Every word comes with furigana, romaji, and an original example sentence from real life in Japan.
3524 words · JLPT N3
mamoru
to protect / to keep
約束の時間を守ってください。
やくそく の じかん を まもって ください。
yakusoku no jikan o mamotte kudasai.
Please keep to the agreed time.
Memory tip守る = protect
Make 守る yours: write one short sentence about “protect” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →yaburu
to break / to tear
間違えた書類を破って捨てました。
まちがえた しょるい を やぶって すてました。
machigaeta shorui o yabutte sutemashita.
I tore up the wrong document and threw it away.
Memory tip破る = break
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “break” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 破る to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →okurikaesu
to send back
間違った商品を店に送り返しました。
まちがった しょうひん を みせ に おくりかえしました。
machigatta shouhin o mise ni okurikaeshimashita.
I sent the wrong product back to the store.
Memory tip送り返す = send back
Make 送り返す yours: write one short sentence about “send back” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →uketoru
to receive
午前中に荷物を受け取りました。
ごぜんちゅう に にもつ を うけとりました。
gozenchuu ni nimotsu o uketorimashita.
I received the package in the morning.
Memory tip受け取る = receive
Tie 受け取る to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “receive” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →torikesu
to cancel
予約を取り消してもいいですか。
よやく を とりけして も いい です か。
yoyaku o torikeshite mo ii desu ka.
May I cancel the reservation?
Memory tip取り消す = cancel
Tie 取り消す to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “cancel” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →minaosu
to review / re-examine
出す前にもう一度書類を見直しました。
だす まえ に もう いちど しょるい を みなおしました。
dasu mae ni mou ichido shorui o minaoshimashita.
I looked over the documents once more before submitting them.
Memory tip見直す = review
Say 見直す out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “review” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →hanashiau
to discuss
チームで問題について話し合いました。
ちーむ で もんだい について はなしあいました。
chiimu de mondai nitsuite hanashiaimashita.
We discussed the problem as a team.
Memory tip話し合う = discuss
Make 話し合う yours: write one short sentence about “discuss” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →mukau
to head toward
今、駅に向かっています。
いま、えき に むかっています。
ima, eki ni mukatteimasu.
I am heading to the station now.
Memory tip向かう = head toward
Tie 向かう to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “head toward” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →shitagau
to follow / obey
ルールに従って作業してください。
るーる に したがって さぎょう して ください。
ruuru ni shitagatte sagyou shite kudasai.
Please work according to the rules.
Memory tip従う = follow
Say 従う out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “follow” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →atsukau
to handle
この店ではパソコンの部品も扱っています。
この みせ で は ぱそこん の ぶひん も あつかっています。
kono mise de wa pasokon no buhin mo atsukatteimasu.
This store also handles computer parts.
Memory tip扱う = handle
When you meet 扱う in real text, pause on it once — meeting “handle” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →yatou
to employ
あの店は学生をたくさん雇っています。
あの みせ は がくせい を たくさん やとっています。
ano mise wa gakusei o takusan yatotteimasu.
That store employs a lot of students.
Memory tip雇う = employ
When you meet 雇う in real text, pause on it once — meeting “employ” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →kasegu
to earn
アルバイトで生活費を稼いでいます。
あるばいと で せいかつひ を かせいでいます。
arubaito de seikatsuhi o kaseideimasu.
I earn my living expenses through a part-time job.
Memory tip稼ぐ = earn
Say 稼ぐ out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “earn” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →fusegu
to prevent
手を洗って風邪を防ぎましょう。
て を あらって かぜ を ふせぎましょう。
te o aratte kaze o fusegimashou.
Let us wash our hands and prevent colds.
Memory tip防ぐ = prevent
Say 防ぐ out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “prevent” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →sumu
to be settled / finished
手続きは十分で済みました。
てつづき は じゅっぷん で すみました。
tetsuzuki wa juppun de sumimashita.
The procedure was over in ten minutes.
Memory tip済む = be settled
Tie 済む to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “be settled” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →susumeru
to advance something
計画を少しずつ進めています。
けいかく を すこしずつ すすめています。
keikaku o sukoshizutsu susumeteimasu.
I am moving the plan forward little by little.
Memory tip進める = advance something
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “advance something” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 進める to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →susumeru
to recommend
先輩がこの本を勧めてくれました。
せんぱい が この ほん を すすめて くれました。
senpai ga kono hon o susumete kuremashita.
A senior colleague recommended this book to me.
Memory tip勧める = recommend
Say 勧める out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “recommend” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →makaseru
to entrust
この仕事は私に任せてください。
この しごと は わたし に まかせて ください。
kono shigoto wa watashi ni makasete kudasai.
