Japanese-English Dictionary of Yamato Japanese
With Etymological Notes
Editor: Jens Wilkinson, Lingua Guild, Inc, Tokyo
This is a dictionary of Japanese "Yamato-kotoba," which refers to words that are "originally Japanese," meaning those that are not Chinese loanwords (which make up a large portion of the Japanese language today) or later loanwords from other languages. In actuality, I have included terms that people might assume are original Yamato, but which in fact are derived from other languages.
I have been compiling this dictionary with two main goals, which have some bearing on the structure and layout. The first is to try to find "semantic primes" in Japanese. In other words, to try to find the units that constitute the "building blocks" of Yamato Japanese. The second is to look at compound words to see how words are created from semantic primes. In fact, these two goals are both related to another project I have, to create a world pidgin language for use in international communication. An outline for a language of this sort, which I call Neo Patwa, can be found on this site.
In terms of format, words in all-caps are what I believe to be semantic primes. These words are followed by the different derived forms. Entries in italics are references to words included in another entry. Entries without caps but in bold are compound words. In general, words that have not been sorted yet are in plain text.
The romanization is generally the Kunrei method.
This project is an ongoing one, and should not be seen as final. Any suggestions or corrections are welcome, to jowilkinson4@yahoo.com.
A
A 吾 first person singular pronoun.
abake 発け v. peel off. Transitive form is abaki.
abara 肋 rib
ABARA 粗 coarse. Also, abare 暴れ・荒れ rough, not complete. Generalized to "wild."
ABI 浴び bathe. Also, ami.
abuku 泡 bubble, foam
abunai 危ない dangerous
ABURA 油 oil, fat
aburu 焙る v. roast, toast
ada あだ n. emptiness, futility
adakamo あだかも just as, as though
adasi 仇し adj. fickle, vain
adeyakana 艶やかな adj. charming
ADI 味 taste, flavor
aegu 喘ぐ v. pant, gasp
aenai あえない adj. sad, pitiful
aete あえて adv. positively, boldly
agata 県 n. ancient system of land demarcations (now ken) in the Yamato period
AGE 上げる raise
AGO 顎 chin
AHI 会う・合う meet, fit
ahida 間 among, between, during.
ahureru 溢れる v. overflow
AKA 赤 n. red. Root of the adj. akasi.
AKA 垢 n. dirt
akagane 銅 n. copper. Literally, "red gold"
akasi 明かし adj. bright. Verb forms include akasi, make bright, and ake, become bright, dawn.
akatuki 暁 n. dawn, daybreak. Originally, "aka-toki", meaning "bright time".
akebono 曙 n.
AKI 秋 n. autumn
akinai 商い do business. Probably comes from aki (autumn) and okonai (perform), since farmers sold produce in the fall, after the harvest, so it was a good business time.
akirameru あきらめる abandon
akireru 呆れる v. be amazed
akiru 飽きる vt. grow tired of
akitu 安芸津 n. dragonfly. Now generally known as tonbo.
akogare 憧れ v. yearn for
aku 開く v. open
akubi 欠伸 n. yawn
AMA 天 n. sky, heaven. By extension, ame 雨, and amatu.
amaeru あまえる v. depend on kindness
amari あまり leftover
amasi 甘し sweet
amayakasu あまやかす spoil, coddle
ame 雨. See ama 天.
ame 飴 n. food made by boiling rice to concentrate sugar
ame あめ n. glutten
AMI 網 net.
ami 編み v. knit
ANA 穴 hole.
anata あなた you
ane 姉 n. elder sister
ani 兄 n. elder brother
anna あんな adj. such. -ni adv. so
ano あの that
aogu 仰ぐ vi. Look upward
ara あら fault
ARA 荒 coarse. Used to form words such as arasi 荒し and are 荒れ (be stormy).
arahi 洗ひ vt. wash
arakajime 予め beforehand
arasi 嵐 storm. See ara.
arasou 争う v. dispute, quarrel
aratame 改め v. revise. Intransitive form is aratamari, change.
arawareru 現れる vi. appear
arawasu 表す vt. reveal, show
arayuru あらゆる every
are あれ that
ari 蟻 n. ant
ARI 有り・在り exist in time or space
ariku 歩く vi. Walk. Originally conveyed the meaning of traveling from one place to another, and later became aruku. The older word for walking is ayumui.
asa 朝 n. morning
ASASI 浅し shallow. Same root as ososi (late) and ususi (thin).
asatte 明後日 n. the day after tomorrow
ase 汗 n. sweat
aseru 焦る v. fret, fade
ASI 足 foot, leg
asi 葦 reed, bullrush
asita 明日 n. morning. Later changed to ‘tomorrow’.
asobu 遊ぶ vi. play
asoko あそこ there
assari あっさり adv. lightly
asu 明日 tomorrow
ATA 仇 foe, enemy, grudge.
ataeru 与える v. give
atahi 値 n. price, value
atama 頭 n. head
ataru 当たる vt. hit
atatakai 暖かい adj. warm
atatamaru 暖まる vt. get warm
atatameru 暖める vi. warm up
ateru 当てる vt. apply, hit
ATO 跡・後n. mark, track. Later took on the meaning of ‘behind’.
atui 暑い adj. hot
atui 厚い adj. thick
atukamasii 厚かましい adj. impudent
atukau 扱う v. treat, handle
atumeru 集める vt. gather
aturaeru 誂える vt. order
AWA 泡 n. foam. By extension, awateru 慌てる be in a hurry, confused, as foam is always in motion.
aware 哀れn. sorrow
awaremu 哀れむ v. have pity or mercy for
awateru 慌てる in a hurry, confused. See awa.
AWO 青 blue, green, root of the adjective awoshi 青し (blue). In OJ, this covered green as well as blue.
AYA 文 patterns on pottery. By extension, writing.
ayamari 誤り・謝り err, apologize
ayasi 怪し suspicious
AYUMI 歩 walk. This originally had the meaning of walking on legs.
azayakana 鮮やかなadj. bright
azukeru 預ける deposit, entrust
azuma 東 east (same as higasi)
B
BA 場 n. place, room
bara 薔薇 n. rose
barabara ばらばら in pieces
batta 飛蝗 n. grasshopper or locust. Also, inago.
beki 可き suffix meaning “should.” Opposite is bekarazu.
boku 僕 pron. I, manservant
bon'yari ぼんやり adj. faintly
buta 豚 pig. See futosi.
butukaru ぶつかる v. bump into
butukeru ぶつける v. hit, bump into
buyu 部愉 n. gnat. Also, buyo or butto.
D
daki 抱 hug, embrace. See idaki.
damaru 黙る v. become silent
darasinai だらしない adj. slovenly. Probably from daradara.
dare 誰 who
demo でも but
ditto じっと patiently
doko 何処 where. Compound of do (what) and ko (place).
donaru 怒鳴る v. shout out
donata どなた who
donna どんなwhat sort of. -ni adv. how
dono どの which
dono 殿 Mr., Mrs.
doo どう how
dore どれ which
DORO 泥 mud.
doti どち. Compound of do (what) and ti (direction, see miti).
E
E 柄 n. handle
EBI 海老 n. shrimp. This originally meant "berry".
ebira えびら n. quiver for arrows
ebisu 夷 n. barbarian
EDA 枝 branch
erabu 選ぶ v. select
ERI 襟 collar. The older word is kubi.
eru 得る vt. obtain
esa 餌 n. feed. Also e or eba.
G
gake 崖 n. cliff
gakkari がっかり n. disappointment
gambaru 番張る v. hold out. Uncertain origin, may be Chinese or Japanese.
gara 柄 n. pattern
gatagata がたがた clatter
gawa 側 n. side
gejigeji げじげじ n. millipede
geri 下痢 n. diarrhea
geta 下駄 n. wooden clogs
gomakasu 誤魔化す v. cheat
gomi 芥 n. garbage, dust
goto ごと every
gozari 御座る v. honorific of wi 居, ari 有り, iki 行きor ki 来.
guai 具合 n. condition (this may be Japanese)
guzuguzu ぐずぐず adv. slowly
H
HA 刃・歯 n. tooth, blade.
ha 葉 n. leaf
haba 幅 n. width
habu snake. See himo.
habuku 省く v. omit
HADA 肌 skin.
hadaka 裸 adj. naked
hade 派手 adj. showy
hae 蠅 n. fly. Also hai.
haeru 生える v. grow
hagane 鋼 n. steel
hagemasu 励ます encourage
hagemu 励む make effort
hagesii 激しい adj. severe
HAHA 母 mother
HAHI 灰 ash.
hai はい yes
hairu 入る vt. enter
haji 恥 n. shame
hajimaru 始まる begin
hajime 始 begin. Compound of ha (edge) and sime.
HAKA 墓 grave
hakaru 計る vt. measure
hakkiri はっきり adv. clearly
HAKO 箱 box
hakobu 運ぶ v. carry
haku はく v. put on
haku はく v. vomit
hama 浜 n. seaside
hamaguri 蛤 n. clam. Compound of hama 浜 (seaside) and kuri 栗 (chestnut).
hameru 填める v. insert
HANA 花 flower
hana 華 n. snivel
hanabanasii 華々しい adj. brilliant
hanahada はなはだ adv. exceedingly
hanareru はなれる v. separate
hanasu 話す v. speak
HANATI 放 release an object. Used in hanare 放.
hanayaka 華やか・花やか adj. like a flower
HANE 羽・羽根 n. bird wings. Feathers were known as ha羽. Metaphorically extended to wings.
hane 跳ね v. spring upward
HARA 原 field, plain. 腹 belly. By extension, related to hira 平 (flat), and hiro広 (wide).
harau 払う v. pay
harawata 腸 n. intestines
hare 晴れ clear weather
hareru 晴れる v. clear
hareru 腫れる v. swell
HARI 針 needle, pin
haru 張る v. spread
HARU 春 spring.
haruka 遙か adj. faraway
hasami 挟み n. 1. claws, pincers, 2. scissors
hasamu 挟む v. put between
HASI端 n. edge. Extended to 橋 n. bridge, meaning something that connects two edges. Also, hasigo 梯子 ladder.
hasi箸 n. chopsticks
hasigo 梯子 ladder. See hasi 端.
hasika 麻疹 n. measles
hasira 柱 n. pillar
hasiru 走る v. run
hata 旗 n. flag
hatachi 二十歳 twenty years old
hatake 畑 field
hataraku 働く v. work
hatasite 果たして really
hati 蜂 bee, wasp. May be from hari-mochi, "has a needle."
hati はち bowl, pot. Loandword from Sanskrit.
hato 鳩 n. pigeon
hau 這う v. crawl
hayai 早い adj. quick, early, fast
hayaru 流行る v. be fashionable
hayasi 林 n. forest
hazu はず ought to
hazukasii 恥ずかしい adj. ashamed
hazumu 弾む v. bound
hazureru 外れる v. miss
hazusu 外す v. remove
hebi 蛇 snake. Also known as kuchinawa. See hemi.
hemi 蛇 snake. See himo .
heru 減る vi. decrease
heta 下手 adj. unskilled
heya 部屋 n. room
HI 火 fire
HI 日 sun, day
hibari 雲雀 n. skylark
hibiku 響く vi. resound, echo
hidari 左 n. left
hideri 旱 n. drought, dry weather
hidoi 酷い adj. cruel, severe
hieru 冷える v. grow cold
higasi 東 east. Compound. Hi-ga-si.
hige 髭 n. beard
higurasi 蜩 n. cicada
hiji 肘 n. elbow
hikari 光 n. light
hikaru 光る v. shine
hiko 彦 n. boy
hiku 引く v. draw, pull
hikui 低い adj. low
hima 暇 n. leisure
HIMO 紐 string. Related to hemi (snake) and habu (snake).
hina 雛 n. chicken
hineru 捻る v. switch
hinode 日の出 sunrise
hinoe 丙 3rd calendar sign
hinoiri 日の入り n. sunset
hinoto 丁 n. 4th calendar sign
hiraki 開 open. Compound of hiro 広 (wide) and aki 開 (open).
hira 平 flat. See hara.
hiro 広 wide. See hara.
hirou 拾う v. pick up
hiru 昼 n. daytime, noon
hiru 蛭 n. leech
hisasiburi ひさしぶり a long time
hisokani 密かに adv. secretly
hitai 額 n. forehead
hitaru 浸る v. be submerged, absorbed
hitasu 浸す v. dip
hitotu 一つ one
HITO 人 n. person. Often contracted to -do.
hitori 一人 one person
hitosii 等しい adj. equal
hituji 羊 n. sheep
hiyakasu 冷やかす v. tease
hiyasu 冷やす v. cool
hiza ひざ n. knee
HO ほ n. ear of grain
hobo ほぼ adv. almost
hodo ほど suffix. extent
hodoku ほどく v. unbind
hoeru 吠える v. bark, roar
hogaraka ほがらか adj. cheerful
hohoemu 微笑む v. smile
HOKA 他 other
hokori 誇り n. pride
hokori 埃 n. dust
homeru 褒める v. praise
HONE 骨 bone
honoo 炎 n. flame
HOHO 頬 cheek.
hori 堀 n. ditch
horobiru 滅びる v. be ruined
horu 掘る v. dig, carve
HOSI 星 star, planet.
hosii ほしい adj. want
hosoi 細い thin
hosu 干す v. dry
hotaru 蛍 n. firefly
hotoke ほとけ Buddha, merciful person
hotondo ほとんど adv. almost
hubuki 吹雪 n. snowstorm
huchi 縁 brim, edge
huda 札 card, label. Compound
hude 筆 writing brush. May originate from humi-te, or 文手.
hue 笛 n. flute, whistle
hueru 増える vi. increase
HUKA 深 deep. Used in fukasi (deep). Same root as huke.
hukeru 耽る v grow late, indulge
HUKI 吹 blow, wipe
hukumu 含む v. contain
hukuramu 膨らむ v. swell
hukureru 膨れる v. swell
hukuro 袋 n. bag
humi 文 n. writing. It is likely that this is not Yamato, but rather a corruption of the Chinese.
HUMI 踏 tread, step.
humoto 麓 n. foot of a mountain
HUNE 船 boat, ship
hureru 触れる v. touch
huru 振る vt. swing
huru 降る vi. fall
hurueru 震える vi. tremble
HURU 古 old
husagu 塞ぐ v. block
husawasii 相応しい adj. suitable
husegu 防ぐ v. defend
HUSI 節 joint, knot. By extension, a stage.
husuma 襖 papered sliding door
HUTA 蓋 lid.
HUTA 二 two.
HUTOSI 太 fat. Hutori become fat.
huyasu 増やす v. increase
HUYU 冬 winter. May be related to hiyu 冷, meaning cold.
huzakeru 巫山戯る v. joke
I
ibaru 威張る v. boast
ibiki 鼾 n. snore
ichi 市 n. market, town
ichigo 苺 n. strawberry
ichijirusii 著しい adj. remarkable
idaki 抱 envelope, contain, hug.
idimeru 虐める v. treat badly
idiwaru いじわる adj. spiteful
ide 出 v. go out. Transitive is idasi.
ido 井戸 n. well
ie 家 n. home
ii いい adj. good
iie いいえ no
ika 烏賊 n. squid
ikaga いかが how
ikari 怒り n. anger
ike 池 n. pond. See iki.
IKI 息 breath. Extended to ikiru (live). Ike 池 (pond) means a "place where things are kept alive".
ikiiki いきいき adj. lively
ikinari 壱岐なり adv. suddenly
ikioi 勢い n. energy
ikiru 生きる live. See iki.
IKU full of life. Seems to be related to iki.
iku 行く v. go. Also, yuku.
ikura いくら n. salmon roe
ikura いくら how much
ikusa 軍 army. Compound of iku (strong) and sati (arrow).
ikutu いくつ how many
IMA 今 now
ima 居間 n. living room
imo 芋 potato. See umo.
imooto 妹 n. younger sister
inaka いなか countryside
INA 稲 rice plant. Used for rice in process of growing. Became ine.
inaduma 稲妻 lightning. Compound of ina and tuma.
inoti 命 life. Compound of iki 息 (breath) and ti (power).
inoru 祈る v. pray
inu 犬 n. dog
ippai いっぱい adj. full
IRA 苛 thorn.
irassharu いらっしゃる go, come
iratume 郎女 n. young lady
ireru 入れる v. put in
IRO 色 color.
iru いる v. be
ISA 鯨 whale.
ISA rejection. Root used in isakahi, isati, isahi, isame, isako.
isamasii 勇ましい adj. brave
ISI 石 stone. Also iso 磯.
ISO root meaning hurry. Used in isogi 急 hurry, isogasii 忙 busy, isohi, and isosi.
isso いっそ rather
ITA 板 board.
ITA 甚 indicates a limit. Used in itasi 致し (carry out to the end) itari 至り (go to the end) and itadaki 頂く ().
itameru 炒める v. fry
ITASI 痛 pain. Used in itami (ache).
itati 鼬 n. weasel
itawaru 労る v. care for
itazura 悪戯 n. mischief
ITO 糸 thread
itoko 従兄弟 n. cousin
itonamu 営む v. conduct
itu 何時 when
ituka 五日 five days
itutu 五つ five (also, itu)
itosii 愛しい adj. Lovable.
iwa 岩 n. rock
iwasi 鰯 n. sardine
iwau 祝う v. celebrate
iya いや no
iyagaru 嫌がる v. show hatred
iyasii 卑しい adj. mean, low
iyoiyo いよいよ at last
izumi 泉 n. source, spring
K
ka 蚊 n. mosquito
ka 日 n. day (used as a suffix in counting)
KA 香 fragrance. Same root as kagi 嗅 (smell).
kabau 庇う v. protect
KABE 壁 wall
KABI かび mold. Same root as kabure.
kabu 蕪 n. turnip
KABU 株 stump
kaburu かぶる v. put on
KADO 門 gate, door
kado 角 n. corner
kaeru 蛙 n. frog, toad. Also known as kawazu.
kaeru 変える
代える) v. change, return
kaesu 返す v. return
kagami 鏡 mirror. Compound of kaga (shadow) and mi (see).
kagayaku 輝く v. twinkle, shine
KAGE 陰 影 n. shadow.
kagi 鉤 n. key
kagiru 限る v. limit
kago かご basket
KAHA 川 river.
KAHA 皮 bark, skin.
KAHI 貝 shellfish
KAHI 交・買 exchange, barter
KAHO 顔 face
kajiru 囓る bite
kakaeru 抱える hold in one's arms
kakageru 掲げる hoist
kakari 係 charge
kakaru 斯かる hang, suffer(from), cost
kakato 踵 heel
kakawaru 関わる have to do with
kakeru 賭ける break, lack, bet, hang, multiply, run
kaki 柿 n. persimmon
kaki 垣 n.
KAKI 掻く・書き v. scratch. Later came to mean “write.”
kakomu 囲む surround
kakureru 隠れる hide
kakusu 隠す conceal
kama 鎌 n. sickle, trickle
kama 釜 n. kettle
kamakiri 蟷螂 n. praying mantis
kamau 構う v. care, mind
KAME 亀 turtle.
kami 紙 n. paper
KAMI 上 up. By extension, gods 神. Also related to hair 髪.
KAMI 噛む chew
kaminari 雷 n. thunder. from kami (god) nari (sound).
kana 仮名 n. Japanese syllabary
KANA, KANE 金 gold, money, metal
kanarazu 必ず adv. without fail
kanari 化なり adv. pretty
kanasi 悲し adj. Now means “sad,” but originally meant loveable. The root is the same as the kane in kaneri. The verb form is kanashimu.
kanau 叶う v. come true
kane 鐘 n. bell
kaneri 兼ねり v. Do over and over.
kangaeru 考える v. think
kani 蟹 n. crab
KARA 殻 husk, shell. By extension, empty 空.
kara から having a blood relationship. Changed to indicate‘originating from.’
karada 体 body. Compound of kara and da.
karakau からかう v. make fun of
karasi 辛し adj. spicy
karasu 烏 n. raven, crow
kare かれ pron. he
kareru 枯れる v. wither
kari 仮 adj. temporary
kariru 借りる v. borrow
karu 刈る v. cut
karu 駆る v. spur, prompt
karui 軽い adj. light
KASA 傘 umbrella. May be related to Korean kat.
KASA 嵩 size, height. Extended to kasanaru 重なる overlap, kasaneru 重ねる pile up.
kasegu 稼ぐ v. earn
kasi 貸し n. loan
kasi 菓子 n. candy
kasikoi 賢い adj. clever
kasu 貸す v. lend
kasukana 微かな adj. faint
KATA 肩 shoulder.
kata 方 n. person
KATA 型 n. mould, type, pattern, shape. Same root as katasi 固 (solid). Also, katati.
kata 片 one side
katamari 塊 n. lump
katamini 互に adv. mutually
katamaru 固まる v. become hard
katameru 固める v. harden
katamukeru 傾ける v. incline
katamuku 傾く v. incline
katana 刀 sword. Compound of kata (side) and na (same as Korean nal).
kataru 語る v. talk
katasi 固 adj. hard. See kata.
katatumuri 蝸牛 n. snail. Also, katatuburi, dedemusi, dendenmusi.
katu 勝つ v. win
katu 且つ furthermore, also
katugu 担ぐ v. carry a burden
katute かつて once
katte 勝手 n. kitchen
kau 飼う v. raise an animal
kawaigaru かわいがる v. pet
kawaii 可愛い adj. cute
kawaisoo 可愛そう adj. poor
kawakasu 乾かす dry
kawaku 乾く dry
kawara 瓦 tile
kawaru 変わる change
kayou 通う go regularly
kayui 痒い itchy
kazaru 飾る decorate
kaze 風 n. wind
kazoeru 数える v. count
kazu 数 n. number
KE 毛 hair, feather, wool
ke 気 spirit. This is generally believed to be a Chinese loanword, but there are also arguments that it may be originally Japanese, or perhaps an older borrowing.
kechi けち n. stingy
kedamono 獣 n. beast
kega 怪我 n. injury
kemui 煙い adj. smoky
kemuri 煙 n. smoke
kenka 喧嘩 n. quarrel
keredo けれどconj. but
keru 蹴る v. kick
kesa 今朝 n. this morning
kessite 決して adv. never
kesu 消す v. put out
kewasii 険しい adj. steep
kezuru 削る v. sharpen, shave
KI 木 tree
kibisii 厳しい adj. strict
kichinto 木賃と adv. properly
kieru 消える v. disappear
kiiroi 黄色い adj. yellow
kiji 雉 n. pheasant
kikoeru 聞こえる v. hear
kiku 聞く listen, hear
kiku 利く v. be efficacious
kiku 菊 chrysanthemum. Probably not Yamato, as flower was imported from China.
kimeru 決める v. decide. The ki is for cut. In this sense, the metaphorical use is similar to European languages, where decide comes from cut. Also kimaru 決まる be decided.
kimi 君 lord, you
kimochi 気もち n. feeling
kinoko 茸 n. mushroom. Literally, ki no ko, or child of a tree.
kinoo 昨日 yesterday
kinu 絹 silk. May be a loanword from Chinese ken.
kirai 嫌い dislike
kireru 切れる break, cut well
KIRI 霧 fog, mist.
kirigirisu 蟋蟀 n. grasshopper, katydid
kiru 着る cut, wear
KISI 岸 bank.
KITA 北 north. Same root as kitanasi 汚し unpure, dirty. The original meaning is probably related to darkness.
kitui きつい strong
kitune 狐 fox
kitto きっと surely
kiwameru 極める exceedingly
KIYOSI 清し unblemished. Also used as verb kiyome 清め (make pure).
kizahasi 階 n. stairway, ladder
kizamu 刻む chop up
kizu 傷 n. wound
KO 此 pron., indicating proximity to the speaker. Used in forms such as kore 此 (this), koko 此処 (here) and kono 此の (this).
KO 子 child. I suspect that ko as in "small" is ultimately derived from this.
koboreru 零れる overflow
kobosu 零す grumble, spill
kochira こちら here
kodama 児玉 n. spirit of trees, echo
kogeru 焦げる be scorch
kogoeru 凍える be frozen
kogu 漕ぐ row
KOHASI strong, having a strong exterior.
KOHI 恋 Love, sexual attraction. Kohisi nostalgic.
koi 濃い adj. thick
koi 鯉 n. carp
koisii 恋しい miss
kojiki こじき beggar
KOKONO 九 nine. kokonoka 九日 nine days.
kokoro 心 heart, mind, will
kokoromiru試みるtry
koku こく v. thresh, strip
koma 駒. Most likely a contraction of ko uma (colt).
komakai 細かい minute
komaru 困る be perplexed
kome 米 n. rice. Likely derived from komuru (to receive).
komekami 米神 n. temple (part of head)
komu 混む be crowded
komugi 小麦 wheat
komuru こむる v. receive
kon 紺 dark blue
kona 粉 n. flour, powder
konna こんな such, -ni, so (much)
konomasii 好ましい desirable
konomu 好む like
koo こう thus
koori 氷 n. ice
koorogi 蟋蟀 n. cricket
kooru 凍る v. freeze
koraeru 堪える v. endure
koriru 懲りる v. learn a lesson
koro 頃 around the time
korobi 転び v. roll
KOROMO 衣 clothes.
korosi 殺し v. kill
korosi 濃し adj. thick
koru 凝る have a stiff shoulder
KOSI 腰 waist
kosi 越し v. go beyond a boundary or adversary
kossori こっそり secretly
kosuru 擦る rub
kotaeru 答える answer
koto 琴 n. harp
KOTO 事 matter, fact.
kotoba 言葉 language, words. Comes from koto (thing) and ha (leaf). As a leaf allows one to understand what tree, language allows one to understand human intentions, or something to this effect.
kotogara 事柄 matter
kotonaru 異なる differ
kotoni 事に especially
kotowaru 断る refuse, warn
kotowaza 諺 proverb
kotukotu こつこつ little by little and steadily
kowagaru 怖がる be afraid
kowai 怖い fearful
kowareru 壊れる break
kowasu 壊す break
KOWE 声 voice.
koya 小屋 hut
koyomi 暦 almanac
kubaru 配る distribute
KUBI 首 neck, collar
kubo 窪 n. depression, hollow
kuchibiru 唇 lip
kuda 管 tube
kudakeru 砕ける break
kudaku 砕く crush
kudamono 果物 fruit. Derived from ki-na-mono.
kudaru 下る vi. descend
kudasaru 下さる v. bestow upon
kudasu 下す v. hand down
kugi 釘 n. nail
kuguru 潜る dive
kuji 籤 n. lot
KUKI 洞 cave. Related to Korean kokai.
KUKI 茎 stem.
kuma 熊 n. bear
kumi 組 n. group
KUMO 雲 cloud
kumo 蜘蛛 n. spider
kumoru 曇る v. be cloudy
kumu 組む vt. braid
KUNI 国 n. country. Probably not yamato, likely corruption of Chinese guo.
KURA 座 seat.
KURA 暗 dark. Related to kurosi 黒し black. Also kure 暮 evening.
kuraberu 比べる v. compare
kurawi 位 rank. Compound of kura (seat) and wi (be).
kurasu 暮らす v. live
kure 暮れ. See kura.
kureru 暮れる give
kuri 栗 n. chestnut
kurosi 黒し. See kura.
kuru 来る vi. come
kuru 繰る vt. wind. Often used with other verbs to indicate repetition.
KURUMA 車 vehicle.
kurumi 胡桃 n. walnut. May come from kuremi (呉実) but may also be from kuromi 黒実.
KURUSI 苦し painful. Bears resemblance to the Chinese loanword, ku, but apparently is original Japanese, derived from the same root as 狂う kurui.
kuruhi 狂 go mad. See kurusi.
KUSA 草 n. grass
kusai 臭い smell bad
kusari 鎖 chain
kusaru 腐る rot
kuse 癖 habit
kushami 嚔 sneeze
KUSI 串 comb, skewer.
kusuguttai くすぐったい tickle
kusuri 薬 n. medicine
kutabireru 草臥れる be tired
KUTI 口 mouth. Probably related to kuhu (eat).
kutu 靴 shoes
kutusita 靴下 socks, stockings
kuhu 食う eat. See kuti 口.
kuwaeru 加える add, put in the mouth
kuwasii 詳しい detailed
kuwawaru 加わる join
kuyasii 悔しい vexing
kuzu 屑 rubbish
kuzureru 崩れる crumble
kuzusu 崩す destroy
kyoo 今日 tokay
kyuuri キュウリ cucumber. Loanword.
M
MA eye. Same root as mi 目 (see).
MA 間 room, time
mabusi 眩しい dazzling. Compound of 目 ma
mabuta 瞼 eyelid. Compound of 目 ma and huta.
mada 未だ still
mado 窓 window. From ma 目 and do 戸, "eye-gate".
magaru 曲がる bend
mageru 曲げる bend
mago 孫 grandchild
maguro 鮪 n. tuna. Likely because the eyes were black, hence ma 目 (eyes) kuro 黒 (black).
mahe 前 adj. in front of, before. From ma 目 and he 方, "eye-direction".
majime 真面目 earnest
majiru 混じる get mixed
majiwaru 交わる associate with, cross
makaseru 任せる leave
makeru 負ける be defeated
maku 巻く roll, wind, scatter, sow, sprinkle
maku 幕 act, curtain
makura 枕 pillow
mama まま as it is
mame 豆 bean
mamoru 守る defend, guard, keep, obey, protect
mamusi 蝮 n. viper
manaita 俎板 n. cutting board. Mana may originally have meant fish, na was used to refer to fish other than rice, and mana may have meant “true food.”
manabu 学ぶ study. See mane.
MANE 真似 imitation. Etymologically related to manabu.
maneku 招く invite
maneru 真似る imitate. See mane.
marena 希な rare
MARI urinate.
MARO 丸・円 n. circle. Adj. is marosi; verbs include marokare (come together into a lump), marokasi (make into a lump), maroge (lump together), marobi (roll), and marobasi (roll). Later changed to maru.
masaka まさか it is unlikely that
masaru 勝る v. surpass
MASI 増 increase, rise.
masite まして still more, still less
masu 鱒 bass (fish). Likely from masi (increase).
MASU 枡 A measuring instrument. Same root as Korean mal.
masumasu ますます more and more
MATA 股 thigh. Means a place where an object splits into two. Also, 又 again, meaning another one.
matagaru 跨る ride
matagu 跨ぐ step over
MATI 町 town.
MATI 待 wait.
matigaeru 間違える mistake
matigau 間違う error
mato 的 target. See maro.
matomaru 纏まる be settled
matomeru 纏める settle
MATU 松 pine.
matuge 睫 n. eyelashes
maturi 祭り n. festival
mattaku まったく quite
mawari 回り circumference
mawaru 回る turn round
mawasu 回す send round, turn
MAWI 参 go to a shrine or temple
mayou 迷う be at a loss, hesitate, lose one's way
mayu 眉 n. eyebrow
mazeru 混ぜる mix
mazu 先ず first of all
mazui 不味い not good, unpalatable
mazusii 貧しい poor
me 芽 bud
me 目. See ma 目.
medetai 目出度い happy
megumu 恵む
mei 姪 niece
mekata 目方 weight
mekuru 捲る turn over
mesi 飯 n. meal. Derived from the verb mesu.
mesu メス n. female
mesu 召す v. summon, wear, buy, eat
mettani 滅多に seldom
mezamasii 目覚ましい striking
mezasu 目指す aim at
mezurasii 珍しい rare
mi 実 n. fruit, nut
mi 身 n. body
mi 見 see. See ma (eye).
midare 乱れ v. be disordered. Transitive form is midari and midasi.
midarini 妄りに adv. without reason
midasu 乱す disorder
midori 緑 adj. green
midu 水 n. water
migaku 磨く polish
MIGI 右 right side.
