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The 100 Most Important Japanese Words You Should KnowPost by Koichi

Say you booked a last minute trip to Japan. Soon after that, you quickly realize that you don’t know any Japanese words (let alone a hundred words). For all of you people out there (or, for all of you beginners of Japanese out there), this list is for you. These 100 words will get you through an untold number of situations, problems, and feelings, just by knowing these all-important words. I’m not saying that there aren’t any other important words out there (and I hope you add to the list by commenting below), but I do think this list of 100 Japanese words will get you really, really far if you are, for some reason, only limited to learning 100 words. Enjoy!

Having trouble pronouncing these “crazy” Japanese words? Try out some of the free lessons on Text Fugu to become a Japanese pronunciation master.

EmergencyIf you’re traveling to Japan, you’re going to want to know words that have to do with “emergency” situations. You don’t want to be caught off guard in a foreign country. If you’re in trouble, you need to be able to ask for some help, whether that help is finding a bathroom or getting someone who speaks English.

トイレ (toire) = Toilet. Everyone has to use the toilet at some point, so if you need help finding it, this is the word for you.

手洗い (tearai) = Bathroom. Just like toilet, but a little more all-inclusive. You can feel free to use either of these in a pinch, though.

助けて (tasukete) = HELP. Just yell this out and (maybe) someone will come to your aid… if you’re lucky.

わかりません (wakarimasen) = I don’t understand. If someone is speaking to you in Japanese and you don’t understand them (if you’re using this list, then maybe you don’t) then you can just tell them you don’t understand what they’re saying. Follow that up with “eigo, eigo” (which you’ll learn in a minute) and you’ll be golden.

やめて！ (yamete!) = Stop it! Maybe somebody is messing with you and you want them to stop (yakuza? probably not). This is what you’d want to say.

英語 (eigo) = English. Sometimes you just need someone who speaks some English. Everyone in Japan is supposed to be able to speak English, though you might have trouble finding the right person depending on where you are.

服 (fuku) = Clothes. Don’t ask… I just thought it would be terrible to lose your clothes, and with all the hot springs and perverts, you never know.

死にそう (shini sou) = Seems Like I’m Going To Die. When things get really serious, you may need to pull out all the stops.

警察 (keisatsu) = Police. If something really bad happens, these are the guys you’re going to want to ask for.

危ない (abunai) = Dangerous. You’ll see this on signs and stuff too. If someone says “abunai” to you, you should probably watch your step.

危険 (kiken) = Peril, Hazard. Basically, this is a fancier abunai. You’ll see this on signs as well.

AskingAsking broad general questions, then using body language to tell people the rest is a really fun way to get by in a country where you don’t speak the language!

どうした？ (doushita?) = What Happened? Then again, you probably won’t understand what the person responds with, but it’s always nice to ask.

どうして？ (doushite?) = Why? You never know…

なに？ (nani) = What? Unbelievable!

時間 (jikan) = Time. Just ask this with an quizzical tone and people will get the drift.

質問 (shitsumon) = Question. Have a question? Let someone know. Couple this with “eigo! eigo!” and maybe someone who can speak some English will come to answer your shitsumon.

だれ (dare) = Who. Great in case you need to find someone.

いつ (itsu) = When. Pretty important if you’re trying to time something.

People

Sometimes you need something that has to do with a someone. You can get by without too much here.

先生 (sensei) = Teacher. If you’re a student in Japan, this one comes in handy.

会社員 (kaishain) = Employee. Good if you’re looking for an organization’s employee to ask a question, perhaps.

人 (hito) = Person. For when you need to point out a person in general.

LocationsFinding your way around can be pretty important. Here are some Japanese words that will help you do that and keep you from getting lost.

ホテル (hoteru) = Hotel. You’ll need to be able to find this if you’re traveling in Japan.

どこ (doko) = Where. Don’t know where something is? Ask where it is with this word.

空港 (kuukou) = Airport. Don’t miss your flight!

駅 (eki) = Station. Gotta catch that train!

日本 (nihon) = Japan. Good to know where you are.

大学 (daigaku) = College. Great for college students studying in Japan, or people who like colleges in general.

本屋 (honya) = Bookstore. Some bookstores are pretty sketchy, be careful!

タクシー (takushi) = Taxi. Expensive, but you can find them everywhere.

家 (uchi/ie) = Home. There’s no place like it.

FoodOh food, how I love thee. Can’t live without it, either.

おなかすいた (onaka suita) / はらへった (hara hetta) = Hungry. Two ways to say this one. First one is more neutral, second is more casual.

食べます (tabemasu) = To Eat. Do you eat this? Yes I eat this.

食べません (tabemasen) = To Not Eat. Do you eat this? No I don’t.

飲みます (nomimasu) = To Drink. Glug Glug.

飲みません (nomimasen) = To Not Drink. I don’t drink beer, sorry.

水 (mizu) = Water. I drink water, instead, because that’s how I roll.

飲み物 (nomimono) = Drink. Not the verb, but the noun. Please get me a drink.

食べ物 (tabemono) = Food. Need food? Any food?

美味しい (oishii) = Good Tasting. If something tastes nice (or if you want to be nice), you’d say this.

不味い (mazui) = Bad Tasting. I probably wouldn’t ever say this, but just in case you need to let someone know…

レストラン (resutoran) = Restaurant. Now you need to figure out which one.

コンビニ (konbini) = Convenience Store. Great place to buy small things and food. Convenience Store food in Japan is pretty awesome.

スーパー (suupaa) = Super Market. If you need something a convenience store can’t give you.

Being PoliteYou don’t want to piss people off when you’re in their country. Bad things happen if you do…

ありがとうございます (arigatougozaimasu) = Thank You. Do I even need to tell you why you should learn this? I hope not.

すみません (sumimasen) = Excuse Me. The streets can be busy, it’s nice to say excuse me when you walk through people.

ごめんなさい (gomennasai) = Sorry. If you bump into a Yakuza gang member, you might want to whip this one out.

GreetingsHopefully you meet some nice people in your travels. Say hello (and then goodbye!) to them.

おはようございます (ohayougozaimasu) = Good Morning. A greeting for morning.

こんにちは (konnichiwa) = Good Afternoon. You can use this around noonish on to the evening.

こんばんは (konbanwa) = Good Evening. Like the other ones, but for evenings.

ではまた (dewamata) = See You Later.

また明日 (mata ashita) = See You Tomorrow.

さようなら (sayounara) = Good bye. Probably won’t see them for a while :(

おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai) = Good Night. Time for sleepy time.

Basic VerbsVerbs will get you a long ways. You don’t have to know much else as long as you know verbs, because verbs help you to get things done.

行きます (ikimasu) = To Go.

帰ります (kaerimasu) = To Return (home).

食べます (tabemasu) = To Eat. Nom nom nom.

します (shimasu) = To Do. This is the best verb ever.

見ます (mimasu) = To See. What is it you want to see?

買います (kaimasu) = To Buy. For all of you who like shopping.

待ちます (machimasu) = To Wait.

書きます (kakimasu) = To Write. Have people write the directions down!

止まります (tomarimasu) = To Stop.

教えます (oshiemasu) = To Teach. If you’re a teacher in Japan.

話します (hanashimasu) To Speak.

Basic AdjectivesAdjectives, while not as awesome as verbs, are also very useful. They help you describe things.

新しい (atarashii) = New.

嬉しい (ureshii) = Happy.

大丈夫 (daijoubu) = Okay. As in “I’m okay!”

すごい (sugoi) = Amazing. For the sight seeing.

高い (takai) = Expensive / Tall. Just depends on the context.

大きい (ookii) = Big, Large.

小さい (chiisai) = Small.

近い (chikai) = Near. How close is it?

遠い (tooi) = Far. How far is it?

悪い (warui) = Bad.

いい (ii) = Good.

面白い (Omoshiroi) = Interesting.

楽しい (tanoshii) = Fun.

熱い (atsui) = Hot.

寒い (samui) = Cold.

上手 (jouzu) = Good At.

下手 (heta) = Bad At.

赤 (aka) = Red.

青 (ao) = Blue.

黒 (kuro) = Black.

緑 (midori) = Green.

黄色 (kiiro) = Yellow.

白 (shiro) = White.

馬鹿 (baka) = Stupid! I bet you knew this one already.

Numbers

一 (ichi) = One.

二 (ni) = Two.

三 (san) = Three.

四 (shi/yon) = Four. Such an unlucky number!

五 (go) = Five. Good way to remember the first five numbers: “Itchy knee! Son, She go!” Imagine that playing out…

六 (roku) = Six.

七 (shichi) = Seven. Also kinda unlucky.

八 (hachi) = Eight.

九 (ku) = Nine.

十 (juu) = Ten.

百 (hyaku) = 100.

千 (sen) = 1,000.

万 (man) = 10,000.

円 (en) = Yen. Not really a number, but goes nicely with the numbers, I think.

What Japanese Words Are Missing?Okay, okay. Hold your space horse space cowboy. I know that this list isn’t every important word. That would be impossible, and really depend on the person. But, now’s your chance to let me know what you would have added to this list as a “most important” word. List the word and

the meaning down in the comments to help other people out too! That way your comment does some good, not evil.

Related Content:

The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Learning Kanji

Useful Japanese phrasesA collection of useful phrases in Japanese with sound files for some of them.

To see these phrases in many other languages click on the English versions.

Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal, f = said by women, >f = said to women

English 日本語 (Japanese)Welcome ようこそ (yōkoso)Hello(General greeting)

今日は (konnichiwa)おっす (ossu) - used between close male friends

Hello(General greeting) もしもし (moshi moshi)

How are you? お元気ですか？ (o genki desu ka)

Reply to 'How are you?' はい、元気です。あなたは？ (hai, genki desu. anata wa?)お蔭様で元気です (o kagesama de genki desu)

Long time no see 久しぶり (hisashiburi)お久しぶりですね (o hisashiburi desu ne)

What's your name? お名前はなんですか? (o-namae wa nan desu ka)

My name is ... ... だ (... da) (inf) ...です (... desu) (frm)

Where are you from? 出身はどこですか？ (Shusshin wa doko desu ka?)どちらからですか (Dochira kara desu ka?) – frm

I'm from ... （私は）～出身です ((watashi wa) ... shusshin desu)

Pleased to meet you

初めまして (hajimemashite)初めまして。どうぞ宜しく(hajimemashite. dōzo yoroshiku) replyお会いできて嬉しいです (oaidekite ureshii desu)

Good morning お早うございます / おはようございます (ohayō

(Morning greeting) gozaimasu)お早う / おはよう (ohayō)

Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) こんにちは [今日は] (konnichiwa)Good evening (Evening greeting) 今晩は / こんばんは (konbanwa)

Good night おやすみなさい (oyasumi nasai)おやすみ (oyasumi)

Goodbye (Parting phrases)

さようなら (sayōnara)いって来ます (ittekimasu)- 'I'll be back' - you are leavingいってらっしゃい (itterasshai)- 'come back soon' - you are stayingじゃあまたね (jā mata ne) - see you later

Good luck ご幸運を祈ります! (gokoūn o inorimasu) - frm頑張ってね (gambatte ne) – inf

Cheers!(Toasts used when drinking) 乾杯 (kanpai) lit. "dry glass"

Have a nice day 良い一日を (Yoi ichinichi o)

Bon appetit / Have a nice meal

どうぞめしあがれ (douzo meshiagare)= 'enjoy your meal' - said by the cook/chefいただきます (itadakimasu) - said before a meal by those eating itご馳走さまでした (gochisōsama deshita) - said after a meal by those who have eaten it