Please leave this job to me.
Memory tip任せる = entrust
Say 任せる out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “entrust” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →azukeru
to deposit / leave with
駅で荷物を預けました。
えき で にもつ を あずけました。
eki de nimotsu o azukemashita.
I left my luggage at the station.
Memory tip預ける = deposit
Make 預ける yours: write one short sentence about “deposit” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →tashikameru
to confirm
出発の前に時間を確かめました。
しゅっぱつ の まえ に じかん を たしかめました。
shuppatsu no mae ni jikan o tashikamemashita.
I made sure of the time before departure.
Memory tip確かめる = confirm
Say 確かめる out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “confirm” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →mitomeru
to admit / approve
自分のミスを認めて謝りました。
じぶん の みす を みとめて あやまりました。
jibun no misu o mitomete ayamarimashita.
I admitted my mistake and apologized.
Memory tip認める = admit
Tie 認める to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “admit” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →motomeru
to seek / request
会社は経験のある人を求めています。
かいしゃ は けいけん の ある ひと を もとめています。
kaisha wa keiken no aru hito o motometeimasu.
The company is looking for people with experience.
Memory tip求める = seek
Make 求める yours: write one short sentence about “seek” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →kuwaeru
to add
説明を少し加えました。
せつめい を すこし くわえました。
setsumei o sukoshi kuwaemashita.
I added a little explanation.
Memory tip加える = add
Say 加える out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “add” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →kaeru
to change something
会議の日を金曜日に変えました。
かいぎ の ひ を きんようび に かえました。
kaigi no hi o kin'youbi ni kaemashita.
I changed the meeting day to Friday.
Memory tip変える = change something
Make 変える yours: write one short sentence about “change something” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →sonaeru
to prepare for
地震に備えて水を用意しています。
じしん に そなえて みず を ようい しています。
jishin ni sonaete mizu o youi shiteimasu.
I keep water ready in preparation for earthquakes.
Memory tip備える = prepare for
Make 備える yours: write one short sentence about “prepare for” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →tasukeru
to help / save
困っている人を助けました。
こまっている ひと を たすけました。
komatteiru hito o tasukemashita.
I helped someone who was in trouble.
Memory tip助ける = help
Make 助ける yours: write one short sentence about “help” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →sakeru
to avoid
混む時間を避けて出かけます。
こむ じかん を さけて でかけます。
komu jikan o sakete dekakemasu.
I go out avoiding the crowded hours.
Memory tip避ける = avoid
When you meet 避ける in real text, pause on it once — meeting “avoid” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →yameru
to quit (a job)
来月、今の仕事を辞めます。
らいげつ、いま の しごと を やめます。
raigetsu, ima no shigoto o yamemasu.
I will quit my current job next month.
Memory tip辞める = quit (a job)
Make 辞める yours: write one short sentence about “quit (a job)” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →soroeru
to arrange / complete a set
必要な書類を揃えました。
ひつような しょるい を そろえました。
hitsuyouna shorui o soroemashita.
I gathered all the necessary documents.
Memory tip揃える = arrange
Make 揃える yours: write one short sentence about “arrange” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →kazoeru
to count
会議の資料の数を数えました。
かいぎ の しりょう の かず を かぞえました。
kaigi no shiryou no kazu o kazoemashita.
I counted the number of meeting handouts.
Memory tip数える = count
Make 数える yours: write one short sentence about “count” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →kakaeru
to hold / to have (problems)
彼は大きな問題を抱えています。
かれ は おおきな もんだい を かかえています。
kare wa ookina mondai o kakaeteimasu.
He is dealing with a big problem.
Memory tip抱える = hold
When you meet 抱える in real text, pause on it once — meeting “hold” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →kuwashii
detailed / knowledgeable
彼はこの機械に詳しいです。
かれ は この きかい に くわしい です。
kare wa kono kikai ni kuwashii desu.
He knows a lot about this machine.
Memory tip詳しい = detailed
Say 詳しい out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “detailed” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →hageshii
intense
今日は雨が激しいです。
きょう は あめ が はげしい です。
kyou wa ame ga hageshii desu.
The rain is heavy today.
Memory tip激しい = intense
Tie 激しい to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “intense” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →mazushii
poor
祖父は貧しい家で育ちました。
そふ は まずしい いえ で そだちました。
sofu wa mazushii ie de sodachimashita.
My grandfather grew up in a poor family.
Memory tip貧しい = poor
When you meet 貧しい in real text, pause on it once — meeting “poor” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →yutakanakurashi
rich (life) — set phrase
家族と豊かな暮らしを送りたいです。
かぞく と ゆたかな くらし を おくりたい です。
kazoku to yutakana kurashi o okuritai desu.
