N2 extended
vocabulary

This is a formal term for the institutional part of medicine, like a medical school or hospital department. People often use it to tell medicine apart from dentistry.

A formal survey or opinion poll used to gauge attitudes and awareness.

A letter someone leaves behind when they die. Usually, it’s a suicide note.

It’s a formal verb. You use it to express deep sorrow and mourn someone’s death.

板ガラス means flat sheets of glass. You see them in windows or on tabletops.

一軍 literally means “first army.” It refers to the top group, like major league players on a sports team or “A-listers” in a social circle.

A single room within a building.

Medicine and pharmaceuticals.

Drunk driving or driving under the influence.

General term for an establishment serving food and drink.

This is the direct loanword for “ideology.” It’s a system of beliefs, especially in politics or society.

Innovation or a significant breakthrough

Earphones or earbuds

Clip-on earrings worn on non-pierced ears.

Decorative light displays for holidays or events, distinct from functional lighting

International; involving or relating to multiple countries.

Interior design, furniture, and decor

The English word “intelligent” is often used in Japanese. It describes “smart” technology and people who are sophisticated and knowledgeable.

Indoor activities, or a homebody who prefers staying inside.

Strong impression or influence, or the moment of physical collision in sports.

Information; typically refers to a physical information desk or counter

Economic inflation.

Input; entering data, absorbing knowledge, or receiving a signal.

Import (of goods or data)

A float or buoy; the state of lifting or detaching from a surface.

Recipient or payee

Physical handover, transfer, or pickup of an item.

Dim, gloomy, or faintly dark

Space development and exploration

This is the standard Japanese word for an astronaut. It literally means “space pilot.”

This verb means to defeat an enemy. You’d use it for acts of justice, revenge, or subjugation.

A physical back door or an illicit, under-the-table method.

Back street or side street situated behind a main road

Sales proceeds or cash takings.

This word means a man-made waterway for boats, like a canal.

Physical weight in fitness contexts or abstract importance and emphasis.

Refers to a physical wave, wavy hair, or a stadium crowd wave.

The physical waist or the waistline of clothing

Wool

Hygienic or sanitary

English translation or to translate into English

栄養士 is a licensed dietitian or nutritionist. They give professional advice about food and health.

This term means crossing borders. You can use it for physically crossing a boundary or for figurative ‘cross-border’ activities, like international business.

A circular shape or round form, typically used in formal or technical contexts.

To perform a role, act, or play a part.

煙突 is the word for any structure that vents smoke. It can be a house chimney or a factory smokestack.

Inside the grounds; within the premises (of a park, zoo, etc.)

Eco-friendly, green, or ecological.

Entertainment; activities, performances, or media designed for amusement and enjoyment.

This English loanword refers to a company that provides a specific service, like an advertising or travel agency.

Ace; a star player, top performer, or playing card.

王室 is the royal family of a country led by a king or queen, like the United Kingdom.

王女 is the Japanese word for a princess, specifically meaning a king’s daughter.

This is a historical term for a family of rulers. They defined an era, like the Ming Dynasty in China.

Major corporation or leading firm

Okurigana are hiragana endings attached to kanji. They show you how to read a word and its grammatical function.

Energetic leap or jump

This is the classic Japanese word for a dancer. It often refers to someone who is traditional, artistic, or professional.

This formal word means ‘just at that moment.’ You also use it to introduce the current season in formal writing.

温帯 is the term for the world’s temperate zones. These zones have mild climates and four distinct seasons.

オピニオン is the English loanword for “opinion.” People use it mostly in media, marketing, and business when they want to sound modern or professional.

Official; something formally authorized or released by an organization.

The off-season; a period of reduced activity in sports or tourism.

An observer or attendee who watches and listens without taking an active role.

オブジェ is a three-dimensional art object, especially a modern or abstract sculpture.

Loanword for operation; refers to business processes, surgery, or strategic missions.

Originality; the quality of being unique or creative.

An auction or sale where items are sold to the highest bidder.

Audio sound or stereo equipment

Automatic operation or an automatic transmission

This is a direct loanword from English for “automation.” It refers to any system or process that runs on its own.

This English loanword means “overheat.” You can use it for machines that get too hot, and also for people who get too emotional.

Fiscal year; the 12-month period used for financial planning and taxes.

A specific plan or strategy to solve a problem.

This is a formal word for the official start of a war, or its outbreak.

怪談 is a classic Japanese ghost story. It often involves spirits, curses, and strange supernatural events.

