Every word comes with furigana, romaji, and an original example sentence from real life in Japan.
22000 words
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 →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 →