I want to live a rich life with my family.
Memory tip豊かな暮らし = rich (life) — set phrase
Say 豊かな暮らし out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “rich (life) — set phrase” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →shitashii
close (relationship)
彼とは学生のときから親しいです。
かれ と は がくせい の とき から したしい です。
kare to wa gakusei no toki kara shitashii desu.
He and I have been close since we were students.
Memory tip親しい = close (relationship)
When you meet 親しい in real text, pause on it once — meeting “close (relationship)” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →ayashii
suspicious
怪しいメールは開かないでください。
あやしい めーる は ひらかないで ください。
ayashii meeru wa hirakanaide kudasai.
Please do not open suspicious emails.
Memory tip怪しい = suspicious
Make 怪しい yours: write one short sentence about “suspicious” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →urayamashii
envious
日本語が上手な人が羨ましいです。
にほんご が じょうず な ひと が うらやましい です。
nihongo ga jouzu na hito ga urayamashii desu.
I envy people who are good at Japanese.
Memory tip羨ましい = envious
Make 羨ましい yours: write one short sentence about “envious” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →koishii
missed / longed for
国の料理が恋しいです。
くに の りょうり が こいしい です。
kuni no ryouri ga koishii desu.
I miss the food from my country.
Memory tip恋しい = missed
Say 恋しい out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “missed” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →natsukashii
nostalgic
昔の写真を見て懐かしくなりました。
むかし の しゃしん を みて なつかしく なりました。
mukashi no shashin o mite natsukashiku narimashita.
Looking at old photos made me feel nostalgic.
Memory tip懐かしい = nostalgic
Make 懐かしい yours: write one short sentence about “nostalgic” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →kewashii
steep / grim
この山の道は険しいです。
この やま の みち は けわしい です。
kono yama no michi wa kewashii desu.
The path up this mountain is steep.
Memory tip険しい = steep
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “steep” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 険しい to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →yurui
loose
このシャツは少し緩いです。
この しゃつ は すこし ゆるい です。
kono shatsu wa sukoshi yurui desu.
This shirt is a little loose.
Memory tip緩い = loose
Tie 緩い to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “loose” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →surudoi
sharp
このナイフはとても鋭いです。
この ないふ は とても するどい です。
kono naifu wa totemo surudoi desu.
This knife is very sharp.
Memory tip鋭い = sharp
When you meet 鋭い in real text, pause on it once — meeting “sharp” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →nibui
dull / slow
このはさみは鈍くて、よく切れません。
この はさみ は にぶくて、よく きれません。
kono hasami wa nibukute, yoku kiremasen.
These scissors are dull and do not cut well.
Memory tip鈍い = dull
Say 鈍い out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “dull” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →erai
great / admirable
毎日勉強していて偉いですね。
まいにち べんきょう していて えらい です ね。
mainichi benkyou shiteite erai desu ne.
It is admirable that you study every day.
Memory tip偉い = great
When you meet 偉い in real text, pause on it once — meeting “great” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →tsurai
hard / painful (emotionally)
慣れるまでは仕事が辛かったです。
なれる まで は しごと が つらかった です。
nareru made wa shigoto ga tsurakatta desu.
Until I got used to it, the job was hard.
Memory tip辛い = hard
Tie 辛い to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “hard” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →kakujitsu
certain / reliable
この方法のほうが確実です。
この ほうほう の ほう が かくじつ です。
kono houhou no hou ga kakujitsu desu.
This method is more reliable.
Memory tip確実 = certain
Say 確実 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “certain” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →seikaku
accurate
この時計は正確です。
この とけい は せいかく です。
kono tokei wa seikaku desu.
This clock keeps accurate time.
Memory tip正確 = accurate
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “accurate” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 正確 to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →tekitou
suitable / (or careless)
適当な大きさの箱を探しています。
てきとうな おおきさ の はこ を さがしています。
tekitouna ookisa no hako o sagashiteimasu.
I am looking for a box of a suitable size.
Memory tip適当 = suitable
Say 適当 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “suitable” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →juubun
sufficient
準備の時間は十分あります。
じゅんび の じかん は じゅうぶん あります。
junbi no jikan wa juubun arimasu.
There is enough time to prepare.
Memory tip十分 = sufficient
Say 十分 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “sufficient” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →kichou
precious
貴重な経験ができました。
きちょうな けいけん が できました。
kichouna keiken ga dekimashita.
I was able to have a valuable experience.
Memory tip貴重 = precious
Make 貴重 yours: write one short sentence about “precious” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →