Choose the sentence closest in meaning to the original: 海外から帰国して、税関を通った。

海外から帰国して、荷物の検査をする場所を通過した。

Choose the sentence that has the same meaning as the one containing the bolded expression. このアパートは立地が抜群で、駅まで徒歩三分だ。

このアパートは場所の条件が最高で、駅まで徒歩三分だ。

Choose the sentence closest in meaning. この市場価格は、品質とサービスを考えると妥当だと言えるだろう。

この市場価格は、品質とサービスを考えると適切だと言えるだろう。

Choose the option that best preserves the meaning of the underlined expression in the sentence. 歩きながらの喫煙は周囲の人にとってマナー違反とみなされる。 Arukinagara no kitsuen wa shuui no hito ni totte manaa ihan to minasareru.

社会的な礼儀や決まりごとに反していること

Choose the sentence that has the same meaning as the one containing the bolded expression. 契約期間の更新の時期が近づいてきた。

契約期間を延長する手続きの時期が近づいてきた。

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined word. 空き家を改修してカフェを開くことが、地域全体の活性化につながっている。空き家を改修してカフェを開くことが、地域全体の活性化につながっている。

再び活気を取り戻して勢いづくこと

Choose the sentence that has the same meaning as the one containing the bolded expression. そのアパートは人気があるため、即日で満室になった。

そのアパートは人気があるため、その日のうちに満室になった。

Mastering JLPT N2 Paraphrases: Strategy, Examples, and Timing

2026-10-18

Overview of JLPT N2 Paraphrases

The JLPT N2 exam tests your proficiency across a 155-minute test window, requiring a scaled score of at least 90 out of 180 to pass, with a minimum threshold of 19 out of 60 required in each of the three scoring sections: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar), Reading, and Listening. Within the Language Knowledge section, you will encounter the 言い換え類義 (Paraphrases) task type. This task typically consists of about 5 items. You are given a single Japanese sentence containing an underlined expression wrapped in asterisks. Your goal is to select one of four option sentences that preserves the exact meaning of the original expression.

To succeed here, you need a solid grasp of roughly 6,000 vocabulary words and 200 grammar points at the N2 level. Paraphrase questions test whether you truly understand a nuanced expression or if you are merely memorizing dictionary definitions.

Anatomy of a Question

Let us examine a concrete, N2-level worked example. Notice how the target phrase is tested inside a full sentential context rather than in isolation.

Stem: 彼の意見に異議を唱える人はだれもいなかった。

English Translation of Stem: There was no one who raised an objection to his opinion.

Options:

彼の意見に賛成する人はだれもいなかった。
彼の意見に反対する人はだれもいなかった。
彼の意見を無視する人はだれもいなかった。
彼の意見を理解する人はだれもいなかった。

Analysis: The target expression is 異議を唱える (to raise an objection, to protest). Looking at the options, we need a verb phrase that shares the exact same semantic weight. 賛成する means to agree, 無視する means to ignore, and 理解する means to understand. Only 反対する (to oppose) matches the adversarial, dissenting nature of 異議を唱える. Therefore, option 2 is the correct answer. Notice how the sentence frame remains nearly identical in the correct option, replacing only the target chunk with its synonym.

Distractor Logic

Test-makers use specific patterns to construct incorrect options (distractors) for the paraphrase section. Recognizing these traps will save you valuable points.

Antonym Traps: As seen in our example, test writers will include the exact opposite meaning (such as 賛成する for 異議を唱える). If you read too quickly under pressure, you might select a word that belongs to the same semantic field but points in the reverse direction.
Surface-Level Kanji Association: Distractors often reuse a kanji from the target expression to trick candidates who rely on partial recognition. For example, if the target uses 検討する (to examine), a distractor might use 見当たる (to be found) simply because both share the kanji 検討/見当.
Vague Similarity: Words that sound somewhat formal or academic at the N2 level are often paired together. Ensure you verify collocations, such as whether a verb takes を or に.

Timing Strategy

Time management is critical for the Language Knowledge and Reading section, which gives you roughly 105 minutes combined for vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension (with the remaining 50 minutes dedicated to listening). Because paraphrase questions require reading four full sentences, they can easily drain your time.

Allocate no more than 30 seconds per item for the paraphrase section. This means you should spend a maximum of 2.5 minutes on all 5 items combined.

Read the stem sentence once, focusing entirely on the underlined expression.
Formulate your own synonym in your head before looking at the options.
Scan the four options for your mental synonym or its direct equivalent.
If you are torn between two options, pick the one that fits the register (formal vs. conversational) and move on immediately. Do not linger.

Study Routine for This Week

To improve your paraphrase accuracy this week, implement this targeted three-step drill:

Step 1: Compile a list of 20 N2 compound verbs and formal expressions (such as やむを得ない, 恐れる, 兼ねる) from your study materials.
Step 2: Write out two sentences for each: one using the target expression, and one rewriting it using a simpler synonym or native Japanese equivalent.
Step 3: Force yourself to read through 5 practice paraphrase items every morning using a stopwatch, strictly enforcing the 30-second cap per question.