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JLPT N3 Vocabulary
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N3
ずるい
ずるい
A state of using an unfair method to benefit only oneself. Example: 「ずるい方法」 (an unfair method). Written with the kanji 「狡い」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N3
鋭い
するどい
sharp. Having a fine, pointed edge that cuts well. Example: 「鋭い刃物」 (a sharp blade). Also used to mean having excellent mental or sensory ability, as in 「鋭い指摘」 (a sharp/incisive observation). The antonym is 「鈍い」 (dull).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
背
せ
The height of the body. Also, the back side of the body. Example: 「背が高い」 (tall).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
性格
せいかく
personality. Characteristics shown in how a person feels and acts. Example: 「明るい性格」 (a cheerful personality). Note the distinction from the homophone 「正確」 (accurate).
AI-generated translation
N3
正確
せいかく
accurate. Being correct with no mistakes. Example: 「正確な情報」 (accurate information). Note the distinction from the homophone 「性格」 (personality).
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N3
世紀
せいき
century. A way of counting eras in units of 100 years. Example: 「21世紀」 (the 21st century).
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N3
税金
ぜいきん
tax. Money paid to the state or a municipality. Example: 「税金を払う」 (to pay taxes).
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N3
制限
せいげん
limit. To set a fixed range or amount as a boundary that should not be exceeded. Example: 「速度制限」 (speed limit), 「制限時間」 (time limit).
AI-generated translation
N3
成功
せいこう
success. For something to go well as intended. Example: 「実験に成功する」 (to succeed in an experiment). The antonym is 「失敗」 (failure).
AI-generated translation
N3
性質
せいしつ
A characteristic inherently possessed by a person or thing. For people, it is close to 「性格」 (personality), but 「性質」 can also be used for objects, as in 「水に溶けやすい性質」 (a property of dissolving easily in water).
AI-generated translation
N3
成人
せいじん
adult. To become an adult. Also, a person who has become an adult. In Japan, one becomes an adult from age 18.
AI-generated translation
N3
成績
せいせき
The result of study, work, a match, etc. Example: 「成績が上がる」 (grades/results improve).
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N3
成長
せいちょう
growth. For a person or living thing to grow and become bigger. Example: 「子どもの成長」 (a child's growth). Also used to mean an economy or company growing larger, as in 「経済成長」 (economic growth).
AI-generated translation
N3
青年
せいねん
A young person around 20 years old. Especially often used for males. Example: 「青年時代」 (one's youth).
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N3
政府
せいふ
government. The organization that carries out the politics of a country. Example: 「日本政府」 (the Japanese government).
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N3
制服
せいふく
uniform. Clothing that is decided to be worn at a school, company, etc.
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N3
生物
せいぶつ
Living things overall, including animals and plants. When read 「なまもの」, it means food that has not been cooked.
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N3
性別
せいべつ
gender. The distinction between male and female. Example: 「性別を問わない」 (regardless of gender).
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N2, N3
生命
せいめい
Life. Often used in written language or set expressions such as 「生命保険」 (life insurance); in spoken language, 「命」 is normal.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
整理
せいり
To neatly tidy up things that are scattered around. Example: 「机の上を整理する」 (to tidy up a desk). Also used to mean organizing thoughts or information in an understandable way, as in 「問題点を整理する」 (to organize the problem points).
AI-generated translation
N3
背負う
せおう
The act of carrying something on one's back. The act of taking on responsibility, burden, or fate. Used in forms like 「荷物を背負う」「責任を背負う」, in both physical and metaphorical senses.
AI-generated translation
N3
せき
せき
To forcefully expel breath from the throat. Example: 「せきが出る」 (to cough). Written with the kanji 「咳」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N3
責任
せきにん
responsibility. A duty one has taken on and must carry through. Example: 「責任がある」 (to bear responsibility). Also used to mean accepting the consequences of a failure, as in 「責任を取る」 (to take responsibility).
AI-generated translation
N3
石油
せきゆ
petroleum. Oil extracted from underground. It becomes a raw material for fuel and plastics.
AI-generated translation
N3
積極的
せっきょくてき
A state of doing things on one's own initiative. Example: 「積極的に発言する」 (to speak up proactively). The antonym is 「消極的」 (passive).
AI-generated translation
N3
絶対
ぜったい
absolutely. No matter what, without fail. Example: 「絶対に行く」 (I will definitely go). When used with a negative form, it means "never," as in 「絶対にしない」 (I will never do it).
