Basic Japanese Words

Top 100 Basic Japanese Words for Everyday Conversations

Learning basic Japanese words will make your language-learning journey much easier.

Raise your hand if you’ve started learning Japanese but are struggling with vocabulary! Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Last year, I started learning Japanese, and one of the things I’ve struggled with the most as a beginner is remembering vocabulary words. 

With time, I realized that using different categories would help me learn basic Japanese words that would help me do simple things with the language. From saying hello, to naming my favorite food. Learning basic Japanese words made my learning journey much easier. 

So today I thought I would share some of the basic Japanese words I’ve learned, so that you can learn them and use them too! I’ve divided them into different categories, so you can learn the words that will be the most useful to you depending on your needs.

Are you ready? Let’s get started!

Essential phrases and words

  1. Hai (はい): Yes
  2. Iie(いいえ): No
  3. Onegaishimas (おねがいします): Please
  4. Wakarimasen (わかりません): I don’t understand
  5. Namae wa nan des ka ( 名前はなんですか): What is your name?
  6. Arigatoo Gozaimas (ありがとうございます): Thank you
  7. Sumimasen (すみません): Excuse me/ I am sorry

Greetings

  1. Konnichiwa (こんにちは): Hello
  2. Sayonara (さようなら): Goodbye
  3. Ohayoo gozaimas (おはようございます): Good morning
  4. Kon’nichiwa (こんにちは) : Good Afternoon
  5. Konbanwa (こんばんは): Good evening

Basic Japanese Words

Dates and time

Days of the week

  1. Getsuyoobi (月曜日): Monday
  2. Kayoobi (火曜日): Tuesday
  3. Suiyoobi (水曜日): Wednesday
  4. Mokuyoobi (木曜日): Thursday
  5. Kinyoobi (金曜日): Friday
  6. Doyoobi (土曜日): Saturday
  7. Nichiyoobi (日曜日): Sunday

Months

  1. Ichigatsu (一月): January
  2. Nigatsu (二月): February
  3. Sangatsu (三月): March
  4. Shigatsu (四月): April
  5. Gogatsu (五月): May
  6. Rokugatsu (六月): June
  7. Shichigatsu (七月): July
  8. Hachigatsu (八月): August
  9. Kugatsu (九月): September
  10. Juugatsu (十月): October
  11. Juuichigatsu (十一月): November
  12. Juunigatsu (十二月): December

Time words and phrases

  1. Kyoo (今日): Today
  2. Kinoo (昨日): Yesterday
  3. Ashita (明日): Tomorrow
  4. Konshuu (今週): This week
  5. Senshuu (先週): Last week
  6. Raishuu (来週): Next week
  7. Kongetsu (今月): This month
  8. Sengetsu (先月): Last month
  9. Raigetsu (来月): Next month
  10. Kotoshi (今年): This year
  11. Kyonen (去年): Last year
  12. Rainen (来年): Next year

Hours

  1. Ichi-ji: 1 o’clock
  2. Ni-ji: 2 o’clock  
  3. San-ji: 3 o’clock 
  4. Yon-ji: 4 o’clock 
  5. Go-ji: 5 o’clock 
  6. Roku-ji: 6 o’clock 
  7. Nana-ji: 7 o’clock 
  8. Hachi-ji: 8 o’clock 
  9. Ku-ji: 9 o’clock
  10. Juu-ji: 10 o’clock 
  11. Juu-ichi-ji: 11 o’clock
  12. Juu-ni-ji: 12 o’clock

Numbers 1-10

  1. Ichi (いち): One
  2. Ni (に): Two
  3. San (さん): Three
  4. Shi (し): Four
  5. Go (ご): Five
  6. Roku (ろく): Six
  7. Shichi (しち): Seven
  8. Hachi (はち): Eight
  9. Kyu (きゅう): Nine
  10. Juu (じゅう): Ten

Colors

  1. Ao (青): Blue
  2. Kiiro (黄色): Yellow
  3. Aka (赤): Red
  4. Midori (緑): Green
  5. Orenji (オレンジ): Orange
  6. Murasaki (紫): Purple
  7. Pinku (ピンク): Pink
  8. Chairo (茶色): Brown
  9. Kuro (黒): Black
  10. Shiro (白): White

People

  1. Tomodachi(友達): Friend
  2. Kazoku(家族): Family
  3. Otoo-san(お父さん): Father
  4. Okaa-san(お母さん): Mother
  5. Oni-san(お兄さん): Older brother
  6. Onee-san(お姉さん): Older sister
  7. Otooto(弟): Younger brother
  8. Imooto(妹): Younger sister
  9. Kareshi (彼氏): Boyfriend
  10. Kanojo(彼女): Girlfriend
  11. Otoko-no-hito(男の人): Man
  12. Onna-no-hito(女の人): Woman

Places

  1. Byouin (病院): Hospital 
  2. Ginkou (銀行): Bank 
  3. Keisatsusho (警察署):Police Station 
  4. Yubinkyoku (郵便局): Post office 
  5. Konbini (コンビニ): Convenience store  
  6. Supaa(スーパー): Grocery store 
  7. Pan ya (パン屋): Bakery  
  8. Kuukou (空港): Airport 
  9. Bas-tei(バス停): Bus stop 
  10. Hoteru (ホテル): Hotel 

Now You Know Japanese Too!

Congrats! Now you’ve learned 100 basic Japanese words! These everyday use words will help you understand a simple conversation. So whether you’re traveling to Japan or just practicing with a friend, try using these easy Japanese words to communicate. You’ll see how easy it is!

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