In the sea; underwater.

The developer or original creator of a product

This word means the official counting of votes after an election.

Section member

An armful or a person employed exclusively.

chemical substance

Nuclear test

Discount airline ticket

Fire insurance; standard term for home or property insurance

To lend out or check out items, typically used for institutions.

Few in number, scarce, or rare.

This is a woman hired to manage household chores. She’s a housekeeper or maid.

家族計画 is about deciding how many children a family will have and when.

A 活動家 is someone who actively supports a political or social cause.

The stock market.

A traditional Japanese iron pot or kettle, especially one used for cooking rice or boiling water for tea.

Dead or withered leaves.

Riverbank or riverside

瓦 is the word for the classic, curved roof tiles on traditional Japanese buildings.

Environmental protection

Environmental problems; environmental issues

Professional counseling or consultation sessions.

Casual, informal, and relaxed style or atmosphere.

Loanword for customer, primarily used in business, marketing, or technical support contexts.

Category; a classification or group used to organize items.

Medical capsule or small self-contained pod

Colorful; full of bright, varied colors

Calcium (the chemical element and nutrient)

Culture, societal customs, or adult hobby classes.

Culture shock; the disorientation experienced when encountering a different culture.

Facility offering hobby and skill classes for adults

Cursor; on-screen indicator showing position.

Cardigan; a knitted sweater with an open front.

A self-contained, replaceable unit or refill for a device.

Carbon; carbon paper

Riskiness or potential for danger

起草 (kisou) means to write the first official draft of an important document, like a law, contract, or speech.

A feeling of anticipation or expectation

This is a formal title prefix. It means ‘visiting’ or ‘guest.’ You use it for experts who are temporarily with an institution, like a university or an orchestra.

In Japanese, 客船 means a large passenger ship, like a cruise ship or an ocean liner.

A dedicated room or parlor for receiving and entertaining guests.

Sudden death.

It means a venue (like a stock market or theater) is closed for the day. Or it means a participant (like an athlete) is absent from an event.

Rapid growth or growth spurt

Board of Education; the local government body managing public schools.

教官 is a specialized instructor. You’ll usually find them in disciplined training environments, like military or police academies.

This is the Japanese term for communism, a political and economic ideology. You’ll encounter this word when talking about history, politics, or social systems.

The strength or ability to compete successfully against rivals.

This is the usual word for a formal religious organization. It covers everything from a mainstream church to a smaller sect.

A cooperative organization or co-op.

競売 is the Japanese word for an auction. It’s a sale where items go to the highest bidder.

It’s the Japanese word for ‘republic.’ This is a country run by elected officials, not a monarch.

This is a title of great respect for a legendary master in an art.

This noun describes a really big body. It can be a person’s, an animal’s, or a huge object’s.

斬る is a dramatic verb for cutting with a blade. You use it for things like samurai fights and sharp criticism, not for everyday tasks.

Short distance or close range

It’s a formal term for an author’s most recently published book.

Scheduled working hours

Marketplace for trading financial assets

Physical muscle strength or power

Kickoff; the start of a sports match or the launch of a project.

Cabin; a vehicle passenger area or a small wooden lodge

Hard candy, such as lollipops or drops.

University or college grounds; a campus

A central figure or key person indispensable to a project or outcome.

Keyword; a search term or central concept

This is the Japanese word for the “ring finger,” the finger between your middle finger and pinky.

A painful, last-ditch plan you use when you have no other options.

Ward-run; established by a city ward

Wheelchair (literally ‘car chair’).

Quality; standard of excellence

Soft physical cushion or figurative buffer

Client (professional customer or computing system).

The most intense or exciting point of a story or event; the peak.

It’s an English loanword that describes a fashionable, elegant, and often European-inspired “classic” style.

Creative, imaginative, or original, often used in design or marketing.

“Clean” regarding fairness, integrity, or environmental purity rather than physical tidiness.

Credit card payment or credits in a creative work

A close-up camera shot or the highlighting of a specific issue

This Japanese word means “coup d’état.” It refers to a sudden, forceful overthrow of a government.

Rich in experience; highly experienced

The business world or financial circles

Economic growth rate

This is the official term for a legal case where the state prosecutes someone for a crime.

A category of small, low-powered Japanese vehicles defined by specific size and engine regulations.

Respect for the elderly (formal prefix)

結社 is a formal word for a society or association. It’s often used for groups with a specific ideology, artistic goal, or even a secret nature.

prefectural management or operation

Search criteria or filters used to narrow down results

建材 means any material used in construction, like wood, steel, or concrete.

Formal or technical term for a building or structure.

Prefectural governor

It’s a Japanese martial art, a type of fencing. People use bamboo swords and armor to develop their skill and spirit.

This is the Japanese word for a microscope. It’s a scientific tool that lets you see things too small for the naked eye.

Professional nursing support or the maintenance of body and belongings.

A physical cable, wire, or cord; also short for a cable car

Manuscript, draft, or version of a written work.

High temperature in formal, technical, or weather contexts.

High-pitched sound, musical high note, or audio treble

Likability rating or degree of favorability.

Faculty or School of Engineering

Public broadcasting services funded by the public rather than commercial interests.

Bank account number

The government provides this housing for public employees, like civil servants and teachers.

It’s a formal word for the position or office of a public servant, such as a politician or government official.

High standard or high level.

High performance, efficiency, or superior capability.

It’s a formal noun for “high speed.” You’ll mostly find it in technical terms. In everyday talk, people almost always shorten it to 高速.

Transportation network

Extensive scope or wide range

The second half of a match or the final stretch of a challenge

A formal candidate or applicant for a position, office, or award.

A general term for a retail store selling directly to the public.

Customer satisfaction.

This is a sport that shows a country’s culture and history.

国文学 is the formal, academic term for studying Japanese literature.

National defense.

National referendum; a direct vote by citizens on a proposal.

Individual differences in traits, abilities, or reactions

Fixed costs or expenses that remain constant regardless of production or usage.

小道具 is for small, specialized items, like stage props or handy gadgets.

This Japanese word means a child actor or actress.

The current season or period, often regarding sports, business, or media.

Cost or expense required for production or operations.

Cotton material or cosmetic pads.

A collaboration or joint project, particularly between brands, artists, or creators.

A set of items collected for a hobby or a seasonal fashion line.

Collector; a person who gathers specific items as a hobby.

コンコース is the main hall or central open area of a large train station or airport.

Professional consulting or expert advice

A consumer or general buyer of goods and services, typically used in business and marketing contexts.

Steady, consistent, or regular.

Concept; the underlying theme or guiding principle of a product or project.

Visual contrast in light and color, or a striking difference between opposing concepts.

Small and practical in size, a makeup powder case, or a compact car

A pairing of elements, teamwork between people, or a sequence of movements.

Coaching; training or guidance to improve performance and achieve goals.

Matching clothes or interiors for a cohesive style; organizing project logistics.

A group of singers or the refrain of a song

A diplomat is a government official who represents their country abroad.

街路 (gairo) means a street or avenue. It’s often a wide city street, usually lined with trees or buildings. This makes it sound a bit formal or literary.

学長 is the title for the head of a university. It’s like a “president” or “chancellor.”

Within the school or on-campus

This is a book with many pictures, like an art book or an illustration book.

This is the Japanese word for a choir or chorus. It’s an organized group that sings together.

It’s the word for playing music together in a group, like an orchestra or a band.

ガーゼ is the soft, thin cotton fabric used for medical bandages or gentle baby products.

It’s the room where a government group, like a parliament or city council, debates.

A gift or present, often used in commercial or formal contexts.

Comeback victory achieved by reversing a losing situation.

A harbor where fishing boats dock and unload their catch.

Giving concrete form to an abstract idea or plan.

軍部 is the military’s top leadership. It’s especially used when they act as a political power and influence the government.

This word marks something as ‘for military use.’

Graphics or visual elements in digital media and design.

Graphics; visual images and designs created by computers.

Cooking grill, grilled dish, or vehicle grille

High-quality cuisine or a knowledgeable foodie

The color gray, or a figurative term for ambiguous, undefined, or morally questionable situations.

A gray area, ambiguous situation, or borderline case not clearly defined by rules or diagnoses.

Grade, rank, or tier indicating the quality level of a product or service.

Global, worldwide, or international in scope.

Globalization; the process of becoming worldwide.

A festival or public event dedicated to exhibiting art.

月光 is a poetic or literary term for moonlight.

月産 is a business term for how much a company produces in one month.

This Japanese word means hallucination. That’s when you sense something that isn’t really there.

This is gridded paper used in Japan for handwritten essays and manuscripts. Each square holds one character.

Decrease in production

Place of origin, native habitat, or country of manufacture.

Unprocessed raw materials or primary ingredients.

Current address; formal term typically used on official documents.