AI-generated translation
N3
節約
せつやく
To reduce waste and use money or things carefully. Example: 「電気代を節約する」 (to save on electricity bills). The paired expression is 「むだづかい」 (wasteful spending).
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N3
全員
ぜんいん
everyone. All the people present at that place or gathering. Example: 「全員が賛成した」 (everyone agreed).
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N3
選挙
せんきょ
election. To choose a representative by voting. Example: 「選挙に行く」 (to go vote in an election).
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N3
洗剤
せんざい
detergent. A chemical used for washing laundry or dishes to remove dirt.
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N3
選手
せんしゅ
A person chosen to compete in a competition. Often broadly used to refer to someone who plays sports in general. Example: 「野球選手」 (a baseball player).
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N3
全身
ぜんしん
The whole body. Example: 「全身がぬれる」 (to get soaked all over). Note the distinction from the homophone 「前進」 (moving forward).
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N3
先祖
せんぞ
ancestor. People from generations before oneself in a family line. Example: 「先祖の墓」 (an ancestor's grave). The antonym is 「子孫」 (descendants).
AI-generated translation
N3
選択
せんたく
choice. To choose among several options. Example: 「選択肢」 (a choice/option). Note the distinction from the homophone 「洗濯」 (doing laundry).
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N3
宣伝
せんでん
To let many people know about a product or idea, spreading it widely. Example: 「新商品を宣伝する」 (to advertise a new product).
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N3
象
ぞう
elephant. The largest land animal, with a long trunk and large ears.
AI-generated translation
N3
騒音
そうおん
noise. Sound that feels bothersome. Used for sounds that disturb daily life, such as construction or traffic noise.
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N3
増加
ぞうか
increase. For a number or amount to grow. Example: 「人口の増加」 (population increase). The antonym is 「減少」 (decrease).
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N3
想像
そうぞう
imagination. To picture in one's mind something not actually seen. Example: 「想像がつく」 (able to imagine). Note the distinction from the homophone 「創造」 (to create something new).
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N3
早退
そうたい
To leave school or work earlier than the scheduled time. Example: 「体調が悪くて早退する」 (to leave early due to feeling unwell).
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N3
速度
そくど
speed. The speed at which one moves. Example: 「速度を上げる」 (to increase speed).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
底
そこ
bottom. The lowest part of a container, the sea, or a river. Example: 「くつの底」 (the sole of a shoe). Also used to mean the deepest part, as in 「心の底」 (the depths of one's heart).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
そちら
そちら
There (polite). A polite way of saying 「そこ」. It points to the side where the listener is.
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N2, N3
そっくり
そっくり
A state of being very similar. Example: 「父親にそっくりだ」 (to look just like one's father). Also used to mean entirely, with nothing left out, as in 「そっくりそのまま」 (exactly as is, in its entirety).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
そっと
そっと
A manner of doing something quietly and gently, without making a sound. Example: 「そっとドアを閉める」 (to close a door quietly). There is also the expression 「そっとしておく」 (to leave someone/something alone).
AI-generated translation
N3
その後
そのご
Meaning "after that" or "from then on." Used in forms like 「その後の状況」「その後、連絡がない」 in contexts referring to the period following a certain point in time.
AI-generated translation
N3
それぞれ
それぞれ
each. Each and every one, one by one. Example: 「人それぞれ考えが違う」 (each person thinks differently).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
そろう
そろう
For two or more things to become the same state. Example: 「サイズがそろう」 (sizes match). Also used to mean all the necessary things or people gathering, as in 「メンバーがそろう」 (all members are present). Written with the kanji 「揃う」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana. A person making things the same is 「そろえる」, while the things themselves becoming the same is 「そろう」; they are used as in 「くつをそろえる」 versus 「くつがそろう」.
AI-generated translation
N3
そろえる
そろえる
To make two or more things into the same state. Example: 「くつをそろえる」 (to line up shoes neatly). Also used to mean gathering all the necessary things, as in 「道具をそろえる」 (to gather all the tools). Written with the kanji 「揃える」. A person making things the same is 「そろえる」, while the things themselves becoming the same is 「そろう」; they are used as in 「くつをそろえる」 versus 「くつがそろう」.
AI-generated translation
N3
損
そん
loss. To lose money or profit. To not benefit. Example: 「損をする」 (to suffer a loss). The antonym is 「得」 (gain).
AI-generated translation
Vocabulary data on this site is based on the JMdict/EDICT project (© Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group, CC BY-SA 4.0). JLPT level classification is our own assessment using AI (Claude) and is not an official JLPT standard.