HEYGOW ASMR
HEYGOW › 日本語 › Vocabulary lists

JLPT N1 vocabulary list ぶ-靄

584 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. Connectives & conditionsfield; areaExpert though one may be, that doesn't mean one can keep up with every rapid change in this field.
  2. Nature & lifeplasticThere is an urgent push to commercialize technology that chemically breaks down waste plastics and cycles them back into raw materials.
  3. Connectives & conditionsprojectIf he can't even meet a deadline, there's no way we can entrust the project to him.
  4. Culture & artsHeian period; peaceThe courtly, elegant culture nurtured in the Heian palace exerted an immeasurable influence on the art of later ages.
  5. Culture & artscalm; tranquilityHaving passed through age after age of war and upheaval, this capital has at last regained its tranquility.
  6. Advanced keigo & formalityclosing (of a meeting)With this, we hereby bring today's general meeting to a close.
  7. Life & valuescalm; unbotheredIt's as if the word 'restraint' means nothing to him — even on first meeting, he'll blithely ask the most prying questions.
  8. Advanced businessparallelAs the debate ran on in parallel lines, the chair searched for a compromise where both sides could lay down their arms.
  9. Idioms & set phrasesnormal times; peacetimeAs 'forewarned is forearmed' holds, it is precisely thorough crisis management in peacetime that keeps damage to a minimum when disaster strikes.
  10. Emphasis, limits & extremescalmly; nonchalantlyThe content of the proposal is bad enough, and the committee that blithely approved it is just as bad — one can only be dumbfounded.
  11. Advanced keigo & formalityusually; ordinarily (formal)I respectfully express my gratitude for the kind consideration you always extend to us.
  12. AcademiccoexistenceIn a society where diverse values coexist, forging consensus demands an enormous amount of effort.
  13. Description & rhetoricordinary; mediocreThe discussion grew heated, yet the conclusion settled on something utterly ordinary.
  14. Culture & artspeaceConveying the catastrophe of war to future generations is the mission of those of us who yearn for peace.
  15. Advanced businessgap; distanceThere is a gap between the two sides' positions, but there is no choice but to seek a realistic compromise somewhere.
  16. Society & current affairsto separate; to divideA society in which everyone can live without discrimination, regardless of disability, is precisely what we ought to strive for.
  17. Description & rhetoricto flatter; to toadyWhat right has anyone who fawns upon power to speak of true justice?
  18. Description & rhetoricroomThe light filtering through the paper screens lit the room faintly, bringing out the weave of the tatami.
  19. Society & current affairsto decreaseDepopulation in rural areas is not merely a matter of shrinking numbers; it may well signify the extinction of local culture itself.
  20. Evaluation & inevitabilityto pass (time); to go throughThat it still holds up to reading half a century on is because it deals with a truly universal theme.
  21. Connectives & conditionschangeExpert though one may be, that doesn't mean one can keep up with every rapid change in this field.
  22. Law & institutionsreturn; restitutionShould expenditures that deviate from the purpose of the grant come to light, the recipient could well be required to return the funds.
  23. Law & institutionsrefundConsumers hold the right to demand a refund for goods that are defective.
  24. Advanced keigo & formalitychange; modificationI am sorry to make such a self-serving request, but I would be grateful if you would consider changing the venue.
  25. AcademiceditingWhile gene-editing technology brings immeasurable benefits, it is fraught with grave ethical problems.
  26. Psychology & nuancereply; answerMy boss's reply was neither yes nor no, phrased in a way that left something deliberately unsaid.
  27. Logic & argumentvariableIt may be that a third factor is simultaneously driving both variables up, with no direct causation between them at all.
  28. Culture & artstransition; changesHaving gone through countless changes over time, the dialect of this region still retains its distinctive intonation to this day.
  29. Advanced businessreply; responseThe reply "we'll consider it positively" doesn't necessarily mean acceptance, so one must be careful.
  30. Society & current affairsriceOver the relocation of the U.S. military base, the confrontation between local residents and the government is deepening still further.
  31. Culture & artsseparate; differentHis stance of extending courtesy to everyone regardless of rank naturally drew the trust of those around him.
  32. Culture & artsparting; separationAlthough there are various theories about the origin of the word "sayonara," every one of them is tinged with the emotion of parting.
  33. Idioms & set phrasesveteran; experienced personEven a veteran diplomat had his hands full with a negotiating counterpart who was no easy match.
  34. Idioms & set phrasesstudyListening to a language podcast during my commute kills time and doubles as study — two birds with one stone.
  35. Connectives & conditionsdefense; advocacyEven if it means making an enemy of the whole world, I will keep defending him to the very end.
  36. Idioms & set phraseslawyer; attorneyThat so meticulous a lawyer could forget a deadline oddly impressed me—truly, 'even monkeys fall from trees.'
  37. Emphasis, limits & extremesexplanation; excuseThere is no room for excuses; there is nothing to do but apologize.
  38. Logic & argumentargument; oral argumentHis argument sounds as though it has a point, but pushed to its conclusion it is a clever piece of sophistry.
  39. Nature & lifepace; rateEven a renewable resource cannot escape depletion if the pace of consumption outstrips the speed of regeneration.
  40. Society & current affairschildcare; nursery careTrumpeting the elimination of daycare waiting lists is no more than pie in the sky unless it is accompanied by better treatment for childcare workers.
  41. Emphasis, limits & extremeslawWhether a cabinet minister or an ordinary citizen, everyone should be treated equally before the law.
  42. Culture & artsdialectHaving gone through countless changes over time, the dialect of this region still retains its distinctive intonation to this day.
  43. Logic & argumentdirectionI withhold my full agreement, but I have no objection to the direction itself.
  44. Connectives & conditionsreportThis report has a tendency to rush to its conclusions, and its supporting grounds are thin.
  45. Academicmethod; systemIf quantum cryptography becomes widespread, current encryption schemes could be overturned from their very foundations.
  46. Psychology & nuanceremuneration; rewardIn this industry, it is a tacit understanding that one does not bring up the matter of pay at a first meeting.
  47. Connectives & conditionspolicy; course of actionNo matter how much criticism he faced, he never bent his own research principles.
  48. Nature & lifebroadcastBroadcasts urging evacuation to higher ground were repeated over and over, yet no small number of residents paid them no heed.
  49. Advanced businessleaving alone; neglectPunishing only the person in charge while leaving the systemic flaw untouched will not lead to fundamental correction.
  50. Logic & argumentrule of lawIf the law is swayed by the whims of those in power, the very name of a state governed by law is disgraced.
  51. Description & rhetoriclegalOur company bears no legal responsibility whatsoever in this matter.
  52. Evaluation & inevitabilitynews report; coverageThose who call themselves the press must never for a moment forget their mission of holding power to account.
  53. Advanced keigo & formality(your) esteemed nameExcuse me, but would you be so kind as to write your name in this guest book?
  54. Law & institutionslaws and regulationsIt is only by complying with laws and regulations that a company can earn the trust of society.
  55. Emphasis, limits & extremesother; elseThere is no one but you to whom such an important role could be entrusted.
  56. Emphasis, limits & extremesto be none other thanHis silence was nothing other than tacit consent.
  57. Nature & lifereinforcementThe reality is that reinforcing the seismic resistance of aged wooden houses requires substantial cost and time.
  58. Idioms & set phrasesinsuranceSome scoff at insurance as a waste, but 'forewarned is forearmed'—its true worth is tested when the unthinkable happens.
  59. Advanced businessspear; halberdAs the debate ran on in parallel lines, the chair searched for a compromise where both sides could lay down their arms.
  60. Culture & artsdustIn our household, sweeping away a year's worth of dust on New Year's Eve has long been an established custom.
  61. Life & valuesprideWhether one can take pride in unsung work is, I believe, what determines a person's true measure.
  62. Society & current affairsprotection; guardianshipExcessive deregulation can, at times, carry problems from the standpoint of consumer protection.
  63. Language & mediaguarantee; warrantyThere is no guarantee anywhere that anonymous goodwill will spread while remaining goodwill.
  64. Society & current affairssecurity; guaranteeBallooning social security costs are placing a severe strain on the nation's public finances.
  65. Advanced businesscompensation; coverageWith the other party's lawyer, we worked out the terms on the scope of compensation in fine detail.
  66. Law & institutionssubsidy; assistanceWhether a project qualifies for the subsidy is determined only after its public benefit has been rigorously examined.
  67. Nature & lifeconservation; preservationTo conserve the precious wetlands, the authorities and local residents have persistently held talks over many years.
  68. Idioms & set phrasesutterly; completely (fed up)His parents seem utterly at their wits' end dealing with their son in his rebellious phase.
  69. Language & mediaalmost; nearlyHis argument is consistent in its reasoning and leaves almost no room for rebuttal.
  70. Nature & lifeto administer; to performHow far to carry life-prolonging measures is an issue that forces a heavy decision upon the family.
  71. Idioms & set phrasesbone; effort (idiom)Scrutinizing this enormous pile of documents one by one is genuinely laborious work.
  72. Description & rhetoricflameEach time the candle flame wavered, the human shadow on the wall deepened and then faded.
  73. Description & rhetoricfaint; dimThe light filtering through the paper screens lit the room faintly, bringing out the weave of the tatami.
  74. Life & valuesbookWho would have thought that an encounter with a single book would become the turning point that changed how I live.
  75. Connectives & conditionsfull-scale; genuineNow that the budget has been approved, we can finally push the plan forward in earnest.
  76. Idioms & set phrasesmain business; core businessOverextend in the name of business diversification and you become the man chasing two hares, risking even the very backbone of your core operations.
  77. Advanced keigo & formalitythis matterAs for this matter, I will confirm with the relevant department and give you my answer again at a later date.
  78. Academicthis paperIn this paper, we verify the validity of the proposed method using real-world data.
  79. Advanced businessessence; true natureRather than spending time on peripheral arguments, sorting out the essential points must come first.
  80. Psychology & nuancetrue feelings; real intentionUnable to confide his true feelings to anyone, he went on bearing a helpless, desolate loneliness.
  81. Emphasis, limits & extremestoday (formal)With today's meeting, this committee is hereby dissolved.
  82. Connectives & conditionsthe person himself; oneselfWhether or not the person himself is satisfied with it, the validity of the concluded contract remains unchanged.
  83. Connectives & conditionstrue feelings; real intentionHesitant though he was inside, he steeled himself and spoke his true feelings right there in the meeting.
  84. Language & mediajust; mereThe word-coining power of youth slang is remarkable, yet only a mere handful of such terms ever take root.
  85. Advanced businessheadquartersIt'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.
  86. Idioms & set phrasesputting the cart before the horseIf 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.
  87. Evaluation & inevitabilityreal nameSince I know neither their contact details nor their real name, I have no way to convey my thanks.
  88. Idioms & set phrasestranslationTranslating a contract riddled with technical jargon was a grueling job.
  89. Advanced keigo & formalityoriginally; by nature"O-meshiagari-ni-naru" is technically a double honorific, yet it is widely accepted as an established usage.
  90. Logic & argumentmain argument; main subjectPicked apart over trivial details, we ran out of time before ever reaching the main argument.
  91. Idioms & set phrasesabusive language; outburstOnce 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.
  92. Society & current affairsdisaster preventionThis disaster has thrown into sharp relief the fragility of local governments' disaster-preparedness systems.
  93. Idioms & set phrasesenormous; vastScrutinizing this enormous pile of documents one by one is genuinely laborious work.
  94. Society & current affairsexpansion; swellingThe swelling of social security costs is thrusting upon us the thorny question of intergenerational fairness.
  95. Language & mediabeginning; openingIf you state the gist clearly at the outset, the reader can proceed with confidence.
  96. Connectives & conditionshomeland; native countryBeing someone who lives far from his homeland, his longing for home is stronger than most.
  97. Culture & artsbefore a graveAt the Bon festival, offering the deceased's favorite foods at the grave is a custom passed down from long ago.
  98. Language & mediato become blurred; to get vagueIn trying to explain everything exhaustively, it turned verbose instead, and the point became blurred.
  99. Nature & lifevolunteerAs recovery in the disaster-stricken area dragged on, the number of volunteers dwindled visibly.
  100. Idioms & set phrasestray; (Bon) festivalOnce 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.
  101. Idioms & set phrasespodcastListening to a language podcast during my commute kills time and doubles as study — two birds with one stone.
  102. Emphasis, limits & extremesbetween; intervalEver since that incident, a subtle rift has come to lie between the two of them.
  103. Psychology & nuancewell; I supposeThe director's remark, "Well, let's think about it in due course," clearly carried an unspoken implication.
  104. Description & rhetoricevery morningDespite his advanced age, my grandfather is remarkably healthy and still never misses his morning walk.
  105. Description & rhetoricmicrophoneThe reporters thrust out their microphones, as if determined not to miss a single word.
  106. Connectives & conditionsevery dayIf not every day, then at least once a week I make a point of getting out to the site in person.
  107. Society & current affairsminorityAlthough understanding of sexual minorities has advanced, the development of the legal framework remains frustratingly slow.
  108. Description & rhetoricto dance; to flutterThe cherry blossoms in full bloom scattering on the wind looked for all the world like a soft snow pouring down from the sky.
  109. Language & mediapreface; preambleWhen the preamble is long-winded, readers drop off before ever reaching the crucial point.
  110. Idioms & set phrasespositive; forward-lookingLet's put the old bad blood behind us and cooperate positively from here on out.
  111. Evaluation & inevitabilityto entrust; to leave (to)Entrusted with challenging, worthwhile work, he is like a fish returned to water.
  112. Connectives & conditionsto entrust; to leave toIf he can't even meet a deadline, there's no way we can entrust the project to him.
  113. Description & rhetoricto go unchallenged; to prevailWho on earth could call a society just, when such injustice is allowed to pass unchallenged?
  114. Culture & artsconfusion; (in "magire mo naku") unmistakablyIn the intellectual lineage of the field, he is unmistakably the legitimate heir of that school of thought.
  115. Emphasis, limits & extremescurtain (stage); actAs of March 31st, our shop will bring its long history to a close.
  116. AcademicnegativeRegression analysis found a significant negative correlation between age and satisfaction.
  117. Psychology & nuanceto bend; to compromise (a principle)My father was unbendingly stubborn, and he never once bent a principle he had settled on.
  118. Advanced keigo & formalitysincerely; trulyI am truly sorry to trouble you, but might I ask you to extend the deadline by two or three days?
  119. Advanced keigo & formalitycorrectly; accurately"O-yomi-ni-narareru" is regarded as incorrect; the proper form is "o-yomi-ni-naru."
  120. Society & current affairsfrictionDiversity is nothing other than a concept that also entails the resolve to bear the friction of clashing values.
  121. Emphasis, limits & extremesexactly; trulyThat mansion, spared no expense, was luxury carried to its very extreme.
  122. Psychology & nuanceto mix; to mingleOver having placed my aging parent in a care facility, sorrow and guilt still mingle within me to this day.
  123. Psychology & nuanceto increase; to growAs he grows only more stubborn with age, his family looks on, half having given up on him.
  124. Advanced keigo & formalitymore and moreLast but not least, I sincerely pray for the ever-growing prosperity of you all.
  125. Emphasis, limits & extremesfirst of allStop dithering and check with the person directly first — call them, email them, whatever.
  126. Language & mediato mix; to blendIn the brushwork that deftly interweaves literary and colloquial styles, one senses a dignity unique to that author.
  127. Law & institutionsto straddle; to spanPrecisely because the matter straddled several ministries, they kept passing the buck over jurisdiction, and the response fell behind.
  128. Connectives & conditionstown; cityWith it being their first championship in ten years, the entire town erupted into festive celebration.
  129. Connectives & conditionsto await; to lie in waitNo matter what difficulties lie ahead, we simply cannot let this plan collapse.
  130. Culture & artstownscape; row of housesIn the old townscape, with lamplight glowing behind lattice doors, the charm of bygone days still lingers.
  131. Evaluation & inevitabilitytraditional townhouseThanks to the renovation, the old townhouse became remarkably more livable.
  132. Idioms & set phrasesclose at hand; imminentEven with the deadline looming, he is off idling and chatting in the break room again.
  133. Society & current affairshead-on; directlyOver the interpretation of the new treaty, the ruling and opposition parties are locked in head-on disagreement.
  134. Logic & argumentcompletely; entirelyThe same event, when viewed from a different phase, takes on an entirely different meaning.
  135. Language & mediaentirely; (not) at allI thought I had declined in a roundabout way, but it didn't get through to the other party at all and instead only invited misunderstanding.
  136. Advanced keigo & formalityfulfilling; accomplishing (duty)Inadequate though I am, I intend to fulfill my duties to the utmost of my ability.
  137. Advanced keigo & formalityclosing words (of a letter)Last but not least, I sincerely pray for the ever-growing prosperity of you all.
  138. Emphasis, limits & extremesto waitAll preparations are in place. Now there is nothing left but to await the outcome.
  139. Advanced keigo & formalitylast day (of month)With our sincere apologies for the inconvenience, we will close our doors for good as of the end of this coming March.
  140. Description & rhetoricfestivalLike the lingering afterglow of the festival, the smoke of the sparkler trailed off into the night air and vanished.
  141. Logic & argumenttarget; markThat rebuttal can hardly be called on target; it seems to mistake what is actually at issue.
  142. Culture & artsto wear; to be clad inThe figure clad in a twelve-layered kimono was elegance itself, as if stepped out of an illustrated scroll.
  143. Connectives & conditionsto summarize; to put togetherInexperienced as she was, she doggedly saw the difficult case through to a resolution.
  144. Description & rhetoricwindowA faint film of condensation had formed on the windowpane, softly blurring the scene outside.
  145. Law & institutionscounter; service windowThis matter falls outside our ministry's jurisdiction; we ask that you direct your inquiry to the appropriate office instead.
  146. Description & rhetoricby the windowThe autumn wind tapped softly at the window, announcing the coming of winter.
  147. Logic & argumentto mislead; to confuseRather than being swayed by his eloquence, we need to coolly scrutinize the essence of his argument.
  148. Psychology & nuancegaze; lookThe old master gazed quietly upon the age with eyes that had risen above the rise and fall of worldly fortunes.
  149. Life & valueslearning; studyTaking my retirement as a kind of turning point, I've decided to embark on learning something new.
  150. Idioms & set phrasesto learnWithout the perspective of learning from the past to inform the present, no reform worthy of the name could ever be achieved.
  151. Connectives & conditionsto escape; to avoidYou could dismiss it as a mistake born of youth, and that would be that, but he cannot escape responsibility for it.
  152. Life & valuesact; behavior (in a bad sense)Whatever happens, the one thing I never want to do is fail in my obligation to the person to whom I owe so much.
  153. Evaluation & inevitabilityimitation; mimicryTo repay kindness with injury is conduct one can only call unbecoming of a human being.
  154. Psychology & nuanceto invite; to causeThere is no denying that the arrogance of overestimating his own talent brought about his downfall.
  155. Emphasis, limits & extremeswithout (a moment's) rest; soonEver since I went out on my own, my days have been nothing but relentless work without a moment's rest.
  156. Life & valuesto protect to the endHaving protected this shop through three generations was my father's greatest pride.
  157. Evaluation & inevitabilityto obey; to protectFor someone whose duty is to defend press freedom to distort the facts is a betrayal unbecoming of anyone in public discourse.
  158. Connectives & conditionscan keep (a deadline); can protectIf he can't even meet a deadline, there's no way we can entrust the project to him.
  159. Life & valueshesitation; indecisionHaving resolved to go independent with no way back, there was no longer any hesitation in her eyes.
  160. Emphasis, limits & extremesto get lost; to hesitateStop dithering and check with the person directly first — call them, email them, whatever.
  161. Description & rhetoriccompletely; utterlyIt was all jargon, so as a layperson I couldn't understand it in the slightest.
  162. Emphasis, limits & extremesas if; just likeAt that company, the management is hopeless and so are the employees; there's not the slightest sense of crisis to be found.
  163. Emphasis, limits & extremesrareEven with his extraordinary talent, that difficult problem could not be solved.
  164. Advanced businessto circulate; to pass aroundThe ringi document is already in circulation, but it will likely take a few days until the executives' approval comes through.
  165. Idioms & set phrasesto go around; to come around (to)They say 'more haste, less speed': the price of neglecting the fundamentals and rushing to advanced work always comes due later.
  166. Idioms & set phrasesto be able to go around; to take the long wayPrecisely when a deadline is bearing down, the 'more haste, less speed' mindset—checking each step one by one—turns out to be faster in the end.
  167. Idioms & set phrasesin case of emergency; if by chanceSome scoff at insurance as a waste, but 'forewarned is forearmed'—its true worth is tested when the unthinkable happens.
  168. Connectives & conditionsfull (capacity); packedAs it was a lecture by a renowned author, the venue was filled to capacity.
  169. Description & rhetoricfull bloomThe cherry blossoms in full bloom scattering on the wind looked for all the world like a soft snow pouring down from the sky.
  170. Psychology & nuanceeveryone present; whole assemblyScolded in front of everyone, I hung my head, unable to bear staying there.
  171. Idioms & set phrasesconceit; complacencyBefore blaming him for a slip of the tongue, the proper course is to recall that 'even monkeys fall from trees' and check one's own complacency.
  172. Society & current affairschronicThe pandemic has once again brought to the surface the chronic staffing shortages on the medical front lines.
  173. AcademicsatisfactionRegression analysis found a significant negative correlation between age and satisfaction.
  174. Description & rhetoricfruit; resultWith years of effort finally bearing fruit, the emotion of receiving the award is all the more profound.
  175. Advanced keigo & formalitybody; oneselfFor someone as junior as myself to be entrusted with such an important role fills me with the deepest humility.
  176. Idioms & set phrasesmovement; freedom to moveCaught between the claims of both sides, the mediator found himself unable to make a move.
  177. Evaluation & inevitabilityto lose sight ofNothing is lonelier than old age in which one has lost all sense of purpose in living.
  178. Advanced keigo & formalityarrival; appearance (honorific)The president arrived at the venue a short while ago.
  179. Life & valuesvanity; showWithout putting on airs, I try to live within my means and true to my station.
  180. Evaluation & inevitabilityto be visible; can seePerhaps because my blunt advice hit home, his work visibly improved.
  181. Advanced businessto overlook; to missI had overlooked that angle; it seems worth taking the discussion a bit deeper.
  182. Advanced businessunresolvedAs long as the technical issues remain unresolved, we have no choice but to shelve this item for now.
  183. Nature & lifestem (cell); trunkAdvances in stem cell research are opening a new horizon for regenerative medicine.
  184. Evaluation & inevitabilityto discern; to ascertainWhether someone is a person worthy of trust is best judged precisely in times of crisis.
  185. Psychology & nuanceto look down on; to despiseThat critic's way of speaking exudes an arrogance that looks down on everyone else.
  186. Nature & lifeprospect; expectationSince there is no longer any prospect of recovery, easing suffering should take priority over prolonging life.
  187. Evaluation & inevitabilitysplendid; admirableAt this level of sheer polish, there is no way to describe it but as magnificent.
  188. Language & mediashortEven in a short essay, a well-ordered four-part structure makes the final impression far more crisp.
  189. Connectives & conditionsmistake; errorYou're hardly an amateur, so a blunder of this level surely can't be excused.
  190. Language & mediato look straight at; to face squarelyOnly by soberly facing both the light and shadow of informatization can we avoid being jerked around by technology.
  191. Connectives & conditionsto overlook; to let passWith terms this favorable on the table, there's no way rival firms will simply let it pass.
  192. Connectives & conditionsoneself; personallyWith the president himself taking direct command, the employees have no choice but to buckle down.
  193. Society & current affairsborder (control); water's edgeAmid fears of a resurgence in infections, the government has moved to tighten border controls.
  194. Psychology & nuanceshop; storeHearing that the shop I'd frequented for years was closing, I was filled with a wistful reluctance to see it go.
  195. Law & institutionsminor; underageA contract concluded by a minor acting alone may later be rescinded.
  196. Psychology & nuanceto showPerhaps sensing that he would be opposed, he showed not the slightest sign of voicing his proposal.
  197. Emphasis, limits & extremesrift; gap; ditchEver since that incident, a subtle rift has come to lie between the two of them.
  198. Society & current affairsunprecedentedIn the face of an unprecedented crisis, the government's capacity for crisis management is once again being called into question.
  199. Law & institutionsto satisfy; to fulfillEven when the requirements for approval are met, it is not uncommon for an application to be quietly killed off under the pretext of established practice.
  200. Language & mediaheadline; headingThe technique of excerpting and lining up only certain headlines is nothing other than a cunning manipulation of impressions.
  201. Connectives & conditionsroad; wayNo matter what those around her said, she calmly kept walking her own path.
  202. Evaluation & inevitabilityto be transformed; to hardly recognizeThanks to the renovation, the old townhouse became remarkably more livable.
  203. Advanced businesspath; routeSo it couldn't be overturned on the approver's whim, I organized the issues in advance and laid out a path to consensus.
  204. Nature & lifejourney; road (distance)The first step on the long road of recovery and reconstruction begins with an accurate grasp of the present situation.
  205. Logic & argumentto derive; to leadThe conclusion that follows from the foregoing analysis is that a fundamental overhaul of the system itself is unavoidable.
  206. Society & current affairs-mic (pandemic, second half)The pandemic has once again brought to the surface the chronic staffing shortages on the medical front lines.
  207. Advanced businessthree (things)The discussion tends to sprawl, so let me first narrow the issues down to three points before we proceed.
  208. Logic & argumentto be foundNo matter how appealing a hypothesis is, if even a single piece of counterevidence turns up, the theory falls apart.
  209. Advanced keigo & formalityestimate; quotationAfter reviewing your estimate, I intend to deliberate the matter anew within the company.
  210. Evaluation & inevitabilityto approve; to acknowledgeWith ability like his, everyone in the company agrees it's only natural he was singled out for promotion.
  211. Connectives & conditionseveryone; allNow that everyone is here, shall we go ahead and begin the meeting?
  212. Society & current affairsreview; reconsiderationThe current tax system is in need of a fundamental overhaul from the standpoint of fairness.
  213. Idioms & set phrasesto review; to reconsiderOverhauling an outdated system from the ground up is an arduous task, but there is no avoiding it.
  214. Connectives & conditionseveryone (polite)Modest though my abilities are, I hope to do what little I can to be of service to you all.
  215. Logic & argumentto regard as; to deemInterpretations diverge sharply depending on whether one regards the march of history as inevitable or as an accumulation of contingencies.
  216. Description & rhetoricport townAt dusk in the port town, the scent of the tide and the smoke of grilling fish drifted together in the air.
  217. Emphasis, limits & extremesto overlook; to missIn this scandal, the field staff who covered it up are to blame, and so is the headquarters that let it slide.
  218. Life & valuesone's means; one's stationWithout putting on airs, I try to live within my means and true to my station.
  219. Language & mediato open (eyes) wide; to keep watchThe word-coining power of youth slang is remarkable, yet only a mere handful of such terms ever take root.
  220. Idioms & set phrasesappearance; looksFussing only over appearances while neglecting the substance that really matters is putting the cart before the horse in the extreme.
  221. Law & institutionsidentity; statusUnder the law, all people bear obligations equally, regardless of status or social standing.
  222. Nature & lifesympathy; visit (to the sick)To all those affected by the disaster, I offer my heartfelt condolences and sympathy.
  223. Emphasis, limits & extremesearEveryone listened intently, recognizing it as a persuasive proposal that only someone who knows the front lines could make.
  224. Language & mediacontext; coherenceHis talk jumped around without any coherent thread, so the audience struggled to grasp the point.
  225. Culture & artselegance; refinementThe courtly, elegant culture nurtured in the Heian palace exerted an immeasurable influence on the art of later ages.
  226. Life & valuesstrange; curious"That makes one you owe me, then," he said as if joking, yet there was a curious seriousness in his eyes.
  227. Culture & artsexquisite charm; subtle beautyThe true beauty of this ink painting lies not in the strokes drawn, but in the empty space deliberately left behind.
  228. Connectives & conditionsfutureEven the greatest of experts cannot possibly predict the future with complete certainty.
  229. Academicfascination; captivationIt is precisely the universality of mathematical truth that has never ceased to captivate philosophers since antiquity.
  230. Logic & argumentcharm; appealNo matter how appealing a hypothesis is, if even a single piece of counterevidence turns up, the theory falls apart.
  231. Academicto be seen as; to regardAmong younger people, a tendency toward increasing time spent on social media can be observed.
  232. Psychology & nuanceclinging; unable to let goFar more admirable than clinging on with excuse after excuse is to withdraw cleanly and with grace.
  233. Psychology & nuancewill of the people; public opinionA politician who turns arrogant the moment they seize power will, before long, be abandoned by the will of the people.
  234. Law & institutionsdemocracy; democraticFreedom of expression is a right at the very core of democracy, yet it is not recognized without limits.
  235. Culture & artsethnic group; peopleA 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.
  236. Logic & argumenteveryone; allThe "everyone says so" line of reasoning is a textbook sophistry that rests on mere numbers.
  237. Language & medianothing; naughtThe word "sekkaku" is suffused with the feeling of not wanting to let effort or goodwill go to waste.
  238. Life & valueswithout support; helplessTo keep telling the truth even if I am left utterly alone and unaided — that is my resolve as a reporter.
  239. Idioms & set phrasesunrelated; having nothing to do withTelling herself that 'perseverance prevails,' she threw herself silently into basic research far removed from any glamour.
  240. Connectives & conditionsto head towardJust when the economy seemed to be heading toward a gradual recovery, signs of another downturn have started to appear.
  241. Emphasis, limits & extremesto pick up; to welcomeThe negotiations have reached their climax, and we cannot let our guard down for even a single moment.
  242. Life & valuesold days; long agoHe and I have never quite hit it off, and just being seated together leaves me mentally drained.
  243. Idioms & set phrasesto face; to confrontThis thorny problem demands the resolve to sit down and confront it thoroughly.
  244. Psychology & nuanceto reward; to repayWhen I think of all the unrewarded effort, an unbearable feeling grips my chest.
  245. Advanced businessto direct toward; to aimToward signing the contract, we are now at the stage of nailing down the terms on delivery date and price.
  246. Connectives & conditionsflatly (refuse); coldlyBeing indebted to him, I couldn't very well turn down his request outright.
  247. Connectives & conditionsignoring; disregardEven the company president is not permitted to unilaterally disregard the work regulations.
  248. Connectives & conditionsrather; if anythingI expected to be shot down, but instead my boss threw his full weight behind my proposal.
  249. Academicunawareness; unconscious ofAll too often we pass definitive judgments while remaining oblivious to the limits of our own perception.
  250. Idioms & set phrasescountlessDeveloping a new drug is a dizzyingly long endeavor that bears fruit only after countless rounds of trial and error.
  251. Idioms & set phrasessonHis parents seem utterly at their wits' end dealing with their son in his rebellious phase.
  252. Connectives & conditionsto conclude (a contract); to tieAlthough we've reached an agreement, until the formal signing is done there's no telling what might happen.
  253. Evaluation & inevitabilityirresponsibleAfter making such an irresponsible remark, he deserves the criticism he's getting.
  254. Emphasis, limits & extremeswaste; futilityNot a single item of the relief supplies distributed to the disaster victims must be wasted.
  255. Emphasis, limits & extremeswithout permission; unauthorizedWhatever the reason, taking out confidential documents without authorization is absolutely unacceptable.
  256. Psychology & nuancechest; heartWhen I think of all the unrewarded effort, an unbearable feeling grips my chest.
  257. Emphasis, limits & extremesincompetentHe keeps job-hopping, forever reeling off gripes — the pay's bad, the boss is incompetent, on and on.
  258. Evaluation & inevitabilityunknown; obscureA discovery great enough to shake the world was born in an obscure laboratory.
  259. Culture & artsvillageIn this village, the custom of the whole clan gathering to observe the New Year is still handed down to this day.
  260. Connectives & conditionsimpossible; unreasonableHe could simply have rested, but he kept pushing himself and ended up hospitalized after all.
  261. Language & mediaeye; discerning eyeWithout cultivating an eye that discerns the truth or falsehood of information, one can hardly survive this age.
  262. Life & valuesdistinguished familyBorn into a distinguished provincial family, she was bound from childhood by all manner of entanglements and could never assert her own will.
  263. Idioms & set phrasesclear; definiteHe who chases two hares catches neither; it's essential first to clarify priorities and concentrate resources on a single point.
  264. Description & rhetoricmasterpiece (painting)The masterpiece hung quietly, unnoticed, in a corner of an out-of-the-way corridor.
  265. Law & institutionsexplicit statement; clear specificationPaying taxes is expressly stipulated in the Constitution as one of the three principal duties of citizens.
  266. Psychology & nuanceclear statement; declarationThis report never states its conclusion outright, but if you read between the lines, its opposing stance is unmistakable.
  267. Culture & artsmasterpieceThis novel is a masterpiece that reveals a new depth of savor each time it is reread.
  268. Culture & artsbusiness cardAs a newcomer to the working world, the very first thing drilled into me was the proper way to exchange business cards.
  269. Law & institutionsexplicit indicationThe acquisition of personal data requires the explicit consent of the individual concerned.
  270. Law & institutionsto order; to commandWith the handing down of the verdict, the defendant was ordered to pay compensation.
  271. Idioms & set phrasesto engrave (on one's mind)It's precisely when things are going smoothly that you should take to heart the warning that carelessness is your greatest enemy.
  272. Emphasis, limits & extremesmaster; expertIf we are to entrust the transmission of this traditional art to anyone, no one but that master comes to mind.
  273. Evaluation & inevitabilityobvious; clearAn error this obvious can be corrected without even needing to consult an expert.
  274. Advanced keigo & formalityhappiness in the next worldRecalling the days when the deceased was with us, I pray for the repose of their soul with all my heart.
  275. Language & mediafine prose; beautiful writingTruly fine writing resides precisely in the conciseness that comes from stripping away superfluous ornament.
  276. Advanced keigo & formalitytrouble; nuisanceOwing to my own shortcomings I have caused you great trouble, and I am overcome with the deepest shame.
  277. Life & valuesto pretend; to make it look like"That makes one you owe me, then," he said as if joking, yet there was a curious seriousness in his eyes.
  278. Logic & argumentmechanismA study is complete only when, starting from the correlation the data reveal, one backs up the causal mechanism with theory.
  279. Academicblind (in blind test)The efficacy of the new drug was demonstrated through a double-blind trial, and at last the path to approval opened up.
  280. Psychology & nuanceto be blessed withThe guilt of being in such a privileged position drove him toward social activism.
  281. Society & current affairsto concern; to surroundDisparities in access to education are becoming entrenched, passed down across generations.
  282. Society & current affairsto concern; to go aroundOver the restart of the nuclear power plants, the public is being asked to weigh the merits and demerits of the decision.
  283. Idioms & set phrasesimmediate; short-termWhat is called for is an attitude of settling in to tackle the research in earnest, without being fixated on immediate results.
  284. Advanced keigo & formalityto eat; to drink (honorific)Please help yourself while it's still hot.
  285. Emphasis, limits & extremesremarkably; noticeablyEver since my father passed away, my mother has grown markedly quiet.
  286. Language & mediamessageIn an information society, silence too is received as a message in its own right.
  287. Evaluation & inevitabilityrarely; seldomLining up from early morning paid off — I managed to get hold of a rarely available first edition.
  288. Connectives & conditionsdizzying; rapidly changingLet your guard down for even a single day, and you'll instantly be left behind by this dizzyingly fast-changing industry.
  289. Description & rhetoricaspect; sideAs for his abilities, there is an aspect that one could hardly say is highly regarded.
  290. Nature & lifeimmunityWhen overwork persists, immune function declines, leaving one prone to unexpected infections.
  291. Law & institutionslicenseAfter repeated traffic violations, he finally had his license revoked.
  292. Law & institutionsexemption from liabilityDelays caused by natural disasters fall under the exemption clauses of the terms, so our company cannot assume responsibility.
  293. Evaluation & inevitabilitymeticulous; detailedHis victory, after such meticulous preparation, should be judged a win that was bound to be won.
  294. Emphasis, limits & extremesemailStop dithering and check with the person directly first — call them, email them, whatever.
  295. Advanced keigo & formalityto order; to tell (to do)On the day, I shall be serving as your master of ceremonies, so please do not hesitate to ask anything of me.
  296. Advanced businessa little moreI had overlooked that angle; it seems worth taking the discussion a bit deeper.
  297. Advanced businessnot in the leastAs the person responsible for overseeing the division, I have not the slightest intention of shifting the blame for failure onto my subordinates.
  298. Nature & lifewooden (construction)The reality is that reinforcing the seismic resistance of aged wooden houses requires substantial cost and time.
  299. Logic & argumentto bring aboutThe notion that progress must inevitably bring happiness now seems altogether too naive.
  300. Life & valuesto keep silentNever voicing a complaint, staying silent and letting results speak — that was his own particular aesthetic.
  301. Life & valuesto have on hand; to possessThere is nothing more unmanageable than a wielder of power who lacks even a shred of conscience.
  302. Academicto use; to employIn this paper, we verify the validity of the proposed method using real-world data.
  303. Advanced businessto take home; to take outAt today's meeting we agreed not to reach a conclusion, but to take it back and reconsider individually.
  304. Advanced businessshareholding; holdingWith the establishment of a holding company that oversees several subsidiaries, decision-making across the group has been centralized.
  305. Life & valuesto bring up (a topic); to take outOut of consideration for a colleague just recovering from illness, I deliberately refrained from bringing up work.
  306. Language & mediamoreMy boss repeatedly told me to be more concise and to put the conclusion first.
  307. Idioms & set phrasesreasonable; quite rightHis argument sounds plausible at first, but in the end it's nothing more than self-serving spin, citing only the data that favors his own company.
  308. Emphasis, limits & extremesto have; to holdA single failure hardly warrants dismissing his abilities as a whole.
  309. Life & valuesto be able to have; to be able to holdWhether one can take pride in unsung work is, I believe, what determines a person's true measure.
  310. AcademicmodelThis predictive model is certainly high in accuracy, yet it has the drawback that its results are hard for humans to interpret.
  311. Advanced businessbasis; originBuilding on the draft through three rounds of discussion, we finally reached a consensus everyone could accept.
  312. Law & institutionsto be based onPlease be advised in advance that failure to file the required notification may result in an administrative fine under the law.
  313. Advanced keigo & formalityrequest; purchase (honorific)The item you purchased will be shipped out before the end of today.
  314. Language & mediato go against; to be contrary toTo put out uncorroborated information as breaking news is an act that runs counter to journalistic ethics.
  315. Advanced businessto restore; to put backScrapping the negotiations we've built up so far would hardly be in either party's interest.
  316. Connectives & conditionsto return; to go backThere's no use regretting it now — the trust that's been lost isn't going to come back.
  317. Connectives & conditionspersonBeing someone who lives far from his homeland, his longing for home is stronger than most.
  318. Psychology & nuanceway of speaking; manner of expressionThat critic's way of speaking exudes an arrogance that looks down on everyone else.
  319. Psychology & nuancestory; taleThe story does not depict its ending, leaving it to the reader's imagination and thereby leaving a deep lingering impression.
  320. Description & rhetoricmanner; demeanorThere was in her bearing a quiet poise that spoke of a refined upbringing.
  321. Connectives & conditionsthings; mattersHe has a tendency to view things pessimistically.
  322. Connectives & conditionsquiet; reservedYou'd take him for a quiet type, but the moment a debate starts he argues his case more passionately than anyone.
  323. Evaluation & inevitabilityno longer; alreadySlander too vile to listen to flew back and forth, and the debate no longer held together at all.
  324. Advanced businessto have trouble; to quarrelSloppy finishing always leads to trouble later, so let's iron out every ambiguity now while we can.
  325. Connectives & conditionsto let slip; to leakShould you carelessly let your true feelings slip, you'd instantly become fodder for the tabloids.
  326. Description & rhetoricforestAs 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.
  327. Language & mediaoutsider; laymanWriting that leans heavily on technical jargon is precise, yet it takes on a coldness that keeps the uninitiated at arm's length.
  328. Emphasis, limits & extremescomplaintHe keeps job-hopping, forever reeling off gripes — the pay's bad, the boss is incompetent, on and on.
  329. Language & mediawording; phrasingThe results of an opinion poll can be steered in any direction by the mere wording of a single question.
  330. Life & valuesbrunt (of criticism); firing lineWithout the resolve to stand in the firing line of criticism, one could never carry out organizational reform.
  331. Idioms & set phrasesto grill; to bake; to cookHis parents seem utterly at their wits' end dealing with their son in his rebellious phase.
  332. Advanced businessexecutive; board memberIf we don't nail down the key points one step further, we'll get grilled at next week's board meeting.
  333. Law & institutionsgovernment officeWhen you move, you must submit a notification of change of residence to the municipal office of your new address within fourteen days.
  334. Language & mediato translateThe turns of phrase peculiar to a dialect hold a warmth that simply cannot be fully rendered into the standard language.
  335. Emphasis, limits & extremespromise; appointmentHis breaking of promises is hardly something confined to this one occasion.
  336. Connectives & conditionsto be usefulModest though my abilities are, I hope to do what little I can to be of service to you all.
  337. Culture & artsepidemic; plagueThe origin of that festival is said to lie in a ritual begun to quell an outbreak of epidemic disease.
  338. Life & valuesroleThe university, as a seat of learning, bears the role of serving as the conscience of society.
  339. Psychology & nuanceto cultivate; to support (a family)What we ought to cultivate is a supple spirit that does not break even in adversity.
  340. Society & current affairseasyReconciling economic stimulus with fiscal discipline is a textbook case of easier said than done.
  341. Connectives & conditionsto rest; to take a day offHe could simply have rested, but he kept pushing himself and ended up hospitalized after all.
  342. Idioms & set phrasesbackbone; mainstayOverextend in the name of business diversification and you become the man chasing two hares, risking even the very backbone of your core operations.
  343. Language & mediaexcessively; indiscriminatelyA way of speaking that recklessly strings together foreign loanwords can sometimes be nothing more than a smokescreen concealing the emptiness of its content.
  344. Law & institutionsterms and conditions; clausesDelays caused by natural disasters fall under the exemption clauses of the terms, so our company cannot assume responsibility.
  345. Society & current affairsdesperate; franticThrough tax breaks, the government is going all out to lure businesses to the regions.
  346. Psychology & nuanceto dwell; to reside (in)Stubbornness and mere obstinacy are but a hair apart, yet a stubbornness backed by conviction carries a certain dignity.
  347. Language & mediaawesome; terrible (slang)Before anyone quite noticed, the single word "yabai" had broadened its meaning into something usable for both praise and criticism.
  348. Emphasis, limits & extremesto break (a promise); to tearHis breaking of promises is hardly something confined to this one occasion.
  349. Culture & artsboorish; unrefinedAt the risk of sounding boorish, I would ask that you conduct yourself with a bit of grace here.
  350. Life & valuesambitionRather than nursing ambitions beyond my station, I'd rather pursue a happiness suited to my own measure.
  351. Description & rhetoricmountainAlong the ridgeline of the distant mountains, the morning mist trailed thin and long.
  352. Evaluation & inevitabilityillness; diseaseIt's an illness that came from years of accumulated overwork — nothing other than a tragedy that was bound to happen.
  353. Life & valuesrecovering from illness; convalescenceOut of consideration for a colleague just recovering from illness, I deliberately refrained from bringing up work.
  354. Emphasis, limits & extremesto stop; to ceaseThe ideal that our late mentor never ceased to pursue throughout his life still serves as our guiding compass today.
  355. Idioms & set phrasesto quit; to stopYou should stop hopping from job to job and finally settle down into one line of work.
  356. Evaluation & inevitabilitysense of fulfillment (in work)The harder it is, the greater the sense of accomplishment when you overcome it — that's what makes it rewarding.
  357. Life & valuesto accomplish; to carry throughNow that it's come to this, there's nothing to do but steel myself and see it through to the end.
  358. Psychology & nuancehelpless; disconsolateWatching him give up his dream with his efforts unrewarded, a helpless desolation welled up in me.
  359. Emphasis, limits & extremesto be able to do; (yare) grumbling openerHe keeps job-hopping, forever reeling off gripes — the pay's bad, the boss is incompetent, on and on.
  360. Language & mediato soften; to easeEuphemistic expressions in Japanese serve as a lubricant that softens refusals, while at the same time forming a baffling barrier for foreigners.
  361. Description & rhetoricafter a bathFrom her skin, fresh from the bath, rose the faint fragrance of soap.
  362. Advanced keigo & formalitysuperiority; advantageIn order to gain the upper hand in the global market, the company is pouring vast sums into research and development.
  363. Academicsignificant (statistically)The experiment revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups.
  364. Society & current affairspreferential treatmentThrough tax breaks, the government is going all out to lure businesses to the regions.
  365. Description & rhetoricdusk; twilightThe light of dusk cast deep shadows along the cloister, throwing the outlines of the pillars into sharp relief.
  366. Psychology & nuancevoter; electorateThe candidate, having exposed his inability to accept defeat gracefully, lost the voters' trust in one stroke.
  367. Academicvalid; effectiveThe efficacy of the new drug was demonstrated through a double-blind trial, and at last the path to approval opened up.
  368. Law & institutionsfinancing; loanBefore approval of the loan is granted, the financial institution conducts a thorough review.
  369. Connectives & conditionschampionship; victoryWith it being their first championship in ten years, the entire town erupted into festive celebration.
  370. Law & institutionsto have; to possessConsumers hold the right to demand a refund for goods that are defective.
  371. Academicpredominance; superiorityThe question of whether genes or environment predominates can only be called, by now, a fruitless one.
  372. Advanced keigo & formalitypriorityIn carrying out the restructuring of its operations, the company announced a policy of protecting employees' jobs above all else.
  373. Society & current affairsattracting; invitingThrough tax breaks, the government is going all out to lure businesses to the regions.
  374. Idioms & set phraseseasily; well overLooking back on my apprentice years, it took a good ten years—not just the proverbial three—to get this far.
  375. Description & rhetoricsetting sunBathed in the setting sun, the ancient temple, casting a long shadow, revealed its solemn, majestic presence.
  376. Description & rhetoricsunset glowAcross the sunset sky, streaks of madder-red cloud trail one after another.
  377. Advanced keigo & formalityconcern; anxietyAs for that matter, it appears the president too has been concerned about it for some time.
  378. Logic & argumentsuperiority or inferioritySince evaluation itself is relative, there is no point in arguing over absolute superiority or inferiority.
  379. Advanced keigo & formality(the) news that; reasonI gather that you are all in good health, which is the best news of all.
  380. Culture & artsdistortion; warpThe subtle irregularity unique to handwork lends this teacup an ineffable savor all its own.
  381. Description & rhetoricsnowOver the snow-laden streets late at night spread a silence that seemed to have swallowed every last sound.
  382. Psychology & nuanceto pass awayReading the diary of someone who died leaving a young child behind, I was overwhelmed by a piercing sorrow.
  383. Evaluation & inevitabilityto shake; to stir (emotions)The overwhelming style of this work cannot fail to shake the heart of anyone who reads it.
  384. Life & valuesto be able to concedeThe idea that anything may be sacrificed for the sake of efficiency is the one line I cannot cross.
  385. Nature & lifetransportWith the distribution network severed, transporting supplies to the disaster area has become extremely difficult.
  386. Society & current affairsrich; abundantIt is no exaggeration to say that without the realization of gender equality, a truly prosperous society can never come about.
  387. Academicto entrust; to leave toA relativist stance that leaves the criteria of good and evil to each culture harbors the danger of justifying even genocide.
  388. Idioms & set phrasescarelessness is the great enemyIt's precisely when things are going smoothly that you should take to heart the warning that carelessness is your greatest enemy.
  389. Idioms & set phrasesimportThe advancing depreciation of the yen is further spurring the surge in import prices.
  390. Culture & artsteacup (Japanese)The subtle irregularity unique to handwork lends this teacup an ineffable savor all its own.
  391. Nature & lifefingerTo prevent hospital-acquired infections, thorough hand hygiene is more crucial than anything else.
  392. Idioms & set phrasesdreamTorn between her parents' expectations and her own dreams, she couldn't make up her mind about her future path.
  393. Culture & artsorigin; derivationAlthough there are various theories about the origin of the word "sayonara," every one of them is tinged with the emotion of parting.
  394. Evaluation & inevitabilityto shake; to rockA discovery great enough to shake the world was born in an obscure laboratory.
  395. Life & valuesunwavering; firmUnless we approach this with unshakable conviction, the reform will collapse halfway through.
  396. Connectives & conditionsto forgive; to allowYou're hardly an amateur, so a blunder of this level surely can't be excused.
  397. Connectives & conditionsgentle; gradualJust when the economy seemed to be heading toward a gradual recovery, signs of another downturn have started to appear.
  398. Psychology & nuanceto waver; to fluctuateTorn between obligation and human feeling, he was forced into an agonizing inner conflict.
  399. Description & rhetoricto sway; to flickerEach time the candle flame wavered, the human shadow on the wall deepened and then faded.
  400. Idioms & set phrasesgoodCherry-picking statistics and quoting them to suit oneself can hardly escape the charge of self-serving distortion.
  401. Description & rhetoricgoodThere was in her bearing a quiet poise that spoke of a refined upbringing.
  402. Evaluation & inevitabilitylingering impression; afterglowThat shocking ending cannot fail to leave a deep lingering impression on the audience.
  403. Nature & lifekey point; essentialThe crux of disaster prevention lies in governmental measures and individual preparedness functioning as two wheels of the same cart.
  404. Academiceasy; simpleDrawing a sharp line between objective fact and subjective interpretation is not as easy as it sounds.
  405. Advanced businesspreparation; readinessThe administrative staff had prepared in advance a compromise that would let both sides save face.
  406. Advanced businessfactor; causeFor cases where progress is unsatisfactory, rather than blaming the person in charge, one should first identify the obstructing factors.
  407. Advanced businessdemand; requestDeliberately putting forward aggressive demands at the outset in order to extract concessions is a standard tactic.
  408. Psychology & nuancebusiness; matterContacting my former mentor over such a trivial matter makes me feel a bit hesitant.
  409. Law & institutionsrequirementEven when the requirements for approval are met, it is not uncommon for an application to be quietly killed off under the pretext of established practice.
  410. Law & institutionsguidelines; outlineThe guidelines for granting this subsidy set a strict application deadline, and not even a single day's delay is permitted.
  411. Academicdefense; advocacyCultural relativism fosters tolerance toward others, yet at the same time makes the defense of universal human rights difficult.
  412. Idioms & set phrasesterm; terminologyTranslating a contract riddled with technical jargon was a grueling job.
  413. Language & mediasummary; gistBefore your presentation, please first summarize the gist of your paper in three hundred characters or fewer and submit it.
  414. Emphasis, limits & extremesimportant postBoth her track record and her character make her a fitting person for this key post.
  415. Society & current affairsto require; to needIt takes a fair amount of time for the effects of monetary policy to ripple through to the real economy.
  416. Advanced businessessential point; keyThe essence of crisis management lies in preparing to respond calmly even after having envisioned the worst-case scenario.
  417. Advanced keigo & formalitymain point; gistMight I ask you once more about the main points of your view?
  418. Advanced businessrequest; demandThe final proposal was crafted by painstakingly reconciling the demands of the front line with management's policy.
  419. Idioms & set phrasesfinally; at lastDeveloping a new drug is a dizzyingly long endeavor that bears fruit only after countless rounds of trial and error.
  420. Language & mediasummaryIf you summarize while misconstruing the gist, you end up with a text far removed from the original's intent.
  421. Evaluation & inevitabilityexpectation; anticipationOwing to the unexpected breakdown of negotiations, we were forced into a complete overhaul of the plan.
  422. Advanced businessunavoidable; forcedTo move the negotiations forward, we too were forced to make a certain degree of concession.
  423. Evaluation & inevitabilityto pass; to go by (time)Having let the deadline pass, you won't get off with a mere "I didn't know."
  424. Law & institutionsto bask in; to receive (benefits)Those who reap the benefits of the subsidy scheme tend, in the end, to be limited to the handful of operators well versed in the procedures.
  425. Idioms & set phrasesto be greedy; to want too muchAs 'he who chases two hares catches neither' warns, the project that greedily reached for this and that ended up half-baked on every front.
  426. AcademicdesireIn consumer society, the human being becomes not an autonomous chooser but an object whose desires are manipulated.
  427. Culture & artssuperfluous; excessHis work is imbued with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic sensibility—one that strips away everything superfluous.
  428. Description & rhetoricprofile; side faceAs they parted, a faint sadness suffused the profile of her face.
  429. Evaluation & inevitabilitysnatching; stealing (credit)Stealing the credit for a subordinate's achievements is behavior wholly unbecoming of anyone in a position of leadership.
  430. Language & mediauniformity; all in lineThat the news outlets all fall into line and strike the same tone is something I have long harbored misgivings about.
  431. Language & mediaWestern words; foreign loanwordsA way of speaking that recklessly strings together foreign loanwords can sometimes be nothing more than a smokescreen concealing the emptiness of its content.
  432. Connectives & conditionsbudgetNow that the budget has been approved, we can finally push the plan forward in earnest.
  433. Nature & lifeaftershockAftershocks of a scale exceeding projections continued, forcing rescue operations into serious difficulty.
  434. Psychology & nuanceto pretend; to feignThat he feigns neutrality on the surface while in his heart he favors one side is common knowledge.
  435. Connectives & conditionsprediction; forecastEven the greatest of experts cannot possibly predict the future with complete certainty.
  436. Emphasis, limits & extremesroom; leewayThere is no room for excuses; there is nothing to do but apologize.
  437. Nature & lifedesire; wantSustainable development refers to progress that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the potential of future generations.
  438. Connectives & conditionsschedule; plan; expectedWhether the weather clears up or not, tomorrow's climb will go ahead as planned.
  439. Connectives & conditionsto the public; into the worldIt is precisely because he seeks perfection that he can never bring himself to release his work to the world.
