Before opening your PDF, know what N2 demands:
Your PDF likely groups words randomly (alphabetically or by lesson). This guide will show you how to restructure that chaos into a high‑efficiency study system.
This is a nightmare for many learners. N2 requires knowledge of sound symbolism.
Scan your PDF now for these patterns and mark them:
Same kanji, different reading
一日 (いちにち vs ついたち) – N2 includes such date/time nuances. jlpt n2 vocabulary pdf
Similar meanings but different usage
確かめる (verify by checking facts) vs 試す (test by trying) – annotate with usage notes.
Respectful / humble words (N2 loves these)
申し上げる, 存じる, 伺う – mark with 「敬語」.
Katakana words from English but different meaning
マンション (luxury condo, not mansion) – write “false friend” warning.
Adverbs with fixed collocations
あえて (do something even if…), せめて (at least) – note particle patterns nearby. Part 1: Understanding the JLPT N2 Vocabulary Landscape
One month before the JLPT, switch to only review mode:
By the end, your PDF will be heavily marked – that’s perfect. The dirtier the PDF, the closer you are to passing.
Find 10 sentences from your PDF that use a target word. Delete the word. Next day, fill in the blank without looking.
Original: 「会議の目的を明確に述べてください。」
Your drill: 「会議の目的を____に述べてください。」 Word count: ~2,000 new words (cumulative ~6,000 total
At N2, single kanji become rare. You need to know two-kanji, three-kanji, and even four-kanji compounds (Yojijukugo). Examples include:
| Type | Best For | Example Source | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Official Workbooks | Realistic test-level vocabulary | Kanzen Master, Shin Kanzen Master (often scanned/PDF versions exist for purchase) | | Free Community Lists | Quick review and self-testing | JLPT Sensei (free PDFs), Tofugu, or Reddit’s r/LearnJapanese resource wiki | | Full Vocabulary Compendiums | Complete coverage | Nihongo So-matome series, Speed Master series | | Customizable Spreadsheet PDFs | Digital filtering and sorting | JLPT Boot Camp, various GitHub projects |
In margins, add small notes: