Communication & Language

Introduction

N2 communication vocabulary goes well beyond basic speaking and writing. This chapter focuses on how Japanese handles explanation, paraphrase, theory, emphasis, interpretation, and the transmission of ideas.

It is especially useful for learners reading essays, following lectures, and trying to express more precise reasoning in Japanese.

Themes

All JLPT N2 Vocabulary in This Chapter (71)

1. 言い換え いいかえ Rephrasing; paraphrase. The act of expressing the same idea using different words.
2. 送り仮名 おくりがな Okurigana; kana suffixes written after kanji. The hiragana characters that follow a kanji to complete the reading of a word.
3. 解説 かいせつ Explanation; commentary; exposition. A detailed explanation that helps others understand something.
4. 書き込み かきこみ Writing in; posting; entry. The act of writing something down or posting a comment online.
5. 箇条書き かじょうがき Itemized list; bullet points. A format where items are listed one by one in an organized manner.
6. 刊行する かんこうする To publish. To release a book, journal, or other printed work for public distribution.
7. 勧告する かんこくする To recommend; to advise. To formally suggest a course of action, often from an authority.
8. 記載事項 きさいじこう Recorded items; entries; contents of a document. Items that are officially written or listed in a form or record.
9. 記載する きさいする To record; to state; to describe in writing. To officially write down information in a document.
10. 記述問題 きじゅつもんだい Essay question; written-response question. A test question requiring a written answer rather than multiple choice.
11. 協議する きょうぎする To deliberate; to confer; to discuss. To hold formal discussions to reach a decision or agreement.
12. 苦情 くじょう Complaint; grievance; objection. An expression of dissatisfaction about a product, service, or situation.
13. 句読点 くとうてん Punctuation marks. The collective term for periods (。) and commas (、) in Japanese writing.
14. 掲載する けいさいする To publish; to run; to carry. To print or display content in a newspaper, magazine, website, or other media.
15. 言及 げんきゅう Reference; allusion; mention. The act of touching upon or referring to a topic in speech or writing.
16. 言及する げんきゅうする To refer to; to mention; to allude to. To bring up or touch upon a subject in speech or writing.
17. 言動 げんどう Speech and conduct; words and actions. A person's overall behaviour as expressed through what they say and do.
18. 抗議活動 こうぎかつどう Protest action; protest movement. Organized activities carried out to express opposition or dissent.
19. 口語 こうご Spoken language; colloquial speech. The form of language used in everyday conversation as opposed to literary or formal writing.
20. 口論 こうろん Quarrel; argument; verbal dispute. A heated exchange of words between people who disagree.
21. 告訴する こくそする To file a lawsuit; to prosecute; to press charges. To formally accuse someone of a crime through legal proceedings.
22. 古典 こてん Classic; the classics. A work of literature, art, or music that has stood the test of time.
23. コラム コラム Column; feature article. A regular section in a newspaper or magazine, often expressing personal opinions or analysis.
24. 懇願 こんがん Pleading; entreaty; supplication. An earnest, heartfelt request made with great sincerity.
25. 雑談 ざつだん Chatting; idle talk; small talk. Casual conversation without a specific purpose or topic.
26. 死語 しご Dead language; extinct language. Also refers to words or expressions that have fallen out of common use.
27. 釈明 しゃくめい Explanation; vindication. A formal statement clarifying or defending one's actions or position.
28. 謝罪 しゃざい Apology. A formal expression of regret or remorse for wrongdoing.
29. 熟読する じゅくどくする To read carefully; to read thoroughly. To study a text with close attention to detail.
30. 受信 じゅしん Receiving (a message, letter, email, etc.); reception (radio, TV, etc.).
31. 証言する しょうげんする To testify; to bear witness. To give a formal statement, especially in a legal or investigative context.
32. 消息 しょうそく News (from someone); letter; contact. Information about someone's current situation or whereabouts.
