「葛」 means kudzu, and 「藤」 means wisteria; both are names of climbing plants. From the image of vines becoming complexly entangled, the word came to refer to opposing feelings struggling within one's heart. Used in expressions like 「葛藤を抱える」 or 「内心の葛藤」, it expresses being torn between choices or emotions. By metaphor, it is also used for conflict in human relationships.
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N1渇望かつぼう
It refers to strongly desiring something, like a thirsty person craving water. Used in expressions like 「平和を渇望する」 or 「自由を渇望する」, it is a formal word for an earnest yearning.
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N5角かど
corner. The place where two roads meet. The pointed edge of an object. Example: 「つぎの角を右にまがる」 (turn right at the next corner). When read 「つの」, it means the horn on an animal's head.
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N1過渡期かとき
「過」 means to pass by, 「渡」 means to cross over, and 「期」 means period; together they refer to a period during which one is crossing over. It refers to the period during which something transitions from an old state to a new one. Used in expressions like 「過渡期にある産業」, it expresses an unstable transitional stage. It is used when speaking about phases of society, technology, or life.
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N1家督かとく
「家」 means household, and 「督」 means to oversee or direct; together they refer to the position of the one who oversees the household. It refers to the position and property of the head of a household. In the former family system, it was what the heir of the household inherited. Used in expressions like 「家督を継ぐ」, it is used in historical novels and stories of old families.
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N1, N2庇うかばう
It refers to protecting someone from attack or criticism. Used in expressions like 「子を庇う」 or 「部下を庇う」, in situations of stepping in between to protect someone in a weaker position.
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N5かばんかばん
bag. Something for carrying books or belongings. The kanji 「鞄」 is not much used in daily life, and it is usually written in hiragana or katakana.
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N5花瓶かびん
vase. A container for holding and displaying flowers.
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N1寡聞かぶん
「寡」 means few, and 「聞」 means to hear or one's experience; together they mean to have little experience of seeing or hearing. It is mostly used in the form 「寡聞にして〜知らない」, as a fixed expression for humbly speaking about one's own lack of knowledge.
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N5紙かみ
paper. A thin material used for writing or wrapping things.
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N5髪かみ
hair. The hair that grows on the head. It is used as in 「髪をきる」 or 「髪がながい」.
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N1噛み締めるかみしめる
Means to bite down hard. Also used figuratively to mean savoring and deeply feeling the significance of something or an emotion, often in emotional scenes such as 「喜びを噛み締める」 and 「幸せを噛み締める」. Also often written in hiragana as 「かみしめる」.
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N1上手かみて
The upper side of a stage or river. On a stage it means the right side as seen from the audience; on a river it means the side the water flows from. Used as in "川の上手" or "上手から登場する". The opposite side is "下手(しもて)". The same "上手" read as "じょうず" means being good at something, and read as "うわて" means being superior to the other party; each is a separate word.
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N1寡黙かもく
「寡」 means few, and 「黙」 means silent; together they mean few in words and prone to silence. It describes the manner of rarely opening one's mouth and speaking only when necessary. Used in expressions like 「寡黙な人」 or 「寡黙に働く」, it is often used positively to depict a calm and composed character.
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N5火曜日かようび
Tuesday. A day of the week. The day after Monday.
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N1, N4柄がら
A pattern appearing on the surface of cloth, paper, and the like. Used as in「花柄」「柄物のシャツ」. It also expresses personality, dignity, or the nature of things, used in idioms and compounds that express the nature inherent to a person or thing, as in「柄が悪い」「柄にもない」「人柄」「家柄」.
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N5辛いからい
spicy. A hot taste that stings the mouth. Example: 「辛いカレー」 (spicy curry). When read 「つらい」, it becomes a different word meaning "painful/hard."
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N5体からだ
body. The whole of a person or animal, from head to foot. Example: 「体にいい食べもの」 (food that is good for the body).
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N3, N5借りるかりる
borrow. To use someone else's thing for a certain time. The antonym is 「貸す」 (to lend).
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N3, N5軽いかるい
A state not requiring strength to lift. Example: 「軽いかばん」 (a light bag). The antonym is 「重い」 (heavy).
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N1辛うじてかろうじて
The manner of barely managing to come about, in a hair's-breadth state. Used in expressions like 「辛うじて間に合う」 or 「辛うじて合格する」, it is an adverb expressing a result that came about by a narrow margin.
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N5川かわ
river. A long, narrow place where water flows.
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N5可愛いかわいい
cute. A feeling of liking and wanting to protect something small or a child. Often written in hiragana as 「かわいい」.
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N3〜N5代わりかわり
For a different person or thing to take on a role. In the form 「お代わり」, it is also used to mean having a second helping of food.
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N1鑑みるかんがみる
「鑑」 means a mirror or model. This verb expresses making a judgment by reflecting on past precedents or the current situation as if looking into a mirror. Used in expressions like 「前例に鑑みる」 or 「現状に鑑みる」. It is often used in official documents and formal contexts.
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N1歓喜かんき
「歓」 means to rejoice, and 「喜」 means to be glad; the word combines two synonymous characters. It refers to a very great joy. Used in expressions like 「歓喜の声」 or 「歓喜に沸く」, it is a formal word for joy accompanied by strong emotion. It is used in formal situations such as sports victories and award ceremonies.
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N5漢字かんじ
Characters used in Japanese that came from China. Example: 「山」, 「川」. Used together with hiragana and katakana in Japanese writing.
