10 Advanced Japanese Words for More Nuanced Communication

Itching to go beyond core Japanese vocabulary? Below are 10 advanced Japanese words that you won’t hear just anywhere. Learning them will make your conversations more sophisticated, and can even assist you on the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test).

The descriptions and example sentences will help you grasp the correct context for each term so you can use them successfully on your own.

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1. 間柄 (あいだがら) — A Relationship or Relation to Somebody or Something

間柄 is a noun that specifically indicates the word “relationship.” This can be used when describing or asking about a relationship to a person, company, object or anything else.

Example: 

彼女とはどんな間柄ですか? (かのじょとは どんな あいだがら ですか?)
What’s your relationship with her?

2. 合間 (あいま) — Time Period, Stretch, Interval

The word 合間 can either be used as a noun or an adjective. It specifically indicates “spare moments” or “spare chances” as well as breaks or pauses between actions.

It can also be used when talking about intervals in time or intervals of a specific, ongoing action.

Example:

勉強の合間に私は雨を見た。(べんきょうの あいまに わたしは あめをみた。)
I watched the rain while I was studying.

3. 曖昧 (あいまい) — Vague, Uncertain

This dynamic word can be a verb, an adjectival noun (also known as a quasi-adjective, which are commonly found in the Japanese language) or a regular noun. 曖昧 stands for things that are ambiguous, vague or obscure in nature.

It’s commonly used to describe someone or something’s behavior or relationship with another person. As you can see in the sentence below, it can also be used to describe content.

Example:

その冊子には曖昧な点が多い。(そのさっしには あいまいな てんが おおい。)
That brochure is full of ambiguity.

4. 仰ぐ (あおぐ) — To Look Up To or Respect Someone

仰ぐ is a verb. There are many different words in Japanese to describe ascension or admiration, but this specific word is used to denote the utmost respect and admiration for a person, figuratively “looking up” to them.

It can also be used to express dependence on someone or something.

Example:

彼らは彼を父親として仰ぐ。(かれらは かれを ちちおやとして あおぐ。)
They look up to him as their father.

5. 赤字 (あかじ) — Deficit, Debt, Shortage

As a noun, 赤字 means literally “written in red.” This term is commonly used to describe a deficit or debt in business or economics.

It’s similar to the English term “in the red” that’s used to describe a bank account debt. 赤字 can also be used to describe corrections on school assignments.

Example:

同協会は赤字である。(どうきょうかいは あかじ である。)
That same association is in a deficit.

6. 上がり (あがり) — To Yield More, Gain Income, Advance on Something Financially

上がり is a noun that’s mostly used to describe a rise in income or earnings in business or personal finances.

It can also be used to describe the act of standing up or “ascending” to a higher place, either physically or metaphorically.

Example: 

彼女は立ち上がりました。(かのじょは たちあがりました。)
She stood up.

7. 上がる (あがる) — Rising, Climbing

上がる is very similar to 上がり, but there are some notable differences.

上がる is a verb that can be used to describe a wider range of actions, such as literally and figuratively rising, entering a building, arriving to a place or being promoted at work.

It’s also used to describe the act of catching fire or “flaring up.”

Example:

私は階段を上がります。(わたしは かいだんをあがります。)
I am going up the stairs.

8. 諦め (あきらめ) — Resignation, Departure, Acceptance

Also written as 諦める, this verb describes the acts of abandoning a task or giving up. It usually has negative or desperate connotations.

Example:

私はめったに諦めない！(わたしは めったに あきらめない！)
I rarely give up!

9. 灰汁 (あく) — Astringency, Puckery Juice

灰汁 is used to describe a very specific substance called “puckery juice.” This is essentially lye or foamy scum that floats on the surface of cooking water when boiling particular foods.

Lye is used in soaps, so you’re also likely to find 灰汁 in sentences about washing clothes.

Example:

表面の灰汁を取ってください。(ひょうめんの あくをとってください。)
Please skim the scum off the top.

10. 欺く (あざむく) — Deception

This verb denotes trickiness and deception. 欺くusually has negative connotations and should not be used to describe playful deception, but rather real betrayals.

Example: 

彼らは他人を欺くようなことはしない。(かれらは たにんをあざむくようなことは しない。)
They will not deceive others.

Tips for Memorizing Advanced Japanese Words

Here are some effective ways to learn advanced Japanese words and memorize them for life:

• Try to think in Japanese as often as possible. This will help you find (and fill) gaps in your vocabulary. When you discover words you don’t know, look them up and add them to your arsenal. Try to keep using them—even if it’s just in your head!
• Utilize your study tools. Stick to your courses. Study reading and writing daily. Speak Japanese with a language partner or to yourself as often as possible. This sets you up to continue learning more and more advanced vocabulary.
• Use Japanese words daily. Work your vocabulary words into everyday life. Actively translate things you see into Japanese. Pick a few words to learn and use them as many times throughout the day as you can—context aids memory!
• Use resources. Invest in a set of Japanese flashcards, watch Japanese films and use every other Japanese-learning resource you can think of. Listen actively: Be aware of words you don’t know and make sure to learn them.
• Create your own Japanese mnemonics for new words. If you can associate a particular word with a poem, mental image or abbreviation that you can easily remember, then that new word will likely stick easier.
• Immerse yourself in the language. One of the best ways to learn advanced Japanese words is to come across them in context, in real conversations.

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Advanced Japanese Words and the JLPT

So, what is the JLPT?

The JLPT is the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test created by the Japanese Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services Organization.

This test is a reliable way to evaluate and certify non-native Japanese learners at five levels of proficiency—N5 is the lowest level and N1 is the most difficult and advanced level.

This test is used by everyone, from employers in Japan to college programs to the Japanese government.

It’s used to officially designate a Japanese learner’s level of language proficiency, which can earn the learner a ton of benefits—more job opportunities, educational options and even preferential treatment if one wishes to immigrate to Japan.

Even if none of that tickles your fancy, being able to pass any level of the JLPT is a rewarding and validating way to figure out where you stand on the path to Japanese fluency.

And knowing advanced Japanese words will help you reach towards that highly coveted N1 passing grade.

Do you feel a little more fluent now with these terms in your Japanese vocabulary bank?

Now that you know them and how they fit into actual conversation, you won’t be stumped when you come across them!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

And One More Thing...

If you love learning Japanese with authentic materials, then I should also tell you more about FluentU.

FluentU naturally and gradually eases you into learning Japanese language and culture. You'll learn real Japanese as it's spoken in real life.

FluentU has a broad range of contemporary videos as you'll see below:

FluentU makes these native Japanese videos approachable through interactive transcripts. Tap on any word to look it up instantly.

All definitions have multiple examples, and they're written for Japanese learners like you. Tap to add words you'd like to review to a vocab list.

And FluentU has a learn mode which turns every video into a language learning lesson. You can always swipe left or right to see more examples.

The best part? FluentU keeps track of your vocabulary, and gives you extra practice with difficult words. It'll even remind you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You'll have a 100% personalized experience.

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