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Navigating pregnancy and childbirth in Japan can feel overwhelming, especially in a city as busy and diverse as Tokyo, if you are not familiar with the local language. From prenatal checkups to hospital visits and birth planning, knowing the right Japanese vocabulary can make communication with doctors, nurses, and support staff much smoother.

Expecting a baby in Japan? In this blog article, we will be taking a look at various useful vocabulary words in Japanese related to pregnancy and childbirth! This guide introduces essential Japanese words and phrases related to pregnancy and giving birth, with a focus on situations you are likely to encounter in Tokyo.

We will also share with you some information about giving birth in Tokyo, including what it’s like to be pregnant in Japan, a list of English-friendly hospitals in Tokyo, and details about childbirth financial aid in Japan.

Basic Medical Terms in Japanese

When preparing for pregnancy or childbirth in Japan, it’s helpful to know some basic medical terms that often come up in clinics and hospitals. Below is a table of general medical words you may need to know when going for a medical checkup in Japan. Sanfujinka (産婦人科) is the Japanese word for the obstetrics and gynecology department or OB-GYN clinic. In Tokyo, many women go to a sanfujinka for both routine prenatal checkups (ninshin kenshin or 妊娠検診) and delivery-related care. Some larger hospitals have a dedicated sanfujinka ward, while smaller private sanfujinka clinics often provide more personalized care.

pregnancy in japan - general terms vocabulary list

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
産婦人科	Sanfujinka	Obstetrics and gynecology
病院	Byouin	Hospital
訪問時間	Houmon jikan	Visiting hours
医者	Isha	Doctor
看護師	Kangoshisan	Nurse
助産師	Josanshi	Midwife
妊娠	Ninshin	Pregnancy
妊婦	Ninpu	Pregnant Woman
分娩	Bunben	Delivery
入院	Nyuuin	Admission
定期検診	Teiki Kenshin	Regular Checkup
血液型	Ketsueki Gata	Blood Type
体重	Taijuu	Weight
身長	Shinchou	Height
体温	Taion	Body Temperature
血圧	Ketsuatsu	Blood Pressure

Pregnancy in Japan - Pregnancy and Childbirth vocabulary list

From prenatal checkups to delivery and postpartum care, let us look at some common pregnancy and childbirth terms you might encounter with doctors, midwives, and hospital staff. The table below consists of common terms used during pregnancy and childbirth in Japanese!

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
最終月経	Saishuu Gekkei	Last menstrual period
胎児	Taiji	Fetus
胎児心音	Taiji Shinon	Fetal heartbeat
胎動	Taidou	Fetal movement
超音波検査	Chouonpa kensa	Ultrasound examination
分娩予定日	Bunben yoteibi	Estimated date of delivery
つわり	Tsuwari	Morning sickness
痛い	Itai	Painful
陣痛	Jintsuu	Labor pain
頭痛	Zutsu	Headache
はきけ	Hakike	Nausea
背中が痛い	Senaka ga itai	My back hurts
出血	Shukketsu	Bleeding
注射	Chusha	Injection
麻酔	Masui	Anesthetic
分娩室	Bunben shitsu	Delivery room
帝王切開	Teiou sekkai	C-section
経腟分娩	Keichitsu bunben	Vaginal delivery
へその緒	Heso no o	Umbilical cord
いきんでください	Ikindekudasai	Please push
マタニティーマーク	Mataniti maku	Pregnancy Badge
母子健康手帳	Boshi kenkou techou	Health book for mother and child

Learn Japanese your way, while preparing for your little one

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Caring for a newborn in Japan often involves visits to clinics, health centers, and stores that specialize in baby products. Whether you’re preparing for your baby’s arrival or adjusting to daily life after birth, check out important vocabulary that will help you navigate common situations in Tokyo and beyond.

Pregnancy in Japan - Baby vocabulary list — Pregnancy in Japan – Baby vocabulary list

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
赤ちゃん	Akachan	Baby
双子	Futago	Twins
出生証明書	Shussei shoumeisho	Birth certificate
新生児室	Shinseiji shitsu	Nursery
赤ちゃんにあえますか。	Akachan ni aemasuka	‘May I see my baby?’
赤ちゃんを抱っこしてもいいですか。	Akachan o dakko shitemo iidesuka	‘May I hold my baby?’
ミルク	Miruku	Formula
人工栄養	Jinkou eiyou	Bottle feeding
母乳	Bonyuu	Breast milk
母乳栄養	Bonyuu eiyou	Breast feeding
母乳をあげたいです	Bonyuu o agetaidesu	‘I want to breast feed.’
授乳室はどこですか？	Jyunyushitsu wa doko desuka?	‘Where is the nursing room?’

What to Know About Being Pregnant in Japan

In Japan, the locals see pregnancy as a period for women to discipline themselves both mentally and physically. There is a huge “gaman” culture, which translates to ‘enduring’ or ‘bearing with it’. Hence, most Japanese women choose to give birth ‘naturally’ and not receive any kind of pain relief at all.
As a matter of fact, pain relief such as an anesthetic is not a common thing at all in Japanese hospitals. So if you are looking to receive pain relief during your pregnancy and/or childbirth, do make sure to double-check with your hospital!
Did you know that in Japan, fathers are not always permitted at birth? In some hospitals, fathers are required to wait in the waiting room while the mother gives birth in the delivery room. This is because having the father present during birth can be distracting to the doctor. Though it may be a different case in every hospital, this is a good point to note when choosing the hospital you wish to deliver at!

In Japan, all expectant mothers are able to receive a Maternity Mark keyring from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This keyring is for showing strangers that special care should be given to you. For example, giving up a seat on the train or refraining from smoking near you.

English-friendly Hospitals in Tokyo

If you are looking for a hospital in Tokyo with services provided in English, rest assured that there are a couple in Tokyo that you can choose from!
Below, we have included a list of some English-friendly hospitals in Tokyo.

Aiiku Hospital
Japanese Red Cross Medical Center
Sanno Hospital
Jikei Hospital, Women’s and Children’s Center
Seibo International Catholic Hospital
St Luke’s International Hospital

Financial Aid for Childbirth in Japan

If you are covered by Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) or employed by a company in Japan, you are entitled to receive Japanese insurance benefits.
The government provides a lump sum called the ‘Childbirth and Childcare Lump Sum Grant’ worth 420,000 yen, which can be used to cover the costs of giving birth.
Also, the government provides a child allowance, at 15,000 yen per month until the age of three, and 10,000 yen per child per month until the third year of high school.

Enjoy Japanese lessons for busy parents-to-be at Coto Academy!

Learning pregnancy-related vocabulary is especially helpful if you’re expecting a baby in Japan. It can make a big difference in how confidently you communicate with doctors, midwives, and childcare staff.

If you want to take your Japanese skills to the next level, why not join Coto Academy?

We know that preparing for a new arrival can make it tricky to stick to a strict study schedule. That’s why we offer flexible options: both in-person and online Japanese classes that focus on practical skills you can use in everyday life—whether it’s visiting a hospital, finding a nursery, or enrolling your child in preschool.

For those who prefer learning in person, we also have weekend and part-time courses, so you can study at a pace that fits your routine. This way, you can focus on both your growing family and your language learning—without having to choose one over the other.

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Japan is one of those countries blessed with not just four seasons, but four amazing ones. Spring brings cherry blossoms, summer lights up with fireworks festivals, autumn glows with vibrant momiji, and finally, winter arrives with powder-soft snow in ski destinations like Hokkaido and sparkling winter illuminations in major cities like Tokyo.

But how do you describe the snow on your ski trip, or talk about plunging temperatures in Japanese? Japan has become one of the most sought-after destinations in recent years, and one of the best ways to appreciate the country even more is by learning to describe it in its own language. If you’re spending winter in Japan, this guide will walk you through useful winter vocabulary in Japanese, snow-related expressions, and everyday phrases to help you navigate Japan’s cold season!

Want to learn Japanese during your trip to Japan? Join short-term, flexible, and fun lessons at Coto Academy!

What is Snow in Japanese?

Let’s start with the basics! In Japanese, snow is called yuki, written as 雪. The kanji uses the radical 雨, which means “rain,” hinting at its connection to weather. The word yuki often appears in place names and is also a popular choice for girls’ names, especially those born in, you guessed it, winter.

From this single kanji, you can create all kinds of useful compound words.

The northern regions, especially Hokkaido, are commonly referred to as yukiguni (雪国), meaning “snow country.” These areas are famous for their yukiyama (雪山), or snow-covered mountains. A few handy related words that use the word yuki include 大雪 (ooyuki; heavy snow) and 雪だまる (yukidamaru; snowman).

Different Types of Snow in Japan

Specific regions in Japan, such as Niseko, are known for the exceptional quality of their snow, thanks to a perfect balance of climate, geography, and temperature. These destinations have become highly coveted among skiers from around the world. And if you’d like to get a little more specific, did you know that Japanese has several unique words to describe different types of snow?

1. Botan yuki (牡丹雪): Peony snow

The word 牡丹 (botan) means peony, a popular flower in Japan that blooms in spring. As its name suggests, botan yuki refers to large, beautiful snowflakes that resemble peony petals. Unlike powder snow, these flakes are large enough that you can clearly see their patterns.

These oversized flakes form because they contain much more moisture than typical snow. Another name for botanyuki is べた雪 (beta yuki), meaning wet, sticky snow.

2. 粉雪（Konayuki): Powder snow

This is the famous light, dry, fluffy snow often called Japow by skiers. It’s common in Hokkaido and high-altitude regions. The kanji consists of 粉, which means powder, and 雪, which means snow. Konayuki falls in fine, dry grains and often blows in the wind. It doesn’t clump or get heavy, which is why skiers and snowboarders love it.

3. Tamayuki (玉雪): Ball of snow

From the word 玉 (tama) meaning “ball,” tamayuki refers to round, pellet-like snowflakes. It’s seen at the beginning or end of winter when temperatures are slightly warmer, causing snow to form into soft, ball-shaped clusters.

4.細雪（Sasameyuki): Fine snow

Sasameyuki consists of delicate, tiny flakes that fall like dust. The term has a poetic nuance and is often used in literature to describe quiet, gentle snowfall. Despite the elegant name, this type of snow contains moisture and can be surprisingly heavy, appearing often in warmer regions with large amounts of precipitation.

5. 灰雪（Haiyuki): Ash-like snow

As the name implies, haiyuki falls in a fluttering motion similar to ash drifting in the wind.

The flakes are relatively thick and cast a faint gray shadow when sunlight hits them, creating a soft, hazy atmosphere.

6. 餅雪 (Mochiyuki): Mochi snow

A charming term that comes from 餅 (mochi), the soft, chewy rice cake. Mochiyuki describes snow that looks like fluffy, stretchy mochi, with a soft, rounded, and slightly sticky structure.

7. 雪花 (Yukibana): Snow flower

These rare, large snowflakes look like delicate flowers, bigger than botanyuki. They form under specific atmospheric conditions, and spotting them is considered special!

What is Winter in Japanese?

On the other hand, winter itself is called fuyu, written as 冬. It’s a simple, commonly used word you’ll hear often during the colder months: in weather forecasts, seasonal greetings, or everyday conversations about the chill in the air.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s move on to even more winter-related Japanese vocabulary! The table below includes useful words and phrases to describe winter weather and the activities that come with the season.

Japanese	Furigana	Romaji	Meaning
氷	こおり	koori	ice
寒い	さむい	samui	cold
冷たい	つめたい	tsumetai	cold to the touch
霜	しも	shimo	frost
風	かぜ	kaze	wind
吹雪	ふぶき	fubuki	blizzard
氷点下	ひょうてんか	hyōtenka	below freezing
冬休み	ふゆやすみ	fuyuyasumi	winter break
雪だるま	ゆきだるま	yukidaruma	snowman
除雪	じょせつ	josetsu	snow removal
イルミネーション	—	irumineeshon	winter light displays

Winter Fashion Vocabulary

Winter in Japan varies a lot depending on where you are, but as a general rule, the further north you go, the colder it gets. In regions like Hokkaido and Tohoku, temperatures can drop to –5°C to –15°C (23°F to 5°F), and some areas get even colder. Central areas such as Tokyo experience a chilly winter.

No matter where you’re headed, it’s a good idea to layer up. Items like Heattech innerwear will keep you warm, and if you’re visiting snow-heavy regions, be sure to bring waterproof boots and a water-resistant coat to protect yourself from sleet and slush.

Japanese	Furigana	Romaji	Meaning
コート	—	kooto	coat
ジャケット	—	jaketto	jacket
マフラー	—	mafuraa	scarf
手袋	てぶくろ	tebukuro	gloves
ニット帽	にっとぼう	nittobou	knit hat / beanie
長靴	ながぐつ	nagagutsu	boots
ブーツ	—	buutsu	winter boots
イヤーマフ	—	iyaamafu	earmuffs
厚手の服	あつでのふく	atsude no fuku	thick/heavy clothing
セーター	—	seetaa	sweater
ホッカイロ	—	hokkairo	disposable body warmer

Winter Japanese Vocabulary on Sports

It’s no surprise that Japan has some of the best snow in the world. The northern regions, particularly Hokkaido and the Japan Alps, receive light, dry, and powdery snow, known as konayuki, which is perfect for skiing and snowboarding. Ski resorts like Niseko, Furano, and Hakuba attract visitors from around the world thanks to their deep, fluffy powder, well-maintained slopes, and reliable snowfall.

But what are some popular winter sports in Japan, and what winter sports vocabulary should you know?

Japanese	Furigana	Romaji	Meaning
スキー	—	sukii	skiing
スノーボード	—	sunooboodo	snowboarding
ゲレンデ	—	gerende	ski slope
リフト	—	rifuto	ski lift
雪山	ゆきやま	yukiyama	snowy mountain
新雪	しんせつ	shinsetsu	fresh snow / new snow
粉雪	こなゆき	konayuki	powder snow
スキーブーツ	—	sukiibuutsu	ski boots
ボードブーツ	—	boodo buutsu	snowboard boots
ストック	—	sutokku	ski poles
ゴーグル	—	googuru	goggles
ウェア	—	wea	ski/snowboard wear
レンタル	—	rentaru	rental gear

Seasonal Things During Winter in Japan

Winter in Japan typically spans December to February. During this time, it’s not just about snow and ice—Japan is filled with unique seasonal activities and celebrations. Here are some key events and words to know:

1. クリスマス (Kurusimasu): Christmas

Yes, Japanese people happen to celebrate Christmas too! Though different from other countries, they typically celebrate it by eating KFC and buying a Christmas cake, typically strawberry shortcake. Don’t forget to learn how to say Merry Christmas in Japanese!

2. 冬至 (Toji): Winter solsitce

Toward the end of December, the North Pole tilts farthest from the sun, making the shortest day and longest night of the year. This is known as the winter solstice. Japan observes traditional customs, such as yuzu baths and eating kabocha (Japanese pumpkin).

3. お正月 (Oshogatsu): New Year

New Year’s is the biggest holiday in Japan, lasting from January 1 – 3. Families gather, enjoy osechi ryori (a set of special dishes with symbolic meanings), and visit shrines or temples. Homes are decorated with kadomatsu (pine decorations) and shimenawa (sacred ropes) to welcome the New Year’s spirits.

4. 初詣（Hatsumde): First shrine visit

While many countries celebrate the first day of the year quietly at home, in Japan, people often go to shrines or temples for Hatsumode to pray for health, happiness, and success in the coming year.

6. 成人の日（Seijin no Hi): Coming of Age Day

Held on the second Monday of January, this holiday celebrates young adults who have turned 20, the age of adulthood in Japan. Those coming of age dress in formal attire, often furisode (long-sleeved kimono) for women and suits or hakama for men, and attend ceremonies at city halls.

Describing the Winter Weather in Japanese

Now that you’ve learned the basics and picked up the essential Japanese winter vocabulary, it’s time to put them into practice! Let’s go through some common phrases and questions you’ll often hear, or might want to ask yourself, when talking about winter in Japan.

今日は寒いですね。
Kyou wa samui desu ne.
It’s cold today, isn’t it?

見て、外は雪が降っています。
Mite, soto wa yuki ga futteimasu.
Look, it’s snowing outside.

外、凍えそう！
Soto, kogoesou!
It’s freezing outside!

山の上は風が強いね。
Yama no ue wa kaze ga tsuyoi ne.
It’s windy up on the mountain, huh?

道、滑りやすいから気をつけてね。
Michi, suberiyasui kara ki o tsukete ne.
The road’s slippery, so be careful!

Learn more about how to describe the weather in Japanese!

Conclusion: Learn Beyond Winter Vocabulary and Speak Japanese with Lessons at Coto Academy

Now that you’ve learned the basics of talking about winter in Japanese, why stop there? There are plenty of other essential skills to master, like introducing yourself or discussing a specific topic in conversation.

If you want to build confidence and start speaking Japanese, consider joining conversation-focused Japanese lessons at Coto Academy. As a top-rated school with campuses in Tokyo and Yokohama, we offer fun and flexible lessons designed around practical, everyday conversation. You’ll learn Japanese that you can use immediately outside the classroom.

We offer intensive Japanese courses as well as part-time options, so whether you want to immerse yourself fully or fit lessons into a busy schedule, there’s something for you. Start your journey to speaking Japanese confidently today!

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FAQ

What is the word for “winter” in Japanese?

冬（fuyu) is the basic word for winter in Japanese.

How do you say “snow” in Japanese?

Snow in Japanese is 雪 (ゆき, yuki).

What are typical winter foods in Japan?

Typical winter foods include oden, hotpot, sukiyaki, and fugu. Find out about more winter foods in Japan here.

Halloween in Japan is just around the corner, and when is better time to learn some Japanese Halloween vocabulary, if not now? How else can you describe some of the ghosts, monsters, and creepy crawlers that will spring up across the nation? Japan is no stranger to celebrating various occasions, and Halloween is quickly gaining popularity, with Halloween-themed events and house parties becoming increasingly widespread.

People don’t just dress up in costumes and show up to different Halloween events in Tokyo. If you’re planning to parade around the city, it helps to know some Halloween-themed Japanese words, whether you want to describe your own costume or comment on someone else’s.

