Japanese VocabularyOrganized by Frequency of Use
Frequency Group 70
word
ビーチMeaning
Beach
Reading
Explanation
The Japanese noun 'ビーチ (biichi)' means 'beach'. This word is a loanword from English and is commonly used to refer to sandy or pebbly shores by the sea or ocean. It is often associated with leisure activities such as swimming, sunbathing, or beach sports. For example: Let's go to the beach「ビーチに行こう」(ビーチにいこう). The beach is beautiful today「今日のビーチはきれいだ」(きょうのビーチはきれいだ). Note that while 'ビーチ' is widely understood, the native Japanese word '砂浜 (すなはま, sunahama)' can also be used to refer to a beach, though it specifically emphasizes the sandy aspect.
Part Of Speech
noun
Frequency
6901
Composition
katakana
Handwriting
word
討論Meaning
Debate
Reading
touron
Kanji
討Chastise 論Theory, Argument
Explanation
The Japanese verbal noun '討論 (とうろん)' means 'debate'. It refers to a formal discussion or argument on a particular topic, often involving opposing viewpoints. This term is commonly used in academic, political, or professional settings where structured and reasoned arguments are exchanged. For example: We had a lively debate about the issue「その問題について活発な討論をした」(そのもんだいについてかっぱつなとうろんをした). The debate lasted for hours「討論は何時間も続いた」(とうろんはなんじかんもつづいた). It is important to note that '討論' implies a more formal and structured exchange of ideas compared to casual discussions.
Part Of Speech
verbal noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
6Frequency
6902
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
安保Meaning
Security
Reading
anpo
Kanji
安Cheap, Relax 保Preserve
Explanation
The Japanese noun '安保 (あんぽ)' is an abbreviation of '安全保障 (あんぜんほしょう)', which means 'security' or 'safety'. It is commonly used in contexts related to national security, international relations, or defense policies. For example: The government is discussing security issues「政府は安保問題を話し合っている」(せいふはあんぽもんだいをはなしあっている). The treaty focuses on regional security「その条約は地域の安保に焦点を当てている」(そのじょうやくはちいきのあんぽにしょうてんをあてている). This term is often used in formal or political discussions.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
5Frequency
6903
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
一段Meaning
Step, Level
Reading
ichidan
Kanji
一One 段Step, Stairs
Explanation
The Japanese noun '一段 (いちだん)' can mean 'step' or 'level'. When referring to 'step', it often describes a physical step or stage in a process. For example: climb one step「一段登る」(いちだんのぼる). When referring to 'level', it can indicate a degree or rank, such as in skill or quality. For example: reach a higher level「一段高いレベルに達する」(いちだんたかいレベルにたっする). The word is versatile and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
6Frequency
6904
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
紀元Meaning
Era
Reading
kigen
Kanji
紀Chronicle, Era 元Origin
Explanation
The Japanese noun '紀元 (きげん)' refers to an 'era' or 'epoch', particularly in the context of marking the beginning of a historical period or calendar system. It is often used in historical or academic contexts to denote significant starting points in time. For example: The Gregorian calendar starts from the year 1 AD「グレゴリオ暦は紀元1年から始まる」(グレゴリオれきはきげん1ねんからはじまる). The Meiji era marked a new epoch in Japanese history「明治時代は日本の歴史における新しい紀元を画した」(めいじじだいはにほんのれきしにおけるあたらしいきげんをかくした). Note that '紀元' can also be used metaphorically to describe the beginning of a significant event or movement.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
4Frequency
6905
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
宮廷Meaning
Court
Reading
kyuutei
Kanji
宮Palace 廷Court
Explanation
The Japanese noun '宮廷 (きゅうてい)' refers to the 'court' in the sense of a royal or imperial court. It is used to describe the place where a monarch or emperor resides and conducts official business, as well as the people and activities associated with it. This term is often used in historical or formal contexts. For example: The emperor held a grand ceremony at the court「天皇は宮廷で盛大な儀式を行った」(てんのうはきゅうていでせいだいなぎしきをおこなった). The court was filled with nobles and dignitaries「宮廷には貴族や高官が集まっていた」(きゅうて いにはきぞくやこうかんがあつまっていた).
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
9Frequency
6906
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
抵当Meaning
Mortgage
Reading
teitou
Kanji
抵Resist, Match 当Hit, Appropriate
Explanation
The Japanese noun '抵当 (ていとう)' refers to a 'mortgage' or 'collateral'. It is used in financial and legal contexts to describe property or assets pledged as security for a loan. If the borrower fails to repay the loan, the lender can take possession of the collateral. For example: The house is used as collateral for the loan「その家はローンに抵当に入れられている」(そのいえはローンにていとうにいれられている). He lost his property because he couldn't repay the mortgage「彼は抵当の返済ができずに財産を失った」(かれはていとうのへんさいができずにざいさんをうしなった). This term is commonly used in banking and real estate discussions.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6907
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
手首Meaning
Wrist
Reading
tekubi
Kanji
手Hand 首Neck
Explanation
The Japanese noun '手首 (てくび)' refers to the 'wrist', the joint connecting the hand to the forearm. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and medical contexts. For example: My wrist hurts「手首が痛い」(てくびがいたい). She wore a bracelet on her wrist「彼女は手首にブレスレットをしていた」(かのじょはてくびにぶれすれっとをしていた). The word is straightforward and does not carry additional meanings or nuances beyond its literal definition.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
2Frequency
6908
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
熱帯Meaning
Tropics
Reading
nettai
Kanji
熱Heat, Temperature 帯Belt, Wear
Explanation
The Japanese noun '熱帯 (ねったい)' refers to the 'tropics', the region of the Earth surrounding the equator. This term is often used in geographical or climatic contexts to describe areas characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity. For example: The Amazon is in the tropics「アマゾンは熱帯にある」(アマゾンはねったいにある). Tropical fruits are delicious「熱帯の果物は美味しい」(ねったいのくだものはおいしい). The word can also be used in compound terms like '熱帯雨林 (ねったいうりん)' (tropical rainforest).
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N2Kanji Grade
4Frequency
6909
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
法廷Meaning
Courtroom
Reading
houtei
Kanji
法Law, Method 廷Court
Explanation
The Japanese noun '法廷 (ほうてい)' refers to a 'courtroom', the physical space where legal trials and hearings take place. It is a formal term used in legal contexts to describe the setting where judges, lawyers, defendants, and plaintiffs gather for judicial proceedings. For example: The trial was held in the courtroom「裁判は法廷で行われた」(さいばんはほうていでおこなわれた). The lawyer entered the courtroom「弁護士が法廷に入った」(べんごしがほうていにはいった). This word is specific to legal environments and is not used in casual conversation.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
9Frequency
6910
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
割れるMeaning
Break
Reading
wareru
Kanji
割Divide, Split
Explanation
The Japanese verb '割れる (われる)' means 'to break' or 'to split'. It is often used to describe something breaking into pieces, such as glass or a relationship. This verb can also imply a division or separation, either physically or metaphorically. For example: The glass broke「ガラスが割れた」(ガラスがわれた). Their relationship broke apart「彼らの関係が割れた」(かれらのかんけいがわれた). Note that '割れる' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. The transitive counterpart is '割る (わる)', which means 'to break something'.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
6Frequency
6911
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
付録Meaning
Supplement, Appendix
Reading
furoku
Kanji
付Attach 録Record
Explanation
The Japanese noun '付録 (ふろく)' refers to an appendix or supplement, typically additional material added to a book, magazine, or other publication. It is often used to provide extra information, such as charts, maps, or bonus content. For example: The magazine includes a supplement「雑誌に付録がついている」(ざっしにふろくがついている). The book has an appendix with detailed data「その本には詳細なデータの付録がある」(そのほんにはしょうさいなデータのふろくがある). Note that '付録' can also refer to bonus items included with products, such as toys or accessories.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N2Kanji Grade
4Frequency
6912
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
付け足すMeaning
Add
Reading
tsuketasu
Kanji
付Attach 足Foot, Sufficient
Explanation
The Japanese verb '付け足す (つけたす)' means 'to add' or 'to append'. It is used when something is added to an existing thing, often to supplement or complete it. This verb implies that the addition is not the main part but rather an extra or supplementary part. For example: I added a few lines to the report「レポートに数行付け足した」(レポートにすうぎょうつけたした). She added some notes to the document「彼女はその書類にメモを付け足した」(かのじょはそのしょるいにメモをつけたした). The verb can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as adding details or information to a story or explanation.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
4Frequency
6913
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting