Japanese Vocabulary for Advanced Learners266

Expanding your vocabulary is an essential part of becoming fluent in Japanese. While learning the basics is important, there comes a point when you need to start incorporating more advanced words into your speech and writing. This can be a daunting task, but with a little effort, you can quickly increase your vocabulary and improve your overall Japanese proficiency.

In this article, we will introduce you to some of the most common and useful advanced Japanese words. We will provide you with the meaning, pronunciation, and usage of each word, as well as example sentences to help you understand how they are used in context.

1. 絢爛 (けんらん) -絢烂* Meaning: Gorgeous, splendid, brilliant
* Pronunciation: [ken-ran]
* Usage: This word is often used to describe something that is visually stunning or impressive. For example, you could say "絢爛たる星空" (kenrantaru hoshizora) to describe a beautiful starry night.

2. 凄絶 (せいぜつ) -凄絶* Meaning: Desolate, forlorn, miserable
* Pronunciation: [sei-zetsu]
* Usage: This word is often used to describe a place or situation that is bleak or depressing. For example, you could say "凄絶たる廃墟" (seizetaru haikyō) to describe a desolate ruin.

3. 憂鬱 (ゆううつ) -忧郁* Meaning: Melancholy, sadness, gloom
* Pronunciation: [yū-utsu]
* Usage: This word is used to describe a feeling of sadness or depression. For example, you could say "私は憂鬱な気分だ" (watashi wa yūutsu na kibun da) to express that you are feeling sad.

4. 恍惚 (こうこつ) -恍惚* Meaning: Rapture, ecstasy, bliss
* Pronunciation: [kō-kotsu]
* Usage: This word is used to describe a feeling of overwhelming joy or happiness. For example, you could say "私は恍惚とした気分だ" (watashi wa kōkotsu shita kibun da) to express that you are feeling overjoyed.

5. 邂逅 (かいこう) -邂逅* Meaning: Chance encounter, fortuitous meeting
* Pronunciation: [kai-kō]
* Usage: This word is used to describe a meeting or encounter that happens by chance. For example, you could say "私たちは駅のホームで邂逅した" (watashitachi wa eki no hōmu de kaikō shita) to describe how you met someone by chance at the train station.

6. 刹那 (せつな) -刹那* Meaning: Moment, instant, fleeting moment
* Pronunciation: [setsu-na]
* Usage: This word is used to describe a moment or instant that is fleeting or transient. For example, you could say "人生は刹那の連続である" (jinsei wa setsuna no renzoku de aru) to express that life is a series of fleeting moments.

7. Ephemeral (はかない) -无常* Meaning: Transient, fleeting, impermanent
* Pronunciation: [ha-ka-na-i]
* Usage: This word is used to describe something that is temporary or short-lived. For example, you could say "花は儚いものだ" (hana wa hakanaimono da) to express that flowers are a transient thing.

8. 幽玄 (ゆうげん) -幽玄* Meaning: Profound, subtle, mysterious
* Pronunciation: [yū-gen]
* Usage: This word is used to describe something that is difficult to understand or explain, but is also beautiful or profound. For example, you could say "日本の伝統芸術には幽玄な美しさがある" (nihon no dentō geijutsu ni wa yūgen na utsukushisa ga aru) to express that traditional Japanese art has a profound and mysterious beauty.

9. 侘寂 (わびさび) -侘寂* Meaning: Imperfection, simplicity, rusticity
* Pronunciation: [wa-bi-sa-bi]
* Usage: This word is used to describe a Japanese aesthetic that emphasizes the beauty of imperfection and simplicity. For example, you could say "茶道のわびさび" (sadō no wabi-sabi) to describe the rustic beauty of the Japanese tea ceremony.

10. 物哀 (ものあわれ) -物哀* Meaning: Pathos, sadness, beauty of sadness
* Pronunciation: [mono-no-aware]
* Usage: This word is used to describe a feeling of sadness or pathos that is also beautiful or moving. For example, you could say "秋の夕暮れには物哀しさを感じる" (aki no yūgure ni wa mono no aware wo kanjiru) to express that you feel a sense of sadness and beauty when you see the sunset in autumn.

11. 粋 (いき) -粋* Meaning: Chic, stylish, sophisticated
* Pronunciation: [i-ki]
* Usage: This word is used to describe someone or something that is stylish or sophisticated. For example, you could say "あの彼女は粋な人だ" (ano kanojo wa iki na hito da) to express that a particular woman is stylish or sophisticated.

12. 気骨 (きこつ) -气骨* Meaning: Courage, spirit, backbone
* Pronunciation: [ki-ko-tsu]
* Usage: This word is used to describe someone who has a strong spirit or backbone. For example, you could say "彼は気骨のある人だ" (kare wa kiko tsu no aru hito da) to express that a particular man is a courageous or strong-willed person.

13. 義理 (ぎり) -义理* Meaning: Duty, obligation, loyalty
* Pronunciation: [gi-ri]
* Usage: This word is used to describe a sense of duty or obligation to someone or something. For example, you could say "私は彼に義理がある" (watashi wa kare ni giri ga aru) to express that you feel a sense of duty or obligation to a particular person.

14. 恩義 (おんぎ) -恩义* Meaning: Gratitude, favor, debt of gratitude
* Pronunciation: [on-gi]
* Usage: This word is used to describe a feeling of gratitude or indebtedness to someone who has done you a favor. For example, you could say "私は彼に恩義がある" (watashi wa kare ni ongi ga aru) to express that you feel a sense of gratitude or indebtedness to a particular person.

15. 情け (なさけ) -情* Meaning: Compassion, mercy, kindness
* Pronunciation: [na-sa-ke]
* Usage: This word is used to describe a feeling of compassion or mercy towards someone. For example, you could say "彼は情け深い人だ" (kare wa nasakebukai hito da) to express that a particular person is compassionate or merciful.

2024-11-09

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