So, what are some key terms to know and look out for to make the most out of Halloween in Japan? Read more to find out!

Is Halloween Celebrated in Japan? Is it Different From the U.S.?

Halloween is becoming increasingly popular in Japan, especially in larger cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. However, unlike in the U.S., Halloween in Japan is more focused on public festivities than on trick-or-treating at homes.

The spooky season is particularly popular among young people, thanks to its fun supernatural themes and the opportunity to wear costumes. Large costume events, such as the one in Ikebukuro, often focus on character cosplays from Japanese video games and anime.

While Japan hosts many cosplay-focused events, Halloween costumes in Japan and the U.S. share similarities. People in both countries enjoy dressing up as characters from movies, pop culture, and even Japanese media, so in terms of costumes, Halloween isn’t too different between the two countries.

The biggest difference is trick-or-treating, which has not caught on in Japan as much as costume events. Small-scale trick-or-treat activities may occur at elementary schools or locally organized events, but generally, only young children participate rather than entire neighborhoods or cities.

20 Scary Japanese Words About Halloween

halloween vocabulary in japanaese infographic

1. ハロウィン (Harouin): Halloween

First up, the basic Halloween vocabulary in Japanese. Let’s take a look at the word ハロウィン (Harowin). Want to guess what it means? You’ve probably already guessed it by looking at the romaji, haven’t you? Well, for those who are still trying to figure it out, it actually means Halloween. Written in Katakana, it is more or less a direct translation from the English Word “Halloween” itself.

2. 南瓜 (Kabocha): Pumpkin

Of course, we cannot write about Japanese Halloween vocabulary without including pumpkin. Pumpkin, or 南瓜 (kabocha), is often written in hiragana as かぼちゃ instead of kanji. Kabocha translates to pumpkin or winter squash, and is one of the most popular autumn flavors in Japan.

The term also describes the Japanese variety of pumpkin that has a deep, dark green outside and an orange-colored flesh on the inside. The texture is soft and smooth, and the flavor is somewhat sweet with nutty notes. The fruit (fun fact: kabocha is botanically a fruit) is commonly used in Japanese cuisine, especially when it’s in season, which is around autumn and winter. You can find it in tempura, nabe, and a variety of other popular dishes.

So, to conclude, the word kabocha covers both the western and Japanese pumpkin. This term can describe the iconic Halloween pumpkin monster and the winter squash found in Japanese cuisine.

3. あめ (Ame): Candy

あめ is the word for candy, generally referring to the hard candies derived from sugars and starches such as rice, cornstarch, or potatoes. For a more general term encompassing all varieties of candy, such as chocolate, nougats, and caramels, you can say キァンディー (kiandii).

4. お墓 (Ohaka): Grave

お墓 (おはか), or ohaka, refers to the Japanese grave or tombstone. Japanese tombs look physically different compared to Western graves, but they play a similar role as a physical structure representing an ancestor or loved one being laid to rest.

While graves might be a common prop in Halloween decorations, in Japan, the Obon festival (which takes place in August) is when Japanese people visit family graves, which is known as お墓参り(ohaka mairi)

5. お化け (Obake): Ghost

お化け (obake) refers to ghosts or paranormal beings in general. The term obake comes from the term 化ける (bakeru), which means to transform. The term is similar to 化け物 (bakemono), which broadly refers to creatures that transform; one famous example is the kitsune, or shape-shifting fox, found in Japanese folklore.

The term now generally describes ghosts similar to yuurei (which we will describe next), as well as the paranormal, such as its usage in お化け屋敷 (obake yashiki) or haunted house. Obake yashiki are a popular activity in many theme parks, so be sure to visit one this Halloween!

6. 幽霊 (Yuurei): Spirit

幽霊 (ゆうれい), or Yuurei, refers to Japanese ghosts or spirits found throughout Japanese folklore. They are generally restless spirits who are tied to the world due to strong unresolved emotions, but are not necessarily dangerous. For example, they can be stuck in the world due to their love for their child and remain to watch over them like an invisible guardian.

Yuurei, who have strong emotions of anger or hatred, known as 怨霊 (onryou), meaning vengeful spirits, are very dangerous. So, be careful not to come across an onryou this Halloween!

7. 骸骨 (Gaikotsu): Skeleton

Another in our Japanese Halloween vocabulary list is gaikotsu. Gaikotsu refers to skeletons, usually human ones. This word generally describes the whole skeletal body of a human. To describe the skull, you can use the word 頭蓋骨 (zugai kotsu).

8. ミイラ (Miira): Mummy

You might think that the Japanese word for mummy is a literal loanword: maami. But for this preserved body, the Japanese language uses the Portuguese word mirra (myrrh). This is because miira refers to mummies wrapped in bandages, just like in horror movies. You’ll often see them in haunted houses (お化け屋敷, or obake yashiki) during Halloween events.

Check out other Japanese loanwords that don’t come from English.

9. 悪魔 (Akuma): Demon or Devil

You are probably thinking of Akuma from the video game, Street Fighter. But they got the name of the character from an ancient Japanese term for devil or demon. The word can be traced back to Buddhist texts from around 700 AD. The character 悪 (aku) translates to “evil” or “bad” and 魔 (ma) just refers to the devil, so the literal meaning is “evil devil”. You really can’t find a more evil entity than Akuma.

10. 魔女 (Majo): Witch

Ma (魔) means demon or evil spirit, and jo (女) means woman. Together, 魔女 means witch. In Japanese culture, witches can appear as either frightening villains or magical heroines, depending on the story. Think of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, which in Japanese is 魔女の宅急便 (Majo no Takkyubin), translating literally to witch delivery service.

In Japan, witches are not always represented as evil or malevolent; instead, they can be good-spirited people who have magical abilities.

Can you learn Japanese from anime like Kiki’s Delivery Service? To find out, read our blog on Learning Japanese with Anime!

11. 吸血鬼 (Kyuuketsutki): Vampire

Literally “blood-sucking demon.” 吸 (kyuu) means “to suck,” 血 (ketsu or chi) means “blood,” and 鬼 (ki or oni) means “demon.” Much like in the West, in Japanese media, vampires can be both terrifying and romanticized.

12. こうもり (Koumori): Bat

Often associated with darkness, caves, and vampires. While not inherently scary in Japanese culture, bats take on a spooky vibe during Halloween. This more scary image of the bat was adopted along with the Halloween holiday from the West.

13. 黒猫 (Kuroneko): Black Cat

In Japan, black cats have mixed symbolism. They can bring bad luck (like in the West) but are also considered good luck for single women, believed to help attract suitors. On Halloween, they’re more on the spooky side.

14. クモ (Kumo): Spider

Spiders are associated with fear and creepiness, especially their webs in haunted settings. In folklore, there’s even the Jorougumo (絡新婦), a spider woman who lures men to their doom.

15. ドキドキ(Doki doki): Heart Beating

Similarly, ドキドキ (Doki-Doki) is the onomatopoeia for a beating heart and actually has a wide range of uses in Japanese. It can be used to indicate excitement, nervousness, or as a way of expressing fear.

怖い(こわい)、心臓(しんぞう)がドキドキしちゃうよ!

Kowai, shinzou ga doki-doki shichau yo!

That’s scary, my heart is beating so fast right now.

16. 怒り(Ikari) – Anger or Hatred

The word 怒り(Ikari) can be used to express the anger and hatred that someone holds towards another individual. This word conveys intense anger or wrath. In Japanese folklore and horror, 怨霊 (onryou), which we described earlier, comes from the word 怒り(ikari) or anger and 霊(ryou/rei) or spirit. So, together the term means angry spirit.

17. 呪い (Noroi): Curse

Spells, hexes, and dark magic are all noroi. In Japanese horror, cursed objects, or noroi no ningyou (呪いの人形), and cursed videos, or noroi no bideo (呪いのビデオ), are common scary themes.

18. びっくり(Bikkuri): Surprised

Not always negative, but in a scary setting, it’s the sudden shock or jump-scare feeling. You can say びっくりした!, or “That scared me!” when surprised by a jump-scare from a horror movie or haunted house. Alternatively, you can also say the slang form, びびる (bibiru).

19. 不気味 (Bukimi): Eerie or Creepy

Not necessarily a Halloween-themed Japanese vocabulary, bukimi describes something unsettling, eerie, or unnerving, like an abandoned house at night or a creepy doll staring at you. Perfect Halloween atmosphere.

20怖い (Kowai): Scared

怖い (kowai) is an essential Japanese adjective for scary, usually as a way of expressing that something looks or is scary. For example, you can say “ホラー映画が怖いです”(horaa eiga ga kowai desu) or “horror movies are scary”. However, a common pitfall beginners make is when they say “私は怖い” (watashi wa kowai), which means “I am scary.” To say that “I am scared,” you must say, “私は怖がっている” (watashi wa kowagattiru).

Alternatively, the word 恐怖 (kyoufu) can also be used to express your fears and dread for something.

Expand Your Emotions With Japanese Halloween Words

Learning Halloween vocabulary in Japanese is not just about memorizing words; it’s about exploring how Japan interprets fear, the supernatural, and the mysterious. They are not just useful in Halloween but in expressing yourself in Japanese overall. Plus, don’t miss out on trying kabocha and ame, or candy.

To get the most out of this list of words, try practicing them with a professional teacher who can guide and train you to use them in natural, everyday conversation.

Why not join Japanese lessons at Coto Academy? Our classes are designed to help you engage with real, authentic Japanese culture.

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FAQ

Is Halloween popular in Japan?

Yes! Halloween has grown rapidly in Japan, especially in cities like Tokyo. It’s more about costumes, parties, and decorations than trick-or-treating, but spooky words definitely add to the fun.

What is the word for candy in Japanese?

Candy can either be あめ (ame), which generally describes Japanese hard candy, or キャンディー (kyandii), which refers to all varieties of candy in general.

Are there Japanese monsters or yokai tied to Halloween?

While Halloween in Japan borrows heavily from Western imagery (witches, vampires, bats), you’ll also find yokai like Jorougumo (the spider woman) or yurei (ghosts) being used in Halloween-themed events.

What are some Halloween Japanese vocabulary I should know about?

Some key Japanese Halloween vocabulary includes おばけ (obake, ghost), かぼちゃ (kabocha, pumpkin), こうもり (koumori, bat), ゾンビ (zonbi, zombie), and ハロウィン (Harowin, Halloween).

Want to expand your vocabulary beyond just Halloween-related Japanese vocabulary? You might want to check out:

It’s that time of year when the leaves burst into brilliant shades of red, gold, and when it finally feels socially acceptable to sip a satsumaimo (Japanese sweet potato) latte: autumn has arrived in Japan! Known as aki (秋), this season typically stretches from September to early December, reaching its peak during momiji season, when locals and travelers flock to parks and temples to admire the breathtaking autumn foliage. (Pro tip: check the nationwide autumn leaves forecast to catch the colors at their best!)

Japan’s crisp autumn is all about scenery, traditions, and flavors. And what better way to truly embrace aki than by learning some quintessential Japanese autumn vocabulary? We’ve gathered our favorite fall words, from the rustling leaves of momiji to the aroma of roasting chestnuts, perfect for anyone looking to savor Japan’s most cozy season.

Let’s take a look and learn!

Basic Japanese Fall Words

Spring, with its iconic cherry blossoms, might be the most famous season in Japan, but fall is also the perfect time to visit. While Japan experiences four distinct seasons, autumn has been growing increasingly popular in recent years. Let’s take a look at some basic Japanese autumn vocabulary first!

Japanese	Reading / Pronunciation	Meaning
秋	aki	Autumn
秋風	akikaze	Autumn breeze
ハロウィン	harouin	Halloween
紅葉	momiji	Autumn leaves
紅葉狩り	momijigari	Autumn leaf viewing
月見	tsukimi	Moon viewing festival
七五三	Shichi go san	Shichi-Go-San Festival
ハロウィン	Harowin	Halloween
温泉	Onsen	Hot spring
収穫	Shuukaku	Harvest
新米	Shinmai	New harvest rice
登山	Tozan	Mountain hiking
ハイキング	Haikingu	Hiking
霧	Kiri	Mist/fog
9月	Kugatsu	September
10月	Juugatsu	October
11月	Juuichigatsu	November
12月	Juunigatsu	December

1. Aki (Fall)

The first word you will probably need to learn is, of course, autumn itself. Aki (秋) is the Japanese word for autumn.

日本の秋は美しいです。
Nihon no aki wa utsukushii desu.
Autumn in Japan is beautiful.

2. Harowin (Halloween)

The word ハロウィン (Harouin) is a loanword borrowed directly from English. In Japan, it’s less common for people to decorate their homes with elaborate displays, fog machines, or pumpkin carvings in their front yards. That said, Halloween has become a popular celebration influenced by Western traditions.

Instead of trick-or-treating, which is rare in Japan, the holiday is mostly celebrated with costumes, themed sweets, and citywide events, especially in urban centers like Tokyo. People often gather to dress up as their favorite characters.

In recent years, however, the rise in popularity and overtourism has led to stricter regulations, particularly in Tokyo’s Shibuya district. Measures have included banning alcohol sales at nearby convenience stores, setting curfews, and increasing police patrols to maintain order during the Halloween weekend.

3. Momiji (Autumn leaves)

The word momiji (紅葉) literally means “red leaves,” and it is closely tied to autumn in Japan. While it can generally refer to autumn foliage, most of the time it specifically describes the Japanese maple tree (Acer palmatum) and its vibrant crimson leaves.

4. Momijigari (Autumn leaf viewing)

Momiji is also central to the tradition of momijigari (紅葉狩り), or “autumn leaf hunting,” where people travel to famous spots to admire the seasonal colors, much like hanami in spring.

5. Tsukimi (Moon viewing festival)

Tsukimi (お月見), or “moon viewing,” takes place in mid-September to early October, depending on the lunar calendar. During Tsukimi, people gather to admire the full harvest moon, often decorating their homes with pampas grass (susuki) and offering seasonal foods like round rice dumplings (tsukimi dango), sweet potatoes, and chestnuts.

6. Shichi-Go-San (Shichi-Go-San Festival)

Another important autumn tradition is Shichi-Go-San (七五三), literally meaning “seven-five-three,” which celebrates the growth and health of children aged three, five, and seven. Held annually on November 15th, this festival sees children dressed in traditional kimono or formal attire visiting Shinto shrines with their families. The children are blessed for good health and longevity, and they often receive chitose-ame, a long, thin candy symbolizing a long and healthy life. S

Autumn Fall Foliage Vocabulary in Japanese

While the word momiji is perhaps most synonymous with autumn in Japan — similar to how sakura is associated with spring — did you know that the very same kanji used for momiji (紅葉) is also used for another autumn phenomenon called kouyou (紅葉)?

So what’s the difference between momiji and kouyou? Kouyou is a general term for autumn foliage in Japan, while momiji specifically refers to the intensely red leaves of the Japanese maple tree. Both words share the same “red leaf” kanji (紅葉) but describe different aspects of the same seasonal phenomenon: koyou encompasses all colorful leaves, including reds, yellows, and oranges, whereas momiji highlights the vibrant crimson hues of maples.

The activity of viewing these autumn leaves is called momijigari, or “red leaf hunting.” Let us take a look at other autumn foliage-related Japanese words!

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
紅葉	kouyou	Fall foliage
落ち葉	ochiba	Fallen leaves
落葉	rakuyou	Fallen leaves
黄葉	kouyou	Yellow leaves
赤葉	akiba	Red leaves
彩り	irodori	Coloration or hues of leaves
枯葉	kareha	Withered or dead leaves
錦秋	kinshuu	Gorgeous autumn colors (poetic)
紅葉前線	kouyou zensen	Autumn leaf front (progression of colors across Japan)
楓	kaede	Maple tree
銀杏	ichou	Ginkgo tree or leaves
イチョウ並木	ichou namiki	Ginkgo tree-lined street
山紅葉	yama momiji	Mountain autumn foliage
紅葉狩り	momijigari	Autumn leaf viewing

Autumn Food and Flavors in Japan

japanese autumn food vocabulary infographic

As Japan’s weather shifts from the unbearably hot and humid summer to the cooler, crisper days of autumn, the food lineup changes as well. Bright, tangy, and bold summer flavors give way to earthier, heartier, and more mellow tastes that usher the season in.

While pumpkin spice might be the quintessential autumn flavor in the United States, in Japan, autumn is dominated by root vegetables and ingredients like sweet potato, pumpkin, chestnut, and mushrooms, particularly the prized matsutake mushroom.

Let’s take a look at some Japanese autumn food–related vocabulary. We also have a separate guide on autumn flavors in Japan, so be sure to check that out!

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
栗	kuri	Chestnut
さつまいも	satsumaimo	Sweet potato
かぼちゃ	kabocha	Japanese pumpkin
松茸	matsutake	Matsutake mushroom
きのこ	kinoko	Mushroom
秋刀魚	sanma	Pacific saury
柿	kaki	Persimmon
梨	nashi	Japanese pear
栗ご飯	kurigohan	Chestnut rice
きのこご飯	kinoko-gohan	Mushroom rice
もみじ饅頭	momiji manju	Maple leaf–shaped cake
栗きんとん	kuri kinton	Sweet mashed chestnuts

Describing Fall Weather in Japan

We have a separate guide on how to describe the weather in Japanese, but we can’t create a Japanese autumn vocabulary without mentioning the weather. Autumn in Japan is one of the most pleasantly mild seasons, with temperatures cool enough to wear cozy sweaters, jeans, and boots, yet not so cold as to be uncomfortable.

Japanese	Reading / Pronunciation	Meaning
天気	tenki	Weather
気温	kion	Temperature
涼しい	suzushii	Cool
晴れ	hare	Clear
曇り	kumori	Cloudy
雨	ame	Rain
霧	kiri	Mist / Fog
寒暖差	kandansa	Temperature difference (day vs night)
日が短い	hi ga mijikai	Shorter days
夜	yoru	Night
風	kaze	Wind

Talking About Autumn in Japanese

Now that you’ve learned the basics and picked up the essential Japanese autumn vocabulary, it’s time to put them into practice! Let’s go through some common phrases and questions you’ll often hear, or might want to ask yourself, when talking about fall in Japan.

