N1 Kanji Speed Master - Comprehensive Study Notes

N1 Kanji Speed Master - Study Notes

N1 Gokaku! (N1 Success!)

  • Series of Japanese Language Proficiency Test workbooks.
  • Focus on N1 Kanji.
  • Aims for quick mastery of N1 Kanji.
  • Includes 1200 questions to solve to naturally master N1 Kanji.
  • Provides partial translations in English and Vietnamese.
  • Features readings in both 音読み (on-yomi) and 漢越音 (Han-Viet).
  • Published by Jリサーチ出版 (J Research Publishing).

Foreword Translation

  • Salutation to learners who have worked hard up to N2, now progressing to N1.
  • N1 requires learning more Kanji, including those with similar shapes/meanings.
  • Vocabulary using N1 Kanji will be more complex.
  • The book uses Mario and Lisa as guides to introduce N1 Kanji through conversations (Units 1-9).
  • Aims to associate Kanji with conversation scenes for memorization.
  • Offers practice questions: Drills A~C, Summary Drills A/B.
  • Includes learning new 音読み and 訓読み for Kanji learned up to N2 level.
  • Offers a challenge section: 難易度の高い漢字 (High-Difficulty Kanji).
  • Provides N2 Kanji Checklist for review.
  • Encouragement to start learning immediately.
  • The main characters are Mario (male foreign exchange student), Lisa (female company employee), and Sayaka Kurashina (author).

How to Use This Book

  • Contains dialogues, showcasing kanji in bold, related to different scenarios and themes.
  • Each unit has 3-6 scenarios.
  • Each scenario introduces 10-16 Kanji and approximately 30 vocabulary words.
  • Study Flow:
    • Learn each kanji's basics using the list on the left page.
    • Practice reading, writing, meaning via three drills.
    • Review via まとめ問題 (Review Questions) A and B at the end of each unit.
  • Includes 実力テスト (Practice Exam) to check proficiency.
    • Two tests are included.
  • Offers 「N2 漢字チェックリスト」 (N2 Kanji Checklist) for review.

UNIT 1: 衣食住 (Housing, Food, and Clothes)

食事① (Food 1)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about eating out and dieting.
  • 脂 (あぶら): Fat, grease. 脂っこい (aburakkoi): Fatty, greasy.
  • 鮮 (あざやか): Fresh. 新鮮 (shinsen): Fresh. 鮮度 (sendo): Freshness.
  • 揚 (あげる): To fry. 揚げる (ageru): To fry (vegetables).
  • 穀 (こく): Grain. 穀物 (kokumotsu): Grains.
  • 豆 (まめ): Bean. 大豆 (daizu): Soybean. 納豆 (natto): Fermented soybeans.
  • 炊 (たく): To cook. 炊事 (suiji): Cooking. 自炊 (jisui): Cooking for oneself. 炊飯器 (suihanki): Rice cooker.
  • 旬 (しゅん): Season. 上旬 (joujun): Beginning of the month. 中旬 (chujun): Middle of the month. 下旬 (gejun): End of the month.
  • 腐 (くさる): To rot. 豆腐 (tofu): Tofu. 腐敗 (fuhai): Decomposition. 陳腐 (chinpu): Hackneyed.

食事② (Food 2)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about cooking a hot pot dish.
  • 鍋 (なべ): Pot, pan. 鍋料理 (naberyouri): Hot pot dish.
  • 煮 (にる): To boil, simmer. 煮る (niru): To simmer. 煮やす (niyasu): To simmer.
  • 漬 (つける): To pickle, soak. 漬物 (tsukemono): Pickles. 漬ける (tsukeru): To pickle. 漬かる(tsukaru): to soak.
  • 麺 (めん): Noodles. 麺類 (menrui): Types of noodles.
  • 唐 (から): China, red pepper. 唐辛子 (tougarashi): Red pepper. 唐突 (toutotsu): Sudden.
  • 渇 (かわく): To be thirsty, dry. 渇く (kawaku): To be thirsty. 枯渇 (kokatsu): Exhaustion.
  • 丼 (どんぶり): Bowl, donburi. 牛丼 (gyudon): Beef bowl.
  • 糖 (とう): Sugar. 砂糖 (satou): Sugar. 糖分 (toubun): Sugar content.
  • 蜜 (みつ): Honey. 蜂蜜 (hachimitsu): Honey.
  • 酢 (す): Vinegar. 酢 (su): Vinegar.
  • 抹 (まっ): To rub, powder. 抹茶 (matcha): Matcha. 抹殺 (massatsu): Erase, eliminate.

服 (Clothes)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about buying clothes that don't fit.
  • 襟 (えり): Collar. 襟元 (erimoto): Collar. 開襟 (kaikin): Open-necked.
  • 袖 (そで): Sleeve. 袖 (sode): Sleeve. 半袖 (hansode): Short sleeves.修飾語(shuushokugo): Modifier
  • 丈 (たけ): Length. 丈 (take): Length, hemline. 大丈夫 (daijoubu): Alright.
  • 縫 (ぬう): To sew. 裁縫 (saihou): Needlework. 縫う (nuu): To sew.
  • 織 (おる): To weave. 組織 (soshiki): Organization. 織物 (orimono): Textiles.繊維(sen'i): Fiber.
  • 染 (そめる): To dye. 染みる (shimiru): To stain. 染色 (senshoku): Dyeing. 染料 (senryou): Dye.
  • 履 (はく): To wear (shoes, pants). 履く (haku): To wear. 履歴書 (rirekisho): Résumé; CV. 履修(りしゅう): register (for a class).

大掃除 (Major Cleaning)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about doing a deep cleaning of the house.
  • 寮 (りょう): Dormitory. 学生寮 (gakuseiryou): Student dormitory.
  • 玄 (げん): Entrance. 玄関 (genkan): Front entrance.
  • 扉 (とびら): Door. 扉 (tobira): Door.
  • 廊 (ろう): Corridor. 廊下 (rouka): Corridor.
  • 斎 (さい): Study. 書斎 (shosai): Study; library.
  • 棚 (たな): Shelf. 本棚 (hondana): Bookshelf.
  • 呂 (ろ): Bath. 風呂 (furo): Bath; bathtub.
  • 枠 (わく): Frame. 窓枠 (madowaku): Window frame. 枠組み (wakugumi): Framework.　推薦枠 (suisenwaku): Recommendation slot
  • 拭 (ふく): To wipe. 拭く (fuku): To wipe. 払拭 (fusshoku): Wipe away.
  • 潔 (いさぎよい): Clean.清潔 (seiketsu): Clean.潔白 (keppaku): Innocent.
  • 瓶 (びん): Bottle. 空き瓶 (akibin): Empty bottle. ビール瓶 (biirubin): Beer bottle.
  • 頓 (とん): Suddenly. 整頓 (seiton): Organization. 頓挫 (tonza): Frustration.

憧れの家 (An Ideal Home)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about wanting to live in an ideal home.
  • 瓦 (かわら): Tile. 瓦屋根 (kawarayane): Tiled roof.
  • 敷 (しく): Spread. 屋敷 (yashiki): Residence. 敷く (shiku): To spread out.
  • 倉 (くら): Storehouse. 倉 (kura): Storehouse. 倉庫 (souko): Warehouse.
  • 荘 (そう): Villa. 別荘 (bessou): Villa; vacation home. 荘厳(sougon): Majestic
  • 井 (い): Well. 井戸 (ido): Well. 天井 (tenjou): Ceiling.
  • 炉 (ろ): Furnace. 暖炉 (danro): Fireplace. 原子炉 (genshiro): Nuclear reactor.
  • 憧 (あこがれる): To long for. 憧れる (akogareru): To admire. 憧憬 (shoukei): Yearning.
  • 雅 (みやび): Elegant. 優雅 (yuuga): Elegant.
  • 裕 (ゆう): Abundant. 裕福 (yuufuku): Wealthy. 余裕 (yoyuu): Surplus. 富裕層 (fuyuusou): The wealthy
  • 窮 (きゅう): Distressed. 窮まる (kiwamarin): To reach an extreme. 困窮 (konkyuu): (to feel) want. 窮屈 (kyukutsu): Cramped.; Tai-kutsu(na): bored

