JLPT N1 Vocabulary List

This is the list of words you need to study for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level N1.

This list is being updated. Click on each word to see example sentences and download flashcards.

赤字 (akaji): deficit

悪事 (akuji): evil deed, crime

圧倒 (attou): overwhelm, overpower

扱い (atsukai): treatment, service​

圧力 (atsuryoku): pressure, stress​

過ち (ayamachi): fault, error, indiscretion

買収 (baishuu): acquisition, buy-out, takeover

爆弾 (bakudan): bomb

弁護 (bengo): defence, pleading, advocacy​

弁解 (benkai): justification, explanation

弁明 (benmei): explanation, excuse

貧乏 (binbou): poverty, destitute, poor​

敏感 (binkan): sensibility, susceptibility

微笑 (bishou): smile

膨張 (bouchou): expansion, swelling, increase

防衛 (bouei): defense, protection

暴力 (bouryoku): violence, mayhem

侮辱 (bujoku): insult, affront, slight

部下 (buka): subordinate person

分配 (bunpai): division, splitting, sharing

分散 (bunsan): dispersion, breakup

文書 (bunsho): document, writing, paperwork

無礼 (burei): impolite, rude​

武装 (busou): arms, armament​

着手 (chakushu): to start work (on), to undertake​

近づく (chikazuku): to approach, to draw near

蓄積 (chikuseki): accumulation, accumulate

賃金 (chingin): wages

沈黙 (chinmoku): silence, being silent

知性 (chisei): intelligence

秩序 (chitsujo): order, regularity

直感 (chokkan): intuition, instinct, hunch

直面 (chokumen): confrontation, to face

挑戦 (chousen): challenge, defiance, dare

調達 (choutatsu): supply, provision

中断 (chuudan): interruption, suspension, break​

忠実 (chuujitsu): faithfulness, devotion, loyalty

忠告 (chuukoku): advice, warning​

打撃 (dageki): blow, shock, strike

大胆 (daitan): bold, daring, audacious​

妥協 (dakyou): compromise, giving in​

団結 (danketsu): unity, union, combination

脱出 (dasshutsu): escape, break-out​

土台 (dodai): foundation, base, basis​

独裁 (dokusai): dictatorship, despotism​

独占 (dokusen): monopoly, monopolization​

度胸 (dokyou): courage, bravery, nerve

動員 (douin): mobilization

同情 (doujou): sympathy, compassion

動機 (douki): motive, incentive​

同盟 (doumei): alliance, union, league

同類 (dourui): the same kind

同士 (doushi): fellow, companion, comrade

同等 (doutou): equality, equal, same rights

動揺 (douyou): shaking, trembling, disturbance

映像 (eizou): reflection, image, video

演じる (enjiru): to perform (a play), to play (a part)

