Japanese vocabulary: upper intermediate (B2)
The 168 words and phrases taught in the upper intermediate chapters, in the order the course teaches them. Press ▶ to hear each one.
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1. Discussing and debating
From chapter 1: learn these words in context
- 議題gidaiitem on the agenda, topic for discussion · ぎだい; (honjitsu no gidai), today's item
- 空き地akichiempty lot, vacant plot · あきち; a car park is a (chūshajō), and parking in the street is (rojō chūsha); (tarinai), not enough
- 活用katsuyōmaking use of, putting to use · かつよう; verb: (katsuyō suru)
- ～べき-bekishould, ought to · after the dictionary form: (suru beki) or (subeki)
- 安全anzensafe; safety · あんぜん; な-adjective: (anzen ni asoberu), can play safely
- 高齢者kōreishaelderly people · こうれいしゃ; politer: (kōrei no kata)
- 費用hiyōcost, expenses · ひよう; money that comes in is (shūnyū), income; (teire), upkeep
- 町内会chōnaikaineighbourhood association · ちょうないかい
- 負担futanburden, cost to be borne · ふたん; ～の負担になる (no futan ni naru), to fall on …
- 住民jūminresident(s) · じゅうみん; (hansū ijō), more than half; (sanwari), thirty per cent
- 一方でippō deon the other hand, meanwhile · いっぽうで
- 妥協dakyōcompromise · だきょう; (dakyōan), a compromise proposal
- 検討するkentō suruto consider, to look into · けんとうする; (gutaiteki ni), in concrete terms, in detail
- 多数決tasūketsumajority vote · たすうけつ; (tasūketsu de kimeru), to decide by a vote
2. Work in depth
From chapter 2: learn these words in context
- 全体的にzentaiteki nioverall, on the whole · ぜんたいてきに
- 率直にsotchoku nifrankly, openly · そっちょくに
- 目立つmedatsuto stand out · めだつ; causative: (medataseru), to make … stand out
- 承知しましたshōchi shimashitaunderstood, certainly (humble) · しょうちしました; to a boss or a client; (kashikomarimashita) is even more formal
- 修正shūseicorrection, revision, changes · しゅうせい; (shūsei suru), to revise
- ～させていただく-sasete itadakuto (humbly) do, with your permission · very humble; don't overuse it
- 取引先torihikisakiclient, business partner · とりひきさき
- 納期nōkidelivery date, deadline · のうき
- 早めるhayameruto bring forward, to make earlier · はやめる
- 品質hinshitsuquality · ひんしつ
- ～わけにはいかないwake ni wa ikanaican't (because it wouldn't be right) · humble: (wake ni wa mairimasen)
- 弊社heishaour company (humble) · へいしゃ; the other company: (onsha); (buchō), department head
- 相談するsōdan suruto talk over, to consult · そうだんする; ～と相談する (to sōdan suru), to talk it over with …
- 待たされるmatasareruto be kept waiting · またされる; causative-passive of (matsu)
3. Film, books and media
From chapter 3: learn these words in context
- 映像eizōimages, visuals, picture · えいぞう
- 演技engiacting, performance · えんぎ
- 退屈taikutsuboring; boredom · たいくつ; な-adjective; (shōjiki), to be honest
- 原作gensakuthe original (book a film is based on) · げんさく
- 小説shōsetsunovel · しょうせつ
- いまいちimaichinot quite good enough, a bit disappointing · casual
- 主人公shujinkōmain character, hero, heroine · しゅじんこう; in this story she finds the (tegami), letters, of her (sofu), grandfather, and travels to an island, a (shima)
- 伏線fukusenforeshadowing, hint of what's to come · ふくせん; (zenhan), the first half
- 結末ketsumatsuending · けつまつ
- 意外とigai tosurprisingly, unexpectedly · いがいと
- 泣けるnakerumoving, that makes you cry · なける; potential of (naku), to cry
- 監督kantoku(film) director · かんとく
- 評判hyōbanreputation, what people say about something · ひょうばん; (hyōban ga ii), well reviewed; (hikiwake), a draw
- 感動するkandō suruto be moved, to be touched · かんどうする
4. Science and technology