暮らし (Living)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about losing one's keys.
  • 釜 (かま): Pot, kettle. 釜 (kama): Pot; kettle.
  • 卓 (たく): Table. 食卓 (shokutaku): Dining table. 卓球 (takkyuu): Table tennis. 電卓 (dentaku): Calculator.
  • 箋 (せん): Stationery. 便箋 (binsen): Letterhead. 処方箋 (shohousen): Prescription.
  • 鍵 (かぎ): Key. 鍵 (kagi): Key.
  • 椅 (い): Chair. 椅子 (isu): Chair.
  • 鏡 (かがみ): Mirror. 鏡 (kagami): Mirror. 眼鏡 (megane): Glasses.
  • 掛 (か-かる): To hang. 掛けどけい (kake dokei): Wall clock. 掛け布団 (kake buton): Top futon. かさ (kasa): Umbrella
  • 枕 (まくら): Pillow. 枕(makura): Pillow
  • 浄 (じょう): Clean. 洗浄 (senjou): Cleansing. 浄化 (jouka): Purification. 空気清浄機 (kuuki seijouki): Air purifier.
  • 扇 (おうぎ): fan. 扇風機 (senpuuki): electric fan. 扇子 (sensu): folding fan. 扇 (ogu): use a fan
  • 鈴 (れい): bell 鈴 (suzu): bell.
  • 塀 (へい): wall 塀 (hei): wall
  • 垣 (かき): fence 垣根 (kakine): fence
  • 鉢 (はち): bowl. 植木鉢 (uekibachi): flowerpot
  • 倹(けん): Frugal/economical 倹約 (ken'yaku): economize
  • 銭(せん): Money 金銭 (kinsen): money 釣銭 (tsurisen): change

UNIT 2: 仕事 (Work)

就職活動・職場 (Job-Hunting and the Workplace)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about finding a restaurant with cell phone service.
  • 雰 (ふん): Atmosphere. 雰囲気 (fun'iki): Atmosphere; feeling.
  • 圏 (けん): Sphere; area. 首都圏 (shutoken): Capital area. 大気圏(taikiken): Atmosphere. 圏外(kengai): Out of area
  • 契 (けい): Vow; Pledge. 契約 (keiyaku): Contract. 契機 (keiki): Opportunity; motive.
  • 遣 (遣わす): Dispatch; send. 気遣い (kizukai): Consideration. 言葉遣い (kotobazukai): Choice of words
  • 継 (ツグ): Succeed. 継続 (keizoku): Continuation. 後継者 (koukeisha): Successor. 相続 (souzoku): Inheritance
  • 遇 (グウ): Meet.待遇 (taiguu): Treatment; pay. 遭遇 (souguu): (to) encounter.
  • 肢 (シ): limb 選択肢 (sentakushi): Choice.
  • 臨 (リン): Oversee; face. 臨時 (rinji): Temporary. 君臨 (kunrin): (to) reign over. 臨む (nozomu): Face
  • 派 (ハ): Faction; group; school. 派手 (hade): Flashy. ~派 (~ha): Faction; school 派生語 (haseigo): Derived Word
  • 携 (たずさえる): Carry; cooperate. 携わる(tazusawaru): Participate; carry. 提携 (teikei): (to) affiliate with 携帯電話 (keitaidenwa): Cellular Phone. 必携 (hikkei): Indispensable.

ビジネス会話 (Business Conversation)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about declining a business offer.
  • 貴 (キ): Noble, valuable. 貴社 (kisha): Your company. 貴重 (kichou): Valuable. 高貴(kouki): Exalted. 貴族 (kizoku): Aristocrat.
  • 討 (トウ): Attack. 検討 (kentou): Examination, review. 討論 (touron): Debate.
  • 弊 (ヘイ): Evil; harm. 弊社 (heisha): Our company (humble form). 弊害 (heigai): Harmful effects. 疲弊 (hihei): Exhaustion.
  • 宜 (ギ): Good. 宜しく (yoroshiku): Best regards. 便宜 (bengi): Convenience. 適宜 (tekigi): Suitably
  • 丁 (チョウ): Even; careful.丁重 (teichou): Polite. 丁度 (choudo): Precisely. 一丁目(itchoume): Block.
  • 寧 (ネイ): Peaceful. 丁寧 (teinei): Polite.
  • 叔 (あつかう): Treat; handle. 扱う (atsukau): To handle, Chimeiteki(na): Fatal. 取り扱い handling
  • 慮 (リョ): Thought; consideration. 考慮 (kouryo): Consideration. 遠慮 (enryo): Restraint. 配慮(hairyo): Accommodation
  • 諾 (ダク): Consent. 承諾 (shoudaku): Consent.

