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If you settle in Japan, you may find yourself receiving an invitation to a wedding and pondering all the traditions and formalities that come along with it. Weddings, otherwise known as kekkonshiki (結婚式), in Japan are a time of celebration, a time to eat and drink with friends and family and to celebrate a couple beginning married life. The signing of the marriage, however, when the couple is married by law, actually takes place on a different day at the town office and can be months before the actual wedding day. So when the ceremony takes place it is a chance to finally celebrate.  

If you ever get invited to a wedding in Japan, there might be some words and terms that are good to know before you attend. On the other hand, there is a certain set of words that are considered a harbinger of bad luck. How do you congratulate the bride and groom at a wedding in Japan? How should you attend a Japanese wedding appropriately? Read more to find out!

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What is a Wedding like in Japan?

Japanese weddings don’t differ tremendously from those in the west: the bride wears white for the ceremony, but there are also some traditions and formalities that set Japanese weddings aside. For instance, there are two categories, youshiki (洋式) which indicates a western style wedding that usually takes place in a chapel or hotel and the bride wears a white dress. The second type is washiki (和式) which indicates a traditional shinto wedding at a shrine where the bride wears a white kimono. Both weddings follow the same etiquette when it comes to gift giving and after the ceremony a reception usually follows. 

japanese wedding attire traditional

If the bride decides to have a dress change which is very common at Japanese weddings, especially for washiki, she will change from her white kimono to an elaborate colorful kimono, often with the most gorgeous, intricate embroidery. The change from white to color signifies the change that she is now married. Some brides choose instead to change to a wedding dress or a ballgown and some will even go through 3 dress changes throughout the day. As Japanese weddings run down to the minute, a top tip is to go to the restroom should you need it during one of the dress changes!

traditional japanese wedding

What to Wear for a Wedding in Japan?

If traveling far you may already be deciding what to pack. On the actual day of the wedding, you won’t want to take too much luggage as you’ll receive a thank you gift from the couple and you don’t want to have your arms full on the way home. You’ll find many guests attend weddings with almost no luggage at all or very small bags. However, if it is in the winter months and the wedding is indoors, it is best to dress indoors in a big coat on top as you’ll be able to store this at the reception in the cloakroom. If you are coming with a suitcase you should be able to store this in the cloakroom too. 

Many women wear dresses at weddings but a suit is acceptable too. The main rule to follow is to try to find a dress that covers your knees and shoulders and avoid a low neckline. For shoes, try to avoid those that show your toes and large heels, a kitten heel is more appropriate. Other than that, avoid white and try to keep the outfit elegant yet simple, nothing too flashy. the Japanese go out of their way to make sure the bride stands out on her big day and many people will actually attend the wedding in all black, so if you have a black dress, this may just be the perfect occasion! For hair it is best to pin it up if you have long hair as wearing it down can appear too casual. If the wedding is taking place at a hotel you may be able to reserve a hair appointment at their salon. Be sure to tell them the start time of the wedding though so you don’t run late.

Men tend to wear a suit to weddings in Japan with a tie or bowtie however, be sure not to choose a black tie as this is reserved for funerals. For the suit color, many opt for black suits to contrast the bride’s white dress. 

what to give to bride and groom in japan

What to Give the Bride and Groom in a Japanese Wedding?

When it comes to giving the newlywed couple a gift it is customary to give money called goshuugi (御祝儀). The amount can vary depending on your relationship with the couple and whether you are a student, but it can get very expensive. Below are some examples.  

  • A student: 10,000 yen
  • A friend: 30,000 yen
  • A close relative or boss: 50,000 yen

Shuugibukuro (祝儀袋) is the name for the envelope in which to gift money. These can be purchased at stationery stores and even in convenience stores but for a wedding, you may want to look around for a particularly nice one to celebrate the occasion. Many will already have kanji on the front, for weddings kotobuki (寿) is often used as it means congratulations, but also oiwai (御祝い), congratulations and gokekkon oiwai (ご結婚御祝い), or congratulations of your marriage, is often used. If you purchase a plain envelope you may wish to add your own calligraphy on the front such as the kanji for kotobuki 寿.  

There are many different types of shuugibukuro and each type is reserved for a different occasion so it is important to pick out the right one. The knots on the envelope, called mizuhiki (水引), is an ancient Japanese art form of knot tying. For weddings, avoid grey, black or white and yellow knots as these are used for funerals. In particular, you may want to seek two types of knots called musubikiri and awajimusubi, these two knots cannot be undone and therefore are often used for marriage. Cho-musubi is a knot that looks similar to a bow or a shoelace knot, this kind can be done and undone and done again, and so it is used for celebrations that you would want to see happen multiple times but not for weddings. 

When you purchase shuugibukuro, you should receive an inner envelope where you put the money, with the portrait side of the bill facing the front, the other way around is for funerals. On the back of the inner envelope, write your name and address so they know who it is from and leave space to also write how much you are giving in the format: 金○○円.

You can write the amount in common Japanese numbers, or you can use kanji to make it more formal: one (壱), two (弐), three(参) and so on. For example, 金参萬円 is the kanji for giving 30,000 yen, as the kanji 萬 kanji represents the four zeros. To make it even more formal, you can write everything vertically so it reads top to bottom, right to left (for reference, this is a useful source of formal kanji for Japanese numbers).

Some people wrap their shuugibukuro in another layer, usually silk. You can do this if you wish, but it is becoming less and less common with many people now giving their shuugibukuro as is. When you arrive at the venue, there will be a welcome table where give your shuugibukuro with both hands and a bow to whoever is managing the table. 

What to Say to the Bridge and Groom: Saying Congratulations at a Japanese Wedding

1. Gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu (ご結婚おめでとうございます): Congratulations on our wedding!

This is probably the most basic and foolproof way to congratulate a couple during their wedding. On its own, omedetou gozaimasu (おめでとうございます) can mean simply “congratulations” and can stand alone, but the word gokekkon (ご結婚) means marriage (ご is a prefix). 

 2. Suenagaku oshiawase ni (末永くお幸せに): May you be happy forever

You can use this both in written form — such as a celebratory letter to congratulate them — or in a speech. You can make things casual by adding a ね (ne).

末永くお幸せにね
Suenagaku oshiawase ni ne.
Be happy forever (okay?)

3. Other ways to congratulate Japanese people on a wedding

The two phrases above are basically good foundations to congratulate a Japanese couple, but depending on your relationship with them, you might want to bump the greetings up a notch. For example, you wouldn’t use the last example for your manager’s daughter’s wedding. You want to be careful about the language you use when sending messages to your superiors and seniors. Here are a few phrases you can use:

ご結婚おめでとうございます! 心よりお祝い申し上げます。 お二人の末永い健康とご多幸をお祈りいたします。
Gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu! Kokoro yori oiwai moushi agemasu. Ofutari no suenagai kenkou to gotakou o oinori itashimasu.
Congratulations on your marriage! I wish you both good health and happiness for many years to come.

ご結婚, 心よりご祝福申しあげます 。笑顔の溢れる温かいご家庭をお築きになられますようお祈りいたします。
Go kekkon, kokoro yori go shukufuku moushiagemasu. Egao no afureru atatakai gokatei o okizuki ni nararemasu you oinori itashimasu.
I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on your marriage. I pray that you will build a warm family filled with smiles.

お二人の人生最良の門出を 心からお喜び申し上げます。
Ofutari no jinsei sairyou no kadode o kokoro kara oyorokobi moushiagemasu.
I sincerely congratulate you on the best start to your life.

ご結婚おめでとうございます。 お二人で明るい家庭を築かれてください。 
Gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu. Ofutari de akarui katei o kizukarete kudasai.
Congratulations on your wedding. Please build a bright family together.

What Not to Say During a Wedding in Japan: Taboo and Jinx

1. Avoid saying farewell-related Words

Words associated with parting and farewell are considered taboo in weddings because although you’re not directly wishing for a breakup, these words suggest the end of a marriage. Avoid using it in speeches, greetings, or even in conversations between guests in any context. The words include divorce (離婚; rikon), separate (別れる; wakareru), cut (切る; kireru) and leave (離れる;  hanare).You should also not use any words associated with death and sorrows. 

2. Avoid words related to “going home” or “returning”

According to Japanese superstitions, it’s also bad luck to say either going home (帰る; kaeru) or returning (戻る; modoru) because it will supposedly jinx the marriage, and cause the bride to leave the groom and return home to her parents.

3. Avoid repeated words

Similar to Japanese funerals, you want to avoid repeated words, otherwise known as kasane kotoba (重ね言葉), because it implies repeated marriages.

4. Avoid even numbers when giving out money

Previously, we talked about 御祝儀 (goshuugi), but did you know it’s frowned upon to give the bride and groom a certain number of money? That’s right: you should not give a number that can be divided by two, like 2,000 or 4,000. This implies “split” within the marriage and is therefore unlucky.  

However, there is an exception if you give 80,000 yen. The kanji for 8 (八) is open at the bottom, like an open gate for good luck. When putting together the bank notes make sure to get them fresh from the cash machine and do not fold them too!

How to Reply to a Wedding Invitation in Japan

When you receive the invitation be sure to look out for any small slips of paper and double-check the envelope to make sure you didn’t miss any (sometimes there’s more than one!). The invitation should tell you where the wedding is going to be held but usually, on a separate slip you’ll receive a notification of the time you are expected to arrive and a notification if you are invited to any after-parties taking place. Japanese weddings are punctual so regarding the start time be sure to arrive with plenty of time to spare. 

With your invitation, you should also receive a reply slip with two options goshuuseki (御出席), will attend, or gokesseki (御欠席), won’t attend, you will need to cross out whichever option does not apply to you. An unwritten rule is to also cross out the first kanji, the go (御), which is an honorific, making the sentence politer because you are referring to yourself and what you will do. If there is no indication of a plus one on your invitation, don’t assume you have one! In Japan, if the bride and groom don’t know your partner that well, it is normal for them to only invite you and you’ll find many guests attending the wedding by themselves.  

If you are able to attend the wedding then on the reply slip there may be a section to list any food allergies and if you have any dietary requirements here is the place to state so. If there is no place on the reply slip then notify the couple in advance so they can notify the venue. Wedding meals are a set menu so everybody gets the same thing and it will have already been decided well in advance so make sure you tell the couple with plenty of time to spare. If you will be attending with a child, you may want to contact the couple anyway to double-check the food, usually, the venues are very accommodating.   

What to Say in Japanese When You Can’t Attend a Wedding

If you can’t attend the wedding, you might still want to send a congratulatory card. Here, you can write:

ご結婚おめでとうございます。ご招待いただいたのに出席できずに申し訳ありません。お二人の未来が素晴らしいものでありますようお祈りいたします。
Gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu. Go shoutai itadaita no ni shusseki dekizu ni moushiwake arimasen. Ofutari no mirai ga subarashii monodearimasu you oinori itashimasu.
Congratulations on your wedding. I am sorry that I was invited but could not attend. I wish you both a wonderful future.

You can also give a formal reply to inform them that you are not attending.

あいにく外せない用がございまして欠席させていただきます。お二人の挙式が素敵なものになりますようお祈り致しております。
Ainiku hazusenai you ga gozaimashite kesseki sasete itadakimasu ofutari no kyoshiki ga sutekina mono ni narimasu you oinori ita shite orimasu.
Unfortunately, I will be absent due to some unavoidable business. I pray that your wedding ceremony will be wonderful.

At the end of the reply, if there is space you can leave a message, we have provided some inspiration below:

おめでとう御座いますOmedetou gozaimasu Congratulations
どうぞお幸せにDouzo oshiawase niWishing you both happiness
末永くお幸せにSuenagaku oshiawase niWishing you will both be happy forever 

You will want to reply to the invitation as soon as possible as there will be many things the bride and groom need to confirm with the venue regarding numbers. If you cannot reply soon via mail, consider calling the couple to let them know well in advance. 

Even if you cannot attend the wedding it is customary to still send goshugi to the couple to say congratulations and thank them for the invitation. However, with advance notice, they should be able to cancel your food so you can send just 10,000 yen. You can do this at the post office using the service genkin kakitome, registered mail for cash.

If You Have to Suddenly Cancel Your Attendance

Sometimes life happens and we have to cancel at the last minute. If this happens to you, don’t call the bride and groom! They will be too busy to take your call, call the venue directly instead. You can follow up with an apology and congratulate the couple after the wedding and send your goshuugi, a monetary gift as your food and seat will have already been prepared.

Conclusion

When you’re living in Japan, you might be involved in a lot of events and community — weddings, Coming of Age ceremonies, funerals, New Year parties and graduations. In a lot of these cases, knowing basic greeting of omedetou gozaimasu may not be enough. What if you want to speak more than “congratulations” or “I’m sorry”?

Hopefully, this article helps calm down the nerves if you are moments away from attending a Japanese funeral. Don’t be disheartened by the fact that you didn’t know about the phrases we covered in the first place! They are rarely said in real life.

