Japanese VocabularyOrganized by Composition

word

Meaning

Music

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese noun 'ミュージック (myuujikku)' is a loanword derived from the English word 'music'. It refers to the art form of sound organized in time, encompassing various genres and styles. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially when referring to Western or contemporary music. For example: I love music「私はミュージックが大好きです」(わたしはミュージックがだいすきです). This store sells music CDs「この店はミュージックのCDを売っています」(このみせはミュージックのCDをうっています). It's important to note that while 'ミュージック' is widely understood, the native Japanese word '音楽 (おんがく)' is also frequently used to refer to music in a more general sense.

Part Of Speech

noun

Frequency

7139

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Romantic

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese adjective 'ロマンチック (romanchikku)' means 'romantic'. It is a loanword from English and is used to describe something that evokes feelings of romance, love, or idealistic beauty. This word is often used in contexts related to relationships, settings, or atmospheres that are dreamy or emotionally evocative. For example: This movie is so romantic「この映画はとてもロマンチックだ」(このえいがはとてもロマンチックだ). They had a romantic dinner「彼らはロマンチックなディナーをした」(かれらはロマンチックなディナーをした). Note that this word is typically used in a positive context and is commonly associated with Western-style romance.

Part Of Speech

adjective

Frequency

7153

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Chicken

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese noun 'チキン (ちきん)' is a loanword derived from the English word 'chicken'. It refers to the meat of a chicken or the bird itself. This term is commonly used in contexts related to food, such as in restaurants or recipes. For example: I like fried chicken「フライドチキンが好きです」(ふらいどちきんがすきです). This chicken is delicious「このチキンは美味しい」(このちきんはおいしい). Note that 'チキン' is often used in casual or modern contexts, while the native Japanese word '鶏 (にわとり)' is used for the live bird or in more traditional settings.

Part Of Speech

noun

Frequency

7171

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Panties

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese noun 'パンティー (pantii)' refers to 'panties' or women's underwear. This word is a loanword from English, adapted to Japanese pronunciation. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and is considered a neutral term. Example sentences: She bought new panties「彼女は新しいパンティーを買った」(かのじょはあたらしいパンティーをかった). These panties are comfortable「このパンティーは快適だ」(このパンティーはかいてきだ). The term is straightforward and does not carry additional nuances beyond its literal meaning.

Part Of Speech

noun

Frequency

7188

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Change

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese verbal noun 'チェンジ (chenji)' means 'change'. It is a loanword from English and is commonly used in contexts involving switching, altering, or replacing something. This word is often used in sports, technology, and everyday situations. For example: Let's change the plan「プランをチェンジしましょう」(ぷらんをちぇんじしましょう). The player was changed during the game「試合中に選手がチェンジされた」(しあいちゅうにせんしゅがちぇんじされた). It can also refer to changing clothes or shifting gears in a car. Note that 'チェンジ' is typically used in casual or modern contexts, and more formal situations might use native Japanese words like '変更 (へんこう)' instead.

Part Of Speech

verbal noun

Frequency

7211

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Punishment, Cross

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese noun 'バツ (batsu)' has two primary meanings. First, it refers to a 'cross' mark (✗), often used to indicate something incorrect or wrong, such as in tests or forms. Second, it can mean 'punishment' or 'penalty', often in a playful or light-hearted context, such as in games or social settings. Example sentences: I got a cross on my test「テストにバツがついた」(てすとにばつがついた). The punishment for losing is singing a song「負けたらバツとして歌を歌う」(まけたらばつとしてうたをうたう).

Part Of Speech

noun

Frequency

7300

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Fax

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese noun 'ファックス (fakkusu)' refers to a 'fax' or 'fax machine'. It is a loanword derived from the English word 'fax'. In Japan, fax machines are still widely used in business and administrative contexts, despite the prevalence of digital communication methods. For example: Please send the document by fax「その書類をファックスで送ってください」(そのしょるいをファックスでおくってください). I received a fax from the office「事務所からファックスが届きました」(じむしょからファックスがとどきました). The word 'ファックス' can also be used to refer to the act of sending or receiving a fax, as in 'ファックスを送る (fakkusu o okuru)' (to send a fax) or 'ファックスを受信する (fakkusu o jushin suru)' (to receive a fax).

Part Of Speech

noun

Frequency

7315

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Fruit

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese noun 'フルーツ (furuutsu)' means 'fruit'. It is a loanword derived from the English word 'fruit' and is commonly used in modern Japanese to refer to edible fruits, particularly in contexts related to food, desserts, or health. For example: I bought some fruit「フルーツを買いました」(ふるーつをかいました). This cake has a lot of fruit「このケーキにはフルーツがたくさん入っています」(このけーきにはふるーつがたくさんはいっています). The word is often used in casual or culinary contexts and is interchangeable with the native Japanese word '果物 (くだもの)', though 'フルーツ' tends to sound more modern or trendy.

Part Of Speech

noun

Frequency

7320

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Poster

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese noun 'ポスター (posutaa)' refers to a 'poster'. This word is a direct loanword from English, and it is used in the same way as in English, referring to a large printed picture or notice used for decoration or advertisement. For example: I bought a movie poster「映画のポスターを買った」(えいがのポスターをかった). The poster on the wall is very colorful「壁のポスターはとてもカラフルだ」(かべのポスターはとてもカラフルだ). It is commonly used in contexts related to advertising, events, or decorative purposes.

Part Of Speech

noun

Frequency

7336

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Misprint

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese noun 'ミスプリント (misupurinto)' refers to a 'misprint', which is an error in printed material such as books, newspapers, or documents. This term is often used in publishing, printing, and editing contexts. For example: There is a misprint in this book「この本にミスプリントがある」(このほんにミスプリントがある). Please correct the misprint「ミスプリントを修正してください」(ミスプリントをしゅうせいしてください). The word is a loanword from English, and it is commonly written in katakana to reflect its foreign origin.

Part Of Speech

noun

Frequency

7375

Composition

katakana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Recreation

Reading

Explanation

The Japanese noun 'レクリエーション (rekurieeshon)' is a loanword from English, meaning 'recreation'. It refers to activities done for enjoyment, relaxation, or leisure, often to refresh one's mind or body. This term is commonly used in contexts like school, work, or community events to describe organized activities such as games, sports, or outings. For example: The company organizes recreation activities「会社はレクリエーションを企画します」(かいしゃはレクリエーションをきかくします). Recreation is important for mental health「レクリエーションは心の健康に重要です」(レクリエーションはこころのけんこうにじゅうようです).

Part Of Speech

noun

Frequency

7418

Composition

katakana

Handwriting