Easy Japanese Vocabulary Practice for Everyone: Learn the Fun Way
Learning Japanese can feel overwhelming at first three writing systems, tons of unfamiliar words, and expressions that don’t show up in your daily life. But what if Japanese vocabulary practice didn’t have to feel like studying at all?This guide will show you how to make learning Japanese feel easy, fun, and even addictive. Whether you’re just saying “konnichiwa” to your first word or getting ready for a trip to Tokyo, this is your go-to source for Japanese vocabulary practice that actually works. With clear examples, everyday phrases, and a game-based method, you’ll enjoy building your skills and look forward to every session.
What are some essential Japanese words and phrases for beginners?
If you’re just starting to learn Japanese, a few key words and phrases can go a long way. Essentials like “Konnichiwa” (Hello), “Arigatou” (Thank you), “Sumimasen” (Excuse me), and “Hai” (Yes) are not just polite they’re the building blocks of everyday conversation. Learning these early gives you the confidence to interact in real-life situations and makes your Japanese vocabulary practice feel instantly rewarding.
10 Must-Know Japanese Words and Phrases for Beginners
| Japanese | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| こんにちは (Konnichiwa) | Hello | A polite daytime greeting |
| ありがとう (Arigatou) | Thank you | When someone helps or gives you something |
| はい (Hai) | Yes | To agree or confirm |
| いいえ (Iie) | No | To politely decline or disagree |
| すみません (Sumimasen) | Excuse me / Sorry | To get attention or apologize |
| おはよう (Ohayou) | Good morning | Used before noon (casual) |
| こんばんは (Konbanwa) | Good evening | Greeting used in the evening |
| おねがいします (Onegaishimasu) | Please | When making a request |
| わかりません (Wakarimasen) | I don’t understand | Useful during conversations |
| どこですか？ (Doko desu ka?) | Where is it? | Helpful for asking directions |
Key Japanese Phrases and Vocabulary for Beginners and Travelers
Learning some useful Japanese expressions can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable especially when you’re off the beaten path. These phrases are essential for ordering food, asking for help, or just being polite in everyday situations.
- これください (Kore kudasai) – I’ll take this one / Can I get this?
- トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?) – Where’s the bathroom?
- 名前はなんですか？ (Namae wa nan desu ka?) – What’s your name?
- 注文お願いします (Chūmon onegaishimasu) – I’d like to order, please
- はい (Hai) – Yes
- お会計お願いします (Okaikei onegaishimasu) – Can I get the check, please?
- 〜から来ました (~ kara kimashita) – I’m from ~
- いいえ (Iie) – No
- 日本語を話せません (Nihongo o hanasemasen) – I can’t speak Japanese
- 駅はどこですか？ (Eki wa doko desu ka?) – Where’s the train station?
- これは何ですか？ (Kore wa nan desu ka?) – What is this?
- 今何時ですか？ (Ima nanji desu ka?) – What time is it now?
- わかりません (Wakarimasen) – I don’t understand
- 水をお願いします (Mizu o onegaishimasu) – Water, please
- お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – Please (polite)
- ここはどこですか？ (Koko wa doko desu ka?) – Where am I?
- 私は〜です (Watashi wa ~ desu) – I am ~
- いくらですか？ (Ikura desu ka?) – How much is it?
- おはよう (Ohayou) – Good morning (casual)
- こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good evening
Essential Japanese Greetings & Polite Phrases
In Japan, greetings are more than just words they show respect, care, and politeness. People often bow slightly when they greet others, which adds a deeper meaning to their words. If you want to connect with Japanese culture, here are some essential greetings to know!
おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu) – Good Morning
This is used in the morning, typically before 11 a.m. For a more casual greeting, just say おはよう (Ohayō), dropping the formal “gozaimasu.”
こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Good Afternoon
While often translated as “Hello,” こんにちは specifically means “Good afternoon.” It’s used after morning and before evening, usually between noon and sunset.
こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good Evening
Use こんばんは from around 5 p.m. onward. It’s perfect for greeting someone in the evening.
ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu) – Thank You
For a formal way to say “thank you,” use ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu). If you want to sound more casual, just say ありがとう (Arigatō).
すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse Me / I’m Sorry
This versatile phrase is useful in many situations. Use it when you need attention (like at a restaurant), to apologize, or when you’re trying to be polite.
Fun fact: Sometimes people use Sumimasen instead of Arigatō to express gratitude, as a way to show more humility.
It’s that easy! With just a little practice, you can start using these phrases in your everyday conversations. Whether you’re studying Japanese or just planning a trip to Japan, these greetings will make you sound more natural and respectful.
Check out more on 100 common words
People & Pronouns in Japanese
In Japanese, people often avoid using pronouns like “you” or “he” unless absolutely necessary. It’s more natural and respectful to use someone’s name or their social role. This is part of Japan’s culture of politeness and clarity.
Here are some common people-related words to know:
- お母さん (Okaa-san) – Mother
- 友達 (Tomodachi) – Friend
- 彼女 (Kanojo) – Girlfriend
- 彼氏 (Kareshi) – Boyfriend
- お姉さん (Onee-san) – Older sister
- 部長 (Buchoo) / 社長 (Syachoo) – Boss / Company President
- 大人 (Otona) – Adults
- 女の人 (Onna-no-hito) – Woman
- 弟 (Otooto) – Younger brother
- 私 / 僕 / 俺 (Watashi / Boku / Ore) – I (formal, casual male, very casual male)
- 子供 (Kodomo) – