Adjectives & Descriptions

Introduction

At N2, descriptive Japanese becomes sharper, denser, and more evaluative. These adjectives help you move beyond simple impressions into distinctions about degree, suitability, texture, tone, and social judgement.

They are essential for reading editorials, literary prose, and mature spoken Japanese where small descriptive choices carry a lot of meaning.

Themes

All JLPT N2 Vocabulary in This Chapter (412)

1. 相次いで あいついで One after the other; successively; in rapid succession.
2. 合間 あいま Interval; break; pause between activities. A spare moment in the midst of doing something.
3. 敢えて あえて Purposely; daringly; deliberately. Doing something despite it seeming unnecessary or counterproductive.
4. 悪質 あくしつ Malicious; vicious; underhanded. Describes something bad in nature or quality.
5. あくせく あくせく Busily; sedulously; feverishly. Fussing over things in a restless, driven manner.
6. 鮮やか あざやか Vivid; bright; brilliant; vibrant. Describes colours, skills, or impressions that are strikingly clear.
7. 悪しからず あしからず Please don't take it badly; don't get me wrong. A polite way to soften a refusal or negative statement.
8. 味気ない あじけない Dull; bland; insipid; dreary. Lacking interest, charm, or enjoyment.
9. 足元にも及ばない あしもとにもおよばない To be no match for; to not hold a candle to. Expressing that one is far inferior to another.
10. 味わい あじわい Flavour; taste; the subtle charm or character of something.
11. あたふた あたふた In a hurry; hurriedly; in a panic. Rushing about in a flustered, confused manner.
12. 後を絶たない あとをたたない Never ceasing; never ending; endless. Used for ongoing negative phenomena that continue without stopping.
13. あべこべ あべこべ Contrary; opposite; reverse; back-to-front. When things are the wrong way round.
14. 危うく あやうく Barely; narrowly; nearly. Indicating that something dangerous or undesirable was just avoided.
15. 怪しい あやしい Suspicious; dubious; questionable; shady. Also means unreliable or uncertain.
16. 予め あらかじめ Beforehand; in advance; ahead of time. Doing something as preparation before an event.
17. アルカリ性 アルカリせい Alkalinity; alkaline nature. The chemical property of being alkaline (having a pH above 7).
18. 淡い あわい Light; faint; pale; fleeting. Describes delicate colours, faint sensations, or ephemeral feelings.
19. 案の定 あんのじょう As expected; just as one thought; sure enough. Confirming that a prediction was correct.
20. いい加減 いいかげん Irresponsible; sloppy; half-hearted. Also means 'enough already' or 'moderate.'
21. 幾度となく いくどとなく On countless occasions; innumerable times; time and again.
22. いざ いざ Now; come on; well then. Used when facing a decisive moment or urging action.
23. 潔い いさぎよい Gracious; honourable; sportsmanlike. Accepting defeat or consequences with dignity.
24. 些か いささか A little; somewhat; slightly; rather. A literary way to say 'a bit.'
25. 異性 いせい The opposite sex. A person of a different gender from oneself.
26. いそいそ いそいそ Cheerfully; joyfully; eagerly. Describes someone acting with visible excitement or happy anticipation.
27. 至って いたって Very much; exceedingly; extremely. Emphasises that something is to a high degree.
28. 至る所 いたるところ Everywhere; all over; throughout. Indicates something is found in every place.
29. 一概に いちがいに Unconditionally; sweepingly; as a rule. Used to caution against overgeneralisation.
30. 著しい いちじるしい Striking; remarkable; considerable. Describes a noticeably large degree of change or difference.
31. 一様 いちよう Uniform; equal; even; identical. Describes things being the same without variation.
32. 一律 いちりつ Uniform; even; across-the-board; equal. Applied without exception or distinction.
33. 一連 いちれん A series; a chain; a sequence. Refers to a connected set of events or actions.
34. 一挙に いっきょに At a stroke; with a single swoop; all at once. Describes accomplishing something in one decisive action.
35. 一心 いっしん One mind; wholeheartedness; single-minded devotion. Total concentration on one thing.
36. 一斉 いっせい Simultaneous; all at once; in concert. Describes many things happening at the same time.
37. 一斉に いっせいに Simultaneously; all at once; in unison. The adverbial form emphasising synchronised action.
38. 一手に いってに Single-handedly; alone. Taking on something entirely by oneself.
39. 意図的 いとてき Intentional; deliberate; on purpose. Done with a specific aim in mind.
40. 違法 いほう Illegal; illicit; unlawful. Contrary to established law.
41. 今更 いまさら Now (when it is already too late); at this stage; at this point. Implies the timing is inappropriate.
42. 卑しい いやしい Lowborn; humble; lowly. Also: greedy, vulgar, or base in character.
43. 嫌味 いやみ Sarcasm; snide remark; nastiness. Also: disagreeableness or unpleasantness of manner.
44. 嫌らしい いやらしい Unpleasant; disagreeable; nasty. Also carries connotations of being lewd or indecent.
45. 陰気 いんき Gloomy; dismal; melancholy. Describes a dark, depressing atmosphere or temperament.
46. 疑わしい うたがわしい Doubtful; questionable; suspicious. Something that invites scepticism or distrust.
47. エリート エリート Elite; a person of superior ability or status. Often refers to top graduates or high-achieving professionals.
48. 円滑 えんかつ Smooth; harmonious; without friction. Describes processes or relationships running well.
49. 沿線 えんせん Along a railway line or bus route. The areas and places located beside a transit line.
50. 円満 えんまん Harmonious; peaceful; amicable; smooth. Describes relationships or situations free from conflict.
