If you’re starting to learn Japanese, focusing on the most commonly used words will help you build a strong foundation. These 100 essential Japanese words will cover daily conversations, greetings, food, numbers, and more, helping you navigate basic situations in Japan.
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello |
| おはようございます | Ohayou gozaimasu | Good morning |
| こんばんは | Konbanwa | Good evening |
| ありがとう | Arigatou | Thank you |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me/Sorry |
| ごめんなさい | Gomennasai | I'm sorry |
| はい | Hai | Yes |
| いいえ | Iie | No |
| お願いします | Onegaishimasu | Please (polite request) |
| どういたしまして | Douitashimashite | You're welcome |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| 行く | Iku | To go |
| 来る | Kuru | To come |
| 見る | Miru | To see/watch |
| 話す | Hanasu | To speak |
| 聞く | Kiku | To listen/ask |
| 食べる | Taberu | To eat |
| 飲む | Nomu | To drink |
| する | Suru | To do |
| 買う | Kau | To buy |
| 勉強する | Benkyou suru | To study |
| Number | Japanese | Pronunciation |
| 1 | 一 | Ichi |
| 2 | 二 | Ni |
| 3 | 三 | San |
| 4 | 四 | Yon/Shi |
| 5 | 五 | Go |
| 6 | 六 | Roku |
| 7 | 七 | Nana/Shichi |
| 8 | 八 | Hachi |
| 9 | 九 | Kyuu/Ku |
| 10 | 十 | Juu |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| 家 | Ie/Uchi | House/Home |
| 学校 | Gakkou | School |
| 会社 | Kaisha | Company/Office |
| 病院 | Byouin | Hospital |
| 駅 | Eki | Train station |
| 車 | Kuruma | Car |
| 猫 | Neko | Cat |
| 犬 | Inu | Dog |
| 本 | Hon | Book |
| 友達 | Tomodachi | Friend |
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| 大きい | Ookii | Big |
| 小さい | Chiisai | Small |
| 高い | Takai | Expensive/High |
| 安い | Yasui | Cheap |
| 速い | Hayai | Fast |
| 遅い | Osoi | Slow |
| 暑い | Atsui | Hot (weather) |
| 寒い | Samui | Cold (weather) |
| 美味しい | Oishii | Delicious |
| かわいい | Kawaii | Cute |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| 今日 | Kyou | Today |
| 明日 | Ashita | Tomorrow |
| 昨日 | Kinou | Yesterday |
| 午前 | Gozen | AM (morning) |
| 午後 | Gogo | PM (afternoon) |
| 今年 | Kotoshi | This year |
| 来年 | Rainen | Next year |
| 先月 | Sengetsu | Last month |
| 今週 | Konshuu | This week |
| 週末 | Shuumatsu | Weekend |
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| いくらですか？ | Ikura desu ka? | How much is it? |
| どこですか？ | Doko desu ka? | Where is it? |
| 英語を話せますか？ | Eigo o hanasemasu ka? | Can you speak English? |
| 助けてください！ | Tasukete kudasai! | Please help! |
| トイレはどこですか？ | Toire wa doko desu ka? | Where is the bathroom? |
At Team Language Services (TLS), we provide: ✔ Interactive lessons with real-life examples
✔ Practical exercises to reinforce learning
✔ Personalized coaching for faster improvement
Our structured approach ensures that you remember and apply words naturally in conversations.
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Here are some expert tips from TLS to memorize Japanese words faster:
✅ Use flashcards & mnemonics – Associate words with images
✅ Practice daily conversation – Speak with a tutor or language partner
✅ Engage with Japanese media – Watch anime, movies, and listen to podcasts
1. How can I learn Japanese words quickly?
Use flashcards, repetition, and real-life practice to memorize vocabulary faster.
2. What are the most important Japanese words for beginners?
Greetings, common verbs, numbers, and travel phrases are the most useful for beginners.
3. How many words do I need to know to be fluent in Japanese?
To have basic conversations, knowing 500-1,000 words is recommended. Fluency requires 5,000+ words.
4. Is Japanese vocabulary hard to learn?
Japanese vocabulary can be challenging due to kanji, but many words are easy to remember with practice.
5. Do I need to learn kanji to understand Japanese words?
You can start with hiragana and katakana, but kanji is important for full fluency.
By learning these top 100 Japanese words for beginners, you’ll be able to navigate daily conversations with confidence. Keep practicing, and your Japanese skills will improve quickly!
