JLPT N2 key terms

To cancel something already decided or arranged, such as a reservation, an order, or a statement. It often appears in notices explaining that a planned event or application will no longer go ahead.

The final date or time by which something must be submitted or completed. Used for applications, reports, and contest entries; passing it usually means your work is not accepted.

To apply for something open to the public, such as a job, contest, or course, usually by sending in a form. The person who applies is called 応募者.

The act of a company or group advertising for people to join, take part, or send in entries. It appears in ads and announcements that list conditions and explain how to apply.

A reduction in the usual price of something. Shops and services use the word in advertisements, often with a percentage or a condition such as showing a member card.

A printed slip that a shop or company gives you to prove you paid. People keep them to claim expenses at work or to show that a payment was made.

The signs of an illness that a patient notices or a doctor observes, such as fever, pain, or coughing. The word is used when describing health conditions at a clinic.

An arrangement made in advance so that a seat, room, table, or time slot is kept for you. It can be cancelled or moved to another date when plans change.

Moving a scheduled event to a later date while still planning to hold it. It differs from 中止, where the event is dropped entirely and no new date is set.

Deciding that a planned event or activity will not take place at all. It is stronger than 延期, because no new date is arranged and the plan ends completely.

Checking something to make sure it is correct or has been done. The word is common in instructions and business emails that ask the reader to verify details before acting.

To hold back from doing something out of politeness, or to politely decline an offer. On signs, ご遠慮ください means please do not do it here.

The circumstances or background reasons that explain why a situation is the way it is. It is often used when excusing a change of plans or an unexpected delay.

Putting up with something uncomfortable or annoying without complaining. It is used for pain, noise, or a desire that a person holds back and does not act on.

To say no to a request, invitation, or offer. It can also mean to tell someone in advance about something, as in 前もって断る before an event takes place.

Working beyond the normal finishing time at a workplace, usually to finish tasks that are not yet done. It is often used with する, as in 昨日は残業した.

A trip made for work, usually short and to another city, where a person visits clients or attends meetings. It is commonly used with する in business conversations.

To stop hoping for or trying to get something because it seems impossible. It is often used when a person gives up on a plan, a goal, or a chance.

Used to introduce the opposite side of what was just said, or a result that is the reverse of what you would expect. It is common in explanations and comparisons.

A connector meaning 'in other words'. It introduces a restatement or a short summary of what came before, helping the reader see the main point clearly.

A formal 'however' that adds a condition or an exception to the rule just stated. It appears very often in notices, rules, and advertisements with small print.

A formal connector meaning 'therefore'. It introduces a logical conclusion drawn from what was said before, and it appears mostly in written Japanese rather than speech.

Marks a contrast between two things or trends, meaning 'on the other hand' or 'meanwhile'. It is frequently used in reading passages that compare statistics or situations.

A pattern meaning that as one thing changes, something else changes along with it. It follows nouns or dictionary-form verbs and often describes linked, gradual changes over time.

A pattern meaning 'in addition to'. It adds another item to what has already been mentioned, and it can follow nouns or noun phrases in formal writing.

A pattern saying that a good result happened thanks to someone or something. It carries a thankful tone and contrasts with 〜せいで, which is used for bad results.

A pattern saying that a bad result happened because of someone or something. It often implies blame or complaint, unlike neutral ways of giving a reason.

A pattern used to deny part of an assumption, meaning 'it is not that ~'. It softens an absolute statement instead of negating the whole idea completely.

A written pattern meaning 'have no choice but to'. It shows that the speaker is forced into an action by circumstances, and it attaches to the ない-form stem of verbs.

A pattern telling someone there is no need to do something, or that something will not happen. It is often used to reassure or calm the person being spoken to.

A pattern meaning 'while' or 'before a state changes'. It shows that something is done during a limited window of time, as in 忘れないうちに書き留める.

A pattern meaning 'every time'. It states that whenever one event happens, another event always follows, and it attaches to the dictionary form of a verb.

A pattern marking the target of an attitude or action, or a contrast between two things. It translates roughly as 'toward' or 'in contrast to', depending on the sentence.

A pattern with several uses: showing the cause, the means, or the person doing an action, and also meaning 'depending on' when results differ by a factor.

A very polite opener used in business calls and listening tasks to soften a request or question. It roughly means 'I am sorry to trouble you, but...'.

Meaning 'by return' or 'calling back'. It appears in phone messages such as 折り返しお電話いたします, promising that someone will contact the other person again soon.

A polite way to ask someone to do something for you. It is softer than 〜てください and is very common in requests heard in the listening section.