今日は秋風が気持ちいいです。
Kyou wa akikaze ga kimochi ii desu.
The autumn breeze feels nice today.

山の木々が赤や黄色に染まっています。
Yama no kigi ga aka ya kiiro ni somatteimasu.

The trees in the mountains are turning red and yellow.

ハロウィンではかぼちゃを飾ります。
Harouin de wa kabocha o kazari masu.
During Halloween, we decorate with pumpkins.

落ち葉の上を歩くのが楽しいです。
Ochiba no ue o aruku no ga tanoshii desu.
It’s fun to walk on fallen leaves.

公園で紅葉を見ました。
Kouen de kouyou o mimashita.
I saw the autumn leaves at the park.

秋は日が短くなります。

Aki wa hi ga mijikaku narimasu.

In autumn, the days become shorter.

Conclusion: Learn Beyond Japanese Autumn Vocabulary and Speak Japanese with Lessons at Coto Academy

Now that you’ve learned the basics of talking about the autumn in Japanese, why stop there? There are plenty of other essential skills to master, like introducing yourself or discussing a specific topic in conversation.

If you want to build confidence and start speaking Japanese, consider joining conversation-focused Japanese lessons at Coto Academy. As a top-rated school with campuses in Tokyo and Yokohama, we offer fun and flexible lessons designed around practical, everyday conversation. You’ll learn Japanese that you can use immediately outside the classroom.

Why join Coto Academy?

Over 60+ different Japanese classes over 18 levels
Small classroom of only up to 8 students for personalized support
Professional, native Japanese teachers

Ready to get started? Fill out the form below to contact us!

FAQ

What is the Japanese word for autumn?

The Japanese word for autumn is 秋 (aki). It refers to the season of fall in general.

What is the Japanese word for autumn leaves?

Autumn leaves are called 紅葉 (momiji or kouyou). Momiji often refers to red maple leaves specifically, while kouyou can describe all colorful autumn foliage.

How do you say “autumn leaf viewing” in Japanese?

The activity of viewing autumn leaves is called 紅葉狩り (momijigari), which literally means “hunting red leaves.” It’s a popular seasonal activity similar to cherry blossom viewing (hanami) in spring.

What festivals are celebrated in Japan during autumn?

Popular autumn festivals include:

ハロウィン (Harouin): Halloween
お月見 (Tsukimi): Moon viewing festival
七五三 (Shichi-Go-San): Celebration for children aged 3, 5, and 7

What is the difference between momiji and kouyou?

Both words use the kanji 紅葉. Momiji usually refers specifically to the red leaves of maple trees, while kouyou is a broader term encompassing all autumn foliage colors, including red, yellow, and orange.

If you’re preparing for the JLPT N3 or just stepping into intermediate-level Japanese, you’re entering an exciting stage. The JLPT N3 vocabulary list includes around 3,750 words, which contain a mix of practical terms you’ll encounter in everyday conversations, at school, in the workplace, and even in formal settings.

While N3 is often considered one of the more challenging JLPT levels, with a passing rate of only around 40%, success is absolutely within reach. The key lies in building a solid vocabulary foundation, mastering the 650 kanji that may appear, and staying consistent with mock exams and listening practice.

To help you stay on track, we’ve created a complete JLPT N3 vocabulary list, thoughtfully organized by theme.

Note: This list includes only new vocabulary introduced at the JLPT N3 level. It does not cover words already studied in JLPT N4 and N5. If you’re just starting out or need a refresher, be sure to check out our full JLPT N4 Vocabulary List and JLPT N5 Vocabulary List to build a strong foundation before moving on.

Pass the JLPT with Coto Academy!

Getting ready for the JLPT? Boost your chances of passing with Coto Academy’s JLPT Prep Course — designed for busy learners. With just 3 focused hours per week, you’ll turn your current Japanese skills into real test results in 3 months.

JLPT N3 Nouns Vocabulary

Nouns, or meishi (名詞), make up a large portion of the vocabulary you’ll learn at the JLPT N3 vocabulary. In this list, we’ve sorted them alphabetically for easier reference.

If you’re using flashcard tools like Anki, we recommend you tag the nouns based on specific categories. Some JLPT N3 vocabulary books and pocket guides also organize words this way, which can be especially helpful for building vocabulary in context!