However, if you want to be more confident in speaking Japanese, we recommend taking courses at Coto Academy. Online, in Tokyo or Yokohama, our classes focus on practical conversations, allowing you to reach Japanese fluency in the pace, intensity and style you prefer. Check out our courses, or book a free consultation.

Lastly, don’t forget to check out our learning blog! We cover a variety of helpful content to help you learn about Japanese language, culture and all interesting things in between!

Live in Japan long enough, and you’ll eventually need to open a bank account. Sooner or later, withdrawing money, using the ATM — or even investing — in Japan will be a difficult task if you’re not familiar with the right Japanese words.

In this cheat sheet, we will list some of the most common Japanese bank vocabulary. We included vocabulary that will help you in banks as well as ATMs in Japan.

What you need to know about banks in Japan

Visiting a bank in Japan, like anywhere else, can be difficult. You’re dealing with a new set of regulations and procedures. It’s easy to be at loss. While more people are shifting to mobile payments in Japan, the nation is still a cash-based society.

Thankfully, you don’t need to become a permanent resident in Japan to have a bank account, as long as you hold a residence card. Most banks also do not require a minimum deposit amount to open an account and have low-interest fees.

There are a wide variety of banks located all over Japan from commercial banks with branches in Tokyo. This includes HSBC and Bank of America. Popular domestic banks are Japan Post Bank and Shinsei Bank. Domestic banks, in particular, require a proficient level of Japanese and money in order to open an account.

Even so, there are many banks out there in Japan with staff that are highly skilled in English. Especially in big cities like Tokyo, you don’t need to worry about the language barrier. Still, it can be good to learn at least the more common Japanese vocabulary before heading to a bank!

Interested in finance and cryptocurrency? Check out our article on crypto in Japan for related vocabulary.

Popular banks in Japan

Eligibility to open a Japanese bank account :

  1. Must have been living in Japan for at least 6 Months prior with a valid address
  2. Must have your Japanese residence card (Zairyu)

1. Japan Post Bank

Japan Post (ゆうちょ銀行) is one of the most popular Japanese banks for foreigners. It is also the bank with the largest number of ATMs located all over Japan. Japan Post has branches located in many parts of Japan with many of their staff having great English-speaking ability.

Visit the Japan Post website for more information about their services.

2. SMBC Prestia

SMBC Prestia Bank offers services in both Japanese and English and is great for those who are still honing their Japanese-speaking skills. They allow you to deposit your savings in 17 foreign currencies.

Visit the SMBC Prestia Bank website for more information about their services.

3. Shinsei Bank

Shinsei Bank is probably the bank with the most number of foreign customers as they are highly regarded for their friendly and efficient service. You can apply for a Shinsei Bank account if you’ve been resident in Japan for 6 months, or are currently employed in Japan.

Visit the Shinsei Bank website for more information about their services.

Japanese bank vocabulary

Banks in Japan are open 9:00 to 15:00 (JST), and are closed on weekends and national holidays. ATMs on the other hand have longer operating hours, with an increasing number of ATMs being open 24 Hours.

Kanji HiraganaPronunciation Meaning Example Sentence
銀行ぎんこうginkouBank 今日は銀行に向かっています
Kyō wa ginkōu ni mukatte imasu
I am heading to the bank today
銀行員 ぎんこういん ginkouinBank Clerk銀行員は本当に親切です
Ginkōin wa hontōni shinsetsudesu
The bank clerk ​are really helpful
受付うけつけuketsukeInformation Desk 受付にカードを取りに来てください。
uketsuke ni kaado o tori ni kite kudasai.
Please come to information desk and get your card.
番号札ばんごうふだbangou fudaNumbered Ticket47番の番号札をお持ちのお客様、3番の窓口までお越しください。
47-Ban no bangō-satsu o o-mochi no okyakusama, 3-ban no madoguchi made okoshi kudasai.
If you have a 47th numbered ticket, please come to the 3rd window.
窓口まどぐちmadoguchiTeller Window 初診の受付は一番窓口です。
Shoshin no uketsuke wa ichiban madoguchidesu.
Registration for the first visit is at Counter No.1.
預金よきんyokinDeposit 預金したいのですが。
Yokin shitai nodesuga.
I want to deposit some money.
返済へんさいhensaiRepayment クレジットカードの負債は毎月返済しておいた方がいい。
Kurejittokādo no fusai wa maitsuki hensai shite oita kata ga ī.
It makes sense to pay off your credit card balance every month.
両替りょうがえryougaeMoney Exchangeこれをドルに両替してください。
Kore o doru ni ryōgae shite kudasai.
Please change this to dollars.
貸し金庫 かしきんこkashi kinkoSafe Deposit Box 貸し金庫はありますか。
Kashi kinko wa arimasu ka.
Do you have safety deposit boxes?
クレジットカード クレジットカードkurejittokādoCredit Card 私はクレジットカードを取りたいと思う
Watashi wa kurejittokādo o toritai to omou
I want to get a credit card.
送金そうきんsoukinRemittanceフランスへの送金の仕方を教えて欲しいんですが。
Furansu e no sōkin no shikata o oshiete hoshī ndesuga.
I’d like to know how to send money to France.
利子りしrishiInterest (Bank)この貸付金は高い利子をとられることになっている。
Kono kashitsuke-kin wa takai rishi o tora reru koto ni natte iru.
This loan will carry very heavy interest.
投資とうしtōshiInvestment 銀行にお金を投資するにはどうすればよいですか？
Ginkō ni okane o tōshi suru ni wa dōsureba yoidesu ka?
How can I invest my money in the bank?
ローンローンro-nLoan 銀行ローンを借りたい
Ginkō rōn o karitai
I want to take a bank loan
借金しゃっきんshakkinDebt必要なら、借金を今お返ししましょう。
Hitsuyōnara, shakkin o ima okaeshi shimashou.
If it’s necessary to do so, I’ll pay back my loan now.

Japanese vocabulary for visiting an ATM in Japan

ATMs can be widely found across train stations, airports and convenience stores in Japan. From ATMs, you can withdraw, deposit, update your passbook, check your balance, as well as make transfers to another account. Although many of these machines have options for English services, not all do.

Check our more comprehensive guide on how to use an ATM in Japan!

Kanji HiraganaPronunciation Meaning Example Sentence
現金自動預け払い機げんきんじどうあずけばらいきgenkin jidō azukeharaikiAutomatic
Teller Machine (ATM)		現金自動預け払い機は、ATMとも言われている。
Genkinjidōazukeharaiki wa, ATM to mo iwarete iru.
Automatic teller machines are also known as ATMs.
通帳つうちょう tsuchoPassbook/
Bankbook		私は自分の通帳を見たが、幸運にも５０ドル余分に入っていた。
Watashi wa jibun no tsūchō o mitaga, kōun’nimo 50-doru yobun ni haitte ita.
I looked at my bank account book, and happily discovered that I had an extra $50!
現金げんきんgenkinCashでは、現金で支払います。
Dewa, genkin de shiharaimasu.
I’d like to pay in cash.
引き出し ひきだしhikidashiCash Withdrawal ATM で現金を引き出したい
ATM de genkin o hikidashitai
I want to withdraw cash at the ATM
振替ふりかえfurikaeTransfer (Money)口座振替でも納付できます。
Kōza furikae demo nōfu dekimasu.
Bank transfer payments are also possible.
振込手数料ふりこみてすうりょうfurikomi tesuuryouBank
Transfer Fee 		振込手数料はお客様負担となっております。
Furikomi tesūryō wa okyakusama futan to natte orimasu.
Transfer Fees must be paid by the customer.
口座こうざkouzaBank Account 彼は口座に１００ドル預けた。
Kare wa kōza ni 100-doru azuketa.
He deposited 100 dollars in his saving account.
暗証番号 あんしょうばんごうanshou
bangou		PIN Number暗証番号を押してください。
Anshō bangō o oshite kudasai.
Please input your PIN number.
口座番号こうざばんごうkouza
bangou		Bank
Account Number 		口座番号はこれなんだけど
Kōza bangō wa korena ndakedo
This is my account number.
預け入れあずけいれazukeireCash Deposit 貯金口座にお金を預け入れたいです
Chokin kōza ni okane o adzukeiretaidesu
I’d like to deposit money into my checking/saving account.
紙幣しへいshiheiPaper Money 私は１０ドル紙幣をなくした。
Watashi wa 10-doru shihei o nakushita.
I lost a ten-dollar note.
残高ざんだかzandakaBalance 私の預金残高はどうなっていますか。
Watashi no yokin zandaka wa dō natte imasu ka.
What’s the balance of my account?
残高照会ざんだかしょうかいzandaka
shoukai		Balance Inquiry ATMで残高照会ができます.
ATM de zandaka shōkai ga dekimasu
You can make a balance inquiry at the ATM
銀行カードキャッシュカードKyasshukādoCash Card/ATM Card後日 銀行 カードは、あなたの住所に送られてきます。
Gojitsu kyasshukādo wa, anata no jūsho ni okura rete kimasu.
Cash card will be sent to you later by post.
通帳更新つうちょうこうしんtsucho
koushin		Passbook Update通帳更新するためにATMに向かっています。
Tsūchō o kōshin suru tame ni ATM ni mukatte imasu.
I am heading to the ATM to get my passbook updated.

Download our Japanese Bank Vocabulary Cheatsheet in PDF below!

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Useful Japanese phrases you might need when visiting a bank

Become familiar with these useful phrases that you will definitely use when you are visiting a bank!

ATMの機会はどこにありますか？
ATM wa dokoni arimasuka?
Where can I find the ATM machines?		お金を預けたいのですが。
Okane o azuketai nodesuga.
I would like to deposit money.
当座預金口座から下ろしたいです
Tōza yokin kōza kara oroshitaidesu.
I would like to withdraw from my checking account		口座を解約したいです。
Kōza o kaiyaku shitaidesu.
I want to close my account.
普通口座から下ろしたいです。
Futsū kōza kara oroshitaidesu.
I would like to withdraw from my savings account		預金口座を作りたいです
Yokin kōza o tsukuritaidesu
I want to create a deposit account
窓口で話したいのですが。
Madoguchi de hanashitai nodesuga.
I need to speak with a teller		明細のコピーをもらえますか？
Meisai no kopī o moraemasu ka?
May I have a copy of my statement?
送金したいです。
Sōkin shitai desu.
I would like to transfer some money		支払いをしたいです
Shiharai o shitaidesu
I’d like to make a payment.

Want to learn more essential Japanese vocabularies? Check out our cheatsheet summary to avoid getting tongue-tied during your next errand in Japan.

Japanese Bank Vocabulary Related FAQs

Can I invest in crypto in Japan?

Foreigner can invest in crypto in Japan, and you can check the article for related vocabulary for your

What is the bank with the largest atms in Japan?

Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) is one of the most popular and has the largest number of ATMs all around Japan. The office of Japan Post Bank is always located right next to a post office.

How to say withdraw cash in Japanese?

In Japan, 引き出し (hikidashi) means withdraw money from bank account. For example, ATM で現金を引き出したい (I want to withdraw cash at the ATM.

How to say bank balance in Japanese?

残高 (zendaka) means balance in your Japanese bank account. You usually see the two kanji on one of the tabs on your account screen.

For easy access, we’ve compiled 38 Japanese cheat sheets. From visiting the hospital to buying over-the-counter drugs in Japan, daily tasks can be daunting if you’re not equipped with the right Japanese vocabulary.

Navigating them might be hard, but it won’t be once you take a look at our extensive Japanese vocabulary directory.

Click on any of the links to find out more about the article and learn useful Japanese vocabulary in this summary.

If you’re wondering what a cheat sheet is and what it does or how does it help, fret not. A cheat sheet is basically where information is categorized and noted down in a concise manner.

The compiled information is easy to absorb and is especially helpful for people learning Japanese.

Anytime you are not confident in a specific topic, a cheat sheet is always there for easy reference to refresh your memory, and also aids in self-quizzes.

Japanese Learning
Japanese Cheat Sheet for Beginner
Japanese Particle Cheat Sheet
Life in Japan
Apartment Hunting in Japan (Part 1)
Apartment Hunting in Japan (Part 2)
Apartment Hunting in Japan (Part 3)
Japanese Hospital Vocabulary (Part 1)
Japanese Hospital Vocabulary (Part 2)
Pharmacy in Japan Vocabulary (Part 1)
Pharmacy in Japan Vocabulary (Part 2)
Department Store in Japan Vocabulary
Post Office in Japan Vocabulary (Part 1)
Post Office in Japan Vocabulary (Part 2)
Signs in Japanese
Japanese Culture
Japanese Festival Vocabulary (Part 1)
Japanese Festival Vocabulary (Part 2)
Japanese Holiday Vocabulary (Part 1)
Japanese Holiday Vocabulary (Part 2)
Japanese Religion Vocabulary (Part 1)
Japanese Religion Vocabulary (Part 2)
Japanese Education Vocabulary (Part 1)
Japanese Education Vocabulary (Part 2)
Food in Japan
Vegetable Vocabulary
Fruits Vocabulary
Seafood Vocabulary
Japanese Nutritional Label
Food Description in Japanese
Ramen Vocabulary
Travelling in Japan
Japanese Airport Vocabulary (Part 1)
Japanese Airport Vocabulary (Part 2)
Japanese Airport Vocabulary (Part 3)
Japanese Vehicle Vocabulary (Part 1)
Japanese Vehicle Vocabulary (Part 2)
Hotel in Japan Vocabulary (Part 1)
Hotel in Japan Vocabulary (Part 2)
Nature in Japan
Body Parts and Anatomy (Part 1)
Body Parts and Anatomy (Part 2)
Animals in Japanese

Stay tuned for more — we have all the plans to expand our Japanese vocabulary cheat sheet summary and collection for you.

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How long does it take to pass JLPT N5? How to prepare for JLPT N5? What is JLPT N5 difficulty? Don’t worry! We have made this top 100 JLPT N5 word list with BOTH hirakana and kanji.

This blog is meant to help you learn the words so you can succeed on yout coming JLPT exam! If you are still not confident, welcome to check out our JLPT course! You can also find part-time course, which allows you to select courses by topics!

Colors in Japanese

1黒いくろいblack
2茶色ちゃいろbrown
3色いろcolour
4緑みどりgreen
5赤いあかいred
6白いしろいWhite
7黄色いきいろいyellow
8黄色きいろyellow
9青いあおいblue
10鳥とりbird
11猫ねこcat
12犬いぬdog
13魚さかなFish

Body related vocabulary in Japanese

14耳みみear
15頭あたまhead
16目めeye
17歯はtooth
18口くちmouth, opening
19帽子ぼうしhat
20上着うわぎjacket
21服ふくclothes
22靴くつShoes
23 シャツShirt
24洋服ようふくwestern-style clothes
25お父さんおとうさん(honorable) father
26お母さんおかあさん(honorable) mother
27お兄さんおにいさん(honorable) older brother
28お姉さんおねえさん(honorable) older sister
29奥さんおくさん(honorable) wife
30兄あに(humble) older brother
31姉あね(humble) older sister
32兄弟きょうだい(humble) siblings
33妹いもうと(humble) younger sister
34伯母さん/叔母さんおばさんAunt
35子供こどもChild
36家族かぞくFamily
37伯父/叔父おじいさんgrandfather, male senior citizen
38 おばあさんgrandmother, female senior-citizen
39牛乳ぎゅうにゅうMilk
40お酒おさけalcohol, rice wine
41牛肉ぎゅうにくBeef
42紅茶こうちゃblack tea
43 バターbutter
44飴あめcandy
45とり肉とりにくchicken meat
46 カレーCurry
47夕飯ゆうはんdinner
48果物くだものFruit
49お茶おちゃgreen tea
50お風呂おふろBath
51お手洗いおてあらいbathroom
52玄関げんかんentry hall
53部屋へやroom
54階段かいだんStairs
55掃除そうじするto clean, to sweep
56窓まどwindow
57橋はしbridge
58道みちstreet
59銀行ぎんこうBank
60映画館えいがかんcinema
61喫茶店きっさてんcoffee lounge
62会社かいしゃCompany
63 デパートdepartment store
64食堂しょくどうdining hall
65大使館たいしかんembassy
66外国がいこくforeign country
67庭にわgarden
68図書館としょかんlibrary
69地図ちずmap
70大学だいがくuniversity
71村むらvillage
72公園こうえんPark
73交番こうばんpolice box
74郵便局ゆうびんきょくpost office
75花はなflower
76川/河かわRiver
77水みずwater
78空そらSky
79春はるspring
80夏なつsummer
81木きtree, wood
82秋あきautumn
83晴れはれclear weather
84曇りくもりcloudy weather
85雪ゆきsnow
86冬ふゆwinter
87山やまmountain
88海うみsea
89風かぜWind
90飛ぶとぶto fly,to hop
91起きるおきるto get up
92持つもつto hold
93待つまつto wait
94歩くあるくto walk
95洗うあらうto wash
96出すだすto put out
97休むやすむto rest
98言ういうto say
99歌ううたうto sing
100話すはなすto speak

For the next step after memorizing JLPT N5 vocabularies, you can learn the JLPT N5 kanji to move forward, as well as essential JLPT N5 grammar points!

If you already passed JLPT N5, you can find JLPT N1, N2, N3, and N4 courses here!

If you wish to have an in-person class with experienced instrutors, check out our courses and fill out the inquries below if you have any questions!

Start taking Japanese lessons and master these JLPT N5 vocabularies and more!

The delivery system in Japan is well-known for its high efficiency and convenience. However, to prevent parcels from getting lost, stolen or damaged, they are usually returned to the post office when the receiver misses it. When this happens, a delivery notice will be posted on the door, the receiver will then use it to schedule a redelivery.

Delivery notice

the delivery notice is a piece of paper with tracking information of the undelivered parcel. It can either be issued from a private post service provider like SAGAWA or the National Japanese Post. The delivery notice is often written as ご不在連絡票(ごふざい れんらくひょう) on the piece of paper.  Although the delivery notice from some private delivery companies may not include English, don’t worry, this article will guide you through the process of scheduling redelivery in Japan.

Methods to Schedule a Redelivery

１. Call the number in the 再配達連絡先(さいはいたつ れんらくさき Redelivery Address) section.
You can call the number to reschedule the date and time to receive your delivery However, you may need to speak Japanese really well in order to do this. As a result, this method is not recommended.
2. Email the required information to the email address written on the delivery notice in Japanese.
Like the first method, unless your Japanese is strong, this method is not recommended to you.
3. Cathe ll 24/7 hotline for English inquiries.
This may be an easy solution, but be aware that a premium charge will be incurred in the call.
4. You may reschedule your delivery by submitting an online application.
This is mostly recommended as it is free of charge and will be easy if you follow the steps below.

Step 1:how to redeliver a parcel in Japan - Japanese guide
Go to Japan Post’s redelivery Website and key in either of the 追跡番号 （ついせき ばんごう）（お問い合わせ番号(おといあわせ ばんごう)）or お知らせ番号 (おしらせ ばんごう)written on your delivery notice.  追跡番号（お問い合わせ番号）is the 11/13-digit tracking number and お知らせ番号 is the notice number 6 – 8 digits notice number.  *You only need to key in either of them. Click 次へ進む(つぎへすすむ Proceed to Next) to go to the next step

Step 2: 
how to redeliver a parcel in Japan - Japanese guide
Enter your ZIP code in the first”Please enter your ZIP Code “section.
Choose the date when you missed your parcel in the next section.  Take note that the “Delivery date” refers to the date when your parcel WAS delivered to you and you were not able to receive it.
Under “Please select Mail etc.” section, select the type of mail you are supposed to be received. If you don’t understand what the Japanese words mean, don’t worry, simply match with the number of the mail type of your parcel found on your delivery notice.
Under “please select Direction” select the delivery method you prefer. Here are  the explanations of the different options
ご自宅等 (ごじたくなど) – redelivered to your home
ご近所様に配達(ごきんじょさま に はいたつ) – Redelivered to your neighbor
勤務先に配達(きんむさき　に　はいたつ) – Redelivered to where you work at
配達を担当している郵便局の窓口でお受け取り(はいたつを たんとうしている ゆうびんきょくの まどぐちで おうけとり) – collect at the post office in charge
他の郵便局の窓口でお受け取り（ほかの ゆうびんきょくの まどぐちで おうけとり) – collect at another post office
Click “次へ進む(つぎへすすむ Proceed to Next)” when you are done.

Step 3: 
how to redeliver a parcel in Japan - Japanese guide
Choose the date and the time period you wish to receive your parcel.  “時間指定なし(じかん していなし) means time period not specified.
Moving down, the “受け取り人様情報の入力(うけとりにんさま じょうほうの にゅうりょく) ” requires the details of the receiver. Under this section, key in the required information. “任意(にんい)” means that the information is optional and “必須(ひっす)” means that the information is required.
You will be directed to a confirmation page when you move on to the next step. Simply check that all information is entered correctly. Click 登録する(とうろくする Submit) to submit the application.
You may be complaining about the slightly troublesome redelivery procedures, but missing your parcel and get it redelivered is may better than losing it. Let’s appreciate the hardworking postmen in Japan!
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Having to ask for directions in Japan is a challenge because in Japan, streets are not named but have numbers – with the exception of the main roads. Thus, finding your way around the cities can be challenging. Knowing how to ask for directions and having a bit of Japanese understanding will definitely help you get on your way.

 

Sample Sentence
Key Vocabulary
Want to go Somewhere?
Vocabulary Review
Detailed Conversation
 

Sample Sentence

Let’s learn first a useful key-sentence to tell people you’re trying to ask for directions to go to the post office.
Jessica: すみません、郵便局（ゆうびんきょく）に行（い）きたいんですが・・・・・・。
警察官（かいせつかん）：あの公園（こうえん）の左（ひだり）ですよ。

 

Jessica: Excuse-me, I’m trying to get to the post office but…
Policeman: It’s on the left of that park.
 

Key Vocabulary

Next let’s look closely at the key vocabulary in the previous example.

 
  • に ー particle indicating location or direction.
  • 行く ー to go
  • ですが ー the copula です (‘to be’, ‘it is’) combined with the particle が is a set expression meaning “but”, “however”.
  • ん(ですが) ー the addition of ん indicates the speaker is asking for an explanation.
  • の ー the particle の has many meanings and usage. Here it translates “of”.
  • よ ー the particle よ at the end of a sentence indicates emphasis / certainty.

 

Want to go Somewhere?

When asking for directions you can use, “(place) に行きたい” which translates to “I would like to go to (place)” but also “I’m trying to get to (place)”. The “んですが” often precedes a sentence requesting information, here “I don’t know the way / could you tell me the way/ where is it”.
Since the nuance is obvious from the context, you can omit the sentence following. In the Japanese language, the context matters a lot and omissions are frequent.
You can also ask for precisions, such as the distance to the place you’re going.
Jessica: すみません、富士病院にいきたいんですが、・・・・・・。
警察官: ここまっすぐですよ。
Jessica: 近いですか。
警察官: はい、近いですよ。/ いいえ、ちょっと遠いですよ。
Jessica: Excuse-me, I’m trying to get to Fuji Hospital but…
Policeman: It’s straight down here.
Jessica: Is it near?
Policeman: Yes, it’s near. / No, it’s a little far.

 
  • 近（ちか）い: near
  • 遠（とお）い: far
  • ちょっと: a little bit

 

Vocabulary Review

Places:

  • 郵便局（ゆうびんきょく） ー post office
  • 映画館（えいがかん） ー movie theater
  • 銀行（ぎんこう） ー bank
  • 動物園（どうぶつえん） ー zoo
  • 公園（こうえん） ー park
  • 病院（びょういん） ー hospital
  • 美術館（びじゅつかん） ー art museum
 

Directions:

  • ここまっすぐ ー straight up, down here
  • あっち ー over that way
  • むこう ー over there
  • の左（ひだり） ー to the left of
  • の右（みぎ） ー to the right of
  • の前（まえ） ー in front of
  • の近（ちか）く ー near
  • の隣（となり） ー next to
  • の後（うし）ろ ー behind

 

Detailed Conversation

Let’s go further with a more detailed conversation. The conversation includes a review of our past articles “how to ask if a place is nearby” and “how to ask where something is“.
Anne: すみません。
女の人: はい。
Anne: さくら公園（こうえん）に行（い）きたいんですが・・・・・・。
女の人: えっと・・・、ここまっすぐですよ。
Anne: そうですか。あ、それから、このへんにATMがありますか。
女の人: そうですね・・・あ、コンビニにありますよ。
Anne: コンビニはどこですか。
女の人:  さくら公園（こうえん）の前（まえ）です。
Anne: ありがとうございます。
Anne: Excuse-me.
Woman: Yes?
Anne: I’m trying to get to the Park Sakura but…
Woman: Err… It’s down here.
Anne: Oh, I see. Ah, after this, and is there an ATM around here?
Woman: Is that so? Ah, there’s one in the convenience store.
Anne: Where is the convenience store?
Woman: It’s in front of the Park Sakura.
Anne: Thank you very much.

  • えっと: “let me see”, “err”, “well”, interjection
  • あ: “Ah!”, expression of surprise, recollection etc.
  • それから: “and then”, “after that”, often used when asking an additional question

Why don’t you try practicing asking for directions using this map? Try telling the person where the post office, art museum, book store, and cinema is.

Asking for directions, illustration, image, photo, picture
Asking for Directions
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

If you are interested in studying Japanese, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.

Even if your Japanese is very basic, knowing some Japanese for directions not only help you navigate, but also to get a chat with the locals.

