Apples and oranges. Walking and running. Swiftly and slowly. In English, connecting ideas is usually as simple as inserting the word “and” between two items. But in Japanese, expressing “and” is a bit more nuanced. 

In fact, the language offers multiple ways to connect words, phrases, and even full sentences. This depends on what you’re linking: nouns, verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses. For instance, the casual と (to) is one of the most straightforward ways to say “and,” but it can only be used to link nouns. 

This guide is your roadmap to mastering all the different ways to say “and” in Japanese. By the end, you’ll not only know which “and” to use in each situation but also understand why native speakers make those choices. So, get ready to move beyond the simple と (to) and explore the variety of connectors.

1. と (To)

Structure: Noun 1 + と + Noun 2

The simplest way to connect two nouns in Japanese is with と (to). It functions like the English conjunction “and.” r. However, と (to) cannot connect adjectives, verbs, clauses, or sentences. It is strictly for nouns.

When you link two nouns with と (to), you’re essentially pairing them together. If you want to express a contrast, you will need to use a different word in Japanese, such as でも or しかし.

シャツとズボン。
Shatsu to zubon.
Shirt and pants. 

You can extend this pattern to include more nouns:

シャツとズボンと靴。
Shatsu to zubon to kutsu.
Shirt and pants, and shoes.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that と (to) is generally used to link a fixed, closed list of items. It highlights each item individually, rather than suggesting an open-ended or indefinite series — as in, it is just those items, and nothing else. There’s no implication of additional, unmentioned items.

For example, if you are going to a trial gym, they might say: 

タオルと水と運動靴を持ってきてください。
Taoru to mizu o mottekite kudasai.

Please bring a towel and water.

2. や (Ya)

Structure: Noun 1 + や + Noun 2

While と (to) is used for a closed, fixed list of items, sometimes you want to imply that there are more items beyond the ones you mention. In this case, you use や (ya). Like と (to), や (ya) is used only to connect nouns and cannot be used with adjectives, verbs, or clauses.

You insert や (ya) between nouns to list them, and using it suggests that the list is not exhaustive. For example:

In this sentence, you’re saying that you like cakes and pudding, but there are likely other desserts you enjoy as well. Because や (ya) implies that there are additional items not mentioned, it is often paired with など (nado), which functions like “etc.” in English and typically comes after the last noun in the list. For example:

ケーキやプリンやクッキーなどが好きです。
Keeki ya purin ya kukkii nado ga suki desu.
I like cakes, pudding, cookies, etc.

This construction makes it clear that the list is non-exhaustive. Using the same trial gym scenario:

タオルや水や運動靴などを持ってきてください。
Taoru ya mizu ya undougutsu nado o mottekite kudasai.
Please bring a towel, water, sneakers, etc.

Using や (ya) … など (nado) indicates that these are just examples, and you could bring additional items as well—perhaps similar items like a gym shirt or grip socks.

In short, use や (ya) when you want to connect multiple nouns while signaling that there are more items beyond what you’ve listed, unlike と (to), which links a specific, closed set of nouns.

3. も (Mo)

Structure: Noun 1 + も + Noun 2

Technically, the Japanese particle も (mo) usually means “also” or “too,” but it can also be used to link nouns together in a way that expresses “and” in Japanese. The key difference between も (mo) and と (to) or や (ya) is that も (mo) carries the nuance of “and also” or “both,” rather than just listing items. In other words, も (mo) is used when you are adding another item to a statement, emphasizing that each item shares the same quality or feeling.

For example:

ケーキもプリンも好きです。
Keeki mo purin mo suki desu.
I like both cakes and pudding.

Here, も (mo) highlights that you like both items, not just one of them. It’s a great way to express that multiple things share the same characteristic or sentiment, giving a sense of inclusion rather than simply enumerating items.

4. Verb ～て

Structure: Verb 1 (て-form) + Verb 2

So far, we’ve discussed the different ways to say “and” in Japanese for nouns, but what if you want to connect verbs? The easiest and most common method is using the verb て-form. When combining two or more verbs, you convert all verbs except the last one into the -て (-te) form.

For example:

家に帰ったら、シャワーを浴びて、晩ご飯を食べたいです。
Ie ni kaettara, shawaa o abite, bangohan o tabetai desu.
After I go home, I want to shower and eat dinner.

Here, the first action, “showering,” is converted into the -て form (浴びて), which links it to the next action, “eating dinner” (食べたい). 

An important thing to remember is that linking verbs with the -て form indicate a sequence of events that follow a specific order. In casual situations, switching the order might not seem like a big deal, but if you are giving precise instructions, the order of actions becomes crucial. You need to list the first step or action first, followed by the next in the correct sequence.

For example, imagine giving instructions for a simple morning routine:

手を洗って、顔を洗って、それから朝ご飯を食べてください。
Te o aratte, kao o aratte, sore kara asagohan o tabete kudasai.
First, wash your hands, then wash your face, and finally eat breakfast.

Here, the order matters: washing your face comes after washing your hands, and eating breakfast comes last. 

Additionally, conjugating a Japanese verb from its dictionary form to the -て form is not one-size-fits-all. In Japanese, verbs are categorized into three main groups, and each group has its own rules for forming the -て form.

Verb Group	Rule for -て Form	Example Verb	-て Form
Group 1 (Godan verbs)	く→いてぐ→いです→してぶ/む/ぬ→んでる/つ→って	書く (kaku)	書いて (kaite)
Group 2 (Ichidan verbs)	Drop -る and add -て	食べる (taberu)	食べて (tabete)
Group 3 (Irregular verbs)	Memorize unique forms	する (suru)来る (kuru)	して (shite), 来て (kite)

By learning the -て form (-te form), you can connect actions naturally in Japanese, like saying “I showered and ate dinner” or “I studied and went shopping.” Ready to put this into practice? At Coto Academy, you’ll get hands-on experience using verbs, particles, and connectors in real-life situations. Sign up for a class and start speaking confidently — whether in Tokyo, Yokohama, or online from the comfort of your home!

If you want a more detailed guide on how to conjugate a Japanese verb from its dictionary form into the -て form, check out our full article: Conjugating Verb-て Form in Japanese.

5. ～たり～たり (~ Tari ~Tari)

Structure: Verb (past tense) た-form + り + Verb (past tense) た-form + り + する

When you use the -て form to connect verbs in Japanese, it implies that the actions happen in a specific order or sequence. However, if you want to link verbs with “and” without indicating any particular order, you’ll use the grammar pattern ～たり～たり (tari tari).

In short, ～たり～たり (tari tari) is used to list multiple actions or states in a random, non-sequential way, when you just want to give examples of things you did, without focusing on what came first. Let’s take a look at an example below!

週末は映画を見たり、本を読んだり、散歩したりします。
Shuumatsu wa eiga o mitari, hon o yondari, sanpo shitari shimasu.
I spend my weekends watching movies, reading books, and taking walks (among other things).

The order in which these activities happen is left vague due to the use of たり (tari). It could mean this person watched a movie first, then read a book, or maybe went for a walk first.

If this sentence were written using the -て form, it would imply a stricter order of events.

Because of this flexibility, たりたり (tari tari) is an excellent structure for listing multiple examples of actions or experiences.

This grammar pattern is created by conjugating verbs into their た-form (ta-form) and then attaching り (ri). Just like with the te-form, verbs are divided into three groups (Godan, Ichidan, and Irregular), and their ta-form conjugation follows specific rules. You finish the sentence by appending the last Verb-たり with する (suru) or します (shimasu).

Example pattern:

• 食べます → 食べた → 食べたり (tabemasu → tabeta → tabetari)
• 行きます → 行った → 行ったり (ikimasu → itta → ittari)

You can also use たりたり (tari tari) in the past tense by changing the final verb (usually する) into しました (shimashita). Because the たりたり structure focuses on examples rather than order, it’s also very common to use it when talking about what you did over the weekend, on vacation, or during a specific event.

