HEYGOW ASMR
HEYGOW › 日本語 › Vocabulary lists

JLPT N1 vocabulary list か-こ

587 phrases

3519 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
  1. Emphasis, limits & extremesto lack; to be missingThe parents are as bad as they come and the children no better; this whole family simply lacks any common sense.
  2. Description & rhetoricshadowBathed in the setting sun, the ancient temple, casting a long shadow, revealed its solemn, majestic presence.
  3. Language & mediashadow; behind (the scenes)The act of defaming others while hiding in the shadow of anonymity can by no means be called freedom of speech.
  4. Idioms & set phrasesthe pastLet's put the old bad blood behind us and cooperate positively from here on out.
  5. Society & current affairsroot of evil; source of troubleHandout policies that make light of fiscal discipline may well leave a grievous legacy for future generations.
  6. Connectives & conditionsto pile up; to repeatHe could simply have rested, but he kept pushing himself and ended up hospitalized after all.
  7. Nature & lifevolcanoIn response to heightened volcanic activity, entry restrictions and a state of alert were imposed across the surrounding area.
  8. Advanced businessvisibleThe progress of each case is visualized weekly, and the system ensures that any sign of delay is immediately reported to a superior.
  9. Law & institutionsdefect; flawConsumers hold the right to demand a refund for goods that are defective.
  10. Life & valueslending and borrowingLending and borrowing money can crack even the closest of relationships.
  11. Evaluation & inevitabilitynegligence; faultNow that so many lives have been lost, this cannot be dismissed as mere negligence.
  12. Life & valuespangs (of conscience); tormentUnable to bear the pangs of conscience, he finally came to blow the whistle on the wrongdoing.
  13. Language & mediaplace; part (of text)When I let it sit overnight and read it again, one spot after another that needed revising jumped out at me.
  14. Psychology & nuanceoverconfidenceThere is no denying that the arrogance of overestimating his own talent brought about his downfall.
  15. Society & current affairssteering; managementCompanies are being forced into a delicate balancing act between preserving jobs and securing profits.
  16. Advanced keigo & formalityexcess; excessiveExcessive double honorifics can, on the contrary, come across as insincerely obsequious, so care is needed.
  17. Society & current affairsto turn into; to becomeWith supply and demand in the labor market tight, labor shortages have turned into a serious social problem.
  18. Law & institutionsto impose (a penalty)In order to prevent information leaks, severe penalties are to be imposed on violators.
  19. Connectives & conditionsto lendOnce you lend that man money, you'd better assume you'll never see it again.
  20. Nature & lifenumber; quantityAs recovery in the disaster-stricken area dragged on, the number of volunteers dwindled visibly.
  21. Evaluation & inevitabilitymany; numerousAs the infection spread, numerous events were forced to be cancelled.
  22. Language & mediafossilWith the passage of time, an etymology may be forgotten while the idiom alone remains lodged in the language like a fossil.
  23. Logic & argumentto earn; to gain (time)Rather than answering the question, he kept up replies that deliberately shifted the point to buy time.
  24. Evaluation & inevitabilityhypothesisWith this much material assembled, one may call it evidence sufficient to support the hypothesis.
  25. Nature & liferiversAlthough river pollution has visibly improved, the problem of toxic substances accumulated in the sediment still lingers.
  26. Description & rhetoricwindThe cherry blossoms in full bloom scattering on the wind looked for all the world like a soft snow pouring down from the sky.
  27. Nature & lifetaxationA system that levies taxes according to carbon-dioxide emissions could become a powerful incentive to change corporate behavior.
  28. Idioms & set phrasesdepopulationIt is common knowledge that the falling birthrate is accelerating depopulation in rural areas.
  29. Evaluation & inevitabilityfamilyHaving worked for a full decade without ever attending to his family, perhaps it's only natural he feels lonely after retirement.
  30. Logic & argumentmold; patternThe notion of beauty sways with the times and never settles into a single mold.
  31. Psychology & nuancefavoring; taking sidesThat he feigns neutrality on the surface while in his heart he favors one side is common knowledge.
  32. Advanced keigo & formalitywhile also; at the same time asTo thank you for the other day and, at the same time, to pay a visit, I should like to call on your office in the near future.
  33. Advanced keigo & formalitypeople (respectful)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.
  34. Description & rhetoriccorner; nookThe masterpiece hung quietly, unnoticed, in a corner of an out-of-the-way corridor.
  35. Evaluation & inevitabilityto tidy up; to put awayThis affair is too grave to dismiss as a mere scandal; it deserves to be examined by society as a whole.
  36. Society & current affairsto lend (an ear); to tiltWithout lending an ear to the voices of the minority, a truly inclusive society can hardly be built.
  37. Psychology & nuanceto solidify; to firm upIn every corner of her words, one could vividly sense the signs that she had made up her mind to resign.
  38. Logic & argumentimbalance; biasIf you cite statistics as your grounds, you ought to examine the bias in the sample along with them.
  39. Language & mediaword; termThis word carries a connotation not found in the dictionary, and unless you read the mood of the room, you risk mistaking its true intent.
  40. Culture & artsto hand down (a story)His achievements will surely be recounted and passed down to posterity for a long time to come.
  41. Connectives & conditionsto talk about; to tellOnce she starts talking, she goes on and on, leaving you not even a moment to get a word in.
  42. Advanced businessissue; challengeAs long as the technical issues remain unresolved, we have no choice but to shelve this item for now.
  43. Idioms & set phrasesvalue; worthAmid a trend of frequent job-hopping, some dismiss the value of 'sticking it out for three years' as hopelessly outdated.
  44. Evaluation & inevitabilitygroundbreaking; epoch-makingBeing such a groundbreaking technology, it's only natural that it draws attention from around the world.
  45. Nature & lifeeach country; various countriesTo put a brake on the advance of global warming, each country needs to move up its emissions-reduction targets substantially.
  46. Emphasis, limits & extremesbroad-minded; openHere reigns the free and open academic spirit that only a university with a long history can nurture.
  47. Advanced keigo & formalityone's own convenience; selfishI am sorry to make such a self-serving request, but I would be grateful if you would consider changing the venue.
  48. Psychology & nuanceinner conflict; dilemmaWhether or not to change jobs — a fierce inner conflict is churning inside me.
  49. Nature & lifeactive; livelyIn response to heightened volcanic activity, entry restrictions and a state of alert were imposed across the surrounding area.
  50. Evaluation & inevitabilityto winHis victory, after such meticulous preparation, should be judged a win that was bound to be won.
  51. Culture & artsonce; formerlyIs it not rather simplistic to condemn the customs of the past by the values of today?
  52. Psychology & nuanceactivityThe guilt of being in such a privileged position drove him toward social activism.
  53. Emphasis, limits & extremesactive success; flourishingI wish you all continued success and good health from the bottom of my heart, with a devotion that knows no end.
  54. Society & current affairsvitality; vigorIn a society of demographic decline, how to preserve the vitality of local economies has become a pressing challenge.
  55. Life & valuesnourishment; sustenanceThe hardships of my youth have become an irreplaceable source of strength for who I am today.
  56. Nature & lifefamily; householdEach household is advised to keep on hand at least a three-day supply of water and food.
  57. Law & institutionsprocessThe process from application to the decision to grant funds has come under criticism as being far too opaque.
  58. Society & current affairsexcessiveExcessive deregulation can, at times, carry problems from the standpoint of consumer protection.
  59. Society & current affairsoperation; runningOver the restart of the nuclear power plants, the public is being asked to weigh the merits and demerits of the decision.
  60. Emphasis, limits & extremessadness; sorrowWhen I think of the grief of the bereaved families, I cannot forget this accident for even a single day.
  61. Connectives & conditionssurely; without failIf not every day, then at least once a week I make a point of getting out to the site in person.
  62. Advanced businessnot necessarilyThe reply "we'll consider it positively" doesn't necessarily mean acceptance, so one must be careful.
  63. Emphasis, limits & extremessurely; certainlyIf we respond with sincerity, we shall surely gain the other party's understanding.
  64. Culture & artsbellThe evening toll of the bell carried an indescribable atmospheric beauty.
  65. Advanced keigo & formalityto be unable to; (kanete) for some timeAs for that matter, it appears the president too has been concerned about it for some time.
  66. Society & current affairspossible; feasibleWithout correcting disparities, the realization of a sustainable society is simply impossible.
  67. Law & institutionsyes or no; proprietyThe deliberation over whether to grant approval ran into difficulties, and the committee had no choice but to defer its conclusion to the next session.
  68. Advanced businessshareholderAny further concession would be utterly impossible to justify to our shareholders.
  69. Culture & artscurrency; moneyThe evolution of a monetary system also serves as a mirror reflecting the maturity of that country's economic thought.
  70. Description & rhetoricwallSet against the white wall, the red of the camellia stood out all the more vividly.
  71. Advanced keigo & formalityto mind; to carePlease feel free to proceed as you see fit, by your own judgment.
  72. Description & rhetoricgod; deityThe dictator behaved as though he were a god, and ruled the people accordingly.
  73. Advanced businessto mesh; to engage (arguments)The points aren't meeting each other, so shall we pause and reorganize things from the premises up?
  74. Connectives & conditionsgod; deityI'm no god, after all — there's no way I could predict the future with any accuracy.
  75. Culture & artsseat of honorShowing a guest to the seat of honor is a custom deeply rooted in this region.
  76. Emphasis, limits & extremesto savor; to reflect deeplyEver since he fell gravely ill, he has come to savor just how precious good health is.
  77. Psychology & nuancepaper-thin differenceStubbornness and mere obstinacy are but a hair apart, yet a stubbornness backed by conviction carries a certain dignity.
  78. Psychology & nuanceshellBecause of her wounded pride, she withdrew ever more obstinately into her shell.
  79. Evaluation & inevitabilitybodySlander too vile to listen to flew back and forth, and the debate no longer held together at all.
  80. Nature & lifeswing and a miss; failureIf one hesitates to issue an evacuation advisory for fear it will prove a false alarm, one risks bringing about an irreversible catastrophe.
  81. Advanced businessto be intertwinedTo forge consensus amid the tangled interests of each department, we first need to sort out the points where those interests collide.
  82. Advanced businessto be entangled; to be involvedEven if everyone agrees in principle, aligning the specifics gets tangled up in competing interests and is anything but straightforward.
  83. Psychology & nuanceto drive; to spur onThe guilt of being in such a privileged position drove him toward social activism.
  84. Logic & argumentsupposing; hypotheticallyEven granting that premise for the sake of argument, it does not follow that his conclusion is necessarily entailed by it.
  85. Nature & lifedownstreamThe unchecked discharge of industrial wastewater destroyed the downstream ecosystem root and branch.
  86. Law & institutionsadministrative finePlease be advised in advance that failure to file the required notification may result in an administrative fine under the law.
  87. Idioms & set phrasesto be driven by; to spurHe regretted for the rest of his life that words hurled in a moment of passion had brought about consequences as irreversible as spilt water.
  88. Society & current affairslight (weight)Handout policies that make light of fiscal discipline may well leave a grievous legacy for future generations.
  89. Culture & artsdry landscape gardenThe dry landscape garden, evoking flowing water without using any, is a truly delicate mode of expression.
  90. Evaluation & inevitabilitytheyAfter all those years, perhaps they were destined partners who were bound to meet.
  91. Evaluation & inevitabilityoverworkIt's an illness that came from years of accumulated overwork — nothing other than a tragedy that was bound to happen.
  92. Nature & lifebarely; narrowlyThough our house barely escaped total collapse, the damage it sustained was by no means slight.
  93. Law & institutionsto exchange; to sign (a contract)Since it was merely a verbal promise and no written contract was exchanged, proving it is extremely difficult.
  94. Nature & lifeto be replaced; to changeWithout a shift to renewable energy to replace oil, the realization of a decarbonized society remains doubtful.
  95. Emphasis, limits & extremesto change (by itself)For the specifications to change right before the deadline — it's maddening beyond words.
  96. Advanced keigo & formalitytaking into accountAfter weighing various considerations, we have arrived at the decision to decline on this occasion.
  97. Advanced keigo & formalityoverlooking; ignoringIf I may say so with all due humility, this projection rests on several assumptions that cannot be overlooked.
  98. Logic & argumentsense; feelingThe sense of being rich or poor is, after all, relative, and it changes completely once the point of comparison shifts.
  99. Law & institutionsjurisdictionThis matter falls outside our ministry's jurisdiction; we ask that you direct your inquiry to the appropriate office instead.
  100. Life & valuesidea; thoughtThe idea that anything may be sacrificed for the sake of efficiency is the one line I cannot cross.
  101. Advanced keigo & formalityto take into considerationIn light of various circumstances, it is my intention to step back from the project in question for the time being.
  102. Evaluation & inevitabilityaudience; spectatorsThat shocking ending cannot fail to leave a deep lingering impression on the audience.
  103. Psychology & nuanceenvironment; surroundingsThe guilt of being in such a privileged position drove him toward social activism.
  104. Connectives & conditionsrelation; connectionWithout mutual trust, no alliance can endure for long.
  105. Language & mediaconciseWithout practice in stating the main points concisely, your reports will remain verbose forever.
  106. Advanced keigo & formalitydeep emotion; being movedTo be granted such a distinguished award is a matter of the utmost emotion for me.
  107. Law & institutionscustomary practiceTaking the enforcement of the new law as an occasion, we have decided to comprehensively review the company's practices concerning contracts.
  108. Advanced businessrecommendation; advisoryIf one neglects improvement despite having received a corrective recommendation, administrative sanctions will scarcely be avoidable.
  109. Culture & artsceremonial occasionsIf you don't know the proper etiquette for ceremonial occasions, you may well end up embarrassing yourself as an adult.
  110. Advanced businessauditRegarding the deficiencies pointed out in the audit, our policy is to take corrective measures promptly within a set deadline.
  111. Evaluation & inevitabilitysurveillance; monitoringThose who call themselves the press must never for a moment forget their mission of holding power to account.
  112. Evaluation & inevitabilitygratitude; thanksFor the support you have given me over so many years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
  113. Culture & artscustom; conventionWhen one traces the origin of this custom back to its source, it turns out to have sprung from courtly ceremony.
  114. Evaluation & inevitabilityappreciation (of art)This work possesses enough depth to withstand repeated viewing.
  115. Emphasis, limits & extremesinterest; concernPolitical apathy is surely not something confined to the young.
  116. Culture & artskanji (Chinese character)The forms of Chinese characters have grown progressively more simplified with each passing age.
  117. Evaluation & inevitabilitypatientTo sell off patients' personal data is conduct utterly unbecoming of a physician.
  118. Evaluation & inevitabilityemotion; feelingHis words and deeds, swept along by momentary emotion, are hardly worthy of trust.
  119. Culture & artsto feel; to senseThis novel is a masterpiece that reveals a new depth of savor each time it is reread.
  120. Idioms & set phrasesessential; crucialFussing only over appearances while neglecting the substance that really matters is putting the cart before the horse in the extreme.
  121. Academicfunction (math)With the addition of just one more variable, the computational load swells exponentially.
  122. Evaluation & inevitabilitycompletionAt this level of sheer polish, there is no way to describe it but as magnificent.
  123. Evaluation & inevitabilityinfectionAs the infection spread, numerous events were forced to be cancelled.
  124. Connectives & conditionscomplete; perfectEven the greatest of experts cannot possibly predict the future with complete certainty.
  125. Culture & artssimple; plainThe austere appointments of the tea room may be said to distill the very essence of Japanese aesthetic sensibility.
  126. Academicobservation (scientific)In the quantum world, the very act of observation exerts an influence on the state of the object.
  127. Idioms & set phraseseasy; simpleAn insult once spoken is not something that can be so easily forgiven and forgotten.
  128. Law & institutionsgovernment agencyOwing to the compartmentalized silos of the bureaucracy, a single application ends up being shunted from one department to the next.
  129. Society & current affairsviewpoint; perspectiveExcessive deregulation can, at times, carry problems from the standpoint of consumer protection.
  130. Law & institutionssupervision; directorThe failure to fulfill the duty to report to the supervisory authority made the situation even worse.
  131. Evaluation & inevitabilitydeep emotion; being movedHer impassioned speech could not fail to move the audience.
  132. Logic & argumentnotion; conceptHe is attempting to fundamentally reexamine the very modern notion of "ownership" itself.
  133. Advanced businessfavorable; satisfactorySince progress has been poor compared with the original plan, we have no choice but to fundamentally revise the schedule itself.
  134. Advanced keigo & formalitytoast; cheersAt today's commemorative ceremony, presumptuous though it may be, I will have the honor of offering the toast.
  135. Connectives & conditionsperfectIt may not be perfect, but by the deadline I want it polished to a level I can present to others.
  136. Psychology & nuancetolerance; generosityA society that lacks tolerance for differing values will, before long, crumble from within.
  137. Advanced keigo & formalitycommon usage; idiom"O-meshiagari-ni-naru" is technically a double honorific, yet it is widely accepted as an established usage.
  138. Culture & artsessential; vitalWhat truly matters is the attitude of upholding a custom while continually questioning what it originally meant.
  139. Connectives & conditionsmanagement; maintenanceWithout thorough information management, it is impossible to maintain customers' trust.
  140. Culture & artssimplification; simplifiedThe forms of Chinese characters have grown progressively more simplified with each passing age.
  141. Law & institutionscompletionThe procedure shall be deemed complete upon acceptance of the notification, and no subsequent changes will be permitted.
  142. Emphasis, limits & extremescustom; precedentIn light of established custom it was a reasonable decision, and there is no call to single it out for criticism.
  143. Society & current affairsrelaxation; easingAs deregulation advances, new entrants will be encouraged and competition in the market will grow markedly more vigorous.
  144. Description & rhetoricoutside worldAs 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.
  145. Idioms & set phrasesdiplomacyEven a veteran diplomat had his hands full with a negotiating counterpart who was no easy match.
  146. Society & current affairsforeign countryWhat is called for is a perspective that welcomes foreign workers not as mere labor, but as neighbors with whom we live side by side.
  147. Description & rhetoricstreetlightIn the hush of the night, only the streetlamps stood there, forlorn and at a loss.
  148. Logic & argumentconcept; notionThe very concept underlying this theory has undergone a profound transformation over time.
  149. Nature & lifeforeign; introducedThe ecosystem of this whole area is being disrupted, to the point of being beyond recovery, by the invasion of alien species.
  150. Idioms & set phrasesstudies; schoolworkTrying to accomplish his studies and a startup at once, he followed in the footsteps of the man chasing two hares, and both foundered halfway.
  151. Culture & artsschool (of thought)In the intellectual lineage of the field, he is unmistakably the legitimate heir of that school of thought.
  152. Evaluation & inevitabilitylearning; scholarship"There is no royal road to learning; never neglect your efforts," my old teacher used to repeat almost as a refrain.
  153. Nature & lifegasMerely bringing greenhouse-gas emissions close to zero is not enough; technology to absorb what is already in the atmosphere is also indispensable.
  154. AcademicimageThanks to advances in image analysis technology, even minute lesions can now be detected at an early stage.
  155. Advanced keigo & formalityacademic worldThe paper the professor wrote has stirred a great response in academic circles.
  156. Advanced businessmergerWith the change in management, the merger plan the predecessor had been advancing was scrapped entirely.
  157. Idioms & set phrasesself-serving argumentEvery 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.
  158. Society & current affairsgovernancePrompted by the whistleblowing, the situation has escalated to one where the very soundness of the organization's governance is in question.
  159. Emphasis, limits & extremesscreenThe tension unique to a live broadcast kept viewers glued to their screens.
  160. Description & rhetoricglassA faint film of condensation had formed on the windowpane, softly blurring the scene outside.
  161. Connectives & conditionssideBecause the research is entirely unprecedented, even those tasked with evaluating it are struggling to reach a judgment.
  162. Nature & lifecancerCancer cells, unlike normal cells, keep proliferating without limit.
  163. Language & mediaimplication; connotationThe single phrase "we'll consider it" not infrequently carries the implication of an effective refusal.
  164. Psychology & nuancestubborn; obstinateMy father was unbendingly stubborn, and he never once bent a principle he had settled on.
  165. Advanced keigo & formalitydepth of meaning; implicationHaving listened to the chairman's deeply insightful remarks, I feel my horizons have been greatly broadened.
  166. Description & rhetoricin one's sight; considerationWith an attitude that all but said I was beneath her notice, she would not even meet my eyes.
  167. Language & mediato do one's best; to persevereEven the single word "ganbaru" carries a completely different nuance depending on context, which is what makes it such a headache to translate.
  168. Academicreturn; null (in null hypothesis)As a result of the statistical test, the null hypothesis was rejected.
  169. Connectives & conditionspoint in time; periodHowever much we hurry, at this late stage there's no longer any prospect of making the deadline.
  170. Idioms & set phrasestreeAs 'even monkeys fall from trees' suggests, even an authority in the field is not immune to the occasional fatal error of judgment.
  171. Society & current affairsopportunity; occasionPrompted by the whistleblowing, the situation has escalated to one where the very soundness of the organization's governance is in question.
  172. Logic & argumentorigin; causeThe clash between the two sides stems from their not sharing a tacit premise.
  173. Evaluation & inevitabilityto go out; to disappearThe despair of having your data vanish right before the deadline is beyond anything words can capture.
  174. Description & rhetoricmemoryAt the bottom of my memory, scenes from childhood linger faintly.
  175. Academicair temperatureRising temperatures are thought to be one factor contributing to the decline in crop yields.
  176. Psychology & nuanceopportunity; chanceOut of petty pride I dug in my heels, and thus let a chance for reconciliation slip right through my fingers.
  177. Culture & artsmachineThe delicate craftsmanship wrought by an artisan's hand carries a warmth that no machine could ever reproduce.
  178. Advanced keigo & formalityplan; project; planningHas the department manager already had a chance to look over the new project proposal?
  179. Evaluation & inevitabilityinstitution; system (transport)Those who call themselves the press must never for a moment forget their mission of holding power to account.
  180. Emphasis, limits & extremescrisisAt that company, the management is hopeless and so are the employees; there's not the slightest sense of crisis to be found.
  181. Logic & argumentlistener; audienceThe leap from premise to conclusion is too great, and the audience simply cannot follow it.
  182. Academicrejection; dismissalAs a result of the statistical test, the null hypothesis was rejected.
  183. Culture & artslonging for; aspirationConveying the catastrophe of war to future generations is the mission of those of us who yearn for peace.
  184. Connectives & conditionscompany; enterpriseWith a global economic downturn underway, companies had no choice but to hold back on investment.
  185. Idioms & set phrasesstarting a businessTrying to accomplish his studies and a startup at once, he followed in the footsteps of the man chasing two hares, and both foundered halfway.
  186. Academicto be effective; to workThis theory can be applied not only to physics but also to elucidating economic phenomena.
  187. Logic & argumentconclusion; consequenceThe conclusion that follows from the foregoing analysis is that a fundamental overhaul of the system itself is unavoidable.
  188. Emphasis, limits & extremesdangerThe risk of information leaks is not confined to large corporations; it extends to small and medium enterprises as well.
  189. Advanced businessdeadline; expiry dateRegarding the deficiencies pointed out in the audit, our policy is to take corrective measures promptly within a set deadline.
  190. Logic & argumentto be audible; can hearHis argument sounds as though it has a point, but pushed to its conclusion it is a clever piece of sophistry.
  191. Description & rhetoricto carve; to engraveHis prose is etched with shadings that cannot be reduced to simple right and wrong.
  192. Emphasis, limits & extremesreporter; journalistThe post-accident response was appalling, and the explanation at the press conference no better; it's no wonder it bred public distrust.
  193. Advanced keigo & formalityyour company (honorific)Word that your company is entering a new line of business has become a major topic across the industry.
  194. Nature & lifeweather; meteorologicalThe extreme weather brought on by global warming is no longer a matter of the distant future; it is casting a shadow over daily life.
  195. Nature & lifeMeteorological AgencyWith the approach of a large and extremely powerful typhoon, the Meteorological Agency is calling for the utmost level of vigilance.
  196. Language & mediafour-part structure (intro, development, turn, conclusion)By being overly conscious of the classic four-part structure, the essay ended up formulaic and dull instead.
  197. Language & mediaarticle (news)Always corroborate before you run a story — that is the ironclad rule drummed into you in this industry.
  198. Evaluation & inevitabilitydue date; deadlineHaving let the deadline pass, you won't get off with a mere "I didn't know."
  199. Society & current affairsdescription; accountOver the wording in the history textbooks, one voice of protest after another has arisen from neighboring countries.
  200. Logic & argumentstandard; criterionStandards of good and evil are not absolute; they are merely relative and wholly dependent on context.
  201. Language & mediaoutcome; where things end upOrganized dissemination of information by anonymous accounts could well tip the outcome of an election.
  202. Idioms & set phraseswound; hurtEven if I'm told to let it all be water under the bridge, the wounds I suffered won't heal so easily.
  203. Culture & artsto build up; to establishIt is our solemn duty to hand down to future generations the cultural heritage that our forebears built up.
  204. Psychology & nuanceto be hurt; to be woundedBecause of her wounded pride, she withdrew ever more obstinately into her shell.
  205. Society & current affairsbond; tieAs the bonds of local community grow ever thinner, the harrowing phenomenon of solitary death shows no sign of abating.
  206. Advanced keigo & formalityhomecoming; visiting one's hometownWhile home for the holidays, I stopped by my former teacher's house to pay my respects.
  207. Society & current affairsregulationAs deregulation advances, new entrants will be encouraged and competition in the market will grow markedly more vigorous.
  208. Psychology & nuanceseasonAs if mourning the passing season, she gazed out the window with a wistful reluctance.
  209. Connectives & conditionsbasics; foundationIf someone misreads even basic figures, one has to say he's unfit to run a company.
  210. Connectives & conditionsrule; regulationEven the company president is not permitted to unilaterally disregard the work regulations.
  211. Logic & argumentexistingThat phenomenon has a scope that simply cannot be contained within the categories of existing scholarship.
  212. Idioms & set phrasesexpectation; hopeTorn between her parents' expectations and her own dreams, she couldn't make up her mind about her future path.
  213. Connectives & conditionsreserve; hesitation (in speech)It is only because we trust one another that frank, unreserved debate is even possible.
  214. Society & current affairsbase (military)Over the relocation of the U.S. military base, the confrontation between local residents and the government is deepening still further.
  215. Idioms & set phrasesbasic tone; trendAlthough the economy is on a recovery track, complacency is dangerous — there's no telling when demand might cool off.
  216. Advanced keigo & formalityprecious; valuableAs I have borrowed your valuable materials, I will be sure to return them by next week.
  217. Culture & artsproperly; neatlyI take my hat off to the clean way he owned up to his mistake and properly settled the matter.
  218. Society & current affairsurgent; pressingIn a society of demographic decline, how to preserve the vitality of local economies has become a pressing challenge.
  219. Idioms & set phrasesstrict; harshMy boss sternly warned me to never repeat the same mistake.
  220. Life & valuesconsideration; thoughtfulnessHer unobtrusive thoughtfulness never fails to fill me with quiet admiration.
  221. Life & valuesmental fatigueHe and I have never quite hit it off, and just being seated together leaves me mentally drained.
  222. Law & institutionsregulations; rulesIt is reasonable to interpret that the provision in question does not take effect retroactively.
  223. Advanced businessregulations; rulesIn order to enhance the effectiveness of internal controls, we codified the scope of delegated authority as formal regulations.
  224. Advanced keigo & formalitycommemoration; memorialPlease do take this commemorative gift with you when you leave.
  225. Emphasis, limits & extremesfunctionThis year's new product, in both design and functionality, is far ahead of the competition.
  226. Society & current affairsthin; weak (relationship)As the bonds of local community grow ever thinner, the harrowing phenomenon of solitary death shows no sign of abating.
  227. Society & current affairsfoundation; baseThe rise in non-regular employment is shaking the very foundations of workers' livelihoods.
  228. Emphasis, limits & extremesdistinguished guest; VIPTo treat an honored guest so carelessly can only be called the height of discourtesy.
  229. Connectives & conditionsstrict; severeIt is precisely because I care about your future that I am deliberately saying these harsh things.
  230. Psychology & nuancefeeling; moodAn anger with nowhere to be directed leaves me in a mood of helpless frustration.
  231. Logic & argumentsophistryAt first glance it sounds plausible, but it is nothing more than sophistry that swaps cause for effect.
  232. Advanced businessbasic; basisAfter repeated behind-the-scenes negotiations, the two companies at last managed to reach a basic agreement.
  233. Idioms & set phrasesscale; sizeWe shrugged it off as a minor defect, but complacency proved costly, and in the end it snowballed into a large-scale recall.
  234. Connectives & conditionsyou (familiar)It is precisely because I care about your future that I am deliberately saying these harsh things.
  235. Connectives & conditionsconfidential; classifiedOnce confidential information has leaked, it is simply impossible to fully retrieve it.
  236. Idioms & set phrasesliver; heart (bear in mind)It's precisely when things are going smoothly that you should take to heart the warning that carelessness is your greatest enemy.
  237. Psychology & nuancefeeling; moodWhen I think of all the unrewarded effort, an unbearable feeling grips my chest.
  238. Nature & lifecustomer; guestThe concentration of commuters places an excessive load on urban infrastructure and exposes its fragility in emergencies.
  239. Emphasis, limits & extremescustomer trafficThe meticulous attentiveness that only a long-established shop can offer is surely why the customers never stop coming.
  240. Culture & artsguest; visitorShowing a guest to the seat of honor is a custom deeply rooted in this region.
  241. Law & institutionsrejection; dismissalStrictly by the regulations this case ought to be rejected, but in light of the circumstances we have decided to accept it as an exception.
  242. Logic & argumentobjectivityHis argument is nothing but an appeal to emotion from start to finish; not a shred of objective grounds is offered.
  243. Language & mediaspotlight; limelightThe 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.
  244. Language & mediacatch (phrase); catchingAn advertising slogan is a feat of verbal craftsmanship, condensing layers of implication into a strictly limited number of characters.
  245. Evaluation & inevitabilityenemy; harm (in return)To repay kindness with injury is conduct one can only call unbecoming of a human being.
  246. Emphasis, limits & extremesrelief; rescueNot a single item of the relief supplies distributed to the disaster victims must be wasted.
  247. Society & current affairsrapid; suddenWith the yen depreciating sharply, a further surge in import prices is feared.
  248. Law & institutionsrelief; rescueHow to provide relief to those who fall through the cracks of the system is the greatest challenge facing social-security reform.
  249. Nature & liferescueAftershocks of a scale exceeding projections continued, forcing rescue operations into serious difficulty.
  250. Connectives & conditionsrapidExpert though one may be, that doesn't mean one can keep up with every rapid change in this field.
  251. Life & valuesold acquaintanceThough ours was no more than a working relationship, he acted as if we were old friends, which left me flustered.
  252. Culture & artsimperial courtThe courtly, elegant culture nurtured in the Heian palace exerted an immeasurable influence on the art of later ages.
  253. Idioms & set phraseshot water supplyEven with the deadline looming, he is off idling and chatting in the break room again.
  254. Description & rhetoricold newsThis is somewhat old news, but the truth behind that incident still remains shrouded in darkness.
  255. Emphasis, limits & extremesold friendTo think an old friend would come to visit me like this — I couldn't be more delighted.
  256. Logic & argumenttraditional; oldGiven that technology advances at this pace, the elimination of some traditional occupations must be called an inevitability.
  257. Connectives & conditionssalary; wagesEven though my salary went up, when you factor in inflation my standard of living has, if anything, gotten harder.
  258. Society & current affairseducationDisparities in access to education are becoming entrenched, passed down across generations.
  259. Law & institutionsstrengthening; reinforcementEven if the penalties were to be toughened, it would hardly lead to a resolution of the fundamental problem.
  260. Society & current affairstextbookOver the wording in the history textbooks, one voice of protest after another has arisen from neighboring countries.
  261. Advanced businesssupplyFrom the standpoint of risk management, a procurement structure dependent on a single supplier must be called extremely fragile.
  262. Idioms & set phraseslesson (learned)So that the lessons of the great earthquake are not allowed to fade, society as a whole should share the mindset that 'forewarned is forearmed.'
  263. Emphasis, limits & extremescompetition; rivalThis year's new product, in both design and functionality, is far ahead of the competition.
  264. Advanced keigo & formalityfeeling obliged; excuse me (humble)For someone as junior as myself to be entrusted with such an important role fills me with the deepest humility.
  265. Advanced keigo & formalityprofessorThe theory the professor has newly put forward overturns conventional wisdom at its very foundation.
  266. Society & current affairscoexistence; symbiosisTo realize the ideal of multicultural coexistence, a shift in the mindset of each and every resident is indispensable, quite apart from institutional arrangements.
  267. Society & current affairscompulsion; forcedThe authorities have resorted to forcibly clearing the protracted protest demonstrations.
  268. Advanced businesscompetitionConverting knowledge that resides in individuals into an organizational asset is precisely what becomes the wellspring of sustained competitiveness.
  269. Description & rhetoricsiblings; brothersThose two are brothers, yet their personalities are utterly opposite.
  270. Description & rhetoricstate (of mind); stageThe old writer's style had reached a state of austere serenity, holding a stillness like the empty space in an ink-wash painting.
  271. Psychology & nuanceone's heart; innermost thoughtsOne can more than imagine the feelings in the heart of a man who deliberately says so little.
  272. Emphasis, limits & extremessharingPlease use these materials however is convenient for you — print them out, share them digitally, or whatever works.
  273. Culture & artsculture; educationA degree of cultivation and some accomplishment in the arts have long been regarded as indispensable in social settings.
  274. Idioms & set phrasescooperationLet's put the old bad blood behind us and cooperate positively from here on out.
  275. Law & institutionspermissionThe deliberation over whether to grant approval ran into difficulties, and the committee had no choice but to defer its conclusion to the next session.
  276. Advanced keigo & formalitymaster; maestroAt last night's concert, I listened intently to the maestro's mature, seasoned tone.
  277. Psychology & nuancewith an open mind; franklyThe humility to receive criticism with an open and unprejudiced mind is precisely the quality demanded of a researcher.
  278. Law & institutionsresidence; dwellingWhen you move, you must submit a notification of change of residence to the municipal office of your new address within fourteen days.
  279. Language & mediarefusal; rejectionThe single phrase "we'll consider it" not infrequently carries the implication of an effective refusal.
  280. Language & mediafalse reportTo fully undo a false report once it has spread is, as they say, like water spilled that will not return to the tray.
  281. Advanced keigo & formalitytolerance; allowance"O-meshiagari-ni-naru" is technically a double honorific, yet it is widely accepted as an established usage.
  282. Life & valuesdistanceI've known him for many years, yet I believe that maintaining a certain sense of distance is, paradoxically, the very secret to keeping the relationship going.
  283. Idioms & set phrasesto counter; to retortEven when an unexpected question was thrown at her, she didn't flinch and shot back a flexible, well-timed retort.
  284. Psychology & nuanceto cut off; to abandonToward a policy that casts off the vulnerable, many citizens are quietly building up their indignation.
  285. Psychology & nuanceto bring up (a topic); to broachIn this industry, it is a tacit understanding that one does not bring up the matter of pay at a first meeting.
  286. Society & current affairsdisciplineReconciling economic stimulus with fiscal discipline is a textbook case of easier said than done.
  287. Idioms & set phrasesto cut out; to clipCherry-picking statistics and quoting them to suit oneself can hardly escape the charge of self-serving distortion.
  288. Connectives & conditionsto turn off; to cutHaving made such grand boasts in front of my subordinates, I can hardly admit now that I failed.
  289. Evaluation & inevitabilityrecordDue to record-breaking torrential rain, many residents have been forced into life as evacuees.
  290. Emphasis, limits & extremesheight; extremeTo treat an honored guest so carelessly can only be called the height of discourtesy.
  291. Society & current affairsextremely; exceedinglyWhether or not to move ahead with a rate hike—monetary policy is at an exceedingly difficult juncture.
  292. Psychology & nuanceextremelyHer thinking is remarkably supple, and she manages to respond flexibly to any difficult problem.
  293. Culture & artsto carry to extremes; to masterWhat one arrives at after refinement taken to its limit is, more often than not, simplicity itself.
  294. Life & valuesmoney; goldLending and borrowing money can crack even the closest of relationships.
  295. Connectives & conditionsamount of money; sumHowever small the sum, the fact that it's public money means it must be handled with the utmost care.
  296. Description & rhetoricemergency; urgencyIt is an extremely unusual measure, but given the emergency it is unavoidable.
  297. Law & institutionsprohibition; banWhether or not the act in question violates the Antimonopoly Act became the central point of contention in the proceedings.
  298. Life & valuespride; dignityHis pride as a craftsman would not allow him to compromise.
  299. Advanced keigo & formalityin a few days; soonTo thank you for the other day and, at the same time, to pay a visit, I should like to call on your office in the near future.
  300. Psychology & nuanceto forbid; (cannot) suppressAt the arrogant conduct of those in power, I could not help but feel an irrepressible indignation.
  301. Life & valuesmoneyThrough volunteering, I tasted a sense of fulfillment that money could hardly buy.
  302. Logic & argumentmodern (era)He is attempting to fundamentally reexamine the very modern notion of "ownership" itself.
  303. Connectives & conditionsnervousness; tensionIt's not as if you're meeting for the first time, so there's no need to be so nervous.
  304. Academicrecent yearsIn recent years, a tendency toward accelerating population outflow can be seen in regional cities.
  305. Idioms & set phraseswork; dutyIntroducing remote work eased the commuting burden and raised productivity at the same time — a genuine two-for-one measure.
  306. Society & current affairsfinanceThe major bank's abrupt announcement of a merger is sending shock waves through the entire financial industry.
  307. Society & current affairsneighboringOver the wording in the history textbooks, one voice of protest after another has arisen from neighboring countries.
  308. Idioms & set phrasessuspicion breeding fear; paranoiaTaking baseless rumors to heart, I sank into groundless suspicion, coming to doubt even my colleagues' most casual remarks.
  309. Connectives & conditionsproceedings (of a meeting)Whether or not the manager is present, the minutes of the meeting are always shared with everyone.
  310. Connectives & conditionstechnique; technologyHowever fine a technology may be, in the wrong hands it can become a weapon that harms people.
  311. Connectives & conditionssacrifice; victimThere is no such thing in this world as glory won without sacrifice.
  312. Advanced businessagenda item; topicAs long as the technical issues remain unresolved, we have no choice but to shelve this item for now.
  313. Advanced businesschairpersonAs the debate ran on in parallel lines, the chair searched for a compromise where both sides could lay down their arms.
  314. Law & institutionsduty; obligationPaying taxes is expressly stipulated in the Constitution as one of the three principal duties of citizens.
  315. Emphasis, limits & extremesquestion; doubtIf you have doubts, you should resolve them early — by consulting your superior, inquiring with an expert, or whatever means.
  316. Academicmassacre; slaughterA relativist stance that leaves the criteria of good and evil to each culture harbors the danger of justifying even genocide.
  317. Connectives & conditionsadversityIf you let this level of adversity break your spirit, you'll never make it at the top level.
  318. Connectives & conditionsindustry; business worldLet your guard down for even a single day, and you'll instantly be left behind by this dizzyingly fast-changing industry.
  319. Psychology & nuancebetween the linesThis report never states its conclusion outright, but if you read between the lines, its opposing stance is unmistakable.
  320. Law & institutionstype of business; industryWith the revision of the law, some industries that had operated under a notification system were shifted to a licensing system.
  321. Academiccondensation; concentrationThe core of that philosopher's thought is distilled into a mere fragment of a few lines.
  322. Society & current affairsadministration; public servicesIn areas known as 'marginal villages,' even maintaining basic administrative services has become an acute challenge—that is the reality.
  323. Psychology & nuancebusiness results; performanceDespite his numerous accomplishments, he never lets it go to his head and maintains a consistently humble attitude.
  324. Emphasis, limits & extremeswork; dutiesWhether a permanent employee or a temp worker, as long as they perform the same duties, there should be no disparity in how they are treated.
  325. Nature & lifefishing industryEfforts to conserve coastal ecosystems are two sides of the same coin as protecting the livelihoods of fishers.
  326. Nature & lifefishing groundThe once-abundant fishing grounds, too, have declined beyond recognition through the combination of overfishing and marine pollution.
  327. Psychology & nuanceduty; obligationTorn between obligation and human feeling, he was forced into an agonizing inner conflict.
  328. Culture & artsceremony; ritualWhen one traces the origin of this custom back to its source, it turns out to have sprung from courtly ceremony.
  329. Connectives & conditionsdebate; discussionYou'd take him for a quiet type, but the moment a debate starts he argues his case more passionately than anyone.
  330. Evaluation & inevitabilitysuspicion; allegationThis scandal, which shakes the political world, is bound to invite a thorough reckoning.
  331. Society & current affairsbankThe central bank has taken the plunge and raised interest rates for the first time in a full seventeen years.
  332. Logic & argumentcareful examination; scrutinyRather than being swayed by his eloquence, we need to coolly scrutinize the essence of his argument.
  333. Connectives & conditionsregretHowever things may turn out, I have no regrets about having given it my all.
  334. Language & mediato stop; to hold backTo stem the spread of disinformation, corrective information must be circulated faster than the falsehood itself.
  335. Idioms & set phrasesair; atmosphere (mood)Ever since the layoff rumors spread, the workplace has been shrouded in an atmosphere of mutual suspicion, with everyone keeping a wary eye on one another.
  336. Society & current affairshollow; voidMight it not be that the word 'sustainability' has taken on a life of its own, while its original ideal is being hollowed out?
  337. Idioms & set phrasesnail; (drive a nail) to warnTo make sure there were no information leaks, I firmly warned my subordinates once more.
  338. Emphasis, limits & extremesglued (to); rivetedThe tension unique to a live broadcast kept viewers glued to their screens.
  339. Idioms & set phrasesto bind; (take lightly) to sum upWe shrugged it off as a minor defect, but complacency proved costly, and in the end it snowballed into a large-scale recall.
  340. Life & valuesto bundle; to brace (oneself)Now that it's come to this, there's nothing to do but steel myself and see it through to the end.
  341. Psychology & nuanceto come through; to surviveHaving come through countless ordeals, she now seems to view even life and death with a serene detachment.
  342. Evaluation & inevitabilitycandid advice; harsh wordsPerhaps because my blunt advice hit home, his work visibly improved.
  343. Life & valuescrispy; crunchy (in "sakusaku")Don't be so distant with me — come on, we go way back, don't we?
  344. Life & valuesbitterness; anguishCaught between duty and human feeling, I was forced into an agonizing decision over which to choose.
  345. Nature & lifemedicine; drugThis drug is highly effective, but on the other hand its side effects cannot be ignored.
  346. Society & current affairsto collapse; to break downThe supply-demand balance for semiconductors broke down, forcing many industries to cut production.
  347. AcademichabitWe painstakingly analyzed the errors contained in the observational data and corrected for the apparatus's inherent quirks.
  348. Advanced keigo & formalityto give (honorific); please giveExcuse me, but would you be so kind as to write your name in this guest book?
  349. Academicto make (a decision); to hand downAll too often we pass definitive judgments while remaining oblivious to the limits of our own perception.
  350. Advanced businessgranting; coming downThe moment the approval comes down, have everything arranged so we can move straight to placing the order.
  351. Advanced keigo & formalitymouth; way of talkingI'm not sure it will suit your taste, but please do help yourself.
  352. Emphasis, limits & extremesnumber of words spoken; talkativenessEver since my father passed away, my mother has grown markedly quiet.
  353. Emphasis, limits & extremesway of speaking; toneThat candidate's campaign pledges are dubious, and so is the tone in which he delivers them; he's utterly untrustworthy.
  354. Advanced businessverbal promiseIt's risky to proceed on a verbal promise; we should pin down the terms in writing before we start.
  355. Language & mediatone (of voice)Whether "daijoubu desu" means acceptance or refusal is something you can only infer from tone and situation—a genuinely troublesome expression.
  356. Description & rhetoricto decay; to rotThe station of the abandoned line, though decaying, still retained a somehow nostalgic presence.
  357. Nature & lifepain; sufferingSince there is no longer any prospect of recovery, easing suffering should take priority over prolonging life.
  358. Advanced businessto overturn; to reverseSo it couldn't be overturned on the approver's whim, I organized the issues in advance and laid out a path to consensus.
  359. Evaluation & inevitabilityhardship; sufferingIt is not hard to surmise how much hardship the people of the disaster-stricken area were forced to endure.
  360. Emphasis, limits & extremescountryA declining birthrate and aging population is by no means a problem limited to this country.
  361. Emphasis, limits & extremesto distribute; to hand outNot a single item of the relief supplies distributed to the disaster victims must be wasted.
  362. Connectives & conditionsneckEven if I win over the people on the ground, unless upper management gives its nod the plan won't move an inch.
  363. Evaluation & inevitabilityingenuity; devisingIf the flaw lies in the design itself, then no amount of ingenuity on site can fix it.
  364. Law & institutionsto take into account; to graspThe price of not having heeded the voices of the front lines at the design stage is now manifesting as chaos in the system's operation.
  365. Language & mediato reorganize; to restructureAfter reworking the structure and cutting the needless paragraphs, it finally became a piece with a coherent line of argument.