Tax cut or tax reduction

Maximum monetary limit allowed for spending or borrowing

Refers to either a measurement gauge or an animal cage.

合金 is the Japanese word for ‘alloy.’ An alloy is a metal made by mixing other metals.

Gold (metal, color, or high status)

Debt, loan, or financial bond.

The lowest rank or absolute bottom.

Formal reconsideration or review

Remarriage or to get married again

The very front row

Youngest person in a group

The physical and social environment where work is performed.

索引 is the index in a book. You use it to look up topics and their page numbers.

Since last year

To point to or indicate

The industrial world or business community.

Mountainous region or area.

山林 is the word for a mountain that’s also a forest. You’ll often hear it when people discuss land, conservation, or news.

Computer server, dispenser, or serving utensil.

The loanword for science, typically used in modern, casual, or westernized contexts rather than formal academics.

A website or internet site

Side business or side job

Silent, noiseless, or referring to a silent film.

A formal summit meeting between heads of state.

Sunglasses

Sandals; open-toed footwear.

Sample, product specimen, or plastic food display model

Loanword for “search,” used primarily for digital information lookups.

Large highway rest stop with dining, shops, and fuel

Venue or hall for holding formal ceremonies

使者 is a formal word for a messenger or envoy. They are sent on important missions.

It’s a formal, respectful word for someone else’s children. You’ll mostly see it in writing and official settings.

Private life separate from work or public duties.

Natural science; the study of the physical and natural world such as physics, chemistry, and biology.

Story or anecdote about a failure

Head of a specific office, section, or laboratory

Qualitative; pertaining to quality rather than quantity

Inside a room or building; indoors

Capitalist or financier who owns significant assets to generate profit

Capitalism; an economic system based on private ownership and profit.

Social science; the academic study of human society and social relationships.

Sociology; the study of human society.

Social welfare; organized public support and aid systems.

Social insurance package for company employees

This newspaper section covers local crime, accidents, and human-interest stories that affect everyday people.

Outside the company

Vehicle type or car model

Vehicle body or frame

Company name

The masses, general public, or a large crowd.

Use this to formally praise a creative work, like a film or novel. It means the work is outstanding.

囚人 is the common Japanese word for ‘prisoner’ or ‘convict’.

State government (within a federal system)

Within the current week; by the end of the week.

It’s a formal congratulatory message. You send it for a big life or business event, especially when you can’t be there.

種子 is the technical or scientific word for a plant’s seed. You’ll see it in fields like biology or agriculture.

守勢 means being on the defensive. You’re forced to protect yourself instead of attacking.

Small scale or limited scope

焼死 is a formal term. It means ‘to burn to death.’

A Japanese sliding screen has a wooden frame and translucent paper. The paper lets in soft light.

This is the Japanese word for a decimal number, like 0.5 or 3.14.

To arise, occur, or come into existence.

This is the formal term for when a city or country tries to host a big international event.

Symbolic; representing a larger concept or quality

It’s the legal and business term for ‘trademark’.

A concrete vision or projected image of the future.

Winning percentage or win rate

Energy conservation; energy saving

Tax levied on personal or business income

Legal rights of ownership or property

This describes a white background for a design or an empty space on a surface.

信金 is what people usually call a “shinkin bank.” It’s a local financial institution, like a credit union.

Becoming more serious, severe, or grave

It’s a new, official system that replaced an old one. You’ll often see this in education or government.

new drug; newly developed medicine

Sharing items or information with others, or market share in business.

Sharing economy or commercial shared services

System; a technical structure, method, or organized framework.

Situation, scenario, or specific setting.

simulation; practice run; diving (in sports)

Camera shutter or rolling metal door

Describes something shocking, disturbing, or emotionally distressing.

A shop window or display window.

Serious tone, mood, or atmosphere

Silk fabric, commonly used for modern clothing and commercial products.

The metal or color silver, or a term referring to senior citizens.

A music release, accommodation for one person, or a one-on-one sports match.

One-on-one sports matches, music releases, or unmarried people.

Off-season

Bed sheet

Physical seat; sheet (material or spreadsheet)

It’s a formal or technical word for a body of water, like a sea, a lake, or part of an ocean.

水素 means hydrogen in Japanese. Hydrogen is the lightest and most common chemical element.

This is the Japanese word for a mystery or detective novel.

Sweet flavor, romantic atmosphere, or a hotel suite.

A lightweight, decorative scarf used primarily for fashion

A scanner used for digitizing documents, images, or capturing data.