51. 横柄 おうへい Arrogant; haughty; insolent. Describes an overbearing attitude toward others.
52. 大方 おおかた Large part; greater part; majority. Also used adverbially to mean 'mostly' or 'probably'.
53. 大手 おおて Major company; big company; large-scale enterprise. Also refers to the main gate of a castle.
54. 大まか おおまか Rough; broad; general; approximate. Describes something done without fine detail.
55. 概ね おおむね In general; generally; mostly; roughly; largely; on the whole. Indicates approximate completeness.
56. おおよそ おおよそ About; roughly; approximately. Used to give an estimate or general idea of quantity, time, or degree.
57. おおらか おおらか Placid; composed; serene; calm; generous in spirit. Describes someone with a relaxed, broad-minded nature.
58. 臆病 おくびょう Cowardly; timid; easily frightened. Describes someone who lacks courage or is overly fearful.
59. 厳か おごそか Solemn; austere; dignified; majestic; stately. Describes an atmosphere of gravity and reverence.
60. 追って おって Later on; shortly; presently; in due course. Indicates that something will follow at a later time.
61. 夥しい おびただしい Innumerable; vast; immense; enormous in number or quantity. Emphasises an overwhelming amount.
62. 折り返し おりかえし By return; without delay; right back. Used especially for returning calls, emails, or replies promptly.
63. 疎か おろそか Negligent; neglectful; careless; remiss. Describes failing to give proper attention to something.
64. 温厚 おんこう Gentle; mild-mannered; warm and generous in character. Describes a person of steady, kind temperament.
65. 外来 がいらい Foreign; imported; from outside. Also refers to outpatient care at a hospital.
66. 下記 かき The following; what is written below. Used to refer readers to information that appears later in the text.
67. 各種 かくしゅ Every kind; all sorts; various types. Used to indicate a wide range of categories or varieties.
68. 傍ら かたわら Side; beside; nearby. Also means 'while doing something else' when used with verbs.
69. 勝ち気 かちき Determined; spirited; competitive; strong-willed. Describes someone who refuses to lose or yield.
70. 画期的 かっきてき Ground-breaking; revolutionary; epoch-making; unprecedented. Describes something that marks a major turning point.
71. がっくり がっくり Heartbroken; crestfallen; dejected. Describes the feeling of sudden disappointment or loss of energy.
72. 確固 かっこ Firm; unshakeable; resolute; steadfast. Describes something that cannot be moved or changed.
73. かねがね かねがね For some time now; since long ago; already; as one has always said or felt.
74. 過労 かろう Overwork; strain; exhaustion from excessive work. A serious social issue in Japan.
75. 代わる代わる かわるがわる Alternately; by turns; one after another. Describes people or things taking turns in succession.
76. 頑丈 がんじょう Solid; sturdy; strong; stout. Describes something physically tough and durable.
77. 肝心 かんじん Essential; crucial; vital; the most important point of something.
78. 寛大 かんだい Tolerant; generous; lenient; broad-minded. Having a magnanimous disposition.
79. 寛容 かんよう Tolerance; open-mindedness; forbearance. The quality of accepting differences without hostility.
80. 元来 がんらい Originally; essentially; by nature. Indicates something is true from the very beginning or by inherent nature.
81. 気が置けない きがおけない Easy to get along with; feeling at ease around someone. No need for formality or reserve.
82. 気さく きさく Friendly; approachable; frank; easygoing. Describes someone open and sociable in manner.
83. 偽造 ぎぞう Forgery; counterfeiting; fabrication. The act of creating a fraudulent imitation.
84. 几帳面 きちょうめん Methodical; meticulous; precise; punctual. Describes someone who is very careful and orderly.
85. 危篤 きとく Critical condition; being on the verge of death. A grave medical state with little hope of recovery.
86. 気まま きまま Willful; selfish; doing as one pleases. Acting on one's own whims without considering others.
87. きまりが悪い きまりがわるい Embarrassed; ashamed; feeling awkward. A sense of social discomfort or sheepishness.
88. 気味が悪い きみがわるい Creepy; eerie; unsettling. A feeling of unease caused by something strange or frightening.
89. 虐待 ぎゃくたい Abuse; maltreatment; cruelty. Deliberately causing suffering to those who are vulnerable.
90. 急遽 きゅうきょ Hurriedly; in a rush; at short notice. Doing something suddenly because of unexpected circumstances.
91. 窮屈 きゅうくつ Tight; cramped; narrow. Also describes a stiff, uncomfortable social atmosphere.
92. 救命 きゅうめい Lifesaving; rescue. The act of saving a person's life in an emergency.
93. 狂気 きょうき Madness; insanity; lunacy. A state of mental derangement or extreme irrationality.
94. 強制的 きょうせいてき Compulsory; forced; coercive. Imposed by authority or power rather than by choice.
95. 切りがいい きりがいい A good place to stop; a convenient breaking point. Describes a natural stopping point in work or conversation.
96. 疑惑 ぎわく Doubt; suspicion; misgivings. A feeling of distrust, especially regarding wrongdoing.
97. 均一 きんいつ Uniform; equal; even. Having the same quality, size, or value throughout.
98. 緊急 きんきゅう Urgency; emergency. A situation requiring immediate action or attention.
99. 近年 きんねん Recent years; in recent years. A span of the last few years up to the present.
100. 勤勉 きんべん Diligent; industrious; hard-working. Applying oneself earnestly and consistently to work or study.
101. くすくす くすくす Chuckling; giggling softly. An onomatopoeia describing quiet, suppressed laughter.
