JLPT N2 Vocabulary List

Over 3,000 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

同～どう～dou～

the same ~, the said ~ (prefix)

総～そう～sou～

total ~, general ~ (prefix)

幾～いく～iku～

several ~

突っ込むつっこむtsukkomu

to plunge into, to thrust into

言い出すいいだすiidasu

to suggest, to come out with (something)

致命的ちめいてきchimeiteki

fatal

口調くちょうkuchou

tone (of voice), way of speaking

to turn (something) face down

to happen one after another

to discover (formal), to find

極めるきわめるkiwameru

to master (completely), to reach the limit of

衝動しょうどうshoudou

impulse, urge

寸前すんぜんsunzen

on the verge of, just before

customers (of a business), clientele

遂行すいこうsuikou

carrying out (a task or duty), execution

declaration, stating (one's position)

遺言ゆいごんyuigon

will (testament), last words

抜群ばつぐんbatsugun

exceptional, second to none

着実ちゃくじつchakujitsu

steady, sure

大国たいこくtaikoku

major power, large country

些細ささいsasai

trivial, minor

正すただすtadasu

to correct, to put right

mention, reference (to something)

薄れるうすれるusureru

to fade, to grow faint

弾丸だんがんdangan

projectile, bullet (formal)

躊躇ちゅうちょchuucho

hesitation

没頭ぼっとうbottou

immersing oneself (in something)

道理どうりdouri

sense (what is reasonable), reason

告発こくはつkokuhatsu

accusation, reporting (to the authorities)

言い分いいぶんiibun

one's side of the story, one's say

case (example), precedent

death in battle, killed in action

著作ちょさくchosaku

written work, literary work

release (from custody)

宣告せんこくsenkoku

verdict, pronouncement

true meaning, true motive

姑しゅうとめshuutome

mother-in-law (husband's mother)

当惑とうわくtouwaku

puzzlement, being at a loss

殺到さっとうsattou

rush, flood (of people or orders)

暴力団ぼうりょくだんbouryokudan

crime syndicate, yakuza

寛大かんだいkandai

tolerant, lenient

落胆らくたんrakutan

discouragement, dejection

在宅ざいたくzaitaku

being at home

気がかりきがかりkigakari

concern, something on one's mind

貴様きさまkisama

you (insulting)

旺盛おうせいousei

full of (energy or appetite), vigorous

頻度ひんどhindo

frequency

選出せんしゅつsenshutsu

being elected (to a post), being chosen

fascination, captivation

継承けいしょうkeishou

succession, inheritance (of a title or tradition)

obedience, submission

見当たるみあたるmiataru

to be found (usually with negatives)

困惑こんわくkonwaku

bewilderment, perplexity

有用ゆうようyuuyou

useful (formal)

幸さちsachi

bounty (of the sea or land)

処方しょほうshohou

prescription (of medicine)

手持ちてもちtemochi

at hand (money or stock)

稼ぎかせぎkasegi

earnings

心底しんそこshinsoko

from the bottom of one's heart, truly

rejection (of a request or appeal)

本題ほんだいhondai

main topic, the point

感銘かんめいkanmei

deep impression, being impressed

a fix, an awkward situation

好機こうきkouki

good opportunity, golden chance

going to bed (formal)

患うわずらうwazurau

to suffer from (an illness)

to loiter, to hang around

明朝みょうちょうmyouchou

tomorrow morning (formal)

嫌味いやみiyami

snide remark, sarcasm

facing (reality), looking straight at

整頓せいとんseiton

neatness, keeping things tidy

既存きそんkison

existing

拉致らちrachi

abduction, kidnapping

降参こうさんkousan

giving in, admitting defeat

ストライキsutoraiki

strike (industrial action)

従順じゅうじゅんjuujun

obedient, docile

前兆ぜんちょうzenchou

omen, sign (of what's coming)

難なくなんなくnannaku

without difficulty, easily

綴りつづりtsuzuri

spelling

汚職おしょくoshoku

corruption (in office), bribery

人情にんじょうninjou

human kindness, compassion

投函とうかんtoukan

posting (a letter)

排出はいしゅつhaishutsu

emission (of gases), discharge

気難しいきむずかしいkimuzukashii

hard to please, fussy

託すたくすtakusu

to entrust (to someone)

medical records (of a patient)

被災ひさいhisai

being hit by a disaster

being stationed (for work)

陰口かげぐちkageguchi

talking behind someone's back

気前きまえkimae

generosity

つぶるtsuburu

to close (one's eyes)

温厚おんこうonkou

gentle, mild-mannered

無敵むてきmuteki

invincible, unbeatable

straight away, instantly

枠組みわくぐみwakugumi

framework (of a plan or system)

immediate, on the spot

接種せっしゅsesshu

vaccination, inoculation

得体えたいetai

nature, true character

全焼ぜんしょうzenshou

burning to the ground

散髪さんぱつsanpatsu

haircut

うぬぼれるunuboreru

to be conceited, to be full of oneself

重病じゅうびょうjuubyou

serious illness

やたらyatara

excessively, indiscriminately

飲酒運転いんしゅうんてんinshuunten

drink-driving

限定販売げんていはんばいgenteihanbai

limited-edition sale

貸し切りかしきりkashikiri

private hire, reserved (for exclusive use)

核実験かくじっけんkakujikken

nuclear test

残らずのこらずnokorazu

without exception, all

第一弾だいいちだんdaiichidan

first instalment, first in a series

一斉にいっせいにisseini

all at once, simultaneously

取り出すとりだすtoridasu

to take out (of a container), to retrieve

何ともなんともnantomo

quite, extremely

～問～もん～mon

counter for questions

とっくにtokkuni

long ago, ages ago

嫌がるいやがるiyagaru

to be unwilling, to show dislike (of)

存じるぞんじるzonjiru

to know (humble)

不機嫌ふきげんfukigen

in a bad mood, sullen

見上げるみあげるmiageru

to look up at

～所～しょ～sho

office, facility (suffix)

初～しょ～sho～

first ~ (prefix)

捜すさがすsagasu

to search for (someone or something missing)

自らみずからmizukara

personally, for oneself

懸命けんめいkenmei

earnest, 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

and yet, despite that

目指すめざすmezasu

to aim for (a goal), to head for

地面じめんjimen

the ground, earth's surface

振り向くふりむくfurimuku

to turn around, to look back

to withdraw (money), to pull out

迫るせまるsemaru

to close in, to be imminent

斬るきるkiru

to slash (with a sword), to cut down

～ぶり～buri

first time in ~ (suffix)

目立つめだつmedatsu

to stand out, to be conspicuous

やっつけるyattsukeru

to beat (an opponent), to finish off

資料しりょうshiryou

data, reference materials

押さえるおさえるosaeru

to hold down, to press down

努めるつとめるtsutomeru

to strive, to make an effort

呼び出すよびだすyobidasu

to summon, to call (someone) out

狙うねらうnerau

to aim at (a target)

出来上がるできあがるdekiagaru

to be completed, to be ready

浮かべるうかべるukaberu

to float (something), to set afloat

～発はつhatsu

departing from ~ (suffix)

詰まるつまるtsumaru

to be blocked, to be packed

感ずるかんずるkanzuru

to feel (older form)

受話器じゅわきjuwaki

receiver (of a phone)

見慣れるみなれるminareru

to be used to seeing, to be familiar (with)

生意気なまいきnamaiki

cheeky, impertinent

段階だんかいdankai

stage (of a process), phase

見つめるみつめるmitsumeru

to stare at, to gaze at

立ち止まるたちどまるtachidomaru

to stop (walking), to stand still

見直すみなおすminaosu

to reconsider, to review

見下ろすみおろすmiorosu

to look down at

現にげんにgenni

in fact, as a matter of fact

信ずるしんずるshinzuru

to believe (older form)

対策たいさくtaisaku

countermeasure, measures

響くひびくhibiku

to resound, to echo

思い込むおもいこむomoikomu

to be convinced (that), to assume

接するせっするsessuru

to come into contact (with), to deal with (people)

一～ひと～hito～

one ~, a single ~ (prefix)

怪しいあやしいayashii

suspicious, dodgy

～気味～ぎみ～gimi

a touch of ~, slightly ~ (suffix)

どうせdouse

anyway, after all

展開てんかいtenkai

unfolding, turn of events

姿勢しせいshisei

posture

方針ほうしんhoushin

policy, course (of action)

