Most useful words for each reading of every Jōyō kanji

Kanji Usefulness Level 5 1-100 Level-Appropriate Vocab

This collection contains 171 words.
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2 0
noun
1. guy; fellow; chap; buddy
noun, pronoun
2. bastard; asshole; arsehole; son of a bitch  (male term or language; derogatory; slang)
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0 2
conclusion
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0
'bu' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to tie; to bind; to link
2. to bear (fruit)  (see also: 実を結ぶ)
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1
noun
1. family name; lineage; birth
noun, suffix
2. clan  (see also: )
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1
noun
full name; identity
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0
noun
1. Genji (the character in the Genji Monogatari)
2. the Minamoto family
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2
to keep; to preserve; to hold; to retain; to maintain; to support; to sustain; to last; to endure; to keep well (food); to wear well; to be durable
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1
security; guarantee; collateral (e.g. mortgage)
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1
duty; obligation; responsibility
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0
noun
excellent luck
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0
ominous; sinister; bad luck; ill omen; inauspiciousness
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0
noun
good news
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1
noun
Mount Fuji; Mt. Fuji; Fujiyama; Fuji-san
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1
noun, noun (suffix), 'no' adjective
1. doctorate; PhD; Dr (as a title)  (usu. はくし)
noun
2. expert; learned person  (usu. はかせ)
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0
conflict; complication; troubles; discord
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0
Most common form: フジ
noun
wisteria (esp. Japanese wisteria, Wisteria floribunda); wistaria
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0
noun
oil well
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0
noun
ceiling; ceiling price
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1
noun
1. the public; the world
2. abbreviated joint reference to the Chinese provinces Jiangxi (江西省) and Hunan (湖南省)
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0
noun
old name of Tokyo
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3
Most common form: 引張る
'ru' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to pull; to draw; to pull tight
2. to string (lines); to run (cable); to stretch
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0
claim; request; insistence; assertion; advocacy; emphasis; contention; opinion; tenet
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3
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to persevere; to persist; to keep at it; to hang on; to hold out; to do one's best
2. to insist that; to stick to (one's opinion)
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0
'ru' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to stand watch; to stand guard; to look out  (this meaning is restricted to form 見張る, 見はる, みはる)
2. to open one's eyes wide  (see also: 目を見張る)
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4 3
noun
1. pine, bamboo and plum (together an auspicious grouping)
2. high, middle and low (ranking); top, middle and bottom; upper, medium, lower; first, second and third (class)  (from 松 down to 梅)
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1
Most common form: まつ
noun
1. pine tree (Pinus spp.)
2. highest (of a three-tier ranking system)
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3
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
1. to respond; to answer; to meet (e.g. demands, expectations)  (this meaning is restricted to form 応える, 報える)
2. to affect; to take a toll; to strike home; to have an effect on; to be hard on someone (e.g. heat, cold, work, illness, etc.); to be a strain  (see also: 堪える; sometimes 堪える)
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0
aid; assistance; help; reinforcement; rooting; barracking; support; cheering
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0
reaction; response
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1
noun
1. importance; stress; serious consideration
2. to take something seriously; to attach importance; to stress
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0
noun
current status; condition; situation; circumstances; state
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0 3
noun
condition; state (of health)
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1
noun
1. figure; form; shape
2. appearance; dress; guise
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0
noun
Imperial household
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noun
the Two Ise Shrines
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2
noun
Imperial Household Agency
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0
noun
1. shrine
2. palace; imperial residence
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0
divorce
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3
Most common form: はなれる
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
1. to be separated; to be apart; to be distant
2. to leave; to go away
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2
noun
1. cause
2. basis; foundation  (archaic)
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0
foundation; basis; standard
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3
'ku' godan verb, intransitive verb
to be grounded on; to be based on; to be due to; to originate from
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1 2
1. amateur; layman; ordinary person; novice  (opposite: 玄人)
noun
2. respectable woman (not a prostitute, hostess, geisha, etc.)  (see also: 玄人)
(click the word to view an additional 2 readings, 1 meaning and 2 forms, examples and links)
1
noun
1. component; factor; item (e.g. in list)
2. element (e.g. in array); member (e.g. data structure)  (computer terminology)
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0 1
noun
price; value; cost
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0
1. attack; strike; offensive  (see also: 守備)
2. criticism; censure; denunciation; condemnation
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1
Most common form: うつ
1. to shoot (at)  (usu. 撃つ)
2. to attack; to defeat; to destroy; to avenge
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2
Most common form: ふる
'ru' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to wave; to shake; to swing
2. to sprinkle; to throw (dice)
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0
promotion; encouragement
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0
proof; verification; certification
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0
Most common form: はけん
1. dispatch; despatch; deployment
noun
2. temporary employee (esp. from an agency); temporary worker; agency temp  (see also: 派遣社員, 派遣労働者; abbreviation)
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1
Most common form: ぼく
1. I; me  (male term or language)
2. you  (used addressing young children)
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1
aid; help; assistance; assistant; counselor; counsellor; adviser; advisor
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2
Most common form: 総べる
ichidan verb, transitive verb
to control; to supervise
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0
noun
1. bowl; vessel; container
2. ability; capacity; calibre; caliber
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3
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
to differ; to vary; to disagree
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0
strangeness; abnormality; disorder  (opposite: 正常)
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1
care; protection; shelter; safeguard; guardianship; favor; favour; patronage
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3 0
noun
condition; conditions; term; terms; requirement; requirements
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0
independence (e.g. Independence Day); self-support
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1
noun
resources
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0
noun
source; origin
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0
noun
1. influence; effect
2. to influence; to affect; to have an influence on; to impact; to have an effect on
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1
noun
1. shadow; silhouette; figure; shape
2. reflection; image
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0 1
ophthalmology
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1
noun
1. eye; eyeball
2. pupil and (dark) iris of the eye  (archaic)
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1
noun
1. spectacles; glasses
2. judgement; discrimination; discernment; insight  (this meaning is restricted to reading めがね)
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4
ichidan verb, transitive verb
1. to plan; to plot; to propose; to design; to intend; to contemplate
2. to attempt (e.g. suicide, murder); to undertake (e.g. business)
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1
noun
enterprise; undertaking; corporation; business
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0
noun
tsunami; tidal wave
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1
very interesting; of absorbing interest; having a keen interest (in); being immensely curious (about)  (yojijukugo)
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0
proposal; proposition; suggestion
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0
noun
measure; provision; step; countermeasure; counterplan; countermove
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1
noun
1. religion; religious affiliation; belief; faith; creed
2. religious activity
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3 0
Most common form: 手提
noun
handbag; purse
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0 1
noun
Showa era (1926.12.25-1989.1.7)
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0
related; connected; close; intimate
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0
1. secret; secrecy; confidentiality; privacy
2. secret; mystery
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1
noun
superior authorities; boss  (see also: 部下, 目上)
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0
consideration; examination; investigation; study; scrutiny; discussion; analysis; review
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0
health; sound; wholesome
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2
Most common form: さわ
noun
1. swamp; marsh
2. mountain stream; valley; dale
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3 4
1. luxury; extravagance
2. to live in luxury
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0
superiority; excellence
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3
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
to excel; to surpass
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0
excitement; stimulation; agitation; arousal
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2
'su' godan verb, transitive verb
to establish (e.g. company); to build up; to set up; to promote; to vitalize; to revive  (see also: 起こす)
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1
noun
interest (in something); curiosity (about something); zest (for)
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0
noun
efficiency; efficacy; performance; utility factor
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0
frankness; candour; candor; openheartedness; directness
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0
rash; thoughtless; careless; hasty; imprudent  (opposite: 慎重)
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3
ichidan verb, transitive verb
to lead; to spearhead (a group); to command (troops)
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1
noun
1. valuation; estimation; assessment; evaluation; rating
2. to value; to assess; to rate; to estimate value
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0
1. supervision; control; superintendence; direction
noun
2. director; superintendent; supervisor; coach; foreman; manager; overseer; controller; boss
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2
1. vivid; bright; brilliant; clear; fresh; vibrant
2. skillful; skilful; adept; adroit; deft; brilliant; beautiful; fine; excellent
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0
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3
1. violent; furious; tempestuous
2. extreme; intense; fierce; strong
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0
morals
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1
noun
virtuous deed; act of merit  (Buddhist term)
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1
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0
Most common form: あげて
all; whole; en masse
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1 0
noun
will; intention; motive
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1
noun
will; volition; intention; intent; determination
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4
'su' godan verb, intransitive verb
to plan; to intend; to aspire to; to set aims (sights on)
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0
noun
site; plot; lot; grounds
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0
noun
laying (a railroad, pipes, naval mines, etc.); construction
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0
Most common form: しく
1. to spread out; to lay out
2. to take a position
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0
noun
1. system
2. lineage; ancestry; family line
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0 3 2
noun
textile; fabric
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0
dyeing and weaving
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0 1
noun
loom; weaving machine
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0
noun
mixed weave
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0
noun
manufactured goods; finished goods; product
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0
noun
riverbank
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0
pointed end; tip; fine point; spearhead; cusp; vanguard; advanced; leading edge; apex (of a curve)
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0
noun
1. end (e.g. of street); tip; point; edge; margin
2. beginning; start; first
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0
remnant; fragment; incomplete set; fraction; odd sum; incompleteness
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0
will; testament; last request  (law, etc. term)
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2
noun
bunch (of grapes); section (of an orange)  (see also: )
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0
cooling; air-conditioning  (opposite: 暖房)
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0
breast; nipple; udder
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0
noun
1. highway (esp. one existing from the Edo period); main road
2. highway (e.g. to success); path (to becoming ...)  (see also: 出世街道)
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1
urban areas; the streets; town; city
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0
noun
street corner
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1
noun
1. tail (animal, kite, comet, etc.); tail end
2. slope at the foot of a mountain
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2
noun
stock (company)
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0
calm; composed; tranquil
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1
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
1. up to now; so far
2. traditional; conventional; usual; existing
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noun
~ grade (rank of honor)  (see also: 従一位, 従三位)
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4
Most common form: 順う
'u' godan verb, intransitive verb
to abide (by the rules); to obey; to follow; to accompany
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0
lovely; dreamy; beautiful; great; fantastic; superb; cool; capital
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3
noun (suffix), noun
1. rival; opponent; adversary; competitor; enemy (esp. one with which there is longstanding enmity); foe  (see also: , ; usu. pronounced がたき when used as a suffix)
noun
2. revenge
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0
1. development; growth; advancement; unfurling
2. expansion; extension; enlargement
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3
Most common form: 絵かき
noun
1. painter; artist
2. drawing pictures; doodling; painting
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0
depiction; description; portrayal
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2
'ku' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to draw; to paint; to sketch  (see also: 書く)
2. to depict; to describe  (this meaning is restricted to reading えがく)
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0
amendment; correction; revision; modification; alteration; retouching; update; fix
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0
1. ascetic practices  (Buddhist term)
2. training; practice; discipline; study
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0
Most common form: 我我
we
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1
patience; endurance; perseverance; tolerance; self-control; self-denial
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1
expression, noun
our country; our land; one's own country
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0
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to be placed on; to be set on; to be piled on; to be loaded on  (see also: 乗る)
2. to appear (in print); to be mentioned; to be recorded; to be reported; to be given
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0
noun
1. publication (e.g. article in paper); appearance; insertion
2. to insert (e.g. an article); to run (e.g. in a newspaper); to carry (e.g. an article); to post (e.g. on the Web)
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2
'ku' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to resound; to be heard far away
2. to reverberate; to shake; to vibrate
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1
mystery; mysteriousness; secret
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2
noun
1. attack; offence; offense
2. dominant partner of a homosexual relationship  (see also: タチ, 受け; often written with kana only; colloquialism)
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2
'ku' godan verb, transitive verb
to judge
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2
noun
cutting (cloth or paper)
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2
Most common form: 隱す
'su' godan verb, transitive verb
to hide; to conceal
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0
1. retirement
2. retired person
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3 0
disappearance
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1
noun
1. accident; incident; trouble
2. circumstances; reasons
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2
Most common form: ゆえに
conjunction
therefore; consequently  (often written with kana only)
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2
noun
1. curtain; bunting
noun, counter
2. act (in play)
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1
noun
bakufu; shogunate
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2
noun
warehouse; storehouse; cellar; magazine; granary; godown; depository; treasury; elevator
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2 0
alms; offerings
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0
enforcement; implementation; putting into practice; carrying out; operation; working (e.g. working parameters); enactment
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3 0
'su' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to give (time, money, goods); to donate
2. to do; to perform; to conduct
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2
Most common form: いや
disagreeable; detestable; unpleasant; reluctant
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1 3
noun
suspicion
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0
Most common form: 気嫌
noun
1. humour; humor; temper; mood; spirits
2. safety; health; well-being; one's situation
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0
1. dislike; hate  (opposite: 好き)
noun
2. suspicion; tendency; smack (of)  (see also: 嫌いが在る; often written with kana only)
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0
continuation
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0
'gu' godan verb, transitive verb
to succeed (someone in a business or inheritance)
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1
1. obstacle; impediment; hindrance; difficulty; barrier
2. handicap; impairment; disability; disorder; malfunction  (see also: 視力障害; this meaning is restricted to reading しょうがい)
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0
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
to hinder; to interfere with; to affect; to do one harm; to be harmful to
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1
1. maintenance; servicing
2. putting in place; establishment; development; preparation; provision; outfitting
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3
'u' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to be ready; to be prepared; to be arranged
2. to be in order; to be put in order; to be well-ordered; to be well-proportioned; to be harmonious
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0 1
general public; the masses
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1
Most common form: しゅう
noun
1. great numbers (of people); numerical superiority; masses  (opposite: )
noun, noun (suffix)
2. people; folk; clique; bunch  (honorific; familiar language)
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading, examples and links)
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