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A soft, fluffy state whose shape changes easily when pressed. The antonym is「硬い(かたい)」(hard).
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N4, N5湯ゆ
Water that has been heated until it is hot. As opposed to cold water (『水(みず)』, mizu), it refers to the hot side. Used for baths or when making tea.
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N5夕方ゆうがた
evening. The time around when the sun sets.
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N1優柔不断ゆうじゅうふだん
The state of being unable to decide and continuing to waver. 「優柔」 means weak and soft, while 「不断」 means not cutting off or not being decisive; together they form a four-character idiom expressing a nature that lacks decisiveness. Refers to the tendency, in situations requiring decision or action, to vacillate between options and postpone conclusions. Often used adjectivally, as in 「優柔不断な性格」 or 「優柔不断な態度」. Used as a negative evaluation, in contexts that point out weakness of will or lack of judgment in the person in question.
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N1有数ゆうすう
Being so outstanding that one can be counted on the fingers, ranking among the top. The original meaning is "being among those that can be counted" — that is, "being among the few that can be counted on the fingers" — and from there came to mean "an outstanding one ranked among the top within a given range." Often used in the form 「○○有数の〜」, as in 「世界有数の都市」, 「業界有数の規模」, or 「日本有数の温泉地」. A written-style word expressing positive evaluation, used in reference to scale, achievement, or status.
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N1, N2誘導ゆうどう
To guide a person or thing toward an intended direction or state.
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N5夕飯ゆうはん
Dinner; the evening meal. Something eaten at night. 「晩ごはん(ばんごはん)」means almost the same thing.
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N5郵便局ゆうびんきょく
post office. A place for sending and receiving letters and packages.
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N5夕べゆうべ
last night. The night of the day before today.
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N5有名ゆうめい
famous. Being known by many people.
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N5雪ゆき
snow. A white thing that falls from the sky in winter.
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N5ゆっくりゆっくり
slowly. Doing something taking time, without rushing.
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N4, N5指ゆび
The thin parts at the end of the hands or feet.
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N4指輪ゆびわ
An ornament worn on the finger. Often worn as a symbol of marriage.
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N2, N4夢ゆめ
The various events seen while sleeping. Also used to mean a hope for the future.
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N2, N4揺れるゆれる
For something to move left and right or up and down.
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N5良いよい
A state of something being excellent, correct, or desirable. In spoken language, the form 「いい」 is often used. Example: 「良い天気」 (good weather), 「いい人」 (a good person).
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N3, N4用よう
Something that must be done. Example: 「用がある」 (to have something to attend to).
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N2, N4用意ようい
To prepare necessary things in advance.
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N1用意周到よういしゅうとう
Being thoroughly prepared, with attention paid to every detail and nothing overlooked. 「用意」 means preparing, and 「周到」 means that care has been taken everywhere; combined, they express how complete the preparation is. Used as in 「用意周到な計画」 or 「用意周到に下調べをする」. It can be praise, but it can also carry the sense that someone is shrewd and not to be taken lightly.
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N1要員よういん
The personnel needed to carry out a specific task or duty. The character 「員」 means "person" and the word refers to people who fulfill a defined role in an organization or on site. Used in expressions such as 「警備要員」, 「要員を確保する」, 「要員不足」, or 「予備要員」. Compared to general terms like 「人手」 or 「人員」, this word is more often used for people with clearly defined roles and duties, and is a formal word that frequently appears in business and organizational contexts.
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N5八日ようか
The 8th day of the month. Also, a period of 8 days.
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N1要綱ようこう
An official document summarizing the basic policy or framework of a matter. The character 「綱」 originally meant "thick rope" and came to refer to the core or main outline of something. Used in expressions such as 「予算要綱」, 「改革要綱」, or 「法案要綱」, the word refers to a document presenting the overall policy of a policy initiative, system, or plan. Unlike 「要項」, which itemizes concrete procedures and items, 「要綱」 presents higher-level policies and frameworks.
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N1要項ようこう
A document that lists necessary items in itemized form. The character 「項」 means "item," and the word refers to a document that presents specific items such as application requirements, documents to submit, schedules, and contact information in a list format. Used in expressions such as 「募集要項」, 「入試要項」, or 「申込要項」. Its defining feature is that it is a practical document the reader consults in order to carry out concrete procedures.
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N4用事ようじ
Something one must do. Example:「用事があるので、先に帰ります」(I have something to do, so I'll leave first).
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N1養生ようじょう
Taking care of one's body in order to maintain health. In particular, the word refers to resting quietly or avoiding strain in order to recover from illness or injury. Used in expressions such as 「術後は養生する」, 「十分な養生を心がける」, or 「養生に努める」. Used in slightly formal contexts rather than everyday conversation, and can be applied to both long-term health management and convalescence after illness. Note that 「生」 is read as 「じょう」. In construction and civil engineering, 「養生」 also refers to protecting concrete while it sets, but this is a derived technical use.
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N5洋服ようふく
Clothing in the style brought over from the West. Used with nearly the same meaning as ordinary 「服」 (clothes).
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N2, N5よくよく
often. A state of doing something many times. Also used to mean "skillfully," as in 「よくできました」 (well done).
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N2, N4汚れるよごれる
To become no longer clean. It means becoming dirty in appearance from mud or stains. Used as in 「服が汚れる」 (clothes get dirty). When someone makes something dirty, 「よごす」 is used, as in 「服を汚す」. The same 「汚れる」 read as 「けがれる」 becomes a different word expressing that sanctity or honor is spoiled.
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N4予習よしゅう
To study before a lesson. The antonym is「復習(ふくしゅう)」(review).
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N1予兆よちょう
A sign or omen that appears before something occurs. The character 「兆」 means "sign" or "omen," and 「予」 means "in advance." Used for phenomena or sensations indicating that something is approaching but has not yet actually happened, such as earthquakes, disasters, changes, or ominous events. Often used as a noun in the form 「〜の予兆」, as in 「地震の予兆」, 「不吉な予兆」, or 「変化の予兆」. A somewhat formal, written-style word, used for both objectively observable signs and vague intuitive premonitions.
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N5四日よっか
The 4th day of the month. Also, a period of 4 days.
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N5四つよっつ
four. The number 4 when counting things.
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N4予定よてい
Something one is going to do. To decide in advance.
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N2, N4, N5呼ぶよぶ
call. To say a person's name, etc., aloud to get their attention.
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N2, N5読むよむ
read. To look at characters and grasp their meaning.
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N4予約よやく
To reserve a seat or room, etc., in advance.
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N2, N4, N5寄るよる
To go somewhere nearby. Used in the sense of stopping by a place. Example: 「店に寄る」 (to stop by a shop).
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N5夜よる
night. The time when the sun has set.
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N3, N4喜ぶよろこぶ
To feel happy, and show that feeling.
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N3, N5弱いよわい
A state where strength is small. The antonym is 「強い」 (strong).
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N5来月らいげつ
The month after this month.
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N5来週らいしゅう
The week after this week.
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N5来年らいねん
The year after this year.
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N1拉致らち
The act of forcibly taking a person away against their will. Refers to moving someone's body against their wishes. Used in expressions such as 「観光客が拉致される」 or 「拉致事件」. Close in meaning to 「誘拐」 (abduction), but more often used for politically or organizationally motivated incidents.
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N1埒らち
「埒」 originally referred to the fence of a horse training ground, and from there came to mean the boundary or settlement of a matter. In modern Japanese, it is used almost exclusively in the idiom 「埒が明かない」 (meaning that things are not settled and not progressing). Used in expressions such as 「議論が埒が明かない」 or 「いつまでも埒が明かない」.
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N1埒外らちがい
The state of being outside the scope, expectations, or rules of something. Used in the form 「〜の埒外」, as in 「予想の埒外」, 「議論の埒外」, or 「規則の埒外」. For 「埒」, the word it derives from, see the separate entry.
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N1利己りこ
An attitude or way of thinking that prioritizes only one's own interests. Most often used in the forms 「利己的な〜」, 「利己心」, or 「利己主義」, in contexts that criticize a selfish stance lacking consideration for others. The antonym is 「利他」.
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N1履行りこう
Carrying out something that has already been decided, such as a contract, promise, or obligation. Used in contexts of fulfilling what one must do, as in 「契約を履行する」 or 「義務を履行する」.
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N1略奪りゃくだつ
The act of forcibly seizing the possessions of others. Originally referred to the taking of goods during war or riots. Used in expressions such as 「都市が略奪される」 or 「略奪行為が後を絶たない」.