Formal Writing Vocabulary
This lesson introduces key N2-level vocabulary commonly used in formal writing, such as in essays, reports, and official correspondence. Each term is presented with its reading, meaning, and usage notes to help you write clearly and appropriately in formal settings.
🎯 Goal: Learn N2 vocabulary related to formal writing.
Lesson Content
Learning Goal
By the end of this lesson, you will understand and be able to use 20 N2-level vocabulary words commonly found in formal writing, such as reports, news articles, and business documents. You will focus on words related to observation, estimation, perspective, and rules.
Concept
Formal Japanese writing often uses precise, compound verbs and nouns to express complex ideas clearly. Many of these words are built from a common kanji (like 見 mi - to see/look) or share a thematic connection (like 視 shi - vision/sight). Understanding these patterns will help you guess the meaning of new words and improve your reading comprehension of formal texts.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
1. Words Based on 見 (mi - to see/look)
These verbs use 見 to express different ways of "looking" or "examining."
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 見直す | みなおす (minaosu) | to re-examine; to look at again; to see in a more positive light | Used for reviewing documents, plans, or changing your opinion. |
| 見積もる | みつもる (mitsumoru) | to estimate | Used for calculating costs, time, or quantities. |
| 見逃す | みのがす (minogasu) | to miss; to overlook; to let pass | Used for failing to notice an error or letting a wrongdoing go unpunished. |
| 見通し | みとおし (mitōshi) | forecast; outlook; perspective; unobstructed view | A noun. Used for business forecasts, future predictions, or a clear view. |
Mini Examples:
- 計画を見直す必要がある。 (Keikaku o minaosu hitsuyō ga aru.) - We need to re-examine the plan.
- 費用を見積もる。 (Hiyō o mitsumoru.) - Estimate the cost.
- 小さなミスを見逃す。 (Chiisa na misu o minogasu.) - Overlook a small mistake.
- 来年度の見通しは明るい。 (Rainendo no mitōshi wa akarui.) - The outlook for next year is bright.
2. Words Based on 視 (shi - vision/sight)
These nouns describe different aspects of "sight" or "vision," both literal and figurative.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 視力 | しりょく (shiryoku) | eyesight | A medical or physical term. |
| 視察 | しさつ (shisatsu) | inspection; observation | Used for official visits to inspect a site or situation. |
| 視点 | してん (shiten) | viewpoint; angle | A figurative perspective or way of thinking. |
| 視界 | しかい (shikai) | field of vision; view | Literal visual range, e.g., in a car or from a mountain. |
| 視覚 | しかく (shikaku) | sense of sight; vision | One of the five senses. |
| 視野 | しや (shiya) | field of vision; one's outlook (on life) | Can be literal (what you can see) or figurative (your horizons). |
Mini Examples:
- 視力が悪い。 (Shiryoku ga warui.) - My eyesight is bad.
- 工事現場を視察する。 (Kōji genba o shisatsu suru.) - Inspect the construction site.
- 別の視点から考える。 (Betsu no shiten kara kangaeru.) - Think from a different viewpoint.
- 霧で視界が悪い。 (Kiri de shikai ga warui.) - Visibility is poor due to fog.
- 視覚と聴覚。 (Shikaku to chōkaku.) - Sight and hearing.
- もっと視野を広げるべきだ。 (Motto shiya o hirogeru beki da.) - You should broaden your horizons.
3. Other Key Formal Vocabulary
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 規定 | きてい (kitei) | stipulation; regulation; rule | A formal rule or clause in a contract or law. |
| 規模 | きぼ (kibo) | scale; scope | Used for the size of a project, disaster, or company. |
| 覗く | のぞく (nozoku) | to peek; to sneak a look | A casual verb, but common in written descriptions. |
| 覚え書き | おぼえがき (oboegaki) | memo; memorandum; note | A formal note, often used in business or diplomacy. |
| 親しむ | したしむ (shitashimu) | to be intimate with; to befriend | Used for getting familiar with a person, place, or hobby. |
| 親子 | おやこ (oyako) | parent and child | A common compound noun. |
| 観光地 | かんこうち (kankōchi) | tourist attraction; sight-seeing area | A specific place tourists visit. |
| 観念 | かんねん (kannen) | idea; notion; concept; sense (of duty) | An abstract concept or a fixed idea. |
| 観戦 | かんせん (kansen) | watching a (sports) game; spectating | Used for watching sports or military operations. |
| 観測 | かんそく (kansoku) | observation; survey; measurement | Used for scientific or meteorological observation. |
Mini Examples:
- 会社の規定に従う。 (Kaisha no kitei ni shitagau.) - Follow the company regulations.
- 大規模なプロジェクト。 (Dai-kibo na purojekuto.) - A large-scale project.
- ドアの隙間から覗く。 (Doa no sukima kara nozoku.) - Peek through the crack in the door.
- 会議の覚え書きを取る。 (Kaigi no oboegaki o toru.) - Take notes of the meeting.
- 自然に親しむ。 (Shizen ni shitashimu.) - Get familiar with nature.
- 親子関係。 (Oyako kankei.) - Parent-child relationship.
- 京都は有名な観光地だ。 (Kyōto wa yūmei na kankōchi da.) - Kyoto is a famous tourist attraction.
- 責任の観念が欠けている。 (Sekinin no kannen ga kaketeiru.) - Lacks a sense of responsibility.
- 野球を観戦する。 (Yakyū o kansen suru.) - Watch a baseball game.
- 天気を観測する。 (Tenki o kansoku suru.) - Observe the weather.
Common Mistake
Learners often confuse 視点 (shiten - viewpoint) and 視野 (shiya - field of vision/outlook).
- 視点 is the point from which you look (your angle or perspective).
- Example: 彼の視点から見ると… (Kare no shiten kara miru to…) - From his point of view…
- 視野 is the range of what you can see (your field of vision or scope of knowledge).
- Example: この問題は私の視野に入っていなかった。 (Kono mondai wa watashi no shiya ni haitte inakatta.) - This problem was not within my field of vision/awareness.
Quick Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the lesson.
-
来年の売上の__________を立てる必要がある。 (We need to make a sales forecast for next year.)
Answer: 見通し (mitōshi) -
この契約書の__________に従って行動してください。 (Please act according to the stipulations of this contract.)
Answer: 規定 (kitei) -
彼は__________が狭く、新しいアイデアを受け入れない。 (His outlook is narrow, and he doesn't accept new ideas.)
Answer: 視野 (shiya) -
工事の費用を__________。 (Estimate the construction costs.)
Answer: 見積もる (mitsumoru) -
彼女の__________から問題を分析してみよう。 (Let's try analyzing the problem from her viewpoint.)
Answer: 視点 (shiten)
Summary and Next Step
You have learned 20 key vocabulary words for formal Japanese writing. Focus on the kanji patterns: 見 (mi) for verbs of examination and 視 (shi) for nouns of vision and perspective. The other words (規定, 規模, 観念, etc.) are high-frequency in news and business contexts.
Next Step: Practice reading a short Japanese news article or business report. Try to find these words in context. Pay special attention to how 見通し, 視点, and 視野 are used to express abstract ideas.
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Lesson Materials
Vocabulary (55)
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