不動産 (fudousan): real estate​

腐敗 (fuhai): decomposition, corruption, decay

不可欠 (fukaketsu): indispensable, essential​

復讐 (fukushuu): revenge

紛争 (funsou): dispute, trouble, strife​

相応しい (fusawashii): appropriate, adequate

負傷 (fushou): injury, wound​

負担 (futan): burden, charge, responsibility​

不当 (futou): injustice, impropriety, unfair

封鎖 (fuusa): blockade

概念 (gainen): general idea, concept

現地 (genchi): actual place, local

厳密 (genmitsu): strict, close, precise

減少 (genshou): decrease, reduction, decline

原則 (gensoku): principle, general rule​

幻想 (gensou): illusions

犠牲 (gisei): victim, sacrifice, scapegoat

合成 (gousei): composition, synthesis

軍事 (gunji): military affairs​

業務 (gyoumu): business, affairs, duties

業績 (gyouseki): achievement, performance, results

把握 (haaku): grasp, catch, understanding​

阻む (habamu): to keep someone from doing, to prevent

肺 (hai): lung

配置 (haichi): arrangement, deployment

背後 (haigo): back, rear, ​background

排除 (haijo): exclusion, removal, elimination

配慮 (hairyo): consideration, concern, attention

廃止 (haishi): abolition, repeal​

破壊 (hakai): destruction, disruption​

派遣 (haken): dispatch, despatch, deployment​

白状 (hakujou): confession

繁栄 (han’ei): prosperity, thriving

反応 (hannou): reaction, response​

反乱 (hanran): insurrection, rebellion

発生 (hassei): outbreak, spring forth, occurrence

果たす (hatasu): to accomplish, to achieve

発言 (hatsugen): statement, remark

兵器 (heiki): arms, weapons, ordnance​

閉鎖 (heisa): closing, shutdown, lockout

兵士 (heishi): soldier

変動 (hendou): change, fluctuation​

変革 (henkaku): change, transformation

偏見 (henken): prejudice, narrow view​

率いる (hikiiru): to lead, to command

悲鳴 (himei): shriek, scream​

非難 (hinan): criticism, blame, reproach

避難 (hinan): taking refuge, finding shelter

貧困 (hinkon): poor, needy​

頻繁 (hinpan): frequent, incessant

疲労 (hirou): fatigue, weariness​

悲惨 (hisan): disastrous, tragic

匹敵 (hitteki): to be a match for, to rival

必然 (hitsuzen): inevitable, necessary

施す (hodokosu): to give, to do, to conduct

保護 (hogo): care, protection, shelter

保険 (hoken): insurance, guarantee​

本能 (honnou): instinct

本心 (honshin): true feelings​

本質 (honshitsu): essence, true nature

崩壊 (houkai): collapse, crumbling

放棄 (houki): abandonment, renunciation

方策 (housaku): plan, policy​

報酬 (houshuu): remuneration, recompense, reward

法廷 (houtei): courtroom

票 (hyou): vote, ballot

一部 (ichibu): one part, one portion

著しい (ichijirushii): striking, remarkable, considerable

移住 (ijuu): migration, immigration​

怒り (ikari): anger, rage, fury

一刻 (ikkoku): minute, moment, an instant​

移行 (ikou): migration, transition​

移民 (imin): emigration, immigration

痛める (itameru): to hurt, to cause pain

痛む (itamu): to hurt, to ache, to feel a pain​

意図 (ito): intention, aim, design​

営む (itonamu): to run (a business), to operate

意欲 (iyoku): will, desire, ambition

依然 (izen): still, as yet

依存 (izon): dependence, reliance​

地獄 (jigoku): hell

事業 (jigyou): enterprise, business, industry

自覚 (jikaku): self-consciousness, self-awareness​

地元 (jimoto): home area, local

迅速 (jinsoku): quick, fast, rapid, swift

実践 (jissen): practice, putting into practice

実質 (jisshitsu): substance, essence​

事前 (jizen): prior, beforehand

持続 (jizoku): continuation, persisting, lasting

助言 (jogen): advice, suggestion​

譲歩 (jouho): concession, conciliation

情熱 (jounetsu): passion, enthusiasm

上陸 (jouriku): landing, disembarkation

情勢 (jousei): state of things, state of affairs

従業員 (juugyouin): employee, worker​

柔軟 (juunan): flexible, lithe, soft, pliable​

株式 (kabushiki): stock (company)​

課題 (kadai): subject, theme, issue, matter​

開発 (kaihatsu): development, exploitation​

回避 (kaihi): evasion, avoidance​

解除 (kaijo): cancellation, release

改革 (kaikaku): reform, reformation

階級 (kaikyuu): (social) class, rank, grade​

介入 (kainyuu): intervention

賭け (kake): betting, gambling

賭ける (kakeru): to wager, to bet, to gamble

確保 (kakuho): guarantee, maintain, ensure

革命 (kakumei): revolution

確信 (kakushin): conviction, belief, confidence​

肝心 (kanjin): essential, fundamental, crucial

完璧 (kanpeki): perfect, complete, flawless​

官僚 (kanryou): bureaucrat, bureaucracy​

監視 (kanshi): monitoring, watching, observation

干渉 (kanshou): interference, intervention, meddling​

関与 (kanyo): participation, taking part in

寛容 (kanyou): tolerance, generosity

固める (katameru): to harden, to solidify

傾ける (katamukeru): to incline, to lean, to tilt

交わす (kawasu): to exchange, to intersect, to cross

軽減 (keigen): abatement, reduction​

経費 (keihi): expenses, cost, outlay​

経過 (keika): passage, expiration, progress

警戒 (keikai): vigilance, caution, alertness

経歴 (keireki): personal history, career​

経路 (keiro): course, route, means

形成 (keisei): formation, molding, taking form​

携帯 (keitai): something carried (in the hand)

