Practice for JLPT N2: vocabulary list and top resources

2025/11/29

Preparing for the JLPT N2 vocabulary requirement demands a strategic approach to mastering the extensive word list involved.

With approximately 6,000 total words needed, including around 2,000 new vocabulary words, discover how to structure your JLPT N2 vocabulary practice.

Is JLPT N2 really an advanced level?

The question of whether N2 represents true “advanced” proficiency often sparks debate among Japanese learners. According to CEFR standards, JLPT N2 corresponds to approximately B1-B2 level, which is actually high-intermediate rather than fully advanced. N1, by contrast, aligns more closely with C1 proficiency.

In practical terms, N2 allows you to handle everyday conversations, read newspaper articles, and understand formal discussions. However, it doesn’t guarantee the nuance, speed, and cultural depth of native-level fluency.

How is JLPT N2 graded?

The JLPT N2 exam is scored out of 180 points total, divided into three sections: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary & Grammar: 0-60 points), Reading Comprehension (0-60 points), and Listening Comprehension (0-60 points).

To pass, you need a total score of 90 points (50%) AND at least 19 points in each section. 

How many vocabulary do you need to know for JLPT N2?

The official requirement is approximately 6,000 total vocabulary words for JLPT N2, which includes vocabulary from all previous levels. 

However, roughly 2,000 of these are new words specific to N2. The most frequently tested words are far fewer, approximately 1,500-2,000 high-frequency words account for the majority of JLPT N2 vocabulary questions.

What type of vocabulary will you encounter on JLPT N2?

JLPT N2 vocabulary extends far beyond everyday conversation. You’ll encounter four primary categories: 

• Commonly Used Nouns (related to society, economics, daily life)
• Verbs and Adjectives (complex conjugations)
• Kanji Mastery (~1,000 characters)
• Expressions and Idioms (formal phrases requiring cultural understanding).

Complete JLPT N2 vocabulary list (Free PDF download) 

Below is a selection of the most essential JLPT N2 vocabulary words list organized alphabetically:

Number	Japanese	Kana	English
1	暴れる	あばれる	to act violently; to rage; to struggle
2	溢れる	あふれる	to overflow; to brim over; to flood
3	愛着	あいちゃく	attachment; love; covetous affection
4	合間	あいま	interval; break; pause; spare moment
5	曖昧	あいまい	vague; ambiguous; unclear
6	愛らしい	あいらしい	pretty; charming; lovely; adorable
7	相性	あいしょう	affinity; compatibility
8	相次いで	あいついで	one after another; successively
9	愛用	あいよう	favorite; habitually used
10	味付け	あじつけ	seasoning; flavor
11	赤字	あかじ	deficit; red letter; corrections
12	飽き	あき	weariness; boredom; tedium
13	空き地	あきち	vacant land; unoccupied ground; empty lot
14	諦め	あきらめ	resignation; acceptance; consolation
15	悪化	あっか	deterioration; growing worse; aggravation
16	憧れ	あこがれ	yearning; longing; aspiration; admiration
17	憧れる	あこがれる	to long for; to yearn after; to admire
18	悪影響	あくえいきょう	bad influence; negative influence
19	悪意	あくい	ill will; spite; evil intention; malice
20	悪条件	あくじょうけん	unfavorable conditions
21	雨水	あまみず	rain water
22	甘やかす	あまやかす	to pamper; to spoil
23	案外	あんがい	unexpectedly; surprisingly
24	安易	あんい	easy; simple; irresponsible; careless
25	安価	あんか	low-priced; cheap; inexpensive
26	仰向け	あおむけ	face up
27	荒い	あらい	rough; wild; violent; rude; coarse; harsh
28	洗い出す	あらいだす	to reveal by washing; to bring to light
29	予め	あらかじめ	beforehand; in advance; previously
30	争う	あらそう	to compete; to contest; to oppose
31	改める	あらためる	to change; to alter; to revise; to improve
32	荒れる	あれる	to be stormy; to be rough; to be ruined
33	焦り	あせり	impatience
34	焦る	あせる	to be in a hurry; to be impatient; to be flustered
35	足を運ぶ	あしをはこぶ	to go; to come; to turn out; to show up
36	圧勝	あっしょう	complete victory
37	宛	あて	addressed to
38	当てはまる	あてはまる	to apply; to be applicable; to come under
39	後回し	あとまわし	putting off; postponing
40	後戻り	あともどり	going backward; turning back; backtracking
41	あっという間	あっというま	a blink of time
42	厚かましい	あつかましい	impudent; shameless; brazen
43	慌ただしい	あわただしい	busy; hurried; confused; flurried
44	怪しい	あやしい	suspicious; dubious; dangerous; strange; shady
45	歩み寄る	あゆみよる	to compromise; to meet halfway; to approach
46	歩む	あゆむ	to walk; to go on foot
47	鮮やか	あざやか	vivid; bright; brilliant; clear; fresh; vibrant
48	倍増	ばいぞう	double
49	離れ	はなれ	separation; loss of interest; independence
50	ばっさり	ばっさり	with a single stroke; resolutely; drastically
51	別荘	べっそう	holiday house; vacation home; villa
52	美術	びじゅつ	art; fine arts
53	敏感	びんかん	sensitive; alert; aware; susceptible
54	びっしょり	びっしょり	wet through; drenched
55	美容院	びよういん	beauty parlor; beauty salon; hairdressing salon
56	募金	ぼきん	fundraising; collection of funds
57	牧場	ぼくじょう	farm; ranch; pasture land; meadow
58	膨大	ぼうだい	huge; vast; enormous; colossal; extensive
59	防犯	ぼうはん	prevention of crime
60	防災	ぼうさい	prevention of disaster; protection
61	部員	ぶいん	staff; member of club or society
62	部下	ぶか	subordinate person
63	分別	ぶんべつ	separation; classification; discrimination
64	分解	ぶんかい	disassembly; dismantling; analysis
65	分割	ぶんかつ	partition; division; separation; segmenting
66	文系	ぶんけい	humanities; social sciences; liberal arts
67	文献	ぶんけん	literature; books; document
68	文面	ぶんめん	content of a letter
69	分配	ぶんぱい	division; splitting; distribution; allocation
70	分量	ぶんりょう	amount; quantity
71	分担	ぶんたん	division of work; apportionment; allotment
72	物資	ぶっし	goods; materials; commodities; supplies
73	着々と	ちゃくちゃくと	steadily
74	着実	ちゃくじつ	steady; sound; solid; reliable; trustworthy
75	縮める	ちぢめる	to shorten; to reduce; to condense; to shrink
76	縮む	ちぢむ	to shrink; to contract; to diminish
77	近々	ちかぢか	soon; nearness; before long
78	近づく	ちかづく	to approach; to draw near; to get close
79	蓄積	ちくせき	accumulation; accumulate; store
80	散らかす	ちらかす	to scatter around; to leave untidy
81	地帯	ちたい	area; zone; belt of land
82	知的	ちてき	intellectual
83	地点	ちてん	site; point on a map; spot
84	地球温暖化	ちきゅうおんだんか	global warming
85	直結	ちょくけつ	direct connection; direct link
86	直後	ちょくご	immediately following
87	直立	ちょくりつ	standing upright; standing straight
88	直前	ちょくぜん	just before
89	長編	ちょうへん	long work; long novel; long film
90	長方形	ちょうほうけい	rectangle; oblong
91	長期間	ちょうきかん	long period of time
92	彫刻	ちょうこく	carving; engraving; sculpture
93	彫刻家	ちょうこくか	engraver; carver; sculptor
94	長距離	ちょうきょり	long distance; long haul
95	調味料	ちょうみりょう	seasoning; flavoring; condiment
96	調理	ちょうり	cooking; food preparation
97	調整	ちょうせい	adjustment; regulation; coordination
98	調節	ちょうせつ	regulation; adjustment; control
99	聴衆	ちょうしゅう	audience; attendance; hearers
100	注意点	ちゅういてん	important point; point to note
101	抽象	ちゅうしょう	abstraction
102	中断	ちゅうだん	interruption; suspension; break
103	注意深い	ちゅういぶかい	careful
104	忠実	ちゅうじつ	faithful; devoted; loyal; honest; true
105	中旬	ちゅうじゅん	middle of a month
106	中華	ちゅうか	Chinese food
107	中継	ちゅうけい	relay; relay broadcasting
108	駐輪所	ちゅうりんじょ	bicycle parking place
109	抽選	ちゅうせん	lottery; raffle; drawing of lots
110	大学院	だいがくいん	graduate school
111	大学祭	だいがくさい	university festival; rag day
112	台無し	だいなし	mess; spoiled; ruined
113	題名	だいめい	title
114	段取り	だんどり	programme; program; plans; arrangements
115	段階	だんかい	grade; level; stage; phase; steps; order
116	団結	だんけつ	unity; union; solidarity; combination
117	だらし無い	だらしない	slovenly; sloppy; untidy; undisciplined
118	脱出	だっしゅつ	escape; break-out; prolapse
119	妥当	だとう	valid; proper; right; appropriate
120	出来上がる	できあがる	to be completed; to be finished
121	電源	でんげん	source of electricity; electrical power
122	電気屋	でんきや	electric appliance store
123	電波	でんぱ	radio wave; reception; signal
124	伝染	でんせん	contagion; infection
125	伝達	でんたつ	transmission; communication; delivery
126	土台	どだい	foundation; base; basis
127	独占	どくせん	monopoly; monopolization; exclusivity
128	読者	どくしゃ	reader
129	独身者	どくしんしゃ	unmarried person; bachelor
130	道中	どうちゅう	during the journey; on the way
131	動機	どうき	motive; incentive
132	同居	どうきょ	coexistence; living together
133	同年代	どうねんだい	the same generation; coeval
134	導入	どうにゅう	introduction; bringing in; installation
135	動作	どうさ	action; movements; motions; behavior
136	同等	どうとう	equality; equal; equivalence
137	絵本	えほん	picture book
138	影響力	えいきょうりょく	influence; clout; leverage
139	映像	えいぞう	image on screen; picture; video
140	駅前	えきまえ	in front of station
141	延長	えんちょう	extension; elongation; prolongation
142	円形	えんけい	round shape; circle; circular form
143	演じる	えんじる	to perform; to play a part; to act
144	円満	えんまん	harmonious; peaceful; happy; amicable
145	襟	えり	collar; lapel; neckband; neck
146	不安定	ふあんてい	instability; insecurity; crankiness
147	不調	ふちょう	bad condition; disorder; slump
148	不動産	ふどうさん	real estate
149	不動産屋	ふどうさんや	real estate agent; realtor
150	不十分	ふじゅうぶん	insufficient; inadequate; imperfect
151	不快	ふかい	displeasure; discomfort; unpleasantness
152	不可欠	ふかけつ	indispensable; essential
153	深まる	ふかまる	to deepen; to heighten; to intensify
154	深める	ふかめる	to deepen; to heighten; to intensify
155	不完全	ふかんぜん	imperfect; incomplete; faulty
156	不機嫌	ふきげん	pout; displeasure; ill humor; sullenness
157	付近	ふきん	neighbourhood; vicinity; environs
158	不規則	ふきそく	irregularity; unsteadiness; disorderly
159	副	ふく	assistant; associate; vice-; sub-; deputy
160	含める	ふくめる	to include in a group or scope
161	膨らます	ふくらます	to swell; to expand; to inflate
162	膨らむ	ふくらむ	to expand; to swell; to get big
163	福祉	ふくし	welfare; well-being; social security
164	複数	ふくすう	plural; multiple; several
165	普及	ふきゅう	diffusion; spread; popularization
166	不明	ふめい	unclear; obscure; uncertain; unknown
167	不明瞭	ふめいりょう	dimness; obscurity; unclear
168	ふもと	ふもと	foot of a mountain; bottom; base
169	ふらふら	ふらふら	unsteadily; shakily; staggering
170	触れ合い	ふれあい	contact; connectedness; rapport
171	触れ合う	ふれあう	to come into contact with; to touch
172	振り込み	ふりこみ	payment via bank deposit transfer
173	振り向く	ふりむく	to turn one’s face; to turn around
174	不良品	ふりょうひん	inferior goods; defective product
175	塞ぐ	ふさぐ	to stop up; to close up; to block
176	不採用	ふさいよう	rejection of an application
177	負担	ふたん	burden; load; responsibility
178	風	ふう	appearance; air; style
179	不愉快	ふゆかい	unpleasant; disagreeable; displeasing
180	街	がい	street; quarter; district
181	外観	がいかん	outward appearance; exterior
182	外見	がいけん	outward appearance
183	概要	がいよう	outline; summary; overview
184	学費	がくひ	tuition; school expenses
185	学業	がくぎょう	studies; schoolwork; classwork
186	学年	がくねん	academic year; school year
187	学歴	がくれき	academic background
188	学生課	がくせいか	student affairs office
189	願望	がんぼう	desire; wish; aspiration
190	頑丈	がんじょう	solid; firm; stout; strong; sturdy
191	頑固	がんこ	stubborn; obstinate; pigheaded
192	がらがら	がらがら	with a clatter; with a rattle
193	がっしり	がっしり	firmly; solidly; sturdily; strongly
194	合宿	がっしゅく	lodging together; training camp
195	画用紙	がようし	drawing paper
196	芸能	げいのう	public entertainment; performing arts
