JLPT N1 Vocabulary List

Over 3,400 words with readings, romaji, and English meanings

JLPT N1 is the highest level, and passing it says you can handle Japanese at close to the level of an educated native adult. It covers academic and literary language, dense written material, technical and specialised vocabulary, and the kind of subtle nuance that takes years to pick up.

What JLPT N1 covers

The N1 vocabulary is huge and full of words you will only see now and then: formal and literary terms, academic and technical language, idioms, four-character compounds (yojijukugo), and expressions that carry historical or cultural weight. It is by far the largest vocabulary load of any level, well over 4,000 new words, and the kanji count reaches around 2,000, which is essentially the full set of everyday-use characters.

Grammar and particles at this level

N1 grammar is less about new structures and more about the rare, formal, and literary patterns you find in serious writing and careful speech. A lot of it shows up so rarely that it is hard to absorb by exposure alone, so reading dense, real Japanese is the main way most of it sticks.

How to study N1

N1 comes down to breadth, and there is not really a shortcut. The most useful thing you can do is read widely in real Japanese, across novels, essays, news, and technical writing, while keeping a steady review habit for the low-frequency words you only run into occasionally. Progress feels slow at this stage, simply because the words you have left are rare ones.

Planning to sit the N1 exam? Test dates, fees, and registration for your country are on the official JLPT website.

All N1 words

人事ひとごとhitogoto

other people's affairs, someone else's problem

弾くはじくhajiku

to flick, to repel (water)

～網～もう～mou

~ network

どうやらdouyara

it seems like, somehow or other

何だかなんだかnandaka

a little, somewhat, somehow

いかにもikanimo

truly (same as 実に (じつに))

to look back, to turn around

訪れるおとずれるotozureru

to visit a place, to arrive

引きずるひきずるhikizuru

to drag along, to pull, to prolong

もしかしてmoshikashite

perhaps, possibly

どうにかdounika

one way or another, only just

受け入れるうけいれるukeireru

to accept, to receive

かつてkatsute

once, before, formerly

果たすはたすhatasu

to accomplish, to fulfill

主人公しゅじんこうshujinkou

protagonist

事業じぎょうjigyou

project, enterprise, business

尽くすつくすtsukusu

to exhaust, to use up

発生はっせいhassei

outbreak, spring forth, occurrence

to endure, to put up with

なによりnaniyori

most, best

即座にそくざにsokuzani

on the spot, instantly

on the spur of the moment, reflexively

告げるつげるtsugeru

to inform

取り戻すとりもどすtorimodosu

to take back, to regain

agreement, consent, same meaning

我が～ga～

ego

差し出すさしだすsashidasu

to present, to submit, to hold out

反応はんのうhannou

reaction, response

超ちょうchou

super-, ultra-, hyper-

指摘してきshiteki

pointing out, identification

発言はつげんhatsugen

utterance, speech, proposal

bowl, vessel, container

開発かいはつkaihatsu

development, exploitation

meaningless, pointless

勝利しょうりshouri

victory, triumph, win

不愉快ふゆかいfuyukai

unpleasant, uncomfortable

もしくはmoshikuha

or (formal, in writing)

犯すおかすokasu

to perpetrate, to violate

conviction, confidence

本気ほんきhonki

serious, in earnest

提供ていきょうteikyou

offer, program sponsoring

いかにikani

how, to what extent (literary)

わざわざwazawaza

going out of one's way, expressly

～光～こう～kou

light (suffix)