From chapter 4: learn these words in context
- 電気自動車denki jidōshaelectric car · でんきじどうしゃ
- 仕組みshikumihow something works, mechanism, system · しくみ
- 電池denchibattery · でんち; in cars and phones also (batterī)
- 蓄えるtakuwaeruto store, to save up · たくわえる
- 熱netsuheat · ねつ; also a fever, as in (netsu ga aru)
- 消費shōhiconsumption · しょうひ; (shōhi suru), to consume, to use up
- 効率kōritsuefficiency · こうりつ; (kōritsu ga ii), efficient; (tokuchō), a (distinctive) feature
- 充電jūdencharging (a battery) · じゅうでん; (jūden suru)
- 変換henkanconversion · へんかん; (henkan sareru), to be converted
- 発電hatsudengenerating electricity · はつでん; (hatsudenki), generator
- 性能seinōperformance, capability (of a machine) · せいのう; (kyori), distance: (hashireru kyori), the distance a car can go
- 開発kaihatsudevelopment · かいはつ; (kaihatsu suru), to develop
- 実用化jitsuyōkaputting into practical use · じつようか; (jitsuyōka sareru)
- 太陽光taiyōkōsunlight, solar (power) · たいようこう
5. Society and the environment
From chapter 5: learn these words in context
- ごみgomirubbish · (gomi o suteru), to throw rubbish away
- プラスチックpurasuchikkuplastic
- 分別bunbetsusorting (rubbish) · ぶんべつ; (bunbetsu shite suteru), to sort and throw away; read (funbetsu), the same kanji mean “good judgement”
- 汚染osenpollution · おせん; (umi no osen), sea pollution; (genkai ga aru), there's a limit
- 温暖化ondankaglobal warming · おんだんか; in full: (chikyū ondanka)
- 異常気象ijō kishōextreme weather · いじょうきしょう
- 対策taisakumeasures, steps (against a problem) · たいさく; (taisaku o suru), to take measures
- 有料yūryōcharged for, not free · ゆうりょう; opposite: (muryō), free
- 意識ishikiawareness, attitude, the way people think · いしき
- リサイクルrisaikururecycling · (risaikuru ni tayoru), to rely on recycling
- ～かねないkanenaicould well … (something bad) · after the ます stem: (fuekanenai)
- 取り組みtorikumiinitiative, effort (to tackle something) · とりくみ; (suitō), a water bottle, is one small step; verb: (torikumu); (teian suru), to suggest, to propose
- 危機kikicrisis · きき; (kankyō no kiki), the environmental crisis
- 環境kankyōenvironment · かんきょう; (kankyō ni ii), good for the environment
6. Public life
From chapter 6: learn these words in context
- 市長shichōmayor · しちょう; a press conference is a (kisha kaiken), or just (kaiken)
- 述べるnoberuto state, to say (formal) · のべる
- 開始するkaishi suruto start (formal) · かいしする; everyday: (hajimeru)
- 市民shimincitizens, residents of a city · しみん; (mezasu), to aim for, to work towards
- 政策seisakupolicy · せいさく; (arata na), new (formal)
- 導入dōnyūintroduction (of a system), bringing in · どうにゅう; (dōnyū suru); running a bus or train service is (unkō)
- ～とのことですto no koto desuI'm told that …, apparently … · polite; passes on information
- 批判hihancriticism · ひはん; (hihan suru), to criticise; (zeikin no muda), a waste of taxpayers' money
- 支持shijisupport (for a plan, a party) · しじ; (shiji suru)
- 延期enkipostponement · えんき; (enki suru), to postpone; (enki no kanōsei), the possibility of a delay
- 議会gikaiassembly, council, parliament · ぎかい; a member: (giin); (gikai no handan shidai de), depending on the assembly's decision
- 見直すminaosuto review, to reconsider · みなおす; (keikaku o minaosu), to review the plan
- 表明するhyōmei suruto announce, to state (a position) · ひょうめいする
- 声明seimei(official) statement · せいめい
7. Education and learning
From chapter 7: learn these words in context
- 志望校shibōkōthe school or university you're aiming for · しぼうこう; (daiichi shibō), first choice
- 模試moshimock exam · もし; (ē hantei), grade A: a good chance of passing
