A state in which momentum or degree is extremely intense. 「猛」 means wild and intense, 「烈」 means strong and intense, a word emphasizing intensity by combining characters of the same meaning. Used widely from natural phenomena to human activity, emotion, and criticism, as in 「猛烈な勢い」, 「猛烈に働く」, 「猛烈な暑さ」, 「猛烈な批判」. A word harder and more bookish than 「激しい」, frequently appearing in both the adjectival-noun form 「猛烈な」 and the adverbial form 「猛烈に」. Used in situations emphasizing the extremity of degree.
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N2, N3燃えるもえる
For fire to catch and flames to rise. Example: 「紙が燃える」 (paper burns). Also used to mean feelings rising, as in 「やる気に燃える」 (burning with motivation). 「燃える」 is used when something is burning, while 「燃やす」 is used when a person sets it alight: compare 「紙が燃える」 with 「紙を燃やす」.
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N2黙認もくにん
To overlook something without reproach, even while knowing it is not good.
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N2模索もさく
To search and seek by feeling one's way, without a clear method. 「模」 means to feel and search by touch, 「索」 means a rope or clue, together giving the original meaning of "searching for a clue by feeling one's way." Used for tasks where the answer is not fixed, exploring a direction through trial and error, as in 「解決策を模索する」, 「新たな道を模索する」, 「可能性を模索する」. A bookish, hard word, frequently appearing in contexts expressing prolonged exploration or a process of trying multiple options.
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N2もたらすもたらす
To bring about or cause a certain result or state; also, to bring something along.
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N2, N3, N5持つもつ
Hold. Grasping something with the hand. 「かばんを持つ」(hold a bag).
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N3, N4戻るもどる
To return to the place or state one was originally in.
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N2模範もはん
A good example that others should follow.
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N4木綿もめん
Thread or cloth made from the cotton plant.
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N2, N3燃やすもやす
To set fire to something so that it burns. Example: 「落ち葉を燃やす」 (to burn fallen leaves). Also used to mean intensifying one's feelings, as in 「闘志を燃やす」 (to fire up one's fighting spirit). 「燃やす」 is used when a person sets something alight, while 「燃える」 is used when something is burning: compare 「紙を燃やす」 with 「紙が燃える」.
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N2, N3模様もよう
pattern. A drawing or arrangement of colors on the surface of an object. Example: 「花の模様」 (a floral pattern). Also used to mean a general state or condition, as in 「空模様」 (the look of the sky/weather).
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N1, N2催すもよおす
To gather people and hold an event or meeting; also, to give rise to a certain feeling or state within oneself.
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N4貰うもらう
To receive something from a person.
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N4森もり
A wide area with many trees growing. Larger than a 「林」 (grove/copse).
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N2, N3文句もんく
complaint. Words of dissatisfaction. Example: 「文句を言う」 (to complain). Also has the meaning of wording or a set phrase, as in song lyrics or fixed expressions.
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N4, N5問題もんだい
problem. Something that requires an answer to be given.
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N4焼くやく
To apply fire to food, etc., using flames. Example:「肉を焼く」(to grill meat). The paired word is「焼ける(やける)」(to be grilled/baked).
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N4約束やくそく
To decide with another person that a certain thing will be done.
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N3, N4焼けるやける
For fire to pass through an object or for it to char, due to fire or heat. Also used to mean bread, etc., being done. The paired word is「焼く(やく)」(to grill/bake).
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N4優しいやさしい
kind. A manner of being considerate toward others.
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N2屋敷やしき
A house with a spacious lot and a stately structure. Originally referred to "a house together with its land," but in modern Japanese it usually refers specifically to a large and imposing residence. Used in expressions such as 「武家屋敷」, 「古い屋敷」, 「お屋敷」, or 「屋敷町」, and frequently appears in contexts describing historical or traditional buildings or the residences of the wealthy. A written-style word often used in literature, novels, and historical contexts.