One person that you can always rely on for direction is the local police officer. You can usually find them in the closest 交番こうばん, small local police station which are located all over Japan.

Let’s learn a key sentence to ask someone if a place you’d like to go to is nearby or not.

Sample sentence: このへんに、ATM（は）ありますか。(Is there an ATM around here?)

このへんに means ‘around here’. この is a Japanese demonstrative translating in «this», «these».

へん stands for area or vicinity.

に is a particle indicating location or direction.

あります means ‘to exist’ and is used to refer to inanimate objects – a building, a book, a concept etc.

Once again, we notice Japanese people tend to skip the topic marker は.

Sample dialogue:

Bob: すみません、このへんにATM （は）ありますか。(Excuse-me, is there an ATM around here?)

Sato: ええ、あそこにありますよ。(Yes, it’s over there.)

Bob: ありがとうございます。(Thank you very much.)

Sato: どういたしまして。(You’re welcome.)

Jim: すみません、このへんにスーパーありますか。(Excuse-me, is there a supermarket around here?)

Megumi: さあ、ちょっとわかりません。(Hmm, I’m not sure (if there is one).

Jim: じゃ、いいです。ありがとうございます。(That’s alright, thank you.)

The little word ちょっと has many meanings but in this context,  ちょっと softens the verb わかりません, the negative form of わかります, ‘to understand’, ‘to know’.

Japanese people dislike saying ‘no’ and being too direct, so instead of saying they ‘don’t know’, they’ll prefer to say ‘they’re not sure’.

Sample Vocabulary:

  • 駅えき – Station
  • バス停てい – Bus stop
  • 駐車場ちゅうしゃじょう – Parking lot
  • コンビニ – Convenience store
  • インターネットカフェ – Internet Cafe
  • 郵便局ゆうびんきょく – Post office
  • 100円ショップ – 100 yen shop
  • 薬屋くすりや – Drugstore
  • ええ – Yes
  • あそこ – Japanese demonstrative translating in ‘over there’, a place physically distant from both speaker and listener.
  • ありがとうございます – Polite ‘thank you’
  • どういたしまして – You’re welcome

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Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

Did you know that until the Meiji era, the Japanese New Year calendar was similar to the Chinese calendar?

It was only until 1873 that the Japanese New Year changed for the Gregorian calendar, however, all the traditional customs were maintained. 

Japanese usually visit temples and shrines to pray for the next good year

January is a great time to discover Japan! The Japanese New Year culture is also great occasion to learn many new Japanese words!

Common phrases in Japanes New Year

First of all, the Japanese New Year is called “shou gatsu”, “正月” which literally means “the principal month”.

The first day of January is called “gantan” 元旦 but… the morning of the first is called “ganjitsu” 元日! Be careful with the kanji as they are very similar. 

On that day, all the nengajou – the New Year’s postcards, are delivered by Japan post office and family will share the delicious “osechi-ryouri”, the typical new year’s dishes.

In early January, it is custom to visit shrine with family or friend in order to pray for the next year. As it is the first visit of the year, it has the special name of “hatsumoude” and it is written with the kanji for “first time”: 初詣. 

In fact, everything that you will do during January may have its special word composed with “hatsu”:

  • The first dream you will have in January is called “hatsu yume”: はつゆめ、初夢.
  • The sunrise on the 1st of January is called “hatsu hinode”: はつ　ひ　の　で、初日の出.
  • The first shipment of the year is called “hatsu ni”: はつに、初荷.

Simply saying… January is the season for the “first everything”!

This visit is often done during the first three days of the Japanese New Year, called “shougatsu sanganichi” and written with the following kanji: 正月三が日.

Another way to speak about the beginning of a year, is the word “nenshi”, composed of year and beginning: 年始.

Japanese people go greet family and friends at the beginning of a New Year and there is also a special word for it, composed of “nenshi” and the word for “salutations”, “aisatsu”: “nenshi no aisatsu” 年始の挨拶.

The Japanese New Year is the time for “otoshidama”, お年玉, a custom of giving money to children in small and decorated envelopes called “pochibukuro”.  

The amount may vary from one family to another, but it shall always be the same if there is more than one child.

Mochi – A traditional dish in Japanese New Year time

Originally, the Japanese people were giving mochi and mandarin orange to those around them in order to spread happiness.

When your New Year’s vacation ends, you will resume your work and your first day back at the office is called… shigoto hajime, しごとはじめ、 仕事始め!

But Japanese people do not dread coming back to work as in January they will organize the shinnen kai, 新年会: the New Year’s party!

Phrases to use after New Year celebrations

Learn some useful questions to start conversation with your colleagues and friends after the New Year celebrations:

  • どんな年末年始を過ごされましたか？
    Donna nenmatsunenshi o sugosa remashita ka?
    How did you spend the celebrations of the New Year?
  • 初詣はどちらへ行かれましたか？
    Hatsumoude wa dochira e nasaimashita ka?
    Where did you do for the first visit of the shrine?
  • お正月休みはいかがでしたか？
    Oshougatsu yasumi wa ikaga deshita ka?
    How were your New Year’s vacation?
  • 今年はどのような初夢を見られましたか？
    What dream did you do for this year?
    Kotoshi wa dono youna hatsuyume o mi raremashita ka?
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

If you’re preparing for the JLPT N3 or just stepping into intermediate-level Japanese, you’re entering an exciting stage. The JLPT N3 vocabulary list includes around 3,750 words, which contain a mix of practical terms you’ll encounter in everyday conversations, at school, in the workplace, and even in formal settings. 

While N3 is often considered one of the more challenging JLPT levels, with a passing rate of only around 40%, success is absolutely within reach. The key lies in building a solid vocabulary foundation, mastering the 650 kanji that may appear, and staying consistent with mock exams and listening practice.

To help you stay on track, we’ve created a complete JLPT N3 vocabulary list, thoughtfully organized by theme. 

Note: This list includes only new vocabulary introduced at the JLPT N3 level. It does not cover words already studied in JLPT N4 and N5. If you’re just starting out or need a refresher, be sure to check out our full JLPT N4 Vocabulary List and JLPT N5 Vocabulary List to build a strong foundation before moving on.

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JLPT N3 Nouns Vocabulary

Nouns, or meishi (名詞),  make up a large portion of the vocabulary you’ll learn at the JLPT N3 vocabulary. In this list, we’ve sorted them alphabetically for easier reference.

If you’re using flashcard tools like Anki, we recommend you tag the nouns based on specific categories. Some JLPT N3 vocabulary books and pocket guides also organize words this way, which can be especially helpful for building vocabulary in context!