日曜日は買い物をしたり、料理をしたりしました。
Nichiyoubi wa kaimono o shitari, ryouri o shitari shimashita.
On Sunday, I did things like shopping and cooking.

6. ~くて and で (~Kute and ~De)

In Japanese, connecting multiple adjectives isn’t as straightforward as simply saying “beautiful and smart” in English. To link adjectives with “and,” Japanese uses different endings depending on the type of adjective. 

Adjectives in Japanese are classified into two types: i-adjectives and na-adjectives. I-adjectives generally end in い (i). Na-adjectives do not usually do not end in い (i), although some words are exceptions, like 綺麗 (kirei). 

I-Adjectives

I-adjectives generally end in い (i). To connect an i-adjective with another adjective, replace the final い (i) with くて (-kute).

For example, the Japanese adjective 素晴らしい (subarashii), which means “amazing,” would become 素晴らしくて (subarashiikute). 

この映画はおもしろくて、すばらしいです。

Kono eiga wa subarashiikute omoshiroi desu.
This movie is amazing and interesting.

Na adjective

For adjectives that end in -だ (-da) or -な (-na), linking them with “and” is relatively straightforward. You simply attach で (-de) to the end of the adjective. We recommend first checking out our guide on i-adjectives and na-adjectives, as some na-adjectives end with い (i) as an exception

For example, the word pretty in Japanese, 綺麗 (kirei), ends in i, but is boxed as a な-adjective, so it becomes 綺麗で when you link it with another word. 

この部屋は静かできれいです。
Kono heya wa shizuka de kirei desu.
This room is quiet and clean.

For adjectives that end in -だ (-da) or -な (-na), linking them with “and” is relatively straightforward. You simply attach で (-de) to the end of the adjective.

We recommend first checking out our guide on i-adjectives and na-adjectives, as some na-adjectives end with い (i) as exceptions.
この部屋は広くて静かできれいです。
Kono heya wa hirokute shizuka de kirei desu.
This room is spacious, quiet, and clean.

Here, 広い (hiroi) is an i-adjective, so it becomes 広くて (hirokute), and 静か (shizuka) is a na-adjective, so it becomes 静かで (shizuka de). 

7. し

Word Type	StructureStructure
Verb	Verb (dictionary form) + し
I-Adjective	Adjective (i-form) + し
Na-Adjective	Adjective (na-form) + だし
Noun	Noun + だし

The particle し (shi) is another way to express “and” in Japanese, but it carries a slightly different nuance than the others we’ve covered. Rather than simply linking two ideas, し (shi) adds an emphatic or explanatory tone. It’s often used when you want to list multiple reasons, qualities, or examples, with the feeling of “and what’s more” or “not only… but also…”.

Think of it as a way to build up information or justify a statement.

天気もいいし、公園に行こう！
Tenki mo ii shi, kouen ni ikou!
The weather’s nice, so let’s go to the park!

Here, し (shi) connects the good weather to the speaker’s decision. It implies that the nice weather is one of several reasons (maybe they also have free time or just feel like going out), even if those reasons aren’t said out loud.

You can also use し (shi) to talk about someone or something that has several positive (or even negative) traits.

日本は食べ物もおいしいし、人もやさしいです。
Nihon wa tabemono mo oishii shi, hito mo yasashii desu.
Japan has delicious food, and the people are kind too.

Compared to simply using the -て form (like おいしくて、やさしい), し (shi) adds more emotion. It feels like you’re emphasizing how great Japan is for many reasons, not just listing facts.

Of course, し (shi) has additional uses beyond simply connecting words with “and.” One important function is to indicate a reason or cause. When combined with んだ (nda), it can add a sense of explanation, often used when giving advice or justifying something.

For example, you might want to explain why you can’t go out:

疲れてるし、今日は早く帰ろうと思うんだ。
Tsukareteru shi, kyou wa hayaku kaerou to omou nda.
I’m tired, so I’m thinking of going home early today.

In situations where the reason is unfavorable or inconvenient, it’s also common to add で (de) for emphasis, stressing the negative aspect of the situation.

Another nuance of し is its use in casual conversation to trail off a sentence. You can end a sentence with し without finishing it, leaving the rest implied. This is especially useful if you want to decline politely or hint at other reasons without stating them directly.

For example, if someone asks you on a date but you don’t want to go, you might say:

明日も仕事があるし…
Ashita mo shigoto ga aru shi…
I also have work tomorrow, and…

Here, the trailing し implies there are other reasons as well, but you don’t have to say them. It’s a subtle, natural way to soften your response and avoid being too direct, which is considered more polite in Japanese culture.

Other Ways to Say “And” in Japanese

Besides particles like と (to), や (ya), and structures like ～て, Japanese also uses sentence connectors to link ideas, sentences, or actions smoothly. These connectors don’t always translate directly as “and,” but the nuance they carry often makes them the natural choice in context.

One of the most common is そして (soshite). Literally, it means “and then” or simply “and,” and it’s used to connect sentences or clauses rather than individual words. It often signals a sequence of events or adds additional information.

For example:

私は朝ご飯を食べました。そして、学校に行きました。
Watashi wa asagohan o tabemashita. Soshite, gakkou ni ikimashita.
I ate breakfast. And then, I went to school.

Other connectors like その上 (sono ue), それに (soreni), and さらに (sarani) are often used to add information, carrying meanings similar to “and also” or “on top of that.” These are useful when you want to emphasize extra points or reasons:

Example:

このレストランは料理がおいしいです。その上、店員さんも親切です。
Kono resutoran wa ryouri ga oishii desu. Sono ue, ten’in-san mo shinsetsu desu.
This restaurant’s food is delicious. On top of that, the staff is kind.

And That’s a Wrap!

By using these particles and sentence-level connectors, you can create smooth, natural Japanese sentences that link ideas clearly and even add emphasis when needed.

Of course, learning Japanese is more than just knowing how to say “and.” As we explored above, it’s important to conjugate verbs correctly, expand your vocabulary, and master other grammar points to communicate naturally.

Why not take your learning further at Coto Academy? Join Japanese lessons in Tokyo, Yokohama, or online. Here, the focus is on practical, conversational Japanese, helping you use what you learn in real-life situations from day one.

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FAQ

What is the easiest way to say “and” in Japanese?

The simplest way to say “and” in Japanese is to use the particle と (to). It connects two nouns in a fixed list.

What’s the difference between と (to) and や (ya)?

While と lists a fixed, complete set of nouns, や (ya) is used for non-exhaustive lists, implying there are other items not mentioned. 

How does し (shi) work as “and” in Japanese?

し (shi) is used to emphasize reasons, qualities, or multiple points, similar to “and what’s more” or “not only… but also” in English. It can follow verbs, adjectives, or nouns (with だし for na-adjectives and nouns).

What are sentence-level connectors like そして, それに, and さらに?

For linking whole sentences, connectors like そして (soshite), それに (soreni), その上 (sono ue), and さらに (sarani) are often used. They function like “and then,” “and also,” or “on top of that” in English.

Just started learning Japanese? You might be interested in checking out:

• Japanese Writing System: Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji
• Basic Japanese Words to Know
• 10 Basic Japanese Phrases You Need to Know

You’ve probably seen them before — tiny block symbols with Japanese characters that sneak into your Android or iPhone emoji keyboard. They look official, almost cryptic. These aren’t random at all. They’re part of the Japanese Kanji emoji series. But why do these even exist to begin with?

Well, here’s something interesting: the word emoji itself actually comes from Japanese — e (絵) meaning “picture” and moji (文字) meaning “character. For this reason, there is a heavy Japanese influence deciding over what emojis would have been created. Kanji is a big part of the Japanese Language, and this pictographic language was created more or less for the purpose that emojis serve today. Thus, there are some useful kanji characters that were directly transferred into the emoji language.

If you’ve ever been curious about the meanings behind these Japanese Kanji emojis, you’re in the right place. Here’s a closer look at some of the most commonly used examples.