  440. Culture & artsblank space; marginIn writing too, leaving space rather than telling everything is what stirs the reader's imagination.
  441. Description & rhetoriclate at nightOver the snow-laden streets late at night spread a silence that seemed to have swallowed every last sound.
  442. Society & current affairsto call; to summonIn areas known as 'marginal villages,' even maintaining basic administrative services has become an acute challenge—that is the reality.
  443. Psychology & nuancevery much; considerablyFar more admirable than clinging on with excuse after excuse is to withdraw cleanly and with grace.
  444. Nature & lifepreventionVoices arguing that effort should go into prevention rather than treatment have grown ever louder in recent years.
  445. Advanced keigo & formalityreading"O-yomi-ni-narareru" is regarded as incorrect; the proper form is "o-yomi-ni-naru."
  446. Idioms & set phrasesto rereadAs I carefully reread the classics, it struck me that this was exactly what is meant by learning the new by revisiting the old.
  447. Connectives & conditionsreading; pronunciationIf someone misreads even basic figures, one has to say he's unfit to run a company.
  448. Language & mediato decipher; to interpretWithout the ability to decode implications, one cannot grasp the writer's true feelings lurking between the lines.
  449. Psychology & nuanceto read (into); to discernHis letter is restrained in tone, yet one cannot help but read the loneliness seeping through between the lines.
  450. Culture & artsmarrying (into a family); bridal entryDepending on the region, there are still places that preserve unique customs surrounding a bride's marriage.
  451. Society & current affairsruling and opposition partiesOver the interpretation of the new treaty, the ruling and opposition parties are locked in head-on disagreement.
  452. Advanced keigo & formalityfrom; thanAs for that matter, it appears the president too has been concerned about it for some time.
  453. Psychology & nuancenightOn the last night of my study-abroad life, I was so reluctant to let it end that I could hardly sleep.
  454. Description & rhetoricjoy; delightBecause it was a business I had painstakingly built up, the joy of its success was all the greater.
  455. Advanced keigo & formalityjoy; congratulationsI respectfully extend my sincerest wishes for the New Year.
  456. Description & rhetoricto be glad; gladlyMy boss was unexpectedly delighted and threw his full support behind my proposal.
  457. Advanced keigo & formalityfine; all right (polite)Might I ask you once more about the main points of your view?
  458. Psychology & nuanceage; yearsPerhaps it is a blessing of age that I have come to view things with detachment, no longer swayed by every high and low.
  459. Life & valuescomplaint; whineNever voicing a complaint, staying silent and letting results speak — that was his own particular aesthetic.
  460. Description & rhetoricvisiting (a museum)Late at night the museum, emptied of any sign of visitors, was wrapped in a taut, brittle silence.
  461. Connectives & conditionsnext weekNow that my health has recovered, I intend to return to work starting next week.
  462. Advanced keigo & formalityattendance; coming to a venueAs the distinguished guests arrived one after another, the hall was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
  463. Law & institutionsnext yearThe amended law is now set to come into force as of April 1st next year.
  464. Law & institutionsnext fiscal yearIt was formally decided at the recent cabinet meeting that this system will be fundamentally overhauled as of next fiscal year.
  465. Nature & lifelifeline (utilities)The restoration of lifelines such as electricity and gas is expected to take several more weeks.
  466. Advanced businessbounds; progress (in "no headway")Since negotiations at the working level got nowhere, it was decided to take the matter up to a top-level meeting.
  467. Nature & lifeoverfishing; overhuntingThe once-abundant fishing grounds, too, have declined beyond recognition through the combination of overfishing and marine pollution.
  468. Logic & argumentrough; recklessTo speak of the whole on the strength of a single case is, statistically, nothing but a reckless leap of logic.
  469. Law & institutionsabuse; misuseAbuse of a right, even if formally lawful, runs counter to the purpose of the law.
  470. Society & current affairsinterest rate hikeThe central bank has taken the plunge and raised interest rates for the first time in a full seventeen years.
  471. Academicprofit; benefitManagement that disregards corporate ethics forfeits long-term trust in exchange for short-term profit.
  472. Connectives & conditionsunderstandingEven if you don't fully agree, you should at least show that you're trying to understand his position.
  473. Advanced businessinterests; stakesEven if everyone agrees in principle, aligning the specifics gets tangled up in competing interests and is anything but straightforward.
  474. Connectives & conditionslogic; argumentNo matter how many arguments you line up, without results to back them up no one is going to be convinced.
  475. Law & institutionsperformance; fulfillmentIf the contractual obligations are not performed in good faith, the counterparty may claim damages.
  476. Academicleaving a job; turnoverThrough factor analysis, the principal background of employee turnover was clarified.
  477. Advanced businessriskRather than rushing to a conclusion, shouldn't we deepen the discussion on the risks as well?
  478. Idioms & set phraseslayoffs; restructuringEver 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.
  479. Emphasis, limits & extremesidealThe ideal that our late mentor never ceased to pursue throughout his life still serves as our guiding compass today.
  480. Law & institutionsproof; substantiationSince it was merely a verbal promise and no written contract was exchanged, proving it is extremely difficult.
  481. Emphasis, limits & extremesideal; principleThat commentator criticizes endlessly — the policy is naive, there's no vision, and so on — yet offers not a single alternative.
  482. Idioms & set phrasesunreasonable; unjustNo matter how unreasonable the grunt work, my senior counseled, 'perseverance prevails'—endure it and you'll be rewarded in time.
  483. Advanced keigo & formalityinformality (in a letter)Though it is a rather informal way, I write both to report to you and to send my greetings.
  484. Advanced keigo & formalityattention; heedI hear the chairman is exceptionally careful about managing his health.
  485. Psychology & nuancestudying abroadOn the last night of my study-abroad life, I was so reluctant to let it end that I could hardly sleep.
  486. Culture & artsepidemic; fashionThe origin of that festival is said to lie in a ritual begun to quell an outbreak of epidemic disease.
  487. Connectives & conditionsleak (of data)Once confidential information has leaked, it is simply impossible to fully retrieve it.
  488. Society & current affairsflow; mobilityWhile promoting greater fluidity in employment, there is an urgent need to build up a safety net for workers.
  489. Logic & argumentreservation; withholdingFor the time being I should like to reserve judgment and await further materials.
  490. Evaluation & inevitabilitymisappropriation; diversionDiverting public funds for private use is something that must never occur in a civil servant.
  491. Connectives & conditionsreasonGiven that it's an earnest request from my old mentor, I can hardly turn it down on the grounds of being busy.
  492. Psychology & nuanceunderstanding; consentWithout anyone ever saying so, a tacit understanding was at work that the subject was not to be touched upon.
  493. Emphasis, limits & extremesboth countriesThat they yearn without end for the two nations to reconcile as soon as possible is the heartfelt wish of all the bereaved families.
  494. AcademicquantumQuantum computers hold the potential to solve, in one stroke, problems that conventional machines cannot handle.
  495. Advanced businessboth companiesAfter repeated behind-the-scenes negotiations, the two companies at last managed to reach a basic agreement.
  496. Emphasis, limits & extremesboth parties; both sidesThough there may be some divergence of views, in broad outline the two sides are in agreement.
  497. Idioms & set phrasesparents (both)His parents seem utterly at their wits' end dealing with their son in his rebellious phase.
  498. Life & valuesconscienceUnable to bear the pangs of conscience, he finally came to blow the whistle on the wrongdoing.
  499. Description & rhetoricridgelineAlong the ridgeline of the distant mountains, the morning mist trailed thin and long.
  500. Advanced businesspossession; territorial ownershipThe diplomatic authorities are persistently continuing their negotiations with the neighboring country over territorial claims.
  501. Emphasis, limits & extremescooking; dishThat inn, both in its cuisine and its hospitality, was utterly beyond reproach.
  502. Society & current affairscompatibility; balancing bothReconciling economic stimulus with fiscal discipline is a textbook case of easier said than done.
  503. Society & current affairstwo wheels; twin pillarsThe government is drawing up its growth strategy with fiscal stimulus and deregulation as two wheels of the same cart.
  504. Emphasis, limits & extremesJapanese innThat inn, both in its cuisine and its hospitality, was utterly beyond reproach.
  505. Idioms & set phrasesuse; utilizationIf you make furniture from scrap materials, you cut down on waste and hold costs down too — isn't that two birds with one stone?
  506. Logic & argumentline of reasoningHer rebuttal was coherent and well-ordered, sharply exposing the flaws in our grounds.
  507. Advanced keigo & formalitytheoryThe theory the professor has newly put forward overturns conventional wisdom at its very foundation.
  508. Idioms & set phrasesadapting to circumstancesEven when the unexpected struck, he stayed calm and, through flexible, on-the-spot judgment, held the damage to a minimum.
  509. Advanced businesscircular approval requestThe ringi document is already in circulation, but it will likely take a few days until the executives' approval comes through.
  510. Advanced businessneighboring countryThe diplomatic authorities are persistently continuing their negotiations with the neighboring country over territorial claims.
  511. AcademicethicsThe debate over bioethics grows ever more complex as science and technology advance.
  512. Emphasis, limits & extremeskind; sortEven with his extraordinary talent, that difficult problem could not be solved.
