Japanese Vocabulary: 500 Essential Words for JLPT Levels 1 and 2108

Embarking on the journey of learning Japanese can be both captivating and daunting. To help you navigate the intricacies of the language, mastering a solid vocabulary foundation is crucial. This article compiles 500 essential Japanese words, meticulously selected to empower you with the language prowess required for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Levels 1 and 2.

JLPT Level 1: 150 Core Words

Basic Verbs: ある (to exist), する (to do), くれる (to give), もらう (to receive), 行く (to go), 来る (to come)

Adjectives: 良い (good), 悪い (bad), 大きい (big), 小さい (small), 高い (tall), 安い (cheap)

Nouns: 人 (person), 物 (thing), 本 (book), 家 (house), 学校 (school), 会社 (company)

Other: は (particle indicating subject), が (particle indicating contrast), ので (particle indicating reason), けど (particle indicating contrast)

JLPT Level 2: 350 Essential Words

Advanced Verbs: 思う (to think), 感じる (to feel), 見る (to see), 聞く (to hear), 話す (to speak), 書く (to write)

Advanced Adjectives: 難しい (difficult), 簡単 (easy), 近い (near), 遠い (far), 上手 (skillful), 下手 (unskillful)

Advanced Nouns: 先生 (teacher), 生徒 (student), 友達 (friend), 時間 (time), お金 (money), 食事 (meal)

Advanced Other: から (particle indicating cause), まで (particle indicating duration), なら (particle indicating condition), について (particle indicating topic)

Additional Tips for Vocabulary Mastery:
Immerse yourself in Japanese: Surround yourself with Japanese language through movies, music, books, and news articles.
Use flashcards and spaced repetition: Create flashcards for new words and review them regularly to strengthen your memory.
Practice writing and speaking: Write sentences and engage in conversations to reinforce your vocabulary in context.
Seek feedback from native speakers or teachers: Ask for pronunciation corrections and guidance on appropriate usage.
Review and revisit: Consistent revision is key to solidifying your vocabulary and preventing forgetfulness.

Mastering these essential Japanese words will not only enhance your communication skills but also pave the way for your success in the JLPT Levels 1 and 2. Remember, language learning is a journey, and with dedication and perseverance, you can unlock the beauty and depth of the Japanese language.

2025-01-19

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