Vocabulary– category –
Japanese vocabulary in context. Nuance between similar words, JLPT vocabulary by level, loanwords, and practical usage. Browse by level: N4/N5, N2/N3, N1/N2. Full overview at the Japanese Vocabulary Hub.
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見る vs 観る: How to Choose the Right “Miru” for Looking, Watching, Movies, Sports, and Active Viewing
You are texting a Japanese friend about your weekend, and you want to say you watched a film. You type 映画を見た — and it looks right. But your Japanese textbook uses 観た in the same sentence. Both read みた. Both seem to mean "watched... -
する vs やる: The Difference Between “Do,” “Play,” “Try,” and Casual Action in Japanese
You are talking to a Japanese friend and you want to say "I'm doing my homework." You know the word for homework — 宿題（しゅくだい）. And you know there is a verb for "do." But then you remember: there are actually two verbs that mean "... -
あげる vs くれる vs もらう: Japanese Giving and Receiving Verbs Explained by Perspective, Particles, Favors, and Politeness
あげるくれるもらうMeaningGive (away from you)Give (to you)ReceiveDirectionYour side → themThem → your sideYou ← themSubject (が)You / giver on your sideGiver (not you)You / receiver on your sideParticle for receiver&... -
行く vs 来る: Japanese Go and Come Explained by Speaker Perspective, Location, Invitations, and Common Mistakes
You're running late to meet a friend. They call and ask where you are. In English, you naturally say "I'm coming!" — so you type 今来ます. Makes sense, right? Actually, this is one of the most common mistakes English speakers make in Jap... -
いる vs ある: How to Say “There Is,” “There Are,” and “Have” in Japanese Without Mixing Them Up
Picture this: you're at a Japanese friend's house, and you want to say "I have a dog." You reach for your vocabulary, piece together a sentence, and say — 犬があります. Your friend pauses, then gently corrects you. What went wrong? You u... -
知る vs 分かる: The Difference Between “Know” and “Understand” in Japanese for English Speakers
Imagine you are chatting with a Japanese friend and they ask, "日本語が分かりますか？" You want to say "I know Japanese" — so you reach for the most obvious word, 知る (しる). That sounds right, doesn't it? After all, 知る means "to know... -
Japanese Vocabulary Comparisons for English Speakers: Similar Words, Common Mistakes, Decision Rules, and Practice Quizzes
CategoryKey Pairs CoveredDifficultyBeginner Verbs知る/分かる, いる/ある, 行く/来るN5Giving/Receivingあげる/くれる/もらうN5–N4Existenceいる/ある (extended)N5Knowledge/Learning覚える/思い出す, 勉強する/学ぶN4Emotions嬉しい/楽しい, ... -
Japanese Vocabulary Quiz and Practice: Beginner, JLPT N5/N4, Kanji Words, Katakana, Onomatopoeia, and Weak-Point Review
You have been studying Japanese vocabulary for weeks — you reviewed your flashcards, read the lists, and felt confident. Then you open a practice quiz and go blank. Sound familiar? That is not a memory problem. It is a retrieval problem,... -
JLPT N4 Vocabulary Guide: Essential Words by Category, Readings, Example Sentences, Common Traps, and Practice Quiz
You cleared N5. You can count things, say where things are, and order food without panicking. Now N4 is on the calendar — and the vocabulary list has more than doubled. But here is the thing: the challenge is not just quantity. N4 vocabu... -
JLPT N5 Vocabulary List: Essential Words by Category, Readings, Meanings, Example Sentences, and Practice Quiz
You have decided to take the JLPT N5. You open a vocabulary list online and find 800 words staring back at you — no context, no readings for some entries, and no clue which words actually appear in exam questions. Sound familiar? This gu...