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
グループ–group
ハイキング–hiking
メモ–memorandum
アルバム–album
コード–code,cord,chord
ユーモア–humor
ボール–ball,bowl
ソファー–sofa,couch
ピクニック–picnic
バン–bun,van
おや–parents
カー–car
チャンス–chance,opportunity
ノック–knock
アイロン–iron
マーケット—market
ケース―case
パス―pass, path
タオル―towel
パーセント―percent
ミス―mistake, Miss
ダイヤ―diagram, diamond, schedule
クリスマス―Christmas
愛あいlove
合図あいずsignal
相手あいてcompanion, opponent
明かりあかりlight, brightness
握手あくしゅhandshake
汗あせsweat
辺りあたりvicinity, nearby
辺りあたりnearby
集まりあつまりgathering
跡あとtrace, mark
穴あなhole
誤りあやまりerror
嵐あらしstorm
現れあらわれembodiment
哀れあわれpity
案あんplan
暗記あんきmemorization
暗記あんきmemorization, learning by heart
胃いstomach
委員いいんcommittee member
意外いがいunexpected (used as noun/adj)
意外いがいunexpected, surprising
行きいきgoing
息いきbreath
勢いいきおいforce, energy
生き物いきものliving thing, creature
幾ついくつhow many?
意思いしintention, purpose
医師いしdoctor
維持いじmaintenance
意識いしきconsciousness, senses
泉いずみspring
以前いぜんbefore, ago
板いたboard
偉大いだいgreatness
痛みいたみpain, ache, grief
痛みいたみpain, ache, sore, grief, distress
位置いちplace, situation, position, location
位置いちposition, location
市場いちばmarket
一番いちばんbest, number one
一家いっかfamily, household
一瞬いっしゅんmoment, instant
一生いっしょうwhole life
一層いっそうmuch more
一致いっちagreement
移動いどうmovement, migration
稲いねrice plant
居眠りいねむりdozing
命いのちcommand,decree,life,destiny
違反いはんviolation
違反いはんviolation (of law), transgression, infringement, breach
衣服いふくclothes
居間いまliving room
依頼いらいrequest
以来いらいsince
以来いらいsince, henceforth
医療いりょうmedical treatment
岩いわrock, crag
祝いいわいcelebration
印刷いんさつprinting
印象いんしょうimpression
印象いんしょうimpression
魚うおfish
魚うおfish
兎うさぎrabbit,hare,cony
後うしろback, behind, after
嘘うそlie
内うちinside
内うちinside
馬うまhorse
梅うめplum,plum-tree,lowest (of a three-tier ranking system)
噂うわさrumour, report, gossip
噂うわさrumour, report, gossip, common talk
運うんfortune, luck
運転うんてんdriving
運動うんどうexercise
永遠えいえんeternity
永久えいきゅうeternity
影響えいきょうinfluence
営業えいぎょうbusiness
衛星えいせいsatellite
笑顔えがおsmiling face
餌えさfeed
円えんcircle,money
延期えんきpostponement
演技えんぎperformance
援助えんじょassistance, aid, support
演説えんぜつspeech
演奏えんそうmusical performance
遠慮えんりょdiffidence,restraint,reserve
老いおいold age
王おうking, ruler, sovereign, monarch
王おうking
王様おうさまking
王子おうじprince
横断おうだんcrossing
横断おうだんcrossing
覆うおおうto cover, to hide, to conceal, to wrap, to disguise
大家おおやrich family, distinguished family
大家おおやrich family, landlord
沖おきopen sea
奥おくinterior
奥おくinterior, inner part
汚染おせんpollution, contamination
男の人おとこのひとman
お腹おなかstomach
鬼おにdemon, ogre
帯おびband, belt
思い出おもいでmemory
泳ぎおよぎswimming
泳ぎおよぎswimming
終おわりthe end
終おわりthe end
恩おんfavor, obligation
温度おんどtemperature
可かpassable
回かいcounter for occurrences
回かいcounter for occurrences
会かいmeeting
会員かいいんmember, the membership
会員かいいんmember
絵画かいがpainting
海外かいがいoverseas
会計かいけいaccount, finance, accountant
会計かいけいaccounting
外交がいこうdiplomacy
外交がいこうdiplomacy
開始かいしstart
解釈かいしゃくinterpretation
外出がいしゅつouting
香りかおりfragrance, scent
画家がかpainter, artist
価格かかくprice
化学かがくchemistry
係かかりperson in charge
鍵かぎkey
家具かぐfurniture
確実かくじつcertainty,reliability,soundness
学者がくしゃscholar
学者がくしゃscholar
学習がくしゅうstudy, learning
拡大かくだいmagnification,enlargement
陰かげshade, shadow, other side
陰かげshade, shadow, other side
過去かこthe past
籠かごbasket
貸しかしloan, lending
菓子かしsweets
菓子かしpastry
歌手かしゅsinger
歌手かしゅsinger
数かずnumber
肩かたshoulder
肩かたshoulder
刀かたなsword
刀かたなsword, saber, knife, engraving tool
価値かちvalue
勝ちかちwin, victory
勝ちかちvictory
活気かっきliveliness
学期がっきterm (school)
学期がっきsemester
格好かっこうappearance, shape
活動かつどうactivity
活用かつようconjugation, practical use
活用かつようusage, application
金かねgold
株かぶstock, share
我慢がまんpatience
上かみ(1) first volume, (2) superior quality, (3) governmental
神かみgod
上かみsuperior, first part
神かみgod
雷かみなりthunder
髪の毛かみのけhair
科目かもくschool subject
火曜かようTuesday
空からsky
空からsky
川かわriver
河かわriver
缶かんcan, tin
考えかんがえthought, idea
感覚かんかくsensation, feeling
観客かんきゃくaudience
歓迎かんげいwelcome
観光かんこうsightseeing
観光かんこうsightseeing
観察かんさつobservation
感じかんじfeeling, impression
勘定かんじょうcalculation, counting, consideration
勘定かんじょうcalculation, counting, consideration
関心かんしんconcern, interest
感心かんしんadmiration
完成かんせいcompletion
感動かんどうbeing deeply moved, excitement, impression, deep emotion
感動かんどうdeep emotion
監督かんとくsupervision
管理かんりmanagement
完了かんりょうcompletion, conclusion
完了かんりょうcompletion
関連かんれんrelation, connection
記憶きおくmemory
気温きおんtemperature
気温きおんtemperature
機械きかいmachine
議会ぎかいparliament
期間きかんperiod
機関きかんengine, mechanism
企業きぎょうenterprise
機嫌きげんmood
気候きこうclimate
岸きしshore
記事きじnews article, report
生地きじbirthplace
生地きじcloth, fabric
技師ぎしengineer
記者きしゃreporter
期待きたいexpectation, hope
帰宅きたくreturning home
議長ぎちょうchairman
記入きにゅうentry, filling in forms
記念きねんcommemoration
寄付きふdonation
義務ぎむduty,obligation
疑問ぎもんdoubt, question
逆ぎゃくreverse, opposite
九きゅうnine
球きゅうglobe,sphere,ball
休憩きゅうけいrest, break
吸収きゅうしゅうabsorption
救助きゅうじょrescue
給料きゅうりょうsalary, wages
教科書きょうかしょtextbook
競技きょうぎmatch
供給きょうきゅうsupply,provision
教師きょうしteacher
教師きょうしteacher (classroom)
教授きょうじゅprofessor
強調きょうちょうemphasis
恐怖きょうふdread, terror
協力きょうりょくcooperation
強力きょうりょくherculean strength, mountain carrier-guide
強力きょうりょくpowerful
許可きょかpermission
霧きりfog, mist
切れきれpiece, cloth
議論ぎろんdebate
金きんgold
銀ぎんsilver
禁煙きんえんno smoking
金額きんがくamount of money
禁止きんしprohibition,ban
金銭きんせんmoney, cash
金属きんぞくmetal
金属きんぞくmetal
近代きんだいmodern times
緊張きんちょうtension
筋肉きんにくmuscle
金融きんゆうfinance
金曜きんようFriday
鎖くさりchain
癖くせhabit
管くだpipe, tube
管くだpipe, tube
組合くみあいunion
曇くもりcloudiness, cloudy weather, shadow
位くらいrank, about
位くらいgrade, rank, about
暮らしくらしliving, livelihood
暮れくれyear end,sunset,nightfall,end
訓くんnative reading
軍ぐんarmy
軍隊ぐんたいarmy, troops
軍隊ぐんたいarmy
訓練くんれんtraining
下げunder, below, beneath
下げbelow
計けいplan
敬意けいいrespect
経営けいえいmanagement
計画けいかくplan
景気けいきcondition, state, business (condition)
景気けいきeconomy
経験けいけんexperience
傾向けいこうtendency, trend, inclination
傾向けいこうtendency
警告けいこくwarning
刑事けいじdetective
掲示けいじnotice
掲示けいじnotice, bulletin
芸術げいじゅつart
芸術げいじゅつ(fine) art, the arts
契約けいやくcontract
経由けいゆvia, route through
怪我けがinjury, hurt
化粧けしょうmakeup
結果けっかresult
欠陥けっかんdefect
決心けっしんdetermination
欠席けっせきabsence
決定けっていdecision
欠点けってんfault
欠点けってんfaults, defect, weakness
月曜げつようMonday
結論けつろんconclusion
軒けんeaves
県けんprefecture
券けんticket
見解けんかいopinion
現金げんきんcash
言語げんごlanguage
健康けんこうhealth
健康けんこうhealth, sound, wholesome
現在げんざいpresent, now
現実げんじつreality
現象げんしょうphenomenon
現状げんじょうpresent condition
現状げんじょうpresent condition, existing state, status quo
現代げんだいmodern times, nowadays
建築けんちくconstruction,architecture
見当けんとうestimate, guess
現場げんばscene
憲法けんぽうconstitution
権利けんりright,privilege
語ごword, language
恋人こいびとlover, sweetheart
恋人こいびとlover
幸運こううんgood fortune
講演こうえんlecture
硬貨こうかcoin
効果こうかeffect
高価こうかhigh price
合格ごうかくsuccess (exam)
航空こうくうaviation
光景こうけいscene
攻撃こうげきattack
広告こうこくadvertisement
後者こうしゃthe latter
構成こうせいcomposition
強盗ごうとうrobbery
工場こうばfactory
幸福こうふくhappiness
公平こうへいfairness, justice
考慮こうりょconsideration
氷こおりice
誤解ごかいmisunderstanding
語学ごがくlanguage learning
呼吸こきゅうbreath,respiration
故郷こきょうhometown
国語こくごnational language
国語こくごnational language
黒板こくばんblackboard
黒板こくばんblackboard
克服こくふくconquest, overcoming
国民こくみんnational, people, citizen
国民こくみんnation, citizens
穀物こくもつgrain, cereal
腰こしhip
故障こしょうbreak-down, failure
個人こじんindividual, private person
国家こっかnation, country
国会こっかいNational Diet,parliament,congress
国境こっきょうborder
骨折こっせつbone fracture
事ことthing, matter
諺ことわざproverb
粉こなpowder
小麦こむぎwheat
小麦こむぎwheat
小屋こやhut
今回こんかいthis time
今後こんごfrom now on,hereafter
困難こんなんdifficulty
今日こんにちtoday
婚約こんやくengagement
混乱こんらんconfusion
差さdifference,variation
際さいoccasion
財産ざいさんproperty, assets
最中さいちゅうin the middle of
才能さいのうtalent
裁判さいばんtrial
材料ざいりょうmaterials
盛りさかりserving, helping
作業さぎょうtask, work
昨さくlast (year/day)
作品さくひんwork, opus
作品さくひんwork, opus, performance, production
作物さくもつcrops, agricultural produce
座席ざせきseat
札さつlabel, ticket
作家さっかwriter
作曲さっきょくcomposition
作曲さっきょくcomposition, setting (of music)
砂漠さばくdesert
左右さゆうleft and right, influence
皿さらplate
騒ぎさわぎuproar
参考さんこうreference
酸素さんそoxygen
酸素さんそoxygen
散歩さんぽwalk, stroll
四しfour
氏しfamily name, lineage
詩しpoem
幸せしあわせhappiness,good fortune,luck,blessing
時期じきseason
刺激しげきstimulus
資源しげんresources
支出ししゅつexpenditure
事情じじょうcircumstances
自然しぜんnature
自然しぜんnature, spontaneous
思想しそうthought, idea
舌したtongue
支度したくpreparation
七しち・ななseven
失業しつぎょうunemployment
実験じっけんexperiment
実行じっこうexecution, practice
実際じっさいactual condition, status quo
実施じっしimplementation
指導しどうguidance
品しなgoods, item
芝生しばふlawn
支払しはらいpayment
死亡しぼうdeath
資本しほんcapital
姉妹しまいsisters
事務じむoffice work
下しもbelow
霜しもfrost
借金しゃっきんdebt
邪魔じゃまhindrance, obstacle
州しゅうsandbank
銃じゅうgun
十じゅうten
周囲しゅういsurroundings
収穫しゅうかくharvest
週間しゅうかんweek
宗教しゅうきょうreligion
重視じゅうしserious consideration
就職しゅうしょくemployment
就職しゅうしょくfinding employment, inauguration
修正しゅうせいcorrection
渋滞じゅうたいcongestion, delay
住宅じゅうたくresidence, housing
集団しゅうだんgroup, mass
集中しゅうちゅうconcentration,focusing the mind
収入しゅうにゅうincome
修理しゅうりrepair
主義しゅぎprinciple
宿泊しゅくはくlodging
手術しゅじゅつsurgery
首相しゅしょうPrime Minister
手段しゅだんmeans, way
主張しゅちょうclaim, assertion
出席しゅっせきattendance,presence
出発しゅっぱつdeparture
出版しゅっぱんpublication
首都しゅとcapital city
需要じゅようdemand
種類しゅるいkind
順じゅんorder
瞬間しゅんかんmoment
順調じゅんちょうfavorable, going well
順番じゅんばんorder
使用しようuse
章しょうchapter, medal
賞しょうprize, award
賞しょうprize, award
小しょうsmall
上じょうsuperior quality
障害しょうがいobstacle
奨学金しょうがくきんscholarship
上京じょうきょうproceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
上京じょうきょうproceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
条件じょうけんcondition, term
条件じょうけんconditions, terms
正午しょうごnoon
正午しょうごnoon, mid-day
少女しょうじょlittle girl
少々しょうしょうa little, small amount
症状しょうじょうsymptoms, condition
招待しょうたいinvitation
上達じょうたつimprovement, advance, progress
冗談じょうだんjoke
冗談じょうだんjest, joke
承知しょうちconsent, acceptance
承認しょうにんapproval
商人しょうにんmerchant
少年しょうねんboy
商売しょうばいtrade,business,commerce,transaction,occupation
消費しょうひconsumption
情報じょうほうinformation
女王じょおうqueen
職しょくemployment
職しょくjob
職業しょくぎょうoccupation, profession
植物しょくぶつplant
食物しょくもつfood, foodstuff
食欲しょくよくappetite (for food)
食欲しょくよくappetite (for food)
食糧しょくりょうprovisions,rations
書斎しょさいstudy room
女子じょしgirl
書物しょもつbooks
書類しょるいdocuments
知らせしらせnotice
尻しりbuttocks
印しるしmark,symbol,evidence
進学しんがくadvancement to university
神経しんけいnerve, sensitivity
神経しんけいnerve
真剣しんけんseriousness
信仰しんこうreligious belief
信号しんごうtraffic lights, signal, semaphore
信号しんごうtraffic light