行方ゆくえyukue

whereabouts

登場とうじょうtoujou

appearance, entrance (on stage)

いきなりikinari

all of a sudden, without warning

straightforward, frank

崩れるくずれるkuzureru

to collapse, to crumble

以降いこうikou

from ~ onwards, after

身分みぶんmibun

social standing, rank

surrounding area, vicinity

刻むきざむkizamu

to chop finely, to mince

全力ぜんりょくzenryoku

all one's strength, one's utmost

liberation, setting free

挟むはさむhasamu

to put between, to sandwich

earnestly, sincerely (in requests)

皮膚ひふhifu

skin (medical term)

基礎きそkiso

foundation, groundwork

足るたるtaru

to suffice (literary)

勝負しょうぶshoubu

contest, showdown

引き返すひきかえすhikikaesu

to turn back, to retrace one's steps

追加ついかtsuika

addition, adding (more)

取り入れるとりいれるtoriireru

to adopt (an idea), to take in

drawing up, making (a document or plan)

to vow, to swear (an oath)

転がるころがるkorogaru

to roll, to tumble

発揮はっきhakki

displaying (one's ability), bringing out

to overflow, to be full (of)

敷くしくshiku

to lay out (a futon), to spread out

old ~, used ~ (prefix)

正面しょうめんshoumen

the front (of a building), facade

巡るめぐるmeguru

to go around, to tour

動作どうさdousa

movement (of the body), motion

職人しょくにんshokunin

craftsman, artisan

見抜くみぬくminuku

to see through, to spot

various places, all over (the country)

務めるつとめるtsutomeru

to serve as, to act as (a role)

sense (of someone's presence), hint

初めにはじめにhajimeni

to begin with, at the start

とどまるtodomaru

to stay, to remain

吹き出すふきだすfukidasu

to spurt out, to gush out

上下じょうげjouge

up and down, top and bottom

回転かいてんkaiten

rotation, spinning

回答かいとうkaitou

reply, response (to a question or survey)

率直そっちょくsotchoku

candid, outspoken

本来ほんらいhonrai

originally, by nature

からかうkarakau

to tease, to make fun of

～泊～はく～haku

counter for nights (of a stay)

原稿げんこうgenkou

manuscript, draft

調整ちょうせいchousei

adjustment, coordination

盛るもるmoru

to dish up, to pile up (food)

to knock down, to demolish

警備けいびkeibi

guarding, security (patrols)

怒鳴るどなるdonaru

to shout at, to yell at (in anger)

改めるあらためるaratameru

to revise, to reform

あてはまるatehamaru

to apply (to), to hold true

背負うせおうseou

to carry on one's back, to shoulder (a burden)

姫ひめhime

princess, young noblewoman

汁しるshiru

juice (of fruit), sap

紛れもないまぎれもないmagiremonai

unmistakable, undeniable

ただしtadashi

provided that, except that

付近ふきんfukin

neighbourhood, nearby area

法則ほうそくhousoku

law (of nature or science), rule

可愛がるかわいがるkawaigaru

to dote on, to treat with affection

体制たいせいtaisei

set-up, system (of organisation)

setting aside, be that as it may

item (on a list), heading

強化きょうかkyouka

strengthening, reinforcement

直後ちょくごchokugo

right after, immediately after

in an instant, in no time

発想はっそうhassou

approach, conception

整備せいびseibi

maintenance, servicing

さっさとsassato

promptly, without dawdling

特殊とくしゅtokushu

specialised, unusual

矛盾むじゅんmujun

contradiction, inconsistency

液体えきたいekitai

liquid

出迎えるでむかえるdemukaeru

to go and meet (someone arriving), to greet

弟子でしdeshi

disciple, apprentice

ぜひともzehitomo

by all means, at all costs

designation, specifying

通ずるつうずるtsuuzuru

to lead to, to get through (older form)

