Japanese VocabularyOrganized by Kanji School Grade
Junior Highschool I Kanji
word
多忙Meaning
Busy
Reading
tabou
Kanji
多Many 忙Busy
Explanation
The Japanese adjectival noun '多忙 (たぼう)' means 'busy'. It is used to describe a state of being very occupied or having a lot of tasks to do. This term is often used in formal or written contexts to convey a high level of busyness. For example: He is busy with work「彼は仕事で多忙だ」(かれはしごとでたぼうだ). Due to the busy schedule, I couldn't attend the meeting「多忙なスケジュールのため、会議に出席できなかった」(たぼうなスケジュールのため、かいぎにしゅっせきできなかった). Note that '多忙' is more formal than the more commonly used '忙しい (いそがしい)', which also means 'busy' but is used in everyday conversation.
Part Of Speech
adjectival noun
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6310
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
儀礼Meaning
Etiquette
Reading
girei
Kanji
儀Ceremony 礼Bow, Salute
Explanation
The Japanese noun '儀礼 (ぎれい)' refers to formal etiquette, ceremonies, or rituals. It is often used in contexts involving traditional or formal practices, such as social customs, religious ceremonies, or diplomatic protocols. For example: The wedding ceremony followed strict etiquette「結婚式は厳格な儀礼に従った」(けっこんしきはげんかくなぎれいにしたがった). Diplomatic etiquette is important in international relations「外交儀礼は国際関係で重要だ」(がいこうぎれいはこくさいかんけいでじゅうようだ). The word emphasizes the structured and formal nature of the actions or behaviors it describes.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6313
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
寝室Meaning
Bedroom
Reading
shinshitsu
Kanji
寝Lie down, Go to sleep 室Room
Explanation
The Japanese noun '寝室 (しんしつ)' refers to a 'bedroom', which is a room specifically used for sleeping. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to the private space in a house or apartment where one sleeps. For example: My bedroom is on the second floor「私の寝室は二階にあります」(わたしのしんしつはにかいにあります). The bedroom is quiet「寝室は静かです」(しんしつはしずかです). The word '寝室' is often used in formal or descriptive contexts, and it emphasizes the function of the room as a sleeping area.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6316
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
攻めるMeaning
Attack
Reading
semeru
Kanji
攻Attack, Aggression
Explanation
The Japanese verb '攻める (せめる)' means 'to attack'. This verb is used to describe the act of initiating an aggressive action against someone or something, often in the context of battle, sports, or competition. It can also be used metaphorically to describe taking an assertive approach in non-physical contexts. For example: the soldiers attacked the castle「兵士たちは城を攻めた」(へいしたちはしろをせめた). The team attacked the opponent's weak point「チームは相手の弱点を攻めた」(チームはあいてのじゃくてんをせめた). In some contexts, it can also imply a strategic or calculated approach to overcoming an obstacle or challenge.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6321
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
霧Meaning
Fog
Reading
kiri
Kanji
霧Mist, Fog
Explanation
The Japanese noun '霧 (きり)' means 'fog'. It refers to a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface, which obscures visibility. This word is commonly used in weather-related contexts or to describe atmospheric conditions. For example: The fog is thick today「今日は霧が濃い」(きょうはきりがこい). I couldn't see the road because of the fog「霧で道が見えなかった」(きりでみちがみえなかった). In literature, '霧' can also be used metaphorically to describe confusion or uncertainty, such as '心の霧 (こころのきり)' meaning 'mental fog' or 'confusion in one's mind'.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6330
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
兼Meaning
Concurrently
Reading
ken
Kanji
兼Combine, Concurrently
Explanation
The Japanese noun '兼 (けん)' refers to something being done concurrently or holding multiple roles or functions simultaneously. It is often used in compound words or phrases to indicate dual purposes or overlapping responsibilities. For example: He is a teacher and a writer concurrently「彼は教師兼作家です」(かれはきょうしけんさっかです). This room serves as a living room and dining room concurrently「この部屋は居間兼食堂です」(このへやはいまけんしょくどうです). The word emphasizes the combination of roles or functions in a single entity.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6331
Composition
kanji
Handwriting
word
見逃すMeaning
Miss, Overlook
Reading
minogasu
Kanji
見See 逃Escape
Explanation
The Japanese verb '見逃す (みのがす)' can mean either 'to miss' or 'to overlook' depending on the context. When used to mean 'to miss', it refers to failing to see or notice something, often due to inattention or bad timing. For example: I missed the train「電車を見逃した」(でんしゃをみのがした). When used to mean 'to overlook', it refers to deliberately or accidentally ignoring or failing to take action on something. For example: The teacher overlooked the student's mistake「先生は生徒のミスを見逃した」(せんせいはせいとのミスをみのがした). This verb is often used in situations where something important or noteworthy is not properly noticed or addressed.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6338
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
受け継ぐMeaning
Inherit
Reading
uketsugu
Kanji
受Accept 継Succeed, Inherit
Explanation
The Japanese verb '受け継ぐ (うけつぐ)' means 'to inherit'. This verb is used when someone receives or takes over something from a predecessor, such as traditions, responsibilities, or property. It implies a continuation of something from one generation or person to another. For example: He inherited his father's business「彼は父の事業を受け継いだ」(かれはちちのじぎょうをうけついだ). We must inherit the traditions of our ancestors「私たちは先祖の伝統を受け継がなければならない」(わたしたちはせんぞのでんとうをうけつがなければならない). The verb can also be used in a broader sense to describe taking over roles or duties.
Part Of Speech
verb
Kanji JLPT
N1Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6354
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting
word
頼りMeaning
Reliance
Reading
tayori
Kanji
頼Ask, Trust
Explanation
The Japanese noun '頼り (たより)' means 'reliance' or 'dependence'. It refers to the act of relying on someone or something for support, help, or guidance. This word is often used in contexts where trust or dependence is implied, such as in relationships or when seeking assistance. For example: I have no one to rely on「頼りにする人がいない」(たよりにするひとがいない). He is my only reliance「彼が私の唯一の頼りだ」(かれがわたしのゆいいつのたよりだ). The word can also be used to describe something that serves as a source of support or information, such as a guide or reference.
Part Of Speech
noun
Kanji JLPT
N3Kanji Grade
7Frequency
6366
Composition
kanji-hiragana
Handwriting