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200+ must-know Japanese words for beginners

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.

This video guides you on how to practice basic Japanese step by step:

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japanese words english

1. Some basic phrases you need to know for effective communication

japanese words english
Common Japanese question – Japanese words English
Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ใฏใ„HaiYes
ใ„ใ„ใˆIieNo
ๅๅ‰ใฏใชใ‚“ใงใ™ใ‹Namae wa nan desu kaWhat is your name?
็งใฏใ€œใงใ™Watashi wa ~ desuI am ~
~ใ‹ใ‚‰ๆฅใพใ—ใŸ~kara KimashitaI came from~/ I am from~
ใ“ใ‚Œใฏไฝ•ใงใ™ใ‹Kore wa nan desu kaWhat is this?
ใ„ใใ‚‰ใงใ™ใ‹Ikura desu kaHow much?
ใ“ใ‚Œใ‚’ใใ ใ•ใ„kore wo kudasaiCan I get this one? / I will take this one
ใŠใญใŒใ„ใ—ใพใ™onegaishimasuPlease
ๆณจๆ–‡ใŠ้ก˜ใ„ใ—ใพใ™Chumon onegaishimasu Can I place an order?
ๆฐดใ‚’ใŠ้ก˜ใ„ใ—ใพใ™Mizu wo onegaishimasuWater please
ใŠไผš่จˆใŠ้ก˜ใ„ใ—ใพใ™Okaikei onegaishimasuCan I get the check/bill please (in a restaurant)
ใ“ใ“ใฏใฉใ“ใงใ™ใ‹Koko wa Doko desu kaWhere am I?
ใƒˆใ‚คใƒฌใฏใฉใ“ใงใ™ใ‹Toire wa doko desu kaWhere is the bathroom?
ๆ‰‹ไผใฃใฆใใ‚Œใพใ™ใ‹๏ผŸtetsudatte kuremasu ka?Can you help me?
ๅฅฝใใงใ™suki desuI like it.
้ง…ใฏใฉใ“ใงใ™ใ‹Eki wa doko desu ka Where is the train station?
ใƒ€ใƒกใงใ™dame desuItโ€™s no good.
ใ„ใ„ใงใ™ใ‚ˆii desu yoItโ€™s good.
ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชžใง่ฉฑใ—ใพใ—ใ‚‡ใ†nihongo de hanashimashouLetโ€™s talk in Japanese.
ไปŠไฝ•ๆ™‚ใงใ™ใ‹Ima nan ji desu kaWhat time is it now?
ใ‚ใ‹ใ‚Šใพใ›ใ‚“WakarimasenI donโ€™t understand
ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชžใŒ่ฉฑใ›ใพใ›ใ‚“Nihongo ga hanasemasenI canโ€™t speak Japanese

2. Greeting

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ใŠใฏใ‚ˆใ†ใ”ใ–ใ„ใพใ™Ohayou gozaimasuGood morning
ใ“ใ‚“ใซใกใฏKonnichiwaGood Afternoon
ใ“ใ‚“ใฐใ‚“ใฏKonbanwaGood evening
ใ‚ใ‚ŠใŒใจใ†ใ”ใ–ใ„ใพใ™Arigatou GozaimasuThank you
ใ™ใฟใพใ›ใ‚“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 MochiKanjiโ€™s conversation course.


3. People/ Pronouns

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
็ง (ใ‚ใŸใ—)watashiI
ใ‚ใชใŸanatayou
ๅฝผ (ใ‹ใ‚Œ)karehe
ๅฝผๅฅณ (ใ‹ใฎใ˜ใ‚‡)kanojoshe
็งใŸใก (ใ‚ใŸใ—ใŸใก)watashitachiwe
ๅฝผใ‚‰(ใ‹ใ‚Œใ‚‰)karerathey
ๅ‹้” (ใจใ‚‚ใ ใก)tomodachifriend
ๅญไพ› (ใ“ใฉใ‚‚)kodomochild

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. Itโ€™s the perfect to enhance your language skills.


4. Japanese Numbers

japanese words english
Number in Japanese -Japanese words English
  • Japanese numbers from 1 to 10:
Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ไธ€ (ใ„ใก)ichi1
ไบŒ (ใซ)ni2
ไธ‰ (ใ•ใ‚“)san3
ๅ›› (ใ—/ใ‚ˆใ‚“)shi/yon4
ไบ” (ใ”)go5
ๅ…ญ (ใ‚ใ)roku6
ไธƒ (ใ—ใก/ใชใช)shichi/nana7
ๅ…ซ (ใฏใก)hachi8
ไน (ใใ‚…ใ†/ใ)kyuu/ku9
ๅ (ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†)juu10
  • Japanese numbers from 20 to 100:
Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ไบŒๅ (ใซใ˜ใ‚…ใ†)nijuu20
ไธ‰ๅ (ใ•ใ‚“ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†)sanjuu30
ๅ››ๅ (ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†)yonjuu40
ไบ”ๅ (ใ”ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†)gojuu50
ๅ…ญๅ (ใ‚ใใ˜ใ‚…ใ†)rokujuu60
ไธƒๅ (ใชใชใ˜ใ‚…ใ†)nanajuu70
ๅ…ซๅ (ใฏใกใ˜ใ‚…ใ†)hachijuu80
ไนๅ (ใใ‚…ใ†ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†)kyuujuu90
็™พ (ใฒใ‚ƒใ)hyaku100