  366. Idioms & set phrasesto join forces; to assembleLetting years of lingering resentment wash away, the two decided to join forces once more.
  367. Description & rhetoriccloudAcross the sunset sky, streaks of madder-red cloud trail one after another.
  368. Connectives & conditionsto regretThere's no use regretting it now — the trust that's been lost isn't going to come back.
  369. Nature & lifememorial service; offering to the deadNot letting these lessons go to waste is, I believe, the finest way of honoring those who lost their lives.
  370. Life & valueslife; livingWithout putting on airs, I try to live within my means and true to my station.
  371. Connectives & conditionsto live; to get alongBeing someone who lives far from his homeland, his longing for home is stronger than most.
  372. Advanced businessto compareSince progress has been poor compared with the original plan, we have no choice but to fundamentally revise the schedule itself.
  373. Advanced keigo & formalityto move up (a date); to advanceI understand from the other party that they wish to move the delivery date forward by a week.
  374. Evaluation & inevitabilityto repeatThis work possesses enough depth to withstand repeated viewing.
  375. Life & valueshard; painfulEven the painful days, looking back, I can now see were nourishment that gave color to my life.
  376. Connectives & conditionsto suffer; to struggleEven as he struggled to keep the company afloat, he refused to the very end to lay off a single employee.
  377. Psychology & nuanceto torment; to distressThe guilt of having been the only one to survive still torments him today.
  378. Society & current affairscarThe government is drawing up its growth strategy with fiscal stimulus and deregulation as two wheels of the same cart.
  379. Idioms & set phrasescomplaint (customer)The department in charge was completely stumped handling an unprecedented complaint.
  380. Evaluation & inevitabilityhardship; troubleHaving gone to such trouble to bring him this far, he really is a student worth teaching.
  381. Language & mediatraining; drillWithout practice in stating the main points concisely, your reports will remain verbose forever.
  382. Idioms & set phrasesfolly; foolishnessI keep reminding myself not to commit the folly of the man chasing two hares by pursuing both the ideal and the real at once.
  383. Logic & argumentcoincidence; chanceInterpretations diverge sharply depending on whether one regards the march of history as inevitable or as an accumulation of contingencies.
  384. Academicconcrete; specificThe ability to translate abstract concepts into concrete examples is a hallmark of an excellent teacher.
  385. Description & rhetoricultramarineAgainst the ultramarine sea, the white of the lighthouse stood out strikingly and drew the eye.
  386. Advanced keigo & formalityrespect; deference"Goran-ni-narareru" is a redundant piling-up of honorifics; "goran-ni-naru" alone conveys ample respect.
  387. Advanced keigo & formalitycircumstances; sequence of eventsI trust you are all already aware of how this came about.
  388. Connectives & conditionsmanagement (business)If someone misreads even basic figures, one has to say he's unfit to run a company.
  389. Law & institutionstransition; passage (of time)In the transition to the new system, the previous regulations will remain in force alongside it for the time being as a transitional measure.
  390. Nature & lifevigilance; alertIn response to the raising of the alert level, evacuation orders were issued for the affected areas.
  391. Connectives & conditionsplanNo matter what difficulties lie ahead, we simply cannot let this plan collapse.
  392. Nature & lifescenery; landscapeForest conservation is not merely about preserving scenery; it also contributes to nurturing water sources and preventing landslide disasters.
  393. Connectives & conditionseconomy; business conditionsJust when the economy seemed to be heading toward a gradual recovery, signs of another downturn have started to appear.
  394. Language & medialightly; rashlyUnless I go to the primary sources and verify it, I have no intention of accepting that claim lightly.
  395. Connectives & conditionsexperienceInexperienced as she was, she doggedly saw the difficult case through to a resolution.
  396. Idioms & set phrasesreduction; alleviationIntroducing remote work eased the commuting burden and raised productivity at the same time — a genuine two-for-one measure.
  397. Academictendency; trendAmong younger people, a tendency toward increasing time spent on social media can be observed.
  398. Advanced keigo & formalityhonorific language"O-meshiagari-ni-naru" is technically a double honorific, yet it is widely accepted as an established usage.
  399. AcademiccalculationQuantum computers hold the potential to solve, in one stroke, problems that conventional machines cannot handle.
  400. Society & current affairseconomyThe economic gap between urban and rural areas shows no sign whatsoever of narrowing.
  401. Academicneglect; making light ofManagement that disregards corporate ethics forfeits long-term trust in exchange for short-term profit.
  402. Law & institutionsform; formalityAbuse of a right, even if formally lawful, runs counter to the purpose of the law.
  403. Emphasis, limits & extremessuccession; inheritanceIf we are to entrust the transmission of this traditional art to anyone, no one but that master comes to mind.
  404. Advanced businessformationPrecisely because so many departments are involved, reaching consensus is impossible without a fair amount of behind-the-scenes groundwork.
  405. Academiccontinuation; persistenceAs long as the risk stays below the acceptable threshold, there is no problem with continuing operation.
  406. Description & rhetorictemple grounds; shrine precinctsAcross the temple grounds after the rain, the faint scent of moss and earth drifted in the air.
  407. Idioms & set phrasesslight; minorWe shrugged it off as a minor defect, but complacency proved costly, and in the end it snowballed into a large-scale recall.
  408. Culture & artsgenealogy; lineageIt 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.
  409. Connectives & conditionscontractAlthough we've reached an agreement, until the formal signing is done there's no telling what might happen.
  410. Emphasis, limits & extremescareer; backgroundBoth her track record and her character make her a fitting person for this key post.
  411. Culture & artsclear distinction; disciplineWe simply cannot entrust a key post to someone who can't draw a clear line between work and private life.
  412. Language & mediato cut; to trimAfter reworking the structure and cutting the needless paragraphs, it finally became a piece with a coherent line of argument.
  413. Connectives & conditionsresult; outcomeHowever things may turn out, I have no regrets about having given it my all.
  414. Nature & lifecollapse; breach (of a dike)The flooding from the breached levee spread through the urban district at a speed far exceeding all projections.
  415. Evaluation & inevitabilitydefect; flawIf the flaw lies in the design itself, then no amount of ingenuity on site can fix it.
  416. Connectives & conditionsin the end; after allHe could simply have rested, but he kept pushing himself and ended up hospitalized after all.
  417. Connectives & conditionscarrying out (as planned)Whether the weather clears up or not, tomorrow's climb will go ahead as planned.
  418. Society & current affairsmarriageThere is no denying that the surge in non-regular employment is one factor making young people hesitant to marry or have children.
  419. Advanced businessapproval (by a superior)At this budget scale, it can't be settled by the division head's approval alone; we need to circulate a formal ringi.
  420. Emphasis, limits & extremesnever (with negative)The rustic flavor unique to this region can never be reproduced in the city.
  421. Psychology & nuancedecisionAt the organization's unreasonable decision, I felt an indignation I could not suppress.
  422. Evaluation & inevitabilitydecisive; conclusiveWith conclusive evidence all assembled, there is no longer any way to talk one's way out of it.
  423. Description & rhetoriclack; absenceTo disregard deadlines to this extent shows an outrageous lack of responsibility.
  424. Nature & lifedecision (resolute)How far to carry life-prolonging measures is an issue that forces a heavy decision upon the family.
  425. Evaluation & inevitabilityending; conclusionThat shocking ending cannot fail to leave a deep lingering impression on the audience.
  426. Evaluation & inevitabilitybreakdown; ruptureOwing to the unexpected breakdown of negotiations, we were forced into a complete overhaul of the plan.
  427. Description & rhetoriccondensationA faint film of condensation had formed on the windowpane, softly blurring the scene outside.
  428. Connectives & conditionsconclusionThis report has a tendency to rush to its conclusions, and its supporting grounds are thin.
  429. Advanced keigo & formalityconcern; worryIs there perhaps some point that troubles you?
  430. Psychology & nuancesign; indicationIn every corner of her words, one could vividly sense the signs that she had made up her mind to resign.
  431. Description & rhetoricsmokeLike the lingering afterglow of the festival, the smoke of the sparkler trailed off into the night air and vanished.
  432. Advanced keigo & formalitymatter; caseAs for that matter, it appears the president too has been concerned about it for some time.
  433. Academicexamination; testThe efficacy of the new drug was demonstrated through a double-blind trial, and at last the path to approval opened up.
  434. Idioms & set phrasesauthority; expertAs 'even monkeys fall from trees' suggests, even an authority in the field is not immune to the occasional fatal error of judgment.
  435. Emphasis, limits & extremesview; opinionThough there may be some divergence of views, in broad outline the two sides are in agreement.
  436. Connectives & conditionsresearchNo matter how much criticism he faced, he never bent his own research principles.
  437. Psychology & nuancehumble; modestThe more successful an executive is, the more they remind themselves that they must remain humble in the face of market shifts.
  438. Advanced businessauthority; powerIt's a project we in the field want approved, but the key is whether we can win over the general manager who holds the sign-off authority.
  439. Connectives & conditionshealthIt is only because I have my health that I can throw myself into the work I love like this.
  440. Culture & artsfounding of a nationA nation's founding myth is not historical fact as such, yet it has played a crucial role in shaping a people's sense of self.
  441. Nature & lifeexamination; inspectionLearning one's risk of onset through genetic testing does not necessarily lead to happiness.
  442. Advanced businesstrainingInstilling a thorough sense of compliance in all employees through in-house training has become an urgent priority.
  443. Emphasis, limits & extremesgood health (formal)I wish you all continued success and good health from the bottom of my heart, with a devotion that knows no end.
  444. Evaluation & inevitabilityverification; examinationA project that skimped on proper verification failing — there's no way to describe it but as a failure that was bound to fail.
  445. Evaluation & inevitabilitydevotion; dedicationHis devoted way of working is worthy of praise.
  446. Logic & argumentconstructionIt is all nitpicking criticism, and not a single constructive alternative ever emerges.
  447. Society & current affairssound; healthyThe bill for repeatedly postponing fiscal consolidation has finally come due.
  448. Academictest (statistical)As a result of the statistical test, the null hypothesis was rejected.
  449. Psychology & nuancegood fight; best effortsIn the single line "I wish you the best in your endeavors," one could detect an implicit note of farewell.
  450. Advanced keigo & formalityconsideration; examinationI would appreciate it if you could review the enclosed materials for the details and then give the matter your consideration.
  451. Logic & argumentestimate; aimIf policy is built while conflating correlation with causation, enormous budgets risk being poured into misguided measures.
  452. Law & institutionsconstitutionPaying taxes is expressly stipulated in the Constitution as one of the three principal duties of citizens.
  453. Life & valueswise; sensibleNot overreaching, but knowing your own measure—that is the wise way to live.
  454. Law & institutionsright (entitlement)Freedom of expression is a right that ought to be guaranteed, yet it is not recognized without limits.
  455. Evaluation & inevitabilitypower; authorityThose who call themselves the press must never for a moment forget their mission of holding power to account.
  456. Evaluation & inevitabilityart; performance skill"Never forget your original resolve" is a maxim Zeami left behind as the very essence of the artistic path.
  457. Language & mediapandering; ingratiatingIn its eagerness to pander to public opinion, the press abandoned the verifying function it was meant to bear.
  458. Culture & artsaccomplishments (arts)A degree of cultivation and some accomplishment in the arts have long been regarded as indispensable in social settings.
  459. Emphasis, limits & extremesartArt is nothing other than a mirror that reflects the spirit of its age.
  460. Emphasis, limits & extremesperforming arts; entertainmentIf we are to entrust the transmission of this traditional art to anyone, no one but that master comes to mind.
  461. Idioms & set phrasespassion; violent emotionHe regretted for the rest of his life that words hurled in a moment of passion had brought about consequences as irreversible as spilt water.
  462. Psychology & nuancedrastic change; upheavalIt is organizations supple like bamboo that survive an era of upheaval.
  463. Advanced keigo & formalityoriginal plan; draftI know it is presumptuous of me, but I should like to propose just one revision to the original draft.
  464. Evaluation & inevitabilitycauseIf we can't pinpoint the cause, there's simply no way to devise any countermeasure, is there?
  465. Society & current affairsactive; working (generation)The burden on the working generation supporting the elderly has long since surpassed a level that individual effort could ever manage.
  466. Society & current affairslimit; boundIn areas known as 'marginal villages,' even maintaining basic administrative services has become an acute challenge—that is the reality.
  467. Law & institutionsstrict; rigorousWe once again ensured that all employees were made fully aware of the need to strictly comply with the internal regulations.
  468. Psychology & nuance(meaning) beyond the wordsBeing poor at picking up on unspoken meaning, I often fail to read the mood of a situation.
  469. Academicmention; referenceIn the discussion, we would also like to touch upon the limitations of this study.
  470. Language & mediamanuscript; draftA manuscript that skimps on revision shows its roughness, however good the underlying idea.
  471. Society & current affairscurrent; existingThe current tax system is in need of a fundamental overhaul from the standpoint of fairness.
  472. AcademiclanguageOur cognition is predetermined by the very framework of language.
  473. Evaluation & inevitabilityproduction cutIn the face of a global semiconductor shortage, the factory was forced to cut production.
  474. Idioms & set phrasesstrict observanceWe need to warn our business partner in advance, in no uncertain terms, that the deadline must be strictly observed.
  475. Advanced keigo & formalitysolemn; graveWe 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.
  476. Society & current affairsdecrease; declineIn a society of demographic decline, how to preserve the vitality of local economies has become a pressing challenge.
  477. Society & current affairsphenomenonAs the bonds of local community grow ever thinner, the harrowing phenomenon of solitary death shows no sign of abating.
  478. Society & current affairsnuclear powerOver the restart of the nuclear power plants, the public is being asked to weigh the merits and demerits of the decision.
  479. Idioms & set phrasesrealityI keep reminding myself not to commit the folly of the man chasing two hares by pursuing both the ideal and the real at once.
  480. Logic & argumentat present; current pointFor the time being I should like to reserve judgment and await further materials.
  481. Advanced businessprinciple; ruleFrankly, I'm at my wit's end with a counterpart who clings to principle and shows not the slightest willingness to meet us halfway.
  482. Academicmodern times; present dayIn an age of increasingly diverse values, seeking a single correct answer may itself be an anachronism.
  483. Evaluation & inevitabilitywords and actionsHis words and deeds, swept along by momentary emotion, are hardly worthy of trust.
  484. Connectives & conditionsscene; siteEven if I win over the people on the ground, unless upper management gives its nod the plan won't move an inch.
  485. Language & mediaoriginal textA translator must carefully weigh the significance of each and every word so as not to compromise the nuance of the original.
  486. Society & current affairscrude oilWith supply and demand for crude oil tight, there is no stopping the surge in prices.
  487. Culture & artssource; originWhen one unravels the genealogy of modern thought, its wellspring can be traced back to ancient Greece.
  488. Nature & liferaw materialThere is an urgent push to commercialize technology that chemically breaks down waste plastics and cycles them back into raw materials.
  489. Evaluation & inevitabilityspeech; discourseFor someone whose duty is to defend press freedom to distort the facts is a betrayal unbecoming of anyone in public discourse.
  490. Emphasis, limits & extremeschildThe parents are as bad as they come and the children no better; this whole family simply lacks any common sense.
  491. Emphasis, limits & extremesstrong (taste); thickMy mother-in-law butts in about every little thing — the cleaning isn't thorough, the food's too salty, and so on.
  492. Psychology & nuancelike this; this wayNow that it has come to this, unless we sit down and talk with total candor at least once, this rift will never be bridged.
  493. Description & rhetoricfragrance; incenseAt dusk in the port town, the scent of the tide and the smoke of grilling fish drifted together in the air.
  494. Idioms & set phrases(take lightly) amount; heightWe shrugged it off as a minor defect, but complacency proved costly, and in the end it snowballed into a large-scale recall.
  495. Psychology & nuancekindness; goodwillFeeling too awkward to flatly refuse her kindness, I ended up taking it on after all.
  496. Language & mediagoodwill; kindnessThe word "sekkaku" is suffused with the feeling of not wanting to let effort or goodwill go to waste.
  497. Academicact; conductIn the quantum world, the very act of observation exerts an influence on the state of the object.
  498. Advanced keigo & formalityhonor; privilegeTo be welcomed so warmly by all of you is the greatest of honors.
  499. Law & institutionspublic interestWhether a project qualifies for the subsidy is determined only after its public benefit has been rigorously examined.
  500. Connectives & conditionslecture; talkAs it was a lecture by a renowned author, the venue was filled to capacity.
  501. Society & current affairseffect; effectivenessIt takes a fair amount of time for the effects of monetary policy to ripple through to the real economy.
  502. Culture & artsexchange; replacementAs a newcomer to the working world, the very first thing drilled into me was the proper way to exchange business cards.
  503. Emphasis, limits & extremeseconomic boomWhether in boom times or in recession, a company that neglects investment in research and development has no future.
  504. Connectives & conditionspublic fundsHowever small the sum, the fact that it's public money means it must be handled with the utmost care.
  505. Society & current affairsprotestThe authorities have resorted to forcibly clearing the protracted protest demonstrations.
  506. Description & rhetoricscene; sightAt the bottom of my memory, scenes from childhood linger faintly.
  507. Culture & artssuccession; successorIn the intellectual lineage of the field, he is unmistakably the legitimate heir of that school of thought.
  508. Idioms & set phrasescraftsTraditional craftsmen, in the spirit of drawing new insight from the old, inherit their forebears' techniques while creating fresh designs.
  509. Nature & lifeattackIt is a so-called autoimmune disease, in which one's own immune system attacks healthy tissue.
  510. Language & mediaadvertisementAn advertising slogan is a feat of verbal craftsmanship, condensing layers of implication into a strictly limited number of characters.
  511. Language & mediaspoken language; colloquialParticles that tend to get dropped in spoken language are often faithfully restored in writing that adopts a literary tone.
  512. Logic & argumentconsideration; examinationThe conclusion that follows from the foregoing analysis is that a fundamental overhaul of the system itself is unavoidable.
  513. Culture & artspublic and privateWe simply cannot entrust a key post to someone who can't draw a clear line between work and private life.
  514. Law & institutionsexercise (of rights, power)The exercise of power must always be subject to a questioning of its legitimacy.
  515. Academicsuch; this kind ofSuch results suggest the need to reconsider the conventional wisdom.
  516. Culture & artslattice doorIn the old townscape, with lamplight glowing behind lattice doors, the charm of bygone days still lingers.