Japanese	Kana	English Translation
グループ	–	group
ハイキング	–	hiking
メモ	–	memorandum
アルバム	–	album
コード	–	code,cord,chord
ユーモア	–	humor
ボール	–	ball,bowl
ソファー	–	sofa,couch
ピクニック	–	picnic
バン	–	bun,van
おや	–	parents
カー	–	car
チャンス	–	chance,opportunity
ノック	–	knock
アイロン	–	iron
マーケット	—	market
ケース	―	case
パス	―	pass, path
タオル	―	towel
パーセント	―	percent
ミス	―	mistake, Miss
ダイヤ	―	diagram, diamond, schedule
クリスマス	―	Christmas
愛	あい	love
合図	あいず	signal
相手	あいて	companion, opponent
明かり	あかり	light, brightness
握手	あくしゅ	handshake
汗	あせ	sweat
辺り	あたり	vicinity, nearby
辺り	あたり	nearby
集まり	あつまり	gathering
跡	あと	trace, mark
穴	あな	hole
誤り	あやまり	error
嵐	あらし	storm
現れ	あらわれ	embodiment
哀れ	あわれ	pity
案	あん	plan
暗記	あんき	memorization
暗記	あんき	memorization, learning by heart
胃	い	stomach
委員	いいん	committee member
意外	いがい	unexpected (used as noun/adj)
意外	いがい	unexpected, surprising
行き	いき	going
息	いき	breath
勢い	いきおい	force, energy
生き物	いきもの	living thing, creature
幾つ	いくつ	how many?
意思	いし	intention, purpose
医師	いし	doctor
維持	いじ	maintenance
意識	いしき	consciousness, senses
泉	いずみ	spring
以前	いぜん	before, ago
板	いた	board
偉大	いだい	greatness
痛み	いたみ	pain, ache, grief
痛み	いたみ	pain, ache, sore, grief, distress
位置	いち	place, situation, position, location
位置	いち	position, location
市場	いちば	market
一番	いちばん	best, number one
一家	いっか	family, household
一瞬	いっしゅん	moment, instant
一生	いっしょう	whole life
一層	いっそう	much more
一致	いっち	agreement
移動	いどう	movement, migration
稲	いね	rice plant
居眠り	いねむり	dozing
命	いのち	command,decree,life,destiny
違反	いはん	violation
違反	いはん	violation (of law), transgression, infringement, breach
衣服	いふく	clothes
居間	いま	living room
依頼	いらい	request
以来	いらい	since
以来	いらい	since, henceforth
医療	いりょう	medical treatment
岩	いわ	rock, crag
祝い	いわい	celebration
印刷	いんさつ	printing
印象	いんしょう	impression
印象	いんしょう	impression
魚	うお	fish
魚	うお	fish
兎	うさぎ	rabbit,hare,cony
後	うしろ	back, behind, after
嘘	うそ	lie
内	うち	inside
内	うち	inside
馬	うま	horse
梅	うめ	plum,plum-tree,lowest (of a three-tier ranking system)
噂	うわさ	rumour, report, gossip
噂	うわさ	rumour, report, gossip, common talk
運	うん	fortune, luck
運転	うんてん	driving
運動	うんどう	exercise
永遠	えいえん	eternity
永久	えいきゅう	eternity
影響	えいきょう	influence
営業	えいぎょう	business
衛星	えいせい	satellite
笑顔	えがお	smiling face
餌	えさ	feed
円	えん	circle,money
延期	えんき	postponement
演技	えんぎ	performance
援助	えんじょ	assistance, aid, support
演説	えんぜつ	speech
演奏	えんそう	musical performance
遠慮	えんりょ	diffidence,restraint,reserve
老い	おい	old age
王	おう	king, ruler, sovereign, monarch
王	おう	king
王様	おうさま	king
王子	おうじ	prince
横断	おうだん	crossing
横断	おうだん	crossing
覆う	おおう	to cover, to hide, to conceal, to wrap, to disguise
大家	おおや	rich family, distinguished family
大家	おおや	rich family, landlord
沖	おき	open sea
奥	おく	interior
奥	おく	interior, inner part
汚染	おせん	pollution, contamination
男の人	おとこのひと	man
お腹	おなか	stomach
鬼	おに	demon, ogre
帯	おび	band, belt
思い出	おもいで	memory
泳ぎ	およぎ	swimming
泳ぎ	およぎ	swimming
終	おわり	the end
終	おわり	the end
恩	おん	favor, obligation
温度	おんど	temperature
可	か	passable
回	かい	counter for occurrences
回	かい	counter for occurrences
会	かい	meeting
会員	かいいん	member, the membership
会員	かいいん	member
絵画	かいが	painting
海外	かいがい	overseas
会計	かいけい	account, finance, accountant
会計	かいけい	accounting
外交	がいこう	diplomacy
外交	がいこう	diplomacy
開始	かいし	start
解釈	かいしゃく	interpretation
外出	がいしゅつ	outing
香り	かおり	fragrance, scent
画家	がか	painter, artist
価格	かかく	price
化学	かがく	chemistry
係	かかり	person in charge
鍵	かぎ	key
家具	かぐ	furniture
確実	かくじつ	certainty,reliability,soundness
学者	がくしゃ	scholar
学者	がくしゃ	scholar
学習	がくしゅう	study, learning
拡大	かくだい	magnification,enlargement
陰	かげ	shade, shadow, other side
陰	かげ	shade, shadow, other side
過去	かこ	the past
籠	かご	basket
貸し	かし	loan, lending
菓子	かし	sweets
菓子	かし	pastry
歌手	かしゅ	singer
歌手	かしゅ	singer
数	かず	number
肩	かた	shoulder
肩	かた	shoulder
刀	かたな	sword
刀	かたな	sword, saber, knife, engraving tool
価値	かち	value
勝ち	かち	win, victory
勝ち	かち	victory
活気	かっき	liveliness
学期	がっき	term (school)
学期	がっき	semester
格好	かっこう	appearance, shape
活動	かつどう	activity
活用	かつよう	conjugation, practical use
活用	かつよう	usage, application
金	かね	gold
株	かぶ	stock, share
我慢	がまん	patience
上	かみ	(1) first volume, (2) superior quality, (3) governmental
神	かみ	god
上	かみ	superior, first part
神	かみ	god
雷	かみなり	thunder
髪の毛	かみのけ	hair
科目	かもく	school subject
火曜	かよう	Tuesday
空	から	sky
空	から	sky
川	かわ	river
河	かわ	river
缶	かん	can, tin
考え	かんがえ	thought, idea
感覚	かんかく	sensation, feeling
観客	かんきゃく	audience
歓迎	かんげい	welcome
観光	かんこう	sightseeing
観光	かんこう	sightseeing
観察	かんさつ	observation
感じ	かんじ	feeling, impression
勘定	かんじょう	calculation, counting, consideration
勘定	かんじょう	calculation, counting, consideration
関心	かんしん	concern, interest
感心	かんしん	admiration
完成	かんせい	completion
感動	かんどう	being deeply moved, excitement, impression, deep emotion
感動	かんどう	deep emotion
監督	かんとく	supervision
管理	かんり	management
完了	かんりょう	completion, conclusion
完了	かんりょう	completion
関連	かんれん	relation, connection
記憶	きおく	memory
気温	きおん	temperature
気温	きおん	temperature
機械	きかい	machine
議会	ぎかい	parliament
期間	きかん	period
機関	きかん	engine, mechanism
企業	きぎょう	enterprise
機嫌	きげん	mood
気候	きこう	climate
岸	きし	shore
記事	きじ	news article, report
生地	きじ	birthplace
生地	きじ	cloth, fabric
技師	ぎし	engineer
記者	きしゃ	reporter
期待	きたい	expectation, hope
帰宅	きたく	returning home
議長	ぎちょう	chairman
記入	きにゅう	entry, filling in forms
記念	きねん	commemoration
寄付	きふ	donation
義務	ぎむ	duty,obligation
疑問	ぎもん	doubt, question
逆	ぎゃく	reverse, opposite
九	きゅう	nine
球	きゅう	globe,sphere,ball
休憩	きゅうけい	rest, break
吸収	きゅうしゅう	absorption
救助	きゅうじょ	rescue
給料	きゅうりょう	salary, wages
教科書	きょうかしょ	textbook
競技	きょうぎ	match
供給	きょうきゅう	supply,provision
教師	きょうし	teacher
教師	きょうし	teacher (classroom)
教授	きょうじゅ	professor
強調	きょうちょう	emphasis
恐怖	きょうふ	dread, terror
協力	きょうりょく	cooperation
強力	きょうりょく	herculean strength, mountain carrier-guide
強力	きょうりょく	powerful
許可	きょか	permission
霧	きり	fog, mist
切れ	きれ	piece, cloth
議論	ぎろん	debate
金	きん	gold
銀	ぎん	silver
禁煙	きんえん	no smoking
金額	きんがく	amount of money
禁止	きんし	prohibition,ban
金銭	きんせん	money, cash
金属	きんぞく	metal
金属	きんぞく	metal
近代	きんだい	modern times
緊張	きんちょう	tension
筋肉	きんにく	muscle
金融	きんゆう	finance
金曜	きんよう	Friday
鎖	くさり	chain
癖	くせ	habit
管	くだ	pipe, tube
管	くだ	pipe, tube
組合	くみあい	union
曇	くもり	cloudiness, cloudy weather, shadow
位	くらい	rank, about
位	くらい	grade, rank, about
暮らし	くらし	living, livelihood
暮れ	くれ	year end,sunset,nightfall,end
訓	くん	native reading
軍	ぐん	army
軍隊	ぐんたい	army, troops
軍隊	ぐんたい	army
訓練	くんれん	training
下	げ	under, below, beneath
下	げ	below
計	けい	plan
敬意	けいい	respect
経営	けいえい	management
計画	けいかく	plan
景気	けいき	condition, state, business (condition)
景気	けいき	economy
経験	けいけん	experience
傾向	けいこう	tendency, trend, inclination
傾向	けいこう	tendency
警告	けいこく	warning
刑事	けいじ	detective
掲示	けいじ	notice
掲示	けいじ	notice, bulletin
芸術	げいじゅつ	art
芸術	げいじゅつ	(fine) art, the arts
契約	けいやく	contract
経由	けいゆ	via, route through
怪我	けが	injury, hurt
化粧	けしょう	makeup
結果	けっか	result
欠陥	けっかん	defect
決心	けっしん	determination
欠席	けっせき	absence
決定	けってい	decision
欠点	けってん	fault
欠点	けってん	faults, defect, weakness
月曜	げつよう	Monday
結論	けつろん	conclusion
軒	けん	eaves
県	けん	prefecture
券	けん	ticket
見解	けんかい	opinion
現金	げんきん	cash
言語	げんご	language
健康	けんこう	health
健康	けんこう	health, sound, wholesome
現在	げんざい	present, now
現実	げんじつ	reality
現象	げんしょう	phenomenon
現状	げんじょう	present condition
現状	げんじょう	present condition, existing state, status quo
現代	げんだい	modern times, nowadays
建築	けんちく	construction,architecture
見当	けんとう	estimate, guess
現場	げんば	scene
憲法	けんぽう	constitution
権利	けんり	right,privilege
語	ご	word, language
恋人	こいびと	lover, sweetheart
恋人	こいびと	lover
幸運	こううん	good fortune
講演	こうえん	lecture
硬貨	こうか	coin
効果	こうか	effect
高価	こうか	high price
合格	ごうかく	success (exam)
航空	こうくう	aviation
光景	こうけい	scene
攻撃	こうげき	attack
広告	こうこく	advertisement
後者	こうしゃ	the latter
構成	こうせい	composition
強盗	ごうとう	robbery
工場	こうば	factory
幸福	こうふく	happiness
公平	こうへい	fairness, justice
考慮	こうりょ	consideration
氷	こおり	ice
誤解	ごかい	misunderstanding
語学	ごがく	language learning
呼吸	こきゅう	breath,respiration
故郷	こきょう	hometown
国語	こくご	national language
国語	こくご	national language
黒板	こくばん	blackboard
黒板	こくばん	blackboard
克服	こくふく	conquest, overcoming
国民	こくみん	national, people, citizen
国民	こくみん	nation, citizens
穀物	こくもつ	grain, cereal
腰	こし	hip
故障	こしょう	break-down, failure
個人	こじん	individual, private person
国家	こっか	nation, country
国会	こっかい	National Diet,parliament,congress
国境	こっきょう	border
骨折	こっせつ	bone fracture
事	こと	thing, matter
諺	ことわざ	proverb
粉	こな	powder
小麦	こむぎ	wheat
小麦	こむぎ	wheat
小屋	こや	hut
今回	こんかい	this time
今後	こんご	from now on,hereafter
困難	こんなん	difficulty
今日	こんにち	today
婚約	こんやく	engagement
混乱	こんらん	confusion
差	さ	difference,variation
際	さい	occasion
財産	ざいさん	property, assets
最中	さいちゅう	in the middle of
才能	さいのう	talent
裁判	さいばん	trial
材料	ざいりょう	materials
盛り	さかり	serving, helping
作業	さぎょう	task, work
昨	さく	last (year/day)
作品	さくひん	work, opus
作品	さくひん	work, opus, performance, production
作物	さくもつ	crops, agricultural produce
座席	ざせき	seat
札	さつ	label, ticket
作家	さっか	writer
作曲	さっきょく	composition
作曲	さっきょく	composition, setting (of music)
砂漠	さばく	desert
左右	さゆう	left and right, influence
皿	さら	plate
騒ぎ	さわぎ	uproar
参考	さんこう	reference
酸素	さんそ	oxygen
酸素	さんそ	oxygen
散歩	さんぽ	walk, stroll
四	し	four
氏	し	family name, lineage
詩	し	poem
幸せ	しあわせ	happiness,good fortune,luck,blessing
時期	じき	season
刺激	しげき	stimulus
資源	しげん	resources
支出	ししゅつ	expenditure
事情	じじょう	circumstances
自然	しぜん	nature
自然	しぜん	nature, spontaneous
思想	しそう	thought, idea
舌	した	tongue
支度	したく	preparation
七	しち・なな	seven
失業	しつぎょう	unemployment
実験	じっけん	experiment
実行	じっこう	execution, practice
実際	じっさい	actual condition, status quo
実施	じっし	implementation
指導	しどう	guidance
品	しな	goods, item
芝生	しばふ	lawn
支払	しはらい	payment
死亡	しぼう	death
資本	しほん	capital
姉妹	しまい	sisters
事務	じむ	office work
下	しも	below
霜	しも	frost
借金	しゃっきん	debt
邪魔	じゃま	hindrance, obstacle
州	しゅう	sandbank
銃	じゅう	gun
十	じゅう	ten
周囲	しゅうい	surroundings
収穫	しゅうかく	harvest
週間	しゅうかん	week
宗教	しゅうきょう	religion
重視	じゅうし	serious consideration
就職	しゅうしょく	employment
就職	しゅうしょく	finding employment, inauguration
修正	しゅうせい	correction
渋滞	じゅうたい	congestion, delay
住宅	じゅうたく	residence, housing
集団	しゅうだん	group, mass
集中	しゅうちゅう	concentration,focusing the mind
収入	しゅうにゅう	income
修理	しゅうり	repair
主義	しゅぎ	principle
宿泊	しゅくはく	lodging
手術	しゅじゅつ	surgery
首相	しゅしょう	Prime Minister
手段	しゅだん	means, way
主張	しゅちょう	claim, assertion
出席	しゅっせき	attendance,presence
出発	しゅっぱつ	departure
出版	しゅっぱん	publication
首都	しゅと	capital city
需要	じゅよう	demand
種類	しゅるい	kind
順	じゅん	order
瞬間	しゅんかん	moment
順調	じゅんちょう	favorable, going well
順番	じゅんばん	order
使用	しよう	use
章	しょう	chapter, medal
賞	しょう	prize, award
賞	しょう	prize, award
小	しょう	small
上	じょう	superior quality
障害	しょうがい	obstacle
奨学金	しょうがくきん	scholarship
上京	じょうきょう	proceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
上京	じょうきょう	proceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
条件	じょうけん	condition, term
条件	じょうけん	conditions, terms
正午	しょうご	noon
正午	しょうご	noon, mid-day
少女	しょうじょ	little girl
少々	しょうしょう	a little, small amount
症状	しょうじょう	symptoms, condition
招待	しょうたい	invitation
上達	じょうたつ	improvement, advance, progress
冗談	じょうだん	joke
冗談	じょうだん	jest, joke
承知	しょうち	consent, acceptance
承認	しょうにん	approval
商人	しょうにん	merchant
少年	しょうねん	boy
商売	しょうばい	trade,business,commerce,transaction,occupation
消費	しょうひ	consumption
情報	じょうほう	information
女王	じょおう	queen
職	しょく	employment
職	しょく	job
職業	しょくぎょう	occupation, profession
植物	しょくぶつ	plant
食物	しょくもつ	food, foodstuff
食欲	しょくよく	appetite (for food)
食欲	しょくよく	appetite (for food)
食糧	しょくりょう	provisions,rations
書斎	しょさい	study room
女子	じょし	girl
書物	しょもつ	books
書類	しょるい	documents
知らせ	しらせ	notice
尻	しり	buttocks
印	しるし	mark,symbol,evidence
進学	しんがく	advancement to university
神経	しんけい	nerve, sensitivity
神経	しんけい	nerve
真剣	しんけん	seriousness
信仰	しんこう	religious belief
信号	しんごう	traffic lights, signal, semaphore
信号	しんごう	traffic light
人工	じんこう	artificial
深刻	しんこく	serious
深刻	しんこく	serious
診察	しんさつ	medical examination
人生	じんせい	human life
親戚	しんせき	relative
心臓	しんぞう	heart
心配	しんぱい	worry,concern,anxiety,care
審判	しんぱん	referee, judgment
親友	しんゆう	close friend
親友	しんゆう	close friend, buddy
信用	しんよう	trust
信頼	しんらい	trust
心理	しんり	mentality
人類	じんるい	mankind, humanity
図	ず	diagram, figure
水準	すいじゅん	level
水準	すいじゅん	(1) water level, (2) level, standard
推薦	すいせん	recommendation
睡眠	すいみん	sleep
数	すう	number
数字	すうじ	numeral
姿	すがた	appearance, figure, shape
スキー	スキー	skiing
筋	すじ	muscle, line
頭痛	ずつう	headache
全て	すべて	everything, all
角	すみ	corner
性	せい	gender, sex
所為	せい	cause, reason
背	せい	height
生	せい	raw, draft
税	ぜい	tax
世紀	せいき	century
世紀	せいき	century, era
成功	せいこう	success
生産	せいさん	production, manufacture
生産	せいさん	production, manufacture
正式	せいしき	due form, official, formality
正式	せいしき	official
精神	せいしん	mind, soul, heart
成績	せいせき	grades, performance
製造	せいぞう	manufacturing
贅沢	ぜいたく	luxury, extravagance
成長	せいちょう	growth
制度	せいど	system, institution
青年	せいねん	youth, young man
製品	せいひん	manufactured goods
政府	せいふ	government
生命	せいめい	life
生命	せいめい	life, existence
咳	せき	cough
責任	せきにん	responsibility
石油	せきゆ	oil, petroleum
世間	せけん	society
説	せつ	theory
設備	せつび	facility
絶滅	ぜつめつ	extinction
世話	せわ	looking after, help, aid, assistance
世話	せわ	help, assistance
善	ぜん	good, virtue
全員	ぜんいん	all members
専攻	せんこう	major, special study
全国	ぜんこく	nationwide
先日	せんじつ	the other day
前者	ぜんしゃ	the former
選手	せんしゅ	player,team
前進	ぜんしん	progress
全体	ぜんたい	whole, entirety, whatever (is the matter)
全体	ぜんたい	whole
騒音	そうおん	noise
騒音	そうおん	noise
増加	ぞうか	increase
増加	ぞうか	increase, addition
掃除	そうじ	cleaning, sweeping
掃除	そうじ	cleaning, sweeping
想像	そうぞう	imagination, guess
想像	そうぞう	imagination
装置	そうち	equipment
速度	そくど	speed
底	そこ	bottom, sole
組織	そしき	organization, tissue, structure
袖	そで	sleeve
側	そば	side
損	そん	loss, disadvantage
尊敬	そんけい	respect
尊重	そんちょう	esteem
田	た	rice field
田	た	rice field
題	だい	title, theme, topic
台	だい	stand
体育	たいいく	physical education
体温	たいおん	body temperature
大会	たいかい	convention, tournament
大会	たいかい	convention, tournament, mass meeting, rally
大気	たいき	atmosphere
大気	たいき	atmosphere
代金	だいきん	price
退屈	たいくつ	boredom, tedium
滞在	たいざい	stay
大使	たいし	ambassador
対象	たいしょう	target, subject
大臣	だいじん	cabinet minister
大戦	たいせん	great war
態度	たいど	attitude, manner
大半	たいはん	majority,mostly,generally
代表	だいひょう	representative
逮捕	たいほ	arrest,apprehension
太陽	たいよう	sun
大陸	たいりく	continent
互い	たがい	each other, mutual
宝	たから	treasure
宝	たから	treasure
宅	たく	home
宅	たく	house, home, husband
他人	たにん	another person, unrelated person, outsider, stranger
他人	たにん	another person
種	たね	seed, cause
束	たば	handbreadth,bundle
旅	たび	travel, trip
度	たび	counter for occurrences
度	たび	counter for occurrences
弾	たま	bullet, shot
玉	たま	ball, sphere, coin
球	たま	ball
駄目	だめ	no good
試し	ためし	trial, test
段	だん	step, rank, level
単位	たんい	unit, credit (in school)
単語	たんご	word, vocabulary
男子	だんし	boy
単純	たんじゅん	simplicity
団体	だんたい	group
担当	たんとう	person in charge
地下	ちか	basement, underground
近頃	ちかごろ	lately, recently, nowadays
地球	ちきゅう	the earth
地球	ちきゅう	Earth
知事	ちじ	prefectural governor
知識	ちしき	knowledge
父親	ちちおや	father
知能	ちのう	intelligence, brains
知能	ちのう	intelligence, brains
地平線	ちへいせん	horizon
地方	ちほう	region
茶	ちゃ	tea
茶	ちゃ	tea
中	ちゅう	inside,middle,among
中央	ちゅうおう	centre, central, center, middle
中央	ちゅうおう	center
中学	ちゅうがく	middle school
中古	ちゅうこ	secondhand
駐車	ちゅうしゃ	parking (e.g. car)
昼食	ちゅうしょく	lunch
中心	ちゅうしん	center, core
注目	ちゅうもく	attention, notice
調査	ちょうさ	investigation, survey
頂上	ちょうじょう	summit, top
貯金	ちょきん	savings
貯金	ちょきん	(bank) savings
著者	ちょしゃ	author,writer
通学	つうがく	commuting to school
通信	つうしん	correspondence, communication, news, signal
通信	つうしん	communication
疲れ	つかれ	tiredness, fatigue
疲れ	つかれ	tiredness, fatigue
月	つき	moon, month
付き合い	つきあい	association, socializing, fellowship
包み	つつみ	bundle, package, parcel, bale
包み	つつみ	parcel
務め	つとめ	duty
勤め	つとめ	duty,responsibility,task
翼	つばさ	wings
罪	つみ	crime, fault, indiscretion
抵抗	ていこう	resistance
提出	ていしゅつ	submission
程度	ていど	degree
停留所	ていりゅうじょ	bus stop
適度	てきど	moderate
適用	てきよう	application
哲学	てつがく	philosophy
徹底	てってい	thoroughness, completeness
徹底	てってい	thoroughness
鉄道	てつどう	railroad
徹夜	てつや	all-night vigil
手間	てま	time, labor
デモ	デモ	demonstration
典型	てんけい	type, pattern
典型	てんけい	type, pattern, archetypal
電子	でんし	electron
テント	テント	tent
伝統	でんとう	tradition
伝統	でんとう	tradition, convention
天然	てんねん	nature
度	ど	counter for occurrences
問い	とい	question
同一	どういつ	identity,sameness,similarity
動詞	どうし	verb
同時	どうじ	same time
投票	とうひょう	voting
投票	とうひょう	voting, poll
同様	どうよう	same kind
同僚	どうりょう	colleague
道路	どうろ	road
都会	とかい	city
時	とき	time, moment
毒	どく	poison, toxicant
毒	どく	poison
得意	とくい	specialty
読書	どくしょ	reading
独身	どくしん	single life
特徴	とくちょう	feature, characteristic
特徴	とくちょう	feature, characteristic
独特	どくとく	uniqueness
独立	どくりつ	independence
都市	とし	city
都市	とし	town, city, municipal, urban
年月	としつき	years and months
年寄	としより	old person
土地	とち	land, lot, soil
友	とも	friend
土曜	どよう	Saturday
努力	どりょく	effort
泥	どろ	mud
名	な	name, reputation
内容	ないよう	subject, contents, matter, substance, detail, import
内容	ないよう	contents, subject, detail
仲	なか	relation,relationship
仲間	なかま	comrade, companion
眺め	ながめ	view, outlook
流れ	ながれ	stream
謎	なぞ	riddle
納得	なっとく	consent,assent,understanding
波	なみ	wave
縄	なわ	rope
匂い	におい	smell
日	にち	day
日常	にちじょう	daily life
日曜	にちよう	Sunday
日本	にっぽん	Japan
日本	にっぽん	Japan
入院	にゅういん	hospitalization
入学	にゅうがく	school admission
人気	にんき	popularity, sign of life
人間	にんげん	human being
根	ね	root
願い	ねがい	wish
鼠	ねずみ	mouse
鼠	ねずみ	(1) mouse, rat, (2) dark gray, slate color
値段	ねだん	price
値段	ねだん	price, cost
熱心	ねっしん	enthusiasm (also adj-na)
熱心	ねっしん	zeal, enthusiasm
熱帯	ねったい	tropics
年間	ねんかん	(period of a) year
年月	ねんげつ	months and years
年代	ねんだい	era, period
野	の	field
野	の	field
能	のう	ability
農家	のうか	farm family
農民	のうみん	farmer
能力	のうりょく	ability
残り	のこり	remaining
望み	のぞみ	wish, desire
後	のち	later, after
灰	はい	ash
梅雨	ばいう	rainy season
パイプ	パイプ	pipe, tube
墓	はか	grave
博士	はかせ	PhD
拍手	はくしゅ	applause
莫大	ばくだい	enormous (amount)
爆発	ばくはつ	explosion, eruption
破産	はさん	(personal) bankruptcy
端	はし	edge
始まり	はじまり	beginning
旗	はた	flag
畑	はたけ	field
二十	はたち	20 years old
働き	はたらき	work, labor
発見	はっけん	discovery, detection, finding
発見	はっけん	discovery
発行	はっこう	publication issue
発展	はってん	development,growth
発明	はつめい	invention
発明	はつめい	invention
羽	はね	counter for birds
幅	はば	width
幅	はば	width, breadth
母親	ははおや	mother
場面	ばめん	scene, setting
腹	はら	belly
原	はら	field, plain, prairie, tundra, moor, wilderness
原	はら	plain, field
針	はり	needle, hand (e.g. clock)
針	はり	needle
反抗	はんこう	resistance
犯罪	はんざい	crime
判断	はんだん	judgement
犯人	はんにん	criminal
被害	ひがい	damage
被害	ひがい	damage
悲劇	ひげき	tragedy
飛行	ひこう	aviation
非常	ひじょう	emergency, extraordinary, unusual
非常	ひじょう	emergency
美人	びじん	beautiful woman
額	ひたい	forehead
日付	ひづけ	date
日付	ひづけ	date, dating
必死	ひっし	desperation
否定	ひてい	negation
一言	ひとこと	single word
人込み	ひとごみ	crowd
独り	ひとり	alone
批評	ひひょう	criticism
微妙	びみょう	subtlety (also adj-na)
微妙	びみょう	delicate, subtle
費用	ひよう	cost, expense
表	ひょう	table (e.g. Tab 1), chart, list
秒	びょう	second (60th min)
秒	びょう	second (60th min)
表現	ひょうげん	expression, presentation, representation (math)
表現	ひょうげん	expression
表情	ひょうじょう	facial expression
表情	ひょうじょう	facial expression
平等	びょうどう	equality, evenness
評判	ひょうばん	fame, reputation, popularity, arrant
評判	ひょうばん	reputation
表面	ひょうめん	surface
品	ひん	item, product, elegance
瓶	びん	bottle
便	びん	way, means
便	びん	way, means
不	ふ	negative prefix
分	ぶ	part, dividing
無	ぶ	nothing
不安	ふあん	anxiety
風景	ふうけい	scenery
夫婦	ふうふ	married couple
武器	ぶき	weapon
服装	ふくそう	garments
袋	ふくろ	bag
節	ふし	joint, section, tune
不思議	ふしぎ	mystery
不自由	ふじゆう	inconvenience, disability
婦人	ふじん	woman
不正	ふせい	injustice
舞台	ぶたい	stage (theater)
双子	ふたご	twins
普段	ふだん	usually, habitually, ordinarily, always
普段	ふだん	usually, habitual
縁	ふち	edge, rim (or fate in some context)
物質	ぶっしつ	material, substance
筆	ふで	brush
船	ふね	ship,boat
部分	ぶぶん	section, part
不満	ふまん	dissatisfaction, displeasure, discontent, complaints, unhappiness
不満	ふまん	dissatisfaction
プラン	プラン	plan
分	ぶん	part, segment
文	ぶん	sentence
文	ぶん	sentence
分析	ぶんせき	analysis
文明	ぶんめい	civilization
平均	へいきん	equilibrium, balance, average, mean
変化	へんか	change, transformation
勉強	べんきょう	study
変更	へんこう	change,modification,alteration
弁当	べんとう	lunch box
方	ほう	side
法	ほう	law
棒	ぼう	rod, stick
冒険	ぼうけん	adventure
宝石	ほうせき	gem, jewel
放送	ほうそう	broadcasting
放送	ほうそう	broadcast, broadcasting
豊富	ほうふ	abundance
方々	ほうぼう	people, various places
頬	ほお	cheek
他	ほか	other
外	ほか	outside
誇り	ほこり	pride
保存	ほぞん	preservation
程	ほど	extent
歩道	ほどう	footpath,walkway,sidewalk
仏	ほとけ	Buddha,the dead
濠	ほり	moat
本当	ほんとう	truth
本人	ほんにん	the person himself
間	ま	space,time
迷子	まいご	lost child
幕	まく	curtain, act
負け	まけ	defeat
孫	まご	grandchild
真面目	まじめ	serious, diligent
間違い	まちがい	mistake
祭	まつり	festival
真似	まね	mimicry
丸	まる	circle, full (month), perfection, purity, suffix for ship names
丸	まる	circle, perfection, suffix for ship names
満足	まんぞく	satisfaction
身	み	body, main part, oneself, sword
身	み	body, oneself
実	み	fruit, result
見送り	みおくり	send-off
味方	みかた	ally
見事	みごと	splendid, admirable
見舞い	みまい	enquiry, expression of sympathy
土産	みやげ	souvenir
都	みやこ	capital
明後日	みょうごにち	day after tomorrow
皆	みんな	all,everyone,everybody
無	む	nothing, naught, nil, zero
無	む	nothing, none
迎え	むかえ	meeting, welcome
虫歯	むしば	cavity, tooth decay
無駄	むだ	futility,uselessness
夢中	むちゅう	trance,ecstasy,delirium
胸	むね	breast,chest
無料	むりょう	free, no charge
芽	め	sprout
明確	めいかく	clarity (noun use)
命令	めいれい	command
迷惑	めいわく	nuisance
飯	めし	(sl) meals,food
綿	めん	cotton, padding
綿	めん	cotton
免許	めんきょ	license
申し訳	もうしわけ	excuse
毛布	もうふ	blanket
目標	もくひょう	mark, objective, target
木曜	もくよう	Thursday
木曜	もくよう	Thursday
文字	もじ	character
基	もと	basis
元	もと	origin
素	もと	prime
物語	ものがたり	story, legend
物事	ものごと	things
模様	もよう	pattern
文句	もんく	phrase, complaint
文句	もんく	complaint, phrase
文字	もんじ	letter (of alphabet), character
文字	もんじ	character (written)
役	やく	role, position
約	やく	approximately
役割	やくわり	role
家賃	やちん	rent
厄介	やっかい	trouble, burden, care
厄介	やっかい	trouble, burden, care, bother
宿	やど	inn
唯一	ゆいいつ	only, sole, unique
唯一	ゆいいつ	only, unique
勇気	ゆうき	courage
有効	ゆうこう	validity
友情	ゆうじょう	friendship
友人	ゆうじん	friend
有能	ゆうのう	capable
郵便	ゆうびん	mail,postal service
床	ゆか	floor
床	ゆか	floor
愉快	ゆかい	pleasant
行き	ゆき	going
輸出	ゆしゅつ	export
輸入	ゆにゅう	importation,import,introduction
夜	よ	evening, night
夜明け	よあけ	dawn
様	よう	way,manner
要求	ようきゅう	demand
用心	ようじん	care, precaution, guarding, caution
様子	ようす	appearance
様子	ようす	aspect, state, appearance
要素	ようそ	element
要点	ようてん	main point, gist
曜日	ようび	day of the week
予期	よき	expectation
予算	よさん	estimate, budget
予算	よさん	budget
予測	よそく	prediction, estimation
世の中	よのなか	society, the world
予報	よほう	forecast
予防	よぼう	prevention
読み	よみ	reading
余裕	よゆう	surplus, composure, margin
余裕	よゆう	surplus, composure, margin, room, time, allowance, scope, rope
喜び	よろこび	joy
四	よん	four
楽	らく	ease, comfort
利益	りえき	profit, gain
理解	りかい	understanding
陸	りく	six (used in legal documents)
理想	りそう	ideal
率	りつ	rate, ratio, proportion, percentage
留学	りゅうがく	study abroad
流行	りゅうこう	trend, fashion
量	りょう	quantity, amount
料金	りょうきん	fee
礼	れい	gratitude
例	れい	example
礼儀	れいぎ	manners, etiquette
冷静	れいせい	composure
列	れつ	queue,line,row
列車	れっしゃ	train
連想	れんそう	association (of ideas), suggestion
労働	ろうどう	labor, work
論争	ろんそう	controversy, dispute
論争	ろんそう	controversy, dispute
論文	ろんぶん	thesis, paper
論文	ろんぶん	thesis, essay, treatise, paper
輪	わ	ring, circle
別れ	わかれ	parting, farewell
脇	わき	side
脇	わき	side
綿	わた	cotton
話題	わだい	topic
話題	わだい	topic, subject
笑い	わらい	laugh, laughter, smile
笑い	わらい	laughter
悪口	わるくち	abuse, slander
我々	われわれ	we
我々	われわれ	we
湾	わん	bay
湾	わん	bay, gulf, inlet

