Japanese VocabularyOrganized by Composition
Kanji-hiragana
word
助かるMeaning
Saved
Reading
tasukaru
Kanji
助Help
Explanation
The Japanese verb '助かる (たすかる)' means 'to be saved' or 'to be rescued'. It is often used to express relief or gratitude when someone or something is saved from a difficult or dangerous situation. This verb can also imply being helped or assisted in a way that alleviates a burden. For example: I was saved by the doctor「医者に助かった」(いしゃにたすかった). It really helps me out「とても助かります」(とてもたすかります). The verb is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as being saved from physical danger or being relieved from stress or work.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
3Frequency
4685
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
荒れるMeaning
Be rough
Reading
areru
Kanji
荒Wild, Rough
Explanation
The Japanese verb '荒れる (あれる)' primarily means 'to be rough' or 'to be wild'. It is often used to describe weather conditions, such as storms or rough seas, but can also describe emotional states or chaotic situations. For example: The sea is rough today「今日は海が荒れている」(きょうはうみがあれている). His emotions were wild「彼の感情が荒れていた」(かれのかんじょうがあれていた). Additionally, it can describe something becoming ruined or neglected, such as a garden or a relationship. For example: The garden has become overgrown「庭が荒れている」(にわがあれている).
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N2Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4688
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
恵まれるMeaning
Blessed
Reading
megumareru
Kanji
恵Favor, Bestow a favor
Explanation
The Japanese verb '恵まれる (めぐまれる)' means 'to be blessed' or 'to be endowed with'. It is used to express that someone has been fortunate to receive something valuable, such as talent, resources, or favorable conditions. This verb often conveys a sense of gratitude or acknowledgment of good fortune. For example: She is blessed with a beautiful voice「彼女は美しい声に恵まれている」(かのじょはうつくしいこえにめぐまれている). We are blessed with good weather today「今日は良い天気に恵まれている」(きょうはいいてんきにめぐまれている). Note that this verb is often used in passive form, as it implies receiving something from an external source, such as nature, fate, or a higher power.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4691
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
荒いMeaning
Rough
Reading
arai
Kanji
荒Wild, Rough
Explanation
The Japanese adjective '荒い (あらい)' primarily means 'rough'. It is used to describe something that is not smooth or gentle, such as rough seas, rough handling, or rough behavior. For example: The sea is rough today「今日の海は荒い」(きょうのうみはあらい). He has a rough way of speaking「彼の話し方は荒い」(かれのはなしかたはあらい). This adjective can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is intense or extreme, such as rough breathing or rough emotions. For example: His breathing was rough after the run「走った後、彼の呼吸は荒かった」(はしったあと、かれのこきゅうはあらかった).
Part Of Speech
adjective
Kanji JLPT
N2Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4692
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
荒すMeaning
Damage
Reading
arasu
Kanji
荒Wild, Rough
Explanation
The Japanese verb '荒す (あらす)' means 'to damage' or 'to ruin'. It is often used to describe the act of causing destruction or disorder to something, such as a place, object, or situation. This verb carries a nuance of leaving something in a worse state than before. For example: The storm damaged the garden「嵐が庭を荒した」(あらしがにわをあらした). Vandals ruined the park「破壊者が公園を荒した」(はかいしゃがこうえんをあらした). Note that '荒す' is typically used in contexts where the damage is intentional or caused by neglect, rather than accidental.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N2Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4693
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
悔しいMeaning
Frustrating
Reading
kuyashii
Kanji
悔Repent, Regret
Explanation
The Japanese adjective '悔しい (くやしい)' conveys a feeling of frustration, regret, or vexation, often arising from a sense of missed opportunity, failure, or unfairness. It is commonly used to express emotional distress when something does not go as planned or when one feels they could have done better. For example: It's frustrating to lose the game「試合に負けて悔しい」(しあいにまけてくやしい). I feel frustrated because I couldn't say what I wanted「言いたいことが言えなくて悔しい」(いいたいことがいえなくてくやしい). This word is deeply tied to personal emotions and is often used in contexts where one reflects on their own actions or circumstances.
Part Of Speech
adjective
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
8Frequency
4694
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
見回すMeaning
Look around
Reading
mimawasu
Kanji
見See 回Revolve, Times
Explanation
The Japanese verb '見回す (みまわす)' means 'to look around' or 'to survey'. It is used when someone is scanning or observing their surroundings, often with the intention of checking or inspecting something. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as looking around a room, surveying a landscape, or inspecting a situation. For example: He looked around the room「彼は部屋を見回した」(かれはへやをみまわした). The security guard surveyed the area「警備員はそのエリアを見回した」(けいびいんはそのえりあをみまわした). The verb often implies a deliberate or thorough action of observation.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
2Frequency
4701
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
慌ただしいMeaning
Hectic
Reading
awatadashii
Kanji
慌Flurried, Disconcerted
Explanation
The Japanese adjective '慌ただしい (あわただしい)' means 'hectic'. It describes a situation or period of time that is very busy, rushed, or chaotic. This word is often used to convey a sense of urgency or disorder, such as during a busy workday or a fast-paced event. For example: Today was hectic「今日は慌ただしかった」(きょうはあわただしかった). The morning was hectic with preparations「朝の準備は慌ただしかった」(あさのじゅんびはあわただしかった). Note that this adjective is commonly used to describe temporary states rather than permanent characteristics.
