JLPT N1 vocabulary list で-ぶ
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- to meet; to encounterAfter all those years, perhaps they were destined partners who were bound to meet.
- attitude; move (of the other side)A skilled negotiator is someone who can read how the other side is playing it and rework the terms flexibly as circumstances demand.
- event; happeningThe same event, when viewed from a different phase, takes on an entirely different meaning.
- exitThe negotiations ran aground, as though we were wandering through a labyrinth with no exit in sight.
- designThis year's new product, in both design and functionality, is far ahead of the competition.
- digitalThrough digitalization, our labor is shifting into a phase quite different from what it was before.
- to start over; to come againI want to face this crisis with the resolve to return to my original intentions and start over from scratch.
- deflationUnless we break free from prolonged deflation, any genuine economic recovery is out of the question.
- false rumor; hoaxTo stem the spread of disinformation, corrective information must be circulated faster than the falsehood itself.
- demonstration; protest marchThe authorities have resorted to forcibly clearing the protracted protest demonstrations.
- His/Her HighnessI have been granted the awe-inspiring opportunity to present my research findings before His Highness.
- electricity; lightThe restoration of lifelines such as electricity and gas is expected to take several more weeks.
- electronicEven though procedures have become increasingly digital, the complexity of the service counters remains a formidable barrier for the elderly.
- trainThe sheer wearisomeness of commuting on a packed train is beyond anything I can put into words.
- tradition; folkloreRigorously distinguishing historical fact from legend is a fundamental discipline in historical research.
- traditionIf we are to entrust the transmission of this traditional art to anyone, no one but that master comes to mind.
- telephone; phone callStop dithering and check with the person directly first — call them, email them, whatever.
- dataPlease use these materials however is convenient for you — print them out, share them digitally, or whatever works.
- capital; metropolisHaving passed through age after age of war and upheaval, this capital has at last regained its tranquility.
- questionThe question of whether genes or environment predominates can only be called, by now, a fruitless one.
- to inquireIf you have doubts, you should resolve them early — by consulting your superior, inquiring with an expert, or whatever means.
- to question closely; to press for an answerPerhaps having grasped the situation, she made no attempt to press me with any further questions.
- reconsideration; re-examinationThe debate over death with dignity is also a quiet reexamination of the primacy placed on prolonging life.
- overall supervisionAs the person overseeing this project in its entirety, I bear the responsibility of reconciling the competing interests of each division.
- said; the relevantIn light of various circumstances, it is my intention to step back from the project in question for the time being.
- the authoritiesThe authorities have resorted to forcibly clearing the protracted protest demonstrations.
- statisticsCherry-picking statistics and quoting them to suit oneself can hardly escape the charge of self-serving distortion.
- post (online); submissionDo not post confidential company materials on social media—so the work rules expressly state.
- integration; mergerThe major bank's abrupt announcement of a merger is sending shock waves through the entire financial industry.
- investmentWith a global economic downturn underway, companies had no choice but to hold back on investment.
- our companyPrompted by the scandal, our company set about clarifying where responsibility lies and rebuilding its compliance framework.
- initial; at firstSince progress has been poor compared with the original plan, we have no choice but to fundamentally revise the schedule itself.
- at that timeI have duly seen the attached photograph; it conveys well the look of those days.
- party (concerned)The parties to a contract must each have reached the age of majority.
- on the day; same dayOn the day, I shall be serving as your master of ceremonies, so please do not hesitate to ask anything of me.
- controlIn order to enhance the effectiveness of internal controls, we codified the scope of delegated authority as formal regulations.
- naturally; of courseWith ability like his, everyone in the company agrees it's only natural he was singled out for promotion.
- lighthouseAgainst the ultramarine sea, the white of the lighthouse stood out strikingly and drew the eye.
- (not) at all; (not) possiblyEven the greatest of experts cannot possibly predict the future with complete certainty.
- lucid; crystal-clearAmong the countless submissions, the crystalline stillness of his poetry stood out.
- our shop; this storeAs of March 31st, our shop will bring its long history to a close.
- the (person) in questionThe person in question was perfectly calm, handling things matter-of-factly despite the panic around him.
- (official) reply; answerA politician's answers are the sort of thing whose true meaning you can scarcely grasp unless you read between the lines.
- for the time beingIn the transition to the new system, the previous regulations will remain in force alongside it for the time being as a transitional measure.
- medication; administering drugsAdministering a drug without adequately explaining the risk of side effects to the patient must never happen.
- the East; the OrientTo perceive richness within simplicity—that is the Eastern aesthetic sensibility akin to wabi-sabi.
- arrival; adventIt is no exaggeration to say that without the realization of gender equality, a truly prosperous society can never come about.
- registrationWith its inscription as a World Heritage Site, its historical value was once again recognized by the world.
- farEvery time I think of my faraway hometown, my heart aches with a bittersweet longing.
- to pass through; to run (one's eyes) overIt'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.
- detour; roundabout wayUnbound by short-term efficiency, we deliberately chose a roundabout verification process, in the spirit of 'more haste, less speed.'
- to make sense; to pass throughHearing that the shop I'd frequented for years was closing, I was filled with a wistful reluctance to see it go.
- city; urban areaThe rustic flavor unique to this region can never be reproduced in the city.
- timeSet off from the main road, the hamlet stood hushed and still, as though left behind by the passage of time.
- sometimes; at timesExcessive deregulation can, at times, carry problems from the standpoint of consumer protection.
- at times; sometimesRelativism, which holds that all values are relative, can at times degenerate into an irresponsible abdication of thought.
- sometimes; at timesReading another's feelings and swallowing your true thoughts is, at times, an important art of getting by in the world.
- to preach; to expound"Never forget your original resolve" are the words of Zeami, who taught the sternness of the path of art.
- wise course; good policyScrapping the negotiations we've built up so far would hardly be in either party's interest.
- identification; specifyingIf we can't pinpoint the cause, there's simply no way to devise any countermeasure, is there?
- anonymity; anonymousThe more anonymously information is put out, the more the locus of responsibility for it tends to blur.
- peculiar to; characteristicThe turns of phrase peculiar to a dialect hold a warmth that simply cannot be fully rendered into the standard language.
- clock; watchThe manager kept glancing at his watch, as if to say we should hurry up and go home.
- to be solved; to come undoneEven with his extraordinary talent, that difficult problem could not be solved.
- mountain climbingWhether the weather clears up or not, tomorrow's climb will go ahead as planned.
- city; urbanThe latest statistical data throw into relief the well-nigh unbridgeable gap between urban and rural areas.
- years; timeAfter all those years, perhaps they were destined partners who were bound to meet.
- to shut oneself in; to withdrawBecause of her wounded pride, she withdrew ever more obstinately into her shell.
- on the way; developing (nations)Using climate-change countermeasures as a pretext to unilaterally restrict developing countries' right to develop does not stand to reason.
- land; placeStranded in an unfamiliar place where I couldn't even make myself understood, I felt an anxiety beyond anything words could capture.
- on the way; midwaySince I was the one who proposed it in the first place, I can't very well abandon it halfway.
- suddenlyIt is not hard to imagine the turmoil felt by the employees who received sudden notice of dismissal.
- veryIf you let this level of adversity break your spirit, you'll never make it at the top level.
- to be ready; to be in orderAll preparations are in place. Now there is nothing left but to await the outcome.
- to put in order; to arrangeNo matter how well the system is arranged, corruption will not disappear so long as human nature remains unchanged.
- notification; report (to authorities)With the revision of the law, some industries that had operated under a notification system were shifted to a licensing system.
- to be limited to; to remainForest conservation is not merely about preserving scenery; it also contributes to nurturing water sources and preventing landslide disasters.
- to retain; to keepThe station of the abandoned line, though decaying, still retained a somehow nostalgic presence.
- to raise (an objection); to chantOnce you sign this document, you lose any right to raise an objection afterward.
- to fly about (rumors, etc.)Slander too vile to listen to flew back and forth, and the debate no longer held together at all.
- to jump into; to leap (to the eye)When I let it sit overnight and read it again, one spot after another that needed revising jumped out at me.
- to fly; to come flying (at)Even when an unexpected question was thrown at her, she didn't flinch and shot back a flexible, well-timed retort.
- scarce; poor (in)Empirical data backing that hypothesis is scarce, so at this stage it remains no more than conjecture.
- to stop (by itself)As if time itself had stopped, the ancient capital still bore the vestiges of its former days.
- friend (literary)If you have even one friend with whom you can speak from the heart, life is not so bad after all.
- to accompany; to involveNo matter how many arguments you line up, without results to back them up no one is going to be convinced.
- togetherIt is precisely because we weathered those difficult times together that we now have such a strong bond.
- to be lit; to burn (light)In the old townscape, with lamplight glowing behind lattice doors, the charm of bygone days still lingers.
- to grasp; to perceiveStop seizing on my choice of words to score cheap points, and take on the actual thrust of my argument.
- to grasp; to perceiveHe has a tendency to view things pessimistically.
- trouble; problemThose who can't keep an appropriate sense of distance on social media tend to be more easily drawn into interpersonal trouble.
- to be caught up in; to be bound byWhat is called for is an attitude of settling in to tackle the research in earnest, without being fixated on immediate results.
- to exchange (contact); to scramble forCriticism of that caliber isn't worth engaging with one by one.
- to take up; to featureRumors with no firm evidence yet are not worth raising in a public forum.
- recovery; undoingIf the system were to go down right before the deadline, it would spell an irreparable disaster.
- effort; initiativeEfforts to conserve coastal ecosystems are two sides of the same coin as protecting the livelihoods of fishers.
- cancellation; revocationAfter repeated traffic violations, he finally had his license revoked.
- to cancel; to revokeA contract concluded by a minor acting alone may later be rescinded.
- to miss; to overlookIn our zeal to pursue logical consistency, we must not let the complexity of reality slip through our fingers.
- to mix up; to confuseThat rebuttal can hardly be called on target; it seems to mistake what is actually at issue.
- to obtain (consent); to installOnly after securing the other side's consent did we finally sit down at the negotiating table.
- to leave behindLet your guard down for even a single day, and you'll instantly be left behind by this dizzyingly fast-changing industry.
- business dealings; transactionWe need to warn our business partner in advance, in no uncertain terms, that the deadline must be strictly observed.
- to compile; to bring togetherPulling together the opinions of every department turned out to be far more painstaking than I had imagined.
- to regain; to recoverOnce supply and demand ease, prices should naturally regain their composure.
- to be able to get backOnce trust has been lost, can it really be regained so easily?
- to take (command); to conductWith the president himself taking direct command, the employees have no choice but to buckle down.
- to be relieved; to come offCaught between the claims of both sides, the mediator found himself unable to make a move.
- trade-offAccuracy and processing speed often stand in a trade-off relationship, and reconciling the two is no easy matter.
- setback; breakdownNo matter what difficulties lie ahead, we simply cannot let this plan collapse.
- soil; earthAcross the temple grounds after the rain, the faint scent of moss and earth drifted in the air.
- degree; limitExcessive consideration ends up, ironically, making the other person feel they must be considerate in return.
- consent; agreementHis silence was nothing other than tacit consent.
- whether or notI'm not sure it will suit your taste, but please do help yourself.
- synonymous; same meaning"Wabiru" and "ayamaru" (both "to apologize") look synonymous at a glance, but in formal settings the difference in their nuance comes into play.
- trend; movementMisread the currents of public opinion, and the very legitimacy of a policy may be shaken.
- no matter what; by any meansThe leap from premise to conclusion is too great, and the audience simply cannot follow it.
- the company (in question)Owing to a worsening cash flow, the company was forced to withdraw from its core business.
- at the same timeTrying to accomplish his studies and a startup at once, he followed in the footsteps of the man chasing two hares, and both foundered halfway.
- sympathy; compassionThe sight of people driven from their homes by the fires of war stirs a compassion one can hardly contain.
- to be perturbed; to waverEven when an unexpected question was thrown at her, she didn't flinch and shot back a flexible, well-timed retort.
- attending together; being presentWhether or not the manager is present, the minutes of the meeting are always shared with everyone.
- please; go aheadPlease do take this commemorative gift with you when you leave.
- dignified; imposingAs his country's representative he maintained a dignified bearing, with nothing to be ashamed of.
- (not) at all; utterlyLeaving home with a lie still unconfessed to my parents felt utterly guilt-ridden.
- introduction; adoptionIntroducing remote work eased the commuting burden and raised productivity at the same time — a genuine two-for-one measure.
- enclosure (in a letter)I would appreciate it if you could review the enclosed materials for the details and then give the matter your consideration.
- allianceWithout mutual trust, no alliance can endure for long.
- very much; thanksHe and I have never quite hit it off, and just being seated together leaves me mentally drained.
- agitation; unrestIt was no more than a reaction we had anticipated, so there is no need to be rattled by every instance of it.
- the same; likewiseI gather that you are all in good health, which is the best news of all.
- colleagueHaving lost a colleague of many years to death before me, I feel a loneliness beyond words.
- roadBeing the last day of the holiday weekend, the expressways were hit by severe traffic jams in various areas.
- after readingEven in a short essay, a well-ordered four-part structure makes the final impression far more crisp.
- dictatorshipThe dictator behaved as though he were a god, and ruled the people accordingly.
- readerThe story does not depict its ending, leaving it to the reader's imagination and thereby leaving a deep lingering impression.
- monopolyWhether or not the act in question violates the Antimonopoly Act became the central point of contention in the proceedings.
- originalityClumsy though the expression may be, this paper shines with an original conception.
- unique; peculiarDepending on the region, there are still places that preserve unique customs surrounding a bride's marriage.
- independence; going independentEver since I went out on my own, my days have been nothing but relentless work without a moment's rest.
- soilThe former site, where soil contamination came to light, required enormous costs to clean up and lay dormant for a long time.
- which (of two); whereWhen cause and effect are locked in a loop, one cannot declare which comes first, and a simple causal schema no longer holds.
- which; how (much)Every 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.
- effortIf you were to make even a single slip of the tongue in these delicate negotiations, all the effort so far would come to nothing.
- which oneHowever much we hurry, at this late stage there's no longer any prospect of making the deadline.
- how much; no matter how muchNo matter how much criticism he faced, he never bent his own research principles.
- what kind ofEven the greatest of experts cannot possibly predict the future with complete certainty.
- no matter how; however muchNo matter how unreasonable the grunt work, my senior counseled, 'perseverance prevails'—endure it and you'll be rewarded in time.
- name; fameThere is a view that it is not heroes who move history, but that the nameless masses are its true agents.
- inside and outside; domestic and foreignThe prime minister's string of verbal blunders is sending ripples far and wide, both at home and abroad.
- inwardly; at heartHesitant though he was inside, he steeled himself and spoke his true feelings right there in the meeting.
- inside; internalIn the heart of the employee hesitating to blow the whistle lay a conflict between a sense of justice and self-preservation.
- content; substanceThat politician, in both the timing and the content of his remarks, does nothing but rub the public the wrong way.
- still; furthermoreThat it still holds up to reading half a century on is because it deals with a truly universal theme.
- to fix; to repairUnless you rework the overall structure, no amount of tinkering with the details will make the writing tight.
- still; even nowThough it was spilt water, he still clung to his past glory, unable to give up on mending a relationship that had already collapsed.
- relationship; termsDon't be so distant with me — come on, we go way back, don't we?
- not easily (with negative); quiteIn the relationship between superior and subordinate, laying bare one's true feelings is no easy thing.
- half; partlyAs he grows only more stubborn with age, his family looks on, half having given up on him.
- contentsFussing only over appearances while neglecting the substance that really matters is putting the cart before the horse in the extreme.
- longHere reigns the free and open academic spirit that only a university with a long history can nurture.
- to let flow; to be carried awayHis words and deeds, swept along by momentary emotion, are hardly worthy of trust.
- to be able to let go (of); to be able to wash awayAn insult once spoken is not something that can be so easily forgiven and forgotten.
- many years; long timeGiven his years of effort, there is no reason to be surprised that he won the award.
- to drag on; to be prolongedUnless we break free from prolonged deflation, any genuine economic recovery is out of the question.
- flow; currentSet off from the main road, the hamlet stood hushed and still, as though left behind by the passage of time.
- to drift; to flowReining in a room that was sliding into emotional argument, he calmly re-sorted the issues for everyone.
- the late; deceasedNever turning down a request was the personal creed of my late master.
- to give up; to abandonSince I was the one who proposed it in the first place, I can't very well abandon it halfway.
- to look (as if); -looking (suffix)In the hush of the night, only the streetlamps stood there, forlorn and at a loss.
- lingering feeling; tracesAs if mourning the passing season, she gazed out the window with a wistful reluctance.
- reluctant to part; sad to leaveOn the last night of my study-abroad life, I was so reluctant to let it end that I could hardly sleep.
- to do (honorific)Please feel free to proceed as you see fit, by your own judgment.
- to accomplish; to achieveTrying to accomplish his studies and a startup at once, he followed in the footsteps of the man chasing two hares, and both foundered halfway.
- to form; to constituteSlander too vile to listen to flew back and forth, and the debate no longer held together at all.
- to achieve; to accomplishWithout the steady, painstaking efforts of those on the ground, this technological breakthrough could never have been achieved.
- understanding; acceptanceWhether or not the person himself is satisfied with it, the validity of the concluded contract remains unchanged.
- nostalgic; fondly rememberedThe station of the abandoned line, though decaying, still retained a somehow nostalgic presence.
- everything; anythingShe has a tendency to shoulder everything on her own, which worries those around her.
- not a single thingShe spoke as if she knew every last fact, when in truth she understood nothing at all.
- above all; more than anythingI gather that you are all in good health, which is the best news of all.
- nameExcuse me, but would you be so kind as to write your name in this guest book?
- live broadcastThe tension unique to a live broadcast kept viewers glued to their screens.
- waveThe wave of aging is hitting medical frontlines head-on, further aggravating chronic staff shortages.
- to trouble; to plagueBeing plagued by labor shortages is not something limited to the elderly-care industry.
- worry; troubleBottling it all up alone is so distant of you — if you had worries, you could have just come to me.
- to line up; to stand in lineLining up from early morning paid off — I managed to get hold of a rarely available first edition.
- to line up; to arrangeNo matter how many arguments you line up, without results to back them up no one is going to be convinced.
- to hold; to be establishedIt is only because we trust one another that frank, unreserved debate is even possible.
- can becomeI am truly pained not to be of help, but I am afraid we have no choice but to decline your proposal on this occasion.
- to get used toSeasoned at negotiation though I am, the maneuvering with someone I'm meeting for the first time is still nerve-racking.
- difficult to understandExperts all too often have a tendency to make their arguments needlessly abstruse.
- difficult situation; crisisThere is surely no one but him who could break through this crisis.
- rough going; difficultiesI braced for the talks to drag on, but to my surprise we reached an agreement quite easily.
- difficult problemEven with his extraordinary talent, that difficult problem could not be solved.
- drawback; difficultyThis predictive model is certainly high in accuracy, yet it has the drawback that its results are hard for humans to interpret.
- indescribably; (not) at allHearing that the shop I'd frequented for years was closing, I was filled with a wistful reluctance to see it go.
- indescribably; utterlyThe evening toll of the bell carried an indescribable atmospheric beauty.
- (not) any; in no wayOur company bears no legal responsibility whatsoever in this matter.
- some kind ofIt may not amount to a formal apology, but some kind of explanation is surely in order.
- smell; scentAcross the temple grounds after the rain, the faint scent of moss and earth drifted in the air.
- bad at; weak pointBeing poor at picking up on unspoken meaning, I often fail to read the mood of a situation.
- to grip; to holdA politician who turns arrogant the moment they seize power will, before long, be abandoned by the will of the people.
- bustle; livelinessThe bustle of the old post town now survives only as a trace in the rows of old houses along the highway.
- to run away; to escapeBecause the evacuation orders kept flip-flopping, residents just ran about in confusion, and in the end some were left unable to escape in time.
- dualismThe attempt to transcend the dualism of subject and object was the starting point of phenomenology.
- to be vague; to muddyRegarding the selection results, the person in charge was evasive, maintaining a guarded, suggestive manner throughout.
- carbon dioxideA system that levies taxes according to carbon-dioxide emissions could become a powerful incentive to change corporate behavior.
- to ooze out; to show throughHer words are suffused with a view of life that only one who has surmounted countless hardships could possess.
- to seep through; to show throughHis letter is restrained in tone, yet one cannot help but read the loneliness seeping through between the lines.
- to blur; to show throughAs they parted, a faint sadness suffused the profile of her face.
- diaryReading the diary of someone who died leaving a young child behind, I was overwhelmed by a piercing sorrow.
- JapanThe way Japanese society switches between one's true feelings and one's public facade seems especially baffling to foreigners.
- Japanese personHis work is imbued with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic sensibility—one that strips away everything superfluous.
- two haresAs 'he who chases two hares catches neither' warns, the project that greedily reached for this and that ended up half-baked on every front.
- never againOnce you lend that man money, you'd better assume you'll never see it again.
- bearer; person in chargeEven as concentration in the metropolis intensifies, the provinces are gasping under a shortage of people to sustain them.
- to bear; to take onThe isolation of family members shouldering caregiving duties has come to be recognized as a problem that society as a whole should shoulder.
- Japanese (language)Euphemistic expressions in Japanese serve as a lubricant that softens refusals, while at the same time forming a baffling barrier for foreigners.
- nuanceHis criticism has an acuity that never overlooks the subtle nuances latent in a work.
- careful; thoroughThanks to careful advance coordination with the stakeholders, the meeting proceeded smoothly.
- garden; yardThe dry landscape garden, evoking flowing water without using any, is a truly delicate mode of expression.
- approval; authorizationThe years of accumulated research paid off, and approval for the new drug finally came through.
- human beingHer work is highly regarded precisely because it never ceases to interrogate the very roots of human existence.
- recognition; understandingOur cognition is predetermined by the very framework of language.
- human feelings; compassionTorn between obligation and human feeling, he was forced into an agonizing inner conflict.
- cognition; recognitionWith its inscription as a World Heritage Site, its historical value was once again recognized by the world.
- without; leaving outIt was his willingness to do the honorable thing even setting aside profit and loss that won him the trust of those around him.
- to extract; to pick outIf you pluck out a single sentence while ignoring its surrounding context, the meaning is easily distorted.
- to cut corners; to pull outLet your guard down for even a single day, and you'll instantly be left behind by this dizzyingly fast-changing industry.
- to get wetThe cobblestone alley, wet with rain, took on an even deeper charm.
- tone; timbreAt last night's concert, I listened intently to the maestro's mature, seasoned tone.
- to let rest; to lay downWhen I let it sit overnight and read it again, one spot after another that needed revising jumped out at me.
- to wish; to hopeThat they yearn without end for the two nations to reconcile as soon as possible is the heartfelt wish of all the bereaved families.
- to thank for one's effortsThe greeting "otsukaresama" has become idiomatically entrenched across a wide range of uses, from genuine appreciation of someone's toil to a mere signal.
- completely; root and allHis speech was like a storm, shaking the hearts of the audience to their very roots.
- the internetWhile promoting greater fluidity in employment, there is an urgent need to build up a safety net for workers.
- fever; heatThe masses, as though in the grip of a fever, were swept along by baseless rumors.
- to take rootEven if you introduce a progress-tracking tool, it will end up as a wasted asset unless a culture of reporting takes root.
- deep-rooted; persistentCalls to make the review criteria public are persistent, but the authorities continue to withhold them, citing fairness.
- tenacious; persistentInexperienced as she was, she doggedly saw the difficult case through to a resolution.
- discount; price reductionRegarding the discount rate, the two sides settled on a compromise both could accept.
- behind-the-scenes groundworkHis statements in the meeting were mere public posturing; his real intentions were voiced in the behind-the-scenes groundwork.
- to aim at; to targetRegarding get-rich-quick investment schemes, I made a point of warning that 'more haste, less speed'—steady, methodical saving is the royal road.
- to work out; to refineThe final proposal was crafted by painstakingly reconciling the demands of the front line with management's policy.
- to rework; to reviseUnless you rework the overall structure, no amount of tinkering with the details will make the writing tight.
- care; attentionTo find that my message never got through despite how firmly I drove it home leaves me utterly disheartened.
- ageRegression analysis found a significant negative correlation between age and satisfaction.
- noiseIf the threshold is set wrong, there is a risk of discarding even legitimate signals as noise.
- delivery date; deadlineI understand from the other party that they wish to move the delivery date forward by a week.
- strong; likelyThe moment defeat looked all but certain, he acknowledged his fault at once, accepting the inevitable with admirable grace.
- tax paymentPaying taxes is expressly stipulated in the Constitution as one of the three principal duties of citizens.
- one's mind; memoryThe devastation of that day remains seared into the minds of the survivors even now, twenty years on.
- ability; capacityA single failure hardly warrants dismissing his abilities as a whole.
- to miss; to let slipThe reporters thrust out their microphones, as if determined not to miss a single word.
- to escape; to evadeThe years drive people relentlessly onward, and not a single soul can escape their march.
- across the board; allWith the economic outlook so uncertain, firms across the board are holding back on capital investment.
- to leave (behind); to keepReading the diary of someone who died leaving a young child behind, I was overwhelmed by a piercing sorrow.
- to remain; to be leftWhile delegating authority, one must not forget the principle that ultimate accountability for results remains with the one who delegated it.
- to look out over; to wishThe beauty of the sea of clouds seen from the summit was simply beyond description.
- to attend; to faceThe blunder that resulted from going in underprepared fills me with the deepest shame.
- to postpone; to extendI am truly sorry to trouble you, but might I ask you to extend the deadline by two or three days?
- to state; to expressBefore stating a conclusion, one must carefully lay out, one by one, the grounds that support it.
- to swallow (words); to gulp downReading another's feelings and swallowing your true thoughts is, at times, an important art of getting by in the world.
- to accept (conditions); to drinkTo accept these terms would be tantamount to surrendering our company's independence.
- to drinkNot drinking to excess at a banquet is surely one mark of a grown-up's good breeding.
- to run agroundThe negotiations ran aground, as though we were wandering through a labyrinth with no exit in sight.
- to overcomeIt is precisely because we weathered those difficult times together that we now have such a strong bond.
- to appear (in print); to be listedThis word carries a connotation not found in the dictionary, and unless you read the mood of the room, you risk mistaking its true intent.
- grasp; understandingFor someone in a position overseeing the front lines to have failed to grasp the progress is to leave oneself justly open to being held accountable for negligent management.
- abandoned; disusedThe station of the abandoned line, though decaying, still retained a somehow nostalgic presence.
- cause of defeatUnderestimating them as an opponent not worth fearing was the cause of the defeat.
- disposal; wasteUnless a system for cycling waste back into resources is established, the mass-consumption society will hit a dead end.
- backgroundAgainst the ultramarine sea, the white of the lighthouse stood out strikingly and drew the eye.
- looking at (humble)I have duly seen the attached photograph; it conveys well the look of those days.
- blend; formulationPinning down the optimal formulation required a steady accumulation of painstaking trial and error.
- scrap material; waste woodIf you make furniture from scrap materials, you cut down on waste and hold costs down too — isn't that two birds with one stone?
- borrowing (humble)As I have borrowed your valuable materials, I will be sure to return them by next week.
- emission; dischargeTo put a brake on the advance of global warming, each country needs to move up its emissions-reduction targets substantially.
- signs of defeatThe moment defeat looked all but certain, he acknowledged his fault at once, accepting the inevitable with admirable grace.
- to exclude; to rejectI would ask you to set emotional appeals aside and rebut me strictly by constructing a logical line of reasoning.
- wastewater; drainageThe unchecked discharge of industrial wastewater destroyed the downstream ecosystem root and branch.
- to arrange; to placeTo arrange empty space boldly, without fear, is an art permitted only to the seasoned calligrapher.
- listening (humble)Having listened to the chairman's deeply insightful remarks, I feel my horizons have been greatly broadened.
- reading (humble)Having read your paper, I was deeply impressed by the meticulousness of its argumentation.
- distribution; allocationSuspicions have arisen that the allocation of the budget is being decided arbitrarily according to the designs of a select few.
- defeatIt is precisely in accepting defeat gracefully that one's true dignity shines through.
- considerationIn reforming the tax system, consideration for low-income groups is indispensable.
- to enter; to go inLining up from early morning paid off — I managed to get hold of a rarely available first edition.
- honor; gloryTo be granted such a distinguished award is a matter of the utmost emotion for me.
- destructionThe scale of environmental destruction is severe, and the ecosystem is said to need decades to recover.
- to aim at; to strive forTo forge consensus amid the tangled interests of each department, we first need to sort out the points where those interests collide.
- to measure; to take (temperature)Unable to gauge the right distance with my boss, I'm forever wearing my nerves thin over just how far I can venture.
- to measure; to gaugeWhile gene-editing technology brings immeasurable benefits, it is fraught with grave ethical problems.
- spillover; ripple effectIt takes a fair amount of time for the effects of monetary policy to ripple through to the real economy.
- breakup; catastropheThough it was spilt water, he still clung to his past glory, unable to give up on mending a relationship that had already collapsed.
- to utter; to spit outNever voicing a complaint, staying silent and letting results speak — that was his own particular aesthetic.
- blank slate; scratchScrapping the negotiations we've built up so far would hardly be in either party's interest.
- spur; (apply spurs) to accelerateIt is common knowledge that the falling birthrate is accelerating depopulation in rural areas.
- heated (debate); incandescenceThe discussion grew heated, yet the conclusion settled on something utterly ordinary.
- to nurture; to fosterThe courtly, elegant culture nurtured in the Heian palace exerted an immeasurable influence on the art of later ages.
- dispatch; temp workerWhether 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.
- intense; fierceWhether or not to change jobs — a fierce inner conflict is churning inside me.
- to encourage; to cheer upFar from being unbearable to hear, those few words became encouragement I could never forget.
- course of events; arrangementThe amended law is now set to come into force as of April 1st next year.
- to carry; to transportIf not every day, then at least once a week I make a point of getting out to the site in person.
- to insert; to put betweenInserting too many examples along the way obscures the thread of the argument, so caution is needed.
- gap; intersticeHow to provide relief to those who fall through the cracks of the system is the greatest challenge facing social-security reform.
- chopsticksFor a formal kaiseki meal, there are detailed rules of etiquette that extend even to how you raise and lower your chopsticks.
- bits and pieces; every little detailIn every corner of her words, one could vividly sense the signs that she had made up her mind to resign.
- to runThey say 'more haste, less speed': the price of neglecting the fundamentals and rushing to advanced work always comes due later.
- shame; disgraceIf you don't know the proper etiquette for ceremonial occasions, you may well end up embarrassing yourself as an adult.
- beginning; origin (in "hashi o hassuru")When one traces the origin of this custom back to its source, it turns out to have sprung from courtly ceremony.
- to begin; to startSince evaluation itself is relative, there is no point in arguing over absolute superiority or inferiority.
- for the first timeIt's not as if you're meeting for the first time, so there's no need to be so nervous.
- to begin; to startNow that everyone is here, shall we go ahead and begin the meeting?
- to be ashamed ofAs his country's representative he maintained a dignified bearing, with nothing to be ashamed of.
- to leave (one's seat); to removeWhile the manager was away from his desk, a visitor arrived.
- to be off; to be away fromSet off from the main road, the hamlet stood hushed and still, as though left behind by the passage of time.
- really; as expectedWho on earth could call a society just, when such injustice is allowed to pass unchallenged?
- to fulfill; to carry outBuilding a sustainable society is a road we cannot sidestep if we are to discharge our responsibility to future generations.
- work; performanceHis devoted way of working is worthy of praise.
- to workEver since I went out on my own, my days have been nothing but relentless work without a moment's rest.
- to be able to workIsn't creating a workplace where people can work with pride precisely the duty of management?
- skinFrom her skin, fresh from the bath, rose the faint fragrance of soap.
- coming to light; detectionNow that a compliance violation has come to light, the management has no choice but to fulfill its accountability.
- excavation; discoveryThe results of the excavation overturned, at its very foundations, the accepted account that had until then been taken as historical fact.
- discoveryBecause its early symptoms are scant, it is a disease that tends to be detected late.
- divergence; dispersionThe discussion tends to sprawl, so let me first narrow the issues down to three points before we proceed.
- onset (of disease)Learning one's risk of onset through genetic testing does not necessarily lead to happiness.
- transmission; sending out (information)The more anonymously information is put out, the more the locus of responsibility for it tends to blur.
- occurrence; outbreakBefore signing the contract, I made a point of nailing it down that no additional costs would arise.
- idea; way of thinkingBeginning by calling into question the premises taken to be common sense is the starting point of original thinking.
- shipping; dispatchThe item you purchased will be shipped out before the end of today.
- order (placing an order)The moment the approval comes down, have everything arranged so we can move straight to placing the order.
- development; growthThe repeated scandals are bound to escalate into a question of the management's accountability.
- announcement; presentationThe major bank's abrupt announcement of a merger is sending shock waves through the entire financial industry.
- remark; statementThat politician, in both the timing and the content of his remarks, does nothing but rub the public the wrong way.
- first loveKnowing I would never meet my first love again, all that remained was a bittersweet lingering ache.
- power generationOver the restart of the nuclear power plants, the public is being asked to weigh the merits and demerits of the decision.
- issuance (of an order or warning)If one hesitates to issue an evacuation advisory for fear it will prove a false alarm, one risks bringing about an irreversible catastrophe.
- showy; flashyIt may lack flamboyance, but this vessel exudes a quiet, richly satisfying character.
- brake; checkUnless we can put a brake on the advance of the falling birthrate and aging population, a fundamental overhaul of the pension system will likely be unavoidable.
- to talk over; to discussNow that it has come to this, unless we sit down and talk with total candor at least once, this rift will never be bridged.
- way of speakingA way of speaking that recklessly strings together foreign loanwords can sometimes be nothing more than a smokescreen concealing the emptiness of its content.
- to speak; to talkOnce she starts talking, she goes on and on, leaving you not even a moment to get a word in.
- to be able to speakIf you have even one friend with whom you can speak from the heart, life is not so bad after all.
- bouquetReceiving a bouquet on the eve of my retirement, my sense of gratitude was all the deeper.
- to leave alone; to releaseHe regretted for the rest of his life that words hurled in a moment of passion had brought about consequences as irreversible as spilt water.
- extreme; grossFussing only over appearances while neglecting the substance that really matters is putting the cart before the horse in the extreme.
- brilliant; spectacularTelling herself that 'perseverance prevails,' she threw herself silently into basic research far removed from any glamour.
- fireworksLike the lingering afterglow of the festival, the smoke of the sparkler trailed off into the night air and vanished.
- to become lively; to brightenAs the distinguished guests arrived one after another, the hall was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
- to be apart; to leaveBeing someone who lives far from his homeland, his longing for home is stronger than most.
- motherEver since my father passed away, my mother has grown markedly quiet.
- wide-ranging; broadThe greeting "otsukaresama" has become idiomatically entrenched across a wide range of uses, from genuine appreciation of someone's toil to a mere signal.
- to be hooked on; to fitBy being overly conscious of the classic four-part structure, the essay ended up formulaic and dull instead.
- (end up in a) plight; predicamentWhen the advance planning is sloppy, the front line ends up floundering about the moment a crisis hits.
- early; fastThat they yearn without end for the two nations to reconcile as soon as possible is the heartfelt wish of all the bereaved families.
- from early onEveryone present had sensed early on the ominous signs that the negotiations might break down.
- early; ahead of timeHad he consulted me sooner I could have done something — but because he kept quiet, things have reached a point of no return.
- belly; anger (in "hara ga tatsu")Now that it has come to this, unless we sit down and talk with total candor at least once, this rift will never be bridged.
- to paySince the contract has been breached, there will be no getting out of paying the penalty.
- irritating; infuriatingFor the specifications to change right before the deadline — it's maddening beyond words.
- to compete; to rivalEntrusted with challenging, worthwhile work, he is like a fish returned to water.
- to be stubborn (idiom); to stretchA single word of apology would have settled it, yet out of sheer stubbornness he refused to bow his head to the end.
- far; by farThe flooding from the breached levee spread through the urban district at a speed far exceeding all projections.
- scope; rangeWith the other party's lawyer, we worked out the terms on the scope of compensation in fine detail.
- judgment; verdictWith the handing down of the verdict, the defendant was ordered to pay compensation.
- rebellion; defianceHis parents seem utterly at their wits' end dealing with their son in his rebellious phase.
- complicated; cumbersomeWe had to go through each of the cumbersome procedures one by one, and it took a good six months before authorization was finally granted.
- counterevidence; disproofNo matter how appealing a hypothesis is, if even a single piece of counterevidence turns up, the theory falls apart.
- to violate; to be contrary toThe city intends to issue a corrective recommendation as soon as any act contravening the provisions of the ordinance is confirmed.
- reflection; regretA reckoning with our uncritical acceptance of modern Western thought is now being demanded.
- clear; distinctThe claims across the report's chapters lack internal consistency, so it is unclear what the whole is trying to say.
- opposite; oppositionI expected to be shot down, but instead my boss threw his full weight behind my proposal.
- judgment; decisionBecause the research is entirely unprecedented, even those tasked with evaluating it are struggling to reach a judgment.
- category; scopeThat phenomenon has a scope that simply cannot be contained within the categories of existing scholarship.
- half a yearUnable to agree on the budget, the merger talks ended up shelved, and half a year has slipped by.
- semiconductorIn the face of a global semiconductor shortage, the factory was forced to cut production.
- reaction; responseIt was no more than a reaction we had anticipated, so there is no need to be rattled by every instance of it.
- backlash; oppositionFully aware of the public backlash, the government is poised to go ahead with a hike in the consumption tax.
- halfThis sentence is redundant; the same content could surely be expressed in half the length.
- discrimination; distinguishingPrecisely now, when information of indeterminable veracity floods in, critical thinking is being put to the test.
- becoming clear; confirmationThe former site, where soil contamination came to light, required enormous costs to clean up and lay dormant for a long time.
- flooding; overflowingPrecisely now, when information of indeterminable veracity floods in, critical thinking is being put to the test.
- life partner; spouseThere is something in the grief of a man who has lost the spouse of many years that is not hard to imagine.
- counterargument; objectionI would ask you to set emotional appeals aside and rebut me strictly by constructing a logical line of reasoning.
- place; spot; occasionRumors with no firm evidence yet are not worth raising in a public forum.
- case; situationWhen cause and effect are locked in a loop, one cannot declare which comes first, and a simple causal schema no longer holds.
- sale; selling offTo sell off patients' personal data is conduct utterly unbecoming of a physician.
- compensation; reparationAs a matter of principle, for damage arising from negligence the wrongdoer bears a corresponding liability to compensate.
- enormous; vastOver the inheritance of an enormous estate, a bitter family feud has been brought before the courts.
- place; locationThe universality of mathematical truth is said to be unaffected by any era or place.
- penalty; punitive ruleIn order to prevent information leaks, severe penalties are to be imposed on violators.
- selection (for promotion); singling outWith ability like his, everyone in the company agrees it's only natural he was singled out for promotion.
- radical; fundamentalIn order to restore the strained public finances, the government embarked on sweeping expenditure reforms.
- handouts; pork-barrel spendingHandout policies that make light of fiscal discipline may well leave a grievous legacy for future generations.
- balanceAny rise in the consumption tax ought to be debated with the overall balance of the tax system in mind.
- late autumnThe temple approach carpeted with fallen leaves is suffused with the atmosphere unique to late autumn.
- perfect; thoroughAll preparations are in place. Now there is nothing left but to await the outcome.
- all-powerful; universalIn treating the concept of efficiency as all-powerful, we have let something precious slip through our fingers.
- pande- (pandemic, first half)The pandemic has once again brought to the surface the chronic staffing shortages on the medical front lines.
- fireThe outcome is plainer than day; there's no need to investigate anew.
- fault; wrongHis conduct — admitting his fault and resigning to take responsibility with good grace — is worthy of praise.
- to cool down; to get chillyAlthough the economy is on a recovery track, complacency is dangerous — there's no telling when demand might cool off.
- to refrain from; to hold backRefraining from contacting colleagues after regular hours is the tacit understanding at this workplace.
- comparisonThe sense of being rich or poor is, after all, relative, and it changes completely once the point of comparison shifts.
- lightThe light of dusk cast deep shadows along the cloister, throwing the outlines of the pillars into sharp relief.
- pessimismHe has a tendency to view things pessimistically.
- damage; harmHere I respectfully extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the disaster.
- raise; increaseAny rise in the consumption tax ought to be debated with the overall balance of the tax system in mind.
- to raise; to pull upIn response to the raising of the alert level, evacuation orders were issued for the affected areas.
- to take on; to accept (a task)Feeling too awkward to flatly refuse her kindness, I ended up taking it on after all.
- to be able to turn backHaving already paid such a price, surely there is no turning back now.
- tighteningAbrupt monetary tightening risks, on the contrary, choking off the recovery altogether.
- to pull out; to withdrawDeliberately putting forward aggressive demands at the outset in order to extract concessions is a standard tactic.
- to be able to take overTo resolve the personalization of tasks, it is necessary to document procedures and keep them in a state that anyone can take over.
- to leave; to take inI am sure you have your reasons, but I would be grateful if you would kindly take your leave before long.
- to catch (a cold); to pullThe single remark he made as we parted lingered in my heart, its echo refusing to fade.
- can back out; can withdrawHaving assured everyone it would be fine, I ended up with no way to back out.
- defendantWith the handing down of the verdict, the defendant was ordered to pay compensation.
- usually; everydayWith lifestyle-related diseases, the price of neglecting everyday prevention surfaces in later years.
- being affected by a disasterNot a single item of the relief supplies distributed to the disaster victims must be wasted.
- emergencyWith the approach of a large and extremely powerful typhoon, the Meteorological Agency is calling for the utmost level of vigilance.
- to lurk; to lie hiddenAt the root of all creation lurks a quiet dissatisfaction with the existing framework.
- grief; sorrowThere is something in the grief of a man who has lost the spouse of many years that is not hard to imagine.
- desperate; franticDespite my desperate persuasion, in the end he handed in his resignation anyway.
- quietly; stillThe masterpiece hung quietly, unnoticed, in a corner of an out-of-the-way corridor.
- brushwork; writing styleThe overwhelming style of this work cannot fail to shake the heart of anyone who reads it.
- tightness; being strainedIn order to restore the strained public finances, the government embarked on sweeping expenditure reforms.
- inevitability; necessityInterpretations diverge sharply depending on whether one regards the march of history as inevitable or as an accumulation of contingencies.
- necessary; needThis thorny problem demands the resolve to sit down and confront it thoroughly.
- negative; denialA single failure hardly warrants dismissing his abilities as a whole.
- more than othersI hear the chairman is exceptionally careful about managing his health.
- human shadow; figureEach time the candle flame wavered, the human shadow on the wall deepened and then faded.
- personality; characterBoth her track record and her character make her a fitting person for this key post.
- a word; brief remarkA single word of apology would have settled it, yet out of sheer stubbornness he refused to bow his head to the end.
- equal; equivalent toHis silence was, in effect, tantamount to an admission of his wrongdoing.
- (not) ordinary meansEven a veteran diplomat had his hands full with a negotiating counterpart who was no easy match.
- one by one; eachBefore stating a conclusion, one must carefully lay out, one by one, the grounds that support it.
- social relations; dealing with peopleNever to fail in courtesy — this, above all, is the first rule of getting along with people.
- manpower; workersBeing plagued by labor shortages is not something limited to the elderly-care industry.
- peopleIt is not hard to surmise how much hardship the people of the disaster-stricken area were forced to endure.
- in public; in front of othersIt may not be perfect, but by the deadline I want it polished to a level I can present to others.
- public gaze; attentionThe masterpiece hung quietly, unnoticed, in a corner of an out-of-the-way corridor.
- taking on a life of its ownMight it not be that the word 'sustainability' has taken on a life of its own, while its original ideal is being hollowed out?
- standing on one's own; independenceTo watch a protégé I nurtured with my own hands come into their own is immensely gratifying.
- evacuation; refugeDue to record-breaking torrential rain, many residents have been forced into life as evacuees.
- (no) fault to findThat inn, both in its cuisine and its hospitality, was utterly beyond reproach.
- criticismNo matter how much criticism he faced, he never bent his own research principles.
- criticism; reviewThe writing is clumsy — nowhere near a level that could withstand serious critique.
- daily; every dayCaught between upper management and the front lines, middle managers agonize day after day.
- slander; abuseThe act of defaming others while hiding in the shadow of anonymity can by no means be called freedom of speech.
- gap; chanceOnce she starts talking, she goes on and on, leaving you not even a moment to get a word in.
- killing timeListening to a language podcast during my commute kills time and doubles as study — two birds with one stone.
- to unravel; to trace backWhen one unravels the genealogy of modern thought, its wellspring can be traced back to ancient Greece.
- battle-hardened; veteranThat a battle-hardened veteran like him would make such an elementary blunder—this is exactly what 'even monkeys fall from trees' means.
- leap (in logic); jumpThe leap from premise to conclusion is too great, and the audience simply cannot follow it.
- evaluation; appraisalWhether or not society thinks well of it, I intend to stay true to my own convictions.
- expressionClumsy though the expression may be, this paper shines with an original conception.
- commendation; awardGiven his years of achievement, he is precisely the sort of person who deserves to be honored.
- standardThe turns of phrase peculiar to a dialect hold a warmth that simply cannot be fully rendered into the standard language.
- to evaluate; to comment onAt this level of sheer polish, there is no way to describe it but as magnificent.
- advocating; professingThere are people who champion diversity yet are astonishingly intolerant of dissenting views.
- declaration; announcementWhether in favor or opposed, everyone should first be given the chance to voice their opinion.
- surface; superficialWhat is called for is not endless superficial debate, but the discernment to grasp the essence of the problem.
- critique; commentaryThat commentator criticizes endlessly — the policy is naive, there's no vision, and so on — yet offers not a single alternative.
- cost; expenseBefore signing the contract, I made a point of nailing it down that no additional costs would arise.
- (no) equal; (without) parallelIt is the craftsman's almost stubborn insistence that underpins this unrivaled quality.
- discourtesy; rudenessTo treat an honored guest so carelessly can only be called the height of discourtesy.
- wide; broad"O-meshiagari-ni-naru" is technically a double honorific, yet it is widely accepted as an established usage.
- fatigue; exhaustionWith night after night without sleep, I have reached the very extreme of exhaustion, body and mind alike.
- to spread; to expandEver 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.
- to spread; to widenOverextend in the name of business diversification and you become the man chasing two hares, risking even the very backbone of your core operations.
- dignity; characterIt is precisely in accepting defeat gracefully that one's true dignity shines through.
- povertyTo break the cycle of poverty, we should not, in my view, begrudge investment in children.
- quality (of goods)It is the craftsman's almost stubborn insistence that underpins this unrivaled quality.
- wealth and povertyThe sense of being rich or poor is, after all, relative, and it changes completely once the point of comparison shifts.
- beautyThe notion of beauty sways with the times and never settles into a single mold.
- aesthetic senseA refined aesthetic sense is not something cultivated overnight.
- aesthetics; personal philosophyHis aesthetic of stripping away everything superfluous ran through every corner of his work.
- minute; fineThanks to advances in image analysis technology, even minute lesions can now be detected at an early stage.
- art museumLate at night the museum, emptied of any sign of visitors, was wrapped in a taut, brittle silence.
- subtle; delicateEver since that incident, a subtle rift has come to lie between the two of them.
- hospitalWhen it comes to having sustained regional healthcare for so many years, there is no more dependable institution than this hospital.
- equalityWhether a cabinet minister or an ordinary citizen, everyone should be treated equally before the law.
- one's humble effortsModest though my abilities are, I hope to do what little I can to be of service to you all.
- seat; center (of learning)The university, as a seat of learning, bears the role of serving as the conscience of society.
- anxiety; uneasinessDifferences of degree aside, everyone carries some anxiety about growing old.
- fading (of memory); weatheringSo that the lessons of the great earthquake are not allowed to fade, society as a whole should share the mindset that 'forewarned is forearmed.'
- dignity; distinctive styleStubbornness and mere obstinacy are but a hair apart, yet a stubbornness backed by conviction carries a certain dignity.
- suppression; stiflingIf one is not even given the chance to object, that amounts to the suppression of free speech.
- custom; practiceDepending on the region, there are still places that preserve unique customs surrounding a bride's marriage.
- to suppress; to containA consensus reached by suppressing dissent crumbles all too easily once it comes time to act.
- trend; tendency (of the times)Amid a trend of frequent job-hopping, some dismiss the value of 'sticking it out for three years' as hopelessly outdated.
- to increaseWith the addition of just one more variable, the computational load swells exponentially.
- unsettling; ominousEveryone present had sensed early on the ominous signs that the negotiations might break down.
- load; burdenExperts argue that reconciling economic growth with a reduction of environmental burden is by no means a mutually exclusive proposition.
- deepThat shocking ending cannot fail to leave a deep lingering impression on the audience.
- indispensable; essentialIt goes without saying that this contract requires the signatures of both parties.
- to deepenThe rift in values between generations seems to have deepened to a point that is now all but unbridgeable.
- depth; profundityThis work possesses enough depth to withstand repeated viewing.
- to deepenOnce we have laid out both sides' positions, I would like to deepen the discussion afresh.
- incomplete; imperfectWabi-sabi refers to the sensibility that finds beauty in the imperfect and the decaying.
- spread; popularizationIf quantum cryptography becomes widespread, current encryption schemes could be overturned from their very foundations.
- recessionWhether in boom times or in recession, a company that neglects investment in research and development has no future.
- side effectThis drug is highly effective, but on the other hand its side effects cannot be ignored.
- complexity; complicatedIn our zeal to pursue logical consistency, we must not let the complexity of reality slip through our fingers.
- spilled waterOnce spoken, an abusive word is like spilt water that can't be gathered up—no amount of apology restores the trust that's been lost.
- plural; multipleWith the establishment of a holding company that oversees several subsidiaries, decision-making across the group has been centralized.
- implication; hidden meaningThe director's remark, "Well, let's think about it in due course," clearly carried an unspoken implication.
