Japanese VocabularyOrganized by Kanji JLPT Level

word

Meaning

Mother and child

Reading

Kanji

母Mother 子Child

Explanation

The Japanese noun '母子 (ぼし)' refers to the relationship or pair of a mother and her child. It is often used in contexts discussing family dynamics, welfare, or social services. For example: The mother and child went to the park「母子は公園に行きました」(ぼしはこうえんにいきました). The government provides support for single mothers and their children「政府は母子家庭を支援します」(せいふはぼしかていをしえんします). This term is commonly used in formal or official contexts, such as in legal documents or social welfare discussions.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

5913

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Previous year

Reading

Kanji

前Before, Front 年Year

Explanation

The Japanese noun '前年 (ぜんねん)' means 'previous year'. This term is used to refer to the year immediately before the current one, often in contexts comparing data, statistics, or events between years. For example: The sales increased compared to the previous year「前年比で売上が増加した」(ぜんねんひでうりあげがぞうかした). The company's profit was higher than the previous year「会社の利益は前年より高かった」(かいしゃのりえきはぜんねんよりたかかった). It is commonly used in formal or business settings to discuss trends or changes over time.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

5971

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Southeast

Reading

Kanji

東East 南South

Explanation

The Japanese noun '東南 (とうなん)' means 'southeast'. It is a compound word formed by combining '東 (とう)' meaning 'east' and '南 (なん)' meaning 'south'. This term is commonly used to describe a geographical direction or location. For example: the wind is coming from the southeast「風が東南から吹いている」(かぜがとうなんからふいている). The southeast region of Japan is known for its beautiful coastline「日本の東南地域は美しい海岸線で知られている」(にほんのとうなんちいきはうつくしいかいがんせんでしられている). It can also be used in compound words like '東南アジア (とうなんアジア)' meaning 'Southeast Asia'.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6040

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Next

Reading

Kanji

来Come

Explanation

The Japanese prefix '来 (らい)' means 'next' and is commonly used in time-related words to indicate the upcoming or following period. It is often attached to words like '年 (ねん)' (year), '月 (げつ)' (month), or '週 (しゅう)' (week) to denote the next year, month, or week, respectively. For example: next year「来年」(らいねん). next month「来月」(らいげつ). next week「来週」(らいしゅう). This prefix is strictly used for time-related contexts and does not apply to other meanings of '来' as a standalone kanji or verb.

Part Of Speech

prefix

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6191

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Older

Reading

Kanji

年Year 上Up

Explanation

The Japanese noun '年上 (としうえ)' refers to someone who is older in age. It is commonly used to describe a person who is older than oneself or another person. This term is often used in social contexts to show respect or acknowledge seniority. For example: She is older than me「彼女は私より年上です」(かのじょはわたしよりとしうえです). My older brother is very kind「私の年上の兄はとても優しいです」(わたしのとしうえのあにはとてもやさしいです). Note that '年上' is specifically about age and does not imply any other hierarchical relationship unless contextually specified.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6199

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Land

Reading

Kanji

国Country 土Soil

Explanation

The Japanese noun '国土 (こくど)' refers to the land or territory of a country. It is often used in contexts discussing geography, national borders, or the physical extent of a nation. For example: Japan's land is mountainous「日本の国土は山が多い」(にほんのこくどはやまがおおい). Protecting the land is important「国土を守ることは大切だ」(こくどをまもることはたいせつだ). This term is commonly used in formal or official contexts, such as government documents or news reports.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6314

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Power, Nation

Reading

Kanji

大Big 国Country

Explanation

The Japanese noun '大国 (たいこく)' refers to a 'major power' or 'great nation'. It is used to describe countries that have significant influence, power, or size on the global stage. This term often carries connotations of political, economic, or military strength. For example: China is a major power「中国は大国です」(ちゅうごくはたいこくです). The United States is a great nation「アメリカは大国です」(アメリカはたいこくです). The term can also be used in historical contexts to refer to powerful nations of the past, such as 'the great nations of ancient times'「古代の大国」(こだいのたいこく).