.

JLPT N3 Verb

Now that you have learned some nouns, the next will be Japanese verb. JLPT N3 level, you’ll start seeing a wider variety of them, including more complex conjugations, formal expressions, and verbs used in both casual and professional settings.

This is also where you might be introduced to many compound verbs and more nuanced transitive or intransitive pairs.

In this list, we’ve organized verbs alphabetically. But as you study, it’s helpful to group them by function or form, such as る-verbs, う-verbs, irregular verbs, or by usage patterns like potential form, passive, or causative.

*Japanese*	*Kana*	*English Translation*
できる	―	to be able to
愛する	あいする	to love
明ける	あける	to dawn, to become daylight
*与える*	*あたえる*	*to give*
暖かい（い-adj）	あたたかい	warm, mild
当たる	あたる	to be hit
扱う	あつかう	to handle
当てる	あてる	to hit
浴びる	あびる	to bathe, to shower
表す	あらわす	to express, to reveal
有る	ある	to be, to have
抱く	いだく	to hold, to embrace
頂く	いただく	to receive (humble)
至る	*いたる*	*to reach*
祝う	いわう	to celebrate
引退	いんたい	to retire
受け取る	うけとる	to receive
動かす	うごかす	to move, to shift
失う	うしなう	to lose
疑う	うたがう	to doubt, to distrust, to be suspicious of
撃つ	うつ	to attack
移す	*うつす*	*to move, to infect*
訴える	うったえる	to sue, appeal
うなる	うなる	to groan
奪う	うばう	to snatch away
売れる	うれる	to be sold
描く	えがく	to draw, paint
得る	*える・うる*	*to obtain*
追い付く	おいつく	to catch up, to overtake
追う	おう	to chase
応じる	おうじる	to respond
終える	おえる	to finish
覆う	おおう	to cover
恐れる	おそれる	to fear
劣る	*おとる*	*to be inferior*
溺れる	おぼれる	to drown
及ぼす	およぼす	to exert, to cause
居る	おる	to be (animate)
下す	おろす	to lower
降ろす	おろす	to take down, to drop
飼う	かう	to raise
*換える*	*かえる*	*to exchange*
替える	かえる	to replace, to exchange
抱える	かかえる	to carry (in arms)
輝く	かがやく	to shine, to glitter
罹る	かかる	to suffer
掛かる	かかる	to take (time/money), to hang
限る	かぎる	to limit
描く	かく	to draw
隠す	かくす	to hide
隠れる	かくれる	to hide, to disappear
欠ける	かける	to be lacking
囲む	かこむ	to surround, to encircle
稼ぐ	かせぐ	to earn
数える	かぞえる	to count
語る	かたる	to talk
被る	かぶる	to suffer
刈る	かる	to cut (hair), to mow (grass), to harvest
感じる	かんじる	to feel
関する	かんする	to concern
効く	きく	to be effective
気付く	きづく	to notice
食う	くう	to eat (vulgar, male)
暮らす	くらす	to live, to get along
狂う	くるう	to go mad, to get out of order
加える	くわえる	to add
決定する	けっていする	to determine
行動する	こうどうする	to act, to behave
凍る	こおる	to freeze
越す	こす	to go over, to pass
異なる	ことなる	to differ
断る	ことわる	to refuse, to decline
好む	*このむ*	*to like*
殺す	ころす	to kill
転ぶ	*ころぶ*	*to fall*
叫ぶ	さけぶ	to shout, to cry
避ける	さける	to avoid, to ward off, to avert
支える	ささえる	to support
指す	さす	to point, to put up umbrella, to play
誘う	さそう	to invite, to tempt
覚ます	さます	to awaken
覚める	さめる	to wake up
従う	したがう	to obey, to follow, to accompany
支配する	しはいする	to control
支払う	しはらう	to pay
しまう	しまう	to finish
示す	しめす	to show
占める	しめる	to occupy, to account for
処理する	しょりする	to process
信頼する	しんらいする	to trust
空く	すく	to be empty
救う	すくう	to rescue from, to help out of
優れる	すぐれる	to excel
勧める	すすめる	to recommend
進める	すすめる	to advance, to promote
*済ませる*	*すませる*	*to finish*
注ぐ	そそぐ	to pour
育つ	そだつ	to grow up
備える	そなえる	to provide
対する	たいする	to confront
倒す	たおす	to beat, to bring down
確かめる	たしかめる	to confirm
助ける	たすける	to help
戦う	たたかう	to fight
叩く	たたく	to strike
立ち上がる	たちあがる	to stand up
経つ	たつ	to pass, to lapse
黙る	だまる	to be silent
頼る	たよる	to rely on, to depend on
通じる	つうじる	to communicate, lead to
捕まる	つかまる	to be caught
就く	つく	to take (position), to settle in
注ぐ	つぐ	to pour (into), to irrigate, to pay
付ける	つける	to attach, to join, to add, to append
繋ぐ	つなぐ	to connect
*出会う*	*であう*	*to meet by chance*
適する	てきする	to suit
通り過ぎる	とおりすぎる	to pass through
解く	とく	to unfasten
*解ける*	*とける*	*to come untied*
届く	とどく	to reach
飛ばす	とばす	to skip over, to omit
留める	とめる	to fasten, to turn off
取れる	とれる	to come off
流す	ながす	to drain
眺める	ながめる	to view, to gaze at
流れる	ながれる	to stream, to flow
怠ける	なまける	to neglect
悩む	なやむ	to be troubled, to worry
成る	なる	to become
為る	なる	to become
似合う	にあう	to suit, to match
握る	にぎる	to grasp, to mold (sushi)
濡れる	ぬれる	to get wet
願う	ねがう	to desire, to wish, to request
残す	のこす	to leave
除く	のぞく	to remove
伸ばす	のばす	to lengthen, to stretch, to grow (beard)
伸びる	のびる	to stretch
昇る	のぼる	to rise, ascend
計る	はかる	to measure
吐く	はく	to vomit
履く	はく	to wear (lower body)
外す	はずす	to remove
*罰する*	*ばっする*	*to punish*
話し合う	はなしあう	to discuss
放す	はなす	to release
離す	はなす	to separate
*離れる*	*はなれる*	*to separate*
省く	はぶく	to omit
貼る	はる	to stick, paste
引っ張る	ひっぱる	to pull
広がる	ひろがる	to spread
含む	ふくむ	to include
防ぐ	ふせぐ	to defend
振る	ふる	to shake
震える	ふるえる	to shiver
*触れる*	*ふれる*	*to touch*
吠える	ほえる	to bark, to roar
微笑む	ほほえむ	to smile
任せる	まかせる	to entrust
増す	ます	to increase, to grow
学ぶ	まなぶ	to learn
招く	まねく	to invite
守る	まもる	to protect, to obey
満ちる	みちる	to be full, to expire
見る	みる	to see
向く	むく	*to face*
向ける	むける	to turn toward
結ぶ	むすぶ	to tie, bind
申し込む	もうしこむ	to apply
燃える	もえる	to burn
持ち上げる	もちあげる	to raise, to lift up
戻す	もどす	to return
基づく	もとづく	to be based on
貰う	もらう	to receive
雇う	*やとう*	*to hire*
言う	ゆう	to say
譲る	ゆずる	to hand over
許す	ゆるす	to allow
酔う	よう	to get drunk
横切る	よこぎる	to cross
止す	よす	*to quit*
論じる	ろんじる	to argue, to debate
分ける	わける	to divide
割る	わる	to divide, to cut, to break, to halve

JLPT N3 Adjectives

Before diving in, make sure you’re already familiar with the difference between い-adjectives and な-adjectives, as JLPT N3-level adjectives go beyond the usual simple words like “kawaii” or “senpai.”

As always, list is organized alphabetically for easy reference, but for more effective study, try grouping adjectives by themes such as feelings, appearance, or degree.

Japanese	Kana	English Translation
かわいらしい	–	lovely
うまい	–	delicious
かわいそう	–	pitiable
いい	–	good
もっとも	–	natural, most reasonable
すてき	–	lovely, dreamy
きつい	―	tight, intense
愛する	あいする	to love
暖かい	あたたかい	warm
新た	あらた	new
偉大	いだい	great
うるさい	うるさい	noisy, fussy
嬉しい	うれしい	happy
穏やか	おだやか	calm, gentle
快適	かいてき	comfortable
賢い	かしこい	wise
硬い	かたい	hard
完全	かんぜん	perfect
気の毒	きのどく	pitiful
奇妙	きみょう	strange
巨大	きょだい	gigantic
臭い	くさい	odour, stench
苦しい	くるしい	painful, difficult
濃い	こい	thick, dense, strong
高価	こうか	high-priced
豪華	ごうか	wonderful, gorgeous, splendor, pomp, extravagance
最終	さいしゅう	last, final
最低	さいてい	least, worst
親しい	したしい	intimate
重大	じゅうだい	serious, important
上等	じょうとう	superior
新鮮	しんせん	fresh
慎重	しんちょう	prudent, cautious
すごい	すごい	amazing, terrific
素晴らしい	すばらしい	wonderful
鋭い	するどい	sharp, pointed
正	せい	regular, correct
正確	せいかく	accurate
積極的	せっきょくてき	proactive
粗末	そまつ	crude
大抵	たいてい	usually
単なる	たんなる	mere
辛い	つらい	painful
適切	てきせつ	appropriate
典型的（な）	てんけいてき	typical (implied from 典型)
得意	とくい	proud/specialty
苦手	にがて	poor at, dislike
激しい	はげしい	violent, intense
必死	ひっし	desperate (can be treated as na-adjective)
等しい	ひとしい	equal
不自由	ふじゆう	inconvenient (also noun)
不利	ふり	disadvantageous
豊富	ほうふ	abundant
真面目	まじめ	serious, honest (also noun)
貧しい	まずしい	poor, needy
真っ赤	まっか	deep red
真っ直ぐ	まっすぐ	straight
満ちる	みちる	to be full, to expire
妙	みょう	strange
面倒	めんどう	troublesome
有利	ゆうり	advantageous
豊か	ゆたか	abundant
よい	よい	good, nice, pleasant
容易	ようい	easy, simple
宜しい	よろしい	(hon) good, OK
立派	りっぱ	splendid, fine
冷静	れいせい	calm

JLPT N3 Adverb

Adverbs play a key role in adding detail and nuance to your sentences, helping you describe how, when, where, and to what extent actions occur. In JLPT N# vocabulary, you’ll find a wider range of adverbs that let you express subtle differences in timing, frequency, degree, and manner

Check out’ Basic Japanese Adverbs to Know

Japanese	Kana	English Translation
まさに	–	exactly
それぞれ	–	each
どんな	–	what kind of
もしも	–	if
いずれ	–	eventually
いらいら	–	irritation
どこか	–	somewhere
かもしれない	–	perhaps
がっかり	–	disappointed
ただ	–	only
おそらく	–	maybe
あいにく	–	unfortunately
そのうち	–	eventually
いつも	–	always
しきりに	–	frequently, eagerly
やや	–	a little, somewhat
たびたび	–	repeatedly
どうしても	–	no matter what
およそ	–	approximately
ゆっくり	–	slowly
ふと	–	suddenly, unexpectedly
さっぱり	—	feeling refreshed, neatly, clearly
なかなか	—	very, considerably, not easily (with negative)
いつでも	—	always, at all times
それとも	―	or, or else
むしろ	―	rather
あちこち	―	here and there
ばったり	―	with a crash, suddenly
かなり	―	fairly, quite
のんびり	―	carefree
まさか	―	no way
ぴったり	―	perfectly
まるで	―	entirely
だけど	―	however
そして	―	and
ますます	―	increasingly
ちゃんと	―	properly
じっと	―	firmly, patiently
さて	―	now then
より	―	more (comparison)
どう	―	how
では	―	then, well
余り	あまり	not much
あんなに	あんなに	to that extent
一度に	いちどに	all at once
いつか	いつか	someday
いつまでも	いつまでも	forever
今にも	いまにも	any moment
言わば	いわば	so to speak
思わず	おもわず	unintentionally
必ずしも	かならずしも	(not) necessarily
急に	きゅうに	suddenly
偶然	ぐうぜん	by chance, unexpectedly
ぐっすり	ぐっすり	sound asleep
更に	さらに	furthermore, again
直	じき	immediately
したがって	したがって	therefore
実に	じつに	truly
しばしば	しばしば	often
随分	ずいぶん	quite, extremely
ずっと	ずっと	throughout
既に	すでに	already
精々	せいぜい	at best, at most
是非	ぜひ	certainly
そっくり	そっくり	exactly like, identical
そっと	そっと	quietly, gently
それと	それと	and then, also
だから	だから	so, therefore
多少	たしょう	somewhat
唯	ただ	only, free of charge
直ちに	ただちに	immediately
たった	たった	only, merely
たっぷり	たっぷり	full, plenty
たとえ	たとえ	even if
偶々	たまたま	by chance
遂に	ついに	finally
次々	つぎつぎ	one by one
つまり	つまり	in short, in brief
どんなに	どんなに	how much
にっこり	にっこり	smile sweetly
年中	ねんじゅう	year-round, always
一人一人	ひとりひとり	one by one, each
まだ	まだ	still, yet
全く	まったく	entirely, completely
もちろん	もちろん	of course
最も	もっとも	most
やがて	やがて	soon
やはり	やはり	still, also, after all
要するに	ようするに	in short

Other JLPT N3 Vocabulary: Particles, Loanwords, Expressions

The JLPT N3 vocabulary section doesn’t just test your knowledge of word meanings. Ot also challenges your understanding of context and appropriate usage. This means you’ll encounter not only individual words but also common expressions and set phrases.

In addition, we group loanwords (often written in katakana) here, even though most of them are nouns. The good news is that if you already know English, learning these loanwords can be much easier since many are borrowed directly from English or other languages.

