Learning Japanese can feel overwhelming at first, but mastering basic greetings and essential vocabulary is a great way to start. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, interacting with Japanese speakers, or just curious about the language, these words and phrases will help you build a solid foundation.
At Coto Japanese Academy, we specialize in creating personalized learning experiences for Japanese language learners. Located in the heart of Tokyo, we offer small class sizes, experienced teachers, and a variety of courses tailored to meet your goals—whether you’re looking to improve conversational skills, prepare for the JLPT, or immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Start your language journey with us today!
Mastering Basic Japanese Greetings and Essential Words
Basic Japanese Words for Greetings
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| おはようございます | Ohayou gozaimasu | Good morning (formal) |
| こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello/ good afternoon |
| こんばんは | Konbanwa | Good evening |
| おやすみなさい | Oyasuminasai | Goodnight (formal) |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me/ sorry |
| ごめんなさい | Gomennasai | Sorry (formal) |
| はい | Hai | Yes |
| いいえ | Iie | No |
Cultural Tip: In Japan, bowing while saying greetings is a common practice and shows respect. Try incorporating a slight bow when greeting people.
Talking About Family in Japanese
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| わたし | Watashi | I/me |
| あなた | Anata | You |
| お母さん | おかあさん Okaasan | Mother |
| お父さん | おとうさん Otousan | Father |
| お爺さん | おじいさん Ojiisan | Grandfather |
| お婆さん | おばあさん Obaasan | Grandmother |
| おじさん | Ojisan | Uncle |
| おばさん | Obasan | Aunt |
| お兄さん | おにいさん Oniisan | Older brother |
| お姉さん | おねえさん Oneesan | Older sister |
| 弟 | おとうと Otouto | Younger brother |
| 妹 | いもうと Imouto | Younger sister |
Did you know? The use of honorifics like “-san” adds politeness and respect to family terms.
Counting in Japanese: Numbers 1-10
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| 一 | いち Ichi | One |
| 二 | に Ni | Two |
| 三 | さん San | Three |
| 四 | し/よん Shi/yon | Four |
| 五 | ご Go | Five |
| 六 | ろく Roku | Six |
| 七 | しち/なな Shichi/nana | Seven |
| 八 | はち Hachi | Eight |
| 九 | きゅう Kyuu | Nine |
| 十 | じゅう Juu | Ten |
Tip: “Shi” (four) is sometimes avoided because it sounds like the word for “death” in Japanese.
Months of the Year in Japanese
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| 一月 | いちがつ Ichigatsu | January |
| 二月 | にがつ Nigatsu | February |
| 三月 | さんがつ Sangatsu | March |
| 四月 | しがつ Shigatsu | April |
| 五月 | ごがつ Gogatsu | May |
| 六月 | ろくがつ Rokugatsu | June |
| 七月 | しちがつ Shichigatsu | July |
| 八月 | はちがつ Hachigatsu | August |
| 九月 | くがつ Kugatsu | September |
| 十月 | じゅうがつ Juugatsu | October |
| 十一月 | じゅういちがつ Juuichigatsu | November |
| 十二月 | じゅうにがつ Juunigatsu | December |
Days of the Week & Times of the Day in Japanese
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| 月曜日 | げつようび Getsuyoubi | Monday |
| 火曜日 | かようび Kayoubi | Tuesday |
| 水曜日 | すいようび Suiyoubi | Wednesday |
| 木曜日 | もくようび Mokuyoubi | Thursday |
| 金曜日 | きんようび Kinyoubi | Friday |
| 土曜日 | どようび Doyoubi | Saturday |
| 日曜日 | にちようび Nichiyoubi | Sunday |
| 昨日 | きのう Kinou | Yesterday |
| 今日 | きょう Kyou | Today |
| 明日 | あした Ashita | Tomorrow |
| 朝 | あさ Asa | Morning |
| 昼 | ひる Hiru | Noon |
| 夕方 | ゆうがた Yuugata | Evening |
| 夜 | よる Yoru | Night |
Quick Fact: The days of the week are named after natural elements such as the moon (Getsu) and fire (Ka).