102. ぐずぐず ぐずぐず Dawdling; dilly-dallying; being slow and indecisive. Also describes a lingering, unresolved state.
103. くたくた くたくた Exhausted; dead tired; worn out. Also describes something limp or overcooked.
104. 屈辱的 くつじょくてき Humiliating; degrading. Describes an experience or situation that causes deep shame or disgrace.
105. 軽率 けいそつ Rash; careless; thoughtless. Acting without sufficient consideration of consequences.
106. 汚らわしい けがらわしい Filthy; disgusting; repulsive. Describes something morally or physically foul and detestable.
107. 劇的 げきてき Dramatic; exciting; sensational. Describes something strikingly impressive or emotionally moving.
108. げっそり げっそり Looking gaunt or haggard; losing weight noticeably. Also feeling deeply disheartened or disappointed.
109. 懸案 けんあん Pending question; unresolved problem. An issue that has been carried over without resolution.
110. 現役 げんえき Active duty; active service. Also refers to someone currently working or competing, not yet retired.
111. 厳格 げんかく Strict; severe; stern. Describes a person or system that enforces rules rigidly and allows no leniency.
112. 謙虚 けんきょ Modest; humble. Having or showing a low estimate of one's own importance.
113. 現行 げんこう Present; current; in operation. Refers to laws, systems, or practices currently in effect.
114. 堅実 けんじつ Steady; sound; solid; reliable. Describes a person or approach that is dependable and avoids unnecessary risk.
115. 顕著 けんちょ Remarkable; striking; obvious. Describes something that stands out prominently and cannot be overlooked.
116. 厳密 げんみつ Strict; precise; scrupulous. Describes an approach that leaves no room for error or ambiguity.
117. 賢明 けんめい Wise; sensible; prudent. Describes a decision or person characterised by good judgment.
118. 兼用 けんよう Multi-use; dual-purpose; combination. Using one thing for two or more functions.
119. 権力 けんりょく Political power; authority; influence. The ability to control or direct others, especially in governance.
120. 交互に こうごに Alternately; by turns; one after the other. Taking turns in a back-and-forth pattern.
121. 公然 こうぜん Open; public; overt. Done or stated openly without concealment.
122. 高タンパク こうたんぱく High-protein. Describing food or a diet that contains a large amount of protein.
123. 口頭 こうとう Oral; verbal; spoken. Communication delivered by speech rather than in writing.
124. 購読 こうどく Subscribing to; buying and reading. Taking a regular subscription to a newspaper, magazine, or publication.
125. 後任 こうにん Successor; replacement. A person who takes over a position or role from someone else.
126. 香ばしい こうばしい Aromatic; fragrant; savoury-smelling. Describes the pleasant smell of roasted or grilled food.
127. 好評 こうひょう Favourable reception; good reputation; popularity. Describes something that is well-received or highly regarded.
128. 後方 こうほう Rear; back; behind. Refers to the area or direction behind something.
129. 傲慢 ごうまん Haughty; arrogant; insolent. Describes an overbearing attitude of superiority toward others.
130. 巧妙 こうみょう Ingenious; skilful; clever; deft. Describes something done with remarkable skill or cunning.
131. 恒例 こうれい Established practice; custom; annual tradition. Something done regularly as a fixed routine.
132. 顧客 こきゃく Customer; client; patron. A formal term for a person who buys goods or services.
133. 心地よい ここちよい Comfortable; pleasant. Describes a feeling of physical or emotional ease and satisfaction.
134. 心残り こころのこり Regret; reluctance to leave something behind. A lingering feeling of sadness about something unfinished or lost.
135. 心細い こころぼそい Helpless; forlorn; lonely; anxious. Describes a feeling of insecurity or vulnerability when lacking support.
136. 快い こころよい Pleasant; agreeable; comfortable; refreshing. Describes a feeling of genuine satisfaction or agreeableness.
137. 孤児 こじ Orphan. A child who has lost both parents or has been abandoned.
138. 腰が低い こしがひくい Humble; modest; unassuming. Describes a person who behaves respectfully without arrogance.
139. 個性的 こせいてき Individual; distinctive; unique; idiosyncratic. Describes someone or something with a strong personal character.
140. コツコツ コツコツ Steadily; diligently; persistently. Describes working hard in a patient, unflagging manner.
141. こっそり こっそり Stealthily; secretly; in secret. Describes doing something quietly so as not to be noticed.
142. こってり こってり Thickly; heavily; richly. Describes food with a strong, rich flavour or thick, heavy seasoning.
143. 悉く ことごとく Altogether; entirely; without exception. Emphasises that every single instance follows the same pattern.
144. 好ましい このましい Nice; likeable; desirable; preferable. Describes something that is viewed favourably or considered ideal.
145. 昆虫 こんちゅう Insect; bug. The general scientific and everyday term for insects.
146. 根本的 こんぽんてき Fundamental; basic; essential. Describes something at the root or core of a matter.
147. 最適 さいてき Most suitable; optimal; best. Describes the ideal or most appropriate choice for a given situation.
148. 先ごろ さきごろ Recently; the other day. Refers to something that happened in the recent past.
149. 先に さきに Previously; before; earlier; first. Indicates temporal or sequential priority.
150. 雑 ざつ Rough; crude; sloppy; messy. Describes work or behaviour that lacks care and precision.
151. 雑多 ざった Miscellaneous; mixed; a jumble of various things without clear organisation.
152. さほど さほど (Not) so much; (not) particularly; (not) very. Used with negative forms to indicate something is less than expected.
153. 残酷 ざんこく Cruel; brutal; ruthless; merciless. Describes extreme heartlessness or inhumane treatment.