This is the Japanese word for “scandalous.” You use it to describe shocking behavior that could ruin someone’s public reputation.

Specialized training school or lesson program for specific skills

The magnitude or scope of something, or a tool for measuring.

Score (points in a game) or musical score

A hairdresser or fashion stylist.

Styling, specifically regarding hair arrangement.

Standard, norm, or benchmark

Physical ink stamps and digital stickers

Steel (metal) or a still photograph

stainless steel

Social standing or the current state of a system, project, or character.

This Japanese word means “statement.” It’s used for formal declarations, financial records, and computer code.

Store or shop.

This word means women’s sheer pantyhose or nylons, not the thick socks or Christmas stockings you might think of in English.

English loanword for strawberry, typically used for flavors and commercial products rather than the fresh fruit.

Drinking straw

A physical helical shape or a figurative, often negative, self-perpetuating cycle.

Specialist or expert in a specific field

Special, unique, or a specific item like a TV special or limited menu dish.

A specific location, place of interest, or spotlight.

A cleaning sponge or a sponge cake.

The official voice of an organization, borrowed directly from English.

Sporty or athletic in style and appearance

Attractively slender physique or sleek, compact design

Thrilling, exciting, or full of suspense

Man-made ramp or incline.

It’s officially submitting a formal request or petition to an authority, like the government.

性教育 is the Japanese term for “sex education.” It’s about formal instruction on sexuality, relationships, and health.

Manufacturing costs for physical goods

Productivity; the efficiency of work or production.

Official name or formal designation

It’s a formal word for when a group of people sings or chants the same thing.

returning to a normal state or standard condition

Political clout and the practical ability to influence outcomes.

西方 is a formal word for “the west.” It’s used for geographical directions. But with a different reading, it refers to the Buddhist “Western Paradise.”

正方形 is the technical term for a square.

Life insurance

Vitality; the life force or inherent energy to survive and grow.

清流 is a clear stream. It makes you think of natural purity and beauty.

World Heritage Site

Persuasiveness or convincing power

瀬戸物 is the everyday Japanese word for ceramic tableware, like dishes, bowls, and cups.

The right to vote; suffrage.

Election campaign or race

This word is for “warrior.” It brings to mind heroes, fantasy characters, or historical fighters.

Original habitation or being indigenous to a region

A 扇子 is a traditional Japanese folding fan. It’s used to cool off in summer and as an accessory in cultural arts.

This is the exclusive right to sell a product. A government or a single company often holds it.

This is a high-level executive title in a Japanese company. It’s roughly equivalent to a Senior Managing Director or Executive Director.

Medical specialist.

The loanword for second, used for rank, baseball’s second base, or second gear

Security or protection measures for physical and digital safety.

A distinct part, division, or department within an organization.

Setting up equipment or arrangements, or the background context of a narrative.

Ceremony; typically refers to modern or Western-style formal events

Clear adhesive tape; Scotch tape

Sensor; a device detecting physical inputs like light, heat, or motion.

Conserving resources or limiting consumption; saving digital data or game progress.

Medical treatment of an illness at an early stage.

Final settlement of accounts or the culmination of a long-term effort

Solar power technology

For private or personal use.

磁石 is the Japanese word for a magnet. A magnet is an object that attracts iron and other metals.

This is a formal term for the person or thing that comes in second place, just missing the top spot.

Automation; the process of making a system run independently.

Heavy industry focused on large-scale manufacturing like steel, ships, and machinery.

Local inhabitant tax paid to municipal and prefectural governments based on prior income

塾長 is the title for the director or principal of a 塾 (juku), a private cram school.

A device or component that receives electronic signals, such as radio, TV, or GPS.

純金 means pure 24-karat gold. No other metals are mixed in.

This is a special term for a tour. It’s used especially when traditional performers, like sumo wrestlers or kabuki actors, visit regional towns.

巡査 is the official rank for a “patrol officer” or “constable.” It’s a formal term you’ll hear in the news or when a specific rank is mentioned.

Liberalization or deregulation; the removal of restrictions.

Free-market economy.

上院 is the Japanese word for ‘upper house’ or ‘senate’ in a government.

It’s the upper half of your body. You’ll usually hear this term when talking about exercise, posture, or medical exams.

城内 is everything inside a castle’s defensive walls.

Information society

The information industry or IT sector.

Information processing; the systematic handling of data by computers.

This term refers to a female professional. It’s mostly used in traditional arts, literature, and competitive games like shogi.

