How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Japanese words on “Repairs and upkeep”. The full topic holds 145 in the KoKo app: 58 at the easy level, 50 at the medium level and 37 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this Japanese vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

Japanese vocabulary: DIY and housework

Cleaning, repairing, painting, screwing: the Japanese words for housework, tools and DIY.

Here are 100 Japanese words on “Repairs and upkeep”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 40 words

Japanese	English
ごみ箱	bin
ごみ袋	bin bag
セメント	cement
職人	craftsman
ほこり	dust
金づち	hammer
家事	housework
アイロン	iron
水漏れ	leak
水準器	level
くぎ	nail
ペンキ	paint
管	pipe
ペンチ	pliers
下げ振り	plumb line
ローラー	roller
紙やすり	sandpaper
ねじ	screw
パッキン	seal
種	seed
ショート	short circuit
せっけん	soap
スポンジ	sponge
しみ	stain
穴をあける	to drill
空にする	to empty
固定する	to fasten
折る	to fold
貼る	to glue
アイロンをかける	to iron
塗る	to paint
植える	to plant
組み直す	to reassemble
捨てる	to throw away
道具	tool
道具箱	tool box
洗濯物	washing
食器用洗剤	washing up liquid
木材	wood
作業台	workbench

Level 2: medium 34 words

Japanese	English
エプロン	apron
漂白剤	bleach
ほうき	broom
バケツ	bucket
ぞうきん	cloth
洗濯ばさみ	clothes peg
培養土	compost
電動ドリル	drill
ドリルの刃	drill bit
やすり	file
パテ材	filler
園芸	gardening
家庭用洗剤	household cleanerGeneral term for household cleaning
断熱材	insulating material
芝刈り機	lawn mower
配管	plumbing
見積書	quote
ごみ	rubbish
のこぎり	saw
ドライバー	screwdriver
シリコン	silicone
巻尺	tape measure
調整する	to adjust
分解する	to dismantle
すすぐ	to rinse
こする	to scrub
分別する	to sort
掃く	to sweep
手を加える	to tinker
吸い取る	to vacuum
水をやる	to water
カッター	utility knife
座金	washer
廃棄物	waste

Level 3: hard 26 words

Japanese	English
ボルト	bolt
洗浄剤	cleaning productProduct used to clean a surface
柔軟剤	fabric softener
手ぼうき	hand brush
アイロンがけ	ironing
モップ	mop
やっとこ	pincers
直角定規	set square
しみ抜き剤	stain remover
ホチキス	stapler
粘着テープ	tape
散らかす	to clutter
塗り重ねる	to coat
物を減らす	to declutter
消毒する	to disinfect
ほこりを払う	to dust
くぎを打つ	to nail
やすりをかける	to sand
のこぎりで切る	to saw
ねじを締める	to screw
はがし取る	to strip
ねじを緩める	to unscrew
草を取る	to weed
排水トラップ	waste trap
じょうろ	watering can
モンキーレンチ	wrench

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 Japanese words on “Repairs and upkeep”. The full topic holds 145 in the KoKo app: 58 at the easy level, 50 at the medium level and 37 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this Japanese vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.