It’s important to be able to express yourself in any language, and learning to express yourself in Japanese can help you communicate more effectively with native Japanese speakers. Here, Washington, DC language teacher Taro T. teaches you some words, phrases, and Japanese vocabulary to express your emotions…
Japanese culture is what anthropologist Edward T. Hall might call a high-context culture. In a high-context culture, you don’t have to say much in order to be understood.
When someone is from Japan, he or she can figure out what to do or say in certain situations based on Japanese social contexts. When you are new to the Japanese language, however, it’s not always easy to understand others’ thoughts or expectations.
In order to avoid misunderstandings, it’s very important to express yourself verbally. Here’s some important vocabulary in Japanese to help you express yourself in Japanese.
Is Japanese Vocabulary Easy?
While all Japanese vocabulary might appear increasingly difficult for those learning the language for the first time, there are some easy tips to make learning the language enjoyable:
- One such tip is that Japanese words separate their concepts into two different syllables for each word, much like English does with split compound words.
- Japanese often uses a type of mimicry when building sentences; so once one gains an understanding of a structure’s function and purpose, it can usually be applied to many different situations.
- Take advantage of all the resources available online to learn key words and phrases, as well as practice reading written works in order to fully understand what they mean.
With these tools, mastering Japanese vocabulary may become much easier.
While learning Japanese vocabulary isn’t always easy, there are some tips you can follow for success. One of the best is to sign up for Japanese lessons with a tutor. You’ll learn everything you need to know about this sometimes-tricky language, like what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1CcPDOnVIs
What Are Basic Japanese Words?
When you are trying to learn Japanese vocabulary, you might be unsure of where to start. Here are some of the most common words you’ll encounter in the Japanese language:
- こと (Koto) – “About (this thing)”
- ため (Tame) – “For” or “In regards to”
- 人 (Hito or Nin) – “Person”
- 今日 (Kyou) – “Today”
- 分 (Fun or Bun) – “Minute”
- 国 (Kuni or Koku) – “Country”
- 年 (Toshi or Nen) – “Year”
- 日 (Nichi or Hi) – “Day” and “Sun”
- 日本 (Nihon) – “Japan”
- 明日 (Ashita) – “Tomorrow”
- 昨日 (Kinou) – “Yesterday”
- 時 (Ji or Toki) – “Hour” or “Time”
- 時間 (Jikan) – “Time” (As in, a time frame.)
- 月 (Getsu or Tsuki) – “Month” and “Moon”
- 物 (Mono) – “Thing”
- 週 (Shuu) – “Week”
Of course, the Japanese vocabulary list doesn’t end there. We’ll take a deeper dive in this post.
How Can I Learn Japanese Vocabulary?
Whether you’re trying to master Japanese N5 vocabulary or you just want to learn enough phrases in Japanese to navigate your way around the country on your travels, here are a few ways you can learn Japanese:
- Use Japanese vocabulary flashcards (there are plenty of online resources to consider, too, like an Anki Japanese vocabulary deck)
- Practice mnemonics to memorize information
- Use a dictionary
- Try a Japanese vocabulary app
- Take Japanese classes
- Find a native speaker to help you practice
- Watch Japanese movies and listen to Japanese music
Of course, as you’re getting started, you might want to make a list of all the Japanese vocabulary words you should learn. We’ll give you a detailed Japanese vocabulary list below!
What Are the 100 Most Common Words in Japanese?
Are you looking for a master Japanese vocabulary list? Learn Japanese vocabulary by memorizing these terms.
Basic Japanese Vocabulary for Activities
Here are a few Japanese verbs to master:
- ある (Aru) – “There is” for inanimate objects and plants.
- いる (Iru) – “There is” for living things, like humans and animals.
- する (Suru) – “To do”
- です (Desu) – “To be” or “it is”
- なる (Naru) – “To become”
- 会う (Au) – “To meet”
- 作る (Tsukuru) – “To make”
- 使う (Tsukau) – “To use”
- 出来る (Dekiru) – “To be able to do” or “can do”
- 受ける (Ukeru) – “To receive”
- 呼ぶ (Yobu) – “To call”
- 学ぶ (Manabu) – “To learn”
- 帰る (Kaeru) – “To return home”
- 待つ (Matsu) – “To wait”
- 持つ (Motsu) – “To have” or “to hold”
- 着く (Tsuku) – “To arrive”
- 置く (Oku) – “To put”
- 行く (Iku) – “To go”
- 見る (Miru) – “To see”
- 言う (Iu) – “To say”
- 送る (Okuru) – “To send”
- 食べる (Taberu) – “To eat”
- 飲む (Nomu) – “To drink”
Japanese Vocabulary Words for Numbers
As you’re learning to count in Japanese, you’ll want to master these terms:
- 一-いち Ichi-One
- 二-に Ni-Two
- 三-さん San-Three
- 四-し/よん Shi/yon-Four
- 五-ご Go-Five
- 六-ろく Roku-Six
- 七-しち/なな Shichi/nana-Seven
- 八-はち Hachi-Eight
- 九-きゅう Kyuu-Nine
- 十-じゅう Juu-Ten
Days and Time Japanese Vocabulary
From telling time to knowing how to express your birthday, you’ll want to master these Japanese vocabulary words, too.
- 四月-しがつ Shigatsu-April
- 八月-はちがつ Hachigatsu-August
- 十二月-じゅうにがつ Juunigatsu-December
- 夕方-ゆうがた Yuugata-Evening
- 二月-にがつ Nigatsu-February
- 金曜日-きんようび Kinyoubi-Friday
- 一月-いちがつ Ichigatsu-January
- 七月-しちがつ Shichigatsu-July
- 六月-ろくがつ Rokugatsu-June
- 三月-さんがつ Sangatsu-March
- 五月-ごがつ Gogatsu-May
- 月曜日-げつようび Getsuyoubi-Monday
- 朝-あさ Asa-Morning
- 夜-よる Yoru-Night
- 昼-ひる Hiru-Noon
- 十一月-じゅういちがつ Juuichigatsu-November
- 十月-じゅうがつ Juugatsu-October
- 土曜日-どようび Doyoubi-Saturday
- 九月-くがつ Kugatsu-September
- 日曜日-にちようび Nichiyoubi-Sunday
- 木曜日-もくようび Mokuyoubi-Thursday
- 今日-きょう Kyou-Today
- 明日-あした Ashita-Tomorrow
- 火曜日-かようび Kayoubi-Tuesday
- 水曜日-すいようび Suiyoubi-Wednesday
- 昨日-きのう Kinou-Yesterday
Other Japanese Vocabulary Words to Learn
Here are some more terms to master if you are trying to learn Japanese.
- おばさん-Obasan-Aunt
- すみません-Sumimasen-Excuse me/ sorry
…and here are some great adjectives to learn!
- うまい (Umai) – “Nice”
- きれいな (Kirei na) – “Clean” and “Pretty”
- すごい (Sugoi) – “Amazing”
- たくさん (Takusan) – “Lots of”
- とても (Totemo) – “Very”
- まずい (Mazui) – “Disgusting”
- 多い (Ooi) – “Many”
- 大きい (Ookii) – “Big”
- 大丈夫 (Daijoubu) – “All right”
- 小さい (Chiisai) – “Small”
- 少し (Sukoshi) – “Few”
- 悪い (Warui) – “Bad”
- 楽しい (Tanoshii) – “Enjoyable” or “Pleasant”
- 簡単な (Kantan na) – “Easy”
- 美味しい (Oishii) – “Delicious”
- 良い (Yoi) – “Good”
- 近い (Chikai) – “Near”
- 遠い (Tooi) – “Far”
- 醜い (Minikui) – “Ugly”
- 難しい (Muzukashii) – “Difficult”
Japanese Vocabulary List for Positive Emotions
Ureshii-desu – 嬉しいです
“I’m happy”
Use this phrase generously; it helps you establish rapport.
If you’re happy to meet someone, you could say, “oai-dekite-ureshii-desu” お会いできて嬉しいです (I’m pleased to meet you.)
(______ no-okage-
“thanks to (name of the person)”
In Japan, people are generally humble and don’t take credit for their accomplishments.
This phrases is also used as a formality, but crediting someone for your success is a great way to connect with Japanese people.
For example, if you were able to land a job as a result of your mentor Mr. Kobayashi’s advice, you could say, “Kobayashi-san-no-okage-de-mensetu-ni-ukari-mashita 小林さんのおかげで面接に受かりました (thanks to you (Mr.Kobayashi) I did well in the interview.)
Tanoshimi-desu – 土曜日のコンサート楽しみです
“I look forward to it” / “I’m exited about it”
Tanoshimi-desu is the most common way to express excitement in Japanese.
If you’re excited to go to a concert you can say “doyoubi-no-
Excited about traveling to Japan? Let your friends and family know by saying “Nihon-ni-ikunoga-tanoshimi-
Suki-desu – 好きです
“I like you” (romantically)
Use this phrase to show your affection.
In Japan, men and women do not often express their romantic emotions. When they do express these feelings, however, they do so in a straightforward manner.
It’s common for adolescents to say suki-desu, to their romantic interest, even before going on a first date. This is a kokuhaku 告白 (confession).
Suki-desu can also be used to simply express your affinity with anything, without any romantic connotations. For example, you could say, ”watashi-wa Tokyo-ga-suki-desu” 私は東京が好きです (I like Tokyo).
Sugoi! – すごい！
“Amazing”
This expression is short, but it’s very useful to show your amazement. Even if you don’t speak Japanese well (yet), Japanese people will think you’re charming when you use this expression.
Try using it as an icebreaker. You may make some Japanese people laugh and win their friendship.
Japanese Vocabulary List for Negative Emotions
Want to learn Japanese for sad and other negative emotions? Keep reading!
Zannen-desu ___ – 残念です
“I’m sorry about _____)”
You can use this phrase when you feel disappointed. For example, if you learned that your mentor couldn’t make it to dinner (due to illness), you could say “Kyo-wa-byoki-de-korare-nai-
Although saying you’re sorry is technically negative, it shows your understanding of other people’s situations, which is very important in Japan. If you’re speaking in a polite form of Japanese, you could say “zannen-desu,” and if you’re speaking in a casual form, you could say “zannen-dayo.”
Atama-ni-kuru – 頭にくる
“It gets on my nerves”
So far, you’ve learned to be very polite in Japanese, but at some point you may need to express your anger.
If you feel mistreated or annoyed, you can simple say “atama-ni-kuru” (I’m angry) (頭にくる）It means literally, “it gets to my head.”
This is a safe phrase to use because it’s a direct way to express your anger.
Kanashii-desu – 悲しいです
“I’m feeling sad”
Kuyashii-desu – 悔しいです
“I’m disappointed/it’s regrettable”
Use this phrase to express your frustration. For example, if your soccer team loses a match, you can say: “kuyashii-desu” (悔しいです）or “totemo-kuyashii-desu”（
Although this is an expression of a negative emotion, there is still a positive connotation, as saying “kuyashii-desu” implies you’ve tried your best, and you may try again.
Mou-korigori-da!/
“I’m tired of this!/I’m fed up!”
Unlike saying “kuyashii-desu”, which implies you haven’t given up, saying “mou-korigori-da!” or “kori-gori-da!” means that you’re done with a situation or circumstance.
This is a strong expression and you should only say this if you’re really tired of something. If you want to say this without being too aggressive, you can say, “mou-kori-gori-desu”（
Japanese Food Vocabulary
Are you ready to start your journey into the wonderful world of Japanese cuisine? You are in luck because we are here to help! Whether you are a budding sushi chef or just someone who would like to order their next meal with confidence, this guide will provide you with all the essential Japanese food vocabulary that you will need.