5. Time in Japanese

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ๆ™‚้–“ (ใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“)jikantime
ไปŠ (ใ„ใพ)imanow
ไปŠๆ—ฅ (ใใ‚‡ใ†)kyoutoday
ๆ˜Žๆ—ฅ (ใ‚ใ—ใŸ)ashitatomorrow
ๆ˜จๆ—ฅ (ใใฎใ†)kinouyesterday
ๆฅ้€ฑ (ใ‚‰ใ„ใ—ใ‚…ใ†)raishuunext week
ๅ…ˆๆœˆ (ใ›ใ‚“ใ’ใค)sengetsulast month
ไปŠๅนด (ใ“ใจใ—)kotoshithis year
ๆœ (ใ‚ใ•)asamorning
ๅคœ (ใ‚ˆใ‚‹)yorunight

6. Days of the week

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ๆœˆๆ›œๆ—ฅ (ใ’ใคใ‚ˆใ†ใณ)getsuyoubiMonday
็ซๆ›œๆ—ฅ (ใ‹ใ‚ˆใ†ใณ)kayoubiTuesday
ๆฐดๆ›œๆ—ฅ (ใ™ใ„ใ‚ˆใ†ใณ)suiyoubiWednesday
ๆœจๆ›œๆ—ฅ (ใ‚‚ใใ‚ˆใ†ใณ)mokuyoubiThursday
้‡‘ๆ›œๆ—ฅ (ใใ‚“ใ‚ˆใ†ใณ)kin’youbiFriday
ๅœŸๆ›œๆ—ฅ (ใฉใ‚ˆใ†ใณ)doyoubiSaturday
ๆ—ฅๆ›œๆ—ฅ (ใซใกใ‚ˆใ†ใณ)nichiyoubiSunday

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.


7. Months of the year

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ไธ€ๆœˆ(ใ„ใกใŒใค)ichigatsuJanuary
ไบŒๆœˆ (ใซใŒใค)nigatsuFebruary
ไธ‰ๆœˆ ใ•ใ‚“ใŒใคsangatsuMarch
ๅ››ๆœˆ ใ—ใŒใคshigatsuApril
ไบ”ๆœˆ ใ”ใŒใคgogatsuMay
ๅ…ญๆœˆ ใ‚ใใŒใคrokugatsuJune
ไธƒๆœˆ ใ—ใกใŒใคshichigatsuJuly
ๅ…ซๆœˆ ใฏใกใŒใคhachigatsuAugust
ไนๆœˆ ใใŒใคkugatsuSeptember
ๅๆœˆ ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใŒใค juugatsuOctober
ๅไธ€ๆœˆ ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ„ใกใŒใคjuuichigatsuNovember
ๅไบŒๆœˆ ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใซใŒใคjuunigatsuDecember

8. Japanese Nouns

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ๅฎถ (ใ„ใˆ / ใ†ใก)ie or uchiHome
ๅบ— (ใฟใ›)miseShop
ๆ˜ ็”ป (ใˆใ„ใŒ)eigaMovie
ๅญฆๆ ก (ใŒใฃใ“ใ†)gakkouSchool
่ปŠ (ใใ‚‹ใพ)kurumaCar
็”บ (ใพใก)machiTown
้Ÿณๆฅฝ (ใŠใ‚“ใŒใ)ongakuMusic
ๅฎถๆ— (ใ‹ใžใ)kazokuFamily
ๆ•…้ƒท (ใตใ‚‹ใ•ใจ)furusatoHometown
ใƒˆใ‚คใƒฌtoireBathroom

9. Japanese Verbs

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ใ™ใ‚‹suruTo do
ใชใ‚‹naruTo become
่กŒใ (ใ„ใ)ikuTo go
่จ€ใ†(ใ„ใ†)iuTo say
่ฆ‹ใ‚‹(ใฟใ‚‹)miruTo see
ๆฅใ‚‹ (ใใ‚‹)kuruTo come
้ฃŸในใ‚‹ (ใŸในใ‚‹)taberuTo eat