高度こうどkoudo

altitude, elevation

成立せいりつseiritsu

coming into being, establishment

国王こくおうkokuou

the king (of a country), sovereign

命ずるめいずるmeizuru

to order (older form), to appoint

役目やくめyakume

role, function

よこすyokosu

to send (to me), to hand over

先端せんたんsentan

tip, pointed end

荒れるあれるareru

to be stormy, to be rough

削るけずるkezuru

to sharpen (a pencil), to whittle

芯しんshin

lead (of a pencil), wick

お任せおまかせomakase

leaving it to someone else

儀式ぎしきgishiki

ritual, rite

水面すいめんsuimen

the surface of the water

皮肉ひにくhiniku

irony, cynicism

夫妻ふさいfusai

husband and wife, Mr and Mrs

一流いちりゅうichiryuu

top-class, leading

地点ちてんchiten

spot, location (on a map)

あくびakubi

yawn

襖ふすまfusuma

sliding door (fusuma)

無限むげんmugen

infinite, limitless

低下ていかteika

drop (in level), deterioration

防～ぼう～bou～

anti-~, ~-proof (prefix)

幼児ようじyouji

toddler, young child

～付き～つき～tsuki

with ~, including ~ (suffix)

通路つうろtsuuro

aisle, passage

こらえるkoraeru

to hold back (tears or laughter), to bear

通用つうようtsuuyou

being accepted, working (of an excuse)

探るさぐるsaguru

to feel around for, to probe

整うととのうtotonou

to be in order, to be arranged

商店しょうてんshouten

store, shop (small business)

捕るとるtoru

to catch (an animal or fish)

慰めるなぐさめるnagusameru

to comfort, to console

性能せいのうseinou

performance (of a machine), capability

明治めいじmeiji

Meiji era (1868-1912)

中間ちゅうかんchuukan

midway, intermediate

妨げるさまたげるsamatageru

to obstruct, to hinder

分類ぶんるいbunrui

classification, sorting

かえってkaette

on the contrary, instead

近寄るちかよるchikayoru

to go up to, to come closer

神話しんわshinwa

myth, mythology

防止ぼうしboushi

preventing, stopping (something happening)

いちいちichiichi

one by one, every single (thing)

角度かくどkakudo

angle

群れむれmure

group (of animals), swarm

憧れるあこがれるakogareru

to long for, to admire (and want to be like)

あきれるakireru

to be appalled, to be fed up

申請しんせいshinsei

application (for a permit or visa)

交差こうさkousa

crossing, intersection

～車～しゃ～sha

vehicle, ~ car (suffix)

～者～しゃ～sha

-er, person who ~ (suffix)

～社～しゃ～sha

company (suffix), counter for companies

生存せいぞんseizon

survival, being alive

直前ちょくぜんchokuzen

just before, right before

交代こうたいkoutai

taking turns, swapping (over)

乱暴らんぼうranbou

violent, rough

箇所かしょkasho

place, spot (part of something)

通知つうちtsuuchi

notification

役者やくしゃyakusha

actor (esp. on stage)

先頭せんとうsentou

the front (of a line), the lead

countless, innumerable

森林しんりんshinrin

forest, woodland

普及ふきゅうfukyuu

spread, popularisation

生ずるしょうずるshouzuru

to arise (older form)

過剰かじょうkajou

excessive, excess

取り消すとりけすtorikesu

to cancel, to take back (words)

天皇てんのうtennou

the Emperor (of Japan)

知人ちじんchijin

acquaintance (formal)

寿命じゅみょうjumyou

lifespan

対立たいりつtairitsu

confrontation, conflict

大してたいしてtaishite

not very, not much (with a negative)

相違そういsoui

discrepancy, difference

to double as, to combine

commentary, explanation

教養きょうようkyouyou

cultivation, being well-educated

双方そうほうsouhou

both sides, both parties

面積めんせきmenseki

area (size), floor space

連合れんごうrengou

alliance, coalition

儲けるもうけるmoukeru

to make a profit, to make money

あれこれarekore

this and that, one thing or another

当日とうじつtoujitsu

the day (itself), on the day

解散かいさんkaisan

breaking up, dissolution

素人しろうとshirouto

amateur, layman

集会しゅうかいshuukai

rally, assembly (meeting)

反映はんえいhan'ei

reflection (of something), influence

Metropolitan Police Department (Tokyo)

術じゅつjutsu

technique, art

チラリchirari

with a glance, fleetingly

将軍しょうぐんshougun

shogun, general (military)

帝国ていこくteikoku

empire

お供おともotomo

going with someone (polite), companion

沢さわsawa

mountain stream, marsh

民衆みんしゅうminshuu

the masses, the general public

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)

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.