人工じんこうartificial
深刻しんこくserious
深刻しんこくserious
診察しんさつmedical examination
人生じんせいhuman life
親戚しんせきrelative
心臓しんぞうheart
心配しんぱいworry,concern,anxiety,care
審判しんぱんreferee, judgment
親友しんゆうclose friend
親友しんゆうclose friend, buddy
信用しんようtrust
信頼しんらいtrust
心理しんりmentality
人類じんるいmankind, humanity
図ずdiagram, figure
水準すいじゅんlevel
水準すいじゅん(1) water level, (2) level, standard
推薦すいせんrecommendation
睡眠すいみんsleep
数すうnumber
数字すうじnumeral
姿すがたappearance, figure, shape
スキースキーskiing
筋すじmuscle, line
頭痛ずつうheadache
全てすべてeverything, all
角すみcorner
性せいgender, sex
所為せいcause, reason
背せいheight
生せいraw, draft
税ぜいtax
世紀せいきcentury
世紀せいきcentury, era
成功せいこうsuccess
生産せいさんproduction, manufacture
生産せいさんproduction, manufacture
正式せいしきdue form, official, formality
正式せいしきofficial
精神せいしんmind, soul, heart
成績せいせきgrades, performance
製造せいぞうmanufacturing
贅沢ぜいたくluxury, extravagance
成長せいちょうgrowth
制度せいどsystem, institution
青年せいねんyouth, young man
製品せいひんmanufactured goods
政府せいふgovernment
生命せいめいlife
生命せいめいlife, existence
咳せきcough
責任せきにんresponsibility
石油せきゆoil, petroleum
世間せけんsociety
説せつtheory
設備せつびfacility
絶滅ぜつめつextinction
世話せわlooking after, help, aid, assistance
世話せわhelp, assistance
善ぜんgood, virtue
全員ぜんいんall members
専攻せんこうmajor, special study
全国ぜんこくnationwide
先日せんじつthe other day
前者ぜんしゃthe former
選手せんしゅplayer,team
前進ぜんしんprogress
全体ぜんたいwhole, entirety, whatever (is the matter)
全体ぜんたいwhole
騒音そうおんnoise
騒音そうおんnoise
増加ぞうかincrease
増加ぞうかincrease, addition
掃除そうじcleaning, sweeping
掃除そうじcleaning, sweeping
想像そうぞうimagination, guess
想像そうぞうimagination
装置そうちequipment
速度そくどspeed
底そこbottom, sole
組織そしきorganization, tissue, structure
袖そでsleeve
側そばside
損そんloss, disadvantage
尊敬そんけいrespect
尊重そんちょうesteem
田たrice field
田たrice field
題だいtitle, theme, topic
台だいstand
体育たいいくphysical education
体温たいおんbody temperature
大会たいかいconvention, tournament
大会たいかいconvention, tournament, mass meeting, rally
大気たいきatmosphere
大気たいきatmosphere
代金だいきんprice
退屈たいくつboredom, tedium
滞在たいざいstay
大使たいしambassador
対象たいしょうtarget, subject
大臣だいじんcabinet minister
大戦たいせんgreat war
態度たいどattitude, manner
大半たいはんmajority,mostly,generally
代表だいひょうrepresentative
逮捕たいほarrest,apprehension
太陽たいようsun
大陸たいりくcontinent
互いたがいeach other, mutual
宝たからtreasure
宝たからtreasure
宅たくhome
宅たくhouse, home, husband
他人たにんanother person, unrelated person, outsider, stranger
他人たにんanother person
種たねseed, cause
束たばhandbreadth,bundle
旅たびtravel, trip
度たびcounter for occurrences
度たびcounter for occurrences
弾たまbullet, shot
玉たまball, sphere, coin
球たまball
駄目だめno good
試しためしtrial, test
段だんstep, rank, level
単位たんいunit, credit (in school)
単語たんごword, vocabulary
男子だんしboy
単純たんじゅんsimplicity
団体だんたいgroup
担当たんとうperson in charge
地下ちかbasement, underground
近頃ちかごろlately, recently, nowadays
地球ちきゅうthe earth
地球ちきゅうEarth
知事ちじprefectural governor
知識ちしきknowledge
父親ちちおやfather
知能ちのうintelligence, brains
知能ちのうintelligence, brains
地平線ちへいせんhorizon
地方ちほうregion
茶ちゃtea
茶ちゃtea
中ちゅうinside,middle,among
中央ちゅうおうcentre, central, center, middle
中央ちゅうおうcenter
中学ちゅうがくmiddle school
中古ちゅうこsecondhand
駐車ちゅうしゃparking (e.g. car)
昼食ちゅうしょくlunch
中心ちゅうしんcenter, core
注目ちゅうもくattention, notice
調査ちょうさinvestigation, survey
頂上ちょうじょうsummit, top
貯金ちょきんsavings
貯金ちょきん(bank) savings
著者ちょしゃauthor,writer
通学つうがくcommuting to school
通信つうしんcorrespondence, communication, news, signal
通信つうしんcommunication
疲れつかれtiredness, fatigue
疲れつかれtiredness, fatigue
月つきmoon, month
付き合いつきあいassociation, socializing, fellowship
包みつつみbundle, package, parcel, bale
包みつつみparcel
務めつとめduty
勤めつとめduty,responsibility,task
翼つばさwings
罪つみcrime, fault, indiscretion
抵抗ていこうresistance
提出ていしゅつsubmission
程度ていどdegree
停留所ていりゅうじょbus stop
適度てきどmoderate
適用てきようapplication
哲学てつがくphilosophy
徹底てっていthoroughness, completeness
徹底てっていthoroughness
鉄道てつどうrailroad
徹夜てつやall-night vigil
手間てまtime, labor
デモデモdemonstration
典型てんけいtype, pattern
典型てんけいtype, pattern, archetypal
電子でんしelectron
テントテントtent
伝統でんとうtradition
伝統でんとうtradition, convention
天然てんねんnature
度どcounter for occurrences
問いといquestion
同一どういつidentity,sameness,similarity
動詞どうしverb
同時どうじsame time
投票とうひょうvoting
投票とうひょうvoting, poll
同様どうようsame kind
同僚どうりょうcolleague
道路どうろroad
都会とかいcity
時ときtime, moment
毒どくpoison, toxicant
毒どくpoison
得意とくいspecialty
読書どくしょreading
独身どくしんsingle life
特徴とくちょうfeature, characteristic
特徴とくちょうfeature, characteristic
独特どくとくuniqueness
独立どくりつindependence
都市としcity
都市としtown, city, municipal, urban
年月としつきyears and months
年寄としよりold person
土地とちland, lot, soil
友ともfriend
土曜どようSaturday
努力どりょくeffort
泥どろmud
名なname, reputation
内容ないようsubject, contents, matter, substance, detail, import
内容ないようcontents, subject, detail
仲なかrelation,relationship
仲間なかまcomrade, companion
眺めながめview, outlook
流れながれstream
謎なぞriddle
納得なっとくconsent,assent,understanding
波なみwave
縄なわrope
匂いにおいsmell
日にちday
日常にちじょうdaily life
日曜にちようSunday
日本にっぽんJapan
日本にっぽんJapan
入院にゅういんhospitalization
入学にゅうがくschool admission
人気にんきpopularity, sign of life
人間にんげんhuman being
根ねroot
願いねがいwish
鼠ねずみmouse
鼠ねずみ(1) mouse, rat, (2) dark gray, slate color
値段ねだんprice
値段ねだんprice, cost
熱心ねっしんenthusiasm (also adj-na)
熱心ねっしんzeal, enthusiasm
熱帯ねったいtropics
年間ねんかん(period of a) year
年月ねんげつmonths and years
年代ねんだいera, period
野のfield
野のfield
能のうability
農家のうかfarm family
農民のうみんfarmer
能力のうりょくability
残りのこりremaining
望みのぞみwish, desire
後のちlater, after
灰はいash
梅雨ばいうrainy season
パイプパイプpipe, tube
墓はかgrave
博士はかせPhD
拍手はくしゅapplause
莫大ばくだいenormous (amount)
爆発ばくはつexplosion, eruption
破産はさん(personal) bankruptcy
端はしedge
始まりはじまりbeginning
旗はたflag
畑はたけfield
二十はたち20 years old
働きはたらきwork, labor
発見はっけんdiscovery, detection, finding
発見はっけんdiscovery
発行はっこうpublication issue
発展はってんdevelopment,growth
発明はつめいinvention
発明はつめいinvention
羽はねcounter for birds
幅はばwidth
幅はばwidth, breadth
母親ははおやmother
場面ばめんscene, setting
腹はらbelly
原はらfield, plain, prairie, tundra, moor, wilderness
原はらplain, field
針はりneedle, hand (e.g. clock)
針はりneedle
反抗はんこうresistance
犯罪はんざいcrime
判断はんだんjudgement
犯人はんにんcriminal
被害ひがいdamage
被害ひがいdamage
悲劇ひげきtragedy
飛行ひこうaviation
非常ひじょうemergency, extraordinary, unusual
非常ひじょうemergency
美人びじんbeautiful woman
額ひたいforehead
日付ひづけdate
日付ひづけdate, dating
必死ひっしdesperation
否定ひていnegation
一言ひとことsingle word
人込みひとごみcrowd
独りひとりalone
批評ひひょうcriticism
微妙びみょうsubtlety (also adj-na)
微妙びみょうdelicate, subtle
費用ひようcost, expense
表ひょうtable (e.g. Tab 1), chart, list
秒びょうsecond (60th min)
秒びょうsecond (60th min)
表現ひょうげんexpression, presentation, representation (math)
表現ひょうげんexpression
表情ひょうじょうfacial expression
表情ひょうじょうfacial expression
平等びょうどうequality, evenness
評判ひょうばんfame, reputation, popularity, arrant
評判ひょうばんreputation
表面ひょうめんsurface
品ひんitem, product, elegance
瓶びんbottle
便びんway, means
便びんway, means
不ふnegative prefix
分ぶpart, dividing
無ぶnothing
不安ふあんanxiety
風景ふうけいscenery
夫婦ふうふmarried couple
武器ぶきweapon
服装ふくそうgarments
袋ふくろbag
節ふしjoint, section, tune
不思議ふしぎmystery
不自由ふじゆうinconvenience, disability
婦人ふじんwoman
不正ふせいinjustice
舞台ぶたいstage (theater)
双子ふたごtwins
普段ふだんusually, habitually, ordinarily, always
普段ふだんusually, habitual
縁ふちedge, rim (or fate in some context)
物質ぶっしつmaterial, substance
筆ふでbrush
船ふねship,boat
部分ぶぶんsection, part
不満ふまんdissatisfaction, displeasure, discontent, complaints, unhappiness
不満ふまんdissatisfaction
プランプランplan
分ぶんpart, segment
文ぶんsentence
文ぶんsentence
分析ぶんせきanalysis
文明ぶんめいcivilization
平均へいきんequilibrium, balance, average, mean
変化へんかchange, transformation
勉強べんきょうstudy
変更へんこうchange,modification,alteration
弁当べんとうlunch box
方ほうside
法ほうlaw
棒ぼうrod, stick
冒険ぼうけんadventure
宝石ほうせきgem, jewel
放送ほうそうbroadcasting
放送ほうそうbroadcast, broadcasting
豊富ほうふabundance
方々ほうぼうpeople, various places
頬ほおcheek
他ほかother
外ほかoutside
誇りほこりpride
保存ほぞんpreservation
程ほどextent
歩道ほどうfootpath,walkway,sidewalk
仏ほとけBuddha,the dead
濠ほりmoat
本当ほんとうtruth
本人ほんにんthe person himself
間まspace,time
迷子まいごlost child
幕まくcurtain, act
負けまけdefeat
孫まごgrandchild
真面目まじめserious, diligent
間違いまちがいmistake
祭まつりfestival
真似まねmimicry
丸まるcircle, full (month), perfection, purity, suffix for ship names
丸まるcircle, perfection, suffix for ship names
満足まんぞくsatisfaction
身みbody, main part, oneself, sword
身みbody, oneself
実みfruit, result
見送りみおくりsend-off
味方みかたally
見事みごとsplendid, admirable
見舞いみまいenquiry, expression of sympathy
土産みやげsouvenir
都みやこcapital
明後日みょうごにちday after tomorrow
皆みんなall,everyone,everybody
無むnothing, naught, nil, zero
無むnothing, none
迎えむかえmeeting, welcome
虫歯むしばcavity, tooth decay
無駄むだfutility,uselessness
夢中むちゅうtrance,ecstasy,delirium
胸むねbreast,chest
無料むりょうfree, no charge
芽めsprout
明確めいかくclarity (noun use)
命令めいれいcommand
迷惑めいわくnuisance
飯めし(sl) meals,food
綿めんcotton, padding
綿めんcotton
免許めんきょlicense
申し訳もうしわけexcuse
毛布もうふblanket
目標もくひょうmark, objective, target
木曜もくようThursday
木曜もくようThursday
文字もじcharacter
基もとbasis
元もとorigin
素もとprime
物語ものがたりstory, legend
物事ものごとthings
模様もようpattern
文句もんくphrase, complaint
文句もんくcomplaint, phrase
文字もんじletter (of alphabet), character
文字もんじcharacter (written)
役やくrole, position
約やくapproximately
役割やくわりrole
家賃やちんrent
厄介やっかいtrouble, burden, care
厄介やっかいtrouble, burden, care, bother
宿やどinn
唯一ゆいいつonly, sole, unique
唯一ゆいいつonly, unique
勇気ゆうきcourage
有効ゆうこうvalidity
友情ゆうじょうfriendship
友人ゆうじんfriend
有能ゆうのうcapable
郵便ゆうびんmail,postal service
床ゆかfloor
床ゆかfloor
愉快ゆかいpleasant
行きゆきgoing
輸出ゆしゅつexport
輸入ゆにゅうimportation,import,introduction
夜よevening, night
夜明けよあけdawn
様ようway,manner
要求ようきゅうdemand
用心ようじんcare, precaution, guarding, caution
様子ようすappearance
様子ようすaspect, state, appearance
要素ようそelement
要点ようてんmain point, gist
曜日ようびday of the week
予期よきexpectation
予算よさんestimate, budget
予算よさんbudget
予測よそくprediction, estimation
世の中よのなかsociety, the world
予報よほうforecast
予防よぼうprevention
読みよみreading
余裕よゆうsurplus, composure, margin
余裕よゆうsurplus, composure, margin, room, time, allowance, scope, rope
喜びよろこびjoy
四よんfour
楽らくease, comfort
利益りえきprofit, gain
理解りかいunderstanding
陸りくsix (used in legal documents)
理想りそうideal
率りつrate, ratio, proportion, percentage
留学りゅうがくstudy abroad
流行りゅうこうtrend, fashion
量りょうquantity, amount
料金りょうきんfee
礼れいgratitude
例れいexample
礼儀れいぎmanners, etiquette
冷静れいせいcomposure
列れつqueue,line,row
列車れっしゃtrain
連想れんそうassociation (of ideas), suggestion
労働ろうどうlabor, work
論争ろんそうcontroversy, dispute
論争ろんそうcontroversy, dispute
論文ろんぶんthesis, paper
論文ろんぶんthesis, essay, treatise, paper
輪わring, circle
別れわかれparting, farewell
脇わきside
脇わきside
綿わたcotton
話題わだいtopic
話題わだいtopic, subject
笑いわらいlaugh, laughter, smile
笑いわらいlaughter
悪口わるくちabuse, slander
我々われわれwe
我々われわれwe
湾わんbay
湾わんbay, gulf, inlet

