Japanese VocabularyOrganized by Kanji School Grade
Junior Highschool I Kanji
word
刺激Meaning
Stimulation
Reading
shigeki
Kanji
刺Stab 激Violent, Fierce
Explanation
The Japanese verbal noun '刺激 (しげき)' means 'stimulation'. It refers to the act of stimulating or provoking a response, whether physical, mental, or emotional. This word is often used in contexts involving excitement, provocation, or sensory input. For example: This movie provides strong stimulation「この映画は強い刺激を与える」(このえいがはつよいしげきをあたえる). Spicy food is a good stimulation for the appetite「辛い食べ物は食欲の良い刺激になる」(からいたべものはしょくよくのよいしげきになる). The word can also imply a sense of challenge or provocation, as in '彼の言葉は私に強い刺激を与えた (かれのことばはわたしにつよいしげきをあ たえた) (His words gave me strong stimulation).'
Part Of Speech
verbal noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4472
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
入り込むMeaning
Enter
Reading
hairikomu
Kanji
入Enter 込Put in, Crowded
Explanation
The Japanese verb '入り込む (はいりこむ)' means 'to enter' or 'to go into', often implying a deeper or more thorough penetration into a space or situation. It can be used to describe physically entering a place, such as a room or building, or metaphorically entering a state or condition. For example: The cat entered the box「猫が箱に入り込んだ」(ねこがはこにはいりこんだ). He got deeply involved in the project「彼はそのプロジェクトに入り込んだ」(かれはそのプロジェクトにはいりこんだ). This verb often carries a nuance of entering something that is not easily accessible or requires effort to enter.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4474
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
驚かすMeaning
Surprise
Reading
odorokasu
Kanji
驚Surprise, Surprised
Explanation
The Japanese verb '驚かす (おどろかす)' means 'to surprise' or 'to astonish'. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. This verb is used when someone causes another person to feel surprised or shocked, often intentionally. For example: He surprised his friend with a gift「彼は友達をプレゼントで驚かした」(かれはともだちをぷれぜんとでおどろかした). The loud noise surprised everyone「大きな音がみんなを驚かした」(おおきなおとがみんなをおどろかした). The verb can also imply a sense of startling someone, as in: She startled me by suddenly appearing「彼女が突然 現れて私を驚かした」(かのじょがとつぜんあらわれてわたしをおどろかした). Note that the verb '驚く (おどろく)' is the intransitive form, meaning 'to be surprised'.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4481
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
駆るMeaning
Drive
Reading
karu
Kanji
駆Spur on, Gallop
Explanation
The Japanese verb '駆る (かる)' primarily means 'to drive' or 'to compel'. It is often used to describe the act of driving animals, such as horses or cattle, or metaphorically to describe being driven by emotions or circumstances. For example: He drove the horses across the field「彼は馬を野原に駆った」(かれはうまをのはらにかった). Fear drove her to act quickly「恐怖が彼女を素早く行動させた」(きょうふがかのじをすばやくこうどうさせた). This verb can also imply urgency or being propelled by an external force, making it versatile in both literal and figurative contexts.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4485
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
一致Meaning
Match
Reading
itchi
Kanji
一One 致Doth, Do humbly
Explanation
The Japanese verbal noun '一致 (いっち)' means 'match' or 'agreement'. It refers to a state where two or more things are in harmony, correspond, or are in alignment with each other. This word is often used in contexts where there is a need to express that opinions, data, or conditions are in agreement. For example: The data matches「データが一致する」(データがいっちする). Our opinions agree「私たちの意見は一致している」(わたしたちのいけんはいっちしている). It can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as when describing a match in characteristics or features.
Part Of Speech
verbal noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4487
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
継ぐMeaning
Continue, Inherit
Reading
tsugu
Kanji
継Succeed, Inherit
Explanation
The Japanese verb '継ぐ (つぐ)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to inherit,' which refers to receiving something, such as a title, property, or tradition, from a predecessor. For example: he inherited the family business「彼は家業を継いだ」(かれはかぎょうをついだ). The second meaning is 'to continue,' which refers to carrying on or resuming an activity or process. For example: she continued the story「彼女は話を継いだ」(かのじょははなしをついだ). This verb is often used in contexts involving succession, tradition, or the continuation of tasks or narratives.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4492
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
狭まるMeaning
Narrow
Reading
sebamaru
Kanji
狭Narrow
Explanation
The Japanese verb '狭まる (せばまる)' means 'to narrow' or 'to become narrow'. It describes the process of something becoming physically or metaphorically narrower. This verb is often used to describe spaces, gaps, or even abstract concepts like differences or options. For example: the gap between the two teams narrowed「二つのチームの差が狭まった」(ふたつのチームのさがせばまった). The road narrows ahead「この先、道が狭まります」(このさき、みちがせばまります). It is important to note that '狭まる' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object and focuses on the subject undergoing the change.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4494
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
狭めるMeaning
Narrow
Reading
sebameru
Kanji
狭Narrow
Explanation
The Japanese verb '狭める (せばめる)' means 'to narrow' or 'to make something narrower'. It is used to describe the action of reducing the width, scope, or extent of something. This verb can be applied to physical spaces, such as narrowing a road, or abstract concepts, such as narrowing down options. For example: He narrowed the gap between the two cars「彼は車の間の距離を狭めた」(かれはくるまのあいだのきょりをせばめた). We need to narrow down the list of candidates「候補者のリストを狭める必要がある」(こうほしゃのリストをせばめるひつようがある). The verb is often used in contexts where precision or focus is required.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4495
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
煙突Meaning
Chimney
Reading
entotsu
Kanji
煙Smoke 突Stab, Dash
Explanation
The Japanese noun '煙突 (えんとつ)' refers to a 'chimney', which is a vertical structure that provides ventilation for smoke or gases from a fireplace, furnace, or stove. It is commonly used in the context of buildings, factories, or ships. For example: The smoke is coming out of the chimney「煙突から煙が出ている」(えんとつからけむりがでている). The factory has a tall chimney「その工場には高い煙突がある」(そのこうじょうにはたかいえんとつがある). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something resembling a chimney in shape or function.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
7Frequency
4516
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
騒ぐMeaning
Make noise, Cause a fuss
Reading
sawagu
Kanji
騒Clamor, Boisterous
Explanation
The Japanese verb '