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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返品 vs 交換 vs 返金 vs キャンセル: Japanese Returns, Exchanges, Refunds, Cancellations, Store Policies, and Customer Service Phrases
You bought a shirt in Japan, got back to your hotel, and realized the size is completely wrong. Or maybe you ordered something online and want to undo the whole thing before it even ships. Either way, you're about to need one of four cri... -
払う vs 支払う vs 決済する vs 精算する: The Difference Between Pay, Make a Payment, Checkout, Settle Expenses, and Split Costs in Japanese
WordReadingCore MeaningTypical ContextRegisterJLPT払うはらうpayDaily transactions, spoken JapaneseCasual to neutralN5支払うしはらうmake a paymentBills, invoices, formal documentsNeutral to formalN4決済するけっさいするcomplete a transacti... -
レシート vs 領収書 vs 請求書 vs 見積書: Japanese Receipts, Official Receipts, Invoices, Quotes, Expense Claims, and Business Documents
WordReadingCore MeaningWhen IssuedWho Issues ItレシートレシートStore receipt / register printoutAt the moment of purchaseShop, machine (automatic)領収書（りょうしゅうしょ）りょうしゅうしょOfficial receipt / proof of paymentAfter payment,... -
申し込む vs 申請する vs 応募する vs 登録する: The Difference Between Apply, Register, Request Approval, Sign Up, and Enter in Japanese
You're sitting at a Japanese government website, trying to apply for a certificate. There are four buttons on the page — and every single one uses a different word: 申し込む、申請する、応募する、登録する. They all look like they mean "ap... -
予約 vs 予定 vs 約束 vs アポイント: The Difference Between Reservation, Plan, Promise, Appointment, Meeting, and Schedule in Japanese
WordReadingCore MeaningTypical ContextJLPT予約よやくReservation / bookingRestaurant, hotel, hospital, hair salon, flightsN4予定よていPlan / scheduleYour own calendar — solo or group plansN4約束やくそくPromise / arrangementInterpersonal c... -
買う vs 購入する vs 買い物する vs 注文する: The Difference Between Buy, Purchase, Go Shopping, Order, and Checkout in Japanese
You are about to pay for something on a Japanese online shopping site. You tap the big button on the product page — and it says 購入する（こうにゅうする）. You think: "Wait, isn't the word for 'buy' just 買う（かう）?" Later, at a ramen ... -
店 vs お店 vs 店舗 vs 売り場: The Difference Between Shop, Store, Business Location, Sales Floor, and Where to Buy in Japanese
You have just arrived in Japan and you want to find somewhere to buy souvenirs. You pull up your phrase book and find three different words that could all mean "shop" or "store": 店（みせ）, お店（おみせ）, and 店舗（てんぽ）. Then you w... -
売る vs 販売する vs 発売する vs 売り出す: Japanese Sell, Commercial Sales, Product Launch, Release Date, and Business Vocabulary
You are browsing a Japanese online store. You spot three different labels on the same product page: 新発売（しんはつばい）, 販売中（はんばいちゅう）, and 売り出し中（うりだしちゅう）. All three seem to mean something like "for sale" — bu... -
働く vs 勤める vs 勤務する vs 仕事をする: The Difference Between Working, Being Employed, Working at a Company, and Doing Work in Japanese
Imagine you're writing a Japanese self-introduction for a language class. You want to say "I work at a company," so you write: 会社（かいしゃ）で勤めています. Your teacher circles the particle and writes に above it. But why? Isn't で th... -
仕事 vs 会社 vs 職場 vs 職業: The Difference Between Work, Job, Company, Workplace, Occupation, and Career in Japanese
Imagine you are filling in a Japanese form at a government office. One field is clearly labelled 職業欄（しょくぎょうらん）— the occupation field. You know the Japanese word for "work" is 仕事（しごと）, so you write: 私の仕事は会社（か...