154. 仕事柄 しごとがら Due to the nature of one's work; because of one's profession.
155. 始終 しじゅう Continuously; constantly; all the time; from beginning to end.
156. 次第に しだいに Gradually; by degrees; little by little; bit by bit.
157. 実証 じっしょう Demonstration; verification; substantiation; actual proof through evidence or experimentation.
158. 実践的 じっせんてき Practical; pragmatic; hands-on. Focused on real-world application rather than theory.
159. 質素 しっそ Simple; plain; modest; frugal. Describes an unpretentious lifestyle or appearance.
160. 十中八九 じっちゅうはっく In all probability; almost certainly; eight or nine times out of ten.
161. 実直 じっちょく Honest; upright; sincere; steady. Describes a person of straightforward and reliable character.
162. しばし しばし For a short while; for a brief moment; briefly. A literary word for a brief period of time.
163. 資本主義 しほんしゅぎ Capitalism. An economic system based on private ownership and free-market competition.
164. 地道 じみち Steady; diligent; honest; down-to-earth. Describes a reliable, unpretentious approach.
165. 自明 じめい Self-evident; obvious; axiomatic. Something that needs no proof or explanation.
166. 社会主義 しゃかいしゅぎ Socialism. A political and economic system advocating collective ownership and social equality.
167. 醜悪 しゅうあく Ugly; hideous; repulsive; disgraceful. Describes extreme ugliness in appearance or character.
168. 柔軟 じゅうなん Flexible; supple; adaptable; soft and pliable.
169. 従来 じゅうらい Conventional; traditional; up to now; so far. Refers to how things have been done previously.
170. 主体的 しゅたいてき Proactive; autonomous; self-directed; taking the initiative independently.
171. 受動的 じゅどうてき Passive; reactive; lacking initiative. Acting only in response to external stimuli.
172. 守備 しゅび Defence; guarding. Protecting against attack, especially in sports or military contexts.
173. 主役 しゅやく Leading role; protagonist; star of the show. The main character or central figure.
174. 旬 しゅん In season; peak season. The best time of year for particular foods, or the prime period for something.
175. 純国産 じゅんこくさん Entirely domestically produced; 100% made in the country. Emphasises purely local production.
176. 省エネルギー しょうエネルギー Energy conservation; energy-saving. Refers to the practice of reducing energy consumption through efficient use.
177. 常時 じょうじ Usually; ordinarily; always; at all times. Indicates a continuous or habitual state.
178. 象徴的 しょうちょうてき Symbolic; symbolical. Describing something that represents or embodies a larger idea or concept.
179. 情緒的 じょうちょてき Emotional; sentimental. Relating to or appealing to the emotions rather than logic or reason.
180. 譲歩 じょうほ Concession; compromise; yielding ground. The act of giving way on a point in negotiation or discussion.
181. 上流階級 じょうりゅうかいきゅう Upper class; upper echelons of society; the elite. Refers to the highest social or economic stratum.
182. 常連 じょうれん Regular customer; regular patron; frequenter. A person who visits a place habitually.
183. 初期 しょき Early days; early stages; initial period; beginning phase of something.
184. しょっちゅう しょっちゅう Always; all the time; constantly; frequently. Emphasises habitual repetition, often with a nuance of excess.
185. 所定 しょてい Prescribed; designated; appointed; fixed. Referring to something officially decided or established in advance.
186. 四六時中 しろくじちゅう Around the clock; day and night; all the time; twenty-four hours a day.
187. 真摯 しんし Sincere; earnest; serious. Describing a deeply genuine and wholehearted attitude or approach.
188. 新卒 しんそつ New graduate; recent graduate. A person who has just graduated or is about to graduate from school.
189. 親密 しんみつ Intimate; close; friendly. Describing a deep, warm relationship between people.
190. 随時 ずいじ Whenever necessary; as needed; as required; at any time. Indicates flexibility in timing.
191. 崇高 すうこう Lofty; sublime; noble. Describing something elevated and inspiring in a moral or spiritual sense.
192. 凄まじい すさまじい Terrible; dreadful; tremendous; fierce. Describing something of overwhelming intensity, either negatively or impressively.
193. 杜撰 ずさん Careless; sloppy; faulty. Describing work or management done without proper care or attention.
194. 筋がいい すじがいい Having an aptitude for something; having natural talent; showing good form or instinct.
195. スラスラ すらすら Smoothly; fluently; effortlessly. Describing an action performed without hesitation or difficulty.
196. 税込み ぜいこみ Including tax; tax-included. Used for prices that already have consumption tax factored in.
197. 正常 せいじょう Normal; regular; in proper working order. Describing a state that is functioning as expected.
198. 税抜き ぜいぬき Tax excluded; excluding tax; before tax. Used for prices that do not include consumption tax.
199. 正方形 せいほうけい Square; a four-sided figure with equal sides and right angles.
200. 精密 せいみつ Precise; exact; detailed; accurate. Describing something made or done with meticulous care and accuracy.
201. せっかち せっかち Hasty; impatient; restless. Describes a person who cannot wait and rushes through things.
202. 絶好 ぜっこう Best; ideal; perfect. Used to describe the most favourable conditions or opportunities.
203. 切実 せつじつ Earnest; acute; keenly felt. Describes something deeply pressing or urgently important.
204. 絶大 ぜつだい Tremendous; immense; enormous. Describes an extremely large degree of power, influence, or support.
205. 切ない せつない Painful; heartrending; bittersweet. A deep emotional ache, often from longing or sadness.
206. 繊細 せんさい Delicate; sensitive; fine. Describes something exquisitely detailed or a person who is emotionally sensitive.
