Top 100 Japanese Words for Beginners – Essential Vocabulary for Daily Use
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.
Top 100 Japanese Words for Beginners
1. Basic Greetings and Expressions
| 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 |
“Improving your listening skills is essential for mastering Japanese. Try these listening exercises for Japanese learners to boost your comprehension and fluency.”
2. Common Japanese Verbs
| 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 |
3. Numbers in Japanese
| 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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4. Everyday Nouns
| 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 |
5. Essential Japanese Adjectives
| 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 |
6. Time-related Words
| 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 |
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7. Common Japanese Travel Phrases
| 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? |
How TLS Helps You Master Japanese Vocabulary
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.
Study Tips for Memorizing Japanese Words
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
“Want to sound more like a native speaker? Learn these common Japanese idioms to add authenticity and depth to your conversations!”
FAQs
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!
