JLPT N1 vocabulary list あ-か
587 phrases3519 words, each with its reading, its meaning and a native clip. Tap a word to hear it on repeat; tap the sentence under it to hear the word in use.
Drill these words by ear- greetingWhile home for the holidays, I stopped by my former teacher's house to pay my respects.
- signal; cueThe greeting "otsukaresama" has become idiomatically entrenched across a wide range of uses, from genuine appreciation of someone's toil to a mere signal.
- grief; sorrow (at a loss)On learning of my mentor's sudden passing, I am overcome with grief.
- relationship (between people)Lending and borrowing money can crack even the closest of relationships.
- to occur one after anotherThe string of scandals ended up fueling the public's distrust of the company.
- back-channel response; nodding alongOnce she starts talking, she goes on and on, leaving you not even a moment to get a word in.
- the other person; partnerSeasoned at negotiation though I am, the maneuvering with someone I'm meeting for the first time is still nerve-racking.
- the other partyWith the other party's lawyer, we worked out the terms on the scope of compensation in fine detail.
- condolence; mourningOn receiving the sudden news of the passing, I respectfully offer my deepest condolences.
- vague; ambiguousIf the locus of responsibility remains ambiguous when an accident occurs, even discussions on preventing recurrence end up superficial.
- to meetIt's not as if you're meeting for the first time, so there's no need to be so nervous.
- to match; to get alongI'm not sure it will suit your taste, but please do help yourself.
- to meet with (misfortune); to sufferHere I respectfully extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the disaster.
- deliberately; daring toIt is precisely because I care about your future that I am deliberately saying these harsh things.
- to be able to meetKnowing I would never meet my first love again, all that remained was a bittersweet lingering ache.
- to ask for (instructions); to look up toNow that authority has been delegated to you, you should act on your own judgment rather than seeking instructions at every turn.
- redSet against the white wall, the red of the camellia stood out all the more vividly.
- account (online)Organized dissemination of information by anonymous accounts could well tip the outcome of an election.
- to open; to be settledSince negotiations at the working level got nowhere, it was decided to take the matter up to a top-level meeting.
- to reveal; to discloseTo quote someone else's paper without disclosing the source is an act tantamount to plagiarism.
- madder red; crimsonAcross the sunset sky, streaks of madder-red cloud trail one after another.
- light; lampIn the old townscape, with lamplight glowing behind lattice doors, the charm of bygone days still lingers.
- to rise; to go upEven though my salary went up, when you factor in inflation my standard of living has, if anything, gotten harder.
- autumn windThe autumn wind tapped softly at the window, announcing the coming of winter.
- clear; obviousThe outcome is plainer than day; there's no need to investigate anew.
- to give upHardships there may be, but abandoning this undertaking is simply not an option for us.
- to be appalled; to be amazedThe content of the proposal is bad enough, and the committee that blithely approved it is just as bad — one can only be dumbfounded.
- malice; ill willIt was a misunderstanding arising from a lack of information, not something born of ill will.
- merely; strictly (to the end)This is no more than a draft for discussion, so please feel free to raise objections.
- fault-finding; nitpickingIt is all nitpicking criticism, and not a single constructive alternative ever emerges.
- in the end; after all thatThe blunder that resulted from going in underprepared fills me with the deepest shame.
- raising and loweringFor a formal kaiseki meal, there are detailed rules of etiquette that extend even to how you raise and lower your chopsticks.
- to achieve (results); to raiseDespite his numerous accomplishments, he never lets it go to his head and maintains a consistently humble attitude.
- to raise (hand); to citeIf you cite statistics as your grounds, you ought to examine the bias in the sample along with them.
- morningLining up from early morning paid off — I managed to get hold of a rarely available first edition.
- shallow; little (experience)Inexperienced as she was, she doggedly saw the difficult case through to a resolution.
- morning mistAlong the ridgeline of the distant mountains, the morning mist trailed thin and long.
- to sneer; to mockThe raging waves crashed against the seawall as if mocking the endeavors of mankind.
- foot; legIf not every day, then at least once a week I make a point of getting out to the site in person.
- at one's feet; footingUnless you approach the negotiations with steady resolve, they'll take advantage of your weak position.
- taste; flavorMy mother-in-law butts in about every little thing — the cleaning isn't thorough, the food's too salty, and so on.
- flavor; charmThe rustic flavor unique to this region can never be reproduced in the city.
- to taste; to experienceThrough volunteering, I tasted a sense of fulfillment that money could hardly buy.
- play; amusementPlay when it's time to play, work when it's time to work — such clear boundaries were his guiding principle.
- to play; to have funPlay when it's time to play, work when it's time to work — such clear boundaries were his guiding principle.
- to deserve; to be worthy ofHis devoted way of working is worthy of praise.
- to give; to exertExcessive double honorifics can, on the contrary, come across as insincerely obsequious, so care is needed.
- as if; just likeHis remarks, while feigning neutrality, in fact harbored a cunning manipulation of impressions.
- warmTo be welcomed so warmly by all of you is the greatest of honors.
- headI take my hat off to the clean way he owned up to his mistake and properly settled the matter.
- without hearing a word; peremptorilyIf you scold your subordinates for their mistakes without hearing them out, you'll lose their respect sooner or later.
- newHas the department manager already had a chance to look over the new project proposal?
- to amount to; to correspondGiven his years of effort, there is no reason to be surprised that he won the award.
- worsening; deteriorationOwing to a worsening cash flow, the company was forced to withdraw from its core business.
- easily; simplyI braced for the talks to drag on, but to my surprise we reached an agreement quite easily.
- overwhelmingThe overwhelming style of this work cannot fail to shake the heart of anyone who reads it.
- passionate; hotYou'd take him for a quiet type, but the moment a debate starts he argues his case more passionately than anyone.
- treatment; handlingHowever small the sum, the fact that it's public money means it must be handled with the utmost care.
- to treat; to handleTo treat an honored guest so carelessly can only be called the height of discourtesy.
- to gather; to attractBeing such a groundbreaking technology, it's only natural that it draws attention from around the world.
- pressureIn the simulation, temperature and pressure are treated as independent variables.
- to entrust; to leave in careOver having placed my aging parent in a care facility, sorrow and guilt still mingle within me to this day.
- later; afterAll preparations are in place. Now there is nothing left but to await the outcome.
- later on; in the futurePutting what has been agreed into writing is what ensures its performance down the line.
- site (of a former building)The former site, where soil contamination came to light, required enormous costs to clean up and lay dormant for a long time.
- later; afterwardsSloppy finishing always leads to trouble later, so let's iron out every ambiguity now while we can.
- to underestimate; to look down onUnderestimating them as an opponent not worth fearing was the cause of the defeat.
- to be showered with; to bathe inNo matter how much criticism he faced, he never bent his own research principles.
- to overflow; to be full ofIt may lack flamboyance, but this vessel exudes a quiet, richly satisfying character.
- oil; (sell oil) to idle awayEven with the deadline looming, he is off idling and chatting in the break room again.
- sweetThat commentator criticizes endlessly — the policy is naive, there's no vision, and so on — yet offers not a single alternative.
- too much; excessivelyThis affair is too grave to dismiss as a mere scandal; it deserves to be examined by society as a whole.
- net; meshOur perception of reality can be constituted only through the mesh of concepts we employ.
- rainThe rain has let up, so let's go ahead and set off soon.
- after the rainAcross the temple grounds after the rain, the faint scent of moss and earth drifted in the air.
