The most useful 10,000 words in Japanese

Important: you are viewing an older version of the usefulness data. The current version is here.

Usefulness Level 4 Vocab 1901-2001

This collection contains 101 words.
QUICK STUDY
BOOST
FLASHCARDS
DOWNLOAD
0
relation; kin
(click the word for examples and links)
2
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to grow violent; to become stronger; to become worse
'ru' godan verb, transitive verb
2. to invite contributions, etc.; to solicit help, participation, etc.; to recruit (e.g. soldiers)
(click the word for examples and links)
0 2
noun, 'no' adjective, adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (suffix)
1. above; up; over; elder (e.g. daughter)
2. top; summit
(click the word to view an additional 11 meanings, examples and links)
0
noun
thickness
(click the word for examples and links)
0
disastrous; tragic; miserable; wretched; pitiful; woeful
(click the word for examples and links)
1 2
Most common form: スィッチ
switch
(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
0
forgery; falsification; fabrication; counterfeiting  (see also: 偽物)
(click the word for examples and links)
0 3
Most common form: 灯火
noun
light; lamp; torch
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading and 7 forms, examples and links)
0
electric
(click the word for examples and links)
0
main line
(click the word for examples and links)
1
noun
1. Milky Way  (astronomy, etc. term)
2. galaxy  (astronomy, etc. term)
(click the word for examples and links)
3 2
noun
1. mind; heart; spirit
2. the meaning of a phrase (riddle, etc.)
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, useful expressions, examples and links)
3 1
suru verb - special class
to face on; to look out on to
(click the word for examples and links)
2 1
Most common form: くま
noun
bear (any mammal of family Ursidae)
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
0
death from disease; death from illness
(click the word for examples and links)
1
noun
go; board game of capturing territory
(click the word for examples and links)
0
noun
1. regulations; rules
2. (local) regulation; ordinance; bylaw; law
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
1
noun
power; might; authority; influence
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
3
noun
1. 1,000,000; one million; million
2. many
(click the word for examples and links)
0
1. official certification; approval; inspection
2. certification examination; licensing examination; licensure examination  (see also: 検定試験; abbreviation)
(click the word for examples and links)
0
wearing (e.g. uniform, seat belt); having on
(click the word for examples and links)
0
Most common form: じゅうたい
seriously ill; serious condition; critical state
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
1 2 0
noun
intelligence
(click the word for examples and links)
1
1. very; extremely; surprisingly; considerably  (often written with kana only)
2. contemptible; reprehensible  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
1
1. gradually; steadily; quietly; slowly; little by little
2. soon
(click the word to view an additional 4 forms, examples and links)
0
noun
song; ballad
(click the word for examples and links)
1
noun
beautiful woman
(click the word for examples and links)
0
rapid increase; proliferation; surge; explosion
(click the word for examples and links)
0
formal marriage interview; marriage meeting
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
2
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
1. to wake; to wake up
2. to become sober; to sober up; to regain consciousness (e.g. after anaesthesia)
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 2 forms, useful expressions, examples and links)
0
overtime (work)
(click the word for examples and links)
2
Most common form: もの
noun
person  (rarely used without a qualifier)
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading, examples and links)
1
Most common form:
noun
shell; shellfish
(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
1
Most common form: よう
'u' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to get drunk; to become intoxicated
2. to feel sick (e.g. in a vehicle); to become nauseated
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning, examples and links)
1
noun
second son
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
0 1
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
early dawn; grey of morning; gray of morning
(click the word for examples and links)
2 0
Most common form:
noun, counter
1. swing; shake; wave; swinging
noun
2. appearance; behaviour  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 6 meanings and 2 forms, examples and links)
0
noun
borrowing; debt; loan
(click the word for examples and links)
2
Most common form:
noun
shell; husk; hull; pod; chaff
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
1
noun
events of the day; current affairs
(click the word for examples and links)
2 0
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to excel; to surpass; to exceed; to have an edge; to be superior; to outrival
2. to outweigh; to preponderate
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
1
obstruction; check; hindrance; prevention; impediment; interdiction; preemption; blocking
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
0
noun
Ministry of Finance
(click the word for examples and links)
0
comparing with; match; rival; equal
(click the word for examples and links)
0
noun
1. little finger; pinky
2. little toe
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
1
Most common form: かく
1. pit (of a fruit); stone
2. core
(click the word to view an additional 2 meanings, examples and links)
0
Most common form: 何ぶん
1. some; any; (a) little; of some kind; of some sort
2. please
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 2 forms, examples and links)
0
walk
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
1
innocence
(click the word for examples and links)
0
Most common form: 明けがた
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
dawn  (see also: 夕方)
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
2 1
Most common form: 附加
addition; annexation; appendage
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
0
Most common form: 締切
noun
1. deadline; closing; cut-off; end  (not 閉め切り, etc.)
2. cofferdam  (not 閉め切り, etc.)
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 9 forms, examples and links)
1 0
1. wholly; solely; entirely; exclusively; devotedly; fixedly  (often written with kana only)
2. principally; mostly; chiefly; mainly  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
ichidan verb, transitive verb
1. to stop (an activity); to cease; to discontinue; to end; to quit  (often written with kana only)
2. to cancel; to abandon; to give up; to abolish; to abstain; to refrain  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
0 3
Most common form: 歯止め
1. brake; skid; pawl
2. restraint; curtailment; self-imposed limit; check
(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
particle
1. only; merely; nothing but; no more than  (often written with kana only)
2. approximately; about  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 4 meanings and 3 forms, examples and links)
1
Most common form: 提起
bring suit; file a claim; raise a question
(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
0 2
rare; seldom  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
0
noun
