PART 4
3000 Useful Japanese Words

Verbs are given in both the polite present (-mas ’) and the plain present (-u). Where these two forms would be at about the same place in alphabetical order, they are given together, when they are rather different in shape, you will find two entries. Occasionally a word is out of alphabetical order for convenience, but not more than a place or two. If you do not find the word you are looking for, glance up and down the page a bit. Note that f’ is alphabetized as fu, ts’ as tsu, s’ as su, etc., sh’ is alphabetized as shi, and ch’ as chi.

A

abekku a couple (on a date), a date

abunai dangerous

abura oil, fat, grease

agarimas’, agaru goes up

agemas’, ageru raises up; gives

aida interval: between; while

aimas’ (au) meets; sees (a person)

ainiku unfortunately

aisatsu greeting

aite the other fellow (companion; adversary)

aitsu that one over there

aji taste

aka-chan baby

akai red

akabō redcap

akambō baby

akarui bright, light

akemas’, akeru opens; leaves empty

aki autumn, fall

akimas’, aku is open; is empty

amai sweet

ame¹ rain

ame² candy

amerika America

amerika-jin American (people)

ami net

ammari too much, overly

ana hole

anata you

ane older sister

ani older brother

ano that (over there)

anshin shimas’ (suru) doesn’t worry, relaxes (one’s anxieties)

anata you

aoi blue; green

arai rough, coarse

araimas’, arau washes

aratamemas’, aratameru changes, alters, corrects

arawaremas’, arawareru appears, shows up, comes out

are that one (over there)

ari ant

arigatō (gozaimas’) thank you

arimas’, aru¹ there is; we’ve got

arimash’ta there was; we had

aru² a certain

arubaito a side job, a sideline

arui-wa or else, maybe

arukimas’, aruku walks

asa morning

asai shallow

ase sweat

ashi foot; leg

asobi fun; a game; a visit

asobimas’, asobu has fun; plays; visits

asoko, as’ko (that place) over there

atama head

atarashii new

atarimae natural; proper; reasonable

atarimas’, ataru hits, faces; applies; is correct

at (a) takai warm

atemas’, ateru guesses; hits; sets aside, appropriates, designates; touches; addresses

atena address

ato after(wards), later

atsui¹ hot

atsui² thick

atsumarimas’, atsumaru meet, assemble

atsumemas’, atsumeru collects, gathers

au (aimas’) meets, sees (a person)

awasemas’, awaseru puts together, combines

azarashi seal (animal)

azukemas’, azukeru entrusts, checks, deposits

B

-ba place

baai, bawai situation, case, circumstance

bai double

baka fool, idiot, stupid

ban¹ guard, watch; number

ban² evening

basho place

basu 1. bus 2. bath

batā butter

Beikoku America

beni rouge

benjo toilet

benkyō study

benri handy, convenient

bentō (box) lunch

betsu separate, special, particular

bin bottle; jar

bōi boy, waiter, steward, clerk

boku I. me (man speaking)

bokushi minister, pastor; Reverend

bōshi hat

botan button

bōzu Buddhist monk or priest

bu part, division, section

budō grapes

budō-shu wine

bumpō grammar

bun part, portion, share; state, status

bungo literary language

bunka culture

bunshō (written) sentence

buta pig

buta-niku pork

byōin hospital

byōki sick; sickness

C

cha tea

chakku zipper

champon alternating, skipping back and forth, mixing one’s drinks (as beer and saké)

chi blood

chichi¹ father

chichi² breasts; mother’s milk

chigaimas’, chigau is different; is wrong; isn’t like that

chihō area, region

chiisai, chiisa-na little, small

chiizu cheese

chika subway; underground; basement

chikai near, close by

chika-michi short cut

chikku stick hair-grease

chippu tip

chiri geography

chiri-gami Kleenex and toilet paper

chizu map

chō¹ block of a city

chō² head, chief, leader

chōdai please; I (humbly) take

chokki vest

chokusetsu direct

chō-kyori long distance

chōsa examination, investigation, inquiry

chotto just a little; just a minute

chū middle, medium

chūgakkō middle school (junior high school)

chūgata medium-size (model)

Chūgoku China

chūi¹ attention

chūi² 1st lieutenant; lieutenant j.g.

chūshin center

D

da (des’) is; it is

da ga but

dai - big

dai-(ichi) number (one)

daiben bowel movement

daidokoro kitchen

daigaku college, university

daiji important, precious

daijōbu OK, all right; safe and sound; no need to worry

daiku carpenter

daitai in general, on the whole, approximately, almost

da kara (sa) and so; therefore; that’s why

dakimas’, daku holds in the arms

damarimas’, damaru is silent; shuts up

damashimas’, damasu deceives

dambō heating (in a house)

dame no good, no use, won’t do; don’t!

dandan gradually

danna (san) master of the house; husband

dansei male

danshi boy, young man

dantai organization, group

dare who

dare ka somebody

dare mo everybody; nobody

dashi soup-stock

deshimas’, dasu puts out; produces; spends; mails; begins

da-tte but

de¹ (happening) at, in, on; with, by (means of)

de² is and; being, its being; with (its being)

de gozaimas’ = de

deguchi exit

dekigoto happening, accident

dekimas’, dekiru can, is possible; is produced; is finished, ready

dekimono swelling, sore, boil, pimple

demas’, deru goes out, comes out, leaves, starts

dembu buttocks, hips

de mo but, however, even so

dempō telegram

denki electricity; lights

densha electric car (streetcar or elevated)

dentō 1. lamp, light, flashlight 2. tradition, convention

denwa telephone (call)

depāto department store

deru (demas’) goes out, comes out, leaves, starts

desh’ta was; it was

deshō probably, probably is, it probably is

des’, da is; it is; it is a case of...

de wa (= ja) well then; in that case; and so; and now

dō how, why; (in) what (way)

doa door

dochira which one

dochira ka either one of the two

dochira mo either one; neither one; both

Doitsu Germany

doitsu which one

dokimas’, doku gets out of the way

doko where

doko ka somewhere

doko mo everywhere; nowhere

doku¹ poison

doku² (dokimas’) gets out of the way

donna what kind of

dōmo 1. thank you 2. excuse me 3. ever so much

dono which

dore which one

doro mud

dorobō thief, robber

doru dollar

dō-sh’te why; how

dotchi = dochira dotera padded bathrobe

doyōbi Saturday

dōzo please

E

e picture

ē yes

ebi shrimp; lobster; prawn

eda branch

e-hagaki picture postcard

e-hon picture book

eiga (-kan) movie (theater)

Eigo English

Eikoku England

Eikoku-jin English (people)

eisei hygiene, health, sanitation

eki railroad station

en Yen

empitsu pencil

enkai party

ensoku picnic, outing

entotsu chimney, smokestack

erabimas’, erabu chooses, selects, elects

erai great, superior

F

Firipin Philippins

fu an urban prefecture (Kyoto or Osaka)

fū appearance, air; way, fashion, manner

fuben inconvenient, unhandy

fuchūi carelessness

fuda label, tag, card, check

fude writing brush

fudōsan real estate

fūfu husband and wife, ōr. and ōrs.