- mistake; errorYou could dismiss it as a mistake born of youth, and that would be that, but he cannot escape responsibility for it.
- error; mistakeAn error this obvious can be corrected without even needing to consult an expert.
- to make a mistake; to errHowever fine a technology may be, in the wrong hands it can become a weapon that harms people.
- to apologizeA single word of apology would have settled it, yet out of sheer stubbornness he refused to bow his head to the end.
- progress; courseInterpretations diverge sharply depending on whether one regards the march of history as inevitable or as an accumulation of contingencies.
- compromise; mutual concessionResolving the dispute requires an indispensable willingness on both parties to make concessions.
- to compromise; to meet halfwayWithout each side taking a step toward the other, there is no resolving this conflict.
- to walk; to go along (a path)No matter what those around her said, she calmly kept walking her own path.
- to bring to light; to identifyUnless we surface the tacit premises at play, this kind of conflict will run in parallel lines forever.
- in advance; beforehandThe administrative staff had prepared in advance a compromise that would let both sides save face.
- dispute; conflictCross-border disputes over limited water resources are expected to grow ever more intense going forward.
- new; freshThe theory the professor has newly put forward overturns conventional wisdom at its very foundation.
- to improve; to be reformedPerhaps because my blunt advice hit home, his work visibly improved.
- again; anewThe outcome is plainer than day; there's no need to investigate anew.
- to reform; to changeWe should revise the mindset of pushing burdens onto the next generation and establish sustainable fiscal and environmental policies.
- every; all kinds ofTaking 'forewarned is forearmed' as his motto, he anticipated every conceivable scenario and worked out contingency plans for each.
- there is; to exist (classical)As the saying goes, even close friends need manners; precisely because a relationship is intimate, one should take all the more care with one's words.
- vividly; clearlyIn every corner of her words, one could vividly sense the signs that she had made up her mind to resign.
- to be possible; can happenIt is no exaggeration to say that without the realization of gender equality, a truly prosperous society can never come about.
- precious; gratefulEver since he fell gravely ill, he has come to savor just how precious good health is.
- thank youIf you trace the etymology of "arigatou," it apparently goes back to the original sense of something rare and hard to come by.
- past; bygoneRecalling the days when the deceased was with us, I pray for the repose of their soul with all my heart.
- to some extentTo move the negotiations forward, we too were forced to make a certain degree of concession.
- that (much)To find that my message never got through despite how firmly I drove it home leaves me utterly disheartened.
- to rage; to be tempestuousThe raging waves crashed against the seawall as if mocking the endeavors of mankind.
- to combine; to consider togetherIf you cite statistics as your grounds, you ought to examine the bias in the sample along with them.
- to put together (hands); to matchOut of the guilt of having broken her promise, she couldn't meet his eyes.
- to panic; to be flusteredEven when the unexpected struck, he stayed calm and, through flexible, on-the-spot judgment, held the damage to a minimum.
- case; matter (business)Inexperienced as she was, she doggedly saw the difficult case through to a resolution.
- cryptography; codeIf quantum cryptography becomes widespread, current encryption schemes could be overturned from their very foundations.
- reef; deadlockThe negotiations ran aground, as though we were wandering through a labyrinth with no exit in sight.
- relief; peace of mindIf you state the gist clearly at the outset, the reader can proceed with confidence.
- safetyThe government ordinance concerning the new safety standards will take effect on the day marking six months from the date of its promulgation.
- that kind of; suchAfter making such an irresponsible remark, he deserves the criticism he's getting.
- guidance; showing the wayI will inform you of the particulars in writing in due course, so kindly wait a little longer.
- implicitly; tacitlyIn the single line "I wish you the best in your endeavors," one could detect an implicit note of farewell.
- tacit; implicitHis silence was nothing other than tacit consent.
- intention; feelingOn receiving the sudden news of the passing, I respectfully offer my deepest condolences.
- easily; readilyOnce trust has been lost, can it really be regained so easily?
- to be able to expressThe moss-covered rock garden has a charm that words can scarcely capture.
- to tell oneself; to persuadeTelling herself that 'perseverance prevails,' she threw herself silently into basic research far removed from any glamour.
- to talk someone into; to cajoleEven if you talk your opponent into submission with sophistry, it does nothing to resolve the heart of the problem.
- to bring up; to proposeSince I was the one who proposed it in the first place, I can't very well abandon it halfway.
- to evade; to talk one's way outWith conclusive evidence all assembled, there is no longer any way to talk one's way out of it.
- one's side; claimCaught between the claims of both sides, the mediator found himself unable to make a move.
- phrasing; expressionMy boss's reply was neither yes nor no, phrased in a way that left something deliberately unsaid.
- pronouncement (of a verdict)With the handing down of the verdict, the defendant was ordered to pay compensation.
- committee memberWith today's meeting, this committee is hereby dissolved.
- needless to say; goes without sayingIt goes without saying that this contract requires the signatures of both parties.
- to healEven if I'm told to let it all be water under the bridge, the wounds I suffered won't heal so easily.
- to be able to sayThe evening toll of the bell carried an indescribable atmospheric beauty.
- how; what manner (in "ikayō ni mo")The results of an opinion poll can be steered in any direction by the mere wording of a single question.
- any (kind of); whateverWithout mutual trust, no alliance can endure for long.
- however (much); howHowever fine a technology may be, in the wrong hands it can become a weapon that harms people.
- angerAn anger with nowhere to be directed leaves me in a mood of helpless frustration.
- regardless of; how (things stand)Under the law, all people bear obligations equally, regardless of status or social standing.
- unexpected; surprisingI braced for the talks to drag on, but to my surprise we reached an agreement quite easily.
- level; realmThis work has by now transcended the category of mere entertainment and reached the level of social critique.
- chic; stylish (Edo aesthetic)At the risk of sounding boorish, I would ask that you conduct yourself with a bit of grace here.
- way of lifeWithout bowing to what others might think, he has stayed true to the way of living he believes in.
- reason for living; purpose in lifeNothing is lonelier than old age in which one has lost all sense of purpose in living.
- to arrive at; to end up atIt is said that if one traces the lineage of this family, it leads all the way back to a powerful clan of the medieval period.
- to be alive (in); to breatheThe exacting devotion that only an artisan possesses lives in each and every product.
- to reach a deadlock; to get stuckOnce the cash flow has dried up it's spilt water; a manager should always factor in the worst-case scenario in advance.
- to be thorough; to be attentiveMy mother-in-law butts in about every little thing — the cleaning isn't thorough, the food's too salty, and so on.
- to be indignant; to resentAt the organization's unreasonable decision, I felt an indignation I could not suppress.
- to survive; to live throughWithout cultivating an eye that discerns the truth or falsehood of information, one can hardly survive this age.
- to surviveIt is organizations supple like bamboo that survive an era of upheaval.
- living thing; creatureLanguage is a living thing, endlessly shifting the meanings of its words as it breathes in the atmosphere of the age.
- to live; to be aliveA craft that has been handed down through many generations truly deserves to be called a living heritage.
- objectionOnce you sign this document, you lose any right to raise an objection afterward.
- to go (well)It may not amount to a formal apology, but some kind of explanation is surely in order.
- many; numerousNow that so many lives have been lost, this cannot be dismissed as mere negligence.
- how many; how oldIf I may say so with all due humility, this projection rests on several assumptions that cannot be overlooked.
- how many; severalOwing to the compartmentalized silos of the bureaucracy, a single application ends up being shunted from one department to the next.