  513. AcademicexampleThe ability to translate abstract concepts into concrete examples is a hallmark of an excellent teacher.
  514. Culture & artscourtesy; etiquetteNever to fail in courtesy — this, above all, is the first rule of getting along with people.
  515. Life & valuesmanners; courtesyMaintaining at least a minimum of courtesy even toward those you don't get along with is precisely what being a working adult means.
  516. Advanced businesscalm; composedReining in a room that was sliding into emotional argument, he calmly re-sorted the issues for everyone.
  517. Culture & artscourtesy; proprietyA way of speaking grounded in courtesy does not sour the other party's impression, even when one is disagreeing.
  518. Emphasis, limits & extremeshistoryHere reigns the free and open academic spirit that only a university with a long history can nurture.
  519. Advanced businesslevelSince negotiations at the working level got nowhere, it was decided to take the matter up to a top-level meeting.
  520. Connectives & conditionsconsecutive holidaysBeing the last day of the holiday weekend, the expressways were hit by severe traffic jams in various areas.
  521. Society & current affairschain; cycleTo break the cycle of poverty, we should not, in my view, begrudge investment in children.
  522. Emphasis, limits & extremesday after day; dailyWith night after night without sleep, I have reached the very extreme of exhaustion, body and mind alike.
  523. Connectives & conditionscontact; communicationOne phone call in advance and all this confusion could have been avoided — if only.
  524. Culture & artsexposure (openly showing)Not laying her feelings bare in front of others is, I suppose, her own form of discreet decorum.
  525. Logic & argumenttoying with; resorting to (sophistry)Even if you talk your opponent into submission with sophistry, it does nothing to resolve the heart of the problem.
  526. Idioms & set phrasesdecrepit; agedOverhauling an outdated system from the ground up is an arduous task, but there is no avoiding it.
  527. Evaluation & inevitabilityold age; later yearsNothing is lonelier than old age in which one has lost all sense of purpose in living.
  528. Advanced businesslabor and managementAs a result of labor and management persistently meeting each other halfway, the strike was averted.
  529. Psychology & nuancevenerable master; old teacherThe old master gazed quietly upon the age with eyes that had risen above the rise and fall of worldly fortunes.
  530. Emphasis, limits & extremesleak (of information)The risk of information leaks is not confined to large corporations; it extends to small and medium enterprises as well.
  531. Description & rhetoriccandleEach time the candle flame wavered, the human shadow on the wall deepened and then faded.
  532. Society & current affairslabor; workAs the birthrate falls and the population ages, a further decline in the working-age population is a matter of grave concern.
  533. Academiclabor; effortIn a society where diverse values coexist, forging consensus demands an enormous amount of effort.
  534. Academiclog (record)After analyzing the enormous logs, it turned out that signs of the failure had been appearing for several days.
  535. Description & rhetoricalley; laneTucked in an alley of the old capital, the tea house still preserved a dignified, upright presence despite the passing ages.
  536. Psychology & nuanceexposure; revelationThe candidate, having exposed his inability to accept defeat gracefully, lost the voters' trust in one stroke.
  537. Advanced keigo & formalitylobbyA guest has been waiting for you in the lobby since a little while ago.
  538. Connectives & conditionsgrounds; basis of argumentThis report has a tendency to rush to its conclusions, and its supporting grounds are thin.
  539. Logic & argumentessay; treatiseHer essay backs its bold conceptions with meticulous argumentation, so it never feels like a leap.
  540. Logic & argumentmain point of an argumentStop seizing on my choice of words to score cheap points, and take on the actual thrust of my argument.
  541. Advanced keigo & formalityargumentation; proofHaving read your paper, I was deeply impressed by the meticulousness of its argumentation.
  542. Logic & argumentto discuss; to argueSince evaluation itself is relative, there is no point in arguing over absolute superiority or inferiority.
  543. Nature & lifecontroversy; disputeWhether talent stems from heredity or from environment has long been a subject of controversy.
  544. Language & mediatone (of argument); editorial stanceThat the news outlets all fall into line and strike the same tone is something I have long harbored misgivings about.
  545. Advanced businesspoint at issueIf we don't nail down the key points one step further, we'll get grilled at next week's board meeting.
  546. Emphasis, limits & extremesthesis; paper (academic)Clumsy though the expression may be, this paper shines with an original conception.
  547. Logic & argumentline of argument; logicThe "everyone says so" line of reasoning is a textbook sophistry that rests on mere numbers.
  548. Logic & argumentlogicThis outcome was no accident; it was a necessary consequence logically entailed by the initial conditions.
  549. Evaluation & inevitabilitydistortionFor someone whose duty is to defend press freedom to distort the facts is a betrayal unbecoming of anyone in public discourse.
  550. Emphasis, limits & extremesreconciliation; settlementThat they yearn without end for the two nations to reconcile as soon as possible is the heartfelt wish of all the bereaved families.
  551. Connectives & conditionsyoungYou could dismiss it as a mistake born of youth, and that would be that, but he cannot escape responsibility for it.
  552. Emphasis, limits & extremesyoung person; youthPolitical apathy is surely not something confined to the young.
  553. Psychology & nuanceparting; farewellIn the single line "I wish you the best in your endeavors," one could detect an implicit note of farewell.
  554. Psychology & nuancemoment of partingThe single remark he made as we parted lingered in my heart, its echo refusing to fade.
  555. Academicto be divided; to splitWhether art should be sought for its universality or valued precisely for bearing the imprint of its age is a matter on which opinions diverge.
  556. Description & rhetoricour; myTo accept these terms would be tantamount to surrendering our company's independence.
  557. Evaluation & inevitabilityoneself; one's own bodyWhenever I reflect on my own lack of discernment, I am consumed with shame.
  558. Culture & artsmy home; our familyIn our household, sweeping away a year's worth of dust on New Year's Eve has long been an established custom.
  559. Description & rhetoricsideBeside the approach to the shrine, a moss-covered Jizo statue stood quietly.
  560. Culture & artsto know; to be aware of (manners)If you don't know the proper etiquette for ceremonial occasions, you may well end up embarrassing yourself as an adult.
  561. Connectives & conditionsto boil (intransitive)With it being their first championship in ten years, the entire town erupted into festive celebration.
  562. Logic & argumentframeworkAt the root of all creation lurks a quiet dissatisfaction with the existing framework.
  563. Nature & lifevaccineHow long the immunity acquired through a vaccine lasts remains, in large part, unexplained.
  564. Society & current affairsto divide; to shareA society in which everyone can live without discrimination, regardless of disability, is precisely what we ought to strive for.
  565. Culture & artsskill; techniqueA craft that has been handed down through many generations truly deserves to be called a living heritage.
  566. Law & institutionscalamity; misfortuneOwing to the compartmentalized silos of the bureaucracy, a single application ends up being shunted from one department to the next.
  567. Evaluation & inevitabilitydeliberately; going out of one's wayFor such a trivial confirmation, there's surely no need to go to the trouble of reporting to the president.
  568. Language & mediato forget completelyWith the passage of time, an etymology may be forgotten while the idiom alone remains lodged in the language like a fossil.
  569. Connectives & conditionsslight; tinyHowever small the sum, the fact that it's public money means it must be handled with the utmost care.
  570. Emphasis, limits & extremesto suffer from (illness)Ever since he fell gravely ill, he has come to savor just how precious good health is.
  571. Emphasis, limits & extremestroublesome; bothersomeThe sheer wearisomeness of commuting on a packed train is beyond anything I can put into words.
  572. Law & institutionsto span; to extend overAfter numerous rounds of negotiation, the two parties finally arrived at the conclusion of a contract.
  573. Psychology & nuancetopic; subjectWithout anyone ever saying so, a tacit understanding was at work that the subject was not to be touched upon.
  574. Idioms & set phrasesto linger (ill feeling); to be bottled upLetting years of lingering resentment wash away, the two decided to join forces once more.
  575. Idioms & set phrasesrut; (follow the) same pathTrying to accomplish his studies and a startup at once, he followed in the footsteps of the man chasing two hares, and both foundered halfway.
  576. Culture & artswabi (austere simplicity)Wabi-sabi refers to the sensibility that finds beauty in the imperfect and the decaying.
  577. Language & mediato apologize"Wabiru" and "ayamaru" (both "to apologize") look synonymous at a glance, but in formal settings the difference in their nuance comes into play.
  578. Description & rhetoricto be divisible; to be settled neatlyHis prose is etched with shadings that cannot be reduced to simple right and wrong.
  579. Psychology & nuanceto split open; to breakNow that it has come to this, unless we sit down and talk with total candor at least once, this rift will never be bridged.
  580. Connectives & conditionswe (formal)With the industry's biggest player entering the market, we too are forced into a fundamental rethink of our strategy.
  581. Description & rhetoricstopping; ceasing (in "unavoidable")It is an extremely unusual measure, but given the emergency it is unavoidable.
  582. Evaluation & inevitabilityto forget (classical)"Never forget your original resolve" is a maxim Zeami left behind as the very essence of the artistic path.
  583. AcademicthresholdThe system is designed to issue an alarm automatically the moment the signal exceeds a certain threshold.
  584. Description & rhetorichaze; mistA thin haze lay faintly over the surface of the lake in the early morning.