migoto 見事 splendid
mijikai 短い short
mijime 惨めwretched
mikado 帝 n. the Japanese monarch. Literally means the gate to to the palace miya.
mikata 見方 viewpoint
mikata 味方 friend
mikazuki 三日月 new moon
MIKI 幹 trunk
mikka 三日 three days
mimakari 身罷かり v. die. This is the old form of sinu (死ぬ), which is adopted from the Chinese borrowing si.
mimi 耳 n. ear. Originally mi, with the sound repeated.
mimizu 蚯蚓 n. earthworm
mina 皆 n. all
minami 南 n. south
minasu 見なす regard as
minato 港 harbor
mine 峰 n. peak
minna みんな all
minoru 実る bear fruit
miru 見る see
misaki 岬 cape
mise 店 shop
miseru 見せる show
misuborasii 見窄らしい shabby
mitasu 満たす fill
MITI, TI 道 road, way.
mitiru 満ちる be full
mitomeru 認める recognize
mitukaru 見つかる be found
mitukeru 見つける find
mitumeru 見つめる gaze
mittu 三 three
miyage 土産 n. souvenir, present
miyako 都 n. capital
mizo 溝 n. ditch
mizukara 自ら personally
mizuumi 湖 n. lake
MO 藻 seaweed.
modoru 戻る vi. come back
modosu 戻す return
moeru 燃える burn
moguru 潜る dive
mokuromu もくろむ v. plan
momidi 紅葉 autumnal leaves, maple tree
momo 股 n. thigh
momo 桃 n. peach
momo 百 n. hundred
MONO 物, 者. Thing, person.
moo もう already
moosu 申す v. say
moppara 専ら chiefly
morasu 漏らす let leak
morau 貰う get
moreru 漏れる v. leak
mori 森 n. forest, woods
moroi 脆い adj. brittle, fragile
moru 漏る leak
mosi 燃し if
motareru 凭れる lean against
motenasu 持てなす entertain
moti 餅 n. rice cake
motiiru 用いる use
MOTO 本, 元. Initially meant the trunk of a tree. By extension, something at the bottom, and later a foundation or basis.
motomeru 求める v. demand, seek
motoduku 基づく be based on
motu 持つ v. possess
motto もっと more
moyasu 燃やす burn
moyoosu 催す hold
mugi 麦 barley, wheat
mukade 百足 n. centipede
mukaeru 迎える meet
mukai 向かいopposite
mukasi 昔 long time ago
mukau 向かう v. face
mukeru 向ける turn
muki 向き direction
muku 向く face, suit, peel
muna 胸 breast, the center of the chest. Later became mune. By extension, 棟, the ridge (highest part) of a roof. Also extended to 旨, the main point of an argument.
munasii 空しい adj. empty
mura 村 n. village. May be related to Korean muai 里.
murasaki 紫 n. purple
mure 群れ n. crowd
musi 虫 n. insect, bug
musiro 寧ろ rather
musu 蒸す steam
musu むす suffix indicating something that increases naturally
musubi 結び tie firmly together
musuko 息子 n. son. In old Japanese, the verb musu meant to be born. Ko is child.
musume 娘 n. daughter. In old Japanese, the verb musu meant to be born. Me is woman.
muti 鞭 n. whip
muttu 六 six
mutuke v. be dissatisfied. Also, mutukasi (adj. be in a bad mood) and mutukari (v. complain).
N
na 己 pron. first person, second person pronoun. Personal pronouns in Japanese often move from first to second person, as in ware, or even boku.
na 名 n. name
NA 菜 n. food added to grain, such as meat, fish or vegetables
nabe 鍋 pan
nadare 雪崩 avalanche
naderu 撫でる stroke
naduki 脳 n. brain
nae 苗 n. seedling
naga 長・永. An ancient root, meaning perhaps meandering. Used in nagasi and nagasu. Also used in nage (throw). May come from an ancient word for serpent.
nagasi 長 long. See naga.
nagame 眺め observe. Compound of naga and me.
nagare 流れ flow. See naga.
nageku 嘆く lament
nage 投げ throw. See naga.
nagori 名残 traces
nagoyaka 名古屋か genial
naguru 殴る strike
nagusameru 慰める console
NAHO 尚 same as always, still more, yet.
nai ない no
naka 中 inside
nakama 仲間 fellow
nakami 中味 contents
nakanaka なかなか rather
naki 泣 sob, weep, sing. Na is from ne (sound).
nakunaru 無くなる be gone
nakusu 無くす lose
nama 生 raw
namae 名前 name
namaiki 生意気 cheeky
namakeru 怠ける be idle
NAMARI 訛 have an accent.
namekuji 生籤 n. slug
nameraka 滑らか smooth
nameru 嘗める lick
NAMI 波 n. wave
namida 涙 n. tear. Perhaps from ma and mizu.
NANA 七 seven. Also, nanatu.
naname 斜め oblique
nani なに what
naoru 直る be restored, get well
naosu 直す correct, cure, repair
naraberu 並べる arrange
narabu 並ぶ stand in a line
narasu 鳴らす sound
narau 習う learn
nareru 慣れる be accustomed
NARI 成り・為り・生り change with the passage of time. Transitive form is nasi.
NARI 鳴り v. ring.
nasake 情け n. sympathy
nasu 茄子 n. eggplant. Derives from old Japanese nasubi. The origin of nasubi is obscure, but it may be from natunomi, or summer fruit.
nasu 成す v. do (same as suru)
natu 夏 n. summer
natukasii 懐かしい adj. nostalgic, dear
nawa 縄 n. rope
nawi 地震 n. earthquake. A combination of na (earth) and wi (be).
nayami 悩み be worried, suffer, worry
naze 何故 why. -nara, because.
nazo 謎 riddle
ne 根 n. 1. price, 2. root
ne 値
negau 願う request, wish
negi 葱 n. leek
neji ねじ screw
nejiru 捻る twist
neko 猫 cat
nemui 眠い sleepy
nemuru 眠むる sleep
nerau 狙う aim at
neru 寝る go to bed, lie down, knead
nezumi 鼠 rat. Compound of ne (root) and sumi (live).
ni 荷 n. load, burden
nibui 鈍い adj. dull, slow
nieru 煮える v. boi,
nigasi 苦し adj. bitter
nigasu 逃がす fail to catch, let escape
nigeru 逃げる escape
nigiru 握る grasp
nigiyaka 賑やか adj. lively
nigoru 濁る v. become muddy
NIHE 新 new.
nihohi 臭ひ n. smell
nikaha 膠 n. glue
niko 和 smooth. Same root as nikosi and nikoyaka.
nikoniko にこにこ smiling
nikosi和しadj. smooth.
nikui 憎い adj. hateful
nikumu 憎む v. hate
niramu 睨む v. glare
niru 似る v. resemble
niru 煮る v. boil
nise 偽 imitation
nisi 西 west
NIWA 庭 garden
niwatori 鶏 chicken. Compound of niwa (garden) and tori (bird).
nizi 虹 n. rainbow
no 野 n. field
nobasu 延ばす lenghten, postpone, stretch
noberu 述べる express
nobiru 延びる grow
noboru 述べる climb, rise
nodo 喉 throat. From nomi 飲み and do 戸, "drink-gate".
nodoka 喉か calm and mild
NOKI overhand of roof.
NOKI 残き leave. Same root as noki and nokori.
nokogiri 鋸 n. saw
nokoru 残る v. remain
nokosu 残す v. leave
nomi 蚤 n. flea
NOMI 飲む drink, swallow.
nori 海苔 n. laver (a type of seaweed),
nori 糊 n. glue, paste
nori 法 n. rule
noronoro のろのろ slowly
norosi 鈍し adj. slow
noru 乗る ride, take
noseru 乗せる give a ride, load, put
noti 後 n. future. -ni adv. afterwards.
nozoku 除く except, omit, take off, peep
nozomasii 望ましい desirable
nozomu 望む desire
nugu 脱ぐ v. remove clothing
nukeru 抜ける fall off
nuku 抜く v. pull out
numa 沼 n. swamp
nuno 布 n. cloth
nurasu 濡らす v. wet
nureru 濡れる v. get wet
nuru 塗る v. paint, apply a cream
nurui 温い adj. lukewarm
nusi 主 n. lord
nusumu 盗む v. steal
nuu 縫う v. sew
O
o 御 (honorific prefix)
o 尾 tail
oba 叔母 aunt
obi 帯 girdle
oboeru 覚える remember
oboreru 溺れる be drowned
ochiru 落ちる fall
odayaka 穏やか tranquil
odokasu 脅かす frighten, startle
odorokasu 驚かす surprise
odoroku 驚く v. be surprised
odoru 踊る v. dance
oeru 終える v. finish
ogamu 拝む v. worship
oginau 補う v. compensate for
ogosokani 厳かに adv. solemnly
ohoshi 大し adj. big
ohoyake 公 adj. public
oi 甥 n. nephew
oisii 美味しい adj. delicious
oji 叔父 n. uncle
oka 丘 n. hill
okage お陰 n. favor
okasii 可笑しい adj. funny, amusing
okasu 犯す v. commit
okazu おかず n. main dishes
oki 沖 n. offing
oko 起 v. wake Used in oki (), okosi () and okori ().
okonau 行う v. carry out
okoru 起こる v. happen
okoru 怒る v. get angry
okosu 起こす v. awaken
oku 置く v. place
okureru 遅れる be late, lose time
okuru 送る see off, send, present
omedetoo おめでとう Congratulations!
omona 主な main
omoi 重い grave, heavy, serious
omomuki 趣 elegance
omosiroi 面白い funny, interesting
omote 表 street, surface
omotya おもちゃ toy
omou 思う think
onaji 同じ equal, the same
onaka お腹 stomach, belly
onna 女 woman
onoono 各 each
oogesa 大げさに exaggeratedly
ooi 多い many
ooku 多く many
ore 俺 I
oreru 折れる give in
oriru 降りる・下りる vi. descend, go down
oroka 愚か foolish
orosoka 疎か negligent
orosu 卸す・下ろす・降ろす vt. take down, unload
oru 折る v. bend, break
ori 織る v. weave
osaeru 押さえる control, hold
osamaru 収まる be settled, calm down
osameru 納める pay, govern
osanai 幼い infant
osieru 教える teach
osii 惜しい precious, regrettable
osimu 惜しむ grudge, regret
osiroi 白粉 face powder
osoi 遅い late, slow
osoraku 恐らく perhaps
osoreru 恐れる fear
osorosii 恐ろしい terrible
osou 襲う attack
osowaru 教わる learn
ossharu 仰る say (with respect)
osu 押す v. push
osu 雄 n. male
otamajakusi お玉杓子 n. tadpole. Also known as kato.
oto 音 n. sound
otoko 男 n. man
otona 大人 adult
otonasii 大人しい adj. gentle originally meant “acting like an adult”
otooto 弟 younger brother
otoroeru 衰える decline
otoru 劣る be inferior
otosu 落とす drop, lose, omit
ototoi 一昨日 the day before yesterday
ototosi 一昨年 the year before last
otto 夫 husband
ou 負う bear, owe, chase
owaru 終わる end
oya 親 parents
oyobu 及ぶ be equal, reach
oyogu 泳ぐ swim
oyoso およそ about
P
pattari ぱったり abruptly
pekopeko ぺこぺこ awfully hungry
pikapika ぴかぴか glitter
S
sabiru 錆びる rust
sabisii 寂しい lonely
sadameru 定める fix
saegiru 遮る interrupt
saezuru 囀る chirp
sagaru 下がる vi. hang down
sagasu 探す search
sageru 下げる vt. hang, lower
saguru 探る search for
SAHI kind of sword. May be same as Korean stapu.
saiwai 幸い good luck, happiness
saji 匙 spoon
saka 坂 n. slope
SAKA, SAKE 酒 alcoholic liquor, sake.
sakaeru 栄える prosper
sakai 境 n. boundary
sakana 魚 fish. Although used to mean "fish" comes from saka na 酒菜 meaning something eaten with sake. Originally, the word for fish was iwo and later uwo or uo.
sakanoboru さかのぼる go up, trace back
sakasama 逆さま upside-down
sakazuki 杯 wine cup
sake 鮭 salmon. Loanword from the ainu shake.
sakebu 叫ぶ shout
sakeru 避ける split, avoid
SAKI 先 point
sakki さっき some time ago
saku 昨 v. 1. bloom, 2. tear
sakura 桜 n. cherry
sakuri さくり v. hiccup
SAMA 状, 態, 様 indicates a state.
samasu 覚ます cool, wake
samatageru 妨げる obstruct
samazama さまざま various
sameru 冷める become sober, fade, get cold, awake
samusi 寒し adj. cold
sanagi 蛹 n. chrysalis
sappari さっぱり at all
SARA 皿 dish, plate.
sarani 更に further
saru 去る v. leave
SARU 猿 monkey.
sasaeru 支える v. support
sasageru 捧げる v. consecrate, dedicate, offer to
sasaru 刺さる stick
SASI point to 指 or 差. Also, by extension, stab 刺.
sasou 誘う v. invite
sasu See sasi.
sasuga 流石 as might be expected
sate さて Well
sati 幸・矢 n. arrow. Derived from satu 矢 in satuya or satuwo. Same root as Korean sal (arrow).
sato 里 n. place where people live
satoru 悟る realize
sawagasii 騒がしい noisy
sawagu 騒ぐ make a noise
sawaru 触る touch
sawayaka 爽やか fresh
SAWO 竿 pole. Term for pole used to push boats.
sayuri 小百合 n. old word for lily.
seki 咳 cough
semai 狭い adj. narrow
semaru 迫る come near
semeru 攻める attack
semi 蝉 n. cicada
senaka 背中 back
sesseto せっせと diligently
shaberu 喋る chatter
shagamu しゃがむ crouch
share 洒落 joke
shi 為 v. do, carry out. This is the current suru. It is used as a part of many words.
siawase 幸せ happiness
siba 芝lawn
sibaraku 暫く for a while
sibaru 縛る bind
sibasiba 屡々 often
sibireru 痺れる be benumbed
siboru 絞る wring
sibui 渋い astringent
SIDU quiet. Root of siduka 静か (peaceful, quiet), sidumu 沈む (sink), and siduke.
siduka 静か peaceful, quiet. See sidu.
sizumu 沈む sink. See sidu.
sigeru 茂る grow thick
SIHO 汐or 潮. tide. By extension, seawater. Perhaps extended to 塩 (salt).
siiru 強いる compel
sijimi 蜆 n. small clam
sika 鹿 n. deer. In OJ, was simply ka.
sikaru 叱る scold
sikasi 然し but
sikirini 頻りに frequently
sikkari しっかり firmly
siku 敷く lay, spread
sikujiru しくじる fail
SIMA 島 island. By extension, stripe 縞,
simaru 閉まる close
simau 終う put away
simeru 閉める tighten, shut, occupy, become damp
simesu 示す show
simijimi しみじみ deeply(inside the soul)
simiru 染みる penetrate
simo 霜 frost
simo 下 adj. lower
sina 品 n. article, item
sippo 尻尾 tail
siraberu 調べる inquire
sirami 虱 lice. Compound of siro 白 (white) and mi (bug).
siraseru 知らせる inform
SIRI 尻 buttocks, behind.
siro 城 n. castle
SIRO 白white. Root of the adj. sirosi (白し).
siru 知る know
siru 汁 juice, soup
sirusu 記す v. mark, sign
SISI 肉 meat. Related to Korean sasam.
sisi 獅子. Loan from Chinese of the Sanskrit word for lion, sinha.
SITA 下 below, under.
SITA 舌 tongue, language.
sitagau 従う follow, obey
sitasii 親しい intimate
sitoyaka 淑やか gentle
situkosi しつこし adj. having a heavy flavor.
siwa 皺 wrinkle
sizuku 滴 drop
SO 其 pron., indicating distance from the speaker. Used in forms such as sore其 (that), soko 其処 (there) and sono 其の (that). Related to Korean cho.
