JLPT N2 Key Vocabulary
Essential terms and definitions you must know before exam day.
Key Vocabulary
助詞 (joshi)
Japanese particles (は、が、を、に etc.) that mark grammatical roles — tested heavily at every level.
敬語 (keigo)
Honorific/polite speech — N2 and N1 test formal register distinctions.
接続詞 (setsuzokushi)
Connectors/conjunctions — however (しかし), therefore (したがって), on the other hand (一方).
N2 kanji
Approximately 1,000 kanji required at N2 level (cumulative from N5–N2).
Vocabulary Study Tips
- 1.N2 requires ~1,000 kanji and ~6,000 vocabulary words — use Anki with N2 decks.
- 2.Study grammar systematically with Kanzen Master N2 Grammar — the most respected N2 resource.
- 3.Listening section: consume native content daily (NHK News, anime, podcasts) at natural speed.
- 4.For sentence reordering: identify the verb first, then attach the object using を, then the subject.