Lesson L16N3N3 Vocabulary — Thematic Sets⏱ 25 min

Abstract Concepts Vocabulary

This lesson introduces essential N3-level words and phrases that express intangible ideas, feelings, and social dynamics. You will practice using terms like 'concept,' 'influence,' 'value,' and 'emotion' in context to enhance your ability to discuss nuanced topics in Japanese.

🎯 Goal: Learn N3 vocabulary describing abstract concepts.

Lesson Content

Learning Goal

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand and use 20 N3-level vocabulary words related to abstract concepts like direction, communication, speed, and companionship. You'll be able to recognize them in sentences and start using them in your own Japanese.

Concept

Abstract concepts are ideas you can't touch or see, like "trouble," "boredom," or "opposite." In Japanese, many of these words are built from common kanji (like 通 tōru — to pass, or 逆 gyaku — reverse). Learning them in groups helps you see patterns and remember them faster.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Group 1: Lost & Annoying Situations

迷子 (まいご / maigo) — lost child, lost person

Comes from 迷う (mayou, to be lost) + 子 (ko, child).
Can refer to any lost person, not just children.
Example: 公園で迷子になった。(Kōen de maigo ni natta. — I got lost in the park.)

迷惑 (めいわく / meiwaku) — trouble, bother, annoyance

A very common word for when someone causes inconvenience.
Often used in polite phrases like 迷惑をかける (meiwaku o kakeru — to cause trouble).
Example: 大きな声で話すのは迷惑です。(Ōkina koe de hanasu no wa meiwaku desu. — Speaking loudly is annoying.)

Group 2: Chasing & Catching Up

追う (おう / ou) — to chase, to run after

A basic verb for physical or figurative pursuit.
Example: 犬が猫を追う。(Inu ga neko o ou. — The dog chases the cat.)

追い付く (おいつく / oitsuku) — to catch up with

追う + 付く (tsuku, to attach). Means reaching someone or something ahead.
Often used with に (ni) particle: 〜に追い付く.
Example: 先輩に追い付きたい。(Senpai ni oitsukitai. — I want to catch up with my senior.)

Group 3: Boredom & Opposition

退屈 (たいくつ / taikutsu) — tedium, boredom

退 (retreat) + 屈 (bend/frustration). Literally "retreat from frustration."
Can be a noun or a な-adjective: 退屈な (taikutsu na — boring).
Example: この映画は退屈だ。(Kono eiga wa taikutsu da. — This movie is boring.)

逆 (ぎゃく / gyaku) — reverse, opposite

Used for direction, order, or opinion.
Example: 逆の方向に行った。(Gyaku no hōkō ni itta. — I went in the opposite direction.)

逆らう (さからう / sakarau) — to go against, to oppose

A verb form of 逆. Often used with に: 〜に逆らう.
Example: 親に逆らってはいけない。(Oya ni sakaratte wa ikenai. — You must not go against your parents.)

Group 4: The 通 (tōru) Family — Passing & Communication

These all share the kanji 通 (tōru — to pass, to go through). They have different nuances:

Word	Reading	Meaning	Key Point
通じる	つうじる (tsūjiru)	to lead to, to be understood	Ideas "get through" to someone
通す	とおす (tōsu)	to force through, to let pass	Active action of letting something pass
通り	とおり (tōri)	avenue, street	A physical path
通り過ぎる	とおりすぎる (tōrisugiru)	to pass through	通り + 過ぎる (sugiru — to exceed)
通信	つうしん (tsūshin)	correspondence, communication	信 (shin — trust/letter)
通勤	つうきん (tsūkin)	commuting to work	勤 (kin — work)
通学	つうがく (tsūgaku)	commuting to school	学 (gaku — study)
通行	つうこう (tsūkō)	passage, passing	行 (kō — go)
通訳	つうやく (tsūyaku)	interpretation	訳 (yaku — translate)
通過	つうか (tsūka)	passage through	過 (ka — pass/over)

Examples:

冗談が通じなかった。(Jōdan ga tsūjinakatta. — The joke wasn't understood.)
電車が駅を通過した。(Densha ga eki o tsūka shita. — The train passed through the station.)
通勤に一時間かかる。(Tsūkin ni ichijikan kakaru. — Commuting takes one hour.)

Group 5: Speed & Companionship

速度 (そくど / sokudo) — speed, velocity

速 (soku — fast) + 度 (do — degree/measure).
Example: 速度を落としてください。(Sokudo o otoshite kudasai. — Please slow down.)

連れ (つれ / tsure) — companion, company

From 連れる (tsureru — to take someone along).
Often used in 連れていく (tsurete iku — to take someone along).
Example: 友達の連れが来た。(Tomodachi no tsure ga kita. — My friend's companion came.)

連想 (れんそう / rensō) — association of ideas

連 (ren — link) + 想 (sō — think/imagine).
Example: この曲は夏を連想させる。(Kono kyoku wa natsu o rensō saseru. — This song makes me think of summer.)

Mini Examples

彼はいつも迷惑をかける。(Kare wa itsumo meiwaku o kakeru. — He always causes trouble.)
退屈な授業だった。(Taikutsu na jugyō datta. — It was a boring class.)
逆らうのはやめなさい。(Sakarau no wa yamenasai. — Stop opposing.)
通訳が必要ですか？(Tsūyaku ga hitsuyō desu ka? — Do you need an interpreter?)
速度制限に気をつけて。(Sokudo seigen ni ki o tsukete. — Be careful of the speed limit.)

Common Mistake

Mistake: Confusing 通じる (tsūjiru) and 通す (tōsu).

通じる = something "gets through" (passive/automatic). The idea or connection is understood.
- 日本語が通じた。(Nihongo ga tsūjita. — My Japanese was understood.)
通す = someone "lets through" or "forces through" (active).
- 書類を通す。(Shorui o tōsu. — To pass the documents through.)

Tip: Think of 通じる as "the result" and 通す as "the action you take."

Quick Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the list: 迷子, 迷惑, 追い付く, 退屈, 逆, 通勤, 速度, 連れ

電車の中で大きな声で話すのは___です。
(Speaking loudly on the train is a bother.)
子供が___になったので、探しています。
(A child got lost, so I'm looking for him.)
彼に___ために、走った。
(I ran in order to catch up with him.)
この本は___で、全然面白くない。
(This book is boring and not interesting at all.)
毎朝___に一時間かかる。
(It takes one hour to commute every morning.)

Answers:

迷惑
迷子
追い付く
退屈
通勤

Summary and Next Step

You've learned 20 N3 vocabulary words for abstract concepts: lost situations, chasing, boredom, opposition, the 通 family (passing/communication), speed, and companionship. Practice using them in sentences about your daily life.

Next Step: Try writing 3-5 sentences using words from this lesson. For example, describe a boring movie (退屈), a time you got lost (迷子), or your commute (通勤). Then move on to the next lesson about emotions or social relationships.