  517. Connectives & conditionsnegotiationSeasoned at negotiation though I am, the maneuvering with someone I'm meeting for the first time is still nerve-racking.
  518. Emphasis, limits & extremesjuniors; successorsTo watch a protégé I nurtured with my own hands come into their own is immensely gratifying.
  519. Law & institutionsrenewal; updateIf one neglects the renewal procedures, the license will lose its validity.
  520. Nature & lifepretext; excuseUsing climate-change countermeasures as a pretext to unilaterally restrict developing countries' right to develop does not stand to reason.
  521. Evaluation & inevitabilityfactoryIn the face of a global semiconductor shortage, the factory was forced to cut production.
  522. Connectives & conditionsfavorable termsWith terms this favorable on the table, there's no way rival firms will simply let it pass.
  523. Emphasis, limits & extremescomposition (art)This painting, in both its composition and its use of color, is truly a masterpiece emblematic of his mature period.
  524. Society & current affairsfairness; impartialityThe neutrality and fairness expected of a news organization are being tested right now.
  525. Society & current affairsfuture generations; posterityHandout policies that make light of fiscal discipline may well leave a grievous legacy for future generations.
  526. Language & mediastructure; compositionThis paper makes sharp claims, but its loose structure leaves the reader disoriented.
  527. Evaluation & inevitabilityachievement; meritGiven his years of achievement, he is precisely the sort of person who deserves to be honored.
  528. Advanced businessconcept; planWith the budget backing left unresolved, only the grand vision is running ahead on its own.
  529. Law & institutionsbinding; restraintNow that both parties have signed, this contract is legally binding, and unilateral termination is not permitted.
  530. Connectives & conditionshigh speed; expresswayBeing the last day of the holiday weekend, the expressways were hit by severe traffic jams in various areas.
  531. Advanced businessstructureWhen you trace the locus of responsibility to its root, you arrive not so much at individual negligence as at a problem in the organizational structure itself.
  532. Advanced businesschange; replacementWith the change in management, the merger plan the predecessor had been advancing was scrapped entirely.
  533. Connectives & conditionsrecession; retreatWith a global economic downturn underway, companies had no choice but to hold back on investment.
  534. Society & current affairsconstruction; buildingBuilding a sustainable society is a road we cannot sidestep if we are to discharge our responsibility to future generations.
  535. Law & institutionstraffic; transportationAfter repeated traffic violations, he finally had his license revoked.
  536. Advanced businessprocess; work scheduleSince progress has been poor compared with the original plan, we have no choice but to fundamentally revise the schedule itself.
  537. Psychology & nuanceaffirmation; approvalMy boss's reply was neither yes nor no, phrased in a way that left something deliberately unsaid.
  538. Law & institutionsoral; verbalSince it was merely a verbal promise and no written contract was exchanged, proving it is extremely difficult.
  539. Idioms & set phrasessoaring prices; sharp riseThe advancing depreciation of the yen is further spurring the surge in import prices.
  540. Academicaction; behaviorFrom the above, it is thought that the policy in question had a certain influence on consumption behavior.
  541. Advanced keigo & formalitykind consideration (honorific)I respectfully express my gratitude for the kind consideration you always extend to us.
  542. Law & institutionspublic announcement; disclosureCalls to make the review criteria public are persistent, but the authorities continue to withhold them, citing fairness.
  543. Law & institutionsissuance; grant (of funds)The guidelines for granting this subsidy set a strict application deadline, and not even a single day's delay is permitted.
  544. Law & institutionspromulgationThe government ordinance concerning the new safety standards will take effect on the day marking six months from the date of its promulgation.
  545. Logic & argumenthappinessThe notion that progress must inevitably bring happiness now seems altogether too naive.
  546. Culture & artsfavorite foodAt the Bon festival, offering the deceased's favorite foods at the grave is a custom passed down from long ago.
  547. Society & current affairsfair; impartialThe current tax system is in need of a fundamental overhaul from the standpoint of fairness.
  548. Emphasis, limits & extremescandidateThat candidate's campaign pledges are dubious, and so is the tone in which he delivers them; he's utterly untrustworthy.
  549. Culture & artsrise and fallThe rise and fall of a civilization is by no means a product of chance; more often than not it is the inevitable outcome of underlying forces.
  550. Logic & argumentclever; ingeniousHis argument sounds as though it has a point, but pushed to its conclusion it is a clever piece of sophistry.
  551. Evaluation & inevitabilitycivil servantDiverting public funds for private use is something that must never occur in a civil servant.
  552. Nature & lifeto suffer (damage)There is a strong likelihood that the resumption of operations at the severely damaged factory will slip to next year or later.
  553. Emphasis, limits & extremescampaign pledgeThat candidate's campaign pledges are dubious, and so is the tone in which he delivers them; he's utterly untrustworthy.
  554. Idioms & set phrasesefficiencyIf you end up spending all your time managing the tool you introduced to boost efficiency, you can only call it putting the cart before the horse.
  555. Life & valuesexchange; interactionMy exchanges with the people I met on my travels broadened my outlook on life immensely.
  556. Connectives & conditionsvalidity; effectWhether or not the person himself is satisfied with it, the validity of the concluded contract remains unchanged.
  557. Emphasis, limits & extremesadvanced age; elderlyA declining birthrate and aging population is by no means a problem limited to this country.
  558. Society & current affairsvoiceWithout lending an ear to the voices of the minority, a truly inclusive society can hardly be built.
  559. Society & current affairsto go beyond; to exceedDisparities in access to education are becoming entrenched, passed down across generations.
  560. Nature & lifeto cross; to go beyondCross-border disputes over limited water resources are expected to grow ever more intense going forward.
  561. Psychology & nuanceto freeze (up)His slip of the tongue froze the room, and I could hardly bear to remain there.
  562. Nature & lifedepletion; exhaustionEven a renewable resource cannot escape depletion if the pace of consumption outstrips the speed of regeneration.
  563. Advanced businesssubsidiaryWith the establishment of a holding company that oversees several subsidiaries, decision-making across the group has been centralized.
  564. Connectives & conditionscustomer; clientWithout thorough information management, it is impossible to maintain customers' trust.
  565. Connectives & conditionshometown; birthplaceBeing someone who lives far from his homeland, his longing for home is stronger than most.
  566. Emphasis, limits & extremesmoment; timeWith the deadline closing in moment by moment, I finished the manuscript begrudging every single minute.
  567. Academicimprint; stampWhether art should be sought for its universality or valued precisely for bearing the imprint of its age is a matter on which opinions diverge.
  568. Psychology & nuanceaccusation; whistleblowingIn the heart of the employee hesitating to blow the whistle lay a conflict between a sense of justice and self-preservation.
  569. Emphasis, limits & extremesthe people; citizensThat politician, in both the timing and the content of his remarks, does nothing but rub the public the wrong way.
  570. Description & rhetoricmossAcross the temple grounds after the rain, the faint scent of moss and earth drifted in the air.
  571. Description & rhetoricto become mossyBeside the approach to the shrine, a moss-covered Jizo statue stood quietly.
  572. Connectives & conditionshereJust when the economy seemed to be heading toward a gradual recovery, signs of another downturn have started to appear.
  573. Connectives & conditionsheart; mindIf you let this level of adversity break your spirit, you'll never make it at the top level.
  574. Culture & artsknowledge; rules (to keep in mind)As a newcomer to the working world, the very first thing drilled into me was the proper way to exchange business cards.
  575. Idioms & set phrasesmental readiness; attitudeSo that the lessons of the great earthquake are not allowed to fade, society as a whole should share the mindset that 'forewarned is forearmed.'
  576. Emphasis, limits & extremesconsideration; thoughtfulnessThe meticulous attentiveness that only a long-established shop can offer is surely why the customers never stop coming.
  577. Description & rhetoricpainful; regretfulI am truly pained not to be of help, but I am afraid we have no choice but to decline your proposal on this occasion.
  578. Emphasis, limits & extremeslonely; helpless; uneasyTo find that my message never got through despite how firmly I drove it home leaves me utterly disheartened.
  579. AcademicattemptThe attempt to transcend the dualism of subject and object was the starting point of phenomenology.
  580. Language & mediaarchaic word; old languageMerely adding a single turn of phrase derived from classical language can sometimes lend a piece of writing an unexpected dignity.
  581. Idioms & set phraseslower back; waistWhat is called for is an attitude of settling in to tackle the research in earnest, without being fixated on immediate results.
  582. Society & current affairsfaltering; stallingAbrupt monetary tightening risks, on the contrary, choking off the recovery altogether.
  583. Advanced businessinsistence; adherenceFrankly, I'm at my wit's end with a counterpart who clings to principle and shows not the slightest willingness to meet us halfway.
  584. Evaluation & inevitabilityindividualTo sell off patients' personal data is conduct utterly unbecoming of a physician.
  585. Advanced keigo & formalitythe deceasedRecalling the days when the deceased was with us, I pray for the repose of their soul with all my heart.
  586. Life & valuesto come (honorific); to crossExcessive consideration ends up, ironically, making the other person feel they must be considerate in return.
  587. Advanced businessto rub; to align (opinions)We went public with the announcement before the departments had aligned their positions on the policy.