受け止めるうけとめるuketomeru

to catch, to react to, to take

establishment, facility

保つたもつtamotsu

to keep, to preserve, to sustain

to accompany, to bring with

to withdraw, to leave, to pull out

にも関わらずにもかかわらずnimokakawarazu

in spite of, nevertheless

to run away, to escape from

乗り込むのりこむnorikomu

to board, to get into

to tackle, to grapple with

勝手かってkatte

selfish, doing as one pleases

上昇じょうしょうjoushou

rising, ascending, climbing

extremely, exceedingly

一切いっさいissai

without exception, the whole

飲み込むのみこむnomikomu

to swallow, to gulp down

もたらすmotarasu

to bring, to take, to bring about

to include, to put into

政策せいさくseisaku

political measures, policy

denial, rejection, refusal

colleagues, company, a lot

いやらしいiyarashii

unpleasant, disgusting, indecent

to hold back, to make notes

非難ひなんhinan

blame, attack, criticism

いい加減いいかげんiikagen

random, irresponsible

成り立つなりたつnaritatsu

to consist of, to be made up of

盛り上がるもりあがるmoriagaru

to rouse, to swell, to rise

casualty, someone killed

助けたすけtasuke

help, aid

所有しょゆうshoyuu

one's possessions, ownership

とりあえずtoriaezu

for now, first of all

to arrange, to put in order

要するようするyousuru

to demand, to require, to take

to reach, to make it somehow

案じるあんじるanjiru

to be anxious, to ponder

urgent, pressing, emergency

付け加えるつけくわえるtsukekuwaeru

to add one thing to another

魔法使いまほうつかいmahoutsukai

wizard

戦闘せんとうsentou

battle, fight, combat

支持しじshiji

support

見渡すみわたすmiwatasu

to look out over, to survey

background, scenery, setting

生かすいかすikasu

to make use of, to keep alive

絶えるたえるtaeru

to die out, to become extinct

意図いとito

intention, aim, design

holding (an event), hosting

念ねんnen

sense, feeling, desire

組み合わせるくみあわせるkumiawaseru

to combine, to join together

recognition, cognizance

職員しょくいんshokuin

staff member, personnel

闇やみyami

darkness, shady, illegal

文書ぶんしょbunsho

document, writing

処分しょぶんshobun

disposal, dealing, punishment

通常つうじょうtsuujou

common, normal, usual

however, nevertheless

一面いちめんichimen

one side, the other hand

逃れるのがれるnogareru

to escape

取り巻くとりまくtorimaku

to surround, to circle, to enclose

踏み込むふみこむfumikomu

to step into, to break into

defense, pleading, advocacy

体力たいりょくtairyoku

physical strength

遂げるとげるtogeru

to accomplish, to achieve

at a glance, by accident

根拠こんきょkonkyo

basis, foundation

定めるさだめるsadameru

to lay down, to prescribe

抜け出すぬけだすnukedasu

to slip out, to sneak away

打ち込むうちこむuchikomu

to devote oneself to

内部ないぶnaibu

interior, inside, internal

制服せいふくseifuku

uniform

漏れるもれるmoreru

to leak out, to escape

使用人しようにんshiyounin

employee, servant

獲得かくとくkakutoku

acquisition, possession

general idea, concept, notion

動機どうきdouki

motive, incentive

所属しょぞくshozoku

attached to, belong to

especially, particularly

打ち明けるうちあけるuchiakeru

to confess, to be open

取引とりひきtorihiki

transactions, dealings, business

捧げるささげるsasageru

to lift up, to give, to offer

押し込むおしこむoshikomu

to push into, to crowd into

幽霊ゆうれいyuurei

ghost, specter, phantom

投資とうしtoushi

investment

人格じんかくjinkaku

personality, personhood

いざiza

now, come (now), crucial moment

立ち去るたちさるtachisaru

to leave, to depart

空間くうかんkuukan

space, room, airspace

言い訳いいわけiiwake

excuse, explanation

受け継ぐうけつぐuketsugu

to inherit, to succeed

conception, pregnancy

改革かいかくkaikaku

reform, reformation, innovation

立ち寄るたちよるtachiyoru

to stop by, to drop in

独自どくじdokuji

original, peculiar, characteristic

取り除くとりのぞくtorinozoku

to remove, to take away

作用さようsayou

operation, effect, function

to herd, to corner, to drive

伝説でんせつdensetsu

tradition, legend, folklore

悟るさとるsatoru

to realize, to attain enlightenment

取り付けるとりつけるtoritsukeru

to install, to fit

確保かくほkakuho

guarantee, insure, secure

仕上げるしあげるshiageru

to finish up, to complete

道場どうじょうdoujou

dojo, training hall

富むとむtomu

to be rich, to become rich

追い出すおいだすoidasu

to expel, to drive out

見合わせるみあわせるmiawaseru

to exchange glances, to postpone