Must-Know Japanese Adjectives
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| 楽しい | たのしい Tanoshii | Happy |
| 悲しい | かなしい Kanashii | Sad |
| 高い | たかい Takai | High/expensive |
| 低い | ひくい Hikui | Low |
| 安い | やすい Yasui | Cheap |
| 早い | はやい Hayai | Fast/early |
| 遅い | おそい Osoi | Slow |
| 忙しい | いそがしい Isogashii | Busy |
| 美味しい | おいしい Oishii | Delicious |
| 不味い | まずい Mazui | Awful |
| 甘い | あまい Amai | Sweet |
| 塩っぱい | しょっぱい Shoppai | Salty |
| 酸っぱい | すっぱい Suppai | Sour |
| 苦い | にがい Nigai | Bitter |
| 辛い | からい Karai | Hot/ spicy |
| 熱い | あつい Atsui | Hot |
| 暖かい | あたたかい Atatakai | Warm |
| 冷たい | つめたい Tsumetai | Cold |
| 明るい | あかるい Akarui | Bright |
| 暗い | くらい Kurai | Dark |
Try This: Describe your meal using these adjectives next time you eat Japanese food!
Common Japanese Verbs for Daily Use
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| する | Suru | To do |
| 見る | みる Miru | To see |
| 聞く | きく Kiku | To listen |
| 話す | はなす Hanasu | To talk/speak |
| 言う | いう Iu | To say |
| 書く | かく Kaku | To write |
| 食べる | たべる Taberu | To eat |
| 飲む | のむ Nomu | To drink |
| 歩く | あるく Aruku | To walk |
| 走る | はしる Hashiru | To run |
| 座る | すわる Suwaru | To sit |
| 立つ | たつ Tatsu | To stand |
Practice Tip: Create sentences combining verbs with nouns, like “ごはんを食べる” (Gohan o taberu – I eat rice).
Food Japanese Vocabulary
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| 食べ物 | たべもの Tabemono | Food |
| 飲み物 | のみもの Nomimono | Drinks |
| ご飯 | ごはん Gohan | Rice/meal |
| 水 | みず Mizu | Water/cold water |
| お湯 | おゆ Oyu | Hot water |
| 肉 | にく Niku | Meat |
| 野菜 | やさい Yasai | Vegetable |
| 魚 | さかな Sakana | Fish |
| ラーメン | Ra-men | Ramen |
| 寿司 | すし Sushi | Sushi |
| おにぎり | Onigiri | Onigiri |
For the next step after learning these basic Japanese words, equip yourself with basic Japanese grammar.
If you wish to have a short-term study in Tokyo, Check out our 3-month intensive Japanese courses. Also, feel free to send us an inquiry if you have any questions!
Start taking Japanese lessons and master these 100 basic Japanese words!
FAQ
Start with greetings and polite expressions like:
- おはようございます : Ohayou gozaimasu (Good morning)
- ありがとうございます : Arigatou gozaimasu (Thank you)
- すみません : Sumimasen (Excuse me / Sorry)
These words will help you navigate basic conversations respectfully.
Gozaimasu is a polite ending often added to expressions to show respect. For example, “Arigatou gozaimasu” is a formal way of saying “thank you.”
It depends on your goals. In one year, with consistent study and practice, you can achieve conversational proficiency in daily scenarios. However, mastering advanced grammar and kanji will take longer. At Coto Japanese Academy, our tailored courses and immersive programs are designed to help you maximize your learning and see real progress within a year.
A basic introduction looks like this:
- “よろしくおねがいします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)” – Please treat me well.
- “はじめまして (Hajimemashite)” – Nice to meet you.
- “わたしのなまえは [Your Name] です (Watashi no namae wa [Your Name] desu)” – My name is [Your Name].
Moshi moshi (もしもし) is a greeting used when answering the phone in Japanese. It’s informal and typically used among friends or family.
- Flashcard apps like Anki for vocabulary.
- Language exchange apps like HelloTalk.
- Enrolling in immersive courses like our 3-month intensive program.
“Shi” is often avoided because it sounds like the word for “death,” so “yon” is used more commonly in daily life.