1. Yamato; ancient province corresponding to modern-day Nara Prefecture
2. (ancient) Japan
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 2 forms, examples and links)
1
Most common form:
noun
1. ear (of plant); head (of plant)
2. point; tip
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 2 forms, examples and links)
2
Most common form: 国国
noun
countries
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
2
Most common form: 意地
1. stubbornness; obstinacy; willpower; pride
noun
2. disposition; nature
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 1 form, examples and links)
1
Most common form:
noun
chopsticks  (see also: お箸)
(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
0
comprehension; consent; understanding; agreement; roger (on the radio)
(click the word to view an additional 4 forms, examples and links)
2
root; source; origin; foundation; base; principle
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading and 6 forms, examples and links)
0 2
Most common form: たる
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
to be sufficient; to be enough; to be worthy of
(click the word for examples and links)
1
Most common form: のど
noun
1. throat  (often written with kana only)
2. singing voice
(click the word to view an additional 3 readings and 4 forms, examples and links)
0
universal; general; ubiquitous; omnipresent  (opposite: 特殊)
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
0
1. double; two-fold; two layers; duplex
prefix
2. diplo-; dipl-
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading and 3 forms, examples and links)
0
Most common form: 茶碗
noun
rice bowl; tea cup; teacup
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
2
handmade; homegrown; hand-crafted; homemade
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
1
Most common form: 活花
noun
1. flower arrangement
2. fresh flowers
(click the word to view an additional 4 forms, examples and links)
0
Most common form: がくふ
noun
score; sheet music  (music term)
(click the word for examples and links)
1
Most common form: カメ
noun
tortoise; turtle
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
0 3
Most common form: いざかや
noun
bar; pub; tavern
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
0
Most common form: いる
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
1. to be (of animate objects); to exist  (see also: 在る; often written with kana only)
2. to stay  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 2 forms, examples and links)
2
ichidan verb, transitive verb
1. to arrange (flowers); to plant
noun or verb acting prenominally
2. living; live
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
2
ichidan verb, transitive verb
to mix; to stir; to blend
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
0 4
Most common form:
'no' adjective, adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi), noun (temporal) (jisoumeishi)
1. side; edge; beside; besides; nearby  (see also: 傍らに)
adverbial noun (fukushitekimeishi)
2. while (doing); in addition to; at the same time  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 6 forms, examples and links)
ichidan verb, auxiliary verb
indicates continuing action or state (e.g. to be ..ing, to have been ..ing)  (from ..て or で plus いる; colloquialism)
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
0
Most common form: 丸型
noun
1. round shape; circle
2. circular form
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading and 4 forms, examples and links)
0
1. you; buddy; pal  (also used colloquially by young females; male term or language; familiar language)
noun
2. monarch; ruler; sovereign; (one's) master  (orig. meaning)
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
0
noun
handle; grip; knob
(click the word to view an additional 4 forms, examples and links)
0
noun
1. aim; object; purpose; end
2. expectations; prospects; hopes
(click the word to view an additional 6 meanings and 3 forms, examples and links)
4
warm; mild; genial  (暖かい, 暖い usu. refer to air temperature)
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading and 3 forms, examples and links)
1
Most common form: つる
noun
crane (any bird of the family Gruidae, esp. the red-crowned crane, Grus japonensis)
(click the word to view an additional 1 reading and 3 forms, useful expressions, examples and links)
2
Most common form: 仲好し
intimate friend; close friend; bosom buddy; chum
(click the word to view an additional 4 forms, examples and links)
0
Most common form: 石けん
noun
soap
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
0
Most common form: 瘠せる
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
1. to become thin; to lose weight; to reduce (one's) weight; to slim
2. to be barren; to be infertile; to be sterile
(click the word to view an additional 5 forms, examples and links)
0
'u' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to finish; to stop; to end; to put an end to; to bring to a close  (often written with kana only)
2. to close (a business, etc.); to close down; to shut down; to shut up  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 2 meanings and 4 forms, examples and links)
0
Most common form: 立て前
noun
1. face; official stance; public position or attitude (as opposed to private thoughts)  (opposite: 本音; this meaning is restricted to form 建て前, 建前, 立て前, 立前)
2. ceremony for the erection of the framework of a house  (this meaning is restricted to form 建て前, 建前)
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 5 forms, examples and links)
2
ichidan verb, transitive verb
to praise; to admire; to speak well of someone
(click the word to view an additional 4 forms, examples and links)
2
female (animal)  (see also: ; often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
3
Most common form: わかり
noun
understanding; comprehension
(click the word to view an additional 4 forms, examples and links)
2
Most common form: 治る
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to be cured; to get well; to be healed  (esp. 治る)
2. to get mended; to be repaired; to be fixed  (esp. 直る)
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
3 0
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to be affected; to be influenced
2. to be concerned with; to have to do with
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 6 forms, examples and links)
3
Most common form: いいえ
interjection (kandoushi)
1. no; nay  (often written with kana only)
2. well; er; why  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 4 forms, examples and links)
1
Most common form: 断つ
'tsu' godan verb, transitive verb
1. to sever; to cut off
2. to suppress; to eradicate; to exterminate
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning and 4 forms, examples and links)
1 0
Most common form: 何も
expression, adverb
1. nothing (with neg. verbs); not any
2. and everything else (with noun plus "mo"); all
(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
0
Most common form: 割り
noun, noun (suffix)
1. rate; ratio; proportion; percentage
2. profit
(click the word to view an additional 4 meanings and 2 forms, examples and links)
Kanshudo is your AI Japanese tutor, and your constant companion on the road to mastery of the Japanese language. To get started learning Japanese, just follow the study recommendations on your Dashboard. You can use Quick search (accessible using the icon at the top of every page) to look up any Japanese word, kanji or grammar point, as well as to find anything on Kanshudo quickly. For an overview, take the tour.
×