fuhei discontent, grumbling

fuhō illegal

fui suddenly

fujin lady

fu-jiyū inconvenient; needy; weak

fukai, f’kai deep

fukimas’, f’kimas’ see

fuku, f’ku¹ fukin, f’kin napkin, towel, cloth

fuku, f’ku¹ 1. blows 2. wipes

fuku, f’ku² clothes, suit, dress

fukuro, f’kuro bag, sack

fukushū, f’kushū review

fukuzatsu, f’kuzatsu complicated

fuman discontented, dissatisfied

fumei unknown, obscure

fumimas’, fumu steps on

fun minute

funayoi seasick(ness)

fundoshi a loincloth, a jockstrap

fune boat

fun-iki atmosphere

Furansu France

Furansu-jin Franch (people)

furemas’, fureru touches, comes in contact with

furi manner, air, pretense

furimas’, furu¹ precipitates (rains, snows)

furimas’, furu² waves, shakes, wags

furo bath

furōnin vagabond, tramp

furoshiki, furosh’ki a cloth wrapper

furu (o-furu) second-hand

furui old

furyō bad, no good

fūryū elegant

fusagimas’, fusagu stops up, closes, blocks

fusawashii suitable, worthy; becoming

fusegimas’, fusegu prevents; defends, protects

fushigi strange; wonderful; suspicious

fusoku shortage, deficiency, scarcity

fusuma opaque sliding door

futa, f’ta lid

futari, f’tari two persons

futatsu, f’tatsu two; two years old; 2nd day

futo, f’to unexpectedly

futoi, f’toi fat, plump

futon, f’ton Japanese padded quilt

futsuka two days

fuyu winter

G

ga¹ SUBJECT PARTICLE (shows the actor: who does, what is)

ga² but; and

gai damage, harm, injury

gaijin foreigner

gaikō-kan diplomat

gaikoku abroad; foreign countries

gaikoku-go foreign language

Gaimu-shō Ministry of Foreign Affairs

gakkō school

gakumon knowledge, learning, education

gakusei, gak’sei student

gakusha, gak’sha scholar

gamaguchi purse, pocketbook, wallet

gaman shimas’ is patient, puts up with

gaman dekimasen (dekinai) can’t stand it

garasu glass

gasorin gasoline

gasorin-sutando (-s’tando) filling station

gasu, gas’ gas

gasu-dai gas bill

gehin vulgar

gei arts, accomplishments; tricks, stunts

geijutsu art(s)

geisha a geisha girl

geki play, drama

gekijō theater

gekkyū monthly salary

gemmai unpolished rice

gemmitsu strict

gendai modern, up-to-date

gengo language

gen-in cause, origin, root

genki in good spirits, healthy, cheerful, vigorous

genkin cash, ready money

genshi (-bakudan) atom (bomb)

genzai the present (time)

genzō shimas’ develops (film)

geppu monthly instalments

geri diarrhea

geri-dome anti-diarrhetic, paregoric

geshuku lodgings; board and room

-getsu month

getsuyōbi Monday

gikai the Japanese Diet (Congress)

gimon question, doubt

gimu duty, obligation

gin silver

ginkō bank

giri obligation, sense of obligation, honor

go 1. five 2. checkers

-go language

gofuku-ya dry goods store, kimono shop

gogatsu May

gogo P.M., afternoon

gohan cooked rice; meal; food

go-jū fifty

Gokigen yō! 1. Goodbye 2. Hello

goku very, exceedingly

Gomen kudasai! Hello— anybody home?

Gomen nasai. Excuse me.

gomi trash, rubbish, dust

gomu rubber

goran... (you) look, see, try

Goshimpai naku! Don’t worry about it.

go-yō your business

gozaimas’ = arimas’

guai condition, shape, feelings (of health)

gun army, troops

gunjin soldier, military man

guntai troops, army

gutai-teki concrete, substantial, tangible, material

gūzen accidentally

gyaku opposite, contrary

gyōgi behavior, manners

gyūniku beef

gyūnyū milk

H

ha tooth

haba width

habukimas’, habuku cuts out, reduces, saves, eliminates, omits

hachi¹ eight

hachi² bowl, basin

hachi³ (mitsu-bachi) bee

hachi-jū eighty

hadaka naked

hadashi barefoot

hae housefly

hagaki postcard

hage bald

hageshii violent, severe

haha mother

hai¹ yes

hai² ashes

hai³ cupful

haibyō TB

hai-iro gray

haikara fashionable, high-class

hairimas’, hairu enters; is inside

haitte imas’ is inside

haitatsu delivery

haiyū actor

hajimarimas’, hajimaru it begins (starts)

hajime the beginning; in the beginning

hajimete for the first time

hajimemas’, hajimeru begins (starts) it

Hajimemash’te. How do you do. (on being introduced)

hakari measuring scales

hakarimas’, hakaru measures, weighs

hakimas’, haku 1. vomits, spits out 2. sweeps 3. wears on feet

hakkiri plainly, clearly, distinctly

hakkō publication

hako box

hakobimas’, hakobu carries. conveys

haku (hakimas’) 1. vomits, spits out 2. sweeps 3. wears on feet

hama beach

hambun half

hamemas’, hameru wears (on fingers)

ha-migaki dentifrice. toothpaste, tooth-powder

han¹ half

han² a seal (to stamp one’s name with)

hana¹ flower

hana² nose

hanabi fireworks

hanagata a star (in a theatrical production)

hanao thong (on geta)

hanaremas’, hanareru separates, becomes distant

hanashi talk, story, tale

hanashimas’, hanasu speaks, talks; lets loose, lets go, sets free

hane feather; wing

han-i scope, range

hantai opposite, contrary, reverse

hantō peninsula

happa leaf

hara¹ belly, stomach

hara² field

haraimas’, harau 1. pays 2. brushes aside, shakes out

haremas’, hareru 1. (weather) clears up 2. swells up

har i needle; hand (of clock)

harimas’, haru sticks on, pastes; spreads, stretches

haru springtime

hasami scissors, clippers

hashi¹ bridge

hashi² (o-hashi) chopsticks

hashigo ladder, stairs

hashirimas’, hashiru runs

hasu oblique, slanting

hata flag

hatake field

hataki duster

hatakimas’, hataku slap, beat; dust

hatarakimas’, hataraku works

hato pigeon, dove

hatoba pier, wharf

hatsumei invention

hatsuon pronunciation

hattatsu development

hayai, hayaku fast, quick

hayarimas’, hayaru is popular, is in fashion

hayashi¹ forest

hayashi² hash

hazu is expected to; is supposed to; is reasonable to expect

hazukashii ashamed

hazumimas’, hazumu bounces back; cheers

hazuremas’, hazureru gets disconnected, comes off, misses, fails

hazushimas’, hazusu disconnects, takes off, leaves one’s seat

he flatulence

hebi sanke

hedatarimas’, hedataru is distant, is estranged

hedatemas’, hedateru separates them, estranges them, gets them apart

hedo vomit

hei wall, fence

heiki calm, composed, cool, indifferent

heikin average

heiwa peace

heizei usually, ordinarily, generally

hekomimas’, hekomu gets hollow, depressed

hema bungle, mess

hen¹ (na) strange, odd, queer

hen² vicinity. neighborhood

henji answer

henka change

herashimas’, he-rasu decreases. cuts it down, shortens, curtails

heri border, edge

herimas’, heru goes down, decreases, dwindles

heso navel, bellybutton

heta unskilful, poor, inexpert

heya room

hi¹ fire

hi² 1. day 2. sun

hibachi charcoal brazier

hibikimas’, hibiku echoes, resounds

hidari left

hidoi severe, unreasonable, terrible

hidoku hard, cruelly, terribly

hiemas’, hieru gets cold

higashi east

hige beard, mustache

higeki tragedy

hiji elbow

hijō emergency

hijō ni extremely

hikaku comparison

hikarimas’, hikaru shines

hiki- VERB PREFIX (“pull and” or “take and”)

hikidashi drawer

hiki-kaemasu, -kaeru exchanges, converts

hikimas’, hiku pulls (out); draws; drags; catches; attracts; subtracts; deducts; looks up a word

hikkoshimas’, hikkosu moves (one’s residence)

hikōjo airport

hikōki airplane

hikō-yūbin airmail

hikui low, short

hima time; leisure, spare time; furlough, leave; dismissal (or servant); slow (business)

himitsu secret, mystery

himo string, cord, tape, strap

hin quality; elegance, refinement, dignity

hinan blame, censure, reproach

hinerimas’, hineru twists

hiniku sarcasm; sarcastic; cynical

hinshitsu quality

hi-ōi awning, sunshade, blind

hipparimas’, hipparu pulls, drags, tugs at, takes

hiragana the roundish Japanese letters

hirakimas’, hiraku opens up

hirattai flat

hiroba a square, a plaza, an open space

hiroi wide, broad

hiroimas’, hirou picks up

hiru daytime; noon

hiru kara afternoon

hiru-ma daytime

hisashi-buri ni after a long time (of absence)

hitai forehead, brow

hitei shimas’ denies

hito person, man

hito- one

hitori one person

hitoshii equal, identical, similar

hitotsu one; one year old; one and the same

hitsuji sheep

hitsuyō necessity, need; necessary

hiya (o-hiya) cold water

hiyashimas’, hiyasu cools it off; refrigerates

hiyō cost, expense

hiyori weather; conditions

hiza knee, lap

hizuke date

hō¹ alternative; one (of two); direction, way

hō² law; rule; method

hōbi (go-hōbi) prize, reward

hōbō everywhere, all over, every which way

hodo extent; limits; moderation; approximate time; (not) so much as; the more...

hodokimas’, hodoku undoes, unties

hoho cheek

hoka other, in addition to, other than

hoken insurance

hokkyoku North Pole, Arctic

hokori¹ pride, boast

hokori² dust

hoku- north-

hombu central office

hōmen direction, quarter, district

homemas’, homeru praises

hommono the real thing

hōmon call, visit

hon book

hon- main; chief; this; the; present

hondō the main route

hone bone

honki serious, earnest

honno a slight, just a little, a mere

honrai originally, from the start

hontō, honto true; truth; really

hon-yaku translation

hoppeta cheek

hppō north

Hora! Huh?! What’s that?! Look at that!

hora¹ cave

hora² trumpet-shell; exaggeration

horemas’, horeru falls in love, takes a fancy to

hori ditch, moat

horidashi-mono a bargain, a real find

hōritsu law

horiwari canal

horimas’, horu digs, excavates

hoshi star

hoshi-(gaki) dried (persimmons)

hoshii is desired; desires, wants

hoshimas’, hosu dries it

hoshō guarantee

hōsō (-kyoku) broadcast (station)

hosoi slender

hosu (hoshimas’) dries it

hōtai bandage

hoteru hotel

Hotoke-sama Buddha

hotondo almost (all); almost all the time

hyaku hundred

hyaku-man million

hyō table, schedule

hyōban reputation, fame

hyōgen expression (words)

hyōjō expression (on face)

hyōjun standard

hyōjun-go standard Japanese

hyōmen surface

hyotto accidentally, by chance

hyotto sh’tara maybe, possibly

hyūzu fuse

I

i- medicine, doctoring

ian consolation; recreation

ichi¹ one

ichi² (ichi-ba) market, marketplace

ichi³ position

ichiban number one; first; best; most

ichibu a part, portion

ichido one time

ichijirushii conspicuous, prominent, striking

ichijitsu one day; some day

ichimai a sheet; one

ido a well

ie a house

igai unexpected

igaku medicine, medical studies

igirisu-jin English (people)

... igo afterwards, from... on

ii good

ii (–) (infinitive of iu/yū “saying”)

iie no

iimas’, iu/yū says

iimash’ta said

iin committee (member)

iin-kai committee

ii-wake explanation, excuse

iji temper, disposition

... ijō above, upwards of...

ijō unusual

... ika below, less than...

ika medical department

ikada raft

ikaga how (about it)?

ikagawashii suspicious, questionable, shady

ikari anger

ike pond

ikebana flower arrangement

ikemasen, ikenai it won’t do; you mustn’t; don’t

iken opinion

iki breath

iki (na) smart, stylish

iki (–) (infinitive of iku “going”)

ikioi vigor, energy, spirit

ikimas’, iku goes

ikimas’, ikiru lives, is alive

ik-ko one (piece)

iku (ikimas’) goes

ikura how much

ikutsu how many; how old

ima now

imas’, iru is, stays

imi meaning

imo potato

imōto younger sister

in seal, stamp

inai within

inaka country

inchiki fake, fraud

Indo India

Indoneshia Indonesia

ine rice-plant

infure inflation

inki (na) gloomy

inku ink

inochi one’s life

inori prayer

inshō impression

interi intellectual; high-brow

inu dog

ippai 1. full 2. a cupful (glassful)

... irai since...

Irasshai (mase)! Welcome!

irasshaimas’, irassharu (someone honored) 1. comes; 2. goes; 3. stays, is

ireba false teeth

iremas’, ireru puts in, lets in

iriguchi entrance

irimas’, iru¹ 1. is necessary: needs; wants 2. roasts 3. shoots

iru² (imas’) is, stays

iro color; sex

isha doctor, physician

ishi¹ stone

ishi² will, intention

isogashii busy

isogimas’, isogu hurries, rushes

issai all, everything, without exception

issaku-ban (-jitsu) night (day) before last

issho (ni) together with

isshō one’s whole life

isshō-kemmei desperately; very hard

isshu a kind, a sort

isu chair

ita board, plank

itai painful, hurting

itami an ache, a pain

itashimas’, itasu I (humbly) do

itazura mischief, prank

itchi agreement

ito thread, yarn; silk

itoko cousin

itoma = hima itsu when

itsu-ka 1. 5 days; 5th day 2. sometime

itsutsu five

itsuwari falsehood, lie

ittai...on earth,...indeed

itte 1. going, goes and (gerund of iku) 2. = yutte: saying, says and (gerund of yū)

ittei fixed, settled, definite

ittō first, first class

iwa rock, crag

iwai celebration, party

iwayuru so-called, what you might call

iya no

iya (na) unpleasant; disagreeable; disliked

iyashii lowly, vulgar

iyo-iyo 1. at last 2. in fact 3. more and more

izen since, before, ago

J

Ja, jā well, well then; in that case; now

ja arimasen (ja nai) it is not; it is not a case of

jagaimo Irish potatoes

jama interference, disturbance, hindrance, obstacle

jari gravel, pebbles

Ji¹ a letter; a Chinese character

ji² hemorrhoids

ji³ land, ground; texture; fabric

-ji o’clock

jibiki dictionary

jibun oneself; myself; alone

jidai age, period, era, time

jidōsha automobile

jidō-teki automatic

jigyō enterprise, business

jihen incident, happening

jijō circumstances; conditions

jikan time; hour

jika ni directly; personally

jiki ni immediately; soon

jikken experiment

jikkō performance; practice; realization

jiko accident

jiku axis, axle

jiman pride, boast

jimi plain, sober

jimu business, office work

jimuin office clerk

jimusho office

-jin person, people

jinkō population

jisatsu suicide

jishin¹ earthquake

jishin² self-confidence

jissai actual conditions, reality; in practice; in fact, really

jitensha bicycle

jitsu truth; truly, really

jitsugyō businessman

jitsuyō practical use, utility

jiyū freedom, free; fluent, at ease

jōbu healthy, sturdy

jōdan joke

jokyū waitress

jōriku disembarking, landing

josei female

joshi girl, young woman

jōsha getting into a car, boarding

... joshi Madame, Miss, Mrs.

jōshiki common sense

jōtai condition, situation, circumstances

jōtō the best, first-rate

jōzu skilled, clever, good at

JR (jei-āru) Japan Railway Company

jū¹ ten

jū² gun

-ju throughout the...

jūbako nestling boxes, Chinese boxes

jūbun enough

jūdō jujitsu

jūgyō-in employee

jū-hachi eighteen

jū-ichi eleven

jūji a cross

jūku nineteen

jūkugo a compound word

jū-man a hundred thousand

jumbi preparations

jun order, turn

jun (na) pure

jū-ni twelve

jun-jimas’, -jiru applies correspondingly; is made to accord with

junjo order

junkan circulation; cycle

junsa policeman

jū-roku sixteen

jūsho address

jūsu juice

jūtaku residence, house

jūtan rug, carpet

jūyō important

juzu beads

K

ka mosquito

... ka? QUESTION PARTICLE

... ka some ..., any ...

... ka.. . ... or ...

kabe wall

kabin flower vase

kabu stock (in a company)

kabushiki gaisha a corporation

kaburimas’, kaburu wears on head

kachimas’, katsu wins

kado (outside) corner

kaemas’, kaeru¹ changes, exchanges

kaerimas’, kaeru² goes home, goes back

kaeru³ frog

kaeshimas’, kaesu returns it

kaette contrary to expectations

kagaku science

kagami mirror

kage shade

kage-bōshi shadow

kagi key

kagimas’, kagu smells it

kagiri limit, extent

kago basket

kagu furniture

kagu (kagimas’) smells it

kai a meeting

-kai times, occasions

kaichū one’s pocket

kaidan steps, stairs

kaidō an auditorium

kaigai overseas, abroad

kaigan seashore

kaigi meeting, conference

kaigun navy

kaii itchy

kaikan a public hall, a building

kaikei accounts

kaimas’, kau¹ buys

kaimas’, kau- raises, keeps (animals)

kaimono shopping

kaisha company

kaishain company employee

kaiwa conversation

kaji a fire

kajirimas’, kajiru gnaws, nibbles

kakarimas’, kakaru 1. it hangs 2. it takes, it requires 3. begins

kake 1. gambling; a bet 2. credit

kakemas’, kakeru¹ 1. hangs it 2. telephones

kakemas’, kakeru² bets

kakemas’, kakeru³ runs, gallops

kakemas’, kakeru⁴ multiplies

kaki¹ persimmon

kaki² oyster

kakimas’, kaku writes; scratches

kakitome registered mail

kakomimas’, kakomu surrounds

kaku writes; scratches

kakuremas’, kakureru it hides

kakushimas’, kakusu hides it

kama 1. pot; boiler 2. stove, oven, kiln 3. sickle

kamado kitchen range, stove

kamaimasen it makes no difference

kamban signboard

kami¹ hair (on the head)

kami² paper

kami-sama God; gods

kaminari thunder

kamisori razor

kamits’kimas’, kamits’-ka bites

kamo 1. wild duck 2. sucker, dupe

...ka mo shiremasen maybe...

kampai a toast, “bottoms up”

kampan deck

kan a can

-kan for the interval of

kana Japanese syllabic writing

kanai my wife

kanamono hardware

kanarazu for sure

kanari fairly, rather

kanashii sad

kane money; metal; bell

kangae thought, idea, opinion

kangaemas’, kangaeru thinks

kangofu, kangoshi nurse

kankoku South Korea

kani crab

kanji¹ feeling

kanji² a Chinese character (letter)

kanjimas’, kanjiru feels

kanjō bill

kankei connection, relationship, interest, concern

kan-kiri can opener

kankō sightseeing

kankōkyaku tourist

kanōsei possibility

kansha thanks, gratitude

kanshin¹ concern, interest

kanshin² shimas’ admires

kanshō interference, meddling

kantan simple

kanzei customs duty

kanzen perfect

kanzō liver

kao face; looks, a look

kara¹ shell, crust

kara² empty

... kara from; since; because, so

karada body

karai 1. spicy, hot, peppery 2. salty

karashi mustard

karasu crow

kare he, him

kare-ra they, them

kare-shi lover, paramour; boy friend; husband

karē curry

karē-raisu rice curry

kari temporary

karimas’, kariru borrows

karimas’, karu cuts, mows

karui light (of weight)

kasa umbrella

kasanarimas’, kasanaru they pile up

kasanemas’, kasaneru piles them up, puts one on top of another

kasegimas’, kasegu earns, works for (money)

kashi (o-kashi) cakes, sweets, pastry

kashima rooms for rent

kashimas’, kasu lends

... ka shira I wonder if...

kashiya house for rent

kasu sediment, dregs

kasu (kashimas’) lends

kasumi haze, mist

kata¹ shoulder

kata² form, shape, size, mold, pattern

kata³ person, honored person

-kata manner of doing, way

katachi form, shape

katagi respectable, steady, honest

katahō, kattappō one of a pair: the other one (of a pair)

katai hard; strong; upright; strict

katakana the squarish Japanese letters

katamari a lump

katamukimas’, katamuku leans

katana sword

katarimas’, kataru relates, tells

katazukemas’, katazukeru puts in order, straightens up, cleans up

katei¹ home, household, family

katei² hypothesis, supposition

katsu (kachimas’) wins

katsu a Japanese “cutlet”; anything fried in deep fat

katsudō action, activity, movement, liveliness

katsugimas’, katsugu carries on shoulders

katsuo (-bushi) a (dried) bonito fish

katsura a wig

katte (ni) selfish(ly), as one wants to

kau¹ (kaimas’) buys

kau² (kaimas’) raises, keeps (animals)

kawa¹ river

kawa² skin

kawaii, kawairashii cute, loveable, darling

kawai-sō pitiful

kawakimas’, kawaku gets dry

kawara tile

kawari change; substitute

kawarimas’, kawaru it changes; it takes the place of

kawase a money order

kaya mosquito net

kayōbi Tuesday

kayoimas’, kayou commutes, goes back and forth, goes (regularly)

kayu rice-gruel, porridge

kayui itchy

kazan volcano

kazari (-mono) ornament, decoration

kazarimas’, kazaru decorates

kaze 1. wind 2. a cold

kazoemas’, kazoeru counts

kazoku family

kazu number

ke hair, wool, feathers

kechim-bo stingy person, skinflint

kedo = keredo (mo)

kega wound, injury

keiba horse racing

keiba-jō a racetrack

keibetsu despise

keiei management, operation

keikaku plan, scheme

keiken experience

keiki business conditions, prosperity, boom

keiko exercise, practice, drill

keirin bicycle race

keisan calculation, computation

keisatsu police

keishiki form, formality

keiyaku contract, agreement

keizai economics, finances

kēki a cake

kekka result; as a result (consequence)

kekkō 1. splendid; excellent 2. fairly well, well enough; enough

Kekkō des’. No, thank you.

