JLPT N2 - Upper-Intermediate Japanese Kanji, Grammar & Expressions Flashcards

Question 1

〜に相違ない (ni souinai)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Without a doubt; certain to be (formal written expression equivalent to 〜に違いない).

**Structure**: Noun / Adj / Verb (Plain form) + に相違ない

**Example**: 監視カメラの映像から、彼が犯人**に相違ない**。(From the security footage, he is without a doubt the culprit.)

Question 2

〜に沿って (ni sotte)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: In accordance with; along; following (a plan, rule, line, or expectation).

**Structure**: Noun + に沿って / に沿う / に沿った

**Example**: 計画**に沿って**作業を進めてください。(Please proceed with the work according to the plan.)

Question 3

〜わけにはいかない (wake ni wa ikanai)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Cannot afford to; impossible to do (due to social/moral obligation, etiquette, or duty—NOT physical inability).

**Structure**: Verb (Dictionary form) + わけにはいかない

**Example**: 明日大事な試験があるから、休む**わけにはいかない**。(Because I have an important exam tomorrow, I cannot afford to take the day off.)

Question 4

〜をめぐって (o megutte)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Concerning; regarding; surrounding (a dispute, debate, or discussion among multiple people).

**Structure**: Noun + をめぐって / をめぐる

**Example**: 新しい再開発計画**をめぐって**、住民の間で議論が続いている。(Discussions continue among residents concerning the new redevelopment plan.)

Question 5

〜ざるを得ない (zaru o enai)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Have no choice but to; cannot help but do.

**Structure**: Verb (Nai-stem) + ざるを得ない (*Note*: する becomes せざるを得ない)

**Example**: 社長の決定なら、従わ**ざるを得ない**。(If it is the president's decision, I have no choice but to comply.)

Question 6

〜っこない (kkonai)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: No chance of; definitely cannot; impossible to (casual/conversational expression of strong conviction).

**Structure**: Verb (Masu-stem) + っこない

**Example**: こんな難しい問題を三分で解け**っこない**。(There's no way I can solve such a difficult problem in three minutes.)

Question 7

Verb Stem + かねる vs かねない

Accepted Answer

**〜かねる (kaneru)**: Hesitant to / unable to do (formal polite refusal).
*Example*: その件については致し**かねます**。(We are unable to do that matter.)

**〜かねない (kanenai)**: Might / could very well (lead to a negative result).
*Example*: このまま放っておくと事故が起き**かねない**。(If left like this, an accident could very well happen.)

Question 8

〜を契機に vs 〜をきっかけに

Accepted Answer

**〜をきっかけに**: Taking the opportunity of; triggered by (informal/general turning point).

**〜を契機に (をけいきに)**: Triggered by (formal/written, typically used for major historical, socio-economic, or business turning points).

**Example**: 卒業**を契機に**、起業することを決意した。(Taking graduation as the turning point, I decided to start a business.)

Question 9

〜どころではない (dokoro de wa nai)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Far from; out of the question; no room/time to even think about.

**Structure**: Noun / Verb (Dictionary form) + どころではない

**Example**: 仕事が忙しすぎて、旅行**どころではない**。(I'm so busy with work that taking a trip is out of the question.)

Question 10

〜反面 (hanmen)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: On the other hand; while on one hand... (presents contrasting characteristics of the same subject).

**Structure**: Plain form (Noun/Na-adj require である) + 反面

**Example**: 都会の生活は便利な**反面**、生活費が高い。(City life is convenient; on the other hand, the cost of living is high.)

Question 11

把握 (はあく - haaku)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Grasp; comprehend thoroughly; hold.

**Key Collocations**:
- 現状を把握する (Grasp the current situation)
- 問題点を把握する (Understand the core issues)

**JLPT Context**: High-frequency reading comprehension word for analytical passages.

Question 12

矛盾 (むじゅん - mujun)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Contradiction; inconsistency.

**Key Collocations**:
- 矛盾が生じる (A contradiction arises)
- 発言に矛盾がある (There is a contradiction in the statement)

**Etymology**: Derived from the classic tale of the impenetrable shield (盾) and all-piercing spear (矛).

Question 13

慎重 (しんちょう) vs 軽率 (けいそつ)

Accepted Answer

**慎重 (しんちょう - shinchou)**: Cautious, prudent, careful.
*Example*: 慎重に検討する (Carefully consider).

**軽率 (けいそつ - keisotsu)**: Rash, hasty, careless (Antonym).
*Example*: 軽率な判断を避ける (Avoid hasty decisions).

Question 14

柔軟 (じゅうなん - juunan)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Flexible; adaptable; pliant.

**Key Collocations**:
- 柔軟に対応する (Respond/adapt flexibly)
- 柔軟な思考 (Flexible thinking)

**Context**: Essential vocabulary for business and problem-solving reading passages.

Question 15

普及 (ふきゅう - fukyuu)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Diffusion; spread; becoming widespread.

**Key Collocations**:
- 急速に普及する (Spread rapidly)
- 普及率 (Diffusion/penetration rate)

**Example**: インターネットの**普及**によって、生活が劇的に変化した。(With the spread of the internet, life changed dramatically.)

Question 16

したがって (shitagatte)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Therefore; consequently; as a result.

**Usage**: Formal connective transition word used in written text and logical arguments to state a conclusion drawn from previous premises.

**Synonym**: だから (Informal), ゆえに (Literary/Formal).

Question 17

要するに (ようするに - yousuruni)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: In short; in summary; to put it simply.

**Reading Passage Tip**: Signals that the author is summarizing their main point or conclusion.

**Synonyms**: つまり (tsumari), 要約すると (youyaku suru to).

Question 18

それにもかかわらず (sore ni mo kakawarazu)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: Nevertheless; despite that; even so.

**Usage**: Disjunctive conjunction indicating that an outcome occurred contrary to expectations set by the preceding clause.

**Example**: 激しい雨が降っていた。**それにもかかわらず**、多くの人が参加した。(It rained heavily. Nevertheless, many people attended.)

Question 19

〜にすぎない vs 〜にほかならない

Accepted Answer

**〜にすぎない**: Merely; nothing more than (downplays magnitude/importance).
*Example*: それは単なる噂**にすぎない**。(That is merely a rumor.)

**〜にほかならない**: Nothing other than; none other than (strongly emphasizes key cause or identity).
*Example*: 成功の理由は彼の努力**にほかならない**。(The reason for success is nothing other than his hard work.)

Question 20

〜に伴って (ni tomonatte)

Accepted Answer

**Meaning**: As...; along with...; in proportion to (a change occurring in parallel).

**Structure**: Noun / Verb (Dictionary form) + に伴って / に伴う

**Example**: 少子化**に伴って**、労働力不足が深刻な問題となっている。(Along with the declining birthrate, labor shortage has become a severe problem.)

JLPT N2 - Upper-Intermediate Japanese Kanji, Grammar & Expressions

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