Abstract and Philosophical Vocabulary

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to recognize and use 20 N2-level abstract and philosophical vocabulary words. You will understand their nuances, common usage patterns, and be able to incorporate them into your Japanese conversations and writing.

Abstract and philosophical vocabulary in Japanese often deals with concepts like reduction, perception, time, and pursuit. These words are essential for expressing complex ideas, opinions, and experiences beyond basic daily conversation. They frequently appear in news articles, essays, and formal discussions.

1. Reduction and Dismissal (軽減, 軽視, 辞退)

These words all involve the idea of "reducing" or "rejecting" something, but in different ways.

• 軽減 (keigen) — abatement; reduction
  • Used when lessening a burden, cost, or difficulty.
  • Example: 税金の軽減 (zeikin no keigen) — tax reduction税金軽減
  軽減税金
• 軽視 (keishi) — making light of; belittling; contempt
  • Used when you treat something as unimportant or look down on it.
  • Example: 彼は問題を軽視した (kare wa mondai o keishi shita) — He made light of the problem.彼問題軽視
  軽視彼問題
• 辞退 (jitai) — declining; refusal; withdrawal
  • Used for politely turning down an offer, invitation, or candidacy.
  • Example: 申し出を辞退する (moushide o jitai suru) — to decline an offer申出辞退
  辞退申出

2. Brightness and Brilliance (輝かしい, 輝き)

These words describe a positive, shining quality, often used metaphorically.

• 輝かしい (kagayakashii) — brilliant; glorious; glittering
  • An adjective describing achievements, futures, or successes.
  • Example: 輝かしい未来 (kagayakashii mirai) — a brilliant future輝未来
  輝未来
• 輝き (kagayaki) — brightness; brilliance; radiance
  • A noun for the quality of shining or glowing.
  • Example: 星の輝き (hoshi no kagayaki) — the brilliance of the stars星輝
  輝星

3. Agriculture (農作物, 農園, 農薬)

These words are related to farming and are common in news about the economy or environment.

• 農作物 (nousakubutsu) — crops; agricultural produce
  • A general term for what is grown on a farm.
  • Example: 農作物の収穫 (nousakubutsu no shuukaku) — harvest of crops農作物収穫
  農作物収穫
• 農園 (nouen) — plantation; farm
  • Refers to a specific piece of land used for farming.
  • Example: 農園で働く (nouen de hataraku) — to work on a plantation農園働
  農園働
• 農薬 (nouyaku) — agricultural chemical; pesticide
  • Chemicals used in farming.
  • Example: 農薬を使う (nouyaku o tsukau) — to use pesticides農薬使
  農薬使

4. Arrival and Approach (辿り着く, 近々, 近づく, 近年, 近隣)

These words all relate to the concept of "getting close" or "arriving" in time, space, or understanding.

• 辿り着く (tadoritsuku) — to finally reach; to arrive at (after a struggle)
  • Implies a difficult journey or process to reach a destination or conclusion.
  • Example: 頂上に辿り着く (choujou ni tadoritsuku) — to finally reach the summit頂上辿着
  辿着頂上
• 近々 (chikajika) — soon; before long; nearness
  • An adverb for something happening in the near future.
  • Example: 近々引っ越します (chikajika hikkoshimasu) — I will move soon.近引越
  近引越
• 近づく (chikazuku) — to approach; to draw near; to get close
  • A verb for physical or relational closeness.
  • Example: 駅に近づく (eki ni chikazuku) — to approach the station駅近
  近駅
• 近年 (kinnen) — recent years
  • Refers to the past few years up to the present.
  • Example: 近年の研究 (kinnen no kenkyuu) — recent research近年研究
  近年研究
• 近隣 (kinrin) — neighborhood; vicinity
  • A noun for the area nearby.
  • Example: 近隣の住民 (kinrin no juumin) — local residents近隣住民
  近隣住民

5. Returns and Replies (返品, 返答, 返送, 返金)

These words all start with 返 (hen/kae), meaning "return" or "reply."返

• 返品 (henpin) — returned goods; returning purchased goods
  • Used in shopping contexts.
  • Example: 返品する (henpin suru) — to return an item返品
  返品
• 返答 (hentou) — reply; answer
  • A formal word for a response.
  • Example: 返答を待つ (hentou o matsu) — to wait for a reply返答待
  返答待
• 返送 (hensou) — sending back; return to sender
  • Used for mail or packages.
  • Example: 書類を返送する (shorui o hensou suru) — to send back the documents書類返送
  返送書類
• 返金 (henkin) — repayment; refund
  • Used for money being returned.
  • Example: 返金を要求する (henkin o youkyuu suru) — to demand a refund返金要求
  返金要求

6. Pursuit and Overtaking (追い抜く, 追い求める, 追い越す)

These words all start with 追い (oi), meaning "to chase" or "to pursue."追

• 追い抜く (oinuku) — to pass; to overtake; to surpass
  • Used for passing a car or surpassing a competitor.
  • Example: 車を追い抜く (kuruma o oinuku) — to overtake a car車追抜
  追抜車
• 追い求める (oimotomeru) — to pursue
  • Used for chasing a goal, dream, or ideal.
  • Example: 夢を追い求める (yume o oimotomeru) — to pursue a dream夢追求
  追求夢
• 追い越す (oikosu) — to pass; to overtake; to get ahead of
  • Very similar to 追い抜く, but often implies getting ahead in a race or competition.追抜
  • Example: ライバルを追い越す (raibaru o oikosu) — to surpass a rival追越
  追越抜

Confusing 追い抜く and 追い越す追抜越

While both mean "to overtake," 追い抜く (oinuku) often implies passing something from behind (like a car), while 追い越す (oikosu) can also mean surpassing in rank or position. However, in casual use, they are often interchangeable.追抜越

Incorrect: 彼は私を追い越して走った (kare wa watashi o oikoshite hashitta) — This is fine for "he ran past me," but some learners might incorrectly use 追い抜く for surpassing a rival in a competition, which is also acceptable.彼私追越走抜

Correct: Both can be used, but 追い越す is more common for "getting ahead" in a metaphorical sense.追越

Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the list: 軽減, 輝かしい, 辿り着く, 返金, 追い求める軽減輝辿着返

1. このアプリはストレスを__________するのに役立ちます。
   (Kono apuri wa sutoresu o __________ suru no ni yakudachimasu.)
   → This app helps to reduce stress.役立

   役立

2. 彼女は__________未来を信じている。
   (Kanojo wa __________ mirai o shinjite iru.)
   → She believes in a brilliant future.彼女未来信

   彼女未来信

3. 長い旅の後、ようやく目的地に__________。
   (Nagai tabi no ato, youyaku mokutekichi ni __________.)
   → After a long journey, I finally arrived at the destination.長旅後目的地

   長旅後目的地

4. この商品は__________できません。
   (Kono shouhin wa __________ dekimasen.)
   → This product cannot be refunded.商品

   商品

5. 彼は平和を__________研究者だ。
   (Kare wa heiwa o __________ kenkyuusha da.)
   → He is a researcher who pursues peace.彼平和研究者

   彼平和研究者

(Answers: 1. 軽減, 2. 輝かしい, 3. 辿り着く, 4. 返金, 5. 追い求める)軽減輝辿着返

You have now learned 20 N2-level vocabulary words related to abstract and philosophical concepts. These words will help you discuss topics like economics, personal goals, and social issues with more precision.

Next Step: Practice using these words in sentences about your own life. For example, describe a goal you are pursuing (追い求める) or a brilliant achievement (輝かしい成果) you have had. Try writing a short paragraph using at least five of these new words.追求輝成果