Japanese	Kana	English Translation
ところが	–	however
はあ	–	(interjection)
で	–	(particle)
それ	–	(interjection, pronoun)
ケチ	–	stingy person
ベルト	–	belt
ボート	–	boat
ゴール	–	goal
ミルク	–	milk
ワイン	–	wine
ボーイ	–	boy
キャンプ	–	camp
プラス	–	plus
トラック	–	truck
スタイル	–	style
トップ	–	top
あっ	–	(interjection)
いち	–	market
スイッチ	–	switch
セット	–	set
ごめんなさい	–	sorry
た	–	other
がら	–	pattern/handle (ambiguous, multiple meanings)
よると	–	according to
でも	–	but, however
あんまり	–	not very, remainder
そのまま	–	as it is, unchanged
そこで	–	so, accordingly
そう	—	so
こんにちは	—	hello, good day
いわゆる	—	so-called
しかも	—	moreover, furthermore
ところで	—	by the way
わざと	—	on purpose
おまえ	—	you (casual, rough)
センター	—	center
プロ	—	professional
チーズ	—	cheese
これら	—	these
ざっと	—	roughly
また	—	again, and
ジーンズ	—	jeans
スピーチ	—	speech
わがまま	—	selfishness
クラシック		classical music
コンピューター		computer
クリーム		cream
オフィス		office
トランプ		playing cards
スープ		soup
チーム		team
しゃべる	to chat (colloquial, often kana only)
あした	あした	tomorrow
ありがとう	ありがとう	thank you
あるいは	あるいは	or, possibly
いただきます	いただきます	expression before meals
インク	インク	ink
うん（感）	うん	fortune, luck
御	お	honorific prefix
おめでとう	おめでとう	congratulations!
カード	カード	card
曇	くもり	cloudy weather
グラス	グラス	glass
グランド	グランド	grand, ground, gland
しまった	しまった	Damn it! (interjection)
みません	すみません	sorry, excuse me
その	その	that (determiner)
デート	デート	date (romantic)
できれば	できれば	if possible
通り	とおり	as per, street
トンネル	トンネル	tunnel
無し	なし	without
なぜなら	なぜなら	because
ノー	ノー	no
ハンサム	ハンサム	handsome
ビデオ	ビデオ	video
不	ぶ	non-, un- (prefix)
ペンキ	ペンキ	paint (loanword from Dutch)
ホーム	ホーム	platform
ぼんやり	ぼんやり	absent-mindedly, vaguely
まあ	まあ	you might say
マスター	マスター	bar owner, master
よろしく（感）	よろしく	best regards, properly
ライター	ライター	lighter, writer
ラケット	ラケット	racket

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FAQ

How many words are in JLPT N3?

JLPT N3 vocabulary includes about 3,500 to 3,750 words. This typically includes vocabulary you have learned in JLPT N5 and JLPT N4.

How many kanji should I study for JLPT N3?

You should study approximately 600 to 650 kanji for JLPT N3.

Where can I register for the JLPT N3?

You can register for the JLPT through the official JLPT website or authorized testing centers in your country. Check out how to register for JLPT N3 online in our guide.

Can I work with JLPT N3 certificate?

Typically, JLPT N3 can help you get part-time jobs that require intermediate Japanese, but it may not be enough for many full-time professional positions. For that, you would typically need JLPT N2 and above.

How do I find my JLPT result?

JLPT results are usually available online about two months after the exam on the official JLPT website. Check out how to find your JLPT results in our guide.

Can I pass JLPT N3 in 5 months?

Yes, with focused and consistent study, passing the JLPT N3 in 5 months is definitely achievable. This requires setting a clear study schedule, regularly practicing vocabulary, grammar, kanji, listening, and reading comprehension.

Check out our guides for the upcoming JLPT:

Studying for the JLPT N4 usually means two things: scribbling down flashcards for new kanji and flipping through loads of vocabulary. That is because to pass the N4, you’ll need to put in around 550 to 1,000 study hours and learn about 1,500 vocabulary words, including everything from the N5 level.

But what exactly is the JLPT N4 vocabulary you need to master?

This list features the most common and essential words, thoughtfully organized by topic to help you learn words in context. Each entry includes the word in kanji, its reading in kana, and its English meaning. Let’s dive in!

Before you go: Interested in studying for the JLPT? Take JLPT lessons at Coto Academy, specifically designed to teach the elements required for the test so you can pass with flying colors! Contact us today!

Vocabulary for Noun (名詞)

Did you know that nouns, called meishi (名詞) in Japanese, make up the largest portion of the N4 vocabulary?

These words form the backbone of everyday conversations, covering topics like people, places, objects, time, and abstract ideas. For easy reference and learning, the list is organized alphabetically.

Kanji	Kana	English translation
間	あいだ	a space
	あかちゃん	infant
赤ん坊	あかんぼう	baby
	アクセサリー	accessory
味	あじ	flavour
	アジア	Asia
明日	あす	tomorrow
遊び	あそび	play
	アナウンサー	announcer
	アフリカ	Africa
	アメリカ	America
	アルコール	alcohol
	アルバイト	part-time job
安心	あんしん	relief
安全	あんぜん	safety
以下	いか	less than
以外	いがい	with the exception of
医学	いがく	medical science
意見	いけん	opinion
石	いし	stone
以上	いじょう	more than, this is all
一生懸命	いっしょうけんめい	with utmost effort
	いっぱい	full
糸	いと	thread
以内	いない	within
田舎	いなか	countryside
受付	うけつけ	receipt
	うそ	a lie
	うち	within
腕	うで	arm
裏	うら	reverse side
売り場	うりば	place where things are sold
運転手	うんてんしゅ	driver
	エスカレーター	escalator
枝	えだ	branch, twig
	オートバイ	motorcycle
お祝い	おいわい	congratulation
億	おく	one hundred million
屋上	おくじょう	rooftop
贈り物	おくりもの	gift
押し入れ	おしいれ	closet
お嬢さん	おじょうさん	young lady
夫	おっと	husband
	おつり	change from purchase, balance
音	おと	sound, note
踊り	おどり	a dance
お祭り	おまつり	festival
お見舞い	おみまい	calling on someone who is ill, enquiry
お土産	おみやげ	souvenir
	おもちゃ	toy
表	おもて	the front
親	おや	parents
泳ぎ方	およぎかた	way of swimming
お礼	おれい	expression of gratitude
終わり	おわり	the end
	カーテン	curtain
海岸	かいがん	coast
会議	かいぎ	meeting
会議室	かいぎしつ	meeting room
会場	かいじょう	assembly hall or meeting place
会話	かいわ	conversation
帰り	かえり	return
科学	かがく	science
鏡	かがみ	mirror
火事	かじ	fire
	ガス	petrol
	ガソリン	petrol
	ガソリンスタンド	petrol station
形	かたち	shape
課長	かちょう	section manager
	かっこう	appearance
家内	かない	housewife
お・金持ち	かねもち/おかねもち	rich man
壁	かべ	wall
髪	かみ	hair
	ガラス	a glass pane
代わり	かわり	substitute, alternate
関係	かんけい	relationship
看護婦	かんごふ	female nurse
気	き	spirit, mood
機会	きかい	opportunity
危険	きけん	danger
汽車	きしゃ	steam train
技術	ぎじゅつ	art, technology, skill
季節	きせつ	season
規則	きそく	regulations
絹	きぬ	silk
気分	きぶん	mood
気持ち	きもち	feeling, mood
着物	きもの	kimono
客	きゃく	guest, customer
急行	きゅうこう	speedy, express
教育	きょういく	education
教会	きょうかい	church
競争	きょうそう	competition
興味	きょうみ	an interest
近所	きんじょ	neighbourhood
具合	ぐあい	condition, health
空気	くうき	air, atmosphere
空港	くうこう	airport
草	くさ	grass
首	くび	neck
雲	くも	cloud
毛	け	hair or fur
	ケーキ	cake
経済	けいざい	finance, economy
警察	けいさつ	police
景色	けしき	scene, landscape
消しゴム	けしゴム	eraser
下宿	げしゅく	lodging
決して	けっして	never
原因	げんいん	cause, source
研究	けんきゅう	research
研究室	けんきゅうしつ	study room, laboratory
見物	けんぶつ	sightseeing
子	こ	child
	こう	this way
郊外	こうがい	outskirts
講義	こうぎ	lecture
工業	こうぎょう	the manufacturing industry
高校	こうこう	high school
高校生	こうこうせい	high school student
工場	こうじょう	factory
校長	こうちょう	headmaster
交通	こうつう	traffic, transportation
講堂	こうどう	auditorium
高等学校	こうとうがっこう	high school
公務員	こうむいん	government worker
国際	こくさい	international
心	こころ	core, heart
御主人	ごしゅじん	(honorable) your husband
ご存じ	ごぞんじ	knowing, acquaintance
答	こたえ	response
	ごちそう	a feast
	こと	thing, matter
小鳥	ことり	small bird
	ごみ	rubbish
米	こめ	uncooked rice
	コンサート	concert
今度	こんど	now, next time
	コンピュータ/コンピューター	computer
最近	さいきん	latest, nowadays
最後	さいご	last, end
最初	さいしょ	beginning, first
坂	さか	slope, hill
盛ん	さかん	popularity, prosperous
さ来月	さらいげつ	the month after next
さ来週	さらいしゅう	the week after next
	サラダ	salad
産業	さんぎょう	industry
	サンダル	sandal
	サンドイッチ	sandwich
残念	ざんねん	disappointment
市	し	city
字	じ	character
試合	しあい	match, game
仕方	しかた	method
試験	しけん	examination
事故	じこ	accident
地震	じしん	earthquake
時代	じだい	era
下着	したぎ	underwear
失敗	しっぱい	failure, mistake
辞典	じてん	dictionary
品物	しなもの	goods
島	しま	island
市民	しみん	citizen
事務所	じむしょ	office
社会	しゃかい	society, public
社長	しゃちょう	company president
	じゃま	hindrance, intrusion
	ジャム	jam
自由	じゆう	freedom
習慣	しゅうかん	custom, manners
住所	じゅうしょ	an address, a residence
柔道	じゅうどう	judo
趣味	しゅみ	hobby
紹介	しょうかい	introduction
小学校	しょうがっこう	elementary school
小説	しょうせつ	novel
将来	しょうらい	future, prospects
食料品	しょくりょうひん	groceries
女性	じょせい	woman
人口	じんこう	population
神社	じんじゃ	Shinto shrine
新聞社	しんぶんしゃ	newspaper company
	スーツ	suit
	スーツケース	suitcase
水泳	すいえい	swimming
水道	すいどう	water supply
数学	すうがく	mathematics, arithmetic
	スクリーン	screen
	ステーキ	steak
	ステレオ	stereo
砂	すな	sand
隅	すみ	corner, nook
	すり	pickpocket
政治	せいじ	politics, government
西洋	せいよう	western countries
世界	せかい	the world
席	せき	seat
説明	せつめい	explanation
背中	せなか	back of the body
線	せん	line
戦争	せんそう	war
先輩	せんぱい	senior
卒業	そつぎょう	graduation
祖父	そふ	grandfather
	ソフト	soft, software
祖母	そぼ	grandmother
大学生	だいがくせい	university student
	タイプ	type, style
台風	たいふう	typhoon
畳	たたみ	Japanese straw mat
例えば	たとえば	for example
棚	たな	shelves
楽しみ	たのしみ	joy
男性	だんせい	male
暖房	だんぼう	heating
血	ち	blood
力	ちから	strength, power
注意	ちゅうい	caution
中学校	ちゅうがっこう	junior high school, middle school
注射	ちゅうしゃ	injection
駐車場	ちゅうしゃじょう	parking lot
地理	ちり	geography
	つき	moon
都合	つごう	circumstances, convenience
妻	つま	(humble) wife
	つもり	intention
丁寧	ていねい	polite
	テキスト	text, text book
適当	てきとう	suitability
	テニス	tennis
手袋	てぶくろ	glove
寺	てら	temple
点	てん	point, dot
店員	てんいん	shop assistant
天気予報	てんきよほう	weather forecast
電灯	でんとう	electric light
電報	でんぽう	telegram
展覧会	てんらんかい	exhibition
都	と	metropolitan
道具	どうぐ	tool, means
動物園	どうぶつえん	zoo
	とこや	barber
途中	とちゅう	on the way
特急	とっきゅう	limited express train (faster than an express train)
泥棒	どろぼう	thief
	におい	a smell
二階建て	にかいだて	two storied
日記	にっき	journal
人形	にんぎょう	doll, figure
	ねだん	price
熱	ねつ	fever
	ねっしん	enthusiasm
寝坊	ねぼう	sleeping in late
	のど	throat
乗り物	のりもの	vehicle
葉	は	leaf
	パート	part time
場合	ばあい	situation
倍	ばい	double
歯医者	はいしゃ	dentist
場所	ばしょ	location
	パソコン	personal computer
発音	はつおん	pronunciation
花見	はなみ	cherry-blossom viewing
林	はやし	woods, forester
番組	ばんぐみ	television or radio program
反対	はんたい	opposition
	ハンドバッグ	handbag
火	ひ	fire
日	ひ	day, sun
	ピアノ	piano
光	ひかり	light
引き出し	ひきだし	drawer, drawing out
	ひげ	beard
飛行場	ひこうじょう	airport
久しぶり	ひさしぶり	after a long time
美術館	びじゅつかん	art gallery
	ビル	building or bill
昼間	ひるま	daytime, during the day
昼休み	ひるやすみ	noon break
	ファックス	fax
復習	ふくしゅう	revision
部長	ぶちょう	head of a section
	ぶどう	grapes
布団	ふとん	Japanese bedding, futon
舟	ふね	ship
	プレゼント	present
文化	ぶんか	culture
文学	ぶんがく	literature
文法	ぶんぽう	grammar
	ベル	bell
貿易	ぼうえき	trade
法律	ほうりつ	law
星	ほし	star
	ほど	extent
翻訳	ほんやく	translation
周り	まわり	surroundings
漫画	まんが	comic
真中	まんなか	middle
湖	みずうみ	lake
味噌	みそ	bean paste
皆	みな	everybody
港	みなと	harbour
昔	むかし	olden days, former
虫	むし	insect
息子	むすこ	(humble) son
娘	むすめ	(humble) daughter
木綿	もめん	cotton
森	もり	forest
約束	やくそく	promise
湯	ゆ	hot water
指	ゆび	finger
指輪	ゆびわ	finger ring
夢	ゆめ	dream
用	よう	use
用意	ようい	preparation
用事	ようじ	things to do
予習	よしゅう	preparation for a lesson
予定	よてい	arrangement
予約	よやく	reservation
理由	りゆう	reason
利用	りよう	utilization
両方	りょうほう	both sides
旅館	りょかん	Japanese hotel
留守	るす	absence
冷房	れいぼう	air conditioning
歴史	れきし	history
	レジ	register
	レポート/リポート	report
連絡	れんらく	contact
	ワープロ	word processor
訳	わけ	meaning, reason
忘れ物	わすれもの	lost article
割合	わりあい	rate, ratio, percentage

Tip: The list above is the additional words you need to study.

JLPT N4 Vocabulary for Pronoun (代名詞)

In Japanese, some pronouns like kare (he) and kanojo (she) can also be used as nouns, depending on the context. For example, kanojo can mean “girlfriend, ” not just “she”! Keep an eye out for how they’re used in real sentences!

Kanji	Kana	English translation
彼女	かのじょ	She, girlfriend
彼ら	かれら	they
僕	ぼく	I (used by males)
彼	かれ	He, boyfriend

Need a refresher on Japanese pronouns? Make sure you already know how to refer to yourself in Japanese!

Vocabulary forN4 Suffix (接尾語)

Ever heard of suffixes, called setsubigo in Japanese? These small but mighty elements are attached to the ends of words to add politeness, show relationships, or indicate roles and titles.

Kanji	Kana	English translation
君	くん	suffix for a familiar young male
	ちゃん	suffix for a familiar female person

JLPT N4 Verb (動詞)

Japanese verbs, or doushi, are at the heart of every sentence. To make the most of this section, be sure to check out how to conjugate verbs in Japanese.

