What words are worth knowing in Japanese?
Why Learn Important Japanese Words?
Japanese is one of the most fascinating and beautiful languages in the world. It’s spoken by over 125 million people and is known for its politeness, culture, and unique way of expressing ideas. But when you’re just starting to learn, a big question comes to mind: What words are worth knowing in Japanese?
This article will help you answer that question in a fun, clear, and simple way. Even if you’re 10 years old, you’ll be able to follow along and discover Japanese words that are important for speaking, listening, and understanding.
Before we dive in, here’s one useful example: knowing how to say good morning in Japanese helps you start your day the right way in Japanese. It shows kindness, respect, and friendliness — which are big parts of Japanese culture.
Now let’s explore the most useful and meaningful Japanese words everyone should know.
Basic Everyday Words You Must Learn
A. Greetings and Politeness
Japanese people use polite words every day. These are must-know expressions that help you sound respectful and friendly.
- こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello / Good afternoon
- おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – Good morning
- こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good evening
- さようなら (Sayounara) – Goodbye
- ありがとう (Arigatou) – Thank you
- すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me / Sorry
- お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – Please
These words are used all the time. If you only learn these, you’ll already be able to greet people, say thanks, and be polite in many situations.
B. Yes and No
- はい (Hai) – Yes
- いいえ (Iie) – No
Simple, right? But very important!
Question Words for Asking Anything
If you want to understand people or ask questions, these words are essential.
- なに (Nani) – What
- いつ (Itsu) – When
- どこ (Doko) – Where
- だれ (Dare) – Who
- どうして (Doushite) – Why
- どう (Dou) – How
Example:
- “What is that?” → あれはなんですか？ (Are wa nan desu ka?)
These words are like tools. They help you build questions and start conversations.
Words for People and Pronouns
Knowing how to talk about people is super useful.
- わたし (Watashi) – I / Me
- あなた (Anata) – You
- かれ (Kare) – He / Him
- かのじょ (Kanojo) – She / Her
- ともだち (Tomodachi) – Friend
- かぞく (Kazoku) – Family
- せんせい (Sensei) – Teacher
- がくせい (Gakusei) – Student
With these words, you can talk about yourself, others, and important people in your life.
Food Words You’ll Definitely Use
Japanese food is famous all over the world. These words help you eat and order like a pro.
- ごはん (Gohan) – Rice / Meal
- みず (Mizu) – Water
- にく (Niku) – Meat
- さかな (Sakana) – Fish
- やさい (Yasai) – Vegetables
- すし (Sushi) – Sushi
- てんぷら (Tempura) – Fried food
- おいしい (Oishii) – Delicious
- まずい (Mazui) – Tastes bad
Imagine going to a restaurant and being able to say:
- “This is delicious!” → これはおいしいです！ (Kore wa oishii desu!)
Important Place Words
Whether you’re visiting Japan or just watching Japanese TV, place words are key.
- えき (Eki) – Station
- がっこう (Gakkou) – School
- うち / いえ (Uchi / Ie) – Home / House
- みせ (Mise) – Shop
- こうえん (Kouen) – Park
- びょういん (Byouin) – Hospital
- トイレ (Toire) – Toilet
- くるま (Kuruma) – Car
- でんしゃ (Densha) – Train
These help you talk about where you are, where you’re going, or where someone else is.
Feeling and Emotion Words
Expressing how you feel is part of every language. Here are Japanese words to show your emotions.
- たのしい (Tanoshii) – Fun
- うれしい (Ureshii) – Happy
- かなしい (Kanashii) – Sad
- こわい (Kowai) – Scary
- びっくり (Bikkuri) – Surprised
- つかれた (Tsukareta) – Tired
- だいじょうぶ (Daijoubu) – Okay / Alright
You can say:
- “I’m happy!” → うれしい！ (Ureshii!)
- “Are you okay?” → だいじょうぶですか？ (Daijoubu desu ka?)
Numbers and Time Words
Numbers help you count, shop, and tell the time.
A. Numbers
- いち (Ichi) – 1
- に (Ni) – 2
- さん (San) – 3
- し / よん (Shi / Yon) – 4
- ご (Go) – 5
- ろく (Roku) – 6
- しち / なな (Shichi / Nana) – 7
- はち (Hachi) – 8
- きゅう / く (Kyuu / Ku) – 9
- じゅう (Juu) – 10
B. Time Words
- いま (Ima) – Now
- きょう (Kyou) – Today
- あした (Ashita) – Tomorrow
- きのう (Kinou) – Yesterday
- じかん (Jikan) – Time
- とき (Toki) – Moment / Time
Unique Japanese Words with Deep Meaning
Some Japanese words have no direct English translation, but they’re full of culture and feeling.
- もったいない (Mottainai) – Don’t waste / Value what you have
- なつかしい (Natsukashii) – A sweet, nostalgic feeling
- がんばって (Ganbatte) – Do your best / Hang in there
- わびさび (Wabi-sabi) – Beauty in imperfection
- おもてなし (Omotenashi) – Deep hospitality and service
- せんぱい (Senpai) – A senior or mentor
- こうはい (Kouhai) – A junior or newcomer
These words reflect Japanese values like respect, nature, emotion, and harmony.
Words for Everyday Actions
Verbs are important. Here are easy ones you’ll use all the time:
- たべる (Taberu) – Eat
- のむ (Nomu) – Drink
- みる (Miru) – See / Watch
- いく (Iku) – Go
- くる (Kuru) – Come
- ねる (Neru) – Sleep
- はなす (Hanasu) – Speak / Talk
- きく (Kiku) – Listen / Ask
- する (Suru) – Do
- あるく (Aruku) – Walk
- はしる (Hashiru) – Run
You can say:
- “Let’s go!” → いこう！ (Ikou!)
- “I’m going to eat.” → たべます。 (Tabemasu.)
How to Use These Words Together
Once you know the right words, you can start building real sentences. That’s where the fun begins! You can say things like:
- “Good morning, I’m a student.” → おはようございます。わたしはがくせいです。
- “Where is the train station?” → えきはどこですか？
- “This sushi is delicious!” → このすしはおいしいです！
You don’t need to be perfect. Just knowing the right words is a great start!
Conclusion: Build Your Vocabulary with Purpose
Learning Japanese can feel like a big task — but if you focus on the words that matter most, it becomes much easier and more fun. You don’t need to memorize everything. Just start with greetings, feelings, numbers, food, and basic actions.
By knowing what words are worth knowing in Japanese, you can speak with confidence, understand others, and enjoy Japanese culture much more deeply.
And if you’re ready to take the next step, try practicing phrases like introducing yourself in Japanese — because learning the right words is just the beginning of your language adventure!