」 means to be intertwined; together they express the appearance of an affair that cannot be untangled, like threads knotted together. It is used widely in scenes of impasse such as meetings, negotiations, and Diet deliberations.
AI-generated translation
N1
憤然
ふんぜん
Refers to the appearance of being intensely angry and openly displaying that emotion. Used in expressions like 「憤然と席を立つ (to rise from one's seat in fury)」「憤然たる態度 (an indignant attitude)」「憤然として抗議する (to protest indignantly)」. 「憤」 means anger, 「然」 is a suffix indicating manner; together they express "a manner full of anger". It is a written-language, hard-edged expression that depicts not suppressing one's anger but openly expressing it, used in scenes describing strong dissatisfaction or protest. It is hardly used in everyday conversation and appears in narrative prose of news reports and novels.
AI-generated translation
N1
踏ん張る
ふんばる
Refers to bracing one's legs and standing firm so as not to fall. Metaphorically, it also expresses enduring difficult circumstances and seeing things through. Used in expressions like 「最後まで踏ん張る (to hold out until the end)」「土俵際で踏ん張る (to dig in at the edge of the ring)」. It is used broadly, from physical bracing to mental endurance and tenacity. It is frequently used in contexts describing trying times in sports and business.
AI-generated translation
N1
墳墓
ふんぼ
Refers to a grave built by piling up earth. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「墳墓の地 (one's ancestral land)」「古代の墳墓 (an ancient burial mound)」「巨大な墳墓 (a colossal tomb)」. It often refers to the tombs of powerful figures of antiquity, and is widely used in archaeological and historical contexts. 「墳墓の地」 is an idiomatic expression that has shifted from "the land containing one's ancestral graves" to mean "homeland", and is often seen in literary works.
AI-generated translation
N1
弊害
へいがい
Refers to a harmful influence or outcome that arises along with some matter. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「制度の弊害 (the ill effects of a system)」「弊害が生じる (ill effects arise)」「弊害をもたらす (to bring about ill effects)」. It points to the negative side that an originally desirable mechanism or act brings about as a secondary consequence. It is used widely in contexts discussing reforms, systems, and customs in a critical light.
AI-generated translation
N1
閉塞
へいそく
Refers to a state in which exits or passages are blocked. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「閉塞感 (a sense of stagnation)」「閉塞した状況 (a stagnant situation)」「腸閉塞 (intestinal obstruction)」. There are both physical uses, referring to roads or blood vessels being blocked, and metaphorical uses, referring to society, the economy, or life situations in which no way forward can be seen. In the metaphorical sense, 「閉塞感」 has become an established cliché expressing the stagnation of modern society, and is used widely in news reports and editorials.
AI-generated translation
N1
辟易
へきえき
Refers to becoming fed up with another's words or a situation, and feeling thoroughly weary. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「彼の長話に辟易する (to be worn out by his long-winded talk)」「同じ苦情に辟易した (to be fed up with the same complaints)」. The old meaning is "to give way under the force of the other's momentum", from which the modern sense "to be fed up" developed. It is synonymous with 「閉口」, but 「辟易」 is more written-language in style, accompanied by a stronger sense of exhaustion and aversion to repeated matters.
AI-generated translation
N5
下手
へた
unskillful. Not being able to do something well. The antonym is 「上手」 (skillful). Read as 「したて」, it means a lower position or a humble attitude. Read as 「しもて」, it means the left side of a stage.
AI-generated translation
N1
別個
べっこ
Refers to things being separate and independent of one another. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「別個の問題 (separate problems)」「別個に検討する (to examine separately)」「別個に扱う (to handle separately)」. It is used in contexts that explicitly distinguish two or more matters that are easily confused, indicating that "they are not the same" or "they should be considered separately". It is used widely in discussions, analyses, and administrative documents.
AI-generated translation
N1
蔑視
べっし
Refers to looking down on and despising another as a thing of low value. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「人種蔑視 (racial contempt)」「女性蔑視 (contempt for women)」「蔑視のまなざし (a contemptuous gaze)」. It often refers to a discriminatory view directed at a particular group or attribute, and appears frequently in contexts discussing social problems. Whereas 「軽蔑」 is often directed at an individual target, 「蔑視」 tends to be used in the sense of collective, structural discrimination.
AI-generated translation
N5
部屋
へや
room. A single space within a house, divided off by walls.
AI-generated translation
N1
へりくだる
へりくだる
Refers to elevating the other party while lowering one's own status or standing and adopting a modest attitude. Used in expressions like 「へりくだった物言い (a humble manner of speaking)」「相手にへりくだる (to humble oneself before the other party)」. It is closely tied to Japanese honorific expression, appearing through the use of humble forms and reserved conduct. Excessive practice can border on 「卑屈」, but within an appropriate range it is evaluated positively as politeness.
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
辺
へん
The area, the vicinity of a place. Example: 「この辺」 (around here).
AI-generated translation
N1
便宜
べんぎ
Refers to arranging things conveniently as the situation calls for, or such an arrangement itself. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「便宜を図る (to give favorable consideration)」「便宜上 (for convenience)」「便宜的な措置 (an expedient measure)」. In 「便宜を図る」 the meaning is to grant benefit to a particular party, and is sometimes used in contexts that criticize illicit favoritism. 「便宜上」 is an adverbial expression meaning "not officially, but as a present-day convenience".
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
勉強
べんきょう
study. To learn and remember something one doesn't know.