Kanji	Kana	English translation
合う	あう	to match
上る	あがる	to rise
空く	あく	to open, to become empty
	あげる	to give
浅い	あさい	shallow, superficial
集る	あつまる	to gather
集める	あつめる	to collect something
謝る	あやまる	to apologize
案内	あんない・する	to guide
生きる	いきる	to live
	いじめる	to tease
急ぐ	いそぐ	to hurry
致す	いたす	(humble) to do
	いただく	(humble) to receive
祈る	いのる	to pray
	いらっしゃる	(respectful) to be, to come or to go
植える	うえる	to plant, to grow
	うかがう	to visit
受ける	うける	to take a lesson or test
動く	うごく	to move
打つ	うつ	to hit
写す	うつす	to copy or photograph
移る	うつる	to move house or transfer
運転	うんてん・する	to drive
運動	うんどう・する	to exercise
選ぶ	えらぶ	to choose
遠慮	えんりょ・する	to be reserved, to be restrained
	おいでになる	(respectful) to be
	おかげ	owing to
送る	おくる	to send
遅れる	おくれる	to be late
起す	おこす	to wake
行う	おこなう	to do
怒る	おこる	to get angry, to be angry
お宅	おたく	(polite) your house
落る	おちる	to fall or drop
	おっしゃる	(respectful) to say
落す	おとす	to drop
踊る	おどる	to dance
驚く	おどろく	to be surprised
思い出す	おもいだす	to remember
思う	おもう	to think, to feel
下りる	おりる	to get off
折る	おる	to break or to fold
折れる	おれる	to break or be folded
変える	かえる	to change
掛ける	かける	to hang something
飾る	かざる	to decorate
片付ける	かたづける	to tidy up
勝つ	かつ	to win
	かまう	to mind
噛む	かむ	to bite, to chew
通う	かよう	to commute
乾く	かわく	to get dry
変わる	かわる	to change
考える	かんがえる	to consider
聞こえる	きこえる	to be heard
決る	きまる	to be decided
君	きみ	(informal) You (used by men towards women)
決める	きめる	to decide
	くださる	(respectful) to give
比べる	くらべる	to compare
暮れる	くれる	to get dark, to come to an end
	くれる	to give
計画	けいかく・する	to plan
経験	けいけん・する	to experience
	けが・する	to injure
	けんか・する	to quarrel
故障	こしょう・する	to break-down
込む	こむ	to be crowded
	ごらんになる	(respectful) to see
壊す	こわす	to break
壊れる	こわれる	to be broken
今夜	こんや	tonight
探す	さがす	to look for
下る	さがる	to get down, to descend
下げる	さげる	to hang, to lower, to move back
差し上げる	さしあげる	(polite) to give
騒ぐ	さわぐ	to make noise, to be excited
触る	さわる	to touch
	しかる	to scold
支度	したく・する	to prepare
出席	しゅっせき・する	to attend
出発	しゅっぱつ・する	to depart
準備	じゅんび・する	to prepare
招待	しょうたい・する	to invite
承知	しょうち・する	to consent
食事	しょくじ・する	to have a meal
知らせる	しらせる	to notify
調べる	しらべる	to investigate
心配	しんぱい・する	to worry
過ぎる	すぎる	to exceed
	すく	to become empty
進む	すすむ	to make progress
捨てる	すてる	to throw away
滑る	すべる	to slide, to slip
済む	すむ	to finish
生活	せいかつ・する	to live
生産	せいさん・する	to produce
世話	せわ・する	to look after
相談	そうだん・する	to discuss
育てる	そだてる	to rear, to bring up
	それほど	to that extent
退院	たいいん・する	to leave hospital
倒れる	たおれる	to break down
足す	たす	to add a number
尋ねる	たずねる	to ask
訪ねる	たずねる	to visit
建てる	たてる	to build
立てる	たてる	to stand something up
楽む	たのしむ	to enjoy oneself
為	ため	in order to
足りる	たりる	to be enough
	チェック・する	to check
捕まえる	つかまえる	to seize
付く	つく	to be attached
漬ける	つける	to soak, to pickle
伝える	つたえる	to report
続く	つづく	to be continued
続ける	つづける	to continue
包む	つつむ	to wrap
釣る	つる	to fish
連れる	つれる	to lead
手伝う	てつだう	to assist
通る	とおる	to go through
届ける	とどける	to reach
泊まる	とまる	to lodge at
止める	とめる	to stop something
取り替える	とりかえる	to exchange
直す	なおす	to fix, to repair
直る	なおる	to be fixed, to be repaired
治る	なおる	to be cured, to heal
泣く	なく	to weep
無くなる	なくなる	to disappear, to get lost
亡くなる	なくなる	to die
投げる	なげる	to throw or cast away
	なさる	(respectful) to do
鳴る	なる	to sound
慣れる	なれる	to grow accustomed to
逃げる	にげる	to escape
入院	にゅういん・する	to hospitalise
入学	にゅうがく・する	to enter school or university
似る	にる	to be similar
盗む	ぬすむ	to steal
塗る	ぬる	to paint, to plaster
	ぬれる	to get wet
眠る	ねむる	to sleep
残る	のこる	to remain
乗り換える	のりかえる	to change between buses or trains
拝見	はいけん・する	(humble) to look at
運ぶ	はこぶ	to transport
始める	はじめる	to begin
払う	はらう	to pay
冷える	ひえる	to grow cold
光る	ひかる	to shine, to glitter
引き出す	ひきだす	to withdraw
	びっくり・する	to be surprised
引っ越す	ひっこす	to move house
開く	ひらく	to open an event
拾う	ひろう	to pick up, to gather
増える	ふえる	to increase
太る	ふとる	to become fat
踏む	ふむ	to step on
降り出す	ふりだす	to start to rain
放送	ほうそう・する	to broadcast
	ほめる	to praise
参る	まいる	(humble) to go, to come
負ける	まける	to lose
間違える	まちがえる	to make a mistake
間に合う	まにあう	to be in time for
回る	まわる	to go around
見える	みえる	to be in sight
見つかる	みつかる	to be discovered
見つける	みつける	to discover
向かう	むかう	to face
迎える	むかえる	to go out to meet
召し上がる	めしあがる	(polite) to eat
申し上げる	もうしあげる	(humble) to say, to tell
申す	もうす	(humble) to be called, to say
戻る	もどる	to turn back
	もらう	to receive
焼く	やく	to bake, to grill
役に立つ	やくにたつ	to be helpful
焼ける	やける	to burn, to be roasted
痩せる	やせる	to become thin
止む	やむ	to stop
止める	やめる	to stop
輸出	ゆしゅつ・する	to export
輸入	ゆにゅう・する	to import
揺れる	ゆれる	to shake, to sway
汚れる	よごれる	to get dirty
寄る	よる	to visit
喜ぶ	よろこぶ	to be delighted
沸かす	わかす	to boil, to heat
別れる	わかれる	to separate
沸く	わく	to boil, to grow hot, to get excited
笑う	わらう	to laugh, to smile
割れる	われる	to break

JLPT N4 Adjective (形容詞・形容動詞)

Be sure to check out Nami-sensei’s video on our YouTube channel, where she explains how to use Japanese adjectives clearly and with fun examples!

How do you describe people, things, and situations?. Here you’ll find important JLPT N4 i-adjectives (keiyoushi) and na-adjectives (keiyoudoushi). Before that, make sure you already know the difference between the two Japanese adjectives and how to modify them.

Kanji	Kana	English
美しい	うつくしい	beautiful
	うまい	delicious
	うれしい	glad
	おかしい	strange or funny
堅/硬/固い	かたい	hard
悲しい	かなしい	sad
簡単	かんたん	simple
厳しい	きびしい	strict
細かい	こまかい	small, fine
怖い	こわい	frightening
寂しい	さびしい	lonely
十分	じゅうぶん	enough
親切	しんせつ	kindness
凄い	すごい	terrific
	すばらしい	wonderful
大事	だいじ	important, valuable, serious matter
確か	たしか	definite
正しい	ただしい	correct
遠く	とおく	distant
特別	とくべつ	special
苦い	にがい	bitter
眠い	ねむい	sleepy
恥ずかしい	はずかしい	embarrassed
必要	ひつよう	necessary
	ひどい	awful
深い	ふかい	deep
複雑	ふくざつ	complexity, complication
不便	ふべん	inconvenience
別	べつ	different
変	へん	strange
	まじめ	serious
無理	むり	impossible
珍しい	めずらしい	rare
優しい	やさしい	kind
柔らかい	やわらかい	soft

JLPT N4 Adverb (副詞)

Adverbs, or fukushi, modify verbs, adjectives, or even other adverbs! This section introduces the most frequently used JLPT N4 vocabulary for adverbs.

Kanji	Kana	English translation
一度	いちど	once
必ず	かならず	certainly, necessarily
	きっと	surely
急に	きゅうに	suddenly, quickly, adruptly
	このあいだ	the other day, recently
	しっかり	firmly , steadily
	しばらく	little while
	ずいぶん	extremely
	すっかり	completely
	すっと	straight, all of a sudden
	すると	then
	ぜひ	without fail
	ぜんぜん	not entirely (used in a negative sentence)
	そう	really
	そろそろ	gradually, soon
大体	だいたい	generally
	たいてい	usually
大分	だいぶ	greatly
	たまに	occasionally
	ちっとも	not at all (used with a negative verb)
	できるだけ	as much as possible
	とうとう	finally, after all
特に	とくに	particularly, especially
	どんどん	more and more
中々	なかなか	considerably
	なるべく	as much as possible
	なるほど	now I understand
	はっきり	clearly
非常に	ひじょうに	extremely
普通	ふつう	usually, or a train that stops at every station
返事	へんじ	reply
	ほとんど	mostly
	まず	first of all
	もうすぐ	soon
	もし	if
	もちろん	of course
	もっとも	extremely
	やっと	at last
	やはり/やっぱり	as I thought, absolutely

JLPT N4 Expressions, Particles or Conjunctions

Finally, we’ve reached the last section! This list features a mix of common expressions and conjunctions that often pop up in conversations, vocabulary questions, or even casual reading passages.

Kana	English translation
あ	Ah
ああ	like that
あんな	such
うん	(informal) yes
けれど/けれども	however
このごろ	these days, nowadays
これから	after this
さっき	some time ago
それで	because of that
それに	moreover
そんな	that sort of
そんなに	so much, like that
だから	so, therefore
だめ	no good
はず	it should be so
または	or, otherwise
よろしい	(respectful) OK , all right

What’s Next After Learning JLPT N4 Vocabulary?

Of course, studying for the test doesn’t stop at just memorizing JLPT N4 vocabulary. You’ll also need to tackle new N4 grammar points, practice reading, and get comfortable with listening to conversations and announcements in Japanese.

Don’t miss our complete guide on how to study for the JLPT, along with our top picks for the best JLPT N4 textbooks to help you succeed!

While the JLPT N4 is still considered upper-beginner level, many learners take it to gauge their progress and build confidence before moving on to higher levels. Good luck!

Pass JLPT N4 with Coto Academy!

The thought of taking the JLPT is stressful, but what about preparing for it? With so many things to learn,it can be scary.

Want to take your JLPT preparation to the next level? Why not take in-person and online JLPT courses at Coto Academy? You’ll be taught by our experienced Japanese instructors to help you ace your next exam! Contact us to discover the best course for you!

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FAQ

What is Coto’s JLPT exam course?

Our JLPT Exam Prep Courses are designed to help people ace their JLPT exams. We offer short and long-term courses that focus on different targets. The short-term courses focus on exam practices, while the long-term courses focus on building grammar and reading foundations.

Do I need to know all the N5 vocabulary for N4?

Yes! The JLPT N4 builds on the N5 level, so it’s important to have a strong foundation in both N5 and N4 vocabulary to do well on the exam.

How many vocabulary words are on the JLPT N4?

The JLPT N4 includes approximately 1,500 vocabulary words, including all essential N5-level words.

How many kanji do I needt to learn for JLPT N4?

Yes, you’re expected to recognize and understand about 300 basic kanji for the N4.

Check out our guides for the upcoming JLPT:

Finding a gym in Japan and having a consistent workout routine is one of the quickest ways to feel at home in a new city. Are you living in Tokyo long-term and looking for a place to exercise? Here’s a quick guide that outlines some popular gyms, how to sign up and cancel, as well as some helpful phrases in Japanese to use along the way.

Gym Memberships and Walk-In Options

Most gyms in Japan require a membership, which often includes an initial registration fee. However, if you’re a short-term visitor or prefer flexibility, some gyms offer day passes or pay-as-you-go options. Here are some common types of gyms you’ll find:

1. Major Gym Chains:

Places like Anytime Fitness, Gold’s Gym, and Joyfit have locations across Japan and offer short-term memberships or visitor passes. These tend to have more expensive membership fees than what you’ll find in other countries. However, they do have a wide range of amenities, services, and a bit more high-quality equipment than a public gym. They are also generally open 24 hours, and many offer English-language services or discounts for new members. If you have a gym you frequent back home, you may even be able to find a branch of the franchise here in Japan.

2. Municipal Sports Centers:

In Tokyo, most wards have several public sports centers that you can use for an hourly fee. These have the basic training rooms, equipment, and amenities a private gym might have, but they are not 24 hours and might not include more luxurious amenities, such as showers. Their equipment is also usually not as nice as that in private gyms, and they often don’t provide English assistance. If you’re more budget-conscious or don’t want to commit to a membership, a public gym is a way to go.

So how do you find the closest public gym to you? These facilities go by several different names, so you can try searching for any of the following.

“sports centers” (or スポーツセンター, supoutsu senta)
“gymnasiums,” (体育館, taiikukan)
“sports plazas,” (スポーツプラザ, supoutsu puraza)
“health centers” (健康センター, kenkou sentā)

These are city-run facilities that provide affordable fitness options. For example, Shinjuku Sports Center offers access to gym facilities for 400 yen per three hours, with an optional pool use for an additional 200 yen. Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Sendagaya offers a wide range of amenities, including two pools, sports fields, as well as over 30 different cardio machines, a free-weights area, several bench press machines, and squat racks. Access cost ¥600 for a two-and-a-half hour gym pass and ¥2,500 for a day pass.

3. Hotel and Capsule Hotel Gyms:

If you’re staying at a hotel, check if they have a gym available for guests. Some capsule hotels also offer fitness areas.

How Much Does Gym Membership Cost in Japan?

Private gyms in Japan are pretty expensive. Gyms such as Anytime Fitness, Gold’s Gym, Joyfit, and Chocozap have locations across Japan and offer short-term memberships or visitor passes. Membership fees vary, with Anytime Fitness typically ranging from 6,800 to 9,000 yen per month, Gold’s Gym from 8,000 to 15,000 yen per month, and Chocozap offering an affordable option at around 3,000 yen per month.

Many private gyms have discounts or campaigns for new members, offering the first 1-3 months of use for free. Keep an eye out for any advertisements on your local gym’s website or in person. Be prepared, though, that many of these campaigns come with fine print, and may require you to sign up for a minimum amount of months after the free period is over, or tack on some extra fees.

Public and Private Gyms in Japan

Generally, there are two different kinds of gyms in Japan: private and public.

1. Public Gyms

So how do you find the closest public gym to you? These facilities go by several different names, so you can try searching for any of the following.

“sports centers” (or スポーツセンター, supoutsu senta)
“gymnasiums,” (体育館, taiikukan)
“sports plazas,” (スポーツプラザ, supoutsu puraza)
“health centers” (健康センター, kenkou sentā)

Private Gyms

These tend to have more expensive membership fees than what you’ll find in other countries. However, they do have a wide range of amenities, services, and a bit more high-quality equipment than a public gym. They are also generally open 24 hours, and many offer English-language services or discounts for new members. If you have a gym you frequent back home, you may even be able to find a branch of the franchise here in Japan.

How Much Does Gym Membership Cost in Japan?

As mentioned, private gyms in Japan are pretty expensive. They cost more than you’d find in many western countries. Monthly fees are usually anywhere between ¥7,500 and ¥20,000 per month, depending on the gym. Typically, expect to pay around ¥8,000.

Gym Etiquette and Rules

Japanese gyms follow strict etiquette rules that may be different from what you’re used to. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Indoor Shoes Only: Most gyms require you to bring a separate pair of clean indoor shoes to use inside the gym. Outdoor shoes are usually not allowed.
Wipe Down Equipment: Always clean the machines after use with the provided sanitizing wipes or towels.
No Tattoos?: Many gyms prohibit visible tattoos due to cultural associations with the yakuza. If you have tattoos, consider covering them with clothing or using special tattoo covers.
No Phone Calls: Taking calls inside the workout area is generally frowned upon. Keep phone usage discreet.
No Grunting or Dropping Weights: Excessive noise while lifting is discouraged. Many gyms enforce strict noise policies.

Where to Find English-speaking Gyms in Japan

While it is more than possible to get by and enjoy working in an all-Japanese environment, there are many Japanese-run gyms that are entirely English Speaking or offer classes and trainers who can speak with you entirely in English. You can also find many global chains like Orangetheory Fitness and Crossfit, in Tokyo.

Visit Club 360 Fitness & Rehabilitation for a wide array of group-taught or one-on-one classes from boxing to Barre. You can even get massages or book a personal trainer. English speakers teach all classes. There are locations in Roppongi and Azabujuban. Prices vary, check here for more detailed pricing.

Go to Orangetheory in Azabujuban for a 60-minute guided workout. If you are more interested in participating in group workouts, taking classes, or hiring a personal trainer, this option might be for you.

Basic Membership

¥13,200〜
4 classes/month
Extra classes at reduced rate

See more membership option here!

24/7 Gyms and Convenient Options

Japan has seen a rise in convenience gyms, similar to 24/7 convenience stores. These small-scale fitness centers are open 24 hours a day and require membership cards for entry, allowing members to work out at any time.

Popular 24-hour gym chains include:

Anytime Fitness (International membership often works)
Fast Gym 24
Joyfit 24
ChocoZAP

How to Find a Gym in Japan

If you’re looking for a gym near your location, here are some tips:

Use Google Maps and search for “gym” or “フィットネスジム” (fitness gym) in Japanese.
Check municipal sports centers in your area for affordable options.
Ask locals or expats in Japan-based Facebook groups or Reddit forums for recommendations.

Do you Need Japanese skill to Go to a Gym in Japan?

Generally, yes, but if you live in Tokyo, you will find more English-speaking gyms for foreigners. If not, we recommend you bring a translator or Japanese friend to help you fill out the forms and consult with the dentist.

If you would like to learn Japanese and speak fluently, we recommend taking part-time or intensive Japanese courses at Coto Academy. Our school focuses on practical skills and conversation training, which will help you get by daily activities in Japan confidently. Get a free lesson consultation today.

As always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any queries.

How to Sign Up for a Gym in Japan

If you decide to join a private gym, you’ll have to visit in person to sign up for a membership. (This does vary, though. Some gyms have an online sign-up procedure, as well). If you aren’t very confident in your Japanese, you can reach out via email in advance to request English language support. If you’re especially nervous and have a friend who is fluent in Japanese, we recommend that you bring them along with you, as well.

Remember before you go:

Bring your residence card or passport with you when you visit.
Bring a credit card or bank book. Gyms will use this information to charge your monthly membership fee.
Since most private gyms are 24 hours, make sure to check which hours staff will be there ahead of time. Most gym websites have these hours listed.

When you arrive:

Find a staff member and say you’d like to become a member of their gym.
The staff will give you a tour around the gym and explain the amenities, rules, and details before you start your application.
Fill out the application form and present your identification.
Give the staff your credit card or bank account information. Depending on the gym, you may be asked to pay a month or two month’s membership fees upfront.
You’re all finished!

Japanese Phrases when Signing Up at a Gym in Japan

I’d like to sign up for a gym membership	ジム会員に登録したいです	Jimu kaiin ni tōroku shitaidesu
Can I do a trial session before registering as a member?	会員登録の前に体験セッションをすることはできますか	Kaiin tōroku no mae ni taiken sesshon o suru koto wa dekimasu ka?
How much does a membership cost?	会費はいくらですか？	Kaihi wa ikura desu ka?

How to Cancel a Gym Membership in Japan

So you want to cancel your gym membership. We’ve all been there. Maybe your financial situation has changed, or you’ve found a new gym closer to your work. Luckily most gyms in Japan don’t have as many penalties for canceling as you may be used to in other countries.

Every gym has a different cancellation policy, so be sure to check your contract ahead of time. Some may have deadlines to cancel each month, charge a cancellation fee, or require a minimum number of months as a member before canceling.

Check out what to say when you want to end your gym membership in Japan below.

How does membership cancellation work?	退会する場合の手続きを教えてください?	Taikai suru baai no tetsuzuki o oshiete kudasai.
I’d like to cancel my membership, please.	ジム会員を退会したいんです。	Jimu kaiin o taikai shitain desu.