SO, SE 背 back. Related to Korean ting.
SOBA 側 slope, side. Extended to soba 蕎 buckwheat, which was originally called sobamugi, meaning "grain that grows on slopes".
sobieru 聳える rise high
sodateru 育てる bring up, cultivate
sodatu 育つ grow up
sode 袖 sleeve. Compound of so (clothes) and te (hand).
sokkuri そっくり very similar
soko 底 n. bottom
sokonau 損なう v. damage
someru 染める dye
somuku 背く disodey, revolt
sonaeru 備える furnish, prepare
SORA 空 n. sky. [Indicates the place between ama (heaven) and tuti (earth). It was believed to be devoid of creatures, so came to have the meaning of "empty".
soroeru 揃える arrange
sorou 揃う be uniform
soru 剃る shave
sosogu 注ぐ pour
sosokkasii そそっかしい careless
soto 外 outside
sotto そっと quietly, secretly
sou そう go along
SU 酢 vinegar. Related to Korean si.
su 巣 nest
subarasii 素晴らしい splended
suberu 滑る slide
subete 全て all
sudeni 既に already
SUDI 筋 muscle.
sue 末 end
sugata 姿 figure
SUGI 杉 cedar
sugiru 過ぎる pass
sugoi 凄い terrible
sugosu 過ごす pass
SUGU 直 straight.
sugureta 優れた excellent
suji 筋 line, plot, logic
suki 空き opening
suki 好き like
sukkari すっかり entirely
sukkiri すっきり clear
sukosi 少し a few, a little
suku 空く become less full
sukunai 少ない few, little
sukuu 救う rescue, scoop
sumasu 住ます finish
SUMERA
SUMI 隅 corner.
SUMI 墨 charcoal, indian ink.
SUMI 住み dwell, finish, be clear.
suna 砂 n. sand
sunao 素直 obedient
sunawachi 即ち namely
surasura すらすら smoothly
SURI 擦 rub.
surudoi 鋭い sharp
suso 裾 skirt
SUSU 進. Used in susumi 進 advance, gain, progress.
SUTE 捨 discard, abandon.
suu 吸う breathe, sip
suwaru 座る sit
SUZU 鈴 bell.
suzume 雀 n. sparrow. The suzu likely derives from the sound of a bell, like the chirp, and the me is used for small birds.
suzusii 涼しい adj. cool
T
TA 手 hand. Extended to tori 取 (take).
ta 田 n. rice field
taba 束 n. bundle
taberu 食べる v. eat. Likely derived from tamawaru (to give).
TABI 度 time (as in every time)
tabi 旅 n. trip.
tada 只 common, free, only
tadatini 直ちに immediately
tadasi 但し but
tadasi 正し correct, right
tadayou 漂う drift
taeru 耐える endure
taeru 絶える v. end
tafure 倒れ v. Collapse. Transitive form is tafusi.
tagaini 互いに mutually
tagayasu 耕す till
TAGI 滝 n. waterfall. Later became taki. Same root as tagisi (激) and tagiri (滾).
TAHI 鯛 sea bass.
taira 平ら flat
taka 鷹 n. hawk
TAKA 高 tallness. Used as root for adj. takashi.
TAKA, TAKE 竹 bamboo. Older form was taka.
takara 宝 n. treasure
taki 滝 waterfall. See tagi.
tako 蛸
taku 炊く vt. kindle
takumasii 逞しい sturdy
TAKUMI 巧 skill, plan.
takuwaeru 蓄える save, store
TAMA 玉 stone for protection. By extension, ball 球 and gem 玉, and tamasi 魂 soul.
tamago 卵 egg. Compound of tama and child.
tamani 偶に occasionally
tamaru 貯まる accumulate
tamasii 魂 soul. See tama.
tamatama たまたま by chance
tamawaru たまわる v. give, grant. Also tamou or tamau.
tambo 田んぼ rice field
tame 為 benefit, cause, purpose, reason
tameiki ため息 sigh
tamerau 躊躇う hesitate
tameru 貯める save, store
tamesu 試す try
TAMI 民 people
tamotu 保つ keep
TANA 棚 shelf
TANE 種 seed.
TANI 谷 valley
tanomosii 頼もしい reliable
tanomu 頼む entrust, request
tanosii 楽しい pleasant
tanosimu 楽しむ enjoy
tappuri たっぷり full
tariru 足りる be sufficient
tasikana 確かな adj. accurate, reliable, certain
tasikameru 確かめる make sure, ascertain
tasu 足す v. add
tasukeru 助ける vt. save, help
tatakai 戦い n. fight, battle, war
tatakau 戦う vi. fight
tataku たたく beat, strike
tatami 畳 n. mat
TATAMI 畳 fold up.
tate 縦 length
tateru 立てる erect, build
TATI 達 Suffix indicating several items. May be related to til in Korean.
TATI 立 stand, be built, start, pass, cut.
tatoe 例え even if, example, proverb, similitude
tatoeru 例える compare
tatta たった only
tayasui 容易い easy
tayori 便り n. news
tayoru 頼る vt. depend on
tazuneru 訪ねる v. ask, visit
tazusawaru 携わる v. be engated in
te 手 hand. See ta.
tekubi 手首 wrist. Compound of te (hand) and kubi (neck).
TERA 寺 temple. May be related to Korean.
teri 照り v. shine. Transitive is terasi 照らし (shed light on)
ti 血 blood. See tu.
ti 千 n. thousand
tidimu 縮む vi. shrink
tigahi 違ひ differ. Compound of ti (direction) and kahi (change).
tigiru 契る vt. tear up
tihisasi 小さし adv. small
tikai 近い adj. near
tikara 力 n. power
tikahi 誓 swear. Uncertain, but could be a compound of ti (blood) and exchange
tirasu 散らす v. scatter
tiru 散る v. disperse
titi 乳 n. milk
titi 父 n. father
tittomo ちっとも at all
TO 戸 portal, door. Also do.
tobasu 飛ばす blow off, let fly, omit
TOBI 飛 fly, jump.
tobokeru とぼける v. grow senile, be stupid, joke around
tobosii 乏しい scanty
todana 戸だな cupboard
todokeru 届ける send
todoku 届く reach
togatta 尖った pointed
togeru 遂げる attain
togu 研ぐ whet
toi 問い question
tokasu 溶かす melt
tokeru 解ける be solved, come loose, melt
TOKI 時 time
tokoro 所 n. place
toku 説く solve, untie, explain, persuade, preach
tomaru とまる stop, stay
tombo 蜻蛉 dragonfly. See akitu.
tomeru とめる fasten, forbid, stop, lodge
TOMI 富 riches.
TOMO 供 attendant, 友 friend.
tomonau 伴う accompany
tonari 隣 next
tonikaku 兎に角 anyway
too 十 n. ten
tooge 峠 n. peak
tooi 遠い adj. far, distant, remote
tootoi 尊い noble
tora 虎 tiger
toreru 取れる catch
TORI 鳥 bird
tori 取 take. See ta.
TOSI 年 harvest. By extension, age, year, time of life.
totemo とても quite, utterly
totonou 整う be in order, be ready
TU, TI 血 blood.
tuba 唾 spittle
tubaki 椿 n. camellia
tubame 燕 n. swallow
tubasa 翼 n. wing
tubo 壷 n. jar
tubomi 蕾 bud
tubu 粒 grain
tubureru 潰れる be crushed
tubusu 潰す crush
tubuyaku 呟く vi. murmur
TUDUKI 続 continue.
tue 杖 stick
tugeru 告げる tell
tugi 次 next
tugu 次ぐ join, succeed to, be next to
tuhi 遂 the end, ultimately
tuhini 遂に adv. at last
tuitachi 一日 n. first day of the month
tuiyasu 費やす spend
tukai 使い errand, messenger
tukamaeru 捕まえる catch
tukamaru 捕まる be caught
tukareru 疲れる be tired
tukau 使う employ, spend, use
tukeru 付ける attach, pickle
tuki 月 n. moon, month
tukihi 月日 time (months and days)
tukiru 尽きる be exhausted
tukkomu 突っ込む thrust in
tuku 着く v. arrive
tuku 突く v. thrust
tukue 机 desk
tukuru 作る build, make, produce
tukusu 尽くす make efforts
TUMA 妻 wife or husband.
tumamu 摘む pick
tumaranai 詰まらない trifling
tumari 詰まり in short
tumaru 詰まる be full, be stopped
tumazuku 躓く stumble
TUME 爪 n. nail, claw. Originally meant the edge.
tumeru 詰める pack
tumetasi 冷たし adj. cold to the touch
tumi 罪 n. crime, sin
tumori つもり intention
tumoru 積もる accumulate
tumu 積む heap
TUNA 綱 rope. Root of tunagi 繋 bind, be related to..
tunami 津波 n. tidal wave
tune 常 n. normal conditions. -ni, adv. always, ordinarily.
