fireworks. Something launched into the night sky using gunpowder to create patterns of light. Example: 「花火大会」 (fireworks festival).
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N3離れるはなれる
To become distant. To leave a place. Example: 「駅から離れた家」 (a house far from the station), 「故郷を離れる」 (to leave one's hometown). 「離れる」 is used when the gap opens on its own, while 「離す」 is used when a person creates it: compare 「手が離れる」 with 「手を離す」.
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N3羽はね
The part of a bird or an insect used for flying in the sky. Also the feathers that cover a bird's body. For example, 「羽を広げる」. When counting birds and rabbits it is read 「わ」, and is used as in 「二羽(にわ)」.
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N2, N3幅はば
width. The length across something. Example: 「道の幅」 (the width of a road). Also used to mean breadth of range, as in 「幅広い知識」 (broad knowledge).
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N2阻むはばむ
Refers to blocking something that is trying to advance and not allowing it to proceed further. Used in expressions like 「行く手を阻む (to block one's way)」「進出を阻む (to block an advance)」「優勝を阻む (to block a championship)」. It is used broadly, from physical obstruction of a path to scenes in which abstract realization is hindered, such as plans, advances, or achievements, expressing the sense of halting partway a movement toward a goal or success. It appears frequently in diverse contexts such as sports, business, and geographical description.
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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.
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N2破門はもん
Refers to expelling a disciple or follower from a master-disciple relationship or a religious order. Used in expressions like 「師匠から破門される (to be expelled by one's master)」「破門状 (a letter of expulsion)」「破門に処する (to mete out expulsion)」. 「破」 means to break, 「門」 means the master's gate or sect; together they express "expelling from the gate". Originally a word concerning master-disciple relationships in Buddhism, martial arts, and traditional arts, it refers to the severe punishment of stripping away one's status as a disciple. In modern usage it is often encountered in contexts of the entertainment world and traditional performing arts.
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N2早々はやばや
The manner of getting something done earlier than usual. Mostly used in the form "早々と", as in "早々と帰り支度を始める" or "早々と売り切れる". The same "早々" read as "そうそう" attaches to a noun, as in "新年早々" or "開店早々", and is a different word expressing that something happens right after that point.
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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.
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N2腹立たしいはらだたしい
Refers to the appearance of feeling anger and unpleasantness. It is an adjective used in expressions like 「腹立たしい言い方 (an irritating way of putting it)」「腹立たしい思いをする (to feel resentful)」「実に腹立たしい (truly infuriating)」. It expresses strong dissatisfaction or anger at the words, actions, or situation of another party, and is the adjective form of 「腹が立つ」. It is usable widely in everyday conversation and can express a wide range of intensity, from mild annoyance to strong anger.
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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.
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N2反映はんえい
The influence of one thing appearing in another.
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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N2, N5半分はんぶん
half. One of the two equal parts into which a whole is divided. 「ケーキを半分に切る」「半分だけたべる」. 「半」 also means half, but it attaches to numbers or times, as in 「三時半」「一個半」, and is not used by itself.
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N2汎用はんよう
Refers to not being limited to a single use, but being usable broadly for various purposes. Used in expressions like 「汎用性が高い (highly versatile)」「汎用品 (general-purpose goods)」「汎用エンジン (a general-purpose engine)」. 「汎」 means widely spreading, 「用」 means to use; together they express "usable widely". As the antonym of 「専用 (dedicated)」, it is used in contexts evaluating versatility and a wide range of applicability not limited to special purposes, used widely in technology, industry, and IT.
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N2反論はんろん
To argue back against another person's opinion from an opposing standpoint.
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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).
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N3比較ひかく
comparison. To compare two or more things. Example: 「値段を比較する」 (to compare prices).
