総合・抽象 II

二人ふたりの出会であいは運命うんめいだった。

Their meeting was fate.

Usage 運命 = fate or destiny: 運命的な出会い, 運命を変える, 運命共同体. Weightier than 縁.

Remember it 運 (to carry, fortune) + 命 (life) → wherever your life is being carried.

駅えきで偶然ぐうぜん昔むかしの友人ゆうじんに会あった。

I ran into an old friend at the station by chance.

Usage 偶然 works as noun and adverb: 偶然の一致 (a coincidence), 偶然会う. Its opposite is 必然.

Remember it 偶 (by chance) + 然 (in that state) → things that merely happened to line up.

この結果けっかは必然ひつぜんだった。

This outcome was inevitable.

Usage 必然 = what could not have been otherwise: 必然的に, 偶然ではなく必然. Formal, used in argument.

Remember it 必 (must) + 然 (so) → it had to turn out that way.

お金かねだけが幸福こうふくの条件じょうけんではない。

Money alone doesn't make happiness.

Usage 幸福 = happiness in the large, philosophical sense: 幸福な人生, 幸福度. 幸せ is the warm everyday word.

Remember it 幸 (good fortune) + 福 (blessing) → the formal, written face of 幸せ.

不幸ふこうな出来事できごとが重かさなった。

One misfortune came after another.

Usage 不幸 = misfortune and unhappiness: 不幸な事故. 不幸があった is also a gentle way of saying someone has died.

Remember it 不 (not) + 幸 (fortune) → fortune withheld.

多おおくの苦難くなんを乗のり越こえてきた。

They have come through many hardships.

Usage 苦難 = severe hardship, a written word: 苦難の道, 苦難を乗り越える. Everyday trouble and effort is 苦労.

Remember it 苦 (bitter) + 難 (difficulty) → bitterness and difficulty in one word.

これは私わたしにとって大おおきな試練しれんだ。

This is a great trial for me.

Usage 試練 = a trial that tests you: 試練を受ける, 試練に耐える. It implies you may come out stronger.

Remember it 試 (to test) + 練 (to temper metal) → tested in the fire, and tempered by it.

留学りゅうがくが人生じんせいの転機てんきになった。

Studying abroad was the turning point of my life.

Usage 転機 = a turning point in a life or career: 転機を迎える, 大きな転機. It sounds exactly like 天気 (weather).

Remember it 転 (to turn) + 機 (the moment) → the moment at which things turned.

人生じんせいの岐路きろに立たっている。

I'm standing at a crossroads in life.

Usage 岐路 = a fork in the road, almost always figurative: 岐路に立つ. The same 岐 as in 分岐.

Remember it 岐 (a fork) + 路 (road) → the road splits, and you have to choose.

選択肢せんたくしは三みっつある。

There are three options.

Usage 選択肢 = the options open to you: 選択肢が多い, 選択肢を増やす. Also the answer choices on a multiple-choice test.

Remember it 選択 (choosing) + 肢 (a limb, a branch) → the branches you get to choose between.

社長しゃちょうは難むずかしい決断けつだんをした。

The president made a difficult decision.

Usage 決断 = a decisive choice under pressure: 決断力 (decisiveness), 決断を迫られる. 決定 is a settled decision; 決断 has resolve in it.

Remember it 決 (to decide) + 断 (to cut) → deciding by cutting the other options off.

タバコをやめる決心けっしんをした。

I made up my mind to quit smoking.

Usage 決心 = making up your own mind about your own life: 決心がつく, 決心が鈍る. 決断 affects others too.

Remember it 決 (to decide) + 心 (heart) → the heart is settled, not merely the plan.

四十歳よんじゅっさいは人生じんせいの節目ふしめだ。

Turning forty is a milestone in life.

Usage 節目 = a natural dividing point in time: 節目の年, 人生の節目, 節目を迎える.

Remember it 節 is the joint in a bamboo stalk → bamboo grows in sections, and so does a life.

仕事しごとに区切くぎりがついたら休やすもう。

Once the work reaches a stopping point, let's take a break.

Usage 区切り = a break or stopping point: 区切りがつく, 区切りをつける (to draw a line under something).

Remember it 区 (a division) + 切る (to cut) → cutting the work into manageable sections.

人気にんきが頂点ちょうてんに達たっした。

Their popularity reached its peak.

Usage 頂点 = the apex, literal or figurative: 頂点に立つ (to stand at the top), 頂点を極める. A mountain summit is 山頂.

Remember it 頂 (the crown of the head) + 点 (point) → the single point at the very top.

前例ぜんれいのない事態じたいが起おきている。

An unprecedented situation is unfolding.

Usage 前例 = a precedent: 前例がない (unprecedented), 前例に従う. Japanese organisations lean heavily on 前例.

Remember it 前 (before) + 例 (example) → the example that came before, and now binds you.