33. 助言 じょげん Advice; counsel; suggestion; tip; hint. Guidance offered to help someone make a decision or solve a problem.
34. 書評 しょひょう Book review. A critical evaluation or commentary on a published book.
35. 新聞の書評欄 しんぶんのしょひょうらん Book review column in a newspaper. The dedicated section of a newspaper featuring book reviews.
36. 説教 せっきょう Sermon; preaching; homily. Also used colloquially to mean a lecture or scolding.
37. 説得力 せっとくりょく Persuasiveness; powers of persuasion; cogency. The ability to convince others.
38. 宣言 せんげん Declaration; proclamation; announcement. A formal, public statement of intent or position.
39. 俗語 ぞくご Colloquialism; colloquial language; slang. Informal words or expressions used in everyday speech.
40. 速報 そくほう News flash; prompt report; bulletin; quick announcement. Breaking news delivered with urgency.
41. 嘆願 たんがん Entreaty; appeal; petition. An earnest, often desperate plea to someone in authority.
42. 知性 ちせい Intelligence; intellect. The capacity for rational thought, learning, and understanding.
43. 忠告 ちゅうこく Advice; warning. Earnest counsel given to someone, often about something they should stop doing or be cautious about.
44. 仲裁 ちゅうさい Arbitration; intercession; mediation. The act of intervening to settle a dispute between parties.
45. 調停 ちょうてい Arbitration; conciliation; mediation. A formal process of resolving disputes through a neutral third party.
46. 著書 ちょしょ Written work; book; writings. A book that someone has authored.
47. 陳謝 ちんしゃ Apology. A formal, often public apology expressing deep regret.
48. 通信衛星 つうしんえいせい Communication satellite; Broadcast Satellite (BS). A satellite used for relaying telecommunications and broadcasting signals.
49. 通知する つうちする To notify; to inform; to give notice. To officially communicate information to someone.
50. 提言 ていげん Proposal; motion; recommendation. A formal suggestion put forward for consideration, often to improve policy or practice.
51. 読点 とうてん Comma; the Japanese punctuation mark (、) used to separate clauses and phrases in a sentence.
52. 討論 とうろん Debate; discussion. A structured exchange of opposing opinions on a particular topic.
53. 討論会 とうろんかい Debate; panel discussion; forum. An organized event where people discuss and argue about a topic.
54. 討論する とうろんする To debate; to have a formal discussion. To argue opposing viewpoints on a topic.
55. 特記事項 とっきじこう Items warranting special mention; special notes; noteworthy matters.
56. 暴露 ばくろ Disclosure; exposure; revelation. The act of making hidden information public.
57. 発言 はつげん Statement; remark; utterance. A spoken comment, especially in a formal or public setting.
58. 反論 はんろん Objection; refutation; rebuttal; counterargument. An argument made in opposition to another.
59. 風評 ふうひょう Rumour; gossip; hearsay. Unverified information spread among people.
60. 物件 ぶっけん Property; article; object. Most commonly used for real estate listings and rental properties.
61. 付録 ふろく Appendix; supplement; annex. Extra material attached to a book, magazine, or document.
62. 文語 ぶんご Written language; literary language. The classical or formal style of Japanese used in writing.
63. 弁解 べんかい Explanation; excuse; justification; defence. An attempt to explain or excuse one's actions.
64. 報道機関 ほうどうきかん News media; press; information media. Organizations that gather and distribute news.
65. 報道する ほうどうする To report; to cover news. To convey information through media channels.
66. 母語 ぼご Mother tongue; native language. The first language a person acquires from birth.
67. 母国語 ぼこくご Mother tongue; native language; language of one's country.
68. メディア メディア Media. Refers collectively to mass communication channels such as television, newspapers, radio, and the internet.
69. 郵便受け ゆうびんうけ Mailbox; letter box; mail slot. The receptacle where delivered post is placed.
70. 要望 ようぼう Demand; request. A strong wish or formal request for something to be done.
71. 理論的な りろんてきな Theoretical; based on theory rather than practice or experience.