Top Basic Japanese Words to Learn for Daily Conversations

Want to start your Japanese language journey but feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry! Learning a new language can be fun and accessible. This guide will equip you with the basic Japanese words to learn first, focusing on practical vocabulary that will get you speaking and understanding simple conversations quickly.

Greetings

こんにちは (konnichiwa): Hello (used during the day)

おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu): Good morning

こんばんは (konbanwa): Good evening

おやすみなさい (oyasumi nasai): Good night

さようなら (sayounara): Goodbye

またね (mata ne): See you later (informal)

When learning basic Japanese greetings, knowing how to say hello in Japanese is essential. In Japan, "Konbanwa" is the standard and polite way to say good even. For evening greetings, the phrase Konbanwa (こんばんは) is widely used. This is similar to saying 'good evening' in English. Learning the context for Konbanwa can help make your greetings more culturally appropriate.

 

People/Pronouns

私 (watashi): I

あなた (anata): You

彼 (kare): He

彼女 (kanojo): She

先生 (sensei): Teacher

友達 (tomodachi): Friend

家族 (kazoku): Family

Food and Drink

ご飯 (gohan): Rice

ラーメン (ramen): Ramen noodles

寿司 (sushi): Sushi

コーヒー (koohii): Coffee

お茶 (ocha): Tea

水 (mizu): Water

ジュース (juusu): Juice

Numbers

 

一 (ichi): One

二 (ni): Two

三 (san): Three

四 (shi): Four

五 (go): Five

六 (roku): Six

七 (nana): Seven

八 (hachi): Eight

九 (kyuu): Nine

十 (juu): Ten

Time

何時ですか (nanji desu ka): What time is it?

午前 (gozen): AM

午後 (gogo): PM

今 (ima): Now

昨日 (kinou): Yesterday

今日 (kyou): Today

明日 (ashita): Tomorrow

Place

どこですか (doko desu ka): Where is it?

ここ (koko): Here

そこ (soko): There

あそこ (asoko): Over there

家 (ie): Home

学校 (gakkou): School

病院 (byouin): Hospital

Colors

赤 (aka): Red

青 (ao): Blue

緑 (midori): Green

黄 (ki): Yellow

白 (shiro): White

黒 (kuro): Black

Essential Verbs

食べる (taberu): To eat

飲む (nomu): To drink

話す (hanasu): To speak

聞く (kiku): To listen

見る (miru): To see

行く (iku): To go

来る (kuru): To come

Daily Communication

ありがとう (arigatou): Thank you

すみません (sumimasen): Excuse me

はい (hai): Yes

いいえ (iie): No

分かりません (wakarimasen): I don't understand

どういたしまして (dou itashimashite): You're welcome

どうぞ (douzo): Please (offering something)

Japanese Phrases for Shopping

いくらですか (ikura desu ka): How much is it?

ちょっと見ていいですか (chotto mite ii desu ka): Can I take a look?

これください (kore kudasai): I'll take this

すみません (sumimasen): Excuse me (getting attention)

Just as greetings are important, knowing how to say goodbye in Japanese is key in daily interactions. Common phrases like Sayonara (さようなら) and Ja mata (じゃあまた) offer different levels of formality and familiarity for various situations

Tips for Stress-Free Japanese Conversations

Be confident: Speak up even if you stumble! Use gestures: They can help express your meaning when words fail.

Be patient: Acquiring a new language takes time; don’t lose hope if progress is slow.

Smile: A smile universally conveys friendliness and enhances interactions.

Learning the basic Japanese words to learn is just the first step on an exciting journey. While this list provides a strong foundation, remember that consistent practice and immersion are key to fluency. So, start using these words, explore further vocabulary, and enjoy the process of discovering the beauty of the Japanese language!