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6317

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Stock

Reading

Kanji

出Exit

Explanation

The Japanese noun '出し (だし)' refers to a type of soup stock commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It is typically made from ingredients like kombu (kelp), katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), niboshi (dried sardines), or shiitake mushrooms. Dashi forms the base for many Japanese dishes, such as miso soup, noodle soups, and simmered dishes. For example: I made miso soup with dashi「出しで味噌汁を作りました」(だしでみそしるをつくりました). This dashi is very flavorful「この出しはとても風味があります」(このだしはとてもふうみがあります). Dashi is essential for achieving the umami flavor characteristic of Japanese cooking.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6437

Composition

kanji-hiragana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Birth

Reading

Kanji

出Exit 生Life

Explanation

The Japanese noun '出生 (しゅっしょう)' means 'birth'. It refers to the act or fact of being born, often used in formal or official contexts such as legal documents, medical records, or historical accounts. For example: The birth rate is declining「出生率が低下している」(しゅっしょうりつがていかしている). The date of birth is required「出生日が必要です」(しゅっしょうびがひつようです). This term is more formal than the casual word '誕生 (たんじょう)', which also means 'birth' but is used in broader contexts, including metaphorical ones.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6470

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Reading

Reading

Kanji

読Read

Explanation

The Japanese noun '読み (よみ)' refers to the act or process of reading, or the way something is read. It can denote the pronunciation of a word or kanji, or the interpretation of a text. For example: the reading of this kanji is difficult「この漢字の読みは難しい」(このかんじのよみはむずかしい). I enjoy reading books「本を読むのが好きです」(ほんをよむのがすきです). The word can also be used in contexts like fortune-telling, where it refers to the interpretation of signs or omens, as in 'the reading of the cards was accurate'「カードの読みは正確だった」(カードのよみはせいかくだった).

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6534

Composition

kanji-hiragana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Foreign

Reading

Kanji

外Outside 来Come

Explanation

The Japanese noun '外来 (がいらい)' primarily means 'foreign' or 'from outside'. It is often used in contexts related to things or concepts that originate from outside Japan or a specific system. For example, it is commonly used in medical contexts to refer to 'outpatient care' or 'external patients', as in '外来患者 (がいらいかんじゃ)' (outpatient). Another example is '外来語 (がいらいご)', which refers to 'loanwords' or words borrowed from foreign languages. Example sentences: This hospital has an outpatient department「この病院には外来がある」(このびょういんにはがいらいがある). Loanwords are common in Japanese「日本語には外来語が多い」(にほんごにはがいらいごがおおい).

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6582

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Vividly

Reading

Kanji

生Life

Explanation

The Japanese adverb '生き生き (いきいき)' means 'vividly' or 'lively'. It is used to describe something that is full of life, energy, or vitality. This word often conveys a sense of freshness and dynamism. It can be used to describe people, animals, nature, or even abstract concepts like expressions or performances. For example: she spoke vividly about her trip「彼女は旅行について生き生きと話した」(かのじょはりょこうについていきいきとはなした). The flowers looked lively in the garden「庭の花が生き生きとしていた」(にわのはないきいきとしていた). Note that '生き生き' is often used with the particle 'と' to emphasize the manner of the action.

Part Of Speech

adverb

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6748

Composition

kanji-hiragana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Tablespoon

Reading

Kanji

大Big

Explanation

The Japanese noun '大さじ (おおさじ)' refers to a 'tablespoon', a unit of measurement commonly used in cooking and recipes. It is equivalent to approximately 15 milliliters. This term is often used when specifying ingredient quantities in recipes. For example: add one tablespoon of sugar「大さじ1杯の砂糖を加えてください」(おおさじいっぱいのさとうをくわえてください). Two tablespoons of soy sauce「大さじ2杯の醤油」(おおさじにはいのしょうゆ). It is important to distinguish '大さじ' from '小さじ (こさじ)', which means 'teaspoon' and is a smaller unit of measurement.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6817

Composition

kanji-hiragana

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Maid

Reading

Kanji

女Woman 中Center

Explanation

The Japanese noun '女中 (じょちゅう)' refers to a female domestic worker or maid, typically employed in households to perform cleaning, cooking, and other household tasks. Historically, this term was commonly used in Japan, but it has become somewhat outdated and may carry a slightly old-fashioned or hierarchical connotation in modern usage. For example: The maid cleaned the room「女中が部屋を掃除した」(じょちゅうがへやをそうじした). She worked as a maid in a wealthy family「彼女は裕福な家で女中として働いていた」(かのじょはゆうふくないえでじょちゅうとしてはたらいていた). In contemporary contexts, terms like '家政婦 (かせいふ)' or 'ハウスキーパー' are more commonly used to refer to domestic workers.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6990

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

word

Meaning

Guardianship

Reading

Kanji

後After, Behind 見See

Explanation

The Japanese noun '後見 (こうけん)' refers to the concept of guardianship or legal protection, often in the context of someone who is unable to manage their own affairs, such as a minor or an incapacitated adult. This term is commonly used in legal and formal settings. For example: he was appointed as a guardian「彼は後見人に任命された」(かれはこうけんにんににんめいされた). The court granted guardianship「裁判所が後見を認めた」(さいばんしょがこうけんをみとめた). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who provides guidance or support, though this usage is less common.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

7094

Composition

kanji

Handwriting