Part Of Speech
adjective
Kanji JLPT
UnknownKanji Grade
8Frequency
4702
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
お坊さんMeaning
Monk
Reading
obousan
Kanji
坊Boy, Sonny
Explanation
The Japanese noun 'お坊さん (おぼうさん)' refers to a Buddhist monk. It is a polite and respectful term used to address or refer to monks, often associated with temples and religious practices. The prefix 'お' adds politeness, while '坊さん' is derived from '坊主 (ぼうず)', which can also mean monk but is less formal. Example sentences: The monk is praying「お坊さんが祈っています」(おぼうさんがいのっています). I saw a monk at the temple「お寺でお坊さんを見ました」(おてらでおぼうさんをみました). This term is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to monks in a respectful manner.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
UnknownKanji Grade
7Frequency
4704
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
引きずるMeaning
Drag
Reading
hikizuru
Kanji
引Pull
Explanation
The Japanese verb '引きずる (ひきずる)' primarily means 'to drag'. It can be used both literally and figuratively. In a literal sense, it refers to pulling something along the ground, such as dragging a heavy object. For example: He dragged the suitcase「彼はスーツケースを引きずった」(かれはスーツケースをひきずった). Figuratively, it can describe prolonging or dragging out a situation, emotion, or problem. For example: She dragged out the conversation「彼女は会話を引きずった」(かのじょはかいわをひきずった). Additionally, it can imply being weighed down by something, such as lingering feelings or consequences. For example: He is still dragging the past「彼はまだ過去を引きずっている」(かれはまだかこをひきずっている).
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
2Frequency
4717
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
飾りMeaning
Decoration
Reading
kazari
Kanji
飾Decorate
Explanation
The Japanese noun '飾り (かざり)' means 'decoration'. It refers to objects or elements used to adorn or embellish something, such as a room, a piece of clothing, or an event. This word is often used in contexts like festivals, weddings, or interior design. For example: The Christmas tree has beautiful decorations「クリスマスツリーには美しい飾りがある」(くりすますつりーにはうつくしいかざりがある). She added a decoration to her hat「彼女は帽子に飾りを付けた」(かのじょはぼうしにかざりをつけた). The word can also imply something that is purely ornamental and not functional, as in '飾り物 (かざりもの)' (ornamental object).
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4728
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
率いるMeaning
Lead
Reading
hikiiru
Kanji
率Command, Proportion
Explanation
The Japanese verb '率いる (ひきいる)' means 'to lead' or 'to command'. It is used to describe the action of guiding or directing a group of people, such as a team, an army, or an organization. This verb often implies a sense of responsibility and authority over the group being led. For example: he leads the team「彼はチームを率いる」(かれはチームをひきいる). The general commanded the army「将軍は軍隊を率いた」(しょうぐんはぐんたいをひきいた). Note that '率いる' is typically used in formal or serious contexts, and it is not commonly used for casual leadership roles.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
5Frequency
4731
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
改めるMeaning
Reform, Revise
Reading
aratameru
Kanji
改Reform
Explanation
The Japanese verb '改める (あらためる)' primarily means 'to revise' or 'to reform'. It is used when making changes to something in order to improve or correct it. This verb can be applied to a wide range of contexts, such as revising plans, reforming systems, or correcting behavior. For example: I revised my plans「計画を改めた」(けいかくをあらためた). The government reformed the law「政府は法律を改めた」(せいふはほうりつをあらためた). It's important to note that '改める' often implies a deliberate and thoughtful change, rather than a casual or minor adjustment.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N2Kanji Grade
4Frequency
4739
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
居眠りMeaning
Doze
Reading
inemuri
Kanji
居Reside, Be 眠Sleep, Sleepy
Explanation
The Japanese verbal noun '居眠り (いねむり)' refers to the act of dozing off or taking a nap, often unintentionally or in a situation where one is expected to be awake, such as during a meeting or class. It implies a light, brief sleep rather than a deep, intentional rest. For example: I dozed off during the meeting「会議中に居眠りをした」(かいぎちゅうにいねむりをした). The student was dozing in class「その学生は授業中に居眠りをしていた」(そのがくせいはじゅぎょうちゅうにいねむりをしていた). This word is often used to describe a situation where someone falls asleep due to boredom or fatigue.
Part Of Speech
verbal noun
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4742
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
柔らかいMeaning
Soft
Reading
yawarakai
Kanji
柔Soft, Gentle
Explanation
The Japanese adjective '柔らかい (やわらかい)' means 'soft'. It is used to describe something that is physically soft to the touch, such as fabric, food, or materials. It can also describe something that is flexible, gentle, or not rigid in nature. For example: This bread is soft「このパンは柔らかい」(このパンはやわらかい). Her voice is soft「彼女の声は柔らかい」(かのじょのこえはやわらかい). Additionally, it can be used metaphorically to describe a gentle or lenient attitude, as in '柔らかい対応 (やわらかいたいおう) (soft handling/approach)'. Note that this word is often used to contrast with '硬い (かたい) (hard)'.
Part Of Speech
adjective
Kanji JLPT
N2Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4743
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
腰掛けるMeaning
Sit
Reading
koshikakeru
Kanji
腰Loins, Waist 掛Set, Hang
Explanation
The Japanese verb '腰掛ける (こしかける)' means 'to sit'. This verb is specifically used to describe the action of sitting down on something, such as a chair or bench. It implies a temporary or casual sitting position, often used when someone is taking a short rest or waiting. For example: I sat on the bench「ベンチに腰掛けた」(ベンチにこしかけた). He sat down to rest「彼は休むために腰掛けた」(かれはやすむためにこしかけた). The verb is commonly used in everyday conversation and is more casual than the formal '座る (すわる) (to sit)'.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N2Kanji Grade
8Frequency
4754
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting