Most useful words for each reading of every Jōyō kanji

Kanji Usefulness Level 2 1-100 Level-Appropriate Vocab

This collection contains 174 words.
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1
noun
language  (linguistics terminology)
(click the word to view an additional 2 readings, examples and links)
3
noun
1. language; dialect  (see also: 言語)
2. word; words; phrase; term; expression; remark  (see also: 単語)
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading, 1 meaning and 3 forms, examples and links)
0
1. to say; to utter; to declare
2. to name; to call
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading, 1 meaning and 4 forms, useful expressions, examples and links)
3
1. skill; skillful; dexterity  (opposite: 下手)
noun
2. flattery
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1
noun
player (in game); team member
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1
noun
1. hand; arm  (see also: お手:おて; occ. pronounced た when a prefix)
2. forepaw; foreleg  (see also: お手:おて; colloquialism)
(click the word to view an additional 11 meanings, useful expressions, examples and links)
0
1. myself; yourself; oneself; himself; herself
2. I; me
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning, examples and links)
0
noun
1. nature
2. natural; spontaneous
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0
noun
(a) patient
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0
noun
(medical) doctor; physician  (see also: お医者さん; pol. お医者さん; sensitive)
(click the word for examples and links)
0
1. work; job; business; occupation; employment; vocation; task
2. work  (physics terminology)
(click the word for examples and links)
0
noun
thought; idea; ideology
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2
'u' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to think; to consider; to believe  (想う has connotations of heart-felt)
2. to think (of doing); to plan (to do)
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0
noun
1. company; corporation
2. workplace
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1
Most common form: あう
'u' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to meet; to encounter; to see  (逢う is often used for close friends, etc. and may be associated with drama or pathos, 遭う may have an undesirable nuance)
2. to have an accident; to have a bad experience  (esp. 遭う when in kanji; often written with kana only)
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1
family; members of a family
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0
noun
purpose; goal; aim; objective; intention
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0
noun
way; method; means; resource; course
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0
noun
method; process; manner; way; means; technique
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3
noun
1. one (esp. of two); the other; one way; the other way; one direction; the other direction; one side; the other side; one party; the other party
conjunction
2. on the one hand; on the other hand  (see also: 他方)
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0
Most common form: 夕がた
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
evening; dusk  (see also: 明け方)
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1
noun
map
(click the word for examples and links)
0
noun
earthquake
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3
noun
factory; plant; mill; workshop
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading and 2 forms, examples and links)
0
noun
1. place; location; spot; position
2. room; space
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning, examples and links)
0
Most common form: 代り
1. substitute; replacement; substituting; replacing
2. stand-in; proxy; alternate; deputy; relief; successor
(click the word to view an additional 3 meanings and 4 forms, examples and links)
0
noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi), noun
1. period; epoch; era; age
2. the times; those days
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1
private (establishment)  (see also: 市立; わたくしりつ spoken to avoid confusion with 市立)
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading, examples and links)
0
1. I; me
2. private affairs; personal matter; secrecy  (this meaning is restricted to reading わたくし)
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading, 1 meaning and 2 forms, examples and links)
1
'tsu' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to stand; to rise; to stand up  (this meaning is restricted to form 立つ, たつ)
2. to find oneself (e.g. in a difficult position)  (this meaning is restricted to form 立つ, たつ)
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 2 forms, examples and links)
0
noun
1. coming into existence; arrangements; establishment; conclusion; completion
2. to come into existence; to be true; to hold (i.e. hold true)
(click the word for examples and links)
0 3
1. splendid; fine; handsome; elegant; imposing; prominent
2. praiseworthy; creditable; worthy
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3 1
noun
standpoint; position; situation
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2
noun
fruit
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0
noun
animal
(click the word for examples and links)
1
noun
1. luggage; baggage; package  (see also: 御荷物)
2. burden  (see also: 足まとい)
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0
noun
1. material; substance
2. matter  (physics terminology)
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2 3
noun
building
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0
1. ...the heck (e.g. "what the heck?"); ...in the world (e.g. "why in the world?"); ...on earth (e.g. "who on earth?")  (before an interrogative, forms an emphatic question)
noun
2. one object; one body; unity
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3
noun
1. movement; move; motion
2. trend; development; change; fluctuation
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1
noun
Shinto shrine
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0
'ru' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to be aware of; to know; to be conscious of; to cognize; to cognise
2. to notice; to feel
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1
noun
knowledge; information
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1
1. cooking; cookery; cuisine
2. dealing with something; handling; administration; management  (nuance of doing it easily)
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0 1
simultaneous; concurrent; same time; synchronous; together  (see also: 同時に)
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0
noun or verb acting prenominally, noun
1. same; identical; equal; uniform; equivalent; similar; common (origin); changeless; alike
2. (usu. part of a 'nara' conditional) anyway; anyhow; in either case
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0
1. worry; concern; anxiety
2. care; help; aid; assistance
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0
departure
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0
discovery; detection; finding
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0
pronunciation
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0
noun
author; writer; novelist; artist
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0
noun
work (e.g. book, film, composition, etc.); opus; performance; production
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1
work; operation; manufacturing; fatigue duty
