Every word comes with furigana, romaji, and an original example sentence from real life in Japan.
3524 words · JLPT N3
juuyou
important
重要なメールには、すぐに返事をします。
じゅうような めーる に は、すぐ に へんじ を します。
juuyouna meeru ni wa, sugu ni henji o shimasu.
I reply to important emails right away.
Memory tip重要 = important
Make 重要 yours: write one short sentence about “important” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →shuyou
main / principal
主要な駅にはコインロッカーがあります。
しゅような えき に は こいんろっかー が あります。
shuyouna eki ni wa koinrokkaa ga arimasu.
There are coin lockers at the main stations.
Memory tip主要 = main
Say 主要 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “main” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →hisshi
desperate / frantic
電車に乗るために必死で走りました。
でんしゃ に のる ため に ひっし で はしりました。
densha ni noru tame ni hisshi de hashirimashita.
I ran desperately to catch the train.
Memory tip必死 = desperate
Make 必死 yours: write one short sentence about “desperate” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →igai
unexpected
試験の結果は意外でした。
しけん の けっか は いがい でした。
shiken no kekka wa igai deshita.
The exam result was unexpected.
Memory tip意外 = unexpected
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “unexpected” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 意外 to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →kyuusoku
rapid
AI技術は急速に進歩しています。
AI ぎじゅつ は きゅうそく に しんぽ しています。
AI gijutsu wa kyuusoku ni shinpo shiteimasu.
AI technology is advancing rapidly.
Memory tip急速 = rapid
When you meet 急速 in real text, pause on it once — meeting “rapid” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →junchou
smooth / on track
プロジェクトは順調に進んでいます。
ぷろじぇくと は じゅんちょう に すすんでいます。
purojekuto wa junchou ni susundeimasu.
The project is progressing smoothly.
Memory tip順調 = smooth
When you meet 順調 in real text, pause on it once — meeting “smooth” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →mendou
troublesome
住所変更の手続きは少し面倒です。
じゅうしょ へんこう の てつづき は すこし めんどう です。
juusho henkou no tetsuzuki wa sukoshi mendou desu.
The address-change procedure is a little troublesome.
Memory tip面倒 = troublesome
Tie 面倒 to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “troublesome” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →meiwaku
nuisance
夜遅くに電話すると迷惑になるかもしれません。
よる おそく に でんわ する と めいわく に なる かも しれません。
yoru osoku ni denwa suru to meiwaku ni naru kamo shiremasen.
Calling late at night might bother someone.
Memory tip迷惑 = nuisance
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “nuisance” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 迷惑 to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →kaiteki
comfortable
新しい部屋は広くて快適です。
あたらしい へや は ひろくて かいてき です。
atarashii heya wa hirokute kaiteki desu.
The new room is spacious and comfortable.
Memory tip快適 = comfortable
Make 快適 yours: write one short sentence about “comfortable” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →shinsen
fresh
この店の魚はいつも新鮮です。
この みせ の さかな は いつも しんせん です。
kono mise no sakana wa itsumo shinsen desu.
The fish at this store is always fresh.
Memory tip新鮮 = fresh
Tie 新鮮 to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “fresh” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →jouhou
information
最新の情報をウェブサイトで確認してください。
さいしん の じょうほう を うぇぶさいと で かくにん して ください。
saishin no jouhou o webusaito de kakunin shite kudasai.
Please check the latest information on the website.
Memory tip情報 = information
Tie 情報 to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “information” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →naiyou
contents
契約の内容をよく読んでください。
けいやく の ないよう を よく よんで ください。
keiyaku no naiyou o yoku yonde kudasai.
Please read the contents of the contract carefully.
Memory tip内容 = contents
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “contents” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 内容 to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →kekka
result
テストの結果は明日分かります。
てすと の けっか は あした わかります。
tesuto no kekka wa ashita wakarimasu.
The test results will be known tomorrow.
Memory tip結果 = result
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “result” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 結果 to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →gen'in
cause
エラーの原因を調べています。
えらー の げんいん を しらべています。
eraa no gen'in o shirabeteimasu.
We are investigating the cause of the error.
Memory tip原因 = cause
Tie 原因 to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “cause” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →mokuteki
purpose
来日の目的は仕事です。
らいにち の もくてき は しごと です。
rainichi no mokuteki wa shigoto desu.
The purpose of my coming to Japan is work.
Memory tip目的 = purpose
Tie 目的 to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “purpose” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →mokuhyou
goal / target
今年の目標はN2に合格することです。
ことし の もくひょう は N2 に ごうかく する こと です。
kotoshi no mokuhyou wa N2 ni goukaku suru koto desu.
My goal this year is to pass N2.
Memory tip目標 = goal
Tie 目標 to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “goal” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →houhou
method
もっと簡単な方法を探しています。
もっと かんたんな ほうほう を さがしています。
motto kantanna houhou o sagashiteimasu.
I am looking for an easier method.