- ～はずだったhazu dattawas supposed to … · after a plain form
- 過去問kakomonpast exam papers · かこもん; (mondai o toku), to solve problems
- 部活bukatsuschool club activities · ぶかつ
- 両立ryōritsudoing two things at once, balancing · りょうりつ; (A to B o ryōritsu suru), to balance A and B
- ～わけがないwake ga naithere's no way that …, can't possibly … · after a plain form; な-adjectives take な
- 落ちるochiruto fail (an exam); to fall · おちる; (shiken ni ochiru); (kowai), scary, afraid
- 浪人rōnina student retaking entrance exams · ろうにん; (rōnin suru); Kaito calls himself (ore), a rough, casual “I” used by young men
- 勉強法benkyōhōway of studying, study method · べんきょうほう; -法 (-hō), method; (shippai), failure
- 暗記ankilearning by heart, memorising · あんき; school subjects: (sūgaku), maths; (Eigo), English
- 先輩senpaisenior, an older student or colleague · せんぱい; opposite: (kōhai)
- 予備校yobikōprep school (for university exams) · よびこう
- ～かわりにkawari niinstead of; in return for · after the dictionary form or noun + の
8. Idioms and everyday speech
From chapter 8: learn these words in context
- 年末nenmatsuthe end of the year · ねんまつ
- 大掃除ōsōjibig (end-of-year) clean · おおそうじ; (mado o fuku), to wipe the windows; (reizōko o katazukeru), to clear out the fridge
- おせちosechitraditional New Year food · also (osechi ryōri); it includes (nimono), simmered dishes
- 猫の手も借りたいneko no te mo karitaiI'm extremely busy · ねこのてもかりたい; literally “I'd even borrow the cat's paws”
- 気が利くki ga kikuthoughtful, quick to see what's needed · きがきく
- お正月oshōgatsuNew Year (the first days of January) · おしょうがつ; people eat (omochi), rice cakes
- 一石二鳥isseki nichōkilling two birds with one stone · いっせきにちょう
- 手が離せないte ga hanasenaito be too busy to stop what you're doing · てがはなせない
- 猿も木から落ちるsaru mo ki kara ochiruanyone can make a mistake · さるもきからおちる; literally “even monkeys fall from trees”
- 年越しそばtoshikoshi sobabuckwheat noodles eaten on New Year's Eve · としこしそば
- 花より団子hana yori dangopractical things before beauty; food first · はなよりだんご; literally “dumplings rather than flowers”
- 顔が広いkao ga hiroito know lots of people · かおがひろい
- お年玉otoshidamaNew Year money (given to children) · おとしだま; (naisho), a secret
- やっぱりyappariafter all, just as I thought · casual: (yappa); formal: (yahari)
9. Humour and informal language
From chapter 9: learn these words in context
- ドタキャンdotakyanlast-minute cancellation · slang; (dotakyan suru), to cancel at the last minute
- ほんまhonmareally, true · Kansai for (hontō)
- 寝坊nebōoversleeping · ねぼう; (nebō suru), to oversleep; an alarm clock is a (mezamashi)
- 言い訳iiwakeexcuse · いいわけ; (hansei suru), to be sorry for what you did
- マジでmaji deseriously, really · slang; with friends only
- ウケるukeruthat's hilarious; to go down well · slang in the first meaning
- めっちゃmetchavery, really · casual; from Kansai
- ～へん-henKansai negative ending · (ikahen) = (ikanai)
- やばいyabaiawful, dangerous; amazing · slang; the meaning depends on the situation
- 冗談jōdanjoke · じょうだん; (jōdan da yo), just kidding; (uso uso), only joking (, uso, a lie)
- 遅刻chikokubeing late · ちこく; (chikoku suru), to be late; (ogoru), to treat someone, to pay for them
- あかんakanno good, not allowed, no way · Kansai for (dame)
- ボケbokethe funny one in a comedy duo; a silly remark · also an insult (“idiot”), so take care
- ツッコミtsukkomithe straight one in a comedy duo; a sharp comeback
10. Formal writing
From chapter 10: learn these words in context
- お詫びowabiapology · おわび; (owabi mōshiagemasu), we apologise