The Japanese Origins of Emoji

In kanji, emoji is written as 絵文字(emoji), which literally can be translated to “drawn language characters”. Breaking down each character: 絵 (e) means art or drawing, 文 (mo or bun) means language or sentence, and 字 (ji) means character. So, the definition of emoji perfectly fits what they are: a set of pictograms that can represent certain emotions, or even words. Now they have become one of the most common ways to communicate online around the world. 

The first set of 90 emojis was first released in 1997 by Softbank. However, there is actually a rather complicated evolution of emojis that were created and released with different models of communication devices at that time, most of which didn’t use standard operating systems. People often cite Shigetaka Kurita as being particularly influential in creating the emojis we use today. 

The Influence of Kanji and Japanese Culture on Emojis

Kurita’s emojis, along with others, made the designs based on manga, which had recognizable facial expressions using very simple, easy-to-replicate images. Additionally, emojis we know today were partly inspired by kanji, which attempt to capture certain ideas using simplified symbols of certain objects, places, or even emotions. 

It might be hard to imagine now, but if you look at the origin of kanji, it might reveal how many of them derive from pictographs. That’s why most kanji characters already have a meaning associated with them, unlike letters (like the English alphabet), which don’t have meaning on their own.

Even to this day, the influence of Japan and Japanese culture can be seen in the emojis you use on your iPhone, Android, and communication apps. You can find Japanese snacks like dango 🍡 and even emojis for kanji. For example, this emoji, 🔰, is a Japanese image for beginners, but it can be found on most emoji keyboards and emoji sets outside of Japan. 

If you want to know more about Japanese writing systems, check out our blog on Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.

15 Most Common Kanji Emojis

Now, let’s get into our list of kanji emojis you may (or may not) have seen and discover exactly what each one means.

1. 🈶️ 有 (ある): To Have

This emoji is just the kanji for ある (aru), which means “to have.” Usually, the emoji drops the “る” (ru) from 有る, so it’s only left with the kanji character, 有 (yuu). You can use the emoji to simply say you have something. This emoji can also mean “charge applies” or “not free” since it’s also a part of the word 有料 (yuuryou) meaning “there is a fee.” 

Examples:

🈶Wi-Fi 

Wi-Fi available

🈶駐車場 (chuushajou)

Parking available

2. 🈚️ 無 (ない): To Not Have

This kanji emoji is the opposite of 🈶. It means “not have”, “not exist”, or “(something) not available”. It comes from the kanji for 無し(nashi) or 無い (nai). You can also use it to mean something is free, which comes from the word 無料 (muryou).

Examples:

🈚 Wi-Fi  

No Wi-Fi

3. 🈸️ 申 (もうしこむ): Application, To Apply For

The character 申 (shin) means application or request, but in conversation and writing (not as an emoji), the character is usually expressed as 申しこうむ (moushi koumu). This character is used to say when you apply for something like a job or send a request. 

Examples:

🈸 受付 (uketsuke)

Applications accepted

🈸 フォーム

Application form

If you are looking to apply for jobs in Japan, learn how to write a Japanese resume (rirekisho).

4. 🈺️ 営 (えいぎょう): In-service or Open

Coming from the word, 営業 (eigyou), this kanji emoji means “open for business”  and is usually preceded by business hours. In Japan, you often find the phrase 営業中, which means “open for business”, on signs of entrances. The emoji 🈺️is just the equivalent of that, often found on business social media pages or posts. The 🈺 Unicode 6.0 in 2010.

Examples:

🈺 時間：9:00 – 18:00

Business hours: 9:00 – 18:00

5. 🈷️ 月 (つき): Moon or Month

Derived from the kanji for “moon” or “month,” this emoji is often associated with monthly fees or cycles. You might find this emoji used to indicate an event occurring monthly. This emoji is also commonly used on subscription ads or billing notifications, symbolizing something billed monthly.

Examples:

🈷️ 会費 (kaihi) 

Monthly membership fee

🈷️ 払い (tsukibarai) 

Monthly payment

6. 🉑️ 可 (か): Permitted or Doable

This emoji represents permission or approval. It’s based on 可, meaning “possible” or “permitted.” It can be used to say “yes” to a proposal, signify acceptance, or to emphasize motivation — literally that anything is possible!

Examples:

🉑️ ペット (petto)

Pets allowed

🉑️ 使用 (shiyou) 

Use permitted

7. 🉐️ 得 (とく): Offers, Merit, or Discount

Coming from the kanji 得 (toku), meaning “benefit” or “advantage.” It’s commonly used in the context of getting a good deal or getting a personal gain out of something, both literally and figuratively. You will often find this emoji in sales or promotional materials to show a special deal.

Examples:

🉐️ セール (seeru)

Bargain sale

🉐️ 情報 (tokujouhou) 

Special offer information

8. ㊙️ 秘 (ひみつ ):  Secret

Have you ever noticed the little Japanese character “秘” in texts or stickers and wondered what it meant? It stands for “secret” or “confidential.”

In everyday Japanese, you might see it as part of マル秘 (maruhi), which literally means “top secret” or “classified.” It’s often used in documents, signs, or even playful contexts to indicate something hidden or private.

Interestingly, マル秘 made its way into the digital world quite early. It was officially approved as part of Unicode 1.1 back in 1993. Later, in 2015, it joined the ranks of emojis in Emoji 1.0.

9. ㊗️ 祝 (いわう): To Celebrate 

This emoji expresses congratulations, coming from the word 祝う (iwau), meaning “to celebrate.” You usually use this emoji to express celebration for events such as birthdays, marriages, or achievements.

Examples:

㊗️ 新年 (shinnen) 

Happy New Year

㊗️ 結婚 (kekkon) 

Congratulations on marriage 

10. 🈴️ 合 (ごうかく): To Pass a Standard 

The 🈴 合 emoji, also known as the Japanese “passing grade” button or simply the “pass emoji,” features the kanji 合 in white on a red rectangular background. You’ll often see it on exam-related posts, symbolizing good results or success.

It was originally from Japanese mobile phones, but over time, it has become available on smartphones, computers, and social media platforms worldwide. It was officially added to Unicode 6.0 in 2010.

Examples:

🈴️ 試験 (shiken) 

Passed the exam

🈴️ 通知 (tsuuchi) 

Notice of passing

11. 🈹️ 割 (わり): Price Cut

This emoji is from 割引 (waribiki), meaning “discount.” It’s most often used to promote sales and price reductions or just to communicate that something is on sale. You’ll find this on store flyers, e-commerce banners, and digital coupons. This character is part of the CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) ideographs.

The 割 mark emoji was approved in Unicode 6.0 in 2010 and later added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015

Examples:

🈹️ セール 

Price cut sale

🈹️ 引き 

Discounted price

12. 🈲️ 禁 (きんし): Prohibited

This is just the emoji for 禁止 (kinshi), meaning “prohibited” or “forbidden.” This emoji is used to indicate that something is not allowed or restricted. In Japan, you’ll often find 禁止 signs everywhere from trains to temples, and 🈲️ works as the emoji shorthand for that.

13. 🈵️ 満 (まん): No Vacancy

This emoji means “full”, “no vacancy”, or “fully occupied”. This character is often used to indicate that a place or service is at full capacity. However, people often use the emoji to communicate over messages to say they are stuffed after eating or that something is sold out.

Examples:

🈵️ 駐車場 (chuushajou)

Parking full

🈵️ 室 (shitsu) 

No room vacancy

14. 🈳️ 空 (うろ): Vacant

This emoji is the opposite of 🈵, meaning “vacant” or “empty.” It’s often used in Japan to indicate that a room, service, or even job is open. It’s also common to use it in contrast with 🈵️; together, they show availability status (Vacant vs Full).