Memory tip方法 = method
When you meet 方法 in real text, pause on it once — meeting “method” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →shudan
means
連絡手段はメールが便利です。
れんらく しゅだん は めーる が べんり です。
renraku shudan wa meeru ga benri desu.
Email is a convenient means of contact.
Memory tip手段 = means
Make 手段 yours: write one short sentence about “means” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →jouken
condition
契約の条件を確認しました。
けいやく の じょうけん を かくにん しました。
keiyaku no jouken o kakunin shimashita.
I checked the conditions of the contract.
Memory tip条件 = condition
When you meet 条件 in real text, pause on it once — meeting “condition” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →joukyou
situation
現在の状況を報告してください。
げんざい の じょうきょう を ほうこく して ください。
genzai no joukyou o houkoku shite kudasai.
Please report on the current situation.
Memory tip状況 = situation
Make 状況 yours: write one short sentence about “situation” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →joutai
state / condition
サーバーの状態を監視しています。
さーばー の じょうたい を かんし しています。
saabaa no joutai o kanshi shiteimasu.
We are monitoring the state of the server.
Memory tip状態 = state
Tie 状態 to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “state” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →kankyou
environment
新しい職場の環境に慣れてきました。
あたらしい しょくば の かんきょう に なれて きました。
atarashii shokuba no kankyou ni narete kimashita.
I am getting used to the environment at my new workplace.
Memory tip環境 = environment
Make 環境 yours: write one short sentence about “environment” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →eikyou
influence
台風の影響で電車が遅れています。
たいふう の えいきょう で でんしゃ が おくれています。
taifuu no eikyou de densha ga okureteimasu.
The trains are delayed due to the typhoon.
Memory tip影響 = influence
Make 影響 yours: write one short sentence about “influence” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →kouka
effect
毎日の練習の効果が出てきました。
まいにち の れんしゅう の こうか が でて きました。
mainichi no renshuu no kouka ga dete kimashita.
The effects of daily practice are showing.
Memory tip効果 = effect
When you meet 効果 in real text, pause on it once — meeting “effect” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →nouryoku
ability
彼は問題を解決する能力が高いです。
かれ は もんだい を かいけつ する のうりょく が たかい です。
kare wa mondai o kaiketsu suru nouryoku ga takai desu.
He has a strong ability to solve problems.
Memory tip能力 = ability
Say 能力 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “ability” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →jitsuryoku
real ability
試験で実力を出せませんでした。
しけん で じつりょく を だせません でした。
shiken de jitsuryoku o dasemasen deshita.
I could not show my real ability in the exam.
Memory tip実力 = real ability
Make 実力 yours: write one short sentence about “real ability” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →chishiki
knowledge
プログラミングの知識を増やしたいです。
ぷろぐらみんぐ の ちしき を ふやしたい です。
puroguramingu no chishiki o fuyashitai desu.
I want to increase my programming knowledge.
Memory tip知識 = knowledge
When you meet 知識 in real text, pause on it once — meeting “knowledge” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →shikaku
qualification
ITの資格を取るために勉強しています。
IT の しかく を とる ため に べんきょう しています。
IT no shikaku o toru tame ni benkyou shiteimasu.
I am studying to get an IT qualification.
Memory tip資格 = qualification
Make 資格 yours: write one short sentence about “qualification” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →menkyo
license
日本で運転免許を取りました。
にほん で うんてん めんきょ を とりました。
nihon de unten menkyo o torimashita.
I got a driver's license in Japan.
Memory tip免許 = license
Say 免許 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “license” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →shokuba
workplace
職場の雰囲気はとても良いです。
しょくば の ふんいき は とても よい です。
shokuba no fun'iki wa totemo yoi desu.
The atmosphere at my workplace is very good.
Memory tip職場 = workplace
Say 職場 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “workplace” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →shokugyou
occupation
書類に職業を書く欄があります。
しょるい に しょくぎょう を かく らん が あります。
shorui ni shokugyou o kaku ran ga arimasu.
There is a space on the form to write your occupation.
Memory tip職業 = occupation
When you meet 職業 in real text, pause on it once — meeting “occupation” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →kigyou
company / enterprise
大きい企業より小さい会社で働きたいです。
おおきい きぎょう より ちいさい かいしゃ で はたらきたい です。
ookii kigyou yori chiisai kaisha de hatarakitai desu.
I would rather work at a small company than a large corporation.
Memory tip企業 = company
Make 企業 yours: write one short sentence about “company” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →sangyou
industry
この町は観光産業が盛んです。
この まち は かんこう さんぎょう が さかん です。
kono machi wa kankou sangyou ga sakan desu.
The tourism industry is thriving in this town.
Memory tip産業 = industry
Make 産業 yours: write one short sentence about “industry” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →shouhin
product / goods
新しい商品が棚に並んでいます。
あたらしい しょうひん が たな に ならんでいます。
atarashii shouhin ga tana ni narandeimasu.