- to include; to containWe painstakingly analyzed the errors contained in the observational data and corrected for the apparatus's inherent quirks.
- to swell; to balloonBallooning social security costs are placing a severe strain on the nation's public finances.
- malfunction; defectWe shrugged it off as a minor defect, but complacency proved costly, and in the end it snowballed into a large-scale recall.
- suitable; worthyBoth her track record and her character make her a fitting person for this key post.
- unnaturalWhen you translate literally with no regard for how a word feels, the meaning may come across, but the result tends to be a somehow unnatural rendering.
- scandal; misconductIn this scandal, the field staff who covered it up are to blame, and so is the headquarters that let it slide.
- distrustThe post-accident response was appalling, and the explanation at the press conference no better; it's no wonder it bred public distrust.
- insufficient; inadequateThe reviewer pointed out that to empirically establish causation, mere correlation is insufficient.
- to submit to; to refer toIn cases where no agreement is reached between the parties, the matter will be referred to mediation.
- wrongdoing; injusticeNo matter how well the system is arranged, corruption will not disappear so long as human nature remains unchanged.
- insincere; dishonestSubjected to such insincere treatment for so long, it's only natural the customers are angry.
- to preventIn order to prevent information leaks, severe penalties are to be imposed on violators.
- charm; atmosphereThe temple approach carpeted with fallen leaves is suffused with the atmosphere unique to late autumn.
- unsuitable; beyond one's meansRather than nursing ambitions beyond my station, I'd rather pursue a happiness suited to my own measure.
- shortage; lackIt was a misunderstanding arising from a lack of information, not something born of ill will.
- again; once moreLetting years of lingering resentment wash away, the two decided to join forces once more.
- two (things)The medical team was split right down the middle over the course of treatment.
- burden; loadIntroducing remote work eased the commuting burden and raised productivity at the same time — a genuine two-for-one measure.
- usually; ordinarilyYou'd take him for a quiet type, but the moment a debate starts he argues his case more passionately than anyone.
- return; comebackNow that my health has recovered, I intend to return to work starting next week.
- restoration; recoveryAs recovery in the disaster-stricken area dragged on, the number of volunteers dwindled visibly.
- reconstruction; revivalThe first step on the long road of recovery and reconstruction begins with an accurate grasp of the present situation.
- unfair; unjustDismissing an employee without just cause exposes one to liability for wrongful termination.
- uncertainty; opacityWith the economic outlook so uncertain, firms across the board are holding back on capital investment.
- lack of virtue; moral failingOwing to my own shortcomings I have caused you great trouble, and I am overcome with the deepest shame.
- posting (to a new post); assignmentEver since his overseas posting, his outlook has broadened dramatically.
- deficiency; defectRegarding the deficiencies pointed out in the audit, our policy is to take corrective measures promptly within a set deadline.
- inequalityThe widening of economic inequality is reproduced across generations through the unequal distribution of educational opportunity.
- complaint; grievanceAt every meeting, nothing flies around but complaints — the budget's too tight, we're short-staffed, and so on.
- universality; universalThat it still holds up to reading half a century on is because it deals with a truly universal theme.
- news of a deathOn learning of my mentor's sudden passing, I am overcome with grief.
- to be based on; to take into accountAny rise in the consumption tax ought to be debated with the overall balance of the tax system in mind.
- dissatisfaction; discontentIf you have grievances, you should follow proper procedure — say it directly, submit it in writing, or the like.
- to set foot (in)"Enter not this ground," read the old signpost.
- to take the plunge; to decide toWhether or not to bite the bullet and raise taxes for fiscal reconstruction—the wisdom of that course is now in question.
- to step into; to go deep intoUnable to gauge the right distance with my boss, I'm forever wearing my nerves thin over just how far I can venture.
- to trample onWhatever the reason may be, workers' rights should never be trampled upon unilaterally.
- to step onWe had to go through each of the cumbersome procedures one by one, and it took a good six months before authorization was finally granted.
- unclear; unknownWhenever I reflect on my own lack of discernment, I am consumed with shame.
- winterThis winter was exceptionally harsh, with record snowfall recorded across the country.
- disadvantage; unfavorableTo act honorably toward someone to whom you owe a debt of gratitude, even at your own disadvantage, is the way of a decent person.
- to look backEven the painful days, looking back, I can now see were nourishment that gave color to my life.
- to fall and pile up (snow)Over the snow-laden streets late at night spread a silence that seemed to have swallowed every last sound.
- oldThanks to the renovation, the old townhouse became remarkably more livable.
- since long ago; from old timesIn our household, sweeping away a year's worth of dust on New Year's Eve has long been an established custom.
- old templeBathed in the setting sun, the ancient temple, casting a long shadow, revealed its solemn, majestic presence.
- behavior; conductHis behavior was something that could by no means be explained within the bounds of common sense.
- to behave; to conduct oneselfStealing the credit for a subordinate's achievements is behavior wholly unbecoming of anyone in a position of leadership.
- to behave; to actThe dictator behaved as though he were a god, and ruled the people accordingly.
- to touchWithout anyone ever saying so, a tacit understanding was at work that the subject was not to be touched upon.
- atmosphere; moodAs the distinguished guests arrived one after another, the hall was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
- dispute; conflictResolving the dispute requires an indispensable willingness on both parties to make concessions.
- subordinateIf you scold your subordinates for their mistakes without hearing them out, you'll lose their respect sooner or later.
- department; sectionAs for this matter, I will confirm with the relevant department and give you my answer again at a later date.
- safety; without incidentAll I could do was simply pray for his safety.
- insultAn insult once spoken is not something that can be so easily forgiven and forgotten.
- department managerHas the department manager already had a chance to look over the new project proposal?
- prices (of goods)Even though my salary went up, when you factor in inflation my standard of living has, if anything, gotten harder.
- supplies; goodsNot a single item of the relief supplies distributed to the disaster victims must be wasted.
- physical; materialOnly once consistency is established between the testimony and the physical evidence does the inference acquire persuasive force.
- to hit; to vent (anger)An anger with nowhere to be directed leaves me in a mood of helpless frustration.
- physicsThis theory can be applied not only to physics but also to elucidating economic phenomena.
- logistics; distributionWith the distribution network severed, transporting supplies to the disaster area has become extremely difficult.
- department; divisionTo forge consensus amid the tangled interests of each department, we first need to sort out the points where those interests collide.
- cultureTo realize the ideal of multicultural coexistence, a shift in the mindset of each and every resident is indispensable, quite apart from institutional arrangements.
- decomposition; breakdownThere is an urgent push to commercialize technology that chemically breaks down waste plastics and cycles them back into raw materials.
- cultural propertyThe reality that our cultural treasures are managed so carelessly fills me with profound regret.
- literary language; written styleParticles that tend to get dropped in spoken language are often faithfully restored in writing that adopts a literary tone.
- documentWhatever the reason, taking out confidential documents without authorization is absolutely unacceptable.
- writing; textThe writing is clumsy — nowhere near a level that could withstand serious critique.
- analysisThe analysis found that the effect of educational level on income was not significant.
- division; splitThe widening of income disparity is a grave problem that could well provoke a rift in society.
- distribution; allocationHow to distribute finite resources fairly is one of the most acute political issues of the twenty-first century.
- contextStandards of good and evil are not absolute; they are merely relative and wholly dependent on context.
- civilizationThe 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.