Essential Japanese Vocabulary

These Japanese language lists, exercises, and other resources will help learners of all skill levels build fluency.

  • Two Japanese Businesswomen Bowing To Each Other At Station
    Japanese Greetings and Parting Phrases
  • Girl and Christmas Tree
    How Do You Say "Merry Christmas" in Japanese?
  • 2 young women walking and talking while shopping
    How to Say the Months, Days, and Seasons in Japanese
  • Young couple looking at menu in cafe.
    Basic Japanese: Ordering at a Restaurant
  • Kanji Wall
    Should Japanese Writing Be Horizontal or Vertical?
  • Popular Japanese baby names
    Popular Japanese Baby Names
  • Hairdresser will see guests
    Learn the Japanese Phrase 'Ki o Tsukete'
  • Grandmother and granddaughter painting Japanese symbols
    All About Japanese Adjectives
  • Cats on Sanagi Island in Kagawa, Japan with traditional architecture in the background.
    10 Animal Sounds in Japanese Words
  • Woman is late for a train and trying to catch it
    What Does Matte Mean in Japanese?
  • Women in Tokyo, Japan
    What Does "~ Kana" Mean at the End of Sentence in Japanese?
  • Learning the right context for 'please' is important in Japan.
    The Difference Between "Onegaishimasu" and "Kudasai" in Japanese
  • Kanji for love
    How to Write Love in Japanese Kanji
  • Chef enjoys conversation with customers at Japanese restaurant
    The Meaning of 'Nani' in Japanese
  • Expressions used in Japanese letters
    Expressions Used in Letters
  • School children (6-11) singing in classroom
    The Conditional "Nara" and the Song "Shiawase Nara Te o Tatakou"
  • Male students note taking
    How to Use the Particle Ni in Japanese
  • Kashikomarimashita
    What Does Kashikomarimashita Mean in Japanese?
  • Japanese ABC on the paper shapes like mountain
    Be Able to Write か、き、く、け、こ With These Helpful Stroke-By-Stroke Guides
  • People walking on a paved walkway with bamboo on either side in Japan.
    The Meaning of '-N Desu' in Japanese
  • Hand making "okay" sign against a colorful sky.
    What Does Daijoubu Mean in Japanese?
  • Calligraphy
    A Hiragana Stroke Guide to あ、い、う、え、お (A, I, U, E, O)
  • Young woman sitting in chair, reading book
    Japanese Particle: To
  • Hand holding shopping bags with new clothes
    Word of the Day: Atarashii
  • A multi-ethnic family sitting on the couch
    Meaning of Kazoku in Japanese
  • What Does Sono Toori Desu Mean in Japanese?
  • Shiawase
    What Does Shiawase Mean in Japanese?
  • Japanese school girl doing kanji practice at home
    All About Radicals in the Japanese Language
  • A skeptical gentleman asks, "Oh really?" or a lady with a parasol in Japan
    Hontou Means "Really" in Japanese
  • Student using laptop in library
    How to Pronounce Hiragana - Japanese Hiragana With Audio Files
  • Cropped Hand Of Person Writing On Paper At Table
    Hiragana Lessons - Stroke Guide to は、ひ、ふ、へ、ほ (Ha, Hi, Fu, He, Ho)
  • Fruits
    Fruits: Japanese Vocabulary
  • Happy birthday
    Japanese Greetings for Special Occasions
  • Japanese "cute"
    How to Say and Write "Cute" in Japanese
  • japanese woman busy at work in flower shop
    The Meaning of "Isogashii" in Japanese
  • Sunrise Over Earth With Moon
    Japanese Word of the Day: "Sekai"
  • Female students in seminar
    How to Use Particle De in Japanese
  • Parts of the body in Japanese
    Japanese Body Parts Vocabulary
  • Japanese udon noodle bowl meal with chopsticks
    Definition and Pronunciation of the Japanese Word 'Oishii'
  • Thank you, Have a nice Day card on table
    Yoi ichinichi o - Have a Nice Day in Japanese
  • The Meaning of the Japanese Word Konbanwa
  • Flowers and a card addressed to "Mom"
    Mother's Day: Haha no Hi
  • Japanese Floating Lanterns
    Meaning of Tamashii in Japanese
  • Sleepy Japanese Macaques
    Gussuri Oyasumi
  • Ikinasai in Japanese
    How to Say "Go" in Japanese: Ikinasai
  • neon signs in Shinjuku, Tokyo
    Top 3 English to Japanese Dictionaries
  • Saying "Goodnight" in Japanese
    How to Say Good Night (Oyasuminasai) in Japanese
  • "Good Morning" in Japanese
    Learn to Say Good Morning (Ohayou) in Japanese
  • Japanese friends saying hi
    Ogenki Desu Ka in Japanese
  • Beautiful woman with natural make-up
    Japanese Word of the Day: 'Utsukushii" (Beautiful)
  • The Meaning and Pronunciation of the Japanese Word "Subarashii"
  • Woman asking why
    How to Say "Why" in Japanese
  • Hanging pocket watch
    Meaning of Hima in Japanese
  • Light NOW
    All About the Japanese Word Sate
  • Japanese Calendar
    Days of the Month in Japanese
  • Girl drawing a person on paper
    Meaning of Kaku in Japanese
  • Hiragana
    Hiragana Wa or Hiragana Ha?
  • A dining room
    Meaning of Uchi in Japanese
  • Close up of woman practicing mudra meditation
    Meaning of Shizuka in Japanese
  • Sculpture of the Scales of Justice
    Learn the Japanese Word Kouhei
  • Sunset at Shibuya Crossing In Tokyo, Japan
    What Does the Japanese Word "Nigiyaka" Mean?
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