207. 前述 ぜんじゅつ Aforementioned; above-mentioned. Refers back to something previously stated in writing or speech.
208. 先だって せんだって The other day; some time ago; recently. A somewhat formal way to refer to a recent past event.
209. 先端技術 せんたんぎじゅつ High technology; cutting-edge technology; advanced technology.
210. 前方 ぜんぽう Ahead; forward; the front. Refers to the direction or area in front of something.
211. 鮮明 せんめい Vivid; clear; distinct. Describes something strikingly clear and easy to perceive.
212. 専用 せんよう Exclusive use; dedicated; private. For one specific person, purpose, or function only.
213. 善良 ぜんりょう Good-natured; virtuous; honest. Describes a person of genuinely good moral character.
214. 粗悪 そあく Coarse; crude; inferior. Describes poor quality, especially of products or materials.
215. 総合的 そうごうてき Comprehensive; all-round; overall. Taking everything into account as a whole.
216. 壮大 そうだい Magnificent; grand; majestic. Describes something impressively large in scale or vision.
217. 相対的 そうたいてき Relative; comparative. Viewed in relation to something else rather than in absolute terms.
218. 疎遠 そえん Estranged; distant; out of touch. Describes a relationship where contact has been neglected.
219. 即座に そくざに Immediately; right away; on the spot. Without any delay or hesitation.
220. そこそこ そこそこ Reasonably; fairly; moderately. Not great but not bad — a passable or decent level.
221. 粗雑 そざつ Coarse; rough; crude. Describes careless, sloppy workmanship or behaviour.
222. そそくさ そそくさ Hurriedly; hastily; in a rush. Leaving or doing something quickly, often to avoid an awkward situation.
223. 素っ気ない そっけない Cold; curt; blunt. Showing no warmth, interest, or friendliness in one's manner.
224. 即刻 そっこく Immediately; at once; without delay. A firm, often authoritative demand for instant action.
225. 素朴 そぼく Simple; artless; naive; unsophisticated. Having a natural, unadorned quality.
226. そもそも そもそも In the first place; to begin with; originally. Used to question or revisit the fundamental premise of a matter.
227. それとなく それとなく Indirectly; obliquely; in a roundabout way; casually hinting at something without being explicit.
228. ぞろぞろ ぞろぞろ In a crowd; in droves; in a stream; one after another in succession.
229. 対照的 たいしょうてき Contrastive; forming a stark contrast. Describes two things that differ markedly from each other.
230. 大胆 だいたん Bold; daring; audacious. Describes someone or something fearlessly courageous or strikingly unconventional.
231. 対等 たいとう Equal; on equal footing; on equal terms. Describes a relationship where both sides hold the same status or power.
232. 怠慢 たいまん Negligence; neglect; carelessness. A failure to fulfil duties or responsibilities through laziness or inattention.
233. 高々 たかだか At most; at best; no more than. Also: very high; high up; aloft.
234. 逞しい たくましい Sturdy; robust; burly; strong. Describes physical strength, mental resilience, or vigorous growth.
235. 巧み たくみ Skilful; adroit; masterful; ingenious. Describes impressive skill or cleverness in execution.
236. 多彩 たさい Colourful; multicoloured; varied; diverse. Describes richness in colour or variety.
237. だぶだぶ だぶだぶ Loose; baggy; oversized. Describes clothing that is too large, or liquid sloshing about.
238. だらだら だらだら Lazily; sluggishly; aimlessly. Also: dripping; trickling in drops.
239. 短期 たんき Short-term; short period. Describes something lasting or planned for a brief duration.
240. 単純明快 たんじゅんめいかい Simple and clear; plain and straightforward. Describes something easy to understand with no ambiguity.
241. 男女兼用 だんじょけんよう Unisex; for use by both men and women. Describes products, facilities, or items shared across genders.
242. 断然 だんぜん By far; absolutely; definitely; decisively. Emphatically states that something surpasses all alternatives.
243. 断トツ だんトツ Far and away the best; by a commanding lead; head and shoulders above the rest.
244. 淡白 たんぱく Light; plain; simple in flavour or character. Also: indifferent; detached in personality.
245. 知性的 ちせいてき Intellectual; showing intelligence and refined thinking. Describes an impression of cultivated intellect.
246. 知的 ちてき Intellectual; relating to intellect or knowledge. Describes things pertaining to the mind and learning.
247. 緻密 ちみつ Meticulous; fine; elaborate; intricate. Describes extremely detailed and careful work or planning.
248. 中産階級 ちゅうさんかいきゅう Middle class; bourgeoisie. The social class between the wealthy and the working class.
249. 忠実 ちゅうじつ Faithful; devoted; loyal; true to the original. Describes unwavering commitment or accurate reproduction.
250. 直前 ちょくぜん Just before; immediately prior to. The moment right before something happens.
251. 著名 ちょめい Famous; noted; eminent. Describes someone widely known for their accomplishments or status.
252. つい つい Just (now); inadvertently; unintentionally. Indicates something done without thinking or happening moments ago.
253. つかの間 つかのま A brief moment; a fleeting instant. Describes something lasting only a very short time.
254. つくづく つくづく Deeply; keenly; thoroughly. Expresses doing something with deep feeling or realising something profoundly.
255. 拙い つたない Poor-quality; unskillful; clumsy. Describes something lacking in skill or refinement.
256. 謹んで つつしんで Respectfully; humbly; reverently. A highly formal expression showing deep respect.
257. 努めて つとめて As much as possible; to the best of one's ability; with effort. Expresses making a deliberate effort.