to incline, to tilt, to bend

孤独こどくkodoku

isolation, loneliness, solitude

見なすみなすminasu

to consider as, to regard

決断けつだんketsudan

making a tough decision, resolve

反するはんするhansuru

to go against, to contradict

階級かいきゅうkaikyuu

class, rank, grade

固めるかためるkatameru

to harden, to freeze, to fortify

ありふれるarifureru

common, ordinary, routine

事項じこうjikou

matter(s), item(s), facts

申し出るもうしでるmoushideru

to report to, to tell, to suggest

個性こせいkosei

individuality, personality

網あみami

net

養うやしなうyashinau

to rear, to maintain, to cultivate

実家じっかjikka

(one's parents') home

設立せつりつsetsuritsu

establishing, incorporating

報酬ほうしゅうhoushuu

remuneration, recompense, reward

助言じょげんjogen

advice, suggestion

焦るあせるaseru

to be in a hurry, to be impatient

～きり～kiri

only

同情どうじょうdoujou

sympathy, compassion, sympathize

registration, register, record

名誉めいよmeiyo

honor, credit, prestige

battle formation, camp, encampment

決意けついketsui

resolve, determination

告白こくはくkokuhaku

confession, acknowledgment

尽きるつきるtsukiru

to be used up, to be run out

理性りせいrisei

reason, sense

悪化あっかakka

deterioration, worsen

到達とうたつtoutatsu

reaching, attaining, arrival

deliberately, carefully

象徴しょうちょうshouchou

symbol

添えるそえるsoeru

to add to, to attach, to accompany

判決はんけつhanketsu

verdict, judgment

好意こういkoui

good will, favor, courtesy

to miss (a chance), to let escape

誠実せいじつseijitsu

sincere, honest, faithful

極端きょくたんkyokutan

extreme

収まるおさまるosamaru

to fit into, to settle down

災害さいがいsaigai

calamity, disaster, misfortune

投げ出すなげだすnagedasu

to abandon, to throw out

処置しょちshochi

a measure, dealing with something

把握はあくhaaku

grasp, catch, understanding

事前じぜんjizen

prior, beforehand, in advance

時折ときおりtokiori

occasionally, now and then (written)

to recite, to chant, to call upon

嫉妬しっとshitto

jealousy

設定せっていsettei

establishment, creation

sensitive, susceptible

惑星わくせいwakusei

planet

真相しんそうshinsou

truth, real situation

本質ほんしつhonshitsu

essence, true nature, reality

大胆だいたんdaitan

bold, daring, audacious

抗議こうぎkougi

protest, objection

歩むあゆむayumu

to tread a path, to walk (literary)

兵器へいきheiki

arms, weapons, ordinance

業務ぎょうむgyoumu

business, duties, work

専用せんようsen'you

exclusive use, personal use

果てるはてるhateru

to end, to be exhausted

かろうじてkaroujite

barely, narrowly

権威けんいken'i

authority, power, influence

うんざりunzari

tedious, boring, being fed up with

誤るあやまるayamaru

to err, to do incorrectly

導くみちびくmichibiku

to be guided, to be shown

徒歩とほtoho

walking, going on foot

defense, protection, self-defense

看護かんごkango

nursing the sick

押し寄せるおしよせるoshiyoseru

to push aside, to advance on

情熱じょうねつjounetsu

passion, enthusiasm, zeal

貴族きぞくkizoku

noble, aristocrat

正義せいぎseigi

justice, right, righteousness

漠然ばくぜんbakuzen

obscure, vague, equivocal

屋敷やしきyashiki

mansion

云々うんぬんunnun

and so on, and so forth

a glance, at first sight

作戦さくせんsakusen

tactics, a military operation

恐れおそれosore

fear, horror

情勢じょうせいjousei

situation, state of affairs

不良ふりょうfuryou

badness, delinquent, failure

raw materials, subject matter

堂々どうどうdoudou

magnificent, grand, impressive

警戒けいかいkeikai

warning, admonition, vigilance

負傷ふしょうfushou

being wounded, sustaining injury

促すうながすunagasu

to urge, to suggest, to demand

効率こうりつkouritsu

efficiency, the efficiency ratio

surveillance, monitoring

far, far-away, distant

to stand in a row, to extend

当てあてate

expectations, depend

乃至ないしnaishi

from...to, between...and, or

疲労ひろうhirou

fatigue, weariness

始末しまつshimatsu

disposal, cleaning up afterwards

依存いぞんizon

dependence, dependent, reliance

入手にゅうしゅnyuushu

obtaining, coming to hand

施すほどこすhodokosu

to give, to conduct, to perform

向上こうじょうkoujou

rise, improvement, progress

本能ほんのうhonnou

instinct

設けるもうけるmoukeru

to create, to establish

出現しゅつげんshutsugen

appearance, arrival

退職たいしょくtaishoku

retirement (from office)

特有とくゆうtokuyuu

characteristic (of, peculiar (to))

