JLPT N2 Vocabulary List

Over 2,700 words with readings, romaji, and English meanings

JLPT N2 is the level employers usually ask for. It is solid upper-intermediate Japanese: enough to follow a meeting, read a newspaper, watch the news, and get through a novel without living in the dictionary.

What JLPT N2 covers

The vocabulary turns professional and written. You learn business and workplace terms, the more formal words found in articles and reports, set phrases and idioms, and a lot of vocabulary that rarely comes up in speech but is everywhere in print. Another big batch of new words lands here, about 2,300, and the kanji count reaches roughly 1,000, which covers most of what you will see in everyday written Japanese.

Grammar and particles at this level

N2 grammar is mostly about register and precision. You tidy up your keigo, learn the formal conjunctions and set patterns that hold longer written sentences together, and pick up the many fixed expressions that shift the tone or implication of a sentence. Not much of it is brand new after N3; more of it is about using what you know at the right level of formality.

How to study N2

The best study at N2 is native material aimed a little above your current level. Read real news rather than the learner edition, and accept that you will be looking things up. Listening matters more here too, since both the exam and real conversations move at full speed. More than anything, it is reading volume that carries you from N3 to N2.

Planning to sit the N2 exam? Test dates, fees, and registration for your country are on the official JLPT website.

All N2 words

額ひたいhitai

forehead

市場しじょうshijou

market (financial, economic)

produced in, grown in (suffix)

counter for boats and ships

総～そう～sou～

gross, general, entire

翌～よく～yoku～

the following, the next one after (prefix)

hence, for that reason

～続く～つづく～tsuzuku

follow, continue, go on

そういえばsouieba

which reminds me ..

～通り～とおり～toori

in accordance with ~, following ~

なんとなくnantonaku

somehow, for some reason

癖にくせにkuseni

and yet, despite the fact that

第～だい～dai～

ordinal prefix, number

仕方がないしかたがないshikataganai

it can't be helped, no use

突っ込むつっこむtsukkomu

to plunge into, to stick into

追いかけるおいかけるoikakeru

to chase or run after someone

もしかしたらmoshikashitara

perhaps, maybe, by some chance

その他そのほかsonohoka

besides

言い出すいいだすiidasu

to start talking, to suggest

一斉にいっせいにisseini

simultaneously

取り出すとりだすtoridasu

to take out, to pick out

少なくともすくなくともsukunakutomo

at the very least, at minimum

何ともなんともnantomo

really, truly

～問～もん～mon

counter for questions

とっくにtokkuni

long ago, already, a long time ago

嫌がるいやがるiyagaru

reluctant, to dislike

存じるぞんじるzonjiru

to know (humble)

不機嫌ふきげんfukigen

in a bad mood, sullen

～辛い～づらい～zurai

hard to do ~

見上げるみあげるmiageru

to look up at, to admire

to search for (something lost or missing)

自らみずからmizukara

for one's self, personally

懸命けんめいkenmei

eager, strenuous

比較的ひかくてきhikakuteki

comparatively, relatively

飛び込むとびこむtobikomu

to jump in, to dive in

それなのにsorenanoni

though, although

目指すめざすmezasu

to aim at, to have an eye on

地面じめんjimen

ground, earth's surface

振り向くふりむくfurimuku

to turn one's face, to turn around

to pull out, to withdraw

迫るせまるsemaru

to draw near, to press

after an interval of ~

目立つめだつmedatsu

to be conspicuous, to stand out

～きる～kiru

to do completely, to carry through

見送るみおくるmiokuru

to see off, to escort, to let pass

～ほう～hou

the more ~ (of two)

やっつけるyattsukeru

to beat, to finish off

資料しりょうshiryou

materials, data

押さえるおさえるosaeru

to hold down, to press down

努めるつとめるtsutomeru

to try, to aim

呼び出すよびだすyobidasu

to summon, to call (e.g., phone)

狙うねらうnerau

to aim at

出来上がるできあがるdekiagaru

to be finished, to be ready

浮かべるうかべるukaberu

to float, to express

自宅じたくjitaku

one's own home, one's house

発はつhatsu

departure, departing (from)

詰まるつまるtsumaru

to be blocked, to be packed

to become used to seeing, to be familiar with

生意気なまいきnamaiki

impertinent, impudent

段階だんかいdankai

gradation, grade, stage

見詰めるみつめるmitsumeru

to stare at, to gaze at

立ち止まるたちどまるtachidomaru

to stop, to halt, to stand still

見直すみなおすminaosu

to look over again, to review

見下ろすみおろすmiorosu

to look down on, to overlook

現にげんにgenni

actually, really

信ずるしんずるshinzuru

to believe (older form)

着替えるきがえるkigaeru

to change (one's) clothes

～向け～むけ～muke

for ~

対策たいさくtaisaku

counter-plan, counter-measure

響くひびくhibiku

to resound, to affect

思い込むおもいこむomoikomu

to assume, to be convinced that

職場しょくばshokuba

workplace

おかげさまでokagesamade

Thanks to god, thanks to you

接するせっするsessuru

to come into contact with, to deal with

一～ひと～hito～

one ~

怪しいあやしいayashii

suspicious, dubious, doubtful

～気味～ぎみ～gimi

slightly ~

どうせdouse

anyhow, in any case, at any rate

～番目～ばんめ～banme

the nth one (counter)

展開てんかいtenkai

development, unfolding

姿勢しせいshisei

attitude, posture

方針ほうしんhoushin

objective, plan, policy

structure, construction

obedient, meek, docile

崩れるくずれるkuzureru

to collapse, to crumble

以降いこうikou

on and after, hereafter

fixed, settled, regular

周辺しゅうへんshuuhen

circumference, peripheral

～毎～ごと～goto

every, each (suffix)

刻むきざむkizamu

to mince, to carve, to engrave

全力ぜんりょくzenryoku

all one's power, whole energy

release, liberation, emancipation

挟むはさむhasamu

to hold between, to insert

属するぞくするzokusuru

to belong to, to come under

掘るほるhoru

to dig, to excavate

くれぐれもkureguremo

repeatedly, sincerely, earnestly

皮膚ひふhifu

skin (medical term)

基礎きそkiso

the basics, a foundation

足るたるtaru

to suffice (literary)

勝負しょうぶshoubu

victory or defeat, game

引き返すひきかえすhikikaesu

to turn back, to go back, reverse

追加ついかtsuika

addition, supplement, appendix

取り入れるとりいれるtoriireru

to harvest, to take in, to adopt

手続きてつづきtetsuzuki

procedure, formalities

放るほうるhouru

to let go

基準きじゅんkijun

a standard, a benchmark

前後ぜんごzengo

front and back, before and after

アイデアaidea

idea

らしいrashii

seeming ..., appearing ...

creation, preparation, to make

爪つめtsume

fingernail or toenail

終了しゅうりょうshuuryou

end, close, termination

exhibition, demonstration, display

めでたいmedetai

happy, propitious, joyous

余計よけいyokei

unnecessary, excessive

配るくばるkubaru

to distribute, to deliver

あふれるafureru

to flood, to overflow

敷くしくshiku

to spread out, to lay out

気を付けるきをつけるkiwotsukeru

to be careful, to pay attention

～年生～ねんせい～nensei

counter for school year

特定とくていtokutei

specific, special, particular

停止ていしteishi

suspension, interruption, stoppage

役所やくしょyakusho

government office, public office

看板かんばんkanban

sign, signboard

深夜しんやshin'ya

the dead of night, late at night

古～ふる～furu～

old ~

正面しょうめんshoumen

the front, the facade

巡るめぐるmeguru

to go around

動作どうさdousa

action, movements, motions

職人しょくにんshokunin

artisan, craftsman

見抜くみぬくminuku

to see something's true nature

複数ふくすうfukusuu

plural, multiple

侵入しんにゅうshinnyuu

invasion, raid, trespass

official tour, business trip

改めてあらためてaratamete

another time, again

各地かくちkakuchi

various parts of the country

to press, to wring, to squeeze

干すほすhosu

to air, to dry, to drink up

気配けはいkehai

indication, sign, hint

初めにはじめにhajimeni

at the beginning, first of all

high and low, up and down

回転かいてんkaiten

rotation, turning

回答かいとうkaitou

formal reply, official answer

率直そっちょくsotchoku

frank, candid, honest

本来ほんらいhonrai

essentially, naturally, by nature

からかうkarakau

to ridicule, to make fun of

～泊～はく～haku

counter for nights stayed

原稿げんこうgenkou

manuscript, copy

調整ちょうせいchousei

regulation, adjustment, tuning

盛るもるmoru

to serve (food), to heap up

余るあまるamaru

to be left over, to be in excess

形式けいしきkeishiki

form, formality, format

枯れるかれるkareru

to wither, to die (of a plant)

女房にょうぼうnyoubou

wife

崩すくずすkuzusu

to destroy, to make change (money)

姫様ひめさまhimesama

a princess (as a form of address)

round trip, return trip

怒鳴るどなるdonaru

to shout, to yell

改めるあらためるaratameru

to change, to reform, to revise

high class, first-rate

背負うせおうseou

to carry on one's back, to be burdened with

受験じゅけんjuken

taking an examination

蓋ふたfuta

cover, lid, cap

姫ひめhime

a young noblewoman, a princess

紛れもないまぎれもないmagiremonai

unmistakable

但しただしtadashi

but, however, provided that

やたらにyatarani

randomly, recklessly, blindly

付近ふきんfukin

neighborhood, vicinity

法則ほうそくhousoku

law, rule

ぞzo

adds force or indicates command

可愛がるかわいがるkawaigaru

to love, to be affectionate

体制たいせいtaisei

order, system, structure

同じくおなじくonajiku

in the same way, likewise

早速さっそくsassoku

at once, immediately, promptly

固まるかたまるkatamaru

to harden, to solidify

こっそりkossori

stealthily, secretly

ともかくtomokaku

setting aside, be that as it may

純粋じゅんすいjunsui

pure, genuine, unmixed

strengthen, intensify, reinforce

直後ちょくごchokugo

immediately following

危ういあやういayaui

precarious, in jeopardy

instantly, suddenly, all at once

曲げるまげるmageru

to bend, to crook, to lean

発想はっそうhassou

idea, way of thinking

整備せいびseibi

maintenance, overhaul

contradiction, inconsistency

液体えきたいekitai

a liquid (as a state of matter)

出迎えるでむかえるdemukaeru

to meet, to greet

弟子でしdeshi

pupil, disciple, apprentice

ぜひともzehitomo

by all means, at any cost

designation, specification

通ずるつうずるtsuuzuru

to lead, to run, to open

高度こうどkoudo

altitude, height, advanced

成立せいりつseiritsu

formation, establishment

食器しょっきshokki

tableware

国王こくおうkokuou

the king of a country, sovereign

命ずるめいずるmeizuru

to command, to appoint

to send over, to hand over

先端せんたんsentan

pointed end, tip

荒れるあれるareru

to be stormy, to be rough

削るけずるkezuru

to shave, to whittle down

芯しんshin

core, heart, wick

お任せおまかせomakase

leaving decisions to someone else

儀式ぎしきgishiki

ceremony, rite, ritual

水面すいめんsuimen

water's surface

組み立てるくみたてるkumitateru

to assemble, to put together

皮肉ひにくhiniku

cynicism, sarcasm

夫妻ふさいfusai

man and wife, married couple

こちらこそkochirakoso

it is I who should say so

house-sitting, caretaking

堪えるこらえるkoraeru

to bear, to endure, to put up with

通用つうようtsuuyou

popular use, circulation

探るさぐるsaguru

to search, to probe

整うととのうtotonou

to be in order, to be ready

indoor, inside the room

宇宙船うちゅうせんuchuusen

spaceship

捕るとるtoru

to take, to catch (fish)

慰めるなぐさめるnagusameru

to comfort, to console

性能せいのうseinou

performance, capability of a machine

行事ぎょうじgyouji

event, function

明治めいじmeiji

Meiji era (1868.9.8-1912.7.30)

中間ちゅうかんchuukan

middle, midway, interim

妨げるさまたげるsamatageru

to disturb, to prevent

分類ぶんるいbunrui

classification

却ってかえってkaette

on the contrary, rather

遊園地ゆうえんちyuuenchi

amusement park

近寄るちかよるchikayoru

to go near, to step closer

one by one, separately

to long for, to yearn after

呆れるあきれるakireru

to be shocked, to be appalled

申請しんせいshinsei

application, request, petition

交差こうさkousa

crossing, an intersection

existence, being, survival

直前ちょくぜんchokuzen

just before

交代こうたいkoutai

taking turns, substitution

一応いちおうichiou

tentatively, for the time being

gist, essentials, outline

無数むすうmusuu

countless, innumerable

森林しんりんshinrin

forest, woods

勘違いかんちがいkanchigai

misunderstanding, wrong guess

普及ふきゅうfukyuu

diffusion, spread

生ずるしょうずるshouzuru

to arise (older form)

confrontation, opposition

伯父さんおじさんojisan

uncle (polite form of address)