Japanese Gym Phrases and Vocabulary

What about talking inside a Japanese gym? Here are some of the common Japanese phrases you might want to use.

Can I rent a towel/shoes?	タオル/靴のレンタルはできますか	Taoru/ kutsu no rentaru wa dekimasu ka
Are you finished?	終りましたか	Owarimashita ka
Can I use this?	これ、使ってもいいですか	Kore, tsukatte mo ii desu ka
Is the pool open today?	今日、プールは開いていますか	Kyō, puuru wa aite imasu ka

For gym-related vocabulary, such as the human body parts and training equipment, check out the table below.

Weight Training / Working out	ウェイトトレーニング / 筋トレ	Weito toreeningu /Kin toree
Weights / Dumbells	重り / ダンベル	Omori / Danberu
Treadmill	ランニングマシン	Ranningu mashiin
Warm-up	準備運動	Junbi undou
(to) Stretch	伸びをする	Nobi o suru
(to) Sweat	汗をかく	Ase o kaku
(to) Jog	ジョギングする	Jogingu suru
(to) Squat	しゃがむ	Shagamu
Muscle	筋肉	Kinniku
Chest	胸	Mune
Shoulder	肩	Kata
Back	背中	Senaka

Final Tips for a Smooth Gym Experience

Bring a Towel and Water Bottle: Some gyms don’t provide these essentials.
Check for Locker Fees: Some places charge extra for locker use.
Respect Personal Space: Japanese culture emphasizes mindfulness of others, so avoid unnecessary conversations or lingering in areas like stretching zones.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy a seamless and enjoyable gym experience in Japan while respecting local customs and fitness culture!

FAQ

How much do gyms cost in Tokyo?

Private gyms range anywhere from ~¥7,500 to nearly ~¥20,000 a month.

What should I bring to a gym in Japan?

Make sure to bring:

Cover any large tattoos before entering, as well.
A pair of indoor shoes.
A towel. If the gym has a public shower, bring along a bath towel, as well. Things such as soap and shampoo will be provided.
Your own water bottle.
Cash. Most public gym entrance fees are paid using a ticket machine, which accepts only cash. If you have trouble reading Japanese, ask a staff member for help.

Am I allowed to bring my phone with me on the gym floor?

Yes! But be aware that talking on the phone or playing music without headphones is not allowed. Additionally, no photographs or videos are allowed in most Japanese gyms.

Can I hire a personal trainer in Japan?

Ask the staff at your private or public gym if they offer personal training sessions for an extra cost. They usually offer these one-on-one or group sessions at a discounted price for members or in discounted bundles.

Are there women-only gyms in Japan?

Yes! Japan has several women-only gyms, such as Curves and some branches of major chains like Gold’s Gym. These facilities offer a comfortable and private environment for female members.

Can I use my international gym membership in Japan?

Some international chains, like Anytime Fitness, allow members to access their gyms in Japan if they have a global membership. However, it’s best to check with your specific gym before traveling.

Want to Study Japanese in Japan?

If you want to study Japanese online or in person in Tokyo or Yokohama, get in touch with us. We offer a free level check and consultation to match you with the best course!

Check out our Guide to Your Japanese Series

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Aspiring to work as a developer and software engineer in Japan? While you don’t need native-level Japanese proficiency to work in the tech sector in Japan, it is still good to learn a few IT and engineering-related Japanese words. After all, even if you can get by living in Japan with basic Japanese, niche words may be hard to come across if you’re just casually learning the language.

Now, you can work in Japan and have a fulfilling career with limited Japanese language skills. However, you’ll miss many more attractive opportunities unless you step up the game and show your prospective employers that you’re making an effort to fit in with the company. One way to do that is to start using Japanese words that software engineers and IT professionals know.

Because of their niche usage, these terms may be difficult to understand if you’re trying to learn Japanese. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some terms that you’re likely to encounter in an IT job!

Turn your Japanese language goals into reality!

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Computer Vocabulary

This covers words and phrases related to computers. Even if you’re not an engineer or someone who works in the tech sector, it’s a good idea to take a look at them. Using a computer is something general, so even if you don’t use them as much as a full-stack developer in Japan, they are probably still worth remembering.

For a visual infographic, head to our guide on Japanese computer vocabulary.

Romaji	Kanji	Kana	English
Puroguramu	–	プログラム	(Computer) Program
Apuri	–	アプリ	App
Burauza	–	ブラウザ	Browser
Konpyuuta	–	コンピュータ	Computer
Henkan	変換	へんかん	Convert
Deeta	–	データ	Data
Desukutoppu	–	デスクトップ	Desktop
Kiki/Debaisu	機器/デバイス	きき/デバイス	Device
Meeru	–	メール	Email
Kakuchoushi	拡張子	かくちょうし	File extension
Kansuu	関数	かんすう	Function
Haadodoraibu	–	ハードドライブ	Hard Drive
Haadowea	–	ハードウエア	Hardware
Nyuuryoku	入力	にゅうりょく	Input, to fill in
Intaanetto	–	インターネット	Internet
IP adoresu	–	IPアドレス	IP Address
Kiiboodo	–	キーボード	Keyboard
Rapputoppu	–	ラップトップ	Laptop
Kaisetsusho	解説書	かいせつしょ	Manual
Monitaa	–	モニター	Monitor
Mausu	–	マウス	Mouse
Shutsuryoku	出力	しゅつりょく	Output
Purintaa	–	プリンター	Printer
Saikidou	再起動	さいきどう	Restart
Uwagaki/hozon	(上書き) 保存	(うわがき) ほぞん	Save
Gamen	画面	がめん	Screen
Saabaa	–	サーバー	Server
Settei	設定	せってい	Settings
Supeesu/kuuhaku	スペース/空白	スペース/くうはく	Space
Kidou	起動	きどう	Start
Gijutsu	技術	ぎじゅつ	Technology
Tanmatsu	端末	たんまつ	Terminal
Tenpu	添付	てんぷ	To attach
Asshuku	圧縮	あっしゅく	To compress
Setsuzoku	接続	せつぞく	To connect
Kopipe	–	コピペ	To copy and paste
Kiritoru	切り取る	きりとる	To cut
Kakidasu	書き出す	かきだす	To export
Sounyuu	挿入	そうにゅう	To insert
Haritsukeru	貼り付ける	はりつける	To paste
Insatsu	印刷	いんさつ	To print out
Kyouyuu	共有	きょうゆう	To share
Kidou	起動	きどう	To startup
Douki	同期	どうき	To synchronize
Tacchipaddo	–	タッチパッド	Touchpad
Webusaito	–	ウェブサイト	Website

Programming Vocabulary

This covers some words and phrases related to programming. If you’re a developer, engineer, or even a data scientist, you might want to study the Japanese vocabulary.

The good news is that most Japanese words related to tech, IT, and engineering are borrowed from English and written in katakana. That means you don’t have to go all the way remembering a whole new set of words and kanji. Chances are if you turn a tech term into a loanword, your Japanese coworkers will be able to understand it either way.

Romaji	Kanji	Kana	English
tsuika	追加	ついか	Add
hikisuu	引数	ひきすう	Argument, parameter
hairetsu	配列	はいれつ	Array
jinkouchinou	人工知能	じんこうちのう	Artificial intelligence, AI
hidouki	非同期	ひどうき	Asynchronous
bakkuendo	–	バックエンド	Backend
beetaban	ベータ版	ばん	Beta version
bainarii	–	バイナリー	Binary
nishinsuu	二進数	にしんすう	Binary number
bitto	–	ビット	Bit
buuru	–	ブール	Boolean
shingichi / shinrichi	真偽値/真理値	しんぎち/しんりち	Boolean value
bagu	–	バグ	Bug
birudo	–	ビルド	Build (noun)
kooru	–	コール	Call
moji	文字	もじ	Character
kurasu	–	クラス	Class
koodo rebyuu	–	コードレビュー	Code Review
komando rain	–	コマンドライン	Command Line
konpairu suru	–	コンパイルする	Compile
sakusei	作成	さくせい	Compose/create
jouken-tsuki	条件つき	条件つき	Conditional
teisuu	定数	定数	Constant
deeta kouzou	データ構造	データこうぞう	Data Structure
deeta shurui	データ種類	データしゅるい	Data Type
deetabeesu	–	データベース	Database
debaggu	–	デバッグ	Debug
debaggu suru	–	デバッグする	Debugging
sengen	宣言	せんげん	Declaration
fukugou	復号	ふくごう	Decryption
teigi	定義	ていぎ	Define
nouhin	納品	のうひん	Delivery
haibi	配備	はいび	Deploy
sekkei	設計	せっけい	Design/architecture
kaihatsusha	開発者	かいはつしゃ	Developer
kaihatsu	開発	かいはつ	Development
kaihatsu kankyou	開発環境	かいはつかんきょう	Development environment
douteki	動的	どうてき	Dynamic
angouka	暗号化	あんごうか	Encryption
eraa	–	エラー	Error
ibento	–	イベント	Event
ibento handoraa	–	イベントハンドラー	Event Handler
reigai	例外	れいがい	Exception
fureemuwaaku	–	フレームワーク	Framework
furontoendo	–	フロントエンド	Front End
furusutakku	–	フルスタック	Full Stack
kinou	機能	きのう	Function
kansuu	関数	かんすう	Function
HTTP rikuesuto	–	HTTPリクエスト	HTTP Request
jissou	実装	じっそう	Implementation
nyuuryoku	入力	入力	Input
seisuu (gata)	整数 (型)	せいすう (がた)	Integer (type)
ruupu	–	ループ	Loop
kikai gakushuu	機械学習	きかいがくしゅう	Machine Learning
hoshu	保守	ほしゅ	Maintenance
kanri	管理	かんり	Manage
nyuuraru nettowaaku	–	ニューラルネットワーク	Neural Network
nuru	–	ヌル	Null
obujekuto	–	オブジェクト	Object
obujekuto shikou	オブジェクト指向	オブジェクトしこう	Object-oriented
unyou	運用	うんよう	Operation
enzanshi	演算子	えんざんし	Operator
autopputo	–	アウトプット	Output
heiretsu shori	並列処理	へいれつしょり	Parallel processing
parameta	–	パラメータ	Parameter
purosesu / shori	プロセス/処理	プロセス/しょり	Process
puroguramingu	–	プログラミング	Programming
konpyuutaa gengo	コンピューター言語	コンピューターげんご	Programming language
gijiransuu	擬似乱数	ぎじらんすう	Pseudo-random number
ransuu	乱数	らんすう	Random number
jouchousei	冗長性	じょうちょうせい	Redundancy
jikkou	実行	じっこう	Run/execute
sekyuritei	–	セキュリティー	Security
sofutowea	–	ソフトウェア	Software
soosu	–	ソース	Source
shiyou	仕様	しよう	Specification
supurinto	–	スプリント	Sprint
sute-tomento	–	ステートメント	Statement
seiteki	静的	せいてき	Static
teishi	停止	ていし	Stop
mojiretsu	文字列	もじれつ	String
kouzou	構造	こうぞう	Structure
taggu	–	タグ	Tag
tesuto	–	テスト	Test
ninshou	認証	にんしょう	To authenticate
kaihatsu	開発	かいはつ	To develop
shori	処理	しょり	To process (information)
tookun	–	トークン	Token
taikenban	体験版	たいけんばん	Trial version
atai	値	あたい	Value
hensuu	変数	へんすう	Variable
kasou	仮想	かそう	Virtual
zeijakusei	脆弱性	ぜいじゃくせい	Vulnerability

Web Vocabulary

This covers some words or phrases that will come up in regard to websites and web design.

	Kanji	Kana	English
140.	背景	はいけい	Background
141.	–	ぶろっく	Block
142.	–	ぼーだー	Border
143.	直帰率	ちょっきりつ	Bounce rate
144.	–	ぼっくす	Box
145.	パンくず	パンくず	Breadcrumbs
146.	–	せる	Cell
147.	円	えん	Circle
148.	列	れつ	Column
149.	構成	こうせい	Composition
150.	依存性	いぞんせい	Dependency
151.	修正	しゅうせい	Edit
152.	離脱率	りだつりつ	Exit rate
153.	外部リンク	がいぶりんく	External link
154.	–	ふぁいる	File
155.	拡張子	かくちょうし	File extension
156.	–	ふぉんと	Font
157.	–	ふったー	Footer
158.	形式	けいしき	Format
159.	–	へっだー	Header
160.	見出し	みだし	Heading
161.	高さ	たかさ	Height
162.	内部リンク	ないぶりんく	Internal link
163.	下層	かそう	Lower level
164.	–	まーじん	Margin
165.	–	ねっとわーく	Network
166.	自然検索	しぜんけんさく	Organic search
167.	–	ぱでぅんぐ	Padding
168.	–	ぴくせる	Pixel
169.	順位	じゅんい	Position
170.	長方形	ちょうほうけい	Rectangle
171.	行	くだり	Row
172.	検索結果画面	けんさくけっかがめん	SERP (search engine results page)
173.	正方形	せいほうけい	Square
174.	–	すたいる	Style
175.	適用	てきよう	To assign
176.	崩れる	くずれる	To break down, to fall apart
177.	実装	じっそう	To implement
178.	流し込む	ながしこむ	To insert
179.	運用	うんよう	To run, to maintain
180.	利用者	りようしゃ	User
181.	訪問	ほうもん	Visit, session
182.	アクセス解析	あくせすかいせき	Web analytics
183.	余白	よはく	White space
184.	幅	はば	Width

Day-to-day Vocabulary

This covers some words and phrases you’ll use regularly in the office.

Romaji	Kanji	Kana	English
mitsumori	見積もり	みつもり	An estimate
jouken	条件	じょうけん	Condition
youkyuu	要求	ようきゅう	Demand, request
kiki	機器	きき	Equipment
hiyou	費用	ひよう	Expense
kaizen	改善	かいぜん	Improvement
jouhou	情報	じょうほう	Information
hoshu	保守	ほしゅ	Maintenance, maintain
unyou	運用	うにょう	Operations
zangyou	残業	ざんぎょう	Overtime
tantousha	担当者	たんとうしゃ	Person in charge of something
nyuumon	入門	にゅうもん	Primer
shori	処理	しょり	Process
purojekuto	–	ぷろじぇくと	Project
kikakusho	企画書	きかくしょ	Project plan document
kikaku	企画	きかく	Project, plan, planning

And that’s the list! We hope this helps you in your current or future jobs! Check out one of our previous posts for more vocabulary like this!

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Basic Medical Terms in Japanese

Vocabulary Related to Pregnancy & Childbirth

Learn Japanese your way, while preparing for your little one

Japanese Vocabulary Related to Baby

What to Know About Being Pregnant in Japan

English-friendly Hospitals in Tokyo

Financial Aid for Childbirth in Japan

Enjoy Japanese lessons for busy parents-to-be at Coto Academy!

ALSO CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE ON:

What is Snow in Japanese?

Different Types of Snow in Japan

1. Botan yuki (牡丹雪): Peony snow

2. 粉雪（Konayuki): Powder snow

3. Tamayuki (玉雪): Ball of snow

4.細雪（Sasameyuki): Fine snow

5. 灰雪（Haiyuki): Ash-like snow

6. 餅雪 (Mochiyuki): Mochi snow

7. 雪花 (Yukibana): Snow flower

What is Winter in Japanese?

Winter-Related Japanese Vocabulary

Winter Fashion Vocabulary

Winter Japanese Vocabulary on Sports

Seasonal Things During Winter in Japan

1. クリスマス (Kurusimasu): Christmas

2. 冬至 (Toji): Winter solsitce

3. お正月 (Oshogatsu): New Year

4. 初詣（Hatsumde): First shrine visit

Describing the Winter Weather in Japanese

Conclusion: Learn Beyond Winter Vocabulary and Speak Japanese with Lessons at Coto Academy

FAQ

What is the word for “winter” in Japanese?

How do you say “snow” in Japanese?

What are typical winter foods in Japan?

Is Halloween Celebrated in Japan? Is it Different From the U.S.?

20 Scary Japanese Words About Halloween

1. ハロウィン (Harouin): Halloween

2. 南瓜 (Kabocha): Pumpkin

3. あめ (Ame): Candy

4. お墓 (Ohaka): Grave

5. お化け (Obake): Ghost

6. 幽霊 (Yuurei): Spirit

7. 骸骨 (Gaikotsu): Skeleton

8. ミイラ (Miira): Mummy

9. 悪魔 (Akuma): Demon or Devil

10. 魔女 (Majo): Witch

11. 吸血鬼 (Kyuuketsutki): Vampire

12. こうもり (Koumori): Bat

13. 黒猫 (Kuroneko): Black Cat

14. クモ (Kumo): Spider

15. ドキドキ(Doki doki): Heart Beating

16. 怒り(Ikari) – Anger or Hatred

17. 呪い (Noroi): Curse

18. びっくり(Bikkuri): Surprised

19. 不気味 (Bukimi): Eerie or Creepy

20怖い (Kowai): Scared

Expand Your Emotions With Japanese Halloween Words

FAQ

Is Halloween popular in Japan?

What is the word for candy in Japanese?

Are there Japanese monsters or yokai tied to Halloween?

What are some Halloween Japanese vocabulary I should know about?

Basic Japanese Fall Words

1. Aki (Fall)

2. Harowin (Halloween)

3. Momiji (Autumn leaves)

4. Momijigari (Autumn leaf viewing)

5. Tsukimi (Moon viewing festival)

6. Shichi-Go-San (Shichi-Go-San Festival)

Autumn Fall Foliage Vocabulary in Japanese

Autumn Food and Flavors in Japan

Describing Fall Weather in Japan

Talking About Autumn in Japanese

Conclusion: Learn Beyond Japanese Autumn Vocabulary and Speak Japanese with Lessons at Coto Academy

FAQ

What is the Japanese word for autumn?

What is the Japanese word for autumn leaves?

How do you say “autumn leaf viewing” in Japanese?

What festivals are celebrated in Japan during autumn?

What is the difference between momiji and kouyou?

Pass the JLPT with Coto Academy!