258. 手がつけられない てがつけられない Out of control; unmanageable; beyond help. Describes a situation where nothing can be done.
259. 的確 てきかく Accurate; precise; apt. Describes something that hits the mark exactly.
260. 適宜 てきぎ As appropriate; as one sees fit; suitably. Indicates acting according to the circumstances.
261. 適正 てきせい Reasonable; fair; proper. Describes something that is appropriately set or suitably balanced.
262. てくてく てくてく Trudging along; walking steadily for a long distance. Describes plodding, persistent walking.
263. てっきり てっきり Surely; certainly; without a doubt. Expresses a firm belief that turns out to be wrong.
264. 手回し てまわし Turning by hand; making preparations in advance. Describes hand-operated devices or advance arrangements.
265. 手元 てもと At hand; close by; nearby. Refers to the area within arm's reach or things in one's possession.
266. 同性 どうせい Same sex; same gender. Used to describe people of the same biological sex or gender.
267. 時折 ときおり Sometimes; occasionally; from time to time. Indicates something happening at intervals.
268. ドキッと ドキッと With a start; being startled; getting a shock. Describes a sudden, heart-pounding surprise.
269. 匿名 とくめい Anonymity; anonymous. The state of having one's identity concealed.
270. 所々 ところどころ Here and there; in places; in spots. Describes something occurring at various scattered locations.
271. 突如 とつじょ Suddenly; all of a sudden; out of the blue. Describes an abrupt, unexpected occurrence.
272. 乏しい とぼしい Scarce; lacking; meagre. Describes an insufficient amount of something.
273. 共稼ぎ ともかせぎ Dual income; both spouses working. Describes a household where husband and wife both earn money.
274. 共働き ともばたらき Both spouses working; dual income. The most common term for a two-income household.
275. 取り分け とりわけ Especially; particularly; above all. Emphasises one thing among several.
276. 取るに足らない とるにたらない Insignificant; inconsequential; trifling; not worth considering.
277. 鈍感 どんかん Insensitive; thickheaded; dull; thick-skinned. Lacking sensitivity to others' feelings or situations.
278. 内緒 ないしょ Secret; confidential; private. Something kept hidden from others.
279. 内心 ないしん Inner thoughts; true feelings; inmost heart. What one really thinks but doesn't express.
280. 内部 ないぶ Interior; inside; internal. The inner part of an organisation, structure, or system.
281. 内陸 ないりく Inland; interior of a landmass. Areas away from the coast.
282. 長らく ながらく For a long time; long. Emphasises the extended duration of a state or action.
283. 情けない なさけない Miserable; pitiable; shameful; deplorable; pathetic.
284. 情け深い なさけぶかい Tender-hearted; compassionate; charitable; good-hearted.
285. 名高い なだかい Famous; renowned; celebrated; well-known; noted.
286. 何が何でも なにがなんでも By all means; at all costs; no matter what; come what may.
287. 何卒 なにとぞ Please; kindly; I beg of you. A very polite way to make a request.
288. 何分 なにぶん Some; somewhat; after all; as you know. Used to ask for understanding given circumstances.
289. 何もかも なにもかも Anything and everything; just about everything; all without exception.
290. 悩ましい なやましい Seductive; enchanting; sensually alluring. Also: vexing; troublesome; agonising.
291. 馴れ馴れしい なれなれしい Overly familiar; too friendly; presumptuous; cheeky; forward.
292. 難解 なんかい Difficult to understand; unintelligible; abstruse; hard to comprehend.
293. 何だかんだ なんだかんだ Something or other; one thing or another; this and that; when all is said and done.
294. 何でもかんでも なんでもかんでも All sorts of things; anything and everything; indiscriminately.
295. 何なり なんなり Anything; whatever; anything at all. Used when offering to help with whatever is needed.
296. 日夜 にちや Day and night; around the clock; always; constantly; ceaselessly.
297. 任意 にんい Optional; voluntary; arbitrary; discretionary; at one's discretion.
298. 念願 ねんがん One's heart's desire; dearest wish; long-cherished dream.
299. 濃厚 のうこう Rich; thick; dense; strong; heavy. Describing intense flavour, colour, or concentration.
300. 能動的 のうどうてき Active; proactive. Acting on one's own initiative rather than passively.
301. 軒並み のきなみ Row of houses; across the board; without exception. Originally refers to a line of houses, but most commonly used as an adverb meaning un...
302. のどか のどか Tranquil; calm; peaceful; serene. Describes a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere free from tension or noise.
303. はきはき はきはき Briskly; clearly; in a crisp and articulate manner. Describes someone who speaks or acts with confident clarity.
304. 果てしない はてしない Endless; boundless; everlasting. Describes something that seems to have no limit or end.
305. 甚だしい はなはだしい Extreme; excessive; outrageous; tremendous. Describes something that has gone far beyond a normal or acceptable degree.
306. 華やか はなやか Gorgeous; brilliant; splendid; glamorous. Describes something bright, beautiful, and eye-catching.
307. 万能 ばんのう All-purpose; universal; almighty. Capable of handling anything or serving any function.
308. 半端 はんぱ Incomplete; half-baked; half-hearted. Describes something that is neither one thing nor another, falling short of completion.
309. ひいては ひいては By extension; furthermore; and consequently. A formal connective indicating that the preceding point leads to a broader or more significa...
310. 悲観的 ひかんてき Pessimistic; gloomy. Tending to see the worst in things or expect unfavourable outcomes.
311. 日頃 ひごろ Usually; habitually; on a daily basis. Refers to what one ordinarily or regularly does.