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N1甘受かんじゅ
「甘」 means to acquiesce, and 「受」 means to receive; together they mean to acquiesce and receive. It refers to accepting disadvantage or suffering as something unavoidable. Used in expressions like 「批判を甘受する」 or 「責任を甘受する」, it is a formal word for situations of reluctantly taking something on.
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N1完遂かんすい
A word meaning to carry out a plan or mission through to completion. A formal word used in contexts of accomplishing matters that involve difficulty, as in「任務を完遂する」.
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N1緩慢かんまん
「緩」 means slack or slow, and 「慢」 means slow; the word combines two synonymous characters. It describes movement or progress that is slow and lacks momentum. Used in expressions like 「緩慢な動作」 or 「対応が緩慢だ」, it is often used to negatively evaluate slowness.
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N1感涙かんるい
「感」 means to be moved, and 「涙」 means tears; together they refer to tears shed from being deeply moved. Used in expressions like 「感涙にむせぶ」 or 「感涙する」, it expresses situations where tears flow from strong joy or gratitude. It is used in formal contexts such as ceremonies, speeches, and novels.
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N1貫禄かんろく
The solid, dignified presence that naturally comes to a person who has accumulated status and experience. It is often used in the form 「貫禄がある」.
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N4, N5木き
tree. A large plant that grows from the ground, with branches and leaves.
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N5黄色きいろ
yellow. A color like that of a banana or lemon.
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N5黄色いきいろい
yellow. Being the color yellow, like a banana or lemon. Example: 「黄色いふく」 (yellow clothes).
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N1気鋭きえい
「気」 means vigor, and 「鋭」 means sharp; together they mean sharp vigor. It refers to being young, energetic, and exhibiting outstanding talent. It is a somewhat formal word always used as a modifier for a person, as in 「新進気鋭」 or 「気鋭の研究者」.
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N3, N5消えるきえる
For something visible, or a fire or light that was on, to disappear. Example: 「電気が消える」 (the light goes off). When turning it off oneself, 「消す」 is used.
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N1飢餓きが
「飢」 means to starve, and 「餓」 means to starve; the word combines two synonymous characters. It refers to a state of extreme hunger from having no food. Used in expressions like 「飢餓に苦しむ」 or 「飢餓状態」, it is a formal word used in contexts of war or poverty. It refers to a situation more serious than merely 「お腹がすく (being hungry)」.
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N1気概きがい
「気」 means feeling or vigor, and 「概」 means demeanor or backbone; together they refer to backbone filled with vigor. It refers to a strong heart that confronts hardship. Used in expressions like 「気概がある」 or 「気概を見せる」, it expresses strength of will that does not yield to adversity or opposition, and is often used with praise.
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N1気兼ねきがね
「気」 means feeling, and 「兼ねる」 means to hesitate or hold back; together they mean to hold back in one's feelings. It refers to feeling reserved out of consideration for others. Used in expressions like 「気兼ねなく話す」 or 「気兼ねする」. It is mostly used in the negative form to convey the wish for the other party to behave freely.
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N1気構えきがまえ
「気」 means feeling, and 「構える」 means to take a stance or to prepare; together they mean to ready one's heart. It refers to the mental preparation and posture for tackling a matter. Used in expressions like 「気構えができている」 or 「気構えを持つ」. It is a somewhat formal word expressing resolve and readiness.
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N1基幹きかん
「基」 means foundation, and 「幹」 means trunk; together they refer to the foundation and trunk, that is, the central support of things. It refers to the foundation that supports an organization or industry. Used in expressions like 「基幹産業」 or 「基幹システム」, always in combination with another noun. It is a formal word frequently appearing in business and administrative documents.
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N1, N2機関きかん
An organization or system created for a particular purpose. 教育機関 (educational institution), 報道機関 (news organization). Also refers to a device that converts energy into power (蒸気機関 "steam engine").
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N1聞き入るききいる
It refers to listening intently as if captivated. Used in expressions like 「演奏に聞き入る」 or 「話に聞き入る」. It is a somewhat formal verb with a literary tone, expressing 「listening」 accompanied by strong concentration.
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N1飢饉ききん
「飢」 means to starve, and 「饉」 means to starve; the word combines two synonymous characters. It refers to a state of extreme food shortage over a wide area due to crop failure or disaster. Used in expressions like 「飢饉に見舞われる」, it is a formal word used when speaking of historical events or serious food crises.
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N1危惧きぐ
「危」 means dangerous, and 「惧」 means to fear or worry; together they mean to worry about danger. It refers to being concerned that something may lead to a bad outcome. Used in expressions like 「絶滅危惧種」 or 「事態を危惧する」, it is a formal expression frequently appearing in newspapers and news reports for expressing concerns about the future.
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N3, N5聞くきく
To take in a sound or voice with one's ears. Example: 「音楽を聞く」 (to listen to music). Also used to mean asking, as in 「先生に聞く」 (to ask the teacher).
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N1気苦労きぐろう
「気」 means feeling, and 「苦労」 means hardship; together they refer to mental hardship. It refers to one's heart being worn out by attending to small details. Used in expressions like 「気苦労が絶えない」 or 「気苦労を重ねる」. It is a word describing exhaustion from human relationships and the weight of responsibility.
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N1帰結きけつ
「帰」 means to return or arrive at, and 「結」 means to tie or to conclude; together they refer to the conclusion finally reached. It refers to the place a matter finally arrives at after debate and processes. Used in expressions like 「論理的帰結」 or 「必然の帰結」. It is a formal word for the conclusion of argument or discussion, frequently appearing in academic papers and criticism.
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N3〜N5聞こえるきこえる
For sound or a voice to reach one's ears. Example: 「うたが聞こえる」 (a song can be heard).