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N2悲願ひがん
Refers to a strong heartfelt wish that has been held for many years. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「悲願の優勝 (a long-desired victory)」「悲願達成 (the fulfillment of a long-held wish)」「悲願の初出場 (a first appearance long aspired to)」. 「悲」 was originally a Buddhist term, the 「悲」 of 「慈悲 (compassion)」, meaning the deep wish to save all beings. It is used for goals not easily attained and wishes aimed at realization through overcoming difficulty, and is widely used in sports reporting, biographies, and historical accounts.
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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.
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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).
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N2否決ひけつ
Refers to a proposal not being approved and being rejected in a meeting or parliament. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「議案が否決される (a bill is rejected)」「動議を否決する (to vote down a motion)」「否決される見込みだ (it is likely to be rejected)」. It refers to the failure of a proposal as the result of a formal voting procedure, and is widely used in legal, political, and organizational contexts. Paired with 「可決」, it is an institutional term implying not mere 「反対 (opposition)」 but a formal decision by vote.
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N3膝ひざ
knee. The bendable joint in the middle of the leg. Example: 「膝をつく」 (to kneel down).
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N2微細びさい
Refers to an appearance of being very small and fine. It is a formal na-adjective used in expressions like 「微細な粒子 (fine particles)」「微細な傷 (a minute scratch)」「微細な変化 (a minute change)」. Both 「微」 and 「細」 mean "small, fine"; the two characters together emphasize the meaning. It expresses physical smallness on the verge of being barely visible to the naked eye, or fine details one notices only on closer attention, and is used widely in science, technology, and analysis. It is nearly synonymous with 「細微」.
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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).
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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」.
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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.
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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.
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N3ぴったりぴったり
A state of fitting together without any gap. Example: 「サイズがぴったりだ」 (the size fits perfectly). Also used to mean "exactly," as in 「3時ぴったり」 (exactly 3 o'clock).
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N2筆頭ひっとう
Refers to occupying the top position in a list or ranking, or to the person in that position. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「候補者の筆頭 (the foremost candidate)」「筆頭株主 (the largest shareholder)」「筆頭格 (top-ranking class)」. Originally meaning the person whose name was written first on a list (literally "head of the brush"), it came to refer to the entity regarded as most important or highest in a list. It is a word that indicates ranking within an organization or order, and is widely used in business, news reporting, and historical writing.
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N2, N3引っ張るひっぱる
To pull something toward oneself with force. Example: 「ロープを引っ張る」 (to pull a rope). Also used to mean leading a group from the front, as in 「チームを引っ張る」 (to lead the team).
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N2, N5人ひと
person. A human being. It is also used as a word for counting people. ひとり・ふたり・さんにん・よにん・ごにん・ろくにん・しちにん・はちにん・きゅうにん・じゅうにん, and 「なんにん」. For 1 and 2 it becomes 「ひとり」 and 「ふたり」, and for 4 it becomes 「よにん」.
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N2微動びどう
Refers to moving only very slightly. It is a formal word used in expressions like 「微動だにしない (not stirring at all)」「微動の気配 (signs of slight movement)」. Most uses are the idiomatic form 「微動だにしない」, emphasizing the appearance of being entirely still. It is used in expressions of small tremors picked up by seismographs and the like, or states of stiffening with tension, and is biased toward written language rather than everyday conversation.
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N2一際ひときわ
An adverb expressing the appearance of standing out conspicuously in degree above the rest. Used in expressions like 「一際目立つ (to stand out conspicuously)」「一際輝く (to shine conspicuously)」「一際大きな歓声 (a particularly loud cheer)」. It refers to standing out especially among many, and is often used with positive evaluation. Synonymous with 「一段と」, but 「一際」 is more written-language in character, and tends to be used especially for visually impressive objects, as in 「目立つ」「美しい」「光る」.
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N2人質ひとじち
Refers to a person whose body is held as a means in negotiation or threat. Used in expressions like 「人質を取る (to take a hostage)」「人質を解放する (to release a hostage)」「人質事件 (a hostage incident)」. It is a word used for incidents in which kidnappers, armed groups, and the like restrain people as bargaining chips to push their demands through, appearing frequently in incident reports, historical writings, and international news. By extension, it is also used in scenes where one seizes another's weak point to gain leverage in negotiation, as in 「データを人質にする (to hold data hostage)」.