Bon voyage / Have a good journey

よい旅行を (yoi ryokō o)ごきげんよう！ (gokigen yō - Goodbye / Good luck)いってらっしゃい (itte irasshai - Go and come back)一路平安を祈る (ichiroheian o inoru)- I wish you a smooth road (old fashioned)

I understand わかります (wakarimasu)わかる (wakaru) inf

I don't understand わかりません (wakarimasen) - frmわからない (wakaranai) - inf

Please speak more slowly ゆっくり話してください (yukkuri hanashite kudasai)ゆっくり言ってください (yukkuri itte kudasai)

Please write it down 書いてください (kaite kudasai)書いて、頂けますか (kaite itadakemasu ka)

Please say that again もう一度、言ってください (mō ichido, itte kudasai)Do you speak English? 英語はできますか (Eigo wa dekimasu ka?)

Do you speak Japanese?日本語を話しますか (Nihongo o hanashimasu ka?)日本語は話せますか (Nihongo wa hanasemasu ka?)日本語はできますか (Nihongo wa dekimasu ka?)

Yes, a little(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')

はい、話します (Hai, hanashimasu)はい、話せます (Hai, hanasemasu)はい、出来ます (Hai, dekimasu)

How do you say ... in Japanese? ... は日本語でなんと言いますか。(... wa nihongo de nanto īmasu ka?)

Excuse me すみません! (sumimasen)How much is this? いくらですか (ikura desu ka?)Sorry ごめんなさい! (gomen nasai)

Thank you

どうも (dōmo)ありがとう (arigatō)ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu)どうもありがとう (dōmo arigatō)どうもありがとうございます (dōmo arigatō gozaimasu)

Reply to thank you どう致しまして / どういたしまして (dō itashimashite)

Where's the toilet?便所はどこですか (benjo wa doko desu ka?)トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka?)手洗いはどこですか (tearai wa doko desu ka?)

This gentleman/lady will pay for everything

この人が全部払います(konohito ga zembu haraimasu)

Would you like to dance with me?

一緒に踊りませんか(isshoni odorimasenka?)

I miss you

あなたがいなくて寂しいです (anata ga inakute sabishī desu)寂しい です (sabishī desu)あなたが恋しいです (anata ga koishī desu) - to a lover/spouse

I love you

好きです (suki desu)好きだ (suki da)好きだよ (suki dayo)好きよ (suki yo) f大好きです (daisuki desu)愛してるよ (aishiteru yo)愛してるわ (aishiteru wa) >f

Get well soon お大事に (odaiji ni)Leave me alone! ほっといて! (hottoite!)Help! 助けて! (tasukete!)Fire! 火事だ! (kaji da!)

Call the police! 警察を呼んでください!(keisatsu o yonde kudasai!)

Christmas and New Year greetings

メリークリスマス (merī kurisumasu)New Year greeting - 'Western' style新年おめでとうございます (shinnen omedetō gozaimasu)New Year greetings (used before New Year)良いお年を (yoi otoshi o) - inf

良いお年をお迎え下さい (yoi otoshi o omukae kudasai) - frmNew Year greetings (used at New Year, not before)明けましておめでとうございます(akemashite omedetō gozaimasu)旧年中大変お世話になりました(kyūnenjū taihen osewa ni narimashita)今年もよろしくお願いします(kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu)

Easter greetings

復活祭おめでとうございます (fukkatsu-sai omedetō gozaimasu)イースターおめでとうございます (īsutā omedetō gozaimasu)

Birthday greetings お誕生日おめでとうございます(otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu)

One language is never enough

言語を一つは決して足りない(gengo o hitotsu wa kesshite tarinai)言語は一つだけでは足りない(gengo hitotsu dake de wa tarinai)

My hovercraft is full of eelsWhy this phrase?

