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JLPT N3 Vocabulary
951words ・ 0Learned
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N3
腰
こし
waist. The bendable part of the body below the back. Example: 「腰が痛い」 (one's lower back hurts). There are also the expressions 「腰が低い」 (having a humble/polite manner) and 「腰を下ろす」 (to sit down).
AI-generated translation
N3
個人
こじん
individual. Each single person, as opposed to a group. Example: 「個人の意見」 (an individual's opinion), 「個人的な問題」 (a personal matter), 「個人情報」 (personal information).
AI-generated translation
N3
越す
こす
To pass a place or time and go to the other side. Example: 「年を越す」 (to see out the year/into the new year), 「冬を越す」 (to get through the winter), 「引っ越す」 (to move house). In the form 「お越しください」, it also serves as an honorific way of saying 「来る」 (to come).
AI-generated translation
N3
国家
こっか
nation. A country. A unified entity that has territory, people, and a government. Example: 「国家試験」 (a national examination). More formal than 「国」, used when discussing politics and law.
AI-generated translation
N3
国会
こっかい
The most important assembly, which decides a nation's laws and budget. Example: 「国会議員」 (a member of parliament), 「国会で審議する」 (to deliberate in the National Diet).
AI-generated translation
N3
固定
こてい
To firmly fix something in one place or state so it does not move. Example: 「固定給」 (a fixed salary).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
事
こと
A word referring to a matter, or the content of a talk. Example: 「話す事」 (something to talk about), 「大事な事」 (an important matter). Very often written in hiragana as 「こと」.
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
子供
こども
child. A young person. The opposite of an adult. Also used to mean one's own son or daughter. Often written as 「子ども」.
AI-generated translation
N3
好む
このむ
To like something and choose it oneself. A slightly more formal way of saying 「好き」 (to like).
AI-generated translation
N3
こぼす
こぼす
It refers to inadvertently letting liquid or powder out. It also means to let out one's dissatisfaction or complaints. Used in expressions like 「水をこぼす」 or 「愚痴をこぼす」, it expresses the act of unintentionally letting something out.
AI-generated translation
N3
ごまかす
ごまかす
It refers to concealing by means of lies or makeshift measures, hiding the truth. Used in expressions like 「年齢をごまかす」 or 「答えをごまかす」, it is a verb that critically expresses the act of deceiving others.
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
困る
こまる
To not know what to do because of something unpleasant or difficult. Example: 「お金がなくて困る」 (troubled by not having money).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
さあ
さあ
A word said when starting something, or when inviting someone. Example: 「さあ、行きましょう」 (well, let's go).
AI-generated translation
N3
栽培
さいばい
To plant and grow plants. Used for growing crops or plants by human hand, as in 「野菜を栽培する」 (to grow vegetables), 「促成栽培」 (forced/accelerated cultivation).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
境
さかい
border. The dividing line between one thing and another, or one place and another. Example: 「県の境」 (a prefectural border), 「生死の境」 (the boundary between life and death). There is also the expression 「これを境に」 (taking this event as a turning point).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
先
さき
Ahead of oneself; earlier in time. Example: 「この先」 (from here on), 「先に行く」 (to go ahead).
AI-generated translation
N3
叫ぶ
さけぶ
To make a loud sound with one's voice. Also used to mean strongly asserting something, as in 「自由を叫ぶ」 (to call for freedom).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
支える
ささえる
support. To hold something so it does not fall over or drop. Example: 「柱が屋根を支える」 (a pillar supports the roof). Also used to mean helping something function, as in 「家族を支える」 (to support one's family), 「生活を支える」 (to support a livelihood).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
差す
さす
To open and hold up an umbrella. Example: 「傘を差す」 (to hold up an umbrella).
AI-generated translation
N3
指す
さす
To point to a direction or object with a finger, etc. Example: 「地図を指す」 (to point at a map), 「時計の針が3時を指す」 (the clock's hands point to 3 o'clock). The homophone 「刺す」 means to pierce something with a sharp point, and 「差す」 is used as in 「傘を差す」 (to hold up an umbrella), 「日が差す」 (sunlight shines in); all are written differently.
AI-generated translation
N3
刺す
さす
To pierce something with a sharp point. Example: 「針を刺す」 (to prick with a needle), 「蚊に刺される」 (to be bitten by a mosquito). The homophone 「指す」 means to indicate a direction, and 「差す」 is used as in 「傘を差す」 (to hold up an umbrella); all are written differently.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
誘う
さそう
invite. To ask someone to do something together. Example: 「食事に誘う」 (to invite someone to a meal), 「映画に誘う」 (to invite someone to a movie). Also used to mean bringing about a certain state, as in 「眠りを誘う」 (to induce sleep), 「涙を誘う」 (to bring tears).
AI-generated translation
N3
札
さつ
bill. Paper money. Example: 「千円札」 (a 1,000 yen bill), 「お札」 (a bill/banknote). When read 「ふだ」, it means a small paper or wooden tag with a name or price written on it.
AI-generated translation
N3
雑貨
ざっか
Various small items and daily necessities other than food, used in everyday life. Includes stationery, kitchen items, and interior accessories. Used in forms like 「雑貨店」「雑貨コーナー」.
AI-generated translation
N3
作家
さっか
writer. A person whose job is writing works such as novels. Example: 「人気作家」 (a popular writer), 「推理作家」 (a mystery writer).
AI-generated translation
N3
作曲
さっきょく
composition. To create a piece of music. Example: 「作曲家」 (a composer), 「歌を作曲する」 (to compose a song). Writing lyrics is called 「作詞」.