197	劇的	げきてき	dramatic; exciting; touching; extreme
198	現代人	げんだいじん	modern person; people of today
199	現時点	げんじてん	present point; at the present time
200	原稿	げんこう	manuscript; copy; draft; notes
201	原理	げんり	principle; theory; fundamental truth
202	原料	げんりょう	raw materials
203	原作	げんさく	original work
204	原産	げんさん	place of origin; habitat
205	厳守	げんしゅ	strict observance; rigid adherence
206	原則	げんそく	principle; general rule
207	減速	げんそく	deceleration
208	幻想	げんそう	fantasy; illusion; vision; dream
209	限定	げんてい	limit; restriction
210	現在地	げんざいち	present location; current location
211	議題	ぎだい	topic of discussion; agenda
212	疑問点	ぎもんてん	point of uncertainty; doubt
213	銀行員	ぎんこういん	bank employee; bank staff
214	ぎりぎり	ぎりぎり	just barely; only just; at the limit
215	儀式	ぎしき	ceremony; rite; ritual; service
216	ぎっしり	ぎっしり	tightly packed; densely; closely
217	ぎざぎざ	ぎざぎざ	notches; serration; indentation
218	ごちゃごちゃ	ごちゃごちゃ	messy; confused; chaotic
219	強引	ごういん	overbearing; coercive; pushy; forcible
220	ぐったり	ぐったり	limply; wearily; listlessly
221	後日	ごじつ	in the future; another day; later
222	娯楽	ごらく	pleasure; amusement
223	合同	ごうどう	combination; union; incorporation
224	愚痴	ぐち	idle complaint; grumble
225	ぐんぐん	ぐんぐん	rapidly; vigorously; by leaps and bounds
226	行事	ぎょうじ	event; function
227	行列	ぎょうれつ	line; queue; procession; parade
228	幅広い	はばひろい	extensive; wide; broad
229	蜂	はち	bee; wasp
230	蜂蜜	はちみつ	honey
231	鉢植え	はちうえ	potted plant
232	破片	はへん	fragment; broken piece; splinter
233	背景	はいけい	background; scenery; backdrop
234	廃止	はいし	abolition; repeal
235	墓参り	はかまいり	visit to a grave
236	発揮	はっき	show of power; exhibition; demonstration
237	泊	はく	counter for nights of a stay
238	白衣	はくい	white robe; doctor’s white gown
239	鼻水	はなみず	nasal mucus; dripping nose
240	話し合い	はなしあい	discussion; conference
241	話し声	はなしごえ	speaking voice; talking voice
242	話し手	はなして	speaker
243	販売者	はんばいしゃ	seller; vendor
244	反映	はんえい	reflection; influence; application
245	半額	はんがく	half the amount; half price
246	半減	はんげん	reduction by half; halving
247	恥	はじ	shame; embarrassment; disgrace
248	反感	はんかん	antipathy; antagonism; animosity
249	半日	はんにち	half day
250	反発	はんぱつ	opposition; rebellion; resistance
251	張り切る	はりきる	to be in high spirits; to be enthusiastic
252	反論	はんろん	objection; refutation; rebuttal
253	半数	はんすう	half the number
254	腹を立てる	はらをたてる	to take offense; to get angry
255	張り紙	はりがみ	paper patch; poster; sticker
256	挟む	はさむ	to hold between; to grip; to sandwich
257	発散	はっさん	emission; emanation; diffusion
258	発想	はっそう	idea; conception; way of thinking
259	発送	はっそう	sending; forwarding; shipping
260	働き手	はたらきて	worker; breadwinner; supporter
261	果たす	はたす	to accomplish; to achieve; to fulfill
262	発言	はつげん	statement; remark; observation; speech
263	早口	はやくち	fast-talking; rapid talking
264	早まる	はやまる	to be brought forward; to be advanced
265	流行り	はやり	fashion; fad; vogue; craze
266	隔てる	へだてる	to separate; to isolate; to partition
267	平凡	へいぼん	ordinary; common; mediocre
268	平気	へいき	coolness; calmness; composure
269	弊社	へいしゃ	our firm; our company
270	閉店	へいてん	closing up shop; stopping business
271	変換	へんかん	change; conversion; transformation
272	変形	へんけい	transformation; variation; deformation
273	返金	へんきん	repayment
274	返品	へんぴん	returned goods; returning goods
275	返信	へんしん	reply; response
276	偏食	へんしょく	unbalanced diet
277	編集	へんしゅう	editing; compilation
278	返送	へんそう	sending back; return to sender
279	返答	へんとう	reply; answer
280	非	ひ	prefix: un-; non-; an-
281	日当たり	ひあたり	exposure to the sun; sunny place
282	非凡	ひぼん	extraordinary; uncommon; remarkable
283	日々	ひび	every day; daily; day after day
284	必着	ひっちゃく	must arrive; must be received
285	日帰り	ひがえり	day trip
286	日頃	ひごろ	normally; habitually
287	引き込む	ひきこむ	to pull into; to draw in; to bring in
288	引き止める	ひきとめる	to detain; to check; to restrain
289	引き取る	ひきとる	to take into one’s possession; to accept
290	引き続き	ひきつづき	continuously; continually; without a break
291	引き渡す	ひきわたす	to deliver; to hand over
292	引っかかる	ひっかかる	to be caught in; to be stuck in
293	筆記	ひっき	taking notes; copying; writing
294	非公式	ひこうしき	informal; unofficial
295	惹く	ひく	to draw attention; to attract
296	卑怯	ひきょう	cowardice; meanness; unfairness
297	非難	ひなん	criticism; blame; censure; attack
298	避難	ひなん	taking refuge; evacuation; escape
299	品質	ひんしつ	quality; material quality
300	比例	ひれい	proportion

