N2 · 40 words

Statistics, data and figures

How figures, surveys and graphs are described, with every number invented.

This list is about the language of figures, not about any real figures: every number in the sentences is made up. Reports and graphs describe change with short two-kanji words such as 急増(きゅうぞう), 半減(はんげん) and 横(よこ)ばい, and compare with verbs such as 上回(うわまわ)る and 下回(したまわ)る. One distinction matters more than it looks: 以下(いか) includes the number it follows, 未満(みまん) does not, so 五人(ごにん)未満(みまん) means four people at most.

The words

Verb (4)

上回るto exceed; to be aboveVerbN2

参加者(さんかしゃ)は予想(よそう)を大(おお)きく上回(うわまわ)った。Far more people took part than expected.

下回るto fall below; to fall short ofVerbN2

今月(こんげつ)の売(う)り上(あ)げは、目標(もくひょう)を下回(したまわ)った。This month’s sales fell short of the target.

達するto reach; to amount toVerbN2

応募者(おうぼしゃ)が定員(ていいん)に達(たっ)したので、受付(うけつけ)を締(し)め切(き)った。The number of applicants reached the limit, so applications were closed.

及ぶto reach; to extend to; to lastVerbN2

話(はな)し合(あ)いは三時間(さんじかん)にも及(およ)んだ。The discussion went on for as long as three hours.

This list belongs to Technology, science and energy — eight lists and 321 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.