kekkon marriage

kekkyoku after all, in the long run

kembutsu sightseeing

kempō constitution

kemuri smoke

ken a Japanese prefecture (like a state)

kenchiku construction; architecture

kenchō the prefectural government (office)

kenka quarrel

kenkō health

kenkyū research, study

kensa, kensatsu inspection, examination, check-up

ken-yaku economy, thrifty, economizing

keredo (mo) however, though, but

kerimas’, keru kicks

keshiki scenery, view

keshimas’, kesu puts out; turns off; erases

keshō cosmetics, makeup

keshō-shitsu powder room; rest room

kessan settling accounts

kesseki absent

kesshin determination, resolution

kesu (keshimas’) puts out; turns off; erases

kettei determination, decision

ketten flaw, defect

ki¹ spirit; feeling; mind, heart

ki² tree; wood

kibishii strict, severe

kibō hope

kibun feeling, mood

kichi military base

ki-chigai mad, insane

kichin-to punctual; precise; neat

kiemas’, kieru is extinguished, goes out; fades, vanishes

ki-iro yellow

ki-ito raw silk

kiji¹ article, news item

kiji² pheasant

kiji³ dry goods; clothing fablic

kikai¹ chance, opportunity

kikai² machine, machinery

kikan engine; instrument; agency

kikasemas’, kikaseru lets someone hear, tells, informs

kiken danger, peril

kiki-me ga arimas’ is effective

kikimas’, kiku listens, hears; obeys; asks; is effective, works

kikō climate

kikoemas’, kikoeru can be heard, can hear

kiku (kikimas’) listens, hears; obeys; asks; is effective, works

kiku chrysanthemum

kimarimas’, kimaru is settled, is arranged

kimas’¹, kuru comes

kimas², kiru wears

kimben industrious, hardworking

kime grain, texture

kimemas’, kimeru settles, arranges

kimi¹ you

kimi² feeling, sensation

kim-makie gold lacquer

kimo liver

kimochi feeling, sensation

kimono a kimono

kimpatsu blond

kimyō strange, peculiar

kin gold

kinen commemoration

kinem-bi anniversary

kin-en No Smoking

kingyo goldfish

kinjo neighborhood, vicinity

kinō yesterday

ki-no-doku pitiful, pitiable

kinoko mushrooms

kinshi prohibition, ban

kinu silk

kin-yōbi Friday

kin-yū finance

kinzoku metal

kioku memory

kippu ticket

kirai is disliked; dislikes

kire 1. a piece, a cut 2. cloth, fablic

kirei pretty; clean

kiremas’, kireru 1. cuts (well) 2. runs out 3. breaks down

kireme a gap, a break, a pause

kiri¹ fog, mist

kiri² a hole-punch, an awl, a drill

kiri³ paulownia (tree or wood)

... (k)kiri only, just

kirimas’, kiru cuts

kiritsu discipline

kiro 1. kilogram 2. kilometer 3. kilowatt 4. kiloliter

kiroku record

kiru¹ (kirimas’) cuts

kiru² (kimas’) puts on, wears

kiryō personal appearance, looks; ability

kisetsu season

kisha¹ railroad train

kisha² media person, reporter

kishi shore, coast, bank

kishukusha dormitory, boarding house

kisoku rule, regulation

kissa-ten a tearoom

kita¹ north

kita² came (past tense of kuru); wore (past tense of kiru)

kitanai dirty

kitchin kitchen

kite coming, comes and (gerund of kuru); wearing, wears and (gerund of kiru)

kitsui 1. tight 2. severe 3. bold

kitsune fox

kitte stamp

kitto no doubt, surely

kiwa brink, edge

kiwadoi dangerous, delicate, ticklish

kiwamarimas’, kiwa-maru comes to an end; gets carried to extremes

kiwamemas’, kiwameru carries to extremes; investigates thoroughly

kiwamete extremely

kizamimas’, kizamu chops fine; carves; notches, nicks

kizashi symptoms, signs, indications

kizu wound; crack, flaw; fault, defect

kizu-ato scar

ko child; person

kō¹ this way, so, like this

kō² incense

kobamimas’, kobamu refuses, rejects; opposes, resists

kōban police box

koboshimas’, kobosu spills

kobu bump, knob, swelling

kobun henchman, subordinate, follower

kobune small boat

kobushi fist

kōcha black tea

kochira 1. here, this way 2. this one 3. me, I; us, we

kodai ancient times

kōdō¹ highway, public road/way

kōdō² action, behavior

kodomo child; boy

koe voice; cry

kōen¹ public park

kōen² lecture

kōen³ support

kōfuku happiness

kōfun excitement

kōgai suburbs

kogashimas’, kogasu scorches

kogata small-size (model)

kogeki attack

kōgi lecture

kogimas’, kogu rows

kogitte check

kōgo spoken language, colloquial

Kōgō (Heika) the Empress

kogoe low voice, whisper

kogoto scolding kogu (kogimas’) rows

kōgyō industry

kōhei fair, impartial

kōhii coffee; -ten, -ya coffeeshop

koi¹ carp (fish)

koi² love

koi³ intention

kōi goodwill

koibito sweetheart

koitsu this one, this guy

kōji construction work

kojiki beggar

kojin individual

kōjitsu excuse, pretext

kōjō factory

kōkai public

kōkan exchange

koke moss

kōkishin curiosity, inquisitiveness

kōkkai assembly, parliament, congress, Diet

kokkei amusing, funny

kokku cook

koko here, this place

kokonotsu nine

kokonoka 9 days; the 9th day

kōkoku advertisement

kokoro mind, heart, spirit, feeling

kokoro-mochi feelings, spirit, mood

kokorozuke tip, gratuity

kokuban blackboard

kokubō national defense

kokujin negro

kokumin a people, a nation

kokunai internal, domestic, inland

kokuritsu national, government-run

kokusai international

kokuseki nationality

kokyō hometown, birthplace

kokyū respiration, breathing

kōkyū high-class

koma a toy top

komakai 1. fine, small 2. detailed, exact 3. thrifty 4. small change

komarimas’, komaru gets perplexed, embarrassed, is at a loss

komban tonight

Komban wa. Good evening.

kombō club, billy-club, bludgeon

kombu (kind of seaweed)

kome rice

komi-itta complicated, intricate, elaborate

komori babysitter

kōmori 1. bat 2. umbrella

kompon foundation, basis

kōmurimas’, kōmuru sustains, suffers, incurs

kon dark blue

kona powder; flour

kona-gusuri powdered medicine

konashimas’, konasu powders; digests

kondo this time; next time

kongetsu this month

kongo from now on, in the future

konkūru prize contest

konna such a

konnan difficulty, trouble, hardship

konnichi wa. Good afternoon. (Hello.)

kono this

kono-aida lately

konomimas’, konomu likes, is fond of, prefers

kon-yaku engagement (to be married)

konzatsu confusion, jumble, disorder

koppu a glass, a cup

koraemas’, koraeru 1. stands, bears 2. controls, restrains, represses

kore this one

kore-ra these

kōri¹ ice

kōritsu public, municipal

korogarimas’, korogaru rolls, tumbles

koroshimas’, korosu kills

kōru-gāru call girl

koruku (-nuki) cork (-screw)

kōryo consideration, reflection

kōsa-ten an intersection (of streets)

kōsai social relations, company

koshi hips

koshi-kakemas’, -kakeru sits down

koshimas’, kosu goes over; exceeds

koshiraemas’, koshiraeru makes, builds

koshō¹ 1. damage, something wrong 2. hindrance, impediment

koshō² pepper

kōshō negotiations; connections

kōshū the public, the masses

... koso indeed (it is...)

kosu (koshimas’) goes over; exceeds

kōsui perfume

kosurimas’, kosuru rub, scrape

kotaemas’, kotaeru answers

Kōtaishi (Denka) the Crown Prince

kotchi = kochira koto thing, matter; fact; case; experience... (suru) koto ga aru does do it; does it sometimes;... (suru) koto ga nai never does it;... (sh’ta) koto ga aru has done it;... (sh’ta) koto ga nai has never done it

kotoba 1. word, words; sentence (spoken) 2. speech 3. language

kotonarimas, kotonaru is different, differs

koto-ni especially; moreover, what is more

kotoshi this year

kotowarimas’, kotowaru 1. refuses, declines, begs off 2. makes excuses

kotowaza a proverb

kotozuke, kotozute a message (for some-one)

kōtsū communication; traffic

kottō-hin curios, antiques

kowai 1. afraid; frightful 2. terrific, swell

kowaremas’, kowareru it breaks

kowashimas’, kowasu breaks it

koya hut, shed

kō yū this sort of, such

kōzan a mine

kozara saucer

kōzen open(ly), public(ly)

kozuchi a small hammer

kozukai pin money, pocket money

kozutsumi package, parcel

ku¹ nine

ku² a ward (in a city)

kubarimas’, kubaru distributes, allots; deals (cards)

kubetsu difference; discrimination

kubi neck

kubomi hollow, dent, depression

kuchi 1. mouth 2. words, speech 3. entrance; hole, opening 4. cork, stopper 5. job opening

kuchi-beni lipstick

kuchimas’, kuchiru rots, decays

kuda pipe, tube

kudakemas’, kudakeru it breaks, it smashes

kudakimas’, kudaku breaks it, smashes it

kudamono fruit

kudari down, going down; descent

kudarimas’, kudaru comes (goes) down; falls, drops

... kudasai please

kudasaimas’. kudasaru gives; does the favor of

kudashi a purgative, a laxitive; a vermifuge

kudoi 1. long-winded, dull 2. thick, greasy

kufū device, scheme

kugatsu September

kugi nail

kugiri punctuation

kūgun air force

kui post, stake, pile

kuimas, kuu eats

kuji a lot (in a lottery)

kujira whale

kuki stalk, stem

kūki air

kuma bear

kumi a set, suit, pack; a class, band, company

kumiai association, guild, union

kumiawase assortment, mixture

kumimas’, kumu ladles, scoops up; considers, sympathize

kumitate structure, set-up, organization, frame-work

kumo¹ cloud

kumo² spider

kumorimas’, kumoru gets cloudy

... kun young Mr....

kuni 1. country 2. native place, home area

kura¹ saddle

kura² warehouse, storeroom, cellar

kurabemas’, kuraberu compares, contrasts

kurabu club

kurai¹ dark, gloomy

kurai² 1. grade, rank 2. situation; fix; as much as; to the extent; about, approximately

kurashimas’, kurasu lives, gets by, makes a living

kurasu class

kuremas’, kureru¹ gives; does the favor of

kuremas’, kureru² gets dark

kuri chestnut

kuriimu cream

kuriiningu cleaning (clothes)

kurimas’, kuru winds, reels

Kurisumasu Christmas

kurō difficulties, hardships

kuroi black

kurōto expert, professional

kuru¹ (kimas’) comes

kuruimas’, kuruu goes mad, insane; gets warped; gets out of order

kuruma car; taxi; vehicle

kurushii painful; hard, heavy

kusa, k’sa grass, weed

kusai, k’sai smelly, stinking; fishy, questionable

kusari, k’sari chain

kusarimas’, kusaru goes bad, rots, decays

kuse, k’se a habit

kushami, k’shami a sneeze

kushi 1. a comb 2. a skewer, a spit

kuso, k’so dung, excrement

kusugurimas’, kusuguru tickles

kusuguttai ticklish

kusuri, k’suri medicine

kusuri-ya, k’suri-ya drugstore

kutabiremas’, kutabireru gets tired

kutsu shoes

kutsu-bera shoehorn

kutsu-himo shoelace

kutsu-migaki shoeshine

kutsu-shita, kutsu-sh’ta socks

kuttsukimas’, kuttsuku sticks to

kuu (kuimas’) eats; bites

kuwa¹ hoe

kuwa² mulberry

kuwaemas’, kuwaeru adds; imposes

kuwashii detailed

kuzu waste, trash, rags

kuzushimas’, kuzusu 1. cashes, changes, breaks (into small money) 2. breaks down, demolishes 3. simplifies

kyabarē cabaret, nightclub

kyabetsu cabbage

kyaku (o-kyaku) visitor, guest, customer

kyandē candy

kyarameru caramels

kyatsu = koitsu kyō today

kyōdai brothers and sisters; brother; sister

kyōdō union, cooperation, joint

kyōgi¹ game, match, contest

kyōgi² conference, discussion

kyōiku education

kyōju professor

kyōkai church

-kyoku office, bureau

kyokutō Far East

kyōmi interest

kyonen last year

kyori distance

Kyōsan-shugi (-shugisha) Communism, (-ist)

kyōshi teacher, instructor, tutor

kyōshitsu classroom, schoolroom

kyōsō competition, rivalry, contest

kyōtsū common, general

kyōyō¹ for common use, for public use

kyōyō² culture, education, refinement

kyū class, grade

kyūkō express (train, etc)

kyūryō pay, salary

kyūri cucumber

kyūyo allowance, salary

kyūyō¹ recreation, relaxation, rest

kyūyō² urgent business

M

Ma room; space; time; leisure

mā well; I should say; perhaps

machi town

machigai mistake

machimas’, matsu waits for

mada (not) yet; still

madara spots, spotted, polka dots

... made until; as far as; to

mado window

mae front; in front of; before

magarimas’, magaru 1. turns, goes around 2. it bends, curves

magemas’, mageru bends it, curves it

mago grandchild

mahi paralysis

mai- each

maiasa every morning

maiban every night

maido every time

maigo lost; a lost child

mainen every year

mainichi every day; all the time

mairimas’, mairu 1. I come, I go 2. visits, calls on 3. is defeated, loses (a game, etc.) 4. is floored, stumped

maisō burial

Maitta! You’ve got me!