First and foremost, let’s talk about sushi. Sushi is an incredibly popular dish worldwide, but it can be a bit daunting for those who are unfamiliar with it. So let’s break it down into manageable pieces; after all, knowledge is power! In Japan, sushi is usually made from raw fish (sashimi) and vinegared rice (shari).
The two main types of sushi rolls that you will most likely encounter in a restaurant are the maki roll and the uramaki roll. Maki rolls are fish-and-rice rolls wrapped in seaweed (nori), while uramaki rolls have the rice on the outside and the nori on the inside.
Next up is tempura, a style of deep-fried food that has become popular worldwide. Tempura typically refers to vegetables or seafood that have been lightly battered and fried until crispy.
Other popular dishes include ramen, udon noodles served in a hot broth; yakisoba, stir-fried noodles; soba noodles served cold with dipping sauce; and yakitori, grilled chicken skewers.
If you’re looking for something light and refreshing after your meal, try out some tamagoyaki—Japanese rolled omelet—or agar jelly for dessert!
Japanese Vocabulary Words for Transportation
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, it’s important to know some basic transportation-related vocabulary words. From taking the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto to hopping on a bus or ferry in one of the many coastal cities, there are endless ways to explore this beautiful country.
Here’s a beginner-friendly guide for learning Japanese vocabulary words related to transportation:
- Shinkansen – The Shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed rail network, connecting all of the major cities throughout the country. It is also known as the “bullet train” and speeds up to 320 km/h! In addition to being incredibly fast, it is also extremely efficient and reliable. Make sure you purchase tickets ahead of time if you plan on taking a journey by shinkansen.
- Basu – Basu simply means “bus” in Japanese. Buses are a great way to get around Japan if you don’t want to take the shinkansen or other forms of public transportation like trains or ferries. Just make sure you study up on your route ahead of time so that you don’t get lost!
- Furii – Furii means ferry in Japanese and is another popular form of transportation used by tourists and locals alike. Ferry rides are especially popular when traveling between islands or along the coastline, as they provide stunning views of the ocean and give passengers an up-close look at various islands along their journey. It’s definitely worth experiencing if you can fit it into your itinerary!
How Can I Learn Japanese Vocabulary Fast?
Learning Japanese vocabulary quickly doesn’t have to be a daunting task–it can be an enjoyable, interactive experience! Japanese vocabulary flashcards are a great tool to use in order to learn the meaning of new words in your Japanese vocabulary practice, and there are plenty of apps available that make the process even easier.
Here’s a list of some of the best apps for Japanese vocabulary.
In addition, there are also various Japanese vocabulary games and quiz activities one can try in order to really challenge their knowledge.
No matter which approach you choose to take, it is clear that learning Japanese vocabulary can be done efficiently with the help of modern technology and just a bit of determination.
Is Japanese Vocabulary Hard?
Learning to speak Japanese can be challenging but it’s worth it. You’ll speak more fluently with a rich set of Japanese vocabulary words to choose from. It will also be easier for you to write or comprehend what you read.
Although learning Japanese vocabulary can be challenging, it’s a necessary gateway to becoming fluent in the language.
With these words and phrases, you can express your full range of emotions, from happy to angry. Learn these words, and you’ll be able to communicate more effectively in Japanese.
Need help learning hard Japanese words to say? Sign up for lessons with a private Japanese teacher!
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Post Author: Taro T.Taro T. teaches Japanese and ESL in Washington, D.C. He is a language acquisition specialist and mentors students from the United States, Thailand, Italy, Korea, Turkey, and El Salvador. Born and raised in Japan, Taro came to the United States when he was 16 to learn English and American culture. He gained fluency in both English and Spanish. Learn more about Taro here!
Maile Proctor