.

JLPT N3 Verb

Now that you have learned some nouns, the next will be Japanese verb. JLPT N3 level, you’ll start seeing a wider variety of them, including more complex conjugations, formal expressions, and verbs used in both casual and professional settings. 

This is also where you might be introduced to many compound verbs and more nuanced transitive or intransitive pairs.

In this list, we’ve organized verbs alphabetically. But as you study, it’s helpful to group them by function or form, such as る-verbs, う-verbs, irregular verbs, or by usage patterns like potential form, passive, or causative. 

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
できる―to be able to
愛するあいするto love
明けるあけるto dawn, to become daylight
与えるあたえるto give
暖かい（い-adj）あたたかいwarm, mild
当たるあたるto be hit
扱うあつかうto handle
当てるあてるto hit
浴びるあびるto bathe, to shower
表すあらわすto express, to reveal
有るあるto be, to have
抱くいだくto hold, to embrace
頂くいただくto receive (humble)
至るいたるto reach
祝ういわうto celebrate
引退いんたいto retire
受け取るうけとるto receive
動かすうごかすto move, to shift
失ううしなうto lose
疑ううたがうto doubt, to distrust, to be suspicious of
撃つうつto attack
移すうつすto move, to infect
訴えるうったえるto sue, appeal
うなるうなるto groan
奪ううばうto snatch away
売れるうれるto be sold
描くえがくto draw, paint
得るえる・うるto obtain
追い付くおいつくto catch up, to overtake
追うおうto chase
応じるおうじるto respond
終えるおえるto finish
覆うおおうto cover
恐れるおそれるto fear
劣るおとるto be inferior
溺れるおぼれるto drown
及ぼすおよぼすto exert, to cause
居るおるto be (animate)
下すおろすto lower
降ろすおろすto take down, to drop
飼うかうto raise
換えるかえるto exchange
替えるかえるto replace, to exchange
抱えるかかえるto carry (in arms)
輝くかがやくto shine, to glitter
罹るかかるto suffer
掛かるかかるto take (time/money), to hang
限るかぎるto limit
描くかくto draw
隠すかくすto hide
隠れるかくれるto hide, to disappear
欠けるかけるto be lacking
囲むかこむto surround, to encircle
稼ぐかせぐto earn
数えるかぞえるto count
語るかたるto talk
被るかぶるto suffer
刈るかるto cut (hair), to mow (grass), to harvest
感じるかんじるto feel
関するかんするto concern
効くきくto be effective
気付くきづくto notice
食うくうto eat (vulgar, male)
暮らすくらすto live, to get along
狂うくるうto go mad, to get out of order
加えるくわえるto add
決定するけっていするto determine
行動するこうどうするto act, to behave
凍るこおるto freeze
越すこすto go over, to pass
異なることなるto differ
断ることわるto refuse, to decline
好むこのむto like
殺すころすto kill
転ぶころぶto fall
叫ぶさけぶto shout, to cry
避けるさけるto avoid, to ward off, to avert
支えるささえるto support
指すさすto point, to put up umbrella, to play
誘うさそうto invite, to tempt
覚ますさますto awaken
覚めるさめるto wake up
従うしたがうto obey, to follow, to accompany
支配するしはいするto control
支払うしはらうto pay
しまうしまうto finish
示すしめすto show
占めるしめるto occupy, to account for
処理するしょりするto process
信頼するしんらいするto trust
空くすくto be empty
救うすくうto rescue from, to help out of
優れるすぐれるto excel
勧めるすすめるto recommend
進めるすすめるto advance, to promote
済ませるすませるto finish
注ぐそそぐto pour
育つそだつto grow up
備えるそなえるto provide
対するたいするto confront
倒すたおすto beat, to bring down
確かめるたしかめるto confirm
助けるたすけるto help
戦うたたかうto fight
叩くたたくto strike
立ち上がるたちあがるto stand up
経つたつto pass, to lapse
黙るだまるto be silent
頼るたよるto rely on, to depend on
通じるつうじるto communicate, lead to
捕まるつかまるto be caught
就くつくto take (position), to settle in
注ぐつぐto pour (into), to irrigate, to pay
付けるつけるto attach, to join, to add, to append
繋ぐつなぐto connect
出会うであうto meet by chance
適するてきするto suit
通り過ぎるとおりすぎるto pass through
解くとくto unfasten
解けるとけるto come untied
届くとどくto reach
飛ばすとばすto skip over, to omit
留めるとめるto fasten, to turn off
取れるとれるto come off
流すながすto drain
眺めるながめるto view, to gaze at
流れるながれるto stream, to flow
怠けるなまけるto neglect
悩むなやむto be troubled, to worry
成るなるto become
為るなるto become
似合うにあうto suit, to match
握るにぎるto grasp, to mold (sushi)
濡れるぬれるto get wet
願うねがうto desire, to wish, to request
残すのこすto leave
除くのぞくto remove
伸ばすのばすto lengthen, to stretch, to grow (beard)
伸びるのびるto stretch
昇るのぼるto rise, ascend
計るはかるto measure
吐くはくto vomit
履くはくto wear (lower body)
外すはずすto remove
罰するばっするto punish
話し合うはなしあうto discuss
放すはなすto release
離すはなすto separate
離れるはなれるto separate
省くはぶくto omit
貼るはるto stick, paste
引っ張るひっぱるto pull
広がるひろがるto spread
含むふくむto include
防ぐふせぐto defend
振るふるto shake
震えるふるえるto shiver
触れるふれるto touch
吠えるほえるto bark, to roar
微笑むほほえむto smile
任せるまかせるto entrust
増すますto increase, to grow
学ぶまなぶto learn
招くまねくto invite
守るまもるto protect, to obey
満ちるみちるto be full, to expire
見るみるto see
向くむくto face
向けるむけるto turn toward
結ぶむすぶto tie, bind
申し込むもうしこむto apply
燃えるもえるto burn
持ち上げるもちあげるto raise, to lift up
戻すもどすto return
基づくもとづくto be based on
貰うもらうto receive
雇うやとうto hire
言うゆうto say
譲るゆずるto hand over
許すゆるすto allow
酔うようto get drunk
横切るよこぎるto cross
止すよすto quit
論じるろんじるto argue, to debate
分けるわけるto divide
割るわるto divide, to cut, to break, to halve

JLPT N3 Adjectives

Before diving in, make sure you’re already familiar with the difference between い-adjectives and な-adjectives, as JLPT N3-level adjectives go beyond the usual simple words like “kawaii” or “senpai.”

As always, list is organized alphabetically for easy reference, but for more effective study, try grouping adjectives by themes such as feelings, appearance, or degree.

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
かわいらしい–lovely
うまい–delicious
かわいそう–pitiable
いい–good
もっとも–natural, most reasonable
すてき–lovely, dreamy
きつい―tight, intense
愛するあいするto love
暖かいあたたかいwarm
新たあらたnew
偉大いだいgreat
うるさいうるさいnoisy, fussy
嬉しいうれしいhappy
穏やかおだやかcalm, gentle
快適かいてきcomfortable
賢いかしこいwise
硬いかたいhard
完全かんぜんperfect
気の毒きのどくpitiful
奇妙きみょうstrange
巨大きょだいgigantic
臭いくさいodour, stench
苦しいくるしいpainful, difficult
濃いこいthick, dense, strong
高価こうかhigh-priced
豪華ごうかwonderful, gorgeous, splendor, pomp, extravagance
最終さいしゅうlast, final
最低さいていleast, worst
親しいしたしいintimate
重大じゅうだいserious, important
上等じょうとうsuperior
新鮮しんせんfresh
慎重しんちょうprudent, cautious
すごいすごいamazing, terrific
素晴らしいすばらしいwonderful
鋭いするどいsharp, pointed
正せいregular, correct
正確せいかくaccurate
積極的せっきょくてきproactive
粗末そまつcrude
大抵たいていusually
単なるたんなるmere
辛いつらいpainful
適切てきせつappropriate
典型的（な）てんけいてきtypical (implied from 典型)
得意とくいproud/specialty
苦手にがてpoor at, dislike
激しいはげしいviolent, intense
必死ひっしdesperate (can be treated as na-adjective)
等しいひとしいequal
不自由ふじゆうinconvenient (also noun)
不利ふりdisadvantageous
豊富ほうふabundant
真面目まじめserious, honest (also noun)
貧しいまずしいpoor, needy
真っ赤まっかdeep red
真っ直ぐまっすぐstraight
満ちるみちるto be full, to expire
妙みょうstrange
面倒めんどうtroublesome
有利ゆうりadvantageous
豊かゆたかabundant
よいよいgood, nice, pleasant
容易よういeasy, simple
宜しいよろしい(hon) good, OK
立派りっぱsplendid, fine
冷静れいせいcalm

JLPT N3 Adverb

Adverbs play a key role in adding detail and nuance to your sentences, helping you describe how, when, where, and to what extent actions occur. In JLPT N# vocabulary, you’ll find a wider range of adverbs that let you express subtle differences in timing, frequency, degree, and manner

Check out’ Basic Japanese Adverbs to Know

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
まさに–exactly
それぞれ–each
どんな–what kind of
もしも–if
いずれ–eventually
いらいら–irritation
どこか–somewhere
かもしれない–perhaps
がっかり–disappointed
ただ–only
おそらく–maybe
あいにく–unfortunately
そのうち–eventually
いつも–always
しきりに–frequently, eagerly
やや–a little, somewhat
たびたび–repeatedly
どうしても–no matter what
およそ–approximately
ゆっくり–slowly
ふと–suddenly, unexpectedly
さっぱり—feeling refreshed, neatly, clearly
なかなか—very, considerably, not easily (with negative)
いつでも—always, at all times
それとも―or, or else
むしろ―rather
あちこち―here and there
ばったり―with a crash, suddenly
かなり―fairly, quite
のんびり―carefree
まさか―no way
ぴったり―perfectly
まるで―entirely
だけど―however
そして―and
ますます―increasingly
ちゃんと―properly
じっと―firmly, patiently
さて―now then
より―more (comparison)
どう―how
では―then, well
余りあまりnot much
あんなにあんなにto that extent
一度にいちどにall at once
いつかいつかsomeday
いつまでもいつまでもforever
今にもいまにもany moment
言わばいわばso to speak
思わずおもわずunintentionally
必ずしもかならずしも(not) necessarily
急にきゅうにsuddenly
偶然ぐうぜんby chance, unexpectedly
ぐっすりぐっすりsound asleep
更にさらにfurthermore, again
直じきimmediately
したがってしたがってtherefore
実にじつにtruly
しばしばしばしばoften
随分ずいぶんquite, extremely
ずっとずっとthroughout
既にすでにalready
精々せいぜいat best, at most
是非ぜひcertainly
そっくりそっくりexactly like, identical
そっとそっとquietly, gently
それとそれとand then, also
だからだからso, therefore
多少たしょうsomewhat
唯ただonly, free of charge
直ちにただちにimmediately
たったたったonly, merely
たっぷりたっぷりfull, plenty
たとえたとえeven if
偶々たまたまby chance
遂についにfinally
次々つぎつぎone by one
つまりつまりin short, in brief
どんなにどんなにhow much
にっこりにっこりsmile sweetly
年中ねんじゅうyear-round, always
一人一人ひとりひとりone by one, each
まだまだstill, yet
全くまったくentirely, completely
もちろんもちろんof course
最ももっともmost
やがてやがてsoon
やはりやはりstill, also, after all
要するにようするにin short

Other JLPT N3 Vocabulary: Particles, Loanwords, Expressions

The JLPT N3 vocabulary section doesn’t just test your knowledge of word meanings. Ot also challenges your understanding of context and appropriate usage. This means you’ll encounter not only individual words but also common expressions and set phrases.

In addition, we group loanwords (often written in katakana) here, even though most of them are nouns. The good news is that if you already know English, learning these loanwords can be much easier since many are borrowed directly from English or other languages.

Read More: 30 English Loanwords that Come from Japanese

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
ところが–however
はあ–(interjection)
で–(particle)
それ–(interjection, pronoun)
ケチ–stingy person
ベルト–belt
ボート–boat
ゴール–goal
ミルク–milk
ワイン–wine
ボーイ–boy
キャンプ–camp
プラス–plus
トラック–truck
スタイル–style
トップ–top
あっ–(interjection)
いち–market
スイッチ–switch
セット–set
ごめんなさい–sorry
た–other
がら–pattern/handle (ambiguous, multiple meanings)
よると–according to
でも–but, however
あんまり–not very, remainder
そのまま–as it is, unchanged
そこで–so, accordingly
そう—so
こんにちは—hello, good day
いわゆる—so-called
しかも—moreover, furthermore
ところで—by the way
わざと—on purpose
おまえ—you (casual, rough)
センター—center
プロ—professional
チーズ—cheese
これら—these
ざっと—roughly
また—again, and
ジーンズ—jeans
スピーチ—speech
わがまま—selfishness
クラシックclassical music
コンピューターcomputer
クリームcream
オフィスoffice
トランプplaying cards
スープsoup
チームteam
しゃべるto chat (colloquial, often kana only)
あしたあしたtomorrow
ありがとうありがとうthank you
あるいはあるいはor, possibly
いただきますいただきますexpression before meals
インクインクink
うん（感）うんfortune, luck
御おhonorific prefix
おめでとうおめでとうcongratulations!
カードカードcard
曇くもりcloudy weather
グラスグラスglass
グランドグランドgrand, ground, gland
しまったしまったDamn it! (interjection)
みませんすみませんsorry, excuse me
そのそのthat (determiner)
デートデートdate (romantic)
できればできればif possible
通りとおりas per, street
トンネルトンネルtunnel
無しなしwithout
なぜならなぜならbecause
ノーノーno
ハンサムハンサムhandsome
ビデオビデオvideo
不ぶnon-, un- (prefix)
ペンキペンキpaint (loanword from Dutch)
ホームホームplatform
ぼんやりぼんやりabsent-mindedly, vaguely
まあまあyou might say
マスターマスターbar owner, master
よろしく（感）よろしくbest regards, properly
ライターライターlighter, writer
ラケットラケットracket

Ace the JLPT with Coto Academy’s JLPT Lesson!