貫くつらぬくtsuranuku

to go through

取り扱うとりあつかうtoriatsukau

to treat, to handle, to deal in

免れるまぬがれるmanugareru

to escape from, to be exempted

名付けるなづけるnazukeru

to name

観点かんてんkanten

a point of view, an angle

こだわるkodawaru

to be particular about, to fuss over

廃止はいしhaishi

abolition, discontinuation

衣装いしょうishou

clothing, costume, outfit

association, society, organization

固定こていkotei

fixing in place, fixed

要因よういんyouin

primary factor, main cause

あっさりassari

easily, readily, quickly

死刑しけいshikei

death penalty

放り出すほうりだすhouridasu

to throw out, to abandon

原則げんそくgensoku

principle, general rule

財政ざいせいzaisei

economy, financial affairs

覚えおぼえoboe

memory, sense, experience

a butterfly (formal or scientific)

側面そくめんsokumen

side, sidelight, lateral

temptation, allurement, lure

知的ちてきchiteki

intellectual

なおさらnaosara

all the more, still less

根本こんぽんkonpon

foundation, root, base

予感よかんyokan

presentiment, premonition

強制きょうせいkyousei

compulsion, enforcement

secret, private, surreptitious

for…(e.g., In a letter)

従事じゅうじjuuji

engaging, pursuing, following

避難ひなんhinan

taking refuge, finding shelter

宣言せんげんsengen

declaration, proclamation

correct, right answer, solution

dispersion, scattering

gathering up, collection

人民じんみんjinmin

people, public

費やすついやすtsuiyasu

to spend, to devote, to waste

面するめんするmensuru

to face on, to look out on to

自尊心じそんしんjisonshin

self-respect, conceit

問い合わせるといあわせるtoiawaseru

to inquire, to seek information

奉行ぶぎょうbugyou

magistrate

明かすあかすakasu

to reveal, to stay up

条約じょうやくjouyaku

treaty, pact

出世しゅっせshusse

promotion, career success

脱出だっしゅつdasshutsu

escaping from somewhere, getting out

不意ふいfui

unexpected, out of the blue

indispensable, essential

大幅おおはばoohaba

full width, large scale, drastic

運営うんえいun'ei

management, operation

辿るたどるtadoru

to follow (a path), to trace

強烈きょうれつkyouretsu

strong, intense, severe

uniform, similar, equal

一連いちれんichiren

a series, a chain

保管ほかんhokan

custody, safekeeping, storage

放り込むほうりこむhourikomu

to throw into

設置せっちsetchi

establishment, institution

収容しゅうようshuuyou

accommodation, seating, custody

肝心かんじんkanjin

essential, fundamental, crucial

不在ふざいfuzai

absence

義理ぎりgiri

debt of gratitude, obligation

alliance, union, league

衰えるおとろえるotoroeru

to become weak, to decline

鮮やかあざやかazayaka

vivid, clear

要請ようせいyousei

appeal, formal request

損失そんしつsonshitsu

a financial loss

栽培さいばいsaibai

growing plants, horticulture

鍛えるきたえるkitaeru

to forge, to train, to discipline

正当せいとうseitou

just, due, proper

組み込むくみこむkumikomu

to incorporate, to include

secrecy, privacy, secret

洪水こうずいkouzui

a flood, flooding

任命にんめいninmei

appointment, nomination

脅すおどすodosu

to threaten, to menace

有するゆうするyuusuru

to own, to be endowed with

青春せいしゅんseishun

youth, adolescence

微笑びしょうbishou

a faint smile, a subtle smile

大金たいきんtaikin

large amount of money

to sigh, to lament, to grieve

to serve, to work for

察するさっするsassuru

to guess, to sense, to judge

sky, high-altitude sky, upper air

到底とうていtoutei

(cannot) possibly

愚痴ぐちguchi

idle complaint, grumble

催すもよおすmoyoosu

to hold (an event), to give

顎あごago

chin

参照さんしょうsanshou

cross reference, referring to

objection, dissent, protest

arrangement, placement

勝るまさるmasaru

to excel, to surpass, to out-rival

出血しゅっけつshukketsu

bleeding

Other JLPT levels

JLPT N5 JLPT N4 JLPT N3 JLPT N2

JLPT N1 questions

How many words do you need for JLPT N1?

Estimates vary, but it is commonly put at over 4,000 new words on top of everything below, for a cumulative vocabulary around 10,000, with roughly 2,000 kanji. It is by far the largest load of any level.

Is N1 the same as being fluent?

Not exactly. N1 shows you can read and understand advanced Japanese, but it does not test speaking or writing. Plenty of N1 holders still work on conversation, and plenty of fluent speakers would find parts of the exam hard.

How long does N1 take?

For most learners it is several years of consistent study from scratch. The final stretch is slow because the remaining vocabulary and grammar are, by their nature, infrequent.