JLPT N2 Vocabulary
N2 is the 'workplace Japanese threshold' — at this level you can read Japanese news and written texts and handle more formal, abstract content.
What makes N2 vocabulary different
Written and formal language, news and business terms appear in force, along with four-character idioms, set expressions, and near-synonyms with fine shades of nuance. The subtle differences between synonyms (影響 / 効果 / 作用) are a frequent test point.
Study strategy
Read a little Japanese news every day (NHK, for instance), look up the new words and learn them together with their example sentences. Use related words to build out topic-based word groups so your vocabulary becomes a web, not scattered points.
A common pitfall
Memorising only the meaning and ignoring register (formal vs casual). Many N2 words carry a 'can I use this here?' restriction that only becomes clear from example sentences.
FAQ
- Why does N2 matter?
- Japanese and Japan-affiliated companies usually require N2, and it's a common threshold for working or studying in Japan.
- How many words for N2?
- About 6,000 words and roughly 1,000 kanji.