10. Food and drink

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ใ”้ฃฏ (ใ”ใฏใ‚“)gohanrice
ใƒ‘ใƒณpanbread
ๆฐด (ใฟใš)mizuwater
ใŠ่Œถ (ใŠใกใ‚ƒ)ochatea
็‰›ไนณ (ใŽใ‚…ใ†ใซใ‚…ใ†)gyuunyuumilk
ใ‚Šใ‚“ใ” (ใ‚Šใ‚“ใ”)ringoapple
่‚‰ (ใซใ)nikumeat
้ญš (ใ•ใ‹ใช)sakanafish
้‡Ž่œ (ใ‚„ใ•ใ„)yasaivegetable
ๆžœ็‰ฉ (ใใ ใ‚‚ใฎ)kudamonofruit
ใ‚ขใ‚คใ‚นใ‚ฏใƒชใƒผใƒ aisukuriimuice cream
ๅฏฟๅธ (ใ™ใ—)sushisushi
ใ‚ฑใƒผใ‚ญkeekicake
ใƒ“ใƒผใƒซbiirubeer

11. Occupation

japanese words english meaning
Occupations – Japanese words English
Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ๅŒป่€… (ใ„ใ—ใ‚ƒ)ishadoctor
ๆ•™ๅธซ (ใใ‚‡ใ†ใ—)kyoushiteacher
ๅญฆ็”Ÿ (ใŒใใ›ใ„)gakuseistudent
ๆญŒๆ‰‹ (ใ‹ใ—ใ‚…)kashusinger
ๅญฆ็”Ÿ (ใŒใใ›ใ„)gakuseistudent
ใ‚ธใƒฃใƒผใƒŠใƒชใ‚นใƒˆjaanarisutojournalist
ใ‚จใƒณใ‚ธใƒ‹ใ‚ขenjiniaengineer
็œ‹่ญทๅธซ (ใ‹ใ‚“ใ”ใ—)kangoshinurse
ๅผ่ญทๅฃซ (ในใ‚“ใ”ใ—)bengoshilawyer
ไฟณๅ„ช (ใฏใ„ใ‚†ใ†)haiyuuactor
ๆญฏๅŒป่€… (ใฏใ„ใ—ใ‚ƒ)haishadentist
ไผš็คพๅ“ก (ใ‹ใ„ใ—ใ‚ƒใ„ใ‚“)kaishaincompany employee
ๅ—ไป˜ (ใ†ใ‘ใคใ‘)uketsuke-gakarireceptionist
ไฝœๅฎถ (ใ•ใฃใ‹)sakkawriter
็”ปๅฎถ (ใŒใ‹)gakaartist

Unlock the essential vocabulary for occupations with MochiKanjiโ€™s course. Whether for work, travel, or personal growth, start your trial today and confidently talk about professions in Japanese!


12. Places

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ๅฎถ (ใ„ใˆ)iehouse
ๅญฆๆ ก (ใŒใฃใ“ใ†)gakkouschool
ๅ…ฌๅœ’ (ใ“ใ†ใˆใ‚“)kouenpark
็—…้™ข (ใณใ‚‡ใ†ใ„ใ‚“)byouinhospital
้ง… (ใˆใ)ekistation
ๅบ— (ใฟใ›)misestore
ไผš็คพ (ใ‹ใ„ใ—ใ‚ƒ)kaishacompany
ๅ›ณๆ›ธ้คจ (ใจใ—ใ‚‡ใ‹ใ‚“)toshokanlibrary
ๆ˜ ็”ป้คจ (ใˆใ„ใŒใ‹ใ‚“)eigakancinema
็”บ (ใพใก)machitown
ใƒฌใ‚นใƒˆใƒฉใƒณresutoranrestaurant
็ฉบๆธฏ (ใใ†ใ“ใ†)kuukouairport
ๆตท (ใ†ใฟ)umisea
ๅฑฑ (ใ‚„ใพ)yamamountain
ๅท (ใ‹ใ‚)kawariver
ๆน– (ใฟใšใ†ใฟ)mizuumilake
ๅ‹•็‰ฉๅœ’ (ใฉใ†ใถใคใˆใ‚“)doubutsuenzoo


13. Objects 

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ๅ‚˜ (ใ‹ใ•)kasaumbrella
ๅธฝๅญ (ใผใ†ใ—)boushihat
้ต (ใ‹ใŽ)kagikey
ๆ™‚่จˆ (ใจใ‘ใ„)tokeiwatch
ๆœฌ (ใปใ‚“)honbook
็œผ้ก (ใ‚ใŒใญ)meganeglasses
้ž„ (ใ‹ใฐใ‚“)kabanhandbag
้ด (ใใค)kutsushoes
็šฟ (ใ•ใ‚‰)saraplate
้‡˜ (ใใŽ)kuginail

14. Family 

japanese words with english meaning
Family in Japanese – Japanese words English meaning
Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
ๅฎถๆ— (ใ‹ใžใ)kazokuFamily
็ˆถ (ใกใก)chichiFather
ๆฏ (ใฏใฏ)hahaMother
ๅ…„ (ใ‚ใซ)aniOlder Brother
ๅง‰ (ใ‚ใญ)aneOlder Sister
ๅผŸ (ใŠใจใ†ใจ)otoutoYounger Brother
ๅฆน (ใ„ใ‚‚ใ†ใจ)imoutoYounger Sister
็ฅ–็ˆถ (ใใต)sofuGrandfather
็ฅ–ๆฏ (ใใผ)soboGrandmother
ๅคซ (ใŠใฃใจ)ottoHusband
ๅฆป (ใคใพ)tsumaWife
ๆฏๅญ (ใ‚€ใ™ใ“)musukoSon
ๅจ˜ (ใ‚€ใ™ใ‚)musumeDaughter
ไธก่ฆช (ใ‚Šใ‚‡ใ†ใ—ใ‚“)ryoushinParents
ๅ…„ๅผŸ (ใใ‚‡ใ†ใ ใ„)kyoudaiSiblings

15. Weather and Seasons

Japanese phrasesRomajiEnglish meaning
Weather
ๅคฉๆฐ— (ใฆใ‚“ใ)Tenkiweather
ๅคฉๅ€™ (ใฆใ‚“ใ“ใ†)Tenkouclimate
ๆฐ—่ฑก็Šถๆณ (ใใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ˜ใ‚‡ใ†ใใ‚‡ใ†)Kishou joukyouweather condition
็ฉบๆจกๆง˜ (ใใ‚‰ใ‚‚ใ‚ˆใ†)Sora moyouthe look of the sky
ๆ™ดใ‚Œ (ใฏใ‚Œ)Haresunny, clear weather
ๅฟซๆ™ด (ใ‹ใ„ใ›ใ„)Kaiseiclear weather without clouds
ๆ›‡ใ‚Š (ใใ‚‚ใ‚Š)Kumoricloudy
้›ฒ (ใใ‚‚)Kumocloud
้›จ (ใ‚ใ‚)Amerain
ๅฐ้›จ (ใ“ใ•ใ‚)Kosamelight rain / drizzle
้œง้›จ (ใใ‚Šใ•ใ‚)Kirisamemisty rain / light drizzle
ๅคง้›จ (ใŠใŠใ‚ใ‚)Ooameheavy rain
้€šใ‚Š้›จ (ใจใŠใ‚Šใ‚ใ‚)Toriamecloudburst
ๆ˜ฅ้›จ (ใฏใ‚‹ใ•ใ‚)Harusamespring rain
ๅคฉๆฐ—้›จ (ใฆใ‚“ใใ‚ใ‚)Tenkiametemporary rainfall in the sunshine
่ฑช้›จ (ใ”ใ†ใ†)Gouudownpour
ๆšด้ขจ้›จ (ใผใ†ใตใ†ใ†)Boufuurainstorm
้›ท้›จ (ใ‚‰ใ„ใ†)Raiuthunder-rainstorm
้›ช (ใ‚†ใ)Yukisnow
ๅคง้›ช (ใŠใŠใ‚†ใ)Ooyukiheavy snow
ๅน้›ช (ใตใถใ)Fubukisnowstorm / blizzard
้œฐ (ใ‚ใ‚‰ใ‚Œ)Ararehailstone / falling iceball
้œ™ (ใฟใžใ‚Œ)Mizoresleet / snow with rain
้›น (ใฒใ‚‡ใ†)Hyouhail
้ขจ (ใ‹ใœ)Kazewind
ใใ‚ˆ้ขจ (ใใ‚ˆใ‹ใœ)Soyokazebreeze
ๅผท้ขจ (ใใ‚‡ใ†ใตใ†)Kyoufuustrong wind
ๆšด้ขจ (ใผใ†ใตใ†)Boufuuwindstorm
ๅฐ้ขจ (ใŸใ„ใตใ†)Taifuutyphoon
ๅญฃ็ฏ€้ขจ (ใใ›ใคใตใ†)Kisetsufuumonsoon / seasonal wind
้›ท (ใ‹ใฟใชใ‚Š)Kaminarithunder / lightning
้œง (ใใ‚Š)Kirifog / mist
ๆฟƒ้œง (ใฎใ†ใ‚€)Noumuheavy fog / dense mist
Seasons
ๆ˜ฅ (ใฏใ‚‹)haruSpring
ๅค (ใชใค)natsuSummer
็ง‹ (ใ‚ใ)akiAutumn
ๅ†ฌ (ใตใ‚†)fuyuWinter

To effectively build your Japanese vocabulary from beginner to advanced levels, using a comprehensive tool can make a significant difference.

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Conclusion

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.

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