Best resources to practice JLPT N2 vocabulary

Understanding how to complement your JLPT N2 vocabulary practice with proper resources is key. 

Top-rated Anki decks for JLPT N2 Vocabulary

Spaced repetition through digital flashcards has become indispensable for vocabulary retention. Several community-created Anki decks have emerged as trusted tools:

Shin Kanzen Master N2 Vocabulary Deck 

This adaptation of the popular textbook is meticulously organized with consistent formatting and example sentences.Test-takers report that combining the digital deck with the physical textbook creates a powerful synergy: the Anki deck handles daily review while the textbook provides deeper contextual understanding and written exercises. 

Tango 2500 Anki Deck

This JLPT N2 vocabulary Anki deck is highly appreciated for its clean presentation and inclusion of example sentences plus audio. The AnkiDrone version allows learners to delete unnecessary levels (N5-N3 cards) and focus exclusively on N2 material. 

Kanshudo Core Vocabulary Lists

Frequency-based word lists are a proven supplementary tool. Kanshudo’s comprehensive lists prioritize words by how often they appear in real Japanese. Successful test-takers often pair a specialized textbook deck with these frequency lists to ensure comprehensive coverage. Mining your own definitions from Kanshudo when reviewing strengthens retention because active retrieval creates stronger memory traces than passive recognition.

Recommended JLPT N2 vocabulary books

While Anki excels at spaced repetition, JLPT N2 vocabulary textbooks offer something digital tools cannot: contextual depth, organized progression, and structured exercises that mirror the actual exam.

Shin Kanzen Master (Vocabulary)

This textbook introduces approximately 2,200 words organized by frequency and contextual relevance. Notably, it provides no English translation, learners must work with Japanese explanations alone. Major JLPT N2  prep courses use this series as their primary reference, which speaks to its reliability and comprehensive coverage.

Nihongo Sou Matome N2 Vocabulary

For learners who find the Shin Kanzen series overwhelming, Sou Matome offers a gentler, more engaging path. Structured around one lesson per day over six weeks, it introduces roughly 1,400 words using illustrations and short sentences that feel less textbook-heavy. 

2500 Essential Vocabulary for the JLPT N2

This resource takes a topic-based approach, grouping words by semantic field (emotions, household activities, sports, professional terminology, etc.). Each word includes part of speech, English translations, and Japanese example sentences. Learners praise this book’s portability and structured layout, making it ideal for commuting or piecemeal study.

Complete your JLPT N2 preparation

Vocabulary is only one component of the JLPT N2. To aim for a balanced score, integrate your vocabulary study into a broader JLPT N2 study plan that addresses every part of the exam. Explore our dedicated articles to support your preparation, including guides on mastering JLPT N2 kanji and grammar patterns. Nihongo Online School’s JLPT Preparation Course can also be a great alternative for students who want real guidance from Japanese tutors.

If you’re progressing from N3, our JLPT N3 vocabulary review will help you strengthen your foundation before moving on to N2-level terms.