- how many times; many timesAfter numerous rounds of negotiation, the two parties finally arrived at the conclusion of a contract.
- how muchNo matter how many arguments you line up, without results to back them up no one is going to be convinced.
- as much as one likes; any amountThere is plenty of room for negotiation, but on quality alone I will absolutely not yield.
- opinionWhether in favor or opposed, everyone should first be given the chance to voice their opinion.
- intention; wishesShould you dare to go against the chairman's wishes, your standing in the company would be jeopardized in an instant.
- transition; shiftThrough digitalization, our labor is shifting into a phase quite different from what it was before.
- foreign countrySpending the New Year in a foreign land, my longing for home grows all the deeper.
- obstinate; stubbornOut of petty pride I dug in my heels, and thus let a chance for reconciliation slip right through my fingers.
- from now on; afterThe procedure shall be deemed complete upon acceptance of the notification, and no subsequent changes will be permitted.
- graceful (in defeat); manlyHis conduct — admitting his fault and resigning to take responsibility with good grace — is worthy of praise.
- somewhat; a littleThat explanation strikes me as somewhat of a stretch.
- inheritance; legacyOver the inheritance of an enormous estate, a bitter family feud has been brought before the courts.
- when it comes to it; in an emergencyYou'd take him for a quiet type, but the moment a debate starts he argues his case more passionately than anyone.
- doctor; physicianTo sell off patients' personal data is conduct utterly unbecoming of a physician.
- intention; willTo respect a patient's will is nothing other than to treat the patient as a subject rather than an object of treatment.
- stoneAs the proverb says, 'perseverance prevails,' and it was only after three years of paying his dues that his playing finally acquired real depth.
- awareness; consciousnessInstilling a thorough sense of compliance in all employees through in-house training has become an urgent priority.
- stone pavementThe cobblestone alley, wet with rain, took on an even deeper charm.
- heterogeneous; different in natureWhile people pay lip service to respecting diversity, in practice a deep-seated tendency to exclude what is different persists.
- transplantOrgan transplantation is forever shadowed by ethical questions concerning the donor's dignity.
- stubbornness; prideA single word of apology would have settled it, yet out of sheer stubbornness he refused to bow his head to the end.
- maintenance; upkeepWithout thorough information management, it is impossible to maintain customers' trust.
- delegation; transfer (of authority)Managers are expected to raise the productivity of the organization as a whole through the appropriate delegation of authority to their subordinates.
- abnormal; unusualThe extreme weather brought on by global warming is no longer a matter of the distant future; it is casting a shadow over daily life.
- sooner or later; eventuallyIf you scold your subordinates for their mistakes without hearing them out, you'll lose their respect sooner or later.
- relocation (of a facility)Over the relocation of the U.S. military base, the confrontation between local residents and the government is deepening still further.
- still; as beforeEven though procedures have become increasingly digital, the complexity of the service counters remains a formidable barrier for the elderly.
- phase; dimensionThrough digitalization, our labor is shifting into a phase quite different from what it was before.
- to hurryHowever much we hurry, at this late stage there's no longer any prospect of making the deadline.
- bereaved familyThat they yearn without end for the two nations to reconcile as soon as possible is the heartfelt wish of all the bereaved families.
- dependenceFrom the standpoint of risk management, a procurement structure dependent on a single supplier must be called extremely fragile.
- to do (humble); to causeOwing to my own shortcomings I have caused you great trouble, and I am overcome with the deepest shame.
- unbearable (to stay); mortifiedScolded in front of everyone, I hung my head, unable to bear staying there.
- extremely; veryThe procedure itself is extremely simple; you only need to submit a single form.
- being caught in the middleCaught between upper management and the front lines, middle managers agonize day after day.
- tragic; pitifulAs the bonds of local community grow ever thinner, the harrowing phenomenon of solitary death shows no sign of abating.
- height (of); utmostTo be granted such a distinguished award is a matter of the utmost emotion for me.
- to reach; to arrive atThe person in question was perfectly calm, handling things matter-of-factly despite the panic around him.
- to reach; to arrive atI braced for the talks to drag on, but to my surprise we reached an agreement quite easily.
- to harbor; to hold (feelings)Rather than nursing ambitions beyond my station, I'd rather pursue a happiness suited to my own measure.
- one proposal; a planI'm not concerned about polish for now — could you first bring a rough draft to serve as a starting point?
- every single time; one by oneIt was no more than a reaction we had anticipated, so there is no need to be rattled by every instance of it.
- unconditionally; sweepinglyWhat counts as the right way to live is not something that can be pronounced in sweeping terms.
- one wordA translator must carefully weigh the significance of each and every word so as not to compromise the nuance of the original.
- temporary; momentaryHis words and deeds, swept along by momentary emotion, are hardly worthy of trust.
- family; clanIn this village, the custom of the whole clan gathering to observe the New Year is still handed down to this day.
- one's own discretionSo it couldn't be overturned on the approver's whim, I organized the issues in advance and laid out a path to consensus.
- even more; still furtherIn the wake of the economic slump, employment conditions for young people have grown even more severe.
- positioning; placementAfter confirming consistency with prior research, we clarify the positioning of this paper.
- everyone; all (members)Through the combined efforts of us all, we are determined to overcome this difficult situation.
- a part; someSuspicions have arisen that the allocation of the budget is being decided arbitrarily according to the designs of a select few.
- a sentence; a lineIn the single line "I wish you the best in your endeavors," one could detect an implicit note of farewell.
- a glance; (in "ichimoku oku") respectHis manner was so polished that he commanded respect in any social setting.
- at a bound; suddenlyThe word "sontaku" (reading and acting on someone's unspoken wishes) leapt into the spotlight, no doubt because its connotation so sharply mirrored the mood of the times.
- some truth; a pointThere is something to what you say, but we cannot simply ignore the practical constraints.
- first-class; top-rateThough 'even monkeys fall from trees,' a blunder by someone hailed as first-rate cannot help but capture public attention.
- series; sequenceThe series of investigations has laid bare the structural flaws inherent in the system itself.
- a family; householdThe parents are as bad as they come and the children no better; this whole family simply lacks any common sense.
- getting rich quickRegarding get-rich-quick investment schemes, I made a point of warning that 'more haste, less speed'—steady, methodical saving is the royal road.
- consistencyThis tendency was observed consistently regardless of gender or age.
- alternating joy and worryPerhaps it is a blessing of age that I have come to view things with detachment, no longer swayed by every high and low.
- in one go; at onceThe candidate, having exposed his inability to accept defeat gracefully, lost the voters' trust in one stroke.
- single pole; one centerEven as concentration in the metropolis intensifies, the provinces are gasping under a shortage of people to sustain them.
- at first glanceHis argument sounds plausible at first, but in the end it's nothing more than self-serving spin, citing only the data that favors his own company.
- (not) at all; (not) in the leastThe economic gap between urban and rural areas shows no sign whatsoever of narrowing.
- (not) at all; (not) in the leastFrankly, I'm at my wit's end with a counterpart who clings to principle and shows not the slightest willingness to meet us halfway.
- a momentWith the deadline closing in moment by moment, I finished the manuscript begrudging every single minute.
- at all; entirelyOnce you sign this document, you lose any right to raise an objection afterward.
- a kind; a sortStubbornness and mere obstinacy are but a hair apart, yet a stubbornness backed by conviction carries a certain dignity.
- flat rejection; brushing offAs if to declare that he alone was right, he brushed aside everyone else's opinions.
- an instant; a momentThe negotiations have reached their climax, and we cannot let our guard down for even a single moment.
- a line (not to be crossed)The idea that anything may be sacrificed for the sake of efficiency is the one line I cannot cross.
- all the more; even moreThe cobblestone alley, wet with rain, took on an even deeper charm.
- further; even moreTaken to its logical end, that policy inevitably arrives at the consequence of ever-widening inequality.
- whole area; regionThe ecosystem of this whole area is being disrupted, to the point of being beyond recovery, by the invasion of alien species.
- once; for the time beingIf the other side keeps acting in bad faith, we'll have no choice but to scrap this deal and start over.
- agreement; unanimityAt today's meeting we agreed not to reach a conclusion, but to take it back and reconsider individually.
- in a single day; overnightA refined aesthetic sense is not something cultivated overnight.
- certain; fixedFrom the above, it is thought that the policy in question had a certain influence on consumption behavior.
- single-minded; obstinateMy father was unbendingly stubborn, and he never once bent a principle he had settled on.
- a piece; a shredThere is nothing more unmanageable than a wielder of power who lacks even a shred of conscience.
- brief notice; a wordI would be grateful if you could let me know by next week whether you will be attending the award ceremony.
- somedayNo matter how unreasonable the grunt work, my senior counseled, 'perseverance prevails'—endure it and you'll be rewarded in time.
- deviation; departureShould expenditures that deviate from the purpose of the grant come to light, the recipient could well be required to return the funds.
- before one knows itBefore anyone quite noticed, the single word "yabai" had broadened its meaning into something usable for both praise and criticism.
- alwaysShifting the point whenever things get inconvenient for him is his usual tactic.
- ideologyThere is even a critique that the very concept of "progress" is nothing more than an ideology peculiar to Western modernity.
- heredity; geneticThis disease is thought to be strongly influenced by genetic factors, so the family history must be taken with care.
- geneWhen it comes to applying gene-editing technology in medicine, the ethical rights and wrongs are subject to searching debate.
- intentionIf you summarize while misconstruing the gist, you end up with a text far removed from the original's intent.
- activity; life; doingsThe raging waves crashed against the seawall as if mocking the endeavors of mankind.
- very; extremelyBy excerpting statistical figures to suit one's ends, public opinion is steered all too easily.
- or not; noWhether or not to change jobs — a fierce inner conflict is churning inside me.
- to be able to denyWith overtime day after day, there's no denying I've built up a fair amount of fatigue.
- to prayAll I could do was simply pray for his safety.
- violation; breachSince the contract has been breached, there will be no getting out of paying the penalty.
- eventAs the infection spread, numerous events were forced to be cancelled.
- now; (once) moreMight I ask you once more about the main points of your view?
- now (too late); at this pointThere's no use regretting it now — the trust that's been lost isn't going to come back.
- to admonish; to cautionBefore blaming him for a slip of the tongue, the proper course is to recall that 'even monkeys fall from trees' and check one's own complacency.
- still; not yetThis is somewhat old news, but the truth behind that incident still remains shrouded in darkness.
- now; nowadaysProduct design that minimizes environmental burden as much as possible is now becoming a source of competitiveness.
- now; nowadaysThe bustle of the old post town now survives only as a trace in the rows of old houses along the highway.
- meaningWithout the perspective of learning from the past to inform the present, no reform worthy of the name could ever be achieved.
- breach of contractSince the contract has been breached, there will be no getting out of paying the penalty.
- at last; finallyNow that the budget has been approved, we can finally push the plan forward in earnest.
- request; commissionGiven that it's an earnest request from my old mentor, I can hardly turn it down on the grounds of being busy.
- medical care; healthcareWhen it comes to having sustained regional healthcare for so many years, there is no more dependable institution than this hospital.
- to shoot; to hit (the mark)That rebuttal can hardly be called on target; it seems to mistake what is actually at issue.
- exceptional; unprecedentedIt is an extremely unusual measure, but given the emergency it is unavoidable.
- to put in; to insertOne phone call in advance and all this confusion could have been avoided — if only.
- to color; to adornEven the painful days, looking back, I can now see were nourishment that gave color to my life.
- objection; dissentThere are people who champion diversity yet are astonishingly intolerant of dissenting views.
- so-calledIt is a so-called autoimmune disease, in which one's own immune system attacks healthy tissue.
- shadow; nuanceThe light of dusk cast deep shadows along the cloister, throwing the outlines of the pillars into sharp relief.
- causality; cause and effectIf policy is built while conflating correlation with causation, enormous budgets risk being poured into misguided measures.
- ostentatiously polite; hypocritical courtesyExcessive double honorifics can, on the contrary, come across as insincerely obsequious, so care is needed.
- printingPlease use these materials however is convenient for you — print them out, share them digitally, or whatever works.
- impressionExcessive double honorifics can, on the contrary, come across as insincerely obsequious, so care is needed.
- in-hospitalTo prevent hospital-acquired infections, thorough hand hygiene is more crucial than anything else.
- old grudge; fateful connectionLet's put the old bad blood behind us and cooperate positively from here on out.
- infrastructureThe concentration of commuters places an excessive load on urban infrastructure and exposes its fragility in emergencies.
- concealment; cover-upIn this scandal, the field staff who covered it up are to blame, and so is the headquarters that let it slide.
- conspiracy; plotWhen information gets tangled and confused, people grow paranoid and tend to convince themselves of conspiracies that don't even exist.
- quotation; citationCherry-picking statistics and quoting them to suit oneself can hardly escape the charge of self-serving distortion.
- running around in confusionBecause the evacuation orders kept flip-flopping, residents just ran about in confusion, and in the end some were left unable to escape in time.
- asking; inquiry (humble)Might I ask you once more about the main points of your view?
- to hear (humble); to visit (humble)I understand that the minister, too, will be attending tomorrow's ceremony.
- to visit; to ask (humble)I would like to call on your company tomorrow afternoon regarding the contract; would that be convenient for you?
- to be carried away (by fever)The masses, as though in the grip of a fever, were swept along by baseless rumors.
- to emerge; to come to lightWhen the data were analyzed in detail, a periodicity that had until now been overlooked came to light.
- to appear; to floatA faint film of condensation had formed on the windowpane, softly blurring the scene outside.
- to guarantee; to vouch forHaving assured everyone it would be fine, I ended up with no way to back out.
- to acceptIt is precisely in accepting defeat gracefully that one's true dignity shines through.
- to receive (an order); to hear (humble)I understand from the other party that they wish to move the delivery date forward by a week.
- to inherit; to succeed toA craft that has been handed down through many generations truly deserves to be called a living heritage.
- to accept; to take (in)We take this misconduct with the utmost gravity and intend to work company-wide to prevent any recurrence; it is on these grounds that we hereby offer our profound apologies.
- to receive; to acceptIn an information society, silence too is received as a message in its own right.
- to operate; to moveThere is a view that it is not heroes who move history, but that the nameless masses are its true agents.
- to move; to run (machine)That claim rests on the premise that markets always behave rationally, yet the premise itself does not hold in reality.
- rabbit; hareAs 'he who chases two hares catches neither' warns, the project that greedily reached for this and that ended up half-baked on every front.
- to loseThere's no use regretting it now — the trust that's been lost isn't going to come back.
- guilty (feeling); ashamedHaving gotten ahead of my colleagues to win the promotion, a nagging sense of guilt lingers somewhere in me.
- guilty (feeling); ashamedThe guilt of having been the only one to survive still torments him today.
- weak; thinThis report has a tendency to rush to its conclusions, and its supporting grounds are thin.
- to ache; to throbEvery time I think of my faraway hometown, my heart aches with a bittersweet longing.
- lieLeaving home with a lie still unconfessed to my parents felt utterly guilt-ridden.
- to advocate; to proclaimTrumpeting the elimination of daycare waiting lists is no more than pie in the sky unless it is accompanied by better treatment for childcare workers.
- suspicion; doubtSuspicions have arisen that the allocation of the budget is being decided arbitrarily according to the designs of a select few.
- to doubt; to questionIt is precisely when a discussion reaches an impasse that we need to question the underlying premise itself.
- to confide; to open upUnable to confide his true feelings to anyone, he went on bearing a helpless, desolate loneliness.
- to deny; to negateTo fully undo a false report once it has spread is, as they say, like water spilled that will not return to the tray.
- to devote oneself toIt is only because I have my health that I can throw myself into the work I love like this.
- to put forward; to launchMany of the measures rolled out under the banner of combating the falling birthrate fail to get to grips with the root causes.
- carelessness; inadvertentlyShould you carelessly let your true feelings slip, you'd instantly become fodder for the tabloids.
- faintly; slightlyA thin haze lay faintly over the surface of the lake in the early morning.
- lawsuit; complaintThe victims brought suit against the offending company, seeking substantial damages.
- to hit; to strikeOnce she starts talking, she goes on and on, leaving you not even a moment to get a word in.
- beautifulThe beauty of the sea of clouds seen from the summit was simply beyond description.
- to reflect; to projectArt is nothing other than a mirror that reflects the spirit of its age.
- to look down; to hang one's headScolded in front of everyone, I hung my head, unable to bear staying there.
- to be reflected; to be projectedEach time the candle flame wavered, the human shadow on the wall deepened and then faded.
- to be able to move onThe moment the approval comes down, have everything arranged so we can move straight to placing the order.
- vessel; bowlIt may lack flamboyance, but this vessel exudes a quiet, richly satisfying character.
- can take (measures)Had he consulted me sooner I could have done something — but because he kept quiet, things have reached a point of no return.
- to encourage; to promptAs deregulation advances, new entrants will be encouraged and competition in the market will grow markedly more vigorous.
- swallowing whole; accepting uncriticallyAs long as the reproducibility of the experimental results cannot be confirmed, we cannot simply take the claim at face value.
- to be bornAmong the coinages that keep springing up alongside the spread of social media, it's hardly rare for one to fade away within a few years.
- seaAgainst the ultramarine sea, the white of the lighthouse stood out strikingly and drew the eye.
- presence or absenceA society in which everyone can live without discrimination, regardless of disability, is precisely what we ought to strive for.
- to fill; to bridge (a gap)The rift in values between generations seems to have deepened to a point that is now all but unbridgeable.
- behind the scenes; backWe cannot overlook the reality that companies championing sustainability are, behind the scenes, foisting their environmental burden onto developing countries.
- backing; supportWith the budget backing left unresolved, only the grand vision is running ahead on its own.
- to back up; to support (with evidence)With this much material assembled, one may call it evidence sufficient to support the hypothesis.
- contrary; oppositeThe emissions-trading market, contrary to initial expectations, harbors an aspect that could turn into a hotbed of speculation.
- to sellEven with the deadline looming, he is off idling and chatting in the break room again.
- worry; griefAs 'forewarned is forearmed' holds, it is precisely thorough crisis management in peacetime that keeps damage to a minimum when disaster strikes.
- happy; gladTo think an old friend would come to visit me like this — I couldn't be more delighted.
- rumorRumors with no firm evidence yet are not worth raising in a public forum.
- to exceed; to surpassEven a renewable resource cannot escape depletion if the pace of consumption outstrips the speed of regeneration.
- sea of cloudsThe beauty of the sea of clouds seen from the summit was simply beyond description.
- operation; applicationIf the review criteria differ from one official to another, it can hardly be helped that the process is criticized as arbitrary.
- picture; paintingThis painting, in both its composition and its use of color, is truly a masterpiece emblematic of his mature period.
- glory; prosperityUpon this land, which has witnessed dynasties rise and fall time and again, memories of splendor and decline are inscribed layer upon layer.
- permanent; eternalUnless we surface the tacit premises at play, this kind of conflict will run in parallel lines forever.
- influence; effectFrom the above, it is thought that the policy in question had a certain influence on consumption behavior.
- business; open (for business)As of today, our shop brings its fifty years of business to a close.
- gloryThere is no such thing in this world as glory won without sacrifice.
- rise and fall; vicissitudesThe old master gazed quietly upon the age with eyes that had risen above the rise and fall of worldly fortunes.
- hygiene; sanitationTo prevent hospital-acquired infections, thorough hand hygiene is more crucial than anything else.
- promotion (with transfer)I have read your letter. I hear you are soon to be promoted to a new post, and I offer my heartfelt congratulations.
- heroThere is a view that it is not heroes who move history, but that the nameless masses are its true agents.
- profit-makingThe press must never sell off its mission of watching over power to the logic of commercial profit.
- to draw; to paintThe story does not depict its ending, leaving it to the reader's imagination and thereby leaving a deep lingering impression.
- hard to obtain; preciousThrough volunteering, I tasted a sense of fulfillment that money could hardly buy.
- station buildingThe station of the abandoned line, though decaying, still retained a somehow nostalgic presence.
- in front of the stationWhile out for a walk, I also picked up a new release at the bookshop by the station.
- minor details; trivialitiesRather than spending time on peripheral arguments, sorting out the essential points must come first.
- essayEven in a short essay, a well-ordered four-part structure makes the final impression far more crisp.
- energyWithout a shift to renewable energy to replace oil, the realization of a decarbonized society remains doubtful.
- picture scrollThe figure clad in a twelve-layered kimono was elegance itself, as if stepped out of an illustrated scroll.
- to choose; to selectThe reason he chose silence in that situation is not hard to infer.
- elegantThe theory is elegant, but until it is empirically demonstrated by experiment, it remains no more than a hypothesis.
- yenThe advancing depreciation of the yen is further spurring the surge in import prices.
- coast; coastal areaEfforts to conserve coastal ecosystems are two sides of the same coin as protecting the livelihoods of fishers.
- euphemism; indirectnessEuphemistic expressions in Japanese serve as a lubricant that softens refusals, while at the same time forming a baffling barrier for foreigners.
- maturity (of skill)This painting, in both its composition and its use of color, is truly a masterpiece emblematic of his mature period.
- speech; addressHer impassioned speech could not fail to move the audience.
- musical performanceAt last night's concert, I listened intently to the maestro's mature, seasoned tone.
- life prolongationHow far to carry life-prolonging measures is an issue that forces a heavy decision upon the family.
- reserve; hesitationPlease don't hold back so much — whenever you're in a bind, feel free to rely on me anytime.
- unreserved; frankThis is no more than a draft for discussion, so please feel free to raise objections.
- old age; agingDifferences of degree aside, everyone carries some anxiety about growing old.
- busy (honorific)I am terribly sorry to impose when you are so busy, but might I have a little of your time?
- to drive on; to hurry alongThe years drive people relentlessly onward, and not a single soul can escape their march.
- to catch up withThe construction of accredited nurseries cannot keep pace, and the elimination of childcare waiting lists is proceeding at a snail's pace.
- being; coming (honorific)The chairman understands the importance of this issue more deeply than anyone.
- prayer (polite)Last but not least, I sincerely pray for the ever-growing prosperity of you all.
- to pursue; to seek afterThe ideal that our late mentor never ceased to pursue throughout his life still serves as our guiding compass today.
- to grow oldOver having placed my aging parent in a care facility, sorrow and guilt still mingle within me to this day.
- to bear; to oweOur company bears no legal responsibility whatsoever in this matter.
- to pursue; to chaseThe sight of people driven from their homes by the fires of war stirs a compassion one can hardly contain.
- often; frequentlyExperts all too often have a tendency to make their arguments needlessly abstruse.
- former times; the pastAs if time itself had stopped, the ancient capital still bore the vestiges of its former days.
- (bad) grace in defeat; acceptance of the endTo keep making excuses even when confronted with the evidence — there is a limit to how poorly one can accept the inevitable.
- to comply; to respondA system that levies taxes according to carbon-dioxide emissions could become a powerful incentive to change corporate behavior.
- dynastyUpon this land, which has witnessed dynasties rise and fall time and again, memories of splendor and decline are inscribed layer upon layer.
- royal road; easy path"There is no royal road to learning; never neglect your efforts," my old teacher used to repeat almost as a refrain.
- application; entryAmong the countless submissions, the crystalline stillness of his poetry stood out.
- application; appliedThey say 'more haste, less speed': the price of neglecting the fundamentals and rushing to advanced work always comes due later.
- to be able to handleQuantum computers hold the potential to solve, in one stroke, problems that conventional machines cannot handle.
- large-scale; largeWith the approach of a large and extremely powerful typhoon, the Meteorological Agency is calling for the utmost level of vigilance.
- big; largeThe paper the professor wrote has stirred a great response in academic circles.
- many; a great dealDue to record-breaking torrential rain, many residents have been forced into life as evacuees.
- outline; general pictureThough there may be some divergence of views, in broad outline the two sides are in agreement.
- to be ordered (humble); to be assignedFor someone as junior as myself to be entrusted with such an important role fills me with the deepest humility.
- final stage; climaxThe negotiations have reached their climax, and we cannot let our guard down for even a single moment.
- major (company); leadingThe major bank's abrupt announcement of a merger is sending shock waves through the entire financial industry.
- big boast; grand gestureHaving made such grand boasts in front of my subordinates, I can hardly admit now that I failed.
- New Year's EveIn our household, sweeping away a year's worth of dust on New Year's Eve has long been an established custom.
- generally; on the wholeTaking the above discussion as a whole, the initial hypothesis can be considered to have been broadly supported.
- public; officialRumors with no firm evidence yet are not worth raising in a public forum.
- broad framework; outlineAlthough we've agreed on the broad outline, hammering out the details is likely to take more time yet.
- causing (trouble) (polite)Owing to my own shortcomings I have caused you great trouble, and I am overcome with the deepest shame.
- thanks toThanks to careful advance coordination with the stakeholders, the meeting proceeded smoothly.
- to commit (a mistake or crime)That a battle-hardened veteran like him would make such an elementary blunder—this is exactly what 'even monkeys fall from trees' means.
- customer; guest (polite)The item you purchased will be shipped out before the end of today.
- to get up; to wake upEven when the unexpected struck, he stayed calm and, through flexible, on-the-spot judgment, held the damage to a minimum.
- to put; to leave aside (other than)There is surely no one but him who could break through this crisis.
- inner part; backAs I pushed deeper into the forest, the clamor of the outside world receded until only a silence that seemed to press against the ears remained.
- to put; to leave (behind)How to provide relief to those who fall through the cracks of the system is the greatest challenge facing social-security reform.
- speculation; guessThinly grounded speculation spread across social media, gathering embellishments as it went.
- to give (a gift)On the occasion of your opening for business, I send you a small token of my regard.
- to sendTo live a life free of regret, I've resolved never to put off the things I want to do.
- delayThe delay in institutional reform is nothing but the result of political negligence.
- to be able to spend (days); to be able to sendI'm busy, to be sure, but I never imagined I could live such deeply fulfilling days.
- to found; to start (a business)The higher one rises in position, the more apt one is to forget the original resolve one had when first starting the venture.
- to bring (a lawsuit); to causeThe victims brought suit against the offending company, seeking substantial damages.
- to neglectA project that skimped on proper verification failing — there's no way to describe it but as a failure that was bound to fail.
- to carry out; to hold (event)Reconciling economic stimulus with fiscal discipline is a textbook case of easier said than done.
- to get angrySubjected to such insincere treatment for so long, it's only natural the customers are angry.
- to happen; to occurIt's an illness that came from years of accumulated overwork — nothing other than a tragedy that was bound to happen.
- to be arrogant; to be conceitedDespite his numerous accomplishments, he never lets it go to his head and maintains a consistently humble attitude.
- to hold down; to restrainAt the organization's unreasonable decision, I felt an indignation I could not suppress.
- young; littleReading the diary of someone who died leaving a young child behind, I was overwhelmed by a piercing sorrow.
- to subside; to settleAt this budget scale, it can't be settled by the division head's approval alone; we need to circulate a formal ringi.
- to achieve (success); to put awayIt is precisely thanks to everyone's support that we have been able to achieve today's success.
- to push upIt may be that a third factor is simultaneously driving both variables up, with no direct causation between them at all.
- teaching; instructionThere's no bigger waste of time than pouring effort into someone not worth teaching.
- to tell; to teachHaving gone to such trouble to bring him this far, he really is a student worth teaching.
- to override; to push throughEven in the face of everyone's opposition, she stood firm by her convictions.
- (with) apparent reluctanceAs if mourning the passing season, she gazed out the window with a wistful reluctance.
- to push onto; to force uponPrecisely because the matter straddled several ministries, they kept passing the buck over jurisdiction, and the response fell behind.
- to spare; to begrudgeWith the deadline closing in moment by moment, I finished the manuscript begrudging every single minute.
- New Year (holiday)In this village, the custom of the whole clan gathering to observe the New Year is still handed down to this day.
- to push; to pressTo find that my message never got through despite how firmly I drove it home leaves me utterly disheartened.
- care; help (polite)On the occasion of my departure, I should like to say a word of farewell to those who have looked after me over the years.
- pollution; contaminationAlthough river pollution has visibly improved, the problem of toxic substances accumulated in the sediment still lingers.
- late; slowEven if we shelve that problem, sooner or later we'll be forced to confront it.
- risk; fearAbrupt monetary tightening risks, on the contrary, choking off the recovery altogether.
- to be sorry to trouble (humble)Excuse me, but would you be so kind as to write your name in this guest book?
- awe-inspiring; too great an honorI have been granted the awe-inspiring opportunity to present my research findings before His Highness.
- to fearUnderestimating them as an opponent not worth fearing was the cause of the defeat.
- to fall intoTaking baseless rumors to heart, I sank into groundless suspicion, coming to doubt even my colleagues' most casual remarks.
- help; strength (polite)I am truly pained not to be of help, but I am afraid we have no choice but to decline your proposal on this occasion.
- calm; stabilityOnce supply and demand ease, prices should naturally regain their composure.
- to calm down; to settleRegarding the discount rate, the two sides settled on a compromise both could accept.
- fallen leavesThe temple approach carpeted with fallen leaves is suffused with the atmosphere unique to late autumn.
- to fall; to dropAs 'even monkeys fall from trees' suggests, even an authority in the field is not immune to the occasional fatal error of judgment.
- to say (honorific)Only now do I keenly feel the weight of the words the professor spoke while he was alive.