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2
'ru' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to make; to produce; to manufacture; to build; to construct  (造る usu. for large-scale building, manufacturing, etc. 創る usu. for creating)
2. to prepare (food); to brew (alcohol)
(click the word to view an additional 11 meanings and 3 forms, useful expressions, examples and links)
4
new; novel; fresh; recent; latest; up-to-date; modern
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1
new; fresh; novel
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2
expression, noun
society; the world; the times
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1
noun
1. the world; society; the universe
2. sphere; circle; world
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1
noun
century; era
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1
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
1. this time; now
2. next time; another time; shortly; soon
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning, examples and links)
3
noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
1. tomorrow
2. near future  (this meaning is restricted to reading あす)
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0
explanation; exposition
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0 3
1. bright; colourful
2. cheerful
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2
obvious; evident; clear; plain
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1
great effort; exertion; endeavour; endeavor; effort
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1
meaning; significance
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1
preparation; arrangements; provision; getting ready; laying out (e.g. a meal)
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3 0
Most common form: もちいる
ichidan verb, transitive verb
to use; to make use of; to utilize; to utilise
(click the word for examples and links)
0
chief; main; principal; major
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1
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to go by; to go past; to go along; to travel along; to pass through; to use (a road); to take (a route); to go via; to go by way of
2. to run (between); to operate (between); to connect  (of public transport)
(click the word to view an additional 12 meanings and 3 forms, examples and links)
0
1. general; ordinary; usual
2. normally; generally; usually
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0
'u' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to go to and from (a place); to go back and forth between; to run between (e.g. bus, train, etc.); to ply between
2. to go to (school, work, etc.); to attend; to commute; to frequent
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0
order; request
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1
noun
1. culture; civilization; civilisation
2. Bunka era (1804.2.11-1818.4.22)
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1
noun
1. letter (of alphabet); character
2. literal
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1
noun
roof
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0
noun
rooftop  (see also: 屋上庭園)
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2
noun
1. room; chamber
2. apartment; flat; pad
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1
maintenance; preservation; improvement
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1
1. to hold (in one's hand); to take; to carry
2. to possess; to have; to own
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1
noun
road; highway
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0
Most common form:
noun
1. road; street; way; path; course; route; lane
2. distance; ways (e.g. "a long ways")
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2
contents; interior; substance; filling; (sword) blade
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0
anxiety; uneasiness; insecurity; suspense
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0
noun
1. population
2. common talk
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1
noun
exit; gateway; way out; outlet; leak; vent  (see also: 入り口)
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0
1. more or less; somewhat; a little; a few; some
noun
2. amount; quantity
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1 2
many; numerous
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1
noun
field; sphere; realm; division; branch
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0
reference; consultation  (see also: 参考にする)
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3
noun
1. thinking; thought; view; opinion; concept
2. idea; notion; imagination
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0
start; commencement; beginning; initiation
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0
noun
1. classroom
2. department; laboratory
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2
near; close; short (distance)
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0
'no' adjective, adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
most recent; these days; right now; recently; nowadays
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0
noun
1. question (e.g. on a test); problem
2. problem (e.g. societal, political); question; issue; subject (e.g. of research); case; matter
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0 1
Godan verb with `u' ending (special class), transitive verb
1. to ask; to inquire
2. to charge (e.g. with a crime); to accuse
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1
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
noon; mid-day
(click the word for examples and links)
0
due form; official; formality
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3
1. right; correct
2. proper; righteous; just; honest; truthful; lawful
(click the word for examples and links)
0
noun
middle; centre; center; mid-way
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0
noun
1. photograph; photo; picture; snapshot; snap
2. movie  (see also: 活動写真)
(click the word for examples and links)
0
1. flavor; flavour; taste
2. charm; style
(click the word to view an additional 2 meanings, examples and links)
1
1. unreasonable; unnatural; unjustifiable
2. impossible
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0
safety; peace; quietness  (see also: 無事に)
(click the word for useful expressions, examples and links)
3
few; a little; scarce; insufficient; seldom
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0
noun
boy; juvenile; young boy; youth; lad
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2
adverb, noun
1. small quantity; little; few; something
2. little while
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1
foreign; abroad; overseas
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1
noun
sea; ocean; waters
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0
noun
ticket
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0
1. important; necessary; indispensable
2. beloved; precious; dear; cherished; valuable
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1
noun, 'no' adjective, noun (suffix)
1. all; everything; the whole; lock, stock, and barrel
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi)
2. absolutely not (with negative); without exception; entirely not
(click the word for examples and links)
1
suffix, 'ru' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to cut; to cut through; to perform (surgery)
2. to sever (connections, ties)  (see also: 縁を切る)
(click the word to view an additional 21 meanings, useful expressions, examples and links)
0
1. heavy; weighty; massive  (opposite: 軽い)
2. heavy (feeling); depressed; gloomy; blue; uneasy
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0
important; momentous; essential; principal; major
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0
precious; valuable
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0
ichidan verb, transitive verb
1. to pile up; to put something on top of another; to stack up
2. to repeat many times over; to go through something repeatedly
(click the word for examples and links)
0
concentration; convergence; centralization; integration; gathering together
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3
ichidan verb, transitive verb
to collect; to assemble; to gather
(click the word for examples and links)
0
noun
member; the membership
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0
noun
(public) park
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0
plan; project; schedule; scheme; program; programme
(click the word for useful expressions, examples and links)
1 0
movie; film
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0
godan verb, irregular nu verb, intransitive verb
1. to die; to pass away  (sensitive)
2. to lose spirit; to lose vigor; to look dead
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning, examples and links)
2
Most common form: やすい
1. cheap; inexpensive
2. calm; peaceful; quiet  (this meaning is restricted to form 安い)
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0
1. safety  (opposite: 危険)
2. security
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1
noun
parents; both parents
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2
1. strong; powerful; mighty; potent
2. resistant; resilient; durable  (... に強い)
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0
1. study
2. diligence
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0
use; application; employment; utilization; utilisation
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0
'u' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to use (a thing, method, etc.); to make use of; to put to use
2. to use (a person, animal, puppet, etc.); to employ; to handle; to manage; to manipulate  (see also: 人使い)
(click the word to view an additional 2 meanings and 2 forms, examples and links)
1
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
morning
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0
insufficiency; shortage; deficiency; lack; dearth  (opposite: 満足)
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1
1. satisfaction; contentment; complacency  (see also: 不満, 不満足)
2. sufficient; enough; adequate; proper  (opposite: 不足)
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2
noun
1. foot  (esp. 足)
2. leg  (esp. 脚,肢)
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0 2
ichidan verb, transitive verb
1. to wear (in modern Japanese, from the shoulders down); to put on
2. to bear (guilt, etc.)
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0
(click the word for examples and links)
0
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3
noun
parting; separation; farewell; (lateral) branch; fork; offshoot; division; section
(click the word for examples and links)
1
noun
music; musical movement
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0
noun, noun (suffix)
1. sound; noise; report
2. note  (music term)
(click the word to view an additional 2 readings, 2 meanings and 2 forms, useful expressions, examples and links)
1
1. lively; full of spirit; energetic; vigorous; vital; spirited
2. healthy; well; fit; in good health
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0 3
noun
1. home area; home town
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1
particularly; especially
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0
noun
1. limited express (train, faster than an express)  (see also: 特別急行; abbreviation)
2. great hurry
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2 1
noun
1. bath; bathtub  (see also: お風呂)
2. bathroom; bathhouse
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3
noun
typhoon; hurricane
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1 0
noun
common cold; cold; influenza; flu; ague
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1
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
evening; night
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading, examples and links)
1
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
this evening; tonight
(click the word for examples and links)
1
noun
1. air; atmosphere
2. mood; situation  (see also: 空気を読む)
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2
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
to occur; to happen
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0 3
'bu' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to carry; to transport; to move; to convey
2. to come; to go  (see also: 足を運ぶ; usu. as お運びになる, お運び下さる, etc.; honorific)
(click the word to view an additional 2 meanings, examples and links)
0
1. exercise; physical training; work-out
2. appeal; campaign; drive; crusade; movement; lobbying
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning, examples and links)
1
'na' adjective, noun, noun (suffix)
1. comfort; ease
noun
2. raku pottery  (see also: 楽焼き; abbreviation)
(click the word for examples and links)
3
enjoyable; fun
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2
noun
1. colour; color
2. complexion
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0
return to one's country
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3
noun
return; coming back
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0
noun
footpath; walkway; sidewalk
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0
walk; stroll
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0
advertisement
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2
spacious; vast; wide
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0
shop assistant; employee; clerk; salesperson
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2
noun
1. town; block; neighbourhood; neighborhood
2. street; road
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading, 3 meanings and 2 forms, examples and links)
1
noun
address (e.g. of house); residence; domicile
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1
'mu' godan verb, intransitive verb
to live (of humans); to reside; to inhabit; to dwell; to abide  (see also: 棲む)
(click the word for examples and links)
0
sale; offering for sale; release (for sale); launch (product)
(click the word for examples and links)
0
'ru' godan verb, transitive verb
to sell
(click the word for examples and links)
0
expectation; anticipation; hope
(click the word for useful expressions, examples and links)
1
'tsu' godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb
1. to wait  (this meaning is restricted to form 待つ)
2. to await; to look forward to; to anticipate
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 2 forms, useful expressions, examples and links)
0
old (not person); aged; ancient; antiquated; stale; threadbare; outmoded; obsolete article
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1
'na' adjective, adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
ancient times
(click the word for examples and links)
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