私のホバークラフトは鰻でいっぱいです(Watashi no hobākurafuto wa unagi de ippai desu.)

Other phrases

Do you understand? わかりますか (wakarimasu ka?) – frmI understood わかりました (wakarimashta) – frmI don't speak Japanese 日本語を話せません (Nihongo o hanasemasen)

Does anyone speak English?

英語の話せる人はいませんか (Eigo no hanaseru hito wa imasen ka)誰か、英語が話せますか(dare ka, eigo ga hanasemasu ka?)

Sorry, I didn't understand that

すみません。分かりませんでした(sumimasen. wakarimasen deshita)

What did you say? なんて言いましたか (nan te iimashita ka?)

Can you translate it for me?

訳してください(yakushite kudasai)

What does this mean? これはどういう意味ですか(kore wa dōiu imi desu ka)

How do you pronounce that? これはどんな風に発音しますか(kore wa donna fū ni hatsuon shimasu ka)There's a problem in the room

その部屋の中に問題があります(sono heya no naka ni mondai ga arimasu)

There's no hot water お湯がありません

(oyu ga arimasen)

The tap/faucet is leaking 蛇口が漏れています(jaguchi ga moreteimasu)

The drain is blocked 排水溝が詰まっています(haisuikō ga tsumatteimasu)

The air conditioner is too noisy

エアコンがうるさすぎます(eakon ga urusasugimasu)

Can I have another room? 他の部屋へ移れますか(hoka no heya e utsuremasu ka?)

When should I vacate the room?

いつ、部屋を出なくてはなりませんか(itsu, heya o denakute wa narimasen ka?)

I'd like to check out チェックアウトしたいのですが(chekkuauto shitai no desu ga)

I'd check out on this date この日にチェックアウトしたいのですが(kono hi ni chekkuauto shitai no desu ga)

Could you call a taxi please? タクシーを呼んで下さい(takusī o yonde kudasi?)

May I see the bill please? 請求書を見せて頂けますか(seikyūsho o misete itadakemasu ka?)

How much is the total bill? 請求書の合計額は、いくらですか(seikyūsho no gōkei wa ikura desu ka?)

Can I have an itemised bill? 明細書を見せて頂けますか(meisaisho o misete itadakemasu ka?)

I think there's a mistake on this bill

この請求書に間違いがあるように思うのですが(kono seikyūsho ni machigai ga aruyō ni omō no desu ka?)

Is there a restaurant near here?

近くにレストランはありますか(chikaku ni resutoran wa arimasu ka?)

I'd like to reserve a table テーブルの予約を取りたいのですが(tēburu no yoyaku o toritai no desu ga)

We have a reservation 既に予約をとっています(sudeni yoyaku o totte imasu)

Do you have an English menu?

英語のメ二ューはありますか(eigo no menyu wa arimasu ka?)

Can I see the wine list? ワインのリストを見せて頂けませんか(wain no risuto o misete itadakemasen ka?)

I am a vegetarian 私は菜食主義者です(watashi wa saishokushugisha desu)

Download all the audio files (Zip format, 417K)

Audacity is a good, free sound recorder and editor. You can also make them online at online-voice-recorder.com, or similar sites.

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Learn to speak Japanese confidently and naturally with Rocket JapaneseLearn Japanese online with JapanesePod101Learn Japanese online with dante-learningMaster Japanese: The Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide to Learning NihongoLearn Japanese with Glossika Mass SentencesJapanese language learning material from White Rabbit JapanWant to learn Japanese? Click here

LinksOther collections of Japanese phrases (some with audio)http://japanese-phrases.sakura.ne.jp/http://linguanaut.com/english_japanesehttp://www.cnfj.navy.mil/phrases.htmlhttp://japanese.about.com/library/blsoundfile.htmhttp://genkienglish.net/genkijapan/menu.htmhttp://www.jref.com/language/japanese_common_phrases.shtml

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