majime serious, sober

majirimas’, majiru mixes

majiwarimas’, majiwaru associates with

makasemas’, makaseru entrust with, leaves in one’s hands

makashimas’, makasu 1. beats down the price 2. defeats

makemas’, makeru 1. comes down on the price 2. loses, is defeated 3. is inferior

maki¹ firewood

maki² a roll; a volume

maki-e raised lacquer

makimas’, maku rolls up; winds; wraps

makoto sincere; faithful; true; genuine

makura pillow

... mama as it is; as one wants

makurimas’, makuru turn up; roll up

mame¹ beans

mame² blister, corn, bunion

mamorimas’, mamoru defends, protects

man 10,000

man- fully

mane imitation

manekimas’, maneku invites

manga cartoon, comics

man-ichi if by any chance

man-in full (of people)

mannaka the very middle

mannenhitsu fountain pen

manukaremas’, manukareru escape from, be exempt from

manzai cross-talk comedy

mare rare

mari ball

maru circle, ring; zero

maru- fully

maru de perfectly, completely

marui round

masarimas’, masaru surpasses, is superior

mashimas’, masu increases, raises, swells

massaka-sama head over heels

massugu straight

mata¹ again; moreover

mata² groin; crotch

mata-wa or, or else; also

matchi match

mato aim, target

matomarimas’, matomaru is settled, arranged, finished

matomemas’, matomeru settles, arranges

matsu¹ pine tree

matsu² (machimas’) waits for

matsuri a festival

mattaku quite, completely

mawarimas’, mawaru goes around

mawashimas’, mawasu turns around, passes around

mayoimas’, mayou gets lost; gets dazed; gets perplexed

mayu 1. eyebrows 2. cocoon

mazu first of all, before anything else

mazui 1. untasty 2. awkward, poor 3. in-advisable 4. ugly

mazushii poor, needy

me 1. eye 2. bud

-me -th (istutu-me “5th”)

mechamecha in pieces, all confused, in disorder

medetai 1. auspicious, happy 2. simpleminded

megane eyeglasses

mei niece

meibutsu a local speciality, a special attraction, a famous product

meijin expert

meirei order, command

meishi name card, business card, calling card

meishi-ire card case

meiwaku trouble, annoyance

meiyo prestige, honor, glory

mekura blind

mekurimas’, mekuru 1. turn over; turn up 2. tear off

men¹ mask; surface; front

men² cotton

mendō trouble, difficulty, nuisance

menkai interview, meeting

meriyasu knitted goods

meshi cooked rice; a meal

meshiagare Bon appetit!; enjoy your meal!

meshiagarimas’, meshiagaru 1. eats 2. drinks

meshimas’, mesu in formal speech can replace such verbs as kimas’ (wears), tabemas’ (eats), nomimas’ (drinks), etc.

meshitsukai servant

me-tsuki a look (in one’s eyes)

metta reckless, rash

metta ni + NEGATIVE VERB seldom

mezamashi (-dokei) alarm clock

mezurashii rare, uncommon, novel, curious

mi 1. fruit, nut 2. body

mi (–) INFINITIVE OF miru (seeing)

mibun social standing

miburi gesture, movement

michi street, road

michimas’, michiru is complete, is full

midare disorder

midashimas’, midasu throws into disorder

midori green

miemas’, mieru 1. is visible, can be seen 2. shows up, comes

migakimas’, migaku polishes, shines

migi right

migoto splendid, beautiful

migurushii unseemly, unsightly

mihon a sample

mijikai short (not long)

mikan tangerine

mikata 1. a friend, an accomplice 2. a view-point

mikka 3 days; 3rd day

mikomi 1. promise, hope 2. expectation 3. opinion

mimai a visit (especially of sympathy, etc.)

mimas’, miru sees, looks; tries doing

mimi ear

mimi-wa earring

mina-san you all, everybody

minami south

mine peak, summit

minkan the people; civilians; civil

mino straw raincoat

minori crop, harvest

minshu-shugi democracy

minshū the masses, the people

min-yō folk song, ballad

minzoku race, nation, people

mirin sweet saké

miru (mimas’) sees, looks; tries doing

miruku milk

mise store, shop

misemas’, miseru shows

misemono exhibition, exhibit

mishin sewing machine

miso bean paste

misu bamboo blind

mitashimas’, mitasu fills up, satisfies

mitomemas’, mitomeru recognizes, admits

mitsukarimas’, mitsukaru is found, discovered

mitsukemas’, mitsukeru finds, discovers

mittsu three

miukemas’, miukeru observes, happens to see

miyage a present, a souvenir

miyako capital, city

mizo drain, ditch

mizu (cold) water

mizuumi a lake

... mo also, too

... mo ... mo both...and...; neither... nor ...

mō 1. already; now 2. more

mochi rice cake

mochimas’, motsu has, holds, carries

mochir on of course

modoshimas’, modosu 1. vomits 2. sends back, returns

mohan model, pattern

moji letter, character, writing

mōkemas’, mōkeru¹ makes money, profits

mōkemas’, mōkeru² prepares, sets up

mokuhan woodblock print

mokuhyō target, goal

mokuroku catalog, list, table, inventory

mokutan charcoal

mokuteki aim, objective, purpose

mokuyōbi Thursday

mokuyoku bathing

momen cotton

momiji 1. maples 2. autumn leaves

momimas’, momu massages; rubs; pounds on

momo 1. peach 2. hip, thigh

mon¹ family crest

mon² gate

mondai question, problem, topic

mon (o) 1. thing 2. person... (sh’ta) mon (o) des’ used to...

... mono because

mono- (emphatic prefix with adjectives)

monogatari a tale, a legend

monozuki curious, inquisitive

moppara principally, chiefly

moraimas’, morau receives, gets; has someone do for one

morashimas’, morasu lets leak; reveals

moremas’, moreru leaks out; is omitted

mori woods, forest

morimas’, moru piles it up, accumulates it

moroi britle, frail

mōru lace

moshi if

moshi moshi! hello! hey! say!

mōshikomi application

mōshimas’, mōsu 1. I say 2. I do

moto 1. origin, source 2. (at the) foot (of)

motomemas’, motomeru
1. wants, looks for
2. asks for
3. buys, gets

moto-yori from the beginning; by nature

motozukimas’, motozuku is based on; conforms to

motsu (mochimas’) has, holds, carries

mottai-nai 1. is undeserving 2. it is wasteful

motte ikimas’, iku takes

motte imas’, iru has, holds

motte kimas’, kuru brings

motto more, still more; longer

motto-mo 1. most, exceedingly 2. indeed, of course 3. but, however

moyō pattern

mucha unreasonable; reckless; disorderly

muchi a whip

muchū trance, ecstasy

muda futile, no good, wasteful; useless

mudan without notice, without permission

mugi grain; wheat, barley

mugiwara straw

mugoi cruel, brutal

muika 6 days; the 6th day

majaki naive, innocent, unsophisticated

mujō heartless

mujun inconsistent; contradiction

mukaemas’, mukaeru meets; welcomes; invites

mukaimas’, mukau opposes; heads for

mukashi ancient times

mukimas’, muku 1. faces 2. skins, pares

muko son-in-law; bridegroom

mukō opposite, across the way; over there (in America, etc.)