312. 久しい ひさしい Long (in the sense of time having passed); it has been a long time. Describes a lengthy elapsed duration.
313. 悲惨 ひさん Tragic; miserable; disastrous; wretched. Describes a situation of terrible suffering or devastation.
314. ひしひし ひしひし Acutely; keenly; deeply. Describes feeling something intensely and unmistakably, as though it presses against you.
315. ひそか ひそか Secret; private; covert; surreptitious. Done quietly without others knowing.
316. 必修 ひっしゅう Required; compulsory; mandatory. Used for subjects or courses that must be taken.
317. 必然 ひつぜん Inevitable; necessary; certain. Something that is bound to happen as a natural or logical consequence.
318. 人柄 ひとがら Personality; character; personal qualities. The inherent nature or disposition of a person.
319. ひところ ひところ Once; at one time; some time ago. Refers to a period in the past that has since changed.
320. 日に日に ひにひに Day by day; with each passing day. Describes a gradual, ongoing change that accumulates over time.
321. ひやひや ひやひや Feeling nervous; on edge; anxious. The sensation of cold-sweat anxiety from watching something risky or dangerous.
322. 平たい ひらたい Flat; level; even. Having a smooth, horizontal surface without bumps or elevation.
323. 平べったい ひらべったい Flat; flattened; squashed flat. A more emphatic and colloquial version of 平たい.
324. 微量 びりょう Minute amount; trace quantity; minuscule dose. An extremely small measurable quantity.
325. 卑劣 ひれつ Mean; despicable; contemptible; cowardly; base. Morally reprehensible behaviour that lacks honour or fairness.
326. 頻繁 ひんぱん Frequent; happening often. Describes events or actions that recur at short intervals.
327. 不意に ふいに Suddenly; without warning; unexpectedly. Describes an event that catches someone completely off guard.
328. 深々 ふかぶか Very deeply; profoundly. Emphasises the depth or thoroughness of an action, most often bowing.
329. 不吉 ふきつ Ominous; unlucky; inauspicious. Something that forebodes bad luck or misfortune.
330. 複合 ふくごう Composite; combined; complex. Describes something formed by combining multiple elements into one.
331. 不振 ふしん Slump; stagnation; poor performance. A state of below-normal activity or results.
332. 不調 ふちょう Bad condition; poor form; being off one's game. A state where something is not functioning properly.
333. 不都合 ふつごう Inconvenient; troublesome; unfavourable. A situation or condition that causes difficulty or disadvantage.
334. 不手際 ふてぎわ Clumsiness; ineptitude; poor handling. A failure in skill or management that leads to a bad outcome.
335. 不当 ふとう Unfair; unjust; unreasonable. An action or treatment that violates principles of fairness or propriety.
336. 無難 ぶなん Safe; inoffensive; playing it safe. A choice or approach that avoids risk and is unlikely to cause problems.
337. 不備 ふび Deficiency; inadequacy; lack of preparation. A shortcoming in something that should be complete.
338. 不評 ふひょう Bad reputation; poor reception; unpopularity. Negative public opinion about something.
339. 不明瞭 ふめいりょう Unclear; indistinct; vague. Something that is difficult to perceive, understand, or interpret clearly.
340. 不明朗 ふめいろう Murky; shady; lacking transparency. A situation or dealings that are suspiciously opaque.
341. ふんだんに ふんだんに Abundantly; plentifully; lavishly. Using or having a large amount of something without restraint.
342. 平常 へいじょう Normal; usual; ordinary. The regular, everyday state of affairs.
343. 便宜上 べんぎじょう For convenience; as a matter of convenience. Done pragmatically rather than ideally.
344. 呆然 ぼうぜん Dumbfounded; stunned; in blank amazement. A state of being so shocked that one cannot think or react.
345. 放任 ほうにん Noninterference; laissez-faire. A hands-off approach, leaving things to take their own course.
346. 牧師 ぼくし Pastor; minister; clergyman. A Christian religious leader who heads a Protestant congregation.
347. 補欠 ほけつ Filling a vacancy; substitute; reserve player. A replacement for someone absent or a backup member.
348. 補足 ほそく Supplement; complement; additional explanation. Extra information added to make something more complete.
349. ぼちぼち ぼちぼち Leisurely; gradually; little by little. Also used as 'so-so' or 'getting by' in response to how things are going.
350. 本格 ほんかく Genuine; authentic; full-scale. The real thing, done properly and thoroughly.
351. 本格的 ほんかくてき Genuine; authentic; full-scale. Describes something done properly, seriously, and to a high standard.
352. 本質的 ほんしつてき Essential; fundamental; intrinsic. Relating to the true nature or core of something.
353. 本場 ほんば Home of something; place famous for something; the real deal in terms of origin or quality.
354. 毎度 まいど Each time; every time; always. Also used as a greeting meaning 'thank you for your continued patronage.'
355. 紛らわしい まぎらわしい Confusing; misleading; easily mistaken. Describes things that are similar enough to cause mix-ups.
356. まして まして Still more; to say nothing of; not to mention; let alone. Used to emphasise that something is even more true.
357. まずまず まずまず Tolerable; passable; so-so; not bad. Indicates an adequate but unremarkable result.
358. 瞬く間に またたくまに In the twinkling of an eye; in a flash; in an instant. Describes something happening with extreme speed.
359. まちまち まちまち Various; diverse; different; inconsistent. Describes things that differ from one another without uniformity.
360. まとも まとも Proper; decent; respectable; honest; straightforward. Also means 'direct' or 'head-on.'
361. 丸ごと まるごと In its entirety; whole; wholly; altogether. Describes taking or using something as a complete unit.