New products are lined up on the shelves.
Memory tip商品 = product
Say 商品 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “product” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →shoubai
business / trade
祖父は長年、商売をしています。
そふ は ながねん、しょうばい を しています。
sofu wa naganen, shoubai o shiteimasu.
My grandfather has been in business for many years.
Memory tip商売 = business
Tie 商売 to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “business” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →uriage
sales (amount)
今月の売り上げは先月より伸びました。
こんげつ の うりあげ は せんげつ より のびました。
kongetsu no uriage wa sengetsu yori nobimashita.
This month's sales grew compared to last month.
Memory tip売り上げ = sales (amount)
Make 売り上げ yours: write one short sentence about “sales (amount)” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →rieki
profit
会社の利益が増えました。
かいしゃ の りえき が ふえました。
kaisha no rieki ga fuemashita.
The company's profits increased.
Memory tip利益 = profit
Make 利益 yours: write one short sentence about “profit” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →hiyou
expense
引っ越しの費用を計算しました。
ひっこし の ひよう を けいさん しました。
hikkoshi no hiyou o keisan shimashita.
I calculated the cost of moving.
Memory tip費用 = expense
Say 費用 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “expense” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →yosan
budget
プロジェクトの予算が決まりました。
ぷろじぇくと の よさん が きまりました。
purojekuto no yosan ga kimarimashita.
The project budget has been decided.
Memory tip予算 = budget
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “budget” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 予算 to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →zeikin
tax
給料から税金が引かれます。
きゅうりょう から ぜいきん が ひかれます。
kyuuryou kara zeikin ga hikaremasu.
Taxes are deducted from your salary.
Memory tip税金 = tax
Make 税金 yours: write one short sentence about “tax” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →hoken
insurance
日本では健康保険に入る必要があります。
にほん で は けんこう ほけん に はいる ひつよう が あります。
nihon de wa kenkou hoken ni hairu hitsuyou ga arimasu.
In Japan, you need to join health insurance.
Memory tip保険 = insurance
Say 保険 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “insurance” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →kyuuyo
salary / wages
給与の明細をオンラインで確認できます。
きゅうよ の めいさい を おんらいん で かくにん できます。
kyuuyo no meisai o onrain de kakunin dekimasu.
You can check your salary statement online.
Memory tip給与 = salary
Tie 給与 to one concrete moment from your own week in Japan where “salary” came up — a word anchored to a real scene sticks far better than a definition.
Read the full tip →shoukin
prize money
コンテストで賞金をもらいました。
こんてすと で しょうきん を もらいました。
kontesuto de shoukin o moraimashita.
I received prize money in the contest.
Memory tip賞金 = prize money
Say 賞金 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “prize money” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →shiryou
materials / data
発表の資料を共有してください。
はっぴょう の しりょう を きょうゆう して ください。
happyou no shiryou o kyouyuu shite kudasai.
Please share the presentation materials.
Memory tip資料 = materials
Say 資料 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “materials” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →kiji
article (news)
日本語のニュース記事を毎日読んでいます。
にほんご の にゅーす きじ を まいにち よんでいます。
nihongo no nyuusu kiji o mainichi yondeimasu.
I read Japanese news articles every day.
Memory tip記事 = article (news)
Make 記事 yours: write one short sentence about “article (news)” from your own life, and this word will come back when you actually need it.
Read the full tip →bangumi
TV program
毎週この番組を見ています。
まいしゅう この ばんぐみ を みています。
maishuu kono bangumi o miteimasu.
I watch this program every week.
Memory tip番組 = TV program
Say 番組 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “TV program” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →gamen
screen
画面が急に暗くなりました。
がめん が きゅう に くらく なりました。
gamen ga kyuu ni kuraku narimashita.
The screen suddenly went dark.
Memory tip画面 = screen
When you meet 画面 in real text, pause on it once — meeting “screen” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →kikai
machine
この機械の使い方を教えてください。
この きかい の つかいかた を おしえて ください。
kono kikai no tsukaikata o oshiete kudasai.
Please teach me how to use this machine.
Memory tip機械 = machine
Say 機械 out loud inside a short sentence about your day. Linking it to “machine” in your own words builds the memory faster than rereading it.
Read the full tip →kinou
function
このアプリには便利な機能が多いです。
この あぷり に は べんりな きのう が おおい です。
kono apuri ni wa benrina kinou ga ooi desu.
This app has many useful functions.
Memory tip機能 = function
Picture the last situation where you needed the idea of “function” — at work, at the station, online — and attach 機能 to that exact scene.
Read the full tip →souchi
device / equipment
工場に新しい装置を導入しました。
こうじょう に あたらしい そうち を どうにゅう しました。
koujou ni atarashii souchi o dounyuu shimashita.
New equipment was introduced at the factory.
Memory tip装置 = device
When you meet 装置 in real text, pause on it once — meeting “device” in the wild a single time beats ten flashcard passes.
Read the full tip →