権限 (kengen): power, authority, jurisdiction​

権威 (ken’i): authority, power, influence​

権力 (kenryoku): (political) power, authority

決断 (ketsudan): decision, determination​

決意 (ketsui): decision, determination

規模 (kibo): scale, scope, plan

危機 (kiki): crisis, danger, risk​

機構 (kikou): mechanism, organization

勤勉 (kinben): diligent, industrious​

緊急 (kinkyuu): urgent, pressing, emergency​

規制 (kisei): regulation, control, restriction

奇跡 (kiseki): miracle, wonder, marvel​

競う (kisou): to compete, to contest

規定 (kitei): provision, regulation, rule​

気絶 (kizetsu): faint, swoon​

築く (kizuku): to build, to construct

傷つける (kizutsukeru): to wound, to injure​

拒む (kobamu): to refuse, to reject, to decline​

​誇張 (kochou): exaggeration

孤独 (kodoku): solitude, loneliness, isolation

試みる (kokoromiru): to try, to attempt

根拠 (konkyo): basis, foundation​

個性 (kosei): individuality, personality

固定 (kotei): fixation, fixing

興奮 (koufun): excitement, stimulation, agitation

抗議 (kougi): protest, objection​

行為 (koui): act, deed, conduct​

好意 (koui): good will, favor, courtesy

公開 (koukai): making available to the public

後悔 (koukai): regret, repentance, remorse​

購入 (kounyuu): purchase, buy​

効率 (kouritsu): efficiency

交渉 (koushou): negotiations, discussions​

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雇用 (koyou): employment, hire​

口調 (kuchou): tone, (verbal) expression​

苦しみ (kurushimi): pain, anguish, suffering

屈辱 (kutsujoku): disgrace, humiliation​

拒否 (kyohi): refusal, rejection, denial

極端 (kyokutan): extreme, extremity​

脅迫 (kyouhaku): threat, menace, coercion

脅威 (kyoui): threat, menace​

享受 (kyouju): reception, acceptance, enjoyment

共感 (kyoukan): sympathy, empathy, response​

教訓 (kyoukun): lesson, precept

強烈 (kyouretsu): strong, intense, severe​

共産 (kyousan): communism

強制 (kyousei): obligation, coercion, compulsion

究極 (kyuukyoku): ultimate, extreme, final

救済 (kyuusai): relief, aid, rescue

恵む (megumu): to bless, to show mercy to​

明白 (meihaku): obvious, clear, plain

明瞭 (meiryou): clarity, clearness​

名誉 (meiyo): honor, credit, prestige​

未知 (michi): not yet known, unknown

身近 (midjika): near oneself, close to one, familiar

見方 (mikata): viewpoint, point of view

源 (minamoto): source, origin, root​

満たす (mitasu): to satisfy, to fulfill, to gratify

漏らす (morasu): to let leak, to reveal​

摸索 (mosaku): groping (for), exploring for a solution

齎す (motarasu): to bring, to take, to bring about​

無実 (mujitsu): innocence, guiltlessness

無効 (mukou): invalid, no effect

無力 (muryoku): powerlessness, incompetent

悩み (nayami): trouble, worry, distress

燃料 (nenryou): fuel

熱意 (netsui): zeal, enthusiasm​

憎しみ (nikushimi): hatred

肉体 (nikutai): the body, the flesh​

担う (ninau): to carry on shoulder, to bear

認識 (ninshiki): recognition, awareness, perception

妊娠 (ninshin): conception, pregnancy​

農場 (noujou): farm (agriculture)​

覚え (oboe): memory, sense, experience​

犯す (okasu): to commit (e.g. crime)

重荷 (omoni): load, heavy burden

大幅 (oohaba): big, large, substantial

愚か (oroka): foolish, stupid​

恐れ (osore): fear, horror, anxiety

襲う (osou): to attack, to assail

訪れる (otozureru): to visit, to call on​

負う (ou): to bear, to take responsibility for

楽観 (rakkan): optimism

連中 (renchuu): company, lot, bunch

理屈 (rikutsu): theory, reason​

理性 (risei): reason, reasoning power

利息 (risoku): interest (bank)​

理論 (riron): theory

論理 (ronri): logic, logical

浪費 (rouhi): waste, extravagance​

領域 (ryouiki): area, domain, territory

良心 (ryoushin): conscience

察知 (sacchi): sense, infer​

定める (sadameru): to decide, to establish, to determine

最悪 (saiaku): the worst​

細部 (saibu): details

再生 (saisei): resuscitation, regeneration

採用 (saiyou): use, adoption, acceptance​

最善 (saizen): the very best, utmost​

栄える (sakaeru): to prosper, to flourish​

作戦 (sakusen): tactics, strategy​

悟る (satoru): to perceive, to sense, to understand

世代 (sedai): generation, the world, the age​

征服 (seifuku): conquest, subjugation

制服 (seifuku): uniform

正義 (seigi): justice, right, righteousness

誠実 (seijitsu): sincere, honest, faithful​

成熟 (seijuku): maturity, ripeness​

成果 (seika): fruits (of one’s labors), accomplishment

政権 (seiken): (political) administration, political power​

政策 (seisaku): political measures, policy​

正当 (seitou): just, justifiable, right

選挙 (senkyo): election

戦略 (senryaku): strategy, tactics​

占領 (senryou): occupying, possession, capture

戦闘 (sentou): battle, fight, combat​

専用 (senyou): exclusive use, personal use

接触 (sesshoku): touch, contact​

設定 (settei): establishment, creation, setting

説得 (settoku): persuasion

設立 (setsuritsu): establishment, founding

死 (shi): death, decease​

強いる (shiiru): to force, to compel, to coerce​

支持 (shiji): support, holding up, backing

指示 (shiji): instructions, directions, ​indication

資格 (shikaku): qualifications, requirements

指揮 (shiki): command, direction​

資金 (shikin): funds, capital​

仕組み (shikumi): structure, construction

使命 (shimei): mission, errand​, task

辛抱 (shinbou): patience, endurance​

進化 (shinka): evolution, progress​

侵略 (shinryaku): aggression, invasion

思考 (shikou): thought, consideration, thinking​

真実 (shinjitsu): truth, reality​

真理 (shinri): truth

真相 (shinsou): truth, real situation​

進展 (shinten): progress, development​

資産 (shisan): property, fortune, assets

視線 (shisen): one’s line of sight, one’s gaze

指摘 (shiteki): pointing out, identification​

嫉妬 (shitto): jealousy, envy​

視野 (shiya): field of vision, outlook​

処分 (shobun): disposal, dealing (with a problem)

職務 (shokumu): professional duties​

所得 (shotoku): income, earnings​

象徴 (shouchou): symbol

衝動 (shoudou): impulse, impetus, urge​

生涯 (shougai): one’s lifetime

証言 (shougen): testimony, (verbal) evidence​

証拠 (shouko): evidence, proof​

照明 (shoumei): illumination, lighting​

消滅 (shoumetsu): extinction, extinguishment

奨励 (shourei): encouragement, promotion

詳細 (shousai): detail, particulars​

昇進 (shoushin): promotion, advancement

少数 (shousuu): minority, few​

正体 (shoutai): true character, true form

勝利 (shouri): victory, triumph, win

所有 (shoyuu): one’s possessions, ownership​

主導 (shudou): leadership, initiative, spearhead​

守衛 (shuei): security guard, doorkeeper​

手法 (shuhou): technique, method​

収集 (shuushuu): gathering up, collection

収益 (shuueki): earnings, proceeds, returns

措置 (sochi): measure, measures, step​

損なう (sokonau): to harm, to hurt, to injure

促進 (sokushin): promotion, acceleration

染まる (somaru): to be dyed​, to be tainted, to be infected

即座に (sokuza ni): immediately, right away

阻止 (soshi): obstruction, check, hindrance

備わる (sonawaru): to be furnished with, to be equipped with​

損失 (sonshitsu): loss (e.g. assets or profits)​

訴訟 (soshou): liftigation, lawsuit​

装備 (soubi): equipment

捜査 (sousa): search, investigation

創造 (souzou): creation

遂行 (suikou): accomplishment, execution​

衰退 (suitai): decline, degeneration, decay

推進 (suishin): propulsion, drive​, promotion

好く (suku): to like, to love

体験 (taiken): personal experience, physical experience

対応 (taiou): correspondence, coping with

態勢 (taisei): attitude, posture, preparedness

対処 (taisho): dealing with, coping with

退職 (taishoku): retirement, resignation​

大衆 (taishuu): general public, the masses​

高まる (takamaru): to rise, to swell

企む (takuramu): to scheme, to plan, to conspire

保つ (tamotsu): to keep, to preserve, to maintain

達成 (tassei): achievement

提供 (teikyou): offer, provisioning, supply​

停滞 (teitai): stagnation, tie-up, congestion

手順 (tejun): process, procedure, sequence

適応 (tekiou): adaptation, accommodation

展示 (tenji): exhibition, display​

天井 (tenjou): ceiling, ceiling price​

転換 (tenkan): conversion, changeover

点検 (tenken): inspection, examination, checking​

天才 (tensai): genius, prodigy

手遅れ (teokure): being (too) late​

扉 (tobira): door, gate, opening​

乏しい (toboshii): meagre, scarce, lacking

特権 (tokken): privilege, special right​

富 (tomi): riches, wealth, fortune​

富む (tomu): to be rich in, to abound in

突破 (toppa): breaking through, penetration​

取引 (torihiki): transactions, dealings

整える (totonoeru): to put in order, to adjust​

統合 (tougou): integration, unification, synthesis​

投入 (tounyuu): throwing into, inserting

討論 (touron): debate, discussion​

統制 (tousei): regulation, control​

投資 (toushi): investment

到達 (toutatsu): reaching, attaining, arrival​

告げる (tsugeru): to tell, to inform

追求 (tsuikyuu): pursuit (of a goal, ideal, etc.)

追跡 (tsuiseki): chase, pursuit, tracing

費やす (tsuiyasu): to spend, to consume

募る (tsunoru): to grow violent, to become stronger

通常 (tsuujou): common, general, normal, usual​

強まる (tsuyomaru): to get strong, to gain strength​

打ち明ける (uchiakeru): to confide, to reveal

動き (ugoki): movement, move, motion​

促す (unagasu): to urge, to press, to prompt

運営 (un’ei): management, administration

運命 (unmei): fate, destiny

運用 (unyou): making use of, application

薄れる (usureru): to fade, to become dim​

罠 (wana): snare, trap

闇 (yami): darkness, the dark

野心 (yashin): ambition, aspiration​

養う (yashinau): to support, to provide for

余地 (yochi): place, room, margin

予感 (yokan): presentiment, premonition, hunch​

欲望 (yokubou): desire, appetite, lust​

抑制 (yokusei): control, restraint, suppression

要因 (youin): main cause, primary factor​

用件 (youken): business, thing to be done

要請 (yousei): appeal, request, demand

要する (you suru): to need, to demand, to require

弱める (yowameru): to weaken​

勇敢 (yuukan): brave, heroic, gallant​

優先 (yuusen): preference, priority

融資 (yuushi): financing, loan​

有する (yuusuru): to own, to be endowed with​

誘惑 (yuuwaku): temptation, allurement

財政 (zaisei): public finance, financial affairs

残酷 (zankoku): cruelty, harshness​

前提 (zentei): preamble, premise, reason

絶望 (zetsubou): despair, hopelessness​

増強 (zoukyou): augment, reinforce, increase​

See also: JLPT N1 Grammar List