陣地 is a defended territory. This could be a military position on a battlefield or your team’s side of the field in a game.

It’s the academic term for fields that study human culture, like history and literature. It means ‘the humanities’.

It’s a pattern or movement that makes sharp, alternating turns.

A specific category or genre used to classify creative works, styles, or fields of interest.

Electric rice cooker or glass jar.

It’s the official staff who go with an important person, like a diplomat’s entourage.

A 図鑑 is a visual encyclopedia or field guide. It has lots of pictures that help you identify things like animals, plants, or stars.

Amount of tax

Tax rate; the percentage used to calculate taxes.

It means all the songs in a collection, or an entire single musical piece.

The entire line or all lines, usually regarding transportation routes.

This word means “first half.” But you’ll hear it mainly for competitions, like sports games or seasons.

The entire United States; nationwide across the U.S.

This Japanese English word describes a huge construction company. They build major infrastructure, like skyscrapers and tunnels.

An increase in production output.

蔵書 is a collection of books that someone owns. This includes everything from a private library to all the books a university holds.

Tax increase

退役 is for retiring from military service. It’s also for permanently taking large equipment, like ships and planes, out of service.

Durability; the quality of resisting wear and lasting a long time.

Tight (clothing fit, schedules, or budgets)

Inside the body; internal

Directed toward or concerning Japan, often regarding policy or trade.

Other countries or foreign nations, typically used in formal contexts.

Another company or other companies

達筆 describes beautiful, masterful handwriting, like a work of art.

Diversification; the process of becoming more varied or multifaceted.

A large quantity or amount, typically found in formal writing or warnings.

A specific task or piece of work to be done, commonly used in business and IT contexts.

A physical target to aim at, or a specific audience or objective.

Local community or regional society

Groundwater or water located beneath the earth’s surface.

An underground passage or underpass.

Global warming

This mimetic word means a sharp poke. It can be a literal sting or when someone snitches.

地質 is what the ground in an area is made of. Or it’s the science that studies this.

Shrinkage; crinkled cotton crepe fabric

Local legislative assembly or council

It’s the general term for taxes you pay to your local government, like your city or prefecture. These taxes fund local services.

Name recognition or being well-known.

Middle and high school

This Japanese term means “middle class.” You’ll hear it in talks about society, economics, and lifestyle.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

China and Japan relations, or the middle day of an event.

超特急 is the name for Japan’s fastest express trains. It also means you’re doing something “at lightning speed.”

This is the Japanese word for the geometric shape known as a rectangle.

A 帳簿 is the official book or digital file where a business writes down all its financial transactions.

Chicken meat or a coward.

A loanword for “child” that’s almost always used as part of a compound word, like チャイルドシート (child seat).

Channel (TV station, communication medium, or sales route)

communications network

Passage or flow, typically referring to bowel movements or mutual understanding.

This noun describes a sharp, forward push, like a jab, poke, or thrust.

To pierce or stab forcefully, or to cause a sharp, stinging sensation.

A tool, instrument, or software application used to accomplish a task.

Low-pitched sound, deep voice, or bass tone

Lower grades of elementary school, typically 1st and 2nd grade

The Japanese term for imperialism is 帝国主義. It literally means “empire-ism.” Imperialism is a policy where a powerful nation extends its control over other countries.

It’s when you scout or check something out to get information beforehand.

Low level or substandard status regarding quantity or quality.

It’s an iron or steel bridge. It almost always carries a railway line.

To hand over directly or in person

天使 is the Japanese word for “angel.” It’s used for the heavenly being, but more often to describe someone who is very kind, pure, or innocent.

点字 is the Japanese word for Braille, a writing system for visually impaired people that you read by touch.

This is the Japanese word for natural gas.

Taste, flavor, or aesthetic style.

Technical nature or requiring high skill

Technology, especially regarding modern scientific or industrial systems.

An outdoor terrace or patio usually located on the ground floor.

Territory, personal turf, or area of expertise.

Terrorism (as a concept or ideology)

Tent; a portable shelter used for camping or outdoor events.

Musical speed, or the pace and flow of an activity or conversation.

A sense of unity, cohesiveness, or consistency.

Soy milk, a plant-based dairy alternative.

投票箱 is the box where you put your ballot in an election.

The urban or developed part of a region.

都民 is the specific word for a resident of Tokyo.

Handle with care warning for fragile items.

Top-class; first-rate; highest level.

A physical trap, a deceptive trick, or controlling a ball in sports.