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N2一筋ひとすじ
Refers to the appearance of focusing on and devoting oneself to a single thing. Used in expressions like 「研究一筋 (devoted solely to research)」「仕事一筋に生きる (to live solely for one's work)」「料理一筋四十年 (forty years devoted solely to cooking)」. It expresses a long-term commitment to a particular target, and is often used with positive, respectful evaluation. There is also a counter-like usage for things forming a thin extended line, as in 「一筋の光 (a single ray of light)」「一筋の涙 (a single trail of tears)」, distinguished by context.
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N2一握りひとにぎり
A noun expressing the fact that the number or quantity of something is extremely small. Used in expressions like 「一握りの人々 (a handful of people)」「一握りの成功者 (a handful of successful people)」「一握りの土 (a handful of earth)」. It is a derivative usage from the metaphor of a quantity that fits in the palm of the hand, and is used in contexts emphasizing a very small portion relative to the whole. It mostly refers to "an extreme minority within a whole", often carrying nuances like "a privileged minority" or "exceptional winners".
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N2ひとまずひとまず
An adverb expressing the appearance of provisionally drawing a line and proceeding forward, although the matter is not fully resolved. Used in expressions like 「ひとまず安心する (to be relieved for now)」「ひとまず合意する (to come to a tentative agreement)」「ひとまず保留にする (to put on hold for now)」. It is a word indicating provisional, stepwise measures, used widely in contexts that describe postponement of fundamental resolution or immediate responses. It is a versatile adverb usable both in everyday conversation and business writing.
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N2批判ひはん
To discern and discuss whether something is good or bad; in particular, to point out its errors or flaws.
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N2批評ひひょう
To discuss and evaluate the worth or quality of something.
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N3皮膚ひふ
What covers the surface of the body. A medical/formal term; in daily conversation, 「肌」 is more commonly used.
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N2日増しにひましに
An adverb expressing the appearance of degree increasing gradually day by day. Used in expressions like 「日増しに寒くなる (it grows colder by the day)」「日増しに回復する (to recover day by day)」「日増しに人気が高まる (popularity grows day by day)」. It is used in situations where change progresses with the passage of time, and is a neutral word usable for both positive change (recovery, growth, improvement) and negative change (deterioration, decline). It carries the nuance of change accumulating gradually and steadily.
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N3秘密ひみつ
secret. Something kept hidden from others. Example: 「秘密を守る」 (to keep a secret).
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N1, N2微妙びみょう
Having fine differences that are hard to state clearly; subtle. 微妙な色の違い (a subtle difference in color). In conversation, also used as an indirect way of saying something is not good (味は微妙だった "the taste was so-so").
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N3ひもひも
A long, thin thing used for tying or binding items. Thicker than thread but thinner than rope. Written with the kanji 「紐」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana.
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N3冷やすひやす
To lower the temperature of something to make it cold. Example: 「ビールを冷やす」 (to chill beer). 「頭を冷やす」 means "to calm down." 「冷やす」 is used when a person lowers the temperature, while 「冷える」 is used when it drops on its own: compare 「ビールを冷やす」 with 「ビールが冷える」.
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N2冷ややかひややか
Refers to the appearance of being cool to the touch, slightly chilly. Or, the appearance of an attitude, gaze, or reaction being cold and devoid of sympathy or empathy. Used in expressions like 「冷ややかな目 (a cold gaze)」「冷ややかな反応 (a chilly reaction)」「冷ややかな笑い (a cold laugh)」. Compared with the physical use for low temperature, the metaphorical use for psychological distance or coldness is more frequent. It contains critical, negative emotion, depicting an attitude of looking down on or rejecting the other party.
This word has different meanings and uses at each level
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