mukuimas’, mukuiru repays; compensates

mumei nameless, anonymous

munashii empty; futile, in vain

mune¹ chest, breast; heart, mind

mune² purport, effect, intent

mura village

mure group, throng, flock

muri (shimas’) (is) unreasonable, violent; overdoes; asking too much

muryō free of charge

mushi insect; worm

mushi-atsui muggy, close, sultry, humid

mushi-ba decayed tooth

mushi-kudasi vermifuge, worm remedy

mushimas’, musu steams; is sultry, humid

musubimas’, musubu ties; ties up, winds up; wears a tie

musuko, mus’ko son

musume daughter; girl

muttsu six

muyō unnecessary; useless; having no business

muzukashii hard, difficult

muzumuzu itchy, crawly, creepy

myō strange, queer

myōgonichi day after tomorrow

myōnichi tomorrow

N

n’ = no

na¹ name

na² greens, vegetables

... na! sin’t it, don’t-you-know, you see

nabe pan, pot

nademas’, naderu soothes, pets

nae seedling

nagai, nagaku long

... -nagara while...-ing

nagaremas’, nagareru flows

nagashi kitchen sink

nagashimas’, nagasu lets flow

nagaya tenement house

nagekimas’, nageku weeps, moans, laments

nagemas’, nageru throws

nagurimas’, naguru knock, beat, strike

nagusame comfort, consolation

nagusami amusement, entertainment

nai (arimasen) there is no..., has no..., lacks

naichi inside the country, inland, internal

naifu knife

naigai inside and out; home and abroad; approximately

naikaku a government cabinet

naka 1. inside, in 2. relations, terms (between people)

nakama friend, pal

nakanaka extremely (long, hard, bad, etc.), more than one might expect

...-nakereba unless

...-nakereba narimasen must, has to

nakimas’, naku 1. weeps, cries 2. bark; yelp; mew; sing (bird)

naku (te) without

nama 1. raw, uncooked; fresh 2. hard cash

namae name

namaiki impertinent

namakemas’, namakeru idles, is lazy

namari 1. lead (metal) 2. dialect, accent

Nambei South America

namboku north and south

nambu the south, the southern part

namemas’, nameru licks, tastes

nami¹ ordinary, common, average

nami² wave

namida tear

nana (tsu) seven

naname slanting, oblique, at an angle, diagonal

nan (i) what

nan-, nam- how many...

nan dai=nan des’ ka what is it

nan de mo anything at all

nanibun anyway, anyhow

nan-nara if you prefer, if you like; if you don’t want to

nan no what (kind of); of what

nanoka 7 days; the 7th day

nao still more; moreover

naorimas’, naoru is corrected, repaired, cured, fixed

naoshimas’, naosu corrects, repairs, cures, fixes

... nara if

narabemas’, naraberu arranges, lines them up

narabimas’, narabu they line up, arrange themselves

naraimas’, narau learns

narashimas’, narasu 1. smoothes, averages 2. domesticates, tames 3. sounds, rings it

naremas’, nareru gets used to, grows familiar with

nari form; personal appearance

narimas’, naru¹ becomes, gets to be, turns into; is completed; is, amounts to

narimas’, naru² (fruit) is borne

narimas’, naru³ it sounds, rings

naru-hodo I see; quite so; you are so right

nasake affection, feeling, tenderness, compassion

nashi pear

...-nashi without

nashimas’, nasu achieves, forms, does

nasu eggplant

nata hatchet

natsu summer

natsu-mikan Japanese grapefruit

nawa rope, cord

naya barn, shed

nayami suffering, distress, torment

naze why

nazo riddle

ne 1. root 2. sound 3. sleeping 4. price

... ne! (nē!) isn’t it, don’t-you-know, you see

nebari stickiness

negaimas’, negau asks for, requests, begs

neji screw

neji-mawashi screwdriver

neko cat

nekutai necktie

nemas’, neru goes to bed, lies down, sleeps

nemmatsu the end of the year

nemui sleepy

nemurimas’, nemuru sleeps

nen¹ year

nen² deliberation, attention

nenryō fuel

neraimas’, nerau aims at, watches for, seeks

nerimas’, neru kneads

neru¹ (nemas’) goes to bed, lies down, sleeps

neru² (nerimas’) kneads

neru³ flannel

nē-san (o-nē-san) big sister; Miss

netsu fever; heat

neuchi value, worth

nezumi mouse, rat

ni¹ two

ni² load, burden

... ni in, at; to; for; with; and

niaimas’, niau is becoming, suits

nibui dull

Nichi- Japanese

Nichi-Bei Japan and America

nichiyōbi Sunday

ni-do two times

niemas’, nieru it boils, it cooks

nigashimas’, nigasu turns loose; lets get away

nigemas’, nigeru grasps, grips, clutches

nigiyaka merry, bustling, lively, flourishing

Nihon Japan

Nihon-jin Japanese (people)

Nihongo Japanese (language)

Nihon-sei made in Japan

nii-san big brother

niji rainbow

ni-jū 1. twenty 2. double, duplicate

ni-kai 1. second floor, upstairs 2. two times

nikibi pimple

nikoniko smiling

niku meat

nikui dislikable, hated; hard, difficult

nikutai flesh, the body

nikuya butcher

nimas’¹, niru resembles

nimas’², niru boils, cooks

nimotsu baggage, load

nimpu coolie, workman

-nin person

ninaimas’, ninau carries on shoulders

ningen human being

ningyō doll

ninjō human nature, human feelings, warm-heartedness

ninki popularity

ninsoku coolie, workman

ninshin pregnancy

ninshin-chūzetsu abortion

nioi a smell

nira a leek; a green onion

niramimas’, niramu glares, stares

niru¹ (nimas’) boils, cooks

niru² (nimas’) resembles

nise phony, imitation

nishiki brocade

nishin herring

nisu varnish

ni-tō 2nd class

niwa garden

niwatori chicken

no (no-hara) field

... no 1. SUBORDINATING PARTICLE: of, pertaining to, in, at 2. = da which is 3. the one 4. (= koto) the fact, the act

nobashimas’, nobasu; nobemas’, noberu¹ extends it, reaches; spreads it

nobemas’, noberu² tells, relates

nobimas’, nobiru it extends, reaches; it spreads

noborimas’, noboru climbs, goes up

nodo throat

nodo ga kawakimas’, -kawaku is thirsty

nōgyō agriculture

no-hara field

nokemas’, nokeru removes; omits

noki eaves

nokogiri a saw

nokorimas’, nokoru remains, is left behind (over)

nokoshimas’, nokosu leaves behind (over)

nokimas’, noku gets out of the way

nomi¹ chisel

nomi² flea

nomimas’, nomu drinks

nomimizu drinking water

nomimono beverage, something to drink

nōmin the farmers

nonki easygoing, happy-go-lucky

noren shop curtain; credit

nori 1. paste; starch 2. seaweed

norikaemas’, norikaeru changes (trains, buses, etc.)

norimas’, noru gets aboard, rides

nōritsu efficiency

noroi slow, dull

noru (norimas’) gets aboard, rides; is found in

nosemas’, noseru loads, puts aboard, ships; publishes

nōzei payment of taxes

... nozoite except for, with the exception of

nozokimas’, nozoku 1. peeps at 2. removes, eliminates; omits

nozomashii desirable, welcome

nozomimas’, nozomu desires, looks to, hopes for; looks out on

nugimas’, nugu takes off (clothes, shoes, etc.)

nuguimas’, nuguu wipes away

nuimas’, nuu sews

nukemas’, nukeru comes off; escapes; is omitted

nukimas’, nuku uncorks; removes; omits; surpasses; selects

numa swamp, marsh

nurashimas’, nurasu wets, dampens

nuremas’, nureru gets wet, damp

nuri lacquer, varnish, painting

nurimono lacquerware

nurimas’, nuru lacquers, paints, varnishes

nurui lukewarm; sluggish

nushi master, owner

nusumimas’, nusumu steals, swipes, robs

nuu (nuimas’) sews

nyūbai the rainy season

nyūgaku admission to a school, entering a school

nyūin entering a hospital, hospital admission

nyūjō-ken admission ticket

nyūsu news

nyūyō necessary, needed

nyūyoku bath, taking a bath