この規則きそくに例外れいがいはない。

There are no exceptions to this rule.

Usage 例外 = an exception: 例外的に, 例外なく (without exception), 例外を認める.

Remember it 例 (the usual case) + 外 (outside) → the case that falls outside the rule.

原則げんそくとして予約よやくが必要ひつようです。

As a rule, a reservation is required.

Usage 原則として = as a general rule, leaving room for exceptions — extremely common in notices. 原則禁止 = prohibited in principle.

Remember it 原 (origin) + 則 (rule) → the rule you start from, before any exceptions.

調理ちょうり時間じかんの目安めやすは十分じゅっぷんです。

Cooking time is about ten minutes as a guide.

Usage 目安 = a rough guide, never a promise: 目安として, 目安をつける. It appears on packaging and in instructions constantly.

Remember it 目 (eye) + 安 → something to set your eye on, approximately.

金かねだけが成功せいこうの尺度しゃくどではない。

Money is not the only measure of success.

Usage 尺度 = the yardstick you judge by: 評価の尺度, 尺度が違う.

Remember it 尺 (an old unit of length) + 度 (degree) → the ruler you hold things up against.

失業率しつぎょうりつは経済けいざいの重要じゅうような指標しひょうだ。

Unemployment is an important economic indicator.

Usage 指標 = an indicator or index: 経済指標, 指標となる数字. Don't confuse it with 目標 (a goal).

Remember it 指 (to point) + 標 (a marker) → the marker that points to where things stand.

日本にほんの医療いりょう水準すいじゅんは高たかい。

Japan's standard of medical care is high.

Usage 水準 = standard or level, in formal writing: 生活水準 (standard of living), 水準が高い. レベル is the casual loanword.

Remember it 水 (water) + 準 → a spirit level: water finds its own level and sets the standard.

会議かいぎの段取だんどりを決きめておこう。

Let's settle the running order for the meeting.

Usage 段取り = the practical order of steps: 段取りがいい (well organised), 段取りを組む. Highly prized in Japanese workplaces.

Remember it 段 (a step) + 取り (taking) → deciding which step gets taken when.

都合つごうのいい日ひを教おしえてください。

Please tell me a day that suits you.

Usage 都合 = circumstances and convenience: 都合がいい／悪い, 都合をつける (to make the time), 自分の都合.

Remember it The polite escape hatch: 都合が悪い lets you decline without giving any reason.

家庭かていの事情じじょうで会社かいしゃを辞やめた。

I left the company for family reasons.

Usage 事情 = the circumstances behind something, often private: 家庭の事情, 事情がある, 事情を説明する.

Remember it 事 (matters) + 情 (conditions) → the state of things behind the scenes.

交渉こうしょうは新あたらしい局面きょくめんに入はいった。

The negotiations have entered a new phase.

Usage 局面 = a phase of a developing situation: 難しい局面, 局面が変わる.

Remember it Borrowed from shogi and go: the 局面 is the position on the board right now.

その場面ばめんは今いまでも覚おぼえている。

I still remember that scene.

Usage 場面 = a scene in a story, or a situation you find yourself in: 感動的な場面, 場面に応じて (as the situation calls for).

Remember it 場 (place) + 面 (face) → the face a place shows at one particular moment.

忘わすれられない光景こうけいだった。

It was an unforgettable sight.

Usage 光景 = a sight before your eyes, often a striking one: 美しい光景, 悲惨な光景. 情景 carries more feeling.

Remember it 光 (light) + 景 (view) → the view as the light showed it to you.

詩しに描えがかれた情景じょうけいが目めに浮うかぶ。

The scene described in the poem comes to mind.

Usage 情景 = a scene that stirs feeling, used of literature and memory: 情景が浮かぶ, 情景描写.

Remember it 情 (feeling) + 景 (view) → a view with feeling attached; 光景 is simply what you saw.

事故じこの現場げんばに警察けいさつが来きた。

The police came to the scene of the accident.

Usage 現場 = the actual site: 事故現場, 工事現場; and the front line of work: 現場の声 (the view from the shop floor).

Remember it 現 (actual) + 場 (place) → the place where it is actually happening.

現地げんちの人ひとに道みちを聞きいた。

I asked a local for directions.

Usage 現地 = the place in question, as opposed to where you are now: 現地時間 (local time), 現地集合 (meet at the venue).

Remember it 現 (actual) + 地 (place) → the ground itself, where the thing is happening.

地元じもとの野菜やさいを使つかった料理りょうりだ。

The dish is made with local vegetables.

Usage 地元 = your own home area: 地元の友達, 地元に帰る, 地元愛. 現地 is local seen by a visitor; 地元 is local from the inside.

Remember it 地 (ground) + 元 (origin) → the ground you came from.

全国ぜんこく各地かくちで雨あめが降ふっている。

It's raining in various parts of the country.

Usage 各地 = various places: 各地を回る, 世界各地. 各 (each) pairs widely: 各国, 各社, 各駅.

Remember it 各 (each) + 地 (place) → each place in turn.

各種かくしゅの資料しりょうを用意よういしました。

I've prepared documents of various kinds.

Usage 各種 = various types, in formal and commercial writing: 各種サービス, 各種割引, 各種手続き.

Remember it 各 (each) + 種 (kind) → each of the kinds there are.

昼食ちゅうしょくは各自かくじ用意よういしてください。

Please each bring your own lunch.

Usage 各自 = each person, in instructions and notices: 各自で判断する, 各自負担 (everyone pays their own).

Remember it 各 (each) + 自 (self) → each person, acting for themselves.

双方そうほうの意見いけんを聞きいて決きめる。

We'll decide after hearing both sides.

Usage 双方 = both parties, in formal or legal contexts: 双方の合意, 双方向 (two-way, interactive).

Remember it 双 (a pair) + 方 (side) → the two sides of the table.

両者りょうしゃの違ちがいを説明せつめいする。

I'll explain the difference between the two.

Usage 両者 = the two people or things under discussion: 両者の関係, 両者の主張. The everyday word for 'both' is 両方.

Remember it 両 (both) + 者 (the ones) → the two in question, and nobody else.

兄あには静しずかだ。一方いっぽう、弟おとうとはよくしゃべる。

My older brother is quiet. My younger brother, on the other hand, talks a lot.

Usage 一方 = one side, and as a connector 'meanwhile, on the other hand': 一方で. Also ～する一方だ = to keep on increasing.

Remember it 一 (one) + 方 (side) → one side of a pair, which is why it also means 'on the other hand'.

経済けいざい全般ぜんぱんについて学まなんだ。

I studied economics in general.

Usage 全般 = across the board: 全般的に (generally), 生活全般, 全般にわたる. 全体 is the whole taken as one thing.

Remember it 全 (all) + 般 (sorts) → all sorts of it, taken together.

クラス全体ぜんたいで取とり組くんだ。

The whole class worked on it together.

Usage 全体 = the whole of something: 全体的に, 全体像 (the big picture), 会社全体. Its opposite is 部分.

Remember it 全 (all) + 体 (body) → the entire body of the thing.

この部分ぶぶんだけ直なおしてください。

Please fix just this part.

Usage 部分 = a part of a whole: 部分的に (partly), 大部分, 部分点 (partial credit). Its opposite is 全体.

Remember it 部 (a section) + 分 (a portion) → a section taken out of the whole.

学生がくせいの一部いちぶが反対はんたいしている。

Some of the students are opposed.

Usage 一部 = a portion, some of them: 一部の人, 一部地域. It also counts copies of a document: 一部ください.

Remember it 一 (one) + 部 (portion) → one slice, not the whole.

収入しゅうにゅうの大部分だいぶぶんを家賃やちんに使つかっている。

Most of my income goes on rent.

Usage 大部分 = the greater part: 大部分の人, 大部分を占める. ほとんど is the everyday equivalent.

Remember it 大 (large) + 部分 (part) → the large part, with only a little left over.

残のこりの仕事しごとは明日あしたやる。

I'll do the rest of the work tomorrow.

Usage 残り = what remains: 残り時間, 残り物 (leftovers), 残りわずか (only a few left).

Remember it From 残る (to be left over) → whatever is still there once the rest has gone.

改善かいぜんの余地よちがまだある。

There is still room for improvement.

Usage 余地 = room or scope, usually abstract: 議論の余地がない (beyond argument), 疑う余地がない.

Remember it 余 (surplus) + 地 (ground) → ground left spare, for something more.

カーテンの隙間すきまから光ひかりが入はいってくる。

Light comes in through a gap in the curtains.

Usage 隙間 = a physical gap: 隙間風 (a draught), 隙間時間 (pockets of spare time), 隙間産業 (a niche business).

Remember it 隙 (a crack) + 間 (space) → the space where two things don't quite meet.

バスは十分じゅっぷん間隔かんかくで来くる。

The buses come at ten-minute intervals.

Usage 間隔 = the interval between things in time or space: 間隔をあける, 等間隔. Careful: 感覚 (sensation) sounds identical.

Remember it 間 (space) + 隔 (to separate) → the measured gap you deliberately keep.

東京とうきょうから大阪おおさかまでの距離きょりは約やく五百ごひゃくキロだ。

The distance from Tokyo to Osaka is about five hundred kilometres.

Usage 約 before a number = approximately. 距離を置く = to keep your distance, used of relationships as much as of space.

Remember it 距 (a gap) + 離 (to separate) → the gap that separates two points.

この問題もんだいには別べつの側面そくめんもある。

There is another side to this problem.

Usage 側面 = a side, and an aspect of a matter: 側面から支える (to support from the side), 意外な側面.

Remember it 側 (side) + 面 (face) → the face you only see from the side.