Learning Japanese opens the door to a rich culture, fascinating history, and exciting travel experiences. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, studying the language for fun, or looking to connect with native speakers, mastering essential words and phrases is a great place to start. With LangLandia, learning Japanese becomes engaging, effective, and fun. Let’s dive into 100 basic Japanese words and phrases that will help you navigate everyday situations with ease!
Greetings and Essential Expressions
These common greetings and expressions will help you start conversations politely and make a good impression.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello |
| 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 |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you (polite) |
| どういたしまして | Dou itashimashite | You’re welcome |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me / Sorry |
| ごめんなさい | Gomen nasai | I’m sorry |
| お願いします | Onegai shimasu | Please |
Common Verbs
Knowing these common verbs will allow you to express actions and communicate effectively in various situations.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| 行く | Iku | To go |
| 来る | Kuru | To come |
| 食べる | Taberu | To eat |
| 飲む | Nomu | To drink |
| 見る | Miru | To see/watch |
| 聞く | Kiku | To listen/ask |
| 話す | Hanasu | To speak |
| 読む | Yomu | To read |
| 書く | Kaku | To write |
| 買う | Kau | To buy |
Self-Introductions
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| 私の名前は〜です | Watashi no namae wa ~ desu | My name is ~ |
| 〜と申します | ~ to moushimasu | I am called ~ (formal) |
| よろしくお願いします | Yoroshiku onegai shimasu | Nice to meet you |
| 私はアメリカ人です | Watashi wa Amerika-jin desu | I am American |
| 日本が好きです | Nihon ga suki desu | I like Japan |
Numbers in Japanese
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| 一 | Ichi | One |
| 二 | Ni | Two |
| 三 | San | Three |
| 四 | Shi/Yon | Four |
| 五 | Go | Five |
| 六 | Roku | Six |
| 七 | Shichi/Nana | Seven |
| 八 | Hachi | Eight |
| 九 | Kyuu/Ku | Nine |
| 十 | Juu | Ten |
Shopping and Dining Phrases
These useful phrases will help you order food, shop with ease, and enjoy Japan’s vibrant dining culture.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| これをください | Kore o kudasai | Please give me this |
| メニューをください | Menyuu o kudasai | Can I have the menu, please? |
| おすすめは何ですか？ | Osusume wa nan desu ka? | What do you recommend? |
| お会計お願いします | Okaikei onegai shimasu | The bill, please |
| おいしい | Oishii | Delicious |
| 大丈夫です | Daijoubu desu | It’s okay / I’m fine |
These useful phrases will help you order food, shop with ease, and enjoy Japan’s vibrant dining culture.
Traveling and Transportation
When navigating Japan, these travel and transportation phrases will make your journey smoother and stress-free.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| 駅はどこですか？ | Eki wa doko desu ka? | Where is the train station? |
| この電車は東京へ行きますか？ | Kono densha wa Tokyo e ikimasu ka? | Does this train go to Tokyo? |
| タクシーを呼んでください | Takushii o yonde kudasai | Please call a taxi |
| 右に曲がってください | Migi ni magatte kudasai | Turn right |
| 左に曲がってください | Hidari ni magatte kudasai | Turn left |
Emergency Phrases
In case of an emergency, knowing these phrases can help you get assistance quickly and stay safe.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| 助けて！ | Tasukete! | Help! |
| 警察を呼んでください | Keisatsu o yonde kudasai | Call the police |
| 医者が必要です | Isha ga hitsuyou desu | I need a doctor |
| 病院はどこですか？ | Byouin wa doko desu ka? | Where is the hospital? |
| 気分が悪いです | Kibun ga warui desu | I feel sick |
Master Japanese with LangLandia
With these 100 basic words and phrases, you are well on your way to navigating Japan with confidence! But learning a language is more than just memorizing words it’s about using them in real conversations. That’s where LangLandia comes in.
LangLandia turns language learning into an interactive experience that helps you build fluency naturally. Practice daily, engage in fun challenges, and immerse yourself in Japanese without feeling overwhelmed.
Ready to Speak Japanese?
Download LangLandia now and start learning with real-world conversations, interactive exercises, and a community of learners just like you!