Examples:

🈳️ 室 (akishitsu)

Room vacancy

🈳️ 車 (akisha) 

Parking available

15. 🈯️ 指 (ゆび):  Point Out or Finger

Derived from 指定 (shitei), meaning “designated” or “reserved.” You’ll often see this in Japanese train reservations (like 指定席 vs 自由席), indicating “reserved” and “non-reserved” seating.

Examples:

🈯️ 席 (shitei seki)

Reserved seat

🈯️ 定 (shitei)

Designated area

Why Are There Kanji Emojis?

The symbols we learned above originated from Japanese signage and newspapers, where short kanji terms were used to save space. When Japanese emoji sets were standardized by Unicode, these business-related icons, like 🈺, short for 営業中 (eigyou chuu) meaning “now open”, were included because they’re so common in daily life. 

So, these kanji emojis play a similar role to the typical facial emojis (e.g. 😂), which work as convenient shortcuts for expressing something in a single symbol. The reason why kanji words work so well as emojis may be due to the fact that kanji by themselves already express certain meanings, so it only made sense to make them into emojis to save space and be easier to notice.

Conclusion

Kanji emojis could be thought of as tiny snapshots of everyday Japanese language and culture. Each one comes from real signage and expressions you’ll encounter all over Japan, whether at a restaurant, a station, or a convenience store. 

Mastering these emojis can help you communicate more naturally with Japanese friends and add a cultural touch to your messages. But if your goal is to truly read, write, and speak Japanese like a native, nothing beats structured learning. 

This is your sign to learn Japanese at Coto Academy! At Coto Academy, experienced teachers guide you through the nuances of kanji, kanji emojis, and everyday expressions, helping you gain confidence in real-world conversation. 

We offer both daily intensive courses for those seeking a concentrated learning program or part-time courses offering greater flexibility, but large gains. If you’re interested, please fill out the form below!

FAQ:

What are kanji emojis?

Kanji emojis are small pictograms that use real Japanese characters to represent common words or concepts, such as “open” (🈺️), “forbidden” (🈲️), or “discount” (🈹️). They originally appeared in Japan on store signs and notices, and were later adapted into emoji form for digital use.

Are these kanji emojis actually used in Japan?

While they aren’t used as often in personal messages, they’re still very recognizable in Japan. You’ll find the same kanji on real-life signs, like 営業中 (open for business) or 禁煙 (no smoking), and businesses sometimes use them in social media posts to make announcements or sales promotions more eye-catching.

Can I use kanji emojis in everyday conversation?

Even though they aren’t used as frequently in casual chats between friends, you can use them playfully using emojis such as 🉐️ (bargain), ㊗️ (congratulations), or ㊙️ (secret). Just be mindful of the context since many of them are tied to formal or business-related terms.

Are there any similar symbol emojis in other languages?

There are some kanji emojis shared between other languages using kanji, such as Chinese, of course. However, some emojis, such as 囍 (double happiness), are exclusive in Chinese. But most kanji emojis are unique for how they directly reflect real-life Japanese phrases still used today.

What’s the difference between these kanji emojis and Japanese words typed in text?

Kanji emojis are decorative icons, not standard text. While they share the same meanings as their kanji counterparts, they’re mostly used to illustrate a concept rather than function as part of a sentence.

Love reading content like this? Be sure to check out:

• Japanese Internet Slang and Texting Terms
• Japanese Swear Words You Should (Not) Use
• How to Type Japanese in Your Laptop

It is well-known that the Japanese language is considered one of the hardest languages to learn. According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which trains U.S. diplomats and government officials in languages and cultures, Japanese is classified as a “Super-Hard” language. But there’s an important caveat: FSI’s rankings are based on how long it takes native English speakers to learn a language.

Around the world, Chinese speakers can often learn Japanese significantly faster, mostly due to the similarities between Chinese characters and Japanese kanji. This is no surprise, since Japanese kanji are largely based on traditional Chinese characters.

Yet, despite these surface-level similarities, Japanese and Chinese belong to entirely different language families. There are aspects of Japanese where a Chinese language background may not help. So, how easy is it for Chinese speakers to study Japanese? How much of a shortcut does prior knowledge of Chinese really provide? This article will explore Japanese from the perspective of a Chinese learner and discuss how long it typically takes for Chinese speakers to learn Japanese.

Why Chinese Speakers Learn Japanese Faster

1. Kanji knowledge

Kanji are logographic characters that originated in China and were introduced to Japan around the 5th century AD. At the time, Japan didn’t have its own writing system. By the Heian period, Japan had developed readings and interpretations for kanji that fit the Japanese language.

For native Chinese speakers or anyone who has studied Chinese, kanji knowledge is a huge advantage. This is because how long it takes to learn Japanese often depends heavily on your familiarity with kanji. They are used not only for reading and writing but also for building vocabulary, since each character represents an idea and can be combined with others to form words.

To give you a better picture, according to Coto Academy, a typical student might need around 787 hours to study for the JLPT N4 level. But for students who already know kanji, it could take only about 550 hours. This is because learners accustomed to Roman letters face a steep learning curve with Japan’s three writing systems.

Note that Japanese kanji are mostly based on traditional Chinese characters. If you’re only familiar with simplified Chinese characters, like those used in Mainland China or Singapore, some kanji may look different. It doesn’t make learning harder—it just requires a little adjustment.

Read More: Hardest Kanji to Learn

2. Shared Vocabulary (Sino-Japanese Words)

Not only do some Japanese kanji look like Chinese characters, but in some cases, they also sound similar. Take the word “kanji” itself: it uses the same characters as in Chinese, 漢字, and the pronunciation is somewhat similar: kanji in Japanese, hanzi in Chinese.

Why does this happen? Japan adopted many Chinese words over centuries, especially during periods of heavy cultural exchange. While the pronunciation often shifted in Japanese, the meaning and the characters generally stayed the same. This is why Chinese speakers can sometimes understand written Japanese vocabulary even before fully learning Japanese grammar.

That said, not all words work or sound the same. Japanese kanji readings are divided into two main systems: onyomi and kunyomi. Onyomi is the “Chinese-style” reading and is closer to the original Chinese pronunciation when the kanji was borrowed. Many Sino-Japanese words use onyomi, which is why Chinese learners often recognize them. On the other hand, kunyomi is the native Japanese reading, used when the kanji represents a purely Japanese word or concept. These readings usually do not resemble the Chinese pronunciation and can be confusing for beginners.

Take the kanji 水, which means “water,” as an example. In Chinese, it is pronounced shuǐ. In Japanese, the same character has two readings: sui when used as onyomi, and mizu when used as kunyomi. Often, when multiple kanji are combined to form compound words, the pronunciation tends to follow the onyomi reading. This is why some Japanese words sound more similar to their Chinese counterparts, making them easier for Chinese speakers to recognize.

3. Familiarity with Logographic Writing

We touched on this briefly earlier, but it’s worth exploring in more detail. If you grow up speaking English, you’ve likely spent your entire life reading and writing with an alphabetic system, where each symbol (letter) represents a sound rather than a whole word or idea. By combining letters, you form syllables, words, and sentences.

In contrast, a logographic system is one where each character represents a word, idea, or concept rather than a sound. You usually need to memorize each character individually. Chinese, for example, is a logographic language.

For learners from alphabetic-language backgrounds, a large portion of the initial study time when learning Japanese is often spent just getting familiar with the writing system. This is because Japanese uses a mixed writing system, combining logographic and syllabic elements across three scripts: kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Kanji are logographic characters, borrowed from Chinese, while hiragana and katakana are syllabaries where each character represents a syllable or sound. These are not alphabets but phonetic characters used for grammar, word endings, and foreign loanwords.

This mixed system is one of the main reasons Chinese learners often have an advantage: they can recognize many kanji immediately and focus more on grammar and pronunciation, while learners from alphabetic-language backgrounds must learn three separate writing systems from scratch.

Challenges for Chinese Learners When Learning Japanese

Now that we understand why Chinese speakers often get a head start in learning Japanese, we need to remember that this advantage doesn’t make them completely immune to the common challenges and growing pains of studying the language.

1. Grammar differences

Chinese grammar generally follows the subject-verb-object (SVO) order, which is straightforward and familiar to most learners. Japanese grammar, however, follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) order, which can feel unusual at first. 

For example, in Chinese, if you want to say “I want to eat rice,” you would say:

我想吃饭
Wǒ xiǎng chī fàn

This literally means “I want eat rice.”

In Japanese, the sentence structure is different, and the object comes before the verb:

私はご飯を食べたいです
Watashi wa gohan o tabetai desu.

Translating it literally according to its order will give you, “I rice eat want.”

Even with the advantage of kanji knowledge, Chinese learners still need structured guidance to master grammar, sentence patterns, and proper usage in context. This is where Coto Academy’s Japanese lessons can make a real difference. Our courses are designed to help students of all levels, from beginners to advanced learners, build a strong foundation in grammar, expand vocabulary, and develop practical communication skills.

Coto Academy’s approach emphasizes real-life conversation and immersive practice, so you’re not just memorizing kanji and grammar. Ready to be fluent in Japanese? Contact us for a free level check below!

2. Words that look similar but mean differently

Some kanji look identical or similar to Chinese characters, but the meaning in Japanese may have shifted over time. These are often called “false friends.” For example, the character 手紙 means “letter” in Japanese (tegami), but in Chinese, 手纸 literally refers to “toilet paper.” Relying on visual similarity alone can therefore be misleading.

How Much Faster Does It Take for Chinese Speakers to Learn Japanese

JLPT Level	Chinese Learners (Hours)	Other Learners (Hours)	Time Saved
N5 (Beginner)	350	462	~25% faster
N4	550	787	~30% faster
N3	800–900	1,300	~35–40% faster
N2	1,475	2,200	~30% faster
N1	2,150	3,900	~45% faster

According to our data, Chinese learners progress through Japanese and the JLPT about 25–45% faster than other learners. For example, reaching JLPT N5 typically requires around 350 study hours for Chinese learners, compared to roughly 462 hours for others. This advantage becomes even more pronounced at higher levels. For JLPT N2, Chinese learners may need about 1,475 hours, while other learners often require around 2,200 hours. At JLPT N1, the gap widens further, with Chinese learners averaging 2,150 hours compared to 3,900 hours for others.

How Long Does It Take Chinese Speakers to Learn Japanese and Pass the JLPT

Yet despite these challenges, Chinese speakers generally learn Japanese faster than learners from alphabetic-language backgrounds, thanks to shared kanji knowledge, similar vocabulary, and familiarity with logographic writing.

It’s important to note that this comparison focuses on learning the language itself — reading, writing, listening, and speaking — not on mastering social cues or using the correct expressions in context. Those are skills that all foreign learners must develop to be truly fluent in Japanese. Here’s a breakdown of typical progress:

1. Beginner to JLPT N5 (Basic Level)

Estimated time: 3–6 months (350 hours)

For Chinese speakers, reaching the JLPT N5 level typically takes around 350 hours, which may translate to roughly 3–6 months of consistent study at 1–2 hours per day. Their prior knowledge of kanji and some shared vocabulary gives them a head start in reading and recognizing words compared to learners from alphabetic-language backgrounds.

2. Reaching JLPT N4

Estimated time:6 – 12 months (550 hours)

To reach JLPT N4, Chinese learners may need around 550 study hours. The JLPT N4 level is considered upper-beginner Japanese. At this stage, you only need to learn about 300 kanji characters, which is manageable for Chinese learners but still challenging for those from alphabetic-language backgrounds. 

300 kanji sounds like a lot in the first place, btu you still have a long way to go. To be considered “fluent,” you need to memorize the Joyo kanji, a set of 2,136 characters considered essential for everyday Japanese.

3. Reaching JLPT N3

Estimated time: 12 – 24 months (800 – 900 hours)

To reach JLPT N3, you need knowledge of roughly 650 kanji. For Chinese learners, this can take about 800–900 hours, whereas learners without kanji experience may need around 1,300 hours. Here, the advantage of prior kanji knowledge becomes more pronounced, especially for reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.

4. Advanced Fluency: JLPT N2 and N1

Estimated time: 18 months – 3 years (1,475 – 2,200 hours)

The gap between Chinese learners and others becomes most noticeable at advanced levels. JLPT N2 requires knowledge of around 1,000 kanji, while JLPT N1 demands mastery of over 2,000 kanji. Reaching N1 typically means achieving advanced proficiency: being able to read newspapers, understand TV shows, and use formal Japanese in both everyday and professional contexts — a level that can take several years for many learners.

For example, students with prior kanji knowledge may need around 1,475 hours to reach N2, while other learners often require about 2,200 hours, roughly 30% more. The gap widens further at N1, with Chinese learners averaging 2,150 hours compared to 3,900 hours for others — almost double the time!

Of course, kanji knowledge alone is not enough. Mastering grammar nuances, honorifics, and native expressions still requires extensive practice and immersion, even for Chinese speakers.

What’s Next? Start Learning Japanese at Coto Academy!

In short, Chinese speakers often have a bit of a head start when learning Japanese, thanks to their familiarity with kanji, shared vocabulary, and experience with a logographic writing system. That said, becoming truly fluent still takes work. Grammar, verb conjugations, particles, politeness levels, and cultural nuances all need to be mastered, and even with kanji knowledge, challenges like pronunciation differences, false friends, and using the right expressions in context can trip up any learner.

This is where Coto Academy’s intensive Japanese and JLPT lessons really help. Our courses are built to support learners at every level, from beginners to advanced, helping you strengthen grammar, grow your vocabulary, and practice using Japanese in real situations. With experienced teachers, immersive lessons, and a clear, step-by-step approach, Chinese learners can make the most of their kanji advantage while tackling the areas that need extra attention. 

Why join Coto Academy?

• Small classrooms with only up to 8 students for personalized support
• Professional native Japanese teachers, all trained to help you succeed
• Over 60 different Japanese classes across 18 levels, tailored to your needs
• A fully online Japanese language school so that you can learn anywhere, anytime!

Ready to start your learning journey?

FAQ

Is Japanese easier for Chinese speakers to learn?

Yes, Chinese speakers may find Japanese easier to learn because of shared Kanji characters and some similar vocabulary. However, grammar and pronunciation differences still require effort.

How long does it take to become fluent in Japanese for a Chinese speaker?

Fluency can take anywhere from 2–5 years, depending on study intensity, learning methods, and prior language experience. Intensive programs may shorten this time.

Can I learn Japanese faster if I already know Chinese characters?

Absolutely. Knowledge of Chinese characters (Kanji) gives you a head start in reading and writing Japanese, which can speed up learning significantly.

Which one is harder: Chinese or Japanese language?

Japanese is generally harder than Chinese for most learners because of its complex grammar, three writing systems, and honorifics, while Chinese has simpler grammar but requires mastering tones and many characters.

Saying “but” in Japanese is a basic conjunction used to introduce a contrast between two ideas. While the most common way to say “but” is demo (でも), there are several variations, each carrying a slightly different nuance. Some express disappointment, others are more neutral. Some appear in the middle of a sentence, while others come at the beginning.

However, because Japanese society is high-context and values the art of reading between the lines, learning about it is more than just memorizing a word. In real-life usage, words like “however,” “even though,” and “but” often function as a soft rejection or even an indirect way of making a request. You’ll hear it frequently in both spoken and written Japanese.

Curious to learn them all? Let’s explore the basic and nuanced ways to say “but” in Japanese.

1. Demo (でも)

Structure: [Sentence 1]. でも [Sentence 2]

でも is a versatile particle that allows speakers to create contrast, soften statements, or express subtle nuance. Traditionally, でも is used to connect two clauses, similar to the English word “but.” However, there are some key differences. 

Firstly, unlike English’s “but,” which often needs to be wedged between two independent clauses, でも can appear at the beginning of a sentence.

Example:
A：Bさん、今度のプレゼン、日本語でやってみたら？
A: B-san, kondo no purezen, nihongo de yatte mitara?
A: B-san, for the presentation, what about trying to do it in English?

B：でも、私、まだ日本語が下手だから．．．。
B: Demo, watashi, mada nihongo ga heta da kara…
B: But, right now, my Japanese is still poor.

Additionally, でも is more informal than “but,” which means it is widely used in everyday speech but is less appropriate in formal writing. Its usage is not limited to simple contrasts; it can also express concession or reservation depending on context. 

私は日本語が話せます。でも、日本語が書けません。
Watashi wa nihongo ga hanasemasu. Demo, nihongo ga kakemasen.
I can speak Japanese, but I cannot write Japanese.

でも can do more than simply contrast two ideas. It can also convey concession or a sense of reservation, which adds subtlety to your statements. For example:

今日は忙しいです。でも、あなたのために時間を作ります。
Kyou wa isogashii desu. Demo, anata no tame ni jikan o tsukurimasu
I am busy today, but I will make time for you

The first clause states a limitation (being busy), while the second clause shows a concession or exception. Here, でも softens the refusal and introduces a willingness to compromise, making the statement polite and considerate rather than blunt.

Before you continue reading, make sure you at least know how to read hiragana. Check out our blog on the hiragana chart to download a free PDF.

2. Kedo (けど)

Structure: [Clause 1] + けど + [Clause 2]

けど (kedo) is another very common way to say “but” in Japanese, and it’s closely related to でも (demo). Like でも, it connects two contrasting ideas. However, けど is generally more casual and softer than でも.

One key difference is that けど can appear at the end of a sentence, often to imply something indirectly or to make a request politely. In English, this is like trailing off with “but…”

Why so? In Japanese culture, being indirect is often considered polite, especially when making requests or expressing disagreement. When placed at the end of a sentence, it softens the statement or request, making it less direct and leaving room for the listener to respond. 

If you are curious to learn more, we have a separate article about why けど and が are used for more than just saying “but”. 

3. Keredomo (けれども)

Structure: [Clause 1] + けど + [Clause 2]

When it comes to meaning and usage, there’s not much difference between けど and けれども. The main thing is that けれども is the full, more formal version. You can use it if you want your sentence or conversation to sound a bit more polished.

Just like けど, けれども usually means “but,” but because it’s more formal, it can feel closer to “although” or “provided that.” Basically, it highlights that while you’re thinking about (A), (B) is important or needs to be considered.

Also, like けど and other “but” words in Japanese, the part after けれども is often left out if it’s obvious or if the speaker doesn’t really want to say it.

映画を見に行きたいけれども、今日はちょっと疲れている。
Eiga o mi ni ikitai keredomo, kyou wa chotto tsukarete iru.
I want to go see a movie, but I’m a bit tired today.

4. Ga (が)

Structure: [Clause 1] + けど + [Clause 2]

The versatile が particle can also function as a conjunction used to contrast two ideas, similar to “but” in English. が is more formal and neutral than けど, and it often appears within a single sentence.

Interestingly, が can carry nuances similar to けど, hinting at a soft rejection, an indirect request, or bringing up a topic gently. This is particularly useful in Japanese society, which values indirect communication. Using けど or が at the end of a sentence gives listeners a subtle hint about what the speaker intends without stating it explicitly. Paying attention to these social cues helps you understand the speaker’s true meaning.

 テーブルが汚いんですが。
Teiburu ga kitanain desu ga.
The table is dirty (could you please wipe it)?

Here, the speaker is indirectly suggesting that the table should be cleaned. By adding が, the statement becomes less aggressive, softening the complaint to something like: “The table is dirty, but…” This subtlety makes the communication polite and considerate while still conveying the intended message.

5. Shikashi (しかし)

Structure: しかし + [Sentence]

Ever hear someone say “however” in everyday English conversation? Probably you have, but rarely. The reason might be that it sounds stiff and formal. Similarly, しかし (shikashi) carries the same tone in Japanese. While it can indicate the same meaning as “but,” it is typically more formal. しかし is most often found in writing, essays, news articles, reports, or formal speeches rather than in casual conversation. It emphasizes contrast between two ideas in a clear, logical, and often strong way, making it useful when you want to connect two contrasting points in a precise manner.

Like “however” in English, しかし (shikashi) is typically used at the beginning of a sentence, introducing a statement that contrasts with the previous idea.

この計画は面白いです。しかし、実現は難しいです。
Kono keikaku wa omoshiroi desu. Shikashi, jitsugen wa muzukashii desu.
This plan is interesting. However, implementing it is difficult.

6. Sore Demo (それでも)

Structure: それでも + [Sentence]

それでも translates roughly as “even so” or “nevertheless” in English. Unlike しかし (shikashi), which carries a sense that the contrasting idea is absolute, それでも acknowledges the first statement while introducing a new point, leaving more flexibility in the conversation. それでも often shifts the conversation toward a more positive or constructive perspective, acknowledging the first point but introducing a solution, alternative, or hopeful aspect. In contrast, しかし usually emphasizes a negative or limiting contrast

今日は雨が降っています。しかし、試合は中止になりません.
Kyou wa ame ga futteimasu. Shikashi, shiai wa chuushi ni narimasen.
It’s raining today. However, the game will not be canceled.

Notice in the example above, the focus is on the negative situation (rain) and contrasts it firmly with the outcome.

今日は雨が降っています。それでも、試合は楽しめます。
Kyou wa ame ga futteimasu. Sore demo, shiai wa tanoshimemasu.
It’s raining today. Even so, we can still enjoy the game.

Here, the rain is acknowledged, but the focus moves to a positive possibility.

In other words, it softens the contrast rather than completely rejecting the previous idea. This makes それでも a more diplomatic way to express “but” in Japanese, especially when discussing differing opinions with friends, coworkers, or in situations where you want to be considerate of the other person’s perspective.

7. Noni (のに)

Type	Structure
Verb (plain form)	Verb + のに
い-adjective	Adjective + のに
な-adjective	Adjective + な + のに
Noun	Noun + なのに

のに is a conjunction that expresses disappointment or frustration, and can be translated as “even though,” “although,” or “in spite of.” It is used to combine two sentences in a way that highlights an unexpected or undesirable outcome.

The structure is simple: (Sentence A) のに + (Sentence B)

Think of it as: “Despite the fact that (Sentence A), (Sentence B).”

What makes のに different from other “but” words like けど or が is that it doesn’t just contrast two ideas—it highlights a result that went against what you expected, often with an emotional punch.

たくさん勉強したのに、試験に落ちてしまった。
Takusan benkyou shita noni, shiken ni ochite shimatta.
Even though I studied a lot, I failed the exam.

See the pattern? のに lets you show that something didn’t go as expected, and it’s a great way to express mild frustration.

Here’s another tip to make your Japanese sound more natural: while のに is usually followed by a second statement to complete the contrast, in casual conversation, you can use it on its own to imply disappointment. This way, you can express frustration or surprise without needing to finish the sentence. 

たくさん勉強したのに….
Takusen benkyou shita no ni…
Even though I studied a lot…

8. Tokoro Ga (ところが)

Structure: [Sentence 1]. ところが [Sentence 2]

Another way to express an unexpected result in Japanese is ところが. It comes from the noun ところ (tokoro), which literally means “place,” combined with the particle が. You use it when something happens that’s completely different from what you expected.

You’ll usually see ところが at the beginning of a new sentence. If you’ve learned ところで, which means “by the way,” the structure looks the same, but the meaning is totally different. ところが is all about pointing out something that contrasts with what came before.

One thing to keep in mind: ところが is mostly used for things outside the speaker’s control. Unlike のに, it doesn’t always carry a negative feeling. For example, if you try to do something and think it might fail, you can also use ところが when it unexpectedly works out!