Thinking of taking the JLPT again or aiming for a higher level to boost your career in Japan? Pass the JLPT with Coto Academy’s JLPT prep courses. This special preparation class covers exam practices and all test sections, including how to master the reading, grammar, kanji, and listening. Our teachers are highly specialized in teaching JLPT, and you’ll learn alongside motivated peers!

Join the hundreds of successful students who’ve improved their JLPT results with Coto. See our past JLPT success rate story.

Currently, we offer an in-person JLPT prep course in Tokyo and Yokohama, and an online JLPT lecture course

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FAQ

How many words are in JLPT N3?

JLPT N3 vocabulary includes about 3,500 to 3,750 words. This typically includes vocabulary you have learned in JLPT N5 and JLPT N4.

How many kanji should I study for JLPT N3?

You should study approximately 600 to 650 kanji for JLPT N3.

Where can I register for the JLPT N3?

You can register for the JLPT through the official JLPT website or authorized testing centers in your country. Check out how to register for JLPT N3 online in our guide. 

Can I work with JLPT N3 certificate?

Typically, JLPT N3 can help you get part-time jobs that require intermediate Japanese, but it may not be enough for many full-time professional positions. For that, you would typically need JLPT N2 and above. 

How do I find my JLPT result?

JLPT results are usually available online about two months after the exam on the official JLPT website. Check out how to find your JLPT results in our guide. 

Can I pass JLPT N3 in 5 months?

Yes, with focused and consistent study, passing the JLPT N3 in 5 months is definitely achievable. This requires setting a clear study schedule, regularly practicing vocabulary, grammar, kanji, listening, and reading comprehension.

Check out our guides for the upcoming JLPT:

Now that you have landed a job interview in Japan, you must be wondering what manners you need to know. Understandably, you might be nervous since interviews are when you need to put your best foot forward. So, how should you present yourself in front of your potential employers?

As you may know, Japan places a high value on manners, humility, and understanding of social cues. Just like showcasing your abilities, your impressions of your employers are just as essential. In order to ensure you’re prepared, we have broken down everything you need to know about job interview manners and etiquette in Japan.

Want to boost your career in Japan? Coto Academy’s 3-month Business Japanese Course is designed to help you master keigo (business Japanese) and improve workplace communication skills. Gain the confidence to speak with clients, navigate meetings, and open up new career opportunities!

Join 3-month Business Japanese Course

How are Japanese job interviews different from other countries?

a woman being interviewed by 2 japanese people

A Japanese job interview is more formal and structured than in many other countries, emphasizing etiquette, group harmony, long-term commitment, and humility over individual assertiveness or achievements.

Throughout this article, you will probably pick up on many similarities and differences between Japanese interviews and those in your home country. Like everywhere else, in an interview, you want to present the best of who you are and what you can bring. So, that means being respectful, listening well, and giving your interviewers a great impression. 

However, in Japan, the etiquette for job interviews might reflect how Japan’s work culture is different from the West overall. Unlike in countries like the U.S., Japanese interviews have strict etiquette rules, such as knocking exactly three times and using specific phrases when entering, sitting, and leaving. So, to give the best impression, understanding proper etiquette will be essential, such as when to bow, what to say at what time, and even how to enter interview rooms.

What to prepare before your Japanese job interview

Japanese job etiquette starts with preparation, from how to dress and what to bring. Even if the job doesn’t require any Japanese, if you’re interviewing with a Japanese company, you may still need to know Japanese interview manners.

Dressing for your interview in Japan

The dress code for interviews in Japan will depend on the role type, company, and seniority. Sometimes interviewers will explicitly say you can dress casually for the interview. Also tech start-ups tend to boast more causal atmospheres, so a suit won’t hurt but you might be overdressed!

When a dress code is not specified or if you are unsure, as a general rule of thumb, you should always dress formally. That generally means a full suit and dress shirt or blouse. Colors should be muted and not too loud as the formal dress code in Japan should be uniform and not stand out. Below, we go into further detail about the dress code between men and women:

dress code etiquette for interviews in japan

For men, the general dress code is a full suit with darker colors and a dress shirt. 

  • Suit jacket and pants with black, blue, or darker colors to be safe. Japanese culture, especially in work, should be about how you fit into the workplace. So wearing colors to stand out is not ideal.
  • A nice tie that is also preferably dark and matches your suit. Your tie should also not stand out either, so you may want to opt out of ties with bright colors.
  • White or light-colored button-up shirt, shirt should be rather neutral and contrast with the darker colors of your jacket.
  • Black or brown shoes, and leather shoes are the most common but non-leather formal shoes are also acceptable.

For women, a full suit with either pants or a nice skirt is considered acceptable 

  • Suit Jacket with black, blue, or darker colors. As mentioned earlier, Japanese culture is more about fitting in, especially in a formal setting. So, avoid wearing colors that stand out.
  • Light-colored blouse or button-up shirt that won’t contrast with your jacket and pants or skirt.
  • Darker-colored skirts or pants. The color should be the same as your jacket.
  • Darker colored heels under 5 cm, you don’t want to wear heels that are too high since they generally stand out. 
  • Simple and natural make-up is considered professional in Japan. 

What to bring to your Japanese job interview

Oftentimes, you don’t need to bring anything since you probably already sent over documents through email communication. However, just to be safe, keep the following things:

  1. Japanese resume or rirekisho since they could ask you to provide your own copy that is up-to-date and keep it for internal records. You probably won’t need to bring your cover letter if you wrote one. 
  2. Residence Card, Passport, or some kind of ID, since they may want to check your visa status and also have your official identification for internal processes. If the role needs you to drive, you should also bring your driver’s license to show you are qualified to drive in Japan.
  3. Note pad in case you need to take notes or jot down information, which could include important dates, details about the role or company, and anything else you might want to reference.
  4. Pen for filling out any documents, paperwork, tests, or taking notes.
  5. A professional bag or something to keep documents, business cards, and other things you receive from the interviewer. 
  6. A hanko/inkan (signature stamp) if you have one, since Japanese companies may need you to stamp documents. Usually, this will only be necessary for the actual offer contract.

Etiquette for arriving at a Japanese job interview

a woman being interviewed by 2 japanese people

Etiquette in Japanese interviews is not just about what you do during the interview but also about punctuality and being prepared.

When to arrive at the office

Punctuality is a part of Japanese interview etiquette, so you should try to arrive around 10 to 15 minutes before your interview. If your train or bus is delayed (we know it happens), just let your interviewers, or person of contact, know with a quick message. To be safe you can grab a Densha Chien Shoumeisho (電車遅延証明書), which is a little piece of paper providing evidence that your line was delayed.

A little tip about online interviews in Japan: You should try to be in the online meeting room around 5 minutes before it starts. Punctuality is also taken seriously for online interviews, so it is best to be a little early since being a little late 

Arriving at the interview location

When you arrive at the office, there might be a phone or a receptionist whom you can inform of your name and time of the scheduled interview. You will probably wait briefly in the lobby before being led to a meeting room. 

When entering the interview room, there is a sequence of steps you take to show proper manners:

  1. Knock 3 times and wait for a response
  2. When entering, say 失礼します(shitsureishimasu) and close the door gently
  3. Greet them with a bow and a brief self-introduction はじめまして、__ともうします(hajimemashite __to moushimasu) which means something like, “nice to meet you, my name is __”
  4. You will be offered a seat, but before sitting again, say “shitsurei shimasu”
  5. Take off your jacket, and if you have a bag, place it somewhere next to you (like another chair), but do not place it on a table. 

Quick Tip: Make sure your phone is on silent mode or turned off! You don’t want the interview to be interrupted by an alarm, an incoming phone call, or anything else your phone might do. It could also come off as rude.

Common Japanese job interview manners

So, now we will go over common etiquette to follow throughout the interview, including posture, language, and brief self-introductions.

Using keigo 

Generally, you should speak in keigo especially if the role you’re applying for requires business-level Japanese. In many cases, teineigo or the desu and masu form is sufficient. However, try to avoid very casual language or overly direct language. 

Like in interviews in other countries, keep general interview etiquette in mind, sound excited to join, and ask questions about the company. Avoid going straight to discussions about salary as this will not give off the best impression. Check out some useful phrases used in Japanese job interviews.

If you want to improve and practice business Japanese, please check out Coto Academy’s Business Japanese Courses.

Body language and posture

You may be nervous during your interview, and that’s okay! Try to relax and be yourself and focus on being sincere and answering each interview question honestly. Don’t overthink. Sit straight and look confident. Here are just a few tips to give off the best impression possible:

1. Avoid crossing your arms and legs 

This could give off a somewhat disrespectful impression.

2. Avoid slouching

This also doesn’t give the best impression. It can make you look like you are not too serious about the company and may even affect your confidence, or at least how it’s portrayed.

3. Maintain eye contact 

You want to give the interviewer your undivided attention and show you are valuing their time.

4. Keep your hands on your lap or above the table if there is one 

You want to avoid putting your hands in your pockets or ending up crossing your arms. There are no specific rules but you don’t want to fall into habits that could unintentionally diminish the impression you want to give.

5. Be sincere and answer honestly

This is probably the most important aspect of the impression you will have on your interviewers. They just want to know if your background and personality will be a good fit for the company. So, let your sincerity take the lead here.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask for further clarification

There may be times when they speak rather fast or go through something that you didn’t quite catch. People might hesitate to ask to clarify or have the interviewer repeat themselves but don’t worry it’s not rude and it shows your sincere interest in understanding the company better.

7. Be natural! 

This may sound obvious but often we find ourselves overthinking and trying to do everything perfectly. All you’re trying to do is show how you are as a person to work with. So, just be yourself and show that you are sincerely interested in the company.

Introducing yourself during the job interview

a man in the middle of an interview session

You may have introduced yourself earlier in the job interview, but when they ask you to introduce yourself after everyone has settled in, the interview questioning has begun. So, you will need to provide a longer self-introduction that generally includes the following: 

  1. Your name and age.
  2. When you came to Japan and how long you have been here.
  3. Your current university or when you graduated from university. You should also include your major and what you studied. If you already have work experience, you should focus more on the roles you have done.
  4. Your most recent work or internship experience.
  5. A brief description discussing why you applied for the company.
  6. Briefly mention hobbies or something about yourself

For more details about making an amazing self-introduction, read our introduction to jikoshoukai blog!

How to wrap up your job interview in Japan

Even if you’re at the end of your interview, you should not throw all etiquette out the window! Japanese interviews do not end until you walk out the door. So, once the interviewer announces that everything has concluded, you can remain seated and bow, saying ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu). 

Afterward, you will generally follow these customs:

  1. They will give you a business card which you must take with both hands and then place neatly in your bag. Exchanging business cards is a serious ordeal in Japan. You can read more about how to exchange meishi here.
  2. When you are ready to leave, you can stand up and bow, then you head to the door turn around and bow again saying 失礼します (shitsureishimasu)
  3. Close the door quietly after leaving.
  4. It is not uncommon for interviewers or receptionists to walk you to the door or elevator, and right before you depart, you can say thank you again, followed by 「失礼します」while bowing.

What questions are they going to ask in Japanese interviews? Find out about key questions you are likely going to be asked in Japanese interviews!

Conclusion: Japanese Interview Etiquette is about Good Impressions

It’s normal to be nervous about doing Japanese job interviews, especially in a foreign country like Japan. Focus on being yourself and highlighting the best parts of you! 

We hope you can use this guide to be aware of common Japanese etiquette to enhance your impression of your potential employers. We know job hunting is already difficult even without the extra rules of interview manners, but as you keep practicing, it’ll become second nature to you!

If you want to practice business Japanese, sign up for Coto’s Business Japanese classes where you do mock interviews and practice speaking Japanese for work!

FAQ

When should I arrive at a Japanese Job interview?

It is proper etiquette to arrive sometime between 5 and 15 minutes before the interview begins. You do not want to be too early or too late.

What should I wear for Japanese interviews?

The common etiquette is a dark suit and tie for men and for women a blouse, jacket, and dress skirt or pants.

How long are Japanese interviews usually?

Interviews usually range from 30 minutes to 1 hour. They can go on for longer depending on how much time the interviewers have and how quickly you go through the questions.

What is considered rude in a Japanese interview?

Quite a few things could be considered rude, such as arriving late, wearing inappropriate clothes, putting your feet on the furniture, and using casual language. Just keep general manners in mind, dress for the occasion, and show respect for your interviewers, such as using polite language.

How can I best impress my interviewers?

Understanding and displaying proper Japanese etiquette will give a great impression to the interviewers. But just as importantly, you should show your sincerity and passion for the role and company.

What is interview in Japanese?

“Interview” in Japanese is 面接 (mensetsu), commonly used for job or school interview.