AI-generated translation
N1
偏向
へんこう
Refers to thinking, reporting, education, etc. leaning from neutrality toward a particular direction. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「偏向報道 (biased reporting)」「思想の偏向 (ideological bias)」「偏向した教育 (biased education)」. It is used widely in contexts that point out and criticize the unfairness of what should originally be impartial and neutral. It is often used in fields where neutrality is institutionally required, such as journalism, education, and the judiciary.
AI-generated translation
N1
変遷
へんせん
Refers to things gradually shifting and changing with the flow of time. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「時代の変遷 (the changes of an era)」「制度の変遷をたどる (to trace the development of a system)」「言葉の変遷 (the evolution of language)」. Rather than a single dramatic change, it refers to gradual progression over a long period, and is widely used in contexts describing the historical flow from past to present.
AI-generated translation
N1
偏重
へんちょう
Refers to placing excessive importance on one aspect of something while neglecting the other aspects. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「学歴偏重 (overemphasis on educational background)」「結果偏重 (overemphasis on results)」「成績偏重の教育 (education that overemphasizes grades)」. It is used frequently in contexts where biased emphasis is treated as problematic in matters that ought to maintain balance. It appears often in discussions of education, personnel evaluation, and journalistic style, and carries critical connotations.
AI-generated translation
N5
弁当
べんとう
A meal packed in a box, etc., to be eaten away from home. A polite form of 「弁当」.
AI-generated translation
N1
変貌
へんぼう
Refers to a great change in appearance or form. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「変貌を遂げる (to undergo a transformation)」「街が変貌する (the city is transformed)」「変貌ぶり (the extent of transformation)」. Its focus is on outward, overall change — the look or atmosphere of a building, townscape, or person — and is distinguished from 「変容」, which refers to inner change. It is often used in contexts emphasizing dramatic change over a short period.
AI-generated translation
N5
便利
べんり
convenient. Easy to use, being helpful. The antonym is 「不便」 (inconvenient).
AI-generated translation
N1
某
ぼう
A word that vaguely refers to a person, place, or time without specifying the name. It is a formal written word used in a prefix-like manner, as in 「某氏 (a certain Mr. X)」「某社 (a certain company X)」「某月某日 (on a certain date)」. It is used both when one wishes to anonymize intentionally and when the details are not clearly known. It appears frequently in news reports, official documents, and historical writings; in spoken language it is usually replaced with 「ある〜 (some...)」 or 「どこかの〜 (a certain...)」.
AI-generated translation
N1
忘恩
ぼうおん
Refers to forgetting a kindness received and not trying to repay it. It is a formal written word used in expressions like 「忘恩の徒 (an ingrate)」「忘恩の行為 (an act of ingratitude)」, hardly used in everyday modern conversation. Against a background of Confucian and moral values, it is used in contexts that strongly denounce acts that turn one's back on indebtedness. It is a word often seen in literary works, biographies, and historical writings.
AI-generated translation
N1
崩壊
ほうかい
Refers to a building, organization, relationship, or system being broken and losing its original form. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「家庭の崩壊 (the collapse of a family)」「制度が崩壊する (a system collapses)」「ベルリンの壁の崩壊 (the fall of the Berlin Wall)」. It is used both for physical collapse and for abstract disintegration of organizations, nations, human relationships, or order. Rather than a temporary downturn, it expresses a decisive change in which the very structure ceases to be tenable.
AI-generated translation
N1
傍観
ぼうかん
Refers to remaining inactive and merely watching from the sidelines despite being in a position where one ought to be directly involved. Used in expressions like 「事態を傍観する (to look on at events)」「傍観者 (a bystander)」. Rather than neutral "looking", the word often carries a critical implication, pointing to an attitude of inaction in situations where intervention is called for. It appears frequently in contexts that denounce indifference to social problems or incidents.
AI-generated translation
N1
放棄
ほうき
Refers to voluntarily abandoning and not exercising one's rights, responsibilities, or possessions. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「権利を放棄する (to renounce one's rights)」「育児を放棄する (to abandon child-rearing)」「試合を放棄する (to forfeit a match)」. It refers to the intentional act of letting go of a right one holds or a duty one ought to perform, and is widely used in legal, sports, and administrative contexts. It is distinguished from 「喪失 (loss)」 and 「剥奪 (deprivation)」 in that the cause of loss lies in one's own will.
AI-generated translation
N1
暴挙
ぼうきょ
Refers to violent, reckless conduct that ignores common sense and reason. Used in expressions like 「暴挙に出る (to resort to a reckless act)」「許されざる暴挙 (an unpardonable outrage)」. It is a formal word that strongly condemns acts unacceptable in social or moral terms, and is more often used for acts by organizations or states than for private acts of violence by individuals. The style is biased toward news reports, editorials, and protest statements.
AI-generated translation
N1, N2
冒険
ぼうけん
Boldly taking on something with an uncertain outcome despite danger; an adventure. 冒険小説 (adventure novel). Also used for an attempt whose success is uncertain (その計画は冒険だ "that plan is a gamble").
AI-generated translation
N1
方策
ほうさく
Refers to concrete methods or means for solving a problem and achieving a goal. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「方策を講じる (to devise measures)」「対応方策 (response measures)」「方策を練る (to work out a plan)」. Compared to the vague 「方法 (method)」, it is a word that includes planning and concreteness, and is used widely in administrative, managerial, and policy contexts. It carries the nuance of presupposing a problem and indicating a prescription-like response to it.
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.