昨日は雨が降ると思っていた。ところが、朝から晴れていた。
Kinou wa ame ga furu to omotte ita. Tokoro ga, asa kara hanarete ita.
I thought it would rain yesterday. However, it was sunny from the morning.

9. To Ittemo (とは言っても)

Structure: [A] と言っても [B]

The phrase と言っても is a handy way to say “even if I say (A)” or “though you could say (A).” It comes from と言う (“to say”) + ても (“even if”), so literally it’s like saying “even if I say…” You use it when you want to introduce an idea but immediately clarify or add nuance to it. It works after almost any word or tense. Just a note: for な-adjectives and nouns, you might sometimes hear だ before と言っても, though often it’s left out. Also, if there’s no clear speaker, と言っても can mean something like “some might say (A)” or “it’s said that (A).” Basically, it’s perfect for softening your statement or adding a little extra nuance.

高いと言っても、そんなに高くないよ。
Takai to ittemo, sonna ni takakunai yo.
Even if I say it’s expensive, it’s really not that bad.

10. Tada (ただ)

Structure: [Statement 1]. ただ, [Statement 2]

ただ literally means “only” or “just,” but when used in conversation or writing, it often works like “however” or “but” to add a small limitation or exception to what you just said. It’s less formal than しかし but more neutral than けれど.

You can use ただ when you want to point out a caveat without making it sound too strong or confrontational.

このレストランは美味しい。ただ、少し高い。
Kono resutoran wa oishii. Tada, sukoshi takai.
This restaurant is tasty. But it’s a bit expensive.

How Japanese People Use “But”

This is where Japanese “but” gets interesting. We have briefly mentioned this in the grammar けど and が. Unlike English, where “but” mainly signals contrast, in Japanese, there are several grammatical roles it can play, depending on the word you use.

1. The obvious contrast

The most familiar and very obvious use of “but” is to show direct opposition between two ideas. Words like でも, けど, が, and しかし fit this category. Here, it is simple: the first clause is true, and the second clause introduces an opposing situation.

2. Softening statement

As a country known for its high-context communication, where meaning relies heavily on nonverbal cues, relationships, and shared cultural knowledge rather than explicitly stated words, some “buts” (especially が and けれど) don’t signal strong contradiction. Instead, they function as softeners, similar to saying “I would say… but…” in English.

そう思うが、どうかな。
Sou omou ga, dou ka na.
I think so, but I’m not sure.

Here, the second clause doesn’t fully contradict the first. It just makes the statement less blunt.

3. Rejecting something

Japanese culture favors indirect rejection, so “but” isn’t always used to directly argue. Instead, it can politely decline or contradict without sounding harsh. Some Japanese “buts” are used specifically to reject, object, or disagree. This is very common in conversation when you want to refuse a suggestion or gently contradict someone.

Often, the speaker may leave the sentence incomplete, ending it with が or けど without finishing the thought. The listener is expected to “read between the lines” and understand the implied refusal.

If someone asks you out on a date, you could say:

用事があるんですが
Youji ga arundesu ga….
I have plans, but…

Here, you don’t need to finish the sentence. The other person will usually understand that you’re politely declining.

Conclusion: But Wait! Learn Japanese with Coto Academy!

Now that we have learned “but” is a versatile tool that can soften statements, add nuance, show concession, express surprise, or even politely reject an idea, the next thing we need to do is apply it in real life. 

Ready to take your Japanese to the next level? Coto Academy offers fun, practical lessons to help you read between the lines and use expressions like a native speaker. Start learning today, and never be caught off guard by a subtle “but” again!

Why join Coto Academy?

• Over  60+ different Japanese classes over 18 levels
• Small classroom of only up to 8 students for personalized support
• Professional, native Japanese teachers
• Japanese classes in Tokyo and Yokohama, and an online Japanese language school!

Ready to get started? Fill out the form below to contact us!

FAQ

How do you say “but” in Japanese?

The most common words for “but” are でも (demo), が (ga), and しかし (shikashi).

When should I use でも (demo)?

You use でも to connect contrasting ideas in casual conversation.

When should I use しかし (shikashi)?

しかし is more formal and common in writing, news, or essays.

What is the difference between でも and が?

Yes, でも can start a sentence to contrast with a previous statement.

Read More:

• Guide to Japanese Particle
• Basic Japanese Words to Know

Congratulations! Whether it’s something you’ve achieved or a win for someone you care about, celebrating life’s big and small moments is a universal experience. Acknowledging these moments verbally is just as important. The most common way to say “congratulations” in Japanese is おめでとう (omedetou). But just like in English, there are many other ways to say “well done,” give kudos for someone’s hard work, and share in their good news.

In this guide, we’ll go over the different ways to say congratulations in Japanese, when you can use them, and introduce other similar expressions that can also be used to commemorate someone’s success or good news.

Meaning of “Omedetou” (おめでとう) in Japanese

As we mentioned, the most common and basic way to say “congratulations” in Japanese is by saying, “おめでとうございます (omedetou gozaimasu).” You may have learned おめでとう (omedetou) before, but what does it actually mean?

The phrase is almost always written in hiragana in modern Japanese and is rarely seen in kanji. However, looking at its original kanji form may help reveal its deeper meaning and how it came to represent the feeling of joy and praise we use today.

Historically, omedetou was written as either お目出度う or お芽出度う. Here is a breakdown of each character: 

• お (o): an honorific prefix showing respect or politeness
• 目/芽 (me): means eye or bud, symbolizing something visible or something about to grow
• 出 (de): means to come out, emerge, or appear
• 度 (tou): means degree, extent, or occasion

Together, the expression can be interpreted as “it’s a joyous occasion to see something sprouting or coming to life.”

You can probably tell how its rather poetic origin connects with its current usage of celebrating success or growth, such as someone achieving a goal, reaching a milestone, or beginning a new chapter. Over time, this meaning evolved into the modern sense of “congratulations,” which expresses genuine happiness for someone else’s accomplishment.

How to Use Omedetou in Japanese

Intuitively, you could use omedetou in the same way you would use “congratulations” in English. You can use it whenever you want to praise someone for their recent achievements or positive events, for instance: getting married, giving birth, starting a business, or getting a medical license. 

However, omedetou is arguably more flexible than “congratulations” since you can also use it for celebratory occasions such as birthdays or New Year’s. It turns out that there are a variety of uses for omedetou, and its usage might slightly change depending on the situation. 

Keep in mind that おめでとう (omedetou) is the more casual form. To make it more formal, you add ございます (gozaimasu) after it. This follows the same principle as saying thank you in Japanese: ありがとう (arigatou) is casual, while ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) is more polite.

10 Ways to Say Congratulations in Japanese

So, what are all the possible ways you can say congratulations in Japanese? Are there alternatives that are better for certain situations?

1. おめでとう: Omedetou

Omedetou, as mentioned, means “congratulations” or “congrats!” It is common in a more casual context, like with friends and family. The expression is widely applicable to a variety of situations, from celebrating a friend’s success to wishing a happy birthday or holiday. For example, when your friend passes the highly challenging JLPT N2 exam, you can congratulate them by saying: 

日本語能力試験N2合格おめでとう！

Nihongo nouryoku shiken N2 goukaku omedetou!

Congrats on passing the JLPT N2!

You can attach almost any milestone or accomplishment to it, like 結婚おめでとう (kekkon omedetou) for marriage, 合格おめでとう (goukaku omedetou) for passing an exam, or 卒業おめでとう (sotsugyou omedetou) for graduation.

2. おめでとうございます Omedetou Gozaimasu

By adding ございます(gozaimasu) to おめでとう(omedetou), you are making the phrase more formal. Omedetou gozaimasu is commonly used in a work or formal setting where you’re speaking to your boss, colleagues, or clients. For example, if your colleague recently got married, you could congratulate them with this expression. 