包丁ほうちょうhouchou

kitchen knife, carving knife

大してたいしてtaishite

(not so) much, (not) very

相違そういsoui

difference, discrepancy, variation

to double as, to serve two functions

explanation, commentary

教養きょうようkyouyou

culture, education, sophistication

双方そうほうsouhou

both parties, both sides

面積めんせきmenseki

area

別々べつべつbetsubetsu

separately, individually

連合れんごうrengou

union, alliance

儲けるもうけるmoukeru

to make a profit, to earn

あれこれarekore

this and that, one thing or another

当日とうじつtoujitsu

appointed day, very day

解散かいさんkaisan

breakup, dissolution

素人しろうとshirouto

layman, amateur, novice

集会しゅうかいshuukai

an assembly, a rally

手帳てちょうtechou

pocket notebook, planner

寝不足ねぶそくnebusoku

lack of sleep

反映はんえいhan'ei

reflection, influence

住居じゅうきょjuukyo

dwelling, residence

再度さいどsaido

a second time, once more

役人やくにんyakunin

government official

台詞せりふserifu

lines (in a play), dialogue

吹き飛ばすふきとばすfukitobasu

to blow away

中世ちゅうせいchuusei

Middle Ages, medieval times

分解ぶんかいbunkai

analysis, disassembly

文芸ぶんげいbungei

literature, art and literature

regrettable, disappointing

引っ掛かるひっかかるhikkakaru

to be caught in, to be stuck in

接近せっきんsekkin

approaching, getting closer

欄らんran

column (in a newspaper, form)

～教～きょう～kyou

religion, doctrine (suffix)

学年がくねんgakunen

year in school, grade in school

彫刻ちょうこくchoukoku

carving, engraving, sculpture

上品じょうひんjouhin

refined, elegant, well-mannered

second helping, another cup

削除さくじょsakujo

elimination, deletion

opportunity, occasion

延長えんちょうenchou

extension, prolongation

空想くうそうkuusou

daydream, fantasy

いよいよiyoiyo

more and more, all the more

行列ぎょうれつgyouretsu

line, procession, matrix (math)

水平線すいへいせんsuiheisen

the horizon (over the sea)

採るとるtoru

to adopt (a measure), to pick (fruit)

to save, to store, to lay in stock

complaint, grievance, grumble

大地だいちdaichi

the earth, the ground

用語ようごyougo

term, terminology

輸送ゆそうyusou

transport, transportation

醜いみにくいminikui

ugly, unattractive

かじるkajiru

to chew, to bite (at)

見舞うみまうmimau

to ask after (health), to visit

商業しょうぎょうshougyou

commerce, trade, business

妥当だとうdatou

proper, appropriate

何者なにものnanimono

who, what kind of person

昼寝ひるねhirune

nap (at home), siesta

傾くかたむくkatamuku

to lean, to tilt

想定そうていsoutei

assumption, supposition

大手おおてoote

major company, big company

夜間やかんyakan

at night, nighttime

外側そとがわsotogawa

exterior, outside, outer, external

sunbeams, streaming sunlight

お待たせしましたおまたせしましたomataseshimashita

thank you for waiting

unguarded moment, chance

独り言ひとりごとhitorigoto

talking to oneself, soliloquy

真っ暗まっくらmakkura

total darkness

公式こうしきkoushiki

formula, formality, official

張り切るはりきるharikiru

to be in high spirits, to be enthusiastic

public, community, communal

feelings, realization

記号きごうkigou

symbol, code

話し掛けるはなしかけるhanashikakeru

to talk to, to address

temporary, special, extraordinary

果実かじつkajitsu

fruit (botanical or formal)

water content, moisture

坊主ぼうずbouzu

buddhist monk

解消かいしょうkaishou

cancellation, resolution

to understand, to be aware of

継続けいぞくkeizoku

continuation

公表こうひょうkouhyou

official announcement, making public

発売はつばいhatsubai

sale

頭脳ずのうzunou

head, brains, intellect

先祖せんぞsenzo

ancestor

哲学者てつがくしゃtetsugakusha

philosopher

睨むにらむniramu

to glare at, to keep an eye on

引っ込むひっこむhikkomu

to draw back, to sink, to cave in

abbreviation, omission

ずらりzurari

in a row, all lined up

待合室まちあいしつmachiaishitsu

waiting room

囁くささやくsasayaku

to whisper, to murmur

Heisei era (1989.1.8-2019.4.30)

外科げかgeka

surgical department

こないだkonaida

the other day, lately, recently

negligence, unpreparedness

行ってらっしゃいいってらっしゃいitterasshai

have a good day, take care

店内てんないtennai

inside the store, store interior

戦場せんじょうsenjou

battlefield, battleground

empty, vacant, hollow

Other JLPT levels

JLPT N5 JLPT N4 JLPT N3 JLPT N1

JLPT N2 questions

Is JLPT N2 enough to work in Japan?

For most office and professional jobs, N2 is the level employers ask for. It signals you can handle meetings, email, and written documents in Japanese.

How many words does N2 require?

Around 2,300 new words for a cumulative total near 6,000, plus roughly 1,000 kanji. It is a large vocabulary, weighted toward written and formal language.

How big is the gap between N3 and N2?

Substantial. The vocabulary roughly doubles again and shifts heavily toward formal and written Japanese, which is why many learners spend a year or more between the two.