- 納品nōhindelivery (of goods to a client) · のうひん; (nōhinbi), delivery date; (buhin), parts; (nyūka), arrival of stock
- 件名kenmeisubject line (of an email) · けんめい
- 件kenmatter, case · けん; ～の件 (no ken), regarding …
- 遅延chiendelay · ちえん; formal word for (okure); (chien suru mikomi desu), it is expected to be delayed
- お世話になっておりますosewa ni natte orimasu(standard opening of a business email or call) · おせわになっております; literally “you are always looking after us”
- ご迷惑gomeiwakutrouble, inconvenience (caused to someone) · ごめいわく; (gomeiwaku o okake suru), to cause trouble
- 存じますzonjimasuI think; I know (humble) · ぞんじます; humble form of (omoimasu) and (shitte imasu)
- 幸いsaiwaifortunate; (I would be) grateful · さいわい; ～と幸いです (to saiwai desu); (goryōshō itadakemasu to saiwai desu), we would be grateful for your understanding
- 添付tenpuattachment; attaching · てんぷ; (tenpu fairu), attached file; a quotation is a (mitsumorisho)
- なおnaoplease also note, in addition · written connector
- ご確認gokakunin(your) checking, confirmation · ごかくにん; (gokakunin kudasai), please check
- 取り急ぎtoriisogiin haste, just a quick note · とりいそぎ; (toriisogi gorenraku made)
- 拝啓haikeiDear … (formal letter opening) · はいけい; the letter closes with (keigu)
11. Giving a presentation
From chapter 11: learn these words in context
- 本日honjitsutoday (formal) · ほんじつ; everyday: (kyō)
- 観光案内kankō annaitourist information · かんこうあんない; (kankō annaijo), tourist information centre; (otozureru), to visit (formal); ～向け (-muke), aimed at, for
- 概要gaiyōoverview, outline · がいよう
- 現状genjōthe current situation · げんじょう
- 課題kadaiissue, challenge, task · かだい
- 機能kinōfunction, feature · きのう; (apuri no kinō), the app's features
- グラフgurafugraph, chart
- ご覧くださいgoran kudasaiplease look at · ごらんください; honorific
- 増加zōkaincrease · ぞうか; (zōka suru), to increase (formal)
- 割合wariaiproportion, percentage · わりあい; (ichiwari), ten per cent; (wazuka), only, a mere
- 対応するtaiō suruto support, to handle, to deal with · たいおうする; (jukkakokugo ni taiō), available in ten languages
- 質疑応答shitsugi ōtōquestions and answers (session) · しつぎおうとう; a common question is about (kojin jōhō), personal data
- ～こそkosoprecisely, this very · stresses the word before it
- 後ほどnochihodolater (formal) · のちほど; everyday: (ato de); (temoto ni gozaimasen), I don't have it to hand
12. Final review
From chapter 12: learn these words in context
- 久しぶりhisashiburilong time no see; for the first time in a long time · ひさしぶり; polite: (ohisashiburi desu)
- 相変わらずaikawarazuas ever, as always · あいかわらず
- 同窓会dōsōkai(school or university) reunion · どうそうかい; (sotsugyō irai), since graduation
- 乾杯kanpaicheers; a toast · かんぱい
- 転職tenshokuchanging jobs · てんしょく; (tenshoku suru)
- 近況kinkyōrecent news, how someone is doing · きんきょう
- 起業kigyōstarting a business · きぎょう; (kigyō suru); (kaisha o yameru), to leave a company
- 正直shōjikihonestly, to be honest · しょうじき; (shōjiki ni iu to), to be honest
- 思い切るomoikiruto take the plunge, to make a bold decision · おもいきる; (omoikitte), boldly
- 今さらimasaranow (after all this time), too late · いまさら
- 要するにyō suru niin short, basically · ようするに
- 大変失礼いたしましたtaihen shitsurei itashimashitaI do apologise (keigo) · たいへんしつれいいたしました
- 恐縮kyōshukufeeling obliged, sorry to trouble you · きょうしゅく; (kyōshuku desu ga), I'm sorry to ask, but; a business meeting is an (uchiawase)
- お互い様otagaisamawe're in the same boat, it works both ways · おたがいさま
Other levels: Beginner (A1) · Elementary (A2) · Intermediate (B1)