Are you ready to start your Japanese learning journey? Knowing essential Japanese words in English is crucial for beginners to build a solid foundation. This guide features 200+ must-know Japanese words that will enhance your communication skills and help you navigate various aspects of daily life in Japan. From basic phrases and greetings to more specific vocabulary related to food, travel, and health, this comprehensive list will equip you with the key terms needed for effective interaction in Japanese.
1. Some basic phrases you need to know for effective communication
Common Japanese question – Japanese words English
Japanese phrases
Romaji
English meaning
はい
Hai
Yes
いいえ
Iie
No
名前はなんですか
Namae wa nan desu ka
What is your name?
私は〜です
Watashi wa ~ desu
I am ~
~から来ました
~kara Kimashita
I came from~/ I am from~
これは何ですか
Kore wa nan desu ka
What is this?
いくらですか
Ikura desu ka
How much?
これをください
kore wo kudasai
Can I get this one? / I will take this one
おねがいします
onegaishimasu
Please
注文お願いします
Chumon onegaishimasu
Can I place an order?
水をお願いします
Mizu wo onegaishimasu
Water please
お会計お願いします
Okaikei onegaishimasu
Can I get the check/bill please (in a restaurant)
ここはどこですか
Koko wa Doko desu ka
Where am I?
トイレはどこですか
Toire wa doko desu ka
Where is the bathroom?
手伝ってくれますか？
tetsudatte kuremasu ka?
Can you help me?
好きです
suki desu
I like it.
駅はどこですか
Eki wa doko desu ka
Where is the train station?
ダメです
dame desu
It’s no good.
いいですよ
ii desu yo
It’s good.
日本語で話しましょう
nihongo de hanashimashou
Let’s talk in Japanese.
今何時ですか
Ima nan ji desu ka
What time is it now?
わかりません
Wakarimasen
I don’t understand
日本語が話せません
Nihongo ga hanasemasen
I can’t speak Japanese
2. Greeting
Japanese phrases
Romaji
English meaning
おはようございます
Ohayou gozaimasu
Good morning
こんにちは
Konnichiwa
Good Afternoon
こんばんは
Konbanwa
Good evening
ありがとうございます
Arigatou Gozaimasu
Thank you
すみません
Sumimasen
Excuse me/ I am sorry
These are the most basic and common Japanese phrases for greetings. Mastering these phrases will help you confidently greet others, make a good first impression, and start conversations smoothly. You can learn more common greeting phrases in MochiKanji’s conversation course.
To build your Kanji and basic Japanese words about people and pronouns, try MochiKanji! The app covers 8000+ Kanji and Japanese words from basic to advanced levels. It’s the perfect to enhance your language skills.
Here are the most essential and commonly used vocabulary words related to the “Days of the Week.” Mastering these words will help you confidently discuss your weekly schedule! You can learn vocabulary on this topic with full images, pronunciation, and example sentences in MochiKanji’s vocabulary course.
Unlock the essential vocabulary for occupations with MochiKanji’s course. Whether for work, travel, or personal growth, start your trial today and confidently talk about professions in Japanese!
Family in Japanese – Japanese words English meaning
Japanese phrases
Romaji
English meaning
家族 (かぞく)
kazoku
Family
父 (ちち)
chichi
Father
母 (はは)
haha
Mother
兄 (あに)
ani
Older Brother
姉 (あね)
ane
Older Sister
弟 (おとうと)
otouto
Younger Brother
妹 (いもうと)
imouto
Younger Sister
祖父 (そふ)
sofu
Grandfather
祖母 (そぼ)
sobo
Grandmother
夫 (おっと)
otto
Husband
妻 (つま)
tsuma
Wife
息子 (むすこ)
musuko
Son
娘 (むすめ)
musume
Daughter
両親 (りょうしん)
ryoushin
Parents
兄弟 (きょうだい)
kyoudai
Siblings
15. Weather and Seasons
Japanese phrases
Romaji
English meaning
Weather
天気 (てんき)
Tenki
weather
天候 (てんこう)
Tenkou
climate
気象状況 (きしょうじょうきょう)
Kishou joukyou
weather condition
空模様 (そらもよう)
Sora moyou
the look of the sky
晴れ (はれ)
Hare
sunny, clear weather
快晴 (かいせい)
Kaisei
clear weather without clouds
曇り (くもり)
Kumori
cloudy
雲 (くも)
Kumo
cloud
雨 (あめ)
Ame
rain
小雨 (こさめ)
Kosame
light rain / drizzle
霧雨 (きりさめ)
Kirisame
misty rain / light drizzle
大雨 (おおあめ)
Ooame
heavy rain
通り雨 (とおりあめ)
Toriame
cloudburst
春雨 (はるさめ)
Harusame
spring rain
天気雨 (てんきあめ)
Tenkiame
temporary rainfall in the sunshine
豪雨 (ごうう)
Gouu
downpour
暴風雨 (ぼうふうう)
Boufuu
rainstorm
雷雨 (らいう)
Raiu
thunder-rainstorm
雪 (ゆき)
Yuki
snow
大雪 (おおゆき)
Ooyuki
heavy snow
吹雪 (ふぶき)
Fubuki
snowstorm / blizzard
霰 (あられ)
Arare
hailstone / falling iceball
霙 (みぞれ)
Mizore
sleet / snow with rain
雹 (ひょう)
Hyou
hail
風 (かぜ)
Kaze
wind
そよ風 (そよかぜ)
Soyokaze
breeze
強風 (きょうふう)
Kyoufuu
strong wind
暴風 (ぼうふう)
Boufuu
windstorm
台風 (たいふう)
Taifuu
typhoon
季節風 (きせつふう)
Kisetsufuu
monsoon / seasonal wind
雷 (かみなり)
Kaminari
thunder / lightning
霧 (きり)
Kiri
fog / mist
濃霧 (のうむ)
Noumu
heavy fog / dense mist
Seasons
春 (はる)
haru
Spring
夏 (なつ)
natsu
Summer
秋 (あき)
aki
Autumn
冬 (ふゆ)
fuyu
Winter
To effectively build your Japanese vocabulary from beginner to advanced levels, using a comprehensive tool can make a significant difference.
MochiKanji offers vocabulary organized by levels from N5 to N2 and other courses that suit every individual needs, categorized by topics and sample lessons, complete with images,audio and example sentences. With Japanese words or phrases not included in MochiKanji’s course, you can look them up in the J-Dictionary and save them in the digital notebook, then review them atGolden Time that’s based on the spaced repetition. Get it a try!
By mastering these 200+ essential Japanese words and phrases, you’ll gain confidence in navigating various situations and conversations. Whether you’re meeting new people, traveling, or simply engaging in daily activities, this vocabulary will serve as a valuable tool in your language-learning journey. Start incorporating these Japanese words into your practice, and you’ll find yourself well-prepared to communicate effectively and enjoy your experience with the Japanese language and culture.