In Japanese, トリオ means ‘trio’. This is a group of three people or things, like in music or comedy.

A direct loanword for “trigger” representing a gun mechanism or a catalyst for an event.

Trick, deception, or gimmick; used for magic, pranks, or clever plot devices.

Trend; a currently popular style, topic, or movement.

A flat tray used for carrying food or holding items.

Professional trade involving financial markets or sports teams.

Tone regarding voice quality, color shade, or general mood.

台車 is the general Japanese word for any simple, wheeled platform. People use it to move heavy things, like a hand truck, dolly, or cart.

Great earthquake disaster

This word describes the dramatic overthrow of a major opponent. This could be a champion, a rival company, or a corrupt regime.

断食 is the Japanese word for fasting. It means you deliberately don’t eat for a certain time.

A condensed summary or highlight reel of key moments.

ダイヤル is a physical dial, like on a radio or safe. It’s also a slightly old-fashioned verb for dialing a phone number.

Download; transferring data from a remote source to a local device.

Dam; a barrier built across a river to hold back water.

Describes dark color shades or a gloomy, sinister atmosphere.

Electrification; converting a system to run on electric power.

Electronic parts or components

電鉄 means “electric railway.” It’s almost always part of a private railway company’s official name.

A price reduction or discount on goods or services.

Electronic screen or visual arrangement of items

A director responsible for a creative production like a TV program, or a manager leading a business department.

Authorized car dealership or card game dealer

Daily, for everyday use, or the supermarket perishables section.

Digital; relating to electronics, computers, or data.

Platform on a ship or house, set of playing cards, or tape deck.

Denim fabric or jeans.

Electronic device or gadget

Refundable security deposit for rentals or prepaid cards

Demonstration (political protest, product presentation, or exhibition)

Deluxe, luxurious, or high-quality.

Sensitive, fragile, or requiring careful handling.

Database; an organized collection of data or information managed by a computer system.

The same month

A formal term referring to the same country or that country previously mentioned.

Plants and animals; flora and fauna

The same day

Formal term for homosexuality.

This is a bronze statue. You’ll often find them in public places. They’re put there to remember a person, animal, or event.

The same year or same age.

Documentary film or program

A digital file or document; a documentary program.

Dot, pixel, or polka dot pattern.

Musical drum or cylindrical container

A power drill tool or a workbook of practice exercises

Domed stadium or rounded roof structure

An inner courtyard or garden enclosed by a building.

ナイロン is the Japanese word for “nylon,” a common synthetic material used for everything from clothes to bags.

This Japanese word means “nationalism,” the idea of putting your own nation first.

Physical escape route or a figurative way to avoid responsibility.

It’s a term for a classically handsome, cool man, often the romantic lead.

This word combines “garden” (庭) and “tree” (木) to mean any tree planted in a garden or yard.

A subtle difference in meaning, feeling, or tone.

Collective needs or market demands, typically in a business context

寝息 is the word for the sound of someone breathing when they’re asleep.

The face of a sleeping person

This Japanese word means colorful fish from warm climates, usually the kind you see in a home aquarium.

粘土 is the Japanese word for “clay.” It means both the natural material for pottery and the colorful stuff kids play with.

Navy blue color, or occasionally the military navy.

Negative, pessimistic, or gloomy.

Necklace

Naming products or brands

Farm work or agricultural operations.

Agricultural produce or farm products.

Agricultural land or farmland used for growing crops or raising livestock

This formal word combines “agriculture” (農業) and “forestry” (林業) into a single economic or government sector.

Unwanted sound, static, or irrelevant information.

Practical know-how, expertise, or specific techniques

This loanword means “nostalgic.” It describes a sentimental or wistful feeling for the past.

Non-fiction; literature or media based on facts and real events.

This is the Japanese equivalent of “no comment.” You use it to refuse to answer a question, especially in public or business settings.

Exhaust gas or fumes emitted by engines and vehicles

Skin color, complexion, or a specific pale orange shade.

It’s the formal word for firing a gun. You’ll mostly see it in news, police reports, and official contexts.

Half-year or six-month period.

Fifty-fifty or half and half.

High-tech or high technology.

Hybrid; typically refers to a hybrid car, or a combination of distinct elements or systems.

Fast pace or rapid tempo

The most memorable part of an event; visual emphasis or hair highlights.

Unexpected incident or minor mishap

Ham (cured meat).

Strong ambition or drive for success, distinct from physical hunger.

The English loanword for hand used in compounds or a handball foul in sports.

