The verbs of reports, notices, meetings and the news.
Practise this list
From these 40 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list
These are the verbs of written Japanese and formal speech. Where conversation says 言う, 見せる or 起きる, a report says 述べる, 示す and 生じる. Many of them are a two-kanji noun plus する — 検討する, 実施する — and since the noun is also used on its own, they are listed here as nouns. Learn them for reading and for work; among friends they sound like a press release.
The words
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Verb (30)
述べるto state; to set outVerbN2
社長は記者会見で今後の方針を述べた。At the press conference the president set out the company’s future policy.
Written and formal; in conversation 言う or 話す.
示すto show; to indicateVerbN3
地図の赤い点は避難所の位置を示している。The red dots on the map show where the evacuation shelters are.
生じるto arise; to occurVerbN2
計画に変更が生じた場合は、すぐに連絡してください。If any change to the plan arises, please let us know at once.
Used of problems, differences and changes, rarely of events.
及ぼすto exert; to cause (an effect)VerbN2
大雨は農作物に大きな被害を及ぼした。The heavy rain did great damage to the crops.
Almost always with 影響 or 被害 as its object.
図るto aim at; to work towardsVerbN2
会社は新しい制度で業務の効率化を図っている。With the new system the company is trying to make its work more efficient.
One of several verbs read はかる; to measure is 測る.
努めるto make efforts; to striveVerbN2
当店では、食品の安全の確保に努めております。This shop makes every effort to keep its food safe.
Three verbs are read つとめる: 努める to strive, 勤める to work for, 務める to serve as.
伴うto accompany; to involveVerbN2
冬の登山には常に危険が伴う。Climbing in winter always involves danger.
至るto reach; to lead toVerbN2
両社は長い話し合いの末、合意に至った。After long talks the two companies reached an agreement.
〜に至るまで: right down to, including even.
基づくto be based onVerbN2
この記事は実際の調査に基づいて書かれている。This article is based on an actual survey.
応じるto respond to; to comply withVerbN2
当社はお客様の要望に応じて商品を作ります。We make products to meet our customers’ requests.
〜に応じて: according to, in response to.
経るto pass through; to go throughVerbN2
法案は長い審議を経て、ようやく成立した。After lengthy debate the bill was finally passed.
Mostly as 〜を経て, after going through.
異なるto differVerbN3
国によって習慣は大きく異なる。Customs differ greatly from country to country.
The written partner of 違う; unlike it, never means “wrong”.
設けるto set up; to establishVerbN2
駅前に臨時の相談窓口が設けられた。A temporary advice desk has been set up in front of the station.
Not 儲ける, to make a profit, which sounds the same.
定めるto lay down; to prescribeVerbN2
法律で定められた手続きに従ってください。Please follow the procedure laid down by law.
補うto make up for; to supplementVerbN2
足りない栄養をサプリメントで補う人が増えている。More and more people make up for missing nutrients with supplements.
保つto keep; to maintainVerbN2
部屋の温度を一定に保ってください。Please keep the room at a constant temperature.
担うto bear; to shoulder (a role)VerbN2
若い世代がこれからの地域を担っていく。It is the younger generation who will carry the region forward.
要するto require; to takeVerbN2
工事の完成までには、かなりの時間を要する。The construction will take a considerable time to complete.
A formal かかる or 必要とする.
用いるto use; to employVerbN2
今回の実験には特別な装置を用いた。A special device was used for this experiment.
The written equivalent of 使う.
委ねるto entrust; to leave toVerbN2
最終的な判断は現場の責任者に委ねられた。The final decision was left to the person in charge on site.
促すto urge; to promptVerbN2
市は住民に早めの避難を促した。The city urged residents to evacuate early.
招くto invite; to bring aboutVerbN2
小さな誤解が大きなトラブルを招いた。A small misunderstanding led to serious trouble.
Of a guest: to invite. Of a result, almost always a bad one.
踏まえるto take into account; to build onVerbN2
昨年の反省を踏まえて、計画を立て直した。Taking last year’s lessons into account, we reworked the plan.
見なすto regard as; to treat asVerbN2
期限までに返事がない場合は、欠席と見なします。If there is no reply by the deadline, we will assume you are not attending.
有するto have; to possessVerbN2
同社は世界各地に工場を有している。The company has factories in many parts of the world.
Written only; in speech 持っている.
占めるto occupy; to account forVerbN2
女性が社員の半数以上を占めている。Women make up more than half of the employees.
欠くto lackVerbN2
彼の説明は具体性を欠いていた。His explanation lacked specifics.
Transitive; 〜に欠ける is its intransitive partner.
損なうto harm; to spoilVerbN2
夜更かしを続けると健康を損なう。Staying up late night after night damages your health.
試みるto attempt; to tryVerbN2
研究チームは新しい方法を試みた。The research team tried a new method.
掲げるto hold up; to set out (a goal)VerbN2
新政権は経済の立て直しを目標に掲げた。The new government set economic recovery as its goal.
Literally to raise high, like a flag; figuratively a goal or a slogan.
Noun (10)
検討consideration; examinationNounN2
新しい提案については、来週の会議で検討します。We will consider the new proposal at next week’s meeting.
Also a verb: 検討する. In business it can be a polite way of not saying yes.
実施carrying out; implementationNounN2
市では毎年、すべての小学校で避難訓練を実施している。Every year the city holds an evacuation drill at all its primary schools.
Also a verb: 実施する. For plans, surveys, exams and measures, not everyday actions.
把握grasp; understandingNounN2
まず現状を正確に把握することが大切だ。The first thing is to grasp the current situation accurately.
Also a verb: 把握する.
確保securing; ensuringNounN2
会場の近くに駐車場を確保した。We secured a car park near the venue.
Also a verb: 確保する.
導入introduction (of a system or method)NounN2
当社は来年度から在宅勤務を導入する。The company will introduce working from home from the next financial year.
Also a verb: 導入する.
推進promotion; driving forwardNounN2
政府は再生可能エネルギーの利用を推進している。The government is promoting the use of renewable energy.
Also a verb: 推進する.
指摘pointing outNounN2
上司に資料の間違いを指摘された。My boss pointed out a mistake in the document.
Also a verb: 指摘する.
考慮consideration; taking into accountNounN2
天候を考慮して、出発を一日遅らせた。Taking the weather into account, we put off our departure by a day.
Also a verb: 考慮する.
維持maintenance; keeping upNounN2
健康を維持するために、毎朝歩いている。I walk every morning to stay healthy.
Also a verb: 維持する.
実現realisation; coming trueNounN3
長年の夢がついに実現した。A long-held dream has finally come true.
Also a verb: 実現する, both “to come true” and “to make happen”.