- husbandTo a wife of many years, even the faintest stirrings in her husband's heart are as plain as if held in her hand.
- thanks for your hard workThe greeting "otsukaresama" has become idiomatically entrenched across a wide range of uses, from genuine appreciation of someone's toil to a mere signal.
- sound; volumeOver the snow-laden streets late at night spread a silence that seemed to have swallowed every last sound.
- looking through (honorific); appetizerHas the department manager already had a chance to look over the new project proposal?
- man; guyOnce you lend that man money, you'd better assume you'll never see it again.
- (settling) point; dropThere is a gap between the two sides' positions, but there is no choice but to seek a realistic compromise somewhere.
- to translate into (concrete terms); to drop intoThe ability to translate abstract concepts into concrete examples is a hallmark of an excellent teacher.
- to drop; to loseIt is precisely in bearing pared down of all excess that the chic spirit of old Edo resides.
- adultIf you don't know the proper etiquette for ceremonial occasions, you may well end up embarrassing yourself as an adult.
- to be manipulated; to danceThere is no end of readers who let themselves be swayed by sensational headlines and swallow the content whole.
- to be surprisedGiven his years of effort, there is no reason to be surprised that he won the award.
- naturally; of itselfTaken in light of the context up to now, the true intent of his remark becomes self-evident.
- naturally; of itselfOnce supply and demand ease, prices should naturally regain their composure.
- oneselfThere is no denying that the arrogance of overestimating his own talent brought about his downfall.
- talk; story (polite)Having listened to the chairman's deeply insightful remarks, I feel my horizons have been greatly broadened.
- embellishment; exaggerationThinly grounded speculation spread across social media, gathering embellishments as it went.
- to take on; to be tinged withThe same event, when viewed from a different phase, takes on an entirely different meaning.
- memory; recollectionThat is a gross misunderstanding; I have no recollection of ever making such a promise.
- to memorize; to rememberEach time I watch the disaster coverage, I feel a helpless despondency at my own powerlessness.
- waiting (polite)A guest has been waiting for you in the lobby since a little while ago.
- festive uproar; carnival moodWith it being their first championship in ten years, the entire town erupted into festive celebration.
- feeling; thoughtHaving gotten ahead of my colleagues to win the promotion, a nagging sense of guilt lingers somewhere in me.
- heavyThis affair is too grave to dismiss as a mere scandal; it deserves to be examined by society as a whole.
- to expect; to anticipateA gathering I attended purely out of obligation unexpectedly became the occasion for building valuable connections.
- to make up one's mind; to be boldHesitant though he was inside, he steeled himself and spoke his true feelings right there in the meeting.
- to seem; to be able to thinkEven the painful days, looking back, I can now see were nourishment that gave color to my life.
- vestige; traceAs if time itself had stopped, the ancient capital still bore the vestiges of its former days.
- weight; gravityOnly now do I keenly feel the weight of the words the professor spoke while he was alive.
- charm; taste (atmosphere)The moss-covered rock garden has a charm that words can scarcely capture.
- intentions; calculationsTo forge consensus amid the tangled interests of each department, we first need to sort out the points where those interests collide.
- unsatisfactory; not favorableFor cases where progress is unsatisfactory, rather than blaming the person in charge, one should first identify the obstructing factors.
- to consider; to take into accountReading another's feelings and swallowing your true thoughts is, at times, an important art of getting by in the world.
- parentThe parents are as bad as they come and the children no better; this whole family simply lacks any common sense.
- filial piety; devotion to parentsIf only I had been a better child to my parents back then—even now, the regret lingers.
- (not) at all; roughlyHis words and deeds, swept along by momentary emotion, are hardly worthy of trust.
- to reach; to match up toHowever much we hurry, at this late stage there's no longer any prospect of making the deadline.
- to exert (influence); to affectThe possibility that bias in the data influenced the results cannot be ruled out.
- compromise; agreementUnable to agree on the budget, the merger talks ended up shelved, and half a year has slipped by.
- to be granted; to come downThe years of accumulated research paid off, and approval for the new drug finally came through.
- to come down; to be lifted (burden)The ringi document is already in circulation, but it will likely take a few days until the executives' approval comes through.
- to weaveIn the brushwork that deftly interweaves literary and colloquial styles, one senses a dignity unique to that author.
- I; me (masculine, informal)Don't be so distant with me — come on, we go way back, don't we?
- thanks; token of gratitudeSince I know neither their contact details nor their real name, I have no way to convey my thanks.
- thanks; gratitude (polite)I respectfully express my gratitude for the kind consideration you always extend to us.
- to break; to snapIf you let this level of adversity break your spirit, you'll never make it at the top level.
- neglect; carelessnessThey say 'more haste, less speed': the price of neglecting the fundamentals and rushing to advanced work always comes due later.
- to lower; to bring downAs of March 31st, our shop will bring its long history to a close.
- neglect; negligenceFussing only over appearances while neglecting the substance that really matters is putting the cart before the horse in the extreme.
- favor; kindness receivedTo repay kindness with injury is conduct one can only call unbecoming of a human being.
- musicThe handling of pause in music has something in common with the empty space of painting.
- debt of gratitude; obligationTo act honorably toward someone to whom you owe a debt of gratitude, even at your own disadvantage, is the way of a decent person.
- benefit; blessingPerhaps it is a blessing of age that I have come to view things with detachment, no longer swayed by every high and low.
- learning from the pastAs I carefully reread the classics, it struck me that this was exactly what is meant by learning the new by revisiting the old.
- one's former teacher; mentorGiven that it's an earnest request from my old mentor, I can hardly turn it down on the grounds of being busy.
- greenhouseMerely bringing greenhouse-gas emissions close to zero is not enough; technology to absorb what is already in the atmosphere is also indispensable.
- your company (polite)I would like to call on your company tomorrow afternoon regarding the contract; would that be convenient for you?
- benefactorWhatever happens, the one thing I never want to do is fail in my obligation to the person to whom I owe so much.
- warm (climate)To put a brake on the advance of global warming, each country needs to move up its emissions-reduction targets substantially.
- temperatureIn the simulation, temperature and pressure are treated as independent variables.
- reformThe delay in institutional reform is nothing but the result of political negligence.
- painting (art)The handling of pause in music has something in common with the empty space of painting.
- overseas; abroadEver since his overseas posting, his outlook has broadened dramatically.
- regressionRegression analysis found a significant negative correlation between age and satisfaction.
- meeting; conferenceWhether or not the manager is present, the minutes of the meeting are always shared with everyone.
- opening (of business)On the occasion of your opening for business, I send you a small token of my regard.
- solution; resolutionEven if you talk your opponent into submission with sophistry, it does nothing to resolve the heart of the problem.
- press conference; interviewThe post-accident response was appalling, and the explanation at the press conference no better; it's no wonder it bred public distrust.
- dismissal; layoffEven as he struggled to keep the company afloat, he refused to the very end to lay off a single employee.
- nursing care; caregivingBeing plagued by labor shortages is not something limited to the elderly-care industry.
- meeting; gatheringA gathering I attended purely out of obligation unexpectedly became the occasion for building valuable connections.
- dissolution; breakupWith today's meeting, this committee is hereby dissolved.
- companyAt that company, the management is hopeless and so are the employees; there's not the slightest sense of crisis to be found.
- interpretationOver the interpretation of the new treaty, the ruling and opposition parties are locked in head-on disagreement.
- retrieval; recoveryOnce confidential information has leaked, it is simply impossible to fully retrieve it.
- elimination; resolutionTrumpeting the elimination of daycare waiting lists is no more than pie in the sky unless it is accompanied by better treatment for childcare workers.
- disclosureDisclosing the documents to a third party without obtaining the other party's assent is what triggered the present dispute.
- venue; hallAs it was a lecture by a renowned author, the venue was filled to capacity.
- to interpret; to construeIt is reasonable to interpret that the provision in question does not take effect retroactively.
- amendment; revisionIn reforming the tax system, consideration for low-income groups is indispensable.
- formal multi-course mealFor a formal kaiseki meal, there are detailed rules of etiquette that extend even to how you raise and lower your chopsticks.
- analysisAfter analyzing the enormous logs, it turned out that signs of the failure had been appearing for several days.
- improvementTrumpeting the elimination of daycare waiting lists is no more than pie in the sky unless it is accompanied by better treatment for childcare workers.
- to turn (into an enemy) (volitional)Even if it means making an enemy of the whole world, I will keep defending him to the very end.
- rebuilding; renovationThanks to the renovation, the old townhouse became remarkably more livable.
- chairman; presidentShould you dare to go against the chairman's wishes, your standing in the company would be jeopardized in an instant.
- highway; main roadSet off from the main road, the hamlet stood hushed and still, as though left behind by the passage of time.
- interventionThe comparison between the experimental and control groups suggested an effect of the intervention.
- developmentWhether in boom times or in recession, a company that neglects investment in research and development has no future.
- avoidance; evasionAs a result of labor and management persistently meeting each other halfway, the strike was averted.
- recoveryJust when the economy seemed to be heading toward a gradual recovery, signs of another downturn have started to appear.
- liberation; releaseTo grasp the concept of freedom as mere liberation from constraint is far too one-sided.
- nil; nonexistentRisk management is nothing other than the endeavor to reduce danger to an acceptable level, not to eliminate it entirely.
- elucidation; clarificationIn order to get to the bottom of the entire scandal, an independent third-party committee is to be established.
- ocean; marineThe once-abundant fishing grounds, too, have declined beyond recognition through the combination of overfishing and marine pollution.
- circulation (notice)The ringi document is already in circulation, but it will likely take a few days until the executives' approval comes through.
- corridor; cloisterThe light of dusk cast deep shadows along the cloister, throwing the outlines of the pillars into sharp relief.
- to return; to give backTo repay kindness with injury is conduct one can only call unbecoming of a human being.
- on the contrary; ratherExcessive double honorifics can, on the contrary, come across as insincerely obsequious, so care is needed.
- return; going homePlease do take this commemorative gift with you when you leave.
- to look after; to look back onHaving worked for a full decade without ever attending to his family, perhaps it's only natural he feels lonely after retirement.
- to change (something)The same event, when viewed from a different phase, takes on an entirely different meaning.
- to go home; to returnWith everyone else working overtime, I felt reluctant to be the only one to leave first.
- to come back; to be returnedOnce you lend that man money, you'd better assume you'll never see it again.
- faceThe administrative staff had prepared in advance a compromise that would let both sides save face.
- complexion; (someone's) moodBefore currying favor by reading his boss's mood, sticking to principle came first — that was his way.
- house; buildingThe reality is that reinforcing the seismic resistance of aged wooden houses requires substantial cost and time.
- scent; fragranceFrom her skin, fresh from the bath, rose the faint fragrance of soap.
- to take on (alone); to hold inShe has a tendency to shoulder everything on her own, which worries those around her.
- to hold (in arms); to have (problem)Differences of degree aside, everyone carries some anxiety about growing old.
- priceWith supply and demand for crude oil tight, there is no stopping the surge in prices.
- to put forward; to hoistThat candidate's campaign pledges are dubious, and so is the tone in which he delivers them; he's utterly untrustworthy.
- to cost; to take (time)We take this misconduct with the utmost gravity and intend to work company-wide to prevent any recurrence; it is on these grounds that we hereby offer our profound apologies.
- to be involved in; to concernA society in which everyone can live without discrimination, regardless of disability, is precisely what we ought to strive for.
- inflicting harm; perpetratingAs a matter of principle, for damage arising from negligence the wrongdoer bears a corresponding liability to compensate.
- chemistry; chemicalThere is an urgent push to commercialize technology that chemically breaks down waste plastics and cycles them back into raw materials.
- scienceIn so far as it is a scientific hypothesis, it must possess falsifiability.
- mirrorArt is nothing other than a mirror that reflects the spirit of its age.
- to rewriteResearch is advancing on conferring resistance to specific diseases by rewriting part of the genome.
- writer; authorHowever much one feigns objectivity, the writer's own perspective inevitably creeps into the description.
- to be limited to; not alwaysA declining birthrate and aging population is by no means a problem limited to this country.
- to sweat (as in "ase o kaku")The reality that our cultural treasures are managed so carelessly fills me with profound regret.
- to lack; to be indispensable (neg.)A society that lacks tolerance for differing values will, before long, crumble from within.
- resolve; readinessThis thorny problem demands the resolve to sit down and confront it thoroughly.
- disparity; gapThe widening of income disparity is a grave problem that could well provoke a rift in society.
- spreading; going viralTo stem the spread of disinformation, corrective information must be circulated faster than the falsehood itself.
- each companyThat the news outlets all fall into line and strike the same tone is something I have long harbored misgivings about.
- solid proofRumors with no firm evidence yet are not worth raising in a public forum.
- core; heart (of the matter)Through repeated groping trial and error, the team gradually got a grip on the heart of the problem.
- innovationWithout the steady, painstaking efforts of those on the ground, this technological breakthrough could never have been achieved.
- each person; individuallyPlease use these materials however is convenient for you — print them out, share them digitally, or whatever works.
- certain; reliablePutting what has been agreed into writing is what ensures its performance down the line.
- object (philosophy)To respect a patient's will is nothing other than to treat the patient as a subject rather than an object of treatment.
- expansion; spreadAs the infection spread, numerous events were forced to be cancelled.
- remarkably; by farEver since his overseas posting, his outlook has broadened dramatically.
- various places; everywhereBeing the last day of the holiday weekend, the expressways were hit by severe traffic jams in various areas.
- dignity; elevated toneMerely adding a single turn of phrase derived from classical language can sometimes lend a piece of writing an unexpected dignity.
- acquisitionHow long the immunity acquired through a vaccine lasts remains, in large part, unexplained.
- confirmation; checkFor such a trivial confirmation, there's surely no need to go to the trouble of reporting to the president.
- securing; ensuringEvery department twists the logic to its own advantage in a bid to secure budget, so the discussion of what's best for the whole never moves forward.
- establishmentUnless a system for cycling waste back into resources is established, the mass-consumption society will hit a dead end.
- to hideThe act of defaming others while hiding in the shadow of anonymity can by no means be called freedom of speech.
- specifics; particularsEven if everyone agrees in principle, aligning the specifics gets tangled up in competing interests and is anything but straightforward.
- furnitureIf you make furniture from scrap materials, you cut down on waste and hold costs down too — isn't that two birds with one stone?
- substitute; replacement (in "irreplaceable")The hardships of my youth have become an irreplaceable source of strength for who I am today.
- to be far apart; to differ greatlyIf you summarize while misconstruing the gist, you end up with a text far removed from the original's intent.
- bargaining; tacticsSeasoned at negotiation though I am, the maneuvering with someone I'm meeting for the first time is still nerve-racking.
- to hangThe masterpiece hung quietly, unnoticed, in a corner of an out-of-the-way corridor.