Handbag or purse

Items made by hand rather than mass-produced by machines.

Herb, specifically Western varieties used for cooking or aromatherapy

Unofficial, informal, or off-the-record.

Written examination

Evacuees displaced by danger or natural disasters

Dermatology department or clinic

Mechanical heat or situational intensity.

風船 is what Japanese people usually say for a toy or party balloon.

Wind speed

Wind power as an energy source or measured wind force.

It’s a small, decorative bell. Its gentle ringing sound is a classic symbol of summer in Japan.

Uncertainty or unreliability regarding information, plans, or the future.

Incomplete, imperfect, or unfinished.

Company vice president

This is a formal, dated term for a student’s guardians. It’s mostly been replaced by the gender-neutral word 保護者 (hogosha).

Personal unhappiness or a state of misfortune.

This is the word for an emergency or forced landing. It usually involves an aircraft.

Uncertain, unreliable, or unclear.

Opaque; unclear or uncertain.

A traditional Japanese cloth used to wrap and carry many different things.

A zipper or slide fastener typically used on clothing and bags.

Fantasy genre involving magic, monsters, and imaginary worlds

Fiction; a made-up story or narrative created from imagination.

A filter for physical substances or digital content

Feedback or constructive comments regarding work, products, or performance.

Fair/just conduct; promotional exhibition or sale

A fence or railing, typically of lighter construction than a solid wall.

Formal; proper, official, or following strict rules, often regarding clothing or events.

An airplane flight.

Camera flash; sudden burst of light or brief report.

A franchise business model or a specific store operating within a chain.

A freelancer; a self-employed worker hired on a project basis.

Flexible or adaptable, commonly describing abstract concepts like schedules, work styles, or mentalities.

Freshness or novelty; also refers to single-serving liquid coffee creamer pods.

French cuisine, or French style in specific compounds

Flavor, typically referring to commercial product varieties like ice cream or snacks.

A physical support structure or border, a conceptual framework, or a single video frame.

A specific level or designated area within a building.

Hardwood or laminate flooring

Square kilometer (km²)

This term describes how strong a military is. It focuses on the number of soldiers and equipment.

This word means ‘compiler.’ It’s the person who gathers and organizes materials for a publication, like a dictionary or anthology.

Common short form for helicopter

Helicopter

The study of law or legal studies

Legal; related to the law

News media organizations or the press.

This is a formal way to say “visiting the US.” You’ll mostly hear it in news, politics, and business.

It’s the main strategy or philosophy for a group of methods, not just one technique.

北極 is the Japanese word for the North Pole and the larger Arctic region.

The loanword for the color white used in product names, or a casual term for correction fluid.

幕末 is the turbulent final years of Japan’s samurai government, the Tokugawa shogunate (roughly 1853-1868).

Bilingual; able to speak or involving two languages.

Background, referring to scenery, personal history, or computing contexts.

Electrical battery or baseball pitcher-catcher duo

A physical bubble, or Japan’s Bubble Economy of the late 1980s

An uncovered balcony with no roof.

A bargain sale or discount event at a store.

Scannable product code or slang for a comb-over hairstyle

Casual loanword for birthday often found in compound terms like birthday cake or party.

virtual

秒速 literally means “speed per second.” And figuratively, it means something happens “in a flash.”

Visuals, looks, or appearance

A long-term goal, mental image of the future, or the sense of sight.

Musical beat or vegetable beet

Beef, typically used for Western-style dishes.

部族 is the standard Japanese word for a “tribe.” It’s typically used in historical, anthropological, or fantasy contexts.

物理学 is the Japanese word for the academic subject of physics.

A solid chunk of material, a city block, or the act of obstructing access.

Public intellectual or cultural figure

School concert band or marching band

An empty space, or a gap in time or experience.

Brand name, especially a high-end or luxury designer label.

The color blue or a state of melancholy.

Blue-collar worker or manual laborer.

Blend; mixture; commonly refers to house blend coffee

A circuit breaker that automatically cuts off electricity when overloaded.

ブローカー means ‘broker’ in Japanese. A broker is a middleman who arranges deals and gets paid a commission.

U.S. military

Seasoned expert or old hand in a non-military field

The personal value a customer gets from a product, not just its technical features.

A startup or venture business aiming for rapid growth.

Basic, standard, or fundamental.

A physical veil worn on the head or a figurative shroud concealing the truth.

Soundproofing or noise insulation

It’s a common term for a Buddhist monk. Less often, it’s an old-fashioned word for a young boy.