TURA, TURE, TURI
turai 辛い adj. tough
turanuku 貫く v. pierce
ture 連れ n. companion
tureru 連れる v. take along
turi 釣り n. fishing
turu 釣る fish
turu 鶴 crane. Related to Korean turumi.
turusu 吊す hang
tutaeru 伝える hand down, report
tuta 蔦 n. ivy
tutanasi 拙し adj. clumsy
tutawaru 伝わる spread
TUTI 土 earth, ground, soil.
TUTO effort. Root of tutome 勤め make efforts, serve, and tutoni.
tutu 筒 n. pipe
tutuku 突く vt. poke at
TUTUMI 包 wrap, pile up.
tuya 艶 gloss
TUYOSI 強 strong.
tuyomeru 強める strengthen
tuyu 梅雨 the rainy season.
TUYU 露 dew.
tyanto ちゃんと adj. properly
tyoodo ちょうど just
tyotto ちょっと a little bit
U
UBAHI 奪 deprive
UTI 内 n. inside
uchiwa 内輪 fan
ude 腕 arm
ueru 植える plant
UHA, UHE 上 surface, top, up, above, over.
ugai うがい gargling
ugokasu 動かす move
ugoku 動く move
UJI 氏 n. clan name
ukagau 伺う v. visit, ask, listen to
ukeru 受ける v. receive, suffer
UKI 浮 float.
ukkari うっかり carelessly
uma 馬 n. horse. Not original Yamato, as the horse was introduced to Japan through Korea.
umai 旨い delicious, skilful
umare 生まれ be born. See umi.
ume 梅 plum. This seems to be Yamato, but is actually a borrowing from Chinese.
umeru 埋める bury
UMI 海 sea
UMO 芋 potato.
umu 生む give birth to
unagi 鰻 eel
unaru 唸る groan
unazuku 頷く nod
unubore 自惚れ self-conceit
URA 裏 back, behind
uramu 恨む v. bear a grudge, resent
urayamasii 羨ましい enviable
uresii 嬉しい glad
urooro うろうろ wandering around
uru 売る get, obtain, sell
urusai 五月蠅い annoying
usagi 兎 rabbit
USI 牛 bull, cow. May be related to Korean syo.
usinau 失う lose
usiro 後ろ back. Compound of mu (body) and siri (behind).
uso 嘘 lie
usu 薄 light. See asa (shallow).
usumeru 薄める dilute
UTA 歌 poem, song
utagau 疑う doubt
utu 鬱 beat, shoot
utukusi 美しadj. dear, cherished. Later changed to cute, then beautiful.
uturu 移る be reflected, be taken, move
utusu 移す v. copy
utuwa 器 n. vessel
uttaeru 訴える v. appeal
uttoosii 鬱陶しい adj. oppressive
uwabami うわばみ n. python, large snake
uwasa 噂 n. rumor
W
WA 輪 n. ring, wheel
wabiru 詫びる apologize
waga 我が my, our
wakai 若い young
wakasu 沸かす boil
wake 訳 circumstances, reason
WAKI 分き・別き be divided. Also 脇, side, or armpit. Root of wakare 分かれ (split from).
waku 沸く boil, gush
waku 枠 frame
wara 藁 straw
warau 笑う laugh, smile, sneer
wareru 割れる crack
ware 我 we
warini 割に comparatively
warosi 悪し adj. bad
wasureru 忘れる forget, leave
WATA 綿 cotton.
WATA 海 sea. Likely related to Korean pata.
watakusi 私 I
wataru 渡る cross
watasu 渡す carry across, hand
wazato 態と intentionally
wazawai 災い n. calamnity
wazawaza わざわざ especially
wazuka 僅か only
WI 猪 wild boar
WOSA 長 chief. Root of wosame 治め (rule) 収め (gather).
wosanasi 幼 young. From wosa (chief) nasi (not).
Y
YA 屋 shop, house.
YA 矢 arrow
yabureru 破れる be torn
yaburu 破る beat, tear
yado 宿 gate, inn. Compound of ya 屋 (house) and do (gate).
yagate やがて soon
yahari やはり after all
yakamasii 喧しい nois
yakan やかん kettle
yakara 族 n. family rank
yakedo 火傷 n. burn
yakeru 焼ける be burnt, be roasted, be sunburnt
yaku 焼く bake, burn
YAMA 山 n. mountain
YAMAHI 病 illness
yame 止め give up, resign, stop. See yami.
YAMI 闇 darkness
YAMI 止 stop, cease. Difference from tome is that yami is normally natural.
yanagi 柳 willow. Compound of ya (arrow) na ki (tree), from the fact that arrow shafts were made of willow.
yane 屋根 roof. Compound of ya 屋 (house) and ne (root).
yaoya 八百屋 greengrocer
yari 槍 n. spear
yaru 遣る do, send
yasasii 優しい easy:gentle
yaseru 痩せる get lean
yasiki 邸 n. mansion, residence
yasinau 養う bring up, support
yasui 安い be apt to, cheap
yasumu 休む be absent from, rest
yatou 雇う employ
yatto やっと at last, barely, with difficulty
yattu 八 eight
yawarakai 柔らかい soft
yaya やや a little
YO 夜 night
yoake 夜あけ daybreak. Compound of yo (night) and ake (brightening).
yobi 呼び call, invite, name
yogoreru 汚れる get dirty
yogosu 汚す stain
yohodo 代ほど pretty
yokeru 避ける avoid
yoko 横 side, width
yokosu 寄越す send
yome 嫁 n. daughter-in-law
YOMI 読 count, by extension, read.
yomigaeru よみがえる come to life. Compound of yomi (land of the dead) and kaeri (return).
yonaka 夜中 midnight
yorikakaru 寄りかかる v. lean against, rest on
yorodu 万 adj. ten thousand, myriads, everything
yorokobi 喜び v. be glad
yorosii 宜しい good
yoru 寄る call at, come together, due to
yoru 夜 night
yoseru 寄せる add, bring near, gather
yosi 吉 allright
yoso よそ somewhere else
yosu よす stop
yottu 四 four
you よう become seasick, drunk
yowasi 弱し adj. weak
yu 湯 hot water
YUBI 指 finger, digit
yuderu ゆでる boil
yueni 故に therefore
yuge 湯気 steam
YUHUBE evening.
YUKA 床 floor
yukata 浴衣 cotton kimono
YUKI 雪 snow.
yukkuri ゆっくり slowly
yume 夢 dream
YUMI 弓 bow.
YURE 揺 shake.
yurui 緩い loose
yurumeru 緩める loosen
yurumu 緩む loosen
yurusu 許す forgive, permit
yutaka 豊かabundant
yuu 言う say
yuube 夕べ last night
yuudachi 夕立 shower
yuugata 夕方 evening
yuuhi 夕日 setting sun
yuuyake 夕やけ evening glow
yuzuru 譲る concede, transfer
Z
zatto ざっと about, roughly
zehi 是非 right and wrong, by all means
zoori 草履 Japanese sandals
zu —ず verb suffix indicating negation.
zureru ずれる slip
zurui 狡い sly
zutto ずっと very, all the way
Proper Names
A
akitusima 秋津島 n. Old name for Japan
Words that aren’t old Japanese
Buta (pig) This is from the middle ages, probably derived from fatness (futosi).
Furo,
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