AI-generated translation
N3
砂漠
さばく
desert. Land where rain almost never falls, covered in sand or rock. Example: 「サハラ砂漠」 (the Sahara Desert), 「砂漠化」 (desertification).
AI-generated translation
N3
錆びる
さびる
rust. For metal to come into contact with air or water and have its surface turn reddish-brown. Example: 「くぎが錆びる」 (a nail rusts), 「錆びた自転車」 (a rusty bicycle).
AI-generated translation
N3
座布団
ざぶとん
floor cushion. A cushion laid down for sitting on tatami or a floor. Example: 「座布団をすすめる」 (to offer someone a floor cushion).
AI-generated translation
N3
差別
さべつ
discrimination. To treat certain people unfairly without a valid reason. Example: 「差別をなくす」 (to eliminate discrimination), 「人種差別」 (racial discrimination). The similar word 「区別」 refers to the act of distinguishing things by their differences itself, and does not carry a negative meaning.
AI-generated translation
N3
様々
さまざま
various. A state of many different kinds, each different from the other. Example: 「様々な意見」 (various opinions), 「様々な国の人」 (people from various countries). More formal than 「色々」.
AI-generated translation
N3
覚める
さめる
wake up. For sleep to end and consciousness to become clear. Example: 「目が覚める」 (to wake up), 「夢から覚める」 (to wake from a dream). The homophone 「冷める」 refers to the temperature of something hot going down (e.g. 「スープが冷める」, soup cools down), and is written differently.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
左右
さゆう
left and right. Left and right. Example: 「左右を確認する」 (to check left and right). Also used to mean having a major influence on something, as in 「結果を左右する」 (to have a decisive effect on the result).
AI-generated translation
N3
更に
さらに
furthermore. On top of that, even more. It expresses that a degree becomes greater than it is now. 「更に努力する」「値段が更に上がる」. It is also used when adding another matter to what was said before. 「駅から近い。更に、周りに店も多い」「更に詳しく言うと」 is a way of adding further to a story or an explanation. Often written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N3
去る
さる
leave. To go away from a place. Example: 「故郷を去る」 (to leave one's hometown), 「会社を去る」 (to leave a company). Also used to refer to a past date, as in 「去る10日」 (the 10th of last month). The antonym is 「来る」 (to come).
AI-generated translation
N3
騒がしい
さわがしい
noisy. A state in which voices or sounds are loud and disruptive. Example: 「教室が騒がしい」 (the classroom is noisy). Also used to mean an unsettled state of affairs, as in 「世の中が騒がしい」 (society is in turmoil).
AI-generated translation
N3
騒ぎ
さわぎ
commotion. A noisy, unsettled state caused by loud voices or movement. Example: 「騒ぎを起こす」 (to cause an uproar), 「大騒ぎ」 (a big commotion). There is also the expression 「それどころの騒ぎではない」 (this is no time for such trivial matters).
AI-generated translation
N3
参加
さんか
participation. To join a group or activity as a member. Example: 「大会に参加する」 (to participate in a tournament), 「参加者」 (a participant).
AI-generated translation
N3
参考
さんこう
reference. To use another opinion or material as a help when thinking about something. Example: 「参考にする」 (to use as a reference), 「参考書」 (a reference book).
AI-generated translation
N3
賛成
さんせい
agreement. To recognize someone's opinion as good and agree with it. Example: 「提案に賛成する」 (to agree to a proposal), 「賛成多数」 (a majority in favor). The antonym is 「反対」 (opposition).
AI-generated translation
N3
酸素
さんそ
oxygen. A gas contained in the air, used by living things for breathing. Example: 「酸素が足りない」 (there isn't enough oxygen), 「酸素マスク」 (an oxygen mask).
AI-generated translation
N3
幸せ
しあわせ
A feeling of being fulfilled at heart and happy. Example: 「幸せな毎日」 (happy everyday life), 「幸せになる」 (to become happy). The antonym is 「不幸」 (unhappiness).
AI-generated translation
N3
寺院
じいん
temple. A temple. A more formal way of saying 「寺」, used in written language and news.
AI-generated translation
N3
資格
しかく
qualification. A condition or license needed to do something. 「受験資格」「資格を取る」. It is also used to mean the right to do so, or a position that befits it. As in 「約束を守らない人に文句を言う資格はない」「代表としての資格がある」, it refers not to something tangible like a license but to the rightness of one's position.
AI-generated translation
N3
四角
しかく
square. A shape with four corners. Example: 「四角い箱」 (a square/rectangular box). 「真四角」 specifically means a perfect square.
AI-generated translation
N3
時期
じき
A period during which something takes place. Example: 「田植えの時期」 (the season for rice planting), 「時期が早い」 (it's too early). The homophone 「時機」 refers to a good opportunity/timing, is a more formal word, and is used differently.
AI-generated translation
N3
資金
しきん
Money needed to carry out a business or activity.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
刺激
しげき
stimulus. Something that strongly acts on the senses or mind. Example: 「強い光の刺激」 (the stimulus of strong light), 「刺激的な映画」 (a stimulating movie). Also used to mean something that motivates someone, as in 「刺激を受ける」 (to be stimulated/inspired).
AI-generated translation
N3
事件
じけん
incident. An unusual event such as an accident or crime. Example: 「殺人事件」 (a murder case), 「事件が起こる」 (an incident occurs).
AI-generated translation
N3
時刻
じこく
A single point within the flow of time. Example: 「出発時刻」 (departure time), 「時刻表」 (a timetable). While 「時間」 can also refer to a length of time, 「時刻」 refers only to a single point in time.
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.