ご結婚おめでとうございます。
Gokekkon omedetougozaimasu
Congratulations on your wedding

Read More: Guide to Japanese Weddings and How to Congratulate Newlyweds

3. めでたしめでたし:  Medetashi Medetashi

This is a rather traditional expression that’s not used too often today, but can be a fun and sincere way to express your happiness for someone or to congratulate them. The phrase means something like “all is well that ends well” or “happily ever after”. It has a rather poetic tone to it, like something from a folktale. 

Medetashi medetashi has a lyrical ring and jubilant tone, so if you do say it, people will appreciate your joyous nature and knowledge of traditional Japanese expressions. While it’s no longer used very often, you can use this phrase to sincerely congratulate someone on just about any occasion. It can also be used humorously to express congratulations for a pleasant end to something

試験も終わって試験も終わったし、結果も良かったし。めでたしめでたし！
Shiken mo owatte shi、kekka mo yokatta shi. Medetashi medetashi!
The exams are over and the results were good. All is well that ends well!

4. 良かった: Yokatta

“Yokatta” stems from the root adjective 良い (yoi or ii), which means “good” or “well.” 良かった (yokatta) is a familiar expression often used casually to show that you’re glad something went well. Its literal translation is “was good,” but in conversation it often conveys a warmer meaning such as “that’s good to hear” or “I’m happy to hear that.” It’s a friendly, heartfelt expression that’s great to use with close friends.

仕事が決まったんだって？よかったね！
Shigoto ga kimattan datte? Yokatta ne!
You got the job? That’s awesome!

Did you know you can say yokatta for “you’re welcome in Japanese”. Read our blog for 11 ways to say you’re welcome in Japanese. 

5. やったね: Yatta ne

Yatta ne is the warm and spontaneous “you did it!” or “well done”, that you blurt out when you’re proud of someone. Compared to omodetou, which is polite and celebratory, “yatta ne” is more casual, warm, and meant to highlight someone’s accomplishments. So, you would say it after someone achieved something like graduation rather than at weddings or birthdays.

The word やった (yatta) is the past tense of the verb やる (yaru), meaning “to do” or “to accomplish.” When said with excitement, it expresses joy, relief, or triumph, similar to shouting “Yes!” or “Woohoo!” in English. Adding ね (ne) at the end softens it slightly, making it sound friendly and affirming, like “You did it!” or “That’s great, huh!”

テストに合格したの？やったね！
Tesuto ni goukaku shita no? Yatta ne!
You passed the test? That’s awesome!

6. お祝い申し上げます: Oiwa Moushi Agemasu

This is a very formal way of saying congratulations since it uses keigo, or the formal Japanese language. This expression is often reserved for writing in formal letters or emails to someone you want to congratulate. The character 祝 (shuku) or お祝い (oiwai) means celebration or congratulations, and 申し上げます (moushi agemasu) is the keigo conjugation for “to give” or “to offer”.

So, the phrase means “I offer my congratulations”. This expression is common in business writing or formal emails when you want to congratulate a client or even a colleague. 

ご入学にあたり、お祝いの言葉を申し上げます
Gonyuugaku ni atari, oiwai no kotoba o moushiagemasu.
To your enrollment celebration, I offer my congratulations.

7. お幸せに: Oshiawase Ni

The expression closely translates to “wishing you happiness”, more literally “to your happiness”, with the term 幸せ (shiawase) meaning “happiness” and に (ni) meaning “to”. You often say it for weddings or engagements to wish the bride/groom a life of happiness. 

いつまでもお幸せに！
Itsu made mo oshiawase ni!
Wishing you happiness forever!

8. 素晴らしい Subarashii

素晴らしい (subarashii) means “wonderful” or “amazing” and can be used as a congratulatory remark to someone’s incredible achievements. You can use subrashii to express your genuine admiration, delight, or praise for someone who just accomplished something grand or difficult. You can say “subarashii” alone as a heartfelt “congratulations” in response to someone’s success or good news.

すばらしいニュースですね！
Subarashii nyuusu desu ne!
That’s wonderful news!

9. すごい: Sugoi

Sugoi is one of the most versatile words in Japanese, as you can use it to express surprise, excitement, delight, disgust, and, of course, admiration for someone’s achievements. It’s somewhat similar to saying “wow” which can also be used in a wide variety of contexts. So in the context of using “sugoi” to praise someone, it would be similar to saying “that’s amazing” or “that’s awesome”. The expression is warm and casual, giving a feeling of closeness. 

昇進おめでとう！ すごいじゃん！
Shoushin omedetou! Sugoi jan!
“Congrats on the promotion! That’s awesome!”

10. お疲れ様でした: Otsukaresama Deshita

Otsukare sama desu or otsukaresama deshita (past tense) is a staple phrase in the Japanese workplace. Generally, it is used to express your appreciation for your colleague’s hard work and as a way of maintaining good Japanese business manners. However, otsukare sama is actually quite flexible and can even be used to congratulate someone. 

For instance, if you want to congratulate a colleague for their success on a project, you can say otsukaresamadeshita to express your admiration of their hard work. 

発表お疲れ様でした！
Happyou otsukaresama deshita!
Great job on your presentation!

Different Situations for Using Omedetou

There are many ways to say “congratulations” in Japanese, but the phrase omedetou is quite flexible and can be used in a variety of situations. Below are a few common occasions when you can say “omedetou!”

Situation	Japanese Phrase	Romaji	English
Birthday	お誕生日おめでとう	Otanjoubi omedetou	Happy birthday!
New Year	明けましておめでとう	Akemashite omedetou	Happy New Year!
Wedding	ご結婚おめでとうございます	Gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu	Congratulations on your wedding!
Graduation	ご卒業おめでとうございます	Gosotsugyou omedetou gozaimasu	Congrats on your graduation!
New Job	就職おめでとう	Shuushoku omedetou	Congrats for getting a new job!
Passing exam	合格おめでとう	Goukaku omedetou	Congrats on passing!
New Baby	ご出産おめでとうございます	Goshussan omedetou gozaimasu	Congrats on your new baby!

Omedetou for Getting to the End! What to Keep in Mind

おめでとう (omedetou) is one of the most versatile and useful expressions for saying “congratulations” or simply expressing joy for good news in Japanese. However, it’s not the only way to celebrate someone’s success or milestone. Japanese has a rich variety of expressions you can use depending on your relationship with the person and the level of formality you want to convey.

To truly understand when and how to use omedetou and other natural Japanese phrases in real-life conversations, we recommend taking lessons with experienced Japanese teachers who can help you sound confident and natural in everyday situations.

Why not join fun, conversation-focused lessons at Coto Academy? As Tokyo and Yokohama’s No. 1 Japanese language school, Coto Academy specializes in helping students speak Japanese confidently from day one.

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• Small classrooms with only up to 8 students for personalized support
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FAQ

Can I say おめでとう (omedetou) to my boss or teacher?

You should avoid saying just omedetou to people above you in rank or age. Instead, use the more polite form おめでとうございます (omedetou gozaimasu) to show respect.

What’s the difference between おめでとう (omedetou) and お祝い (oiwai)?

Omedetou is what you say directly to someone, like “Congratulations!” Oiwai (お祝い) is a noun meaning “celebration” or “congratulatory gift,” which is usually expressed in writing and is considered very formal.  

Can I use おめでとう (omedetou) casually with friends?

Yes! With close friends or family, you can drop the polite ending and simply say おめでとう(omedetou), or even add emphasis like やったね (yatta ne) or すごいね (sugoi ne)

What should I write on a wedding card in Japanese?

For formal occasions, you should add ございます (gozaimasu) to the phrase. For instance, ご結婚おめでとうございます (gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu), which means “Congratulations on your marriage.”

What’s the meaning of めでたしめでたし (medetashi medetashi)?

It literally means “and they lived happily ever after”, the kind of phrase used to end a story with a positive outcome. You can use it humorously or lightheartedly to wrap up a happy situation, like after solving a problem or completing a big task.