362. 回りくどい まわりくどい Circuitous; roundabout; indirect; long-winded. Describes speech or methods that take unnecessarily long.
363. 万に一つ まんにひとつ One in ten thousand; one in a million; in the unlikely event. Describes an extremely slim chance.
364. 満腹 まんぷく Full stomach; satiated; stuffed. The state of having eaten one's fill.
365. 身軽 みがる Agile; nimble; light on one's feet; travelling light. Having little burden, either physically or figuratively.
366. みじめ みじめ Miserable; wretched; pitiable; pathetic. Describes a state of deep unhappiness or wretchedness.
367. 身近 みぢか Near oneself; close to one; familiar; readily accessible. Describes things that are part of one's everyday life.
368. 密接 みっせつ Close; intimate; closely connected. Describes a tight relationship or connection between things.
369. 未明 みめい Early dawn; predawn; the small hours of the morning. The time before daylight arrives.
370. 無口 むくち Taciturn; reticent; quiet; untalkative. Describes a person who rarely speaks.
371. 無言 むごん Silence; speechlessness; without words. The state of deliberately not speaking.
372. 無実 むじつ Innocence; guiltlessness; not guilty. Being falsely accused or having committed no crime.
373. 無邪気 むじゃき Innocent; pure; naive; guileless. Describes a childlike lack of guile or malice.
374. 無償 むしょう Free of charge; without compensation; gratuitous. Something provided without payment or reward.
375. ムッと むっと To be offended; to get annoyed; to feel a flash of irritation. Also describes stuffy, stifling air.
376. 虚しい むなしい Empty; void; hollow. Describes a deep sense of futility or emotional emptiness.
377. 無念 むねん Regret; chagrin; mortification. A bitter feeling of frustration over an outcome one could not change.
378. 無闇に むやみに Thoughtlessly; recklessly; indiscriminately. Acting without proper consideration or restraint.
379. 明快 めいかい Clear; lucid; clear-cut. Describes explanations or logic that are easy to follow and unambiguous.
380. 明示 めいじ Explicit statement; specification; making something clear and definite in writing or speech.
381. 明白 めいはく Obvious; clear; evident. Something so plain that no explanation or proof is needed.
382. 明瞭 めいりょう Clear; distinct; plain. Describes something that can be perceived or understood without difficulty.
383. 明朗 めいろう Cheerful; bright; sunny in disposition. Describes a person or atmosphere that is open and uplifting.
384. 目覚ましい めざましい Remarkable; striking; spectacular. Describes progress or achievements that are impressively noteworthy.
385. 面倒くさい めんどうくさい Bothersome; tiresome; what a pain. Expresses reluctance toward something tedious or troublesome.
386. 申し分ない もうしぶんない Perfect; flawless; completely satisfactory. Leaving absolutely nothing to complain about.
387. 猛暑 もうしょ Fierce heat; heat wave. Extremely hot weather, typically above 35°C.
388. 猛烈 もうれつ Fierce; intense; violent. Describes extreme force, severity, or passion.
389. 専ら もっぱら Wholly; solely; exclusively. Devoting attention or effort entirely to one thing.
390. 物悲しい ものがなしい Sad; sorrowful; melancholy. A gentle, wistful sadness without a specific cause.
391. 模範的 もはんてき Exemplary; model; serving as an ideal example for others to follow.
392. 脆い もろい Brittle; fragile; weak. Easily broken, crumbled, or overcome.
393. 野生 やせい Wild; living in nature. Describes animals or plants that grow and live without human care.
394. 優雅 ゆうが Elegant; graceful; refined. Possessing a calm, sophisticated beauty in manner or lifestyle.
395. 勇敢 ゆうかん Brave; courageous; gallant. Showing fearless determination in the face of danger or difficulty.
396. 融合 ゆうごう Fusion; blending; combining. The merging of different elements into a unified whole.
397. 優柔不断 ゆうじゅうふだん Indecisive; irresolute; wishy-washy. Unable to make up one's mind.
398. 雄大 ゆうだい Grand; magnificent; majestic. Impressively large and awe-inspiring in scale.
399. 有力 ゆうりょく Influential; prominent; strong. Having significant power, support, or likelihood.
400. 用心深い ようじんぶかい Careful; cautious; wary. Taking great care to avoid danger or mistakes.
401. 予想外 よそうがい Unexpected; unforeseen. Describes outcomes or events that deviate from what was anticipated.
402. 楽観的 らっかんてき Optimistic; hopeful. Viewing situations and outcomes in a positive light.
403. 立体 りったい Solid body; three-dimensional object. A physical form that has height, width, and depth.
404. 立体的 りったいてき Three-dimensional; having depth and volume. Describes something that appears or is structured with spatial depth.
405. 類似 るいじ Resemblance; similarity; likeness. The state of two things sharing common features.
406. 冷酷 れいこく Cruel; coldhearted; ruthless. Showing no sympathy or compassion for others.
407. 例年 れいねん Average year; ordinary year; every year as usual. Refers to what is typical or customary year after year.
408. 連日 れんじつ Day after day; every day in succession. Emphasises that something continues for multiple consecutive days.
409. 露骨 ろこつ Blatant; undisguised; frank. Showing feelings or intentions openly without any attempt to conceal them.
410. 若手 わかて Young person; up-and-coming member. Refers to younger members of a group, organisation, or profession.
411. 煩わしい わずらわしい Troublesome; annoying; bothersome. Describes things that cause mental burden or irritation due to complexity.
412. 次々と つぎつぎと One after another; in rapid succession. Describes events or things occurring in a continuous, unbroken sequence.