プレゼン (Presentations)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about preparing a presentation.
  • 企 (くわだてる): Plan. 企画 (kikaku): Plan; project. 企業 (kigyou): Enterprise. 企てる (kuwadateru): Plan.
  • 徵 (チョウ):徵徵.特徴 (tokuchou): Feature. 象徴 (shouchou): Symbol. 徴収 (choushuu): Collection. 徵候(choukou): Sign; omen.
  • 箇 (カ): Number of items. 箇条書き (kajougaki): Itemization.
  • 詳 (くわしい): Detailed. 詳細 (shousai): Details. 不詳 (fushou): Unknown, vague.
  • 範 (ハン): Model. 範囲 (han'i): Range. 模範 (mohan): Model. 規範 (kihan): Standard.
  • 促 (うながす): Urge. 促進 (sokushin): Promotion. 催促 (saisoku):催促 Urge. 促す（うながす):urge
  • 頑 (ガン): Hard.頑固 (ganko): Obstinate. 頑張る (ganbaru): To persevere.
  • (ソク): Immediately. 即座 (sokuza): Immediately. -に即して（にそくして):in agreement with　,according to…
  • 渉 (ショウ): Wade. 交渉 (koushou): Negotiation. 干渉 (kanshou): Interference.
  • 我 (わ): I; self. 我が社 (wagasha): Our company. 我々 (wareware): We; ourselves. 我慢(gaman): Patience. 自我 (jiga): Ego.

手続き・書類 (Procedures and Documents)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about making travel arrangements.
  • 締 (しめる): Tighten. 締切 (shimekiri): Deadline. 締結 (teikei) Conclude.
  • 項 (コウ): Item. 項目 (koumoku): Item. 事項 (jikou): Matters.
  • 削 (けずる): Erase; reduce. 削除 (sakujo): Deletion 削減 (sakugen): Reduction.
  • 訂 (テイ): Correct. 訂正 (teisei): Correction; revision. 改訂 (kaitei): Revised edition.
  • 但 (ただし): However. 但し (tadashi): However; provided that. 但し書き (tadashigaki): Proviso.
  • 簿 (ボ): Book. 名簿 (meibo): Roster. 帳簿 (choubo): Ledger.
  • 迅 (ジン): Swift. 迅速 (jinsoku): Rapid; prompt.
  • 欄 (ラン): Column. 記入欄 (kinyuuran): Entry Field. 空欄 (kuuran): Blank Column. 欄外 (rangai): Margins.
  • 添 (そえる): Add to. 添付 (tenpu): Attachment. 添える (soeru): To add. 添乗員(tenjouin): Tour conductor 付き添う (tsukisou): Accompany
  • 往 (オウ): Go. 往復 (oufuku): Round trip. 往来 (ourai): Coming and going
  • 抑 (ヨク): To press down to. 抑える (osaeru): To restrain; control. 抑制 (yokusei): Suppression. 抑揚 (yokuyo): Intonation

仕事・ストレス (Work and Stress)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about work and stress at the office.
  • 僚 (リョウ): Colleague.同僚 (doukyou): Colleague. 官僚 (kanryou): Bureaucrat
  • 益 (エキ): Profit. 利益 (rieki): Profit. 収益 (shuueki): Revenue. 有益 (yuueki): Beneficial
  • 稼 (かせぐ): Earn. 稼働率 (kadouritsu): Utilization rate.
  • 維 (イ): Connect. 維持 (iji): Maintenance; preservation. 繊維 (sen'i): Fiber
  • 岐 (キ): Branch. 多岐 (taki): Multiple; diverse., 岐路 (kiro): Crossroads. 分岐点 (bunkiten): Turning point
  • 睡 (スイ): Sleep. 睡眠 (suimin): Sleep. 熟睡 (jukusui): Sleeping Soundly. 転 (suimin): sleep deeply.
  • 兼 (かねる): Combine. 兼ねる(kaneru): combine. 兼任 (kennin): Hold concurrent posts. 兼業(kengyou): side job
  • 煩 (わずらわしい): Troublesome; annoying. 煩わしい(wazurawashii): Troublesome. 煩わす(wazurawasu): troublesome. 煩雑(hanzatsu): complicated/troublesome 煩悩 Bon Nou-Carnal Desire
  • 痴 (チ): Foolish. 愚痴(guchi): 愚㔇に
  • 憤 (いきどおる): To anger. 憤慨(fungai): Resentment

人材・タイプ (Human Resources and Types)

  • The chapter begins with a dialogue about the personality of a new manager.
  • 秀 (ひいでる): Excel. 優秀 (yuushuu): Excellent. 英才 (shusai): Talented person.秀でる(hideru): surpass
  • 該 (ガイ): To be applicable. 該当(gaitou): To be applicable..
  • 寛 (カン): Broad minded; generous. 寛大(kandai): Generous. 寛容(kanyou): Tolerant. 寛ぐ(kutsurogu): Unwind.
  • **悟 (さとる): Understand. 悟る(satoru): Understand. 悟り(satori): Enlightenment.
  • 尽きる (つきる): Exhaust. 尽力(jinryoku): Exertion (N