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N2野心やしん
A strong desire to achieve a higher position or greater results, refusing to be satisfied with the status quo. The character 「野」 carries the nuance of "going beyond one's proper station," expressing an inner drive to achieve something beyond the current state. Used in expressions such as 「野心を持つ」, 「野心的な計画」, or 「若き野心」. Depending on context, it can carry either positive or negative connotations: it may be praised as aspirational drive, or viewed with some wariness as a form of desire.
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N2, N5休むやすむ
To let the body rest. To not go to school or work.
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N2, N4痩せるやせる
To lose body weight. The antonym is 「太る」 (to gain weight).
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N2厄介やっかい
Being troublesome and requiring a lot of effort; also, receiving someone's care or assistance.
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N1, N2野蛮やばん
Being uncivilized and rough or violent.
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N2野望やぼう
An exceedingly large and audacious ambition, going beyond one's own measure. Close in meaning to 「野心」, but as the character 「望」 suggests, the goal or scale envisioned is large, and the word often implies a "grandeur that borders on the unrealistic." Used in expressions such as 「野望を抱く」, 「世界制覇の野望」, or 「野望が打ち砕かれる」. Often carries a negative, critical nuance and tends to appear in contexts where the speaker is judging the ambition as "a desire that fails to recognize one's proper station."
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N3, N4止むやむ
For rain or wind, etc., to stop. Example: 「雨が止む」 (the rain stops).
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N2やむを得ないやむをえない
There being no other way but to do so; unavoidable.
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N3〜N5やめるやめる
To stop doing something one had been doing. Example: 「たばこをやめる」 (to quit smoking). Also used to mean quitting a job.
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N2やり遂げるやりとげる
To carry something one has started through to completion.
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N2, N5やるやる
Do; give. The colloquial way of saying "to do." Also used to mean giving something to someone.
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N2, N4柔らかいやわらかい
A soft, fluffy state whose shape changes easily when pressed. The antonym is「硬い(かたい)」(hard).
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N2和らげるやわらげる
To ease the degree of severity, intensity, pain, or the like.
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N4, N5湯ゆ
Water that has been heated until it is hot. As opposed to cold water (『水(みず)』, mizu), it refers to the hot side. Used for baths or when making tea.
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N2遺言ゆいごん
Words or a document left behind in preparation for one's death. In a legal sense, it refers to a document specifying matters such as the disposal of one's property. Used in expressions like 「遺言を残す」 and 「遺言書」. The reading 「ゆいごん」 is the common one, but it can also be read as 「いごん」.
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N2優位ゆうい
Being in an advantageous position or a superior status compared to others. 「優」 means "to excel" and 「位」 means "rank" or "position." Used in expressions such as 「優位に立つ」, 「優位を保つ」, 「圧倒的な優位」, or 「優位性」, the word expresses being in a higher position or under more favorable conditions than an opponent in situations of competition, opposition, or comparison. Frequently appears in contexts where victory or balance of power is at issue, such as sports, business, or international relations. The antonym is 「劣位」.
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N2有効ゆうこう
Having an effect or being valid; being useful.
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N2融通ゆうずう
To lend or arrange money or goods for each other as needed; also, to handle a situation flexibly as it arises.
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N1, N2誘導ゆうどう
To guide a person or thing toward an intended direction or state.
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N2裕福ゆうふく
Having abundant wealth and a comfortable, unhurried life.
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N2油断ゆだん
To let one's guard down and neglect to pay attention.
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N4, N5指ゆび
The thin parts at the end of the hands or feet.
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N4指輪ゆびわ
An ornament worn on the finger. Often worn as a symbol of marriage.
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N2, N4夢ゆめ
The various events seen while sleeping. Also used to mean a hope for the future.
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N2揺らぐゆらぐ
To sway or shake; also, for something that was stable to become unstable.
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N2, N4揺れるゆれる
For something to move left and right or up and down.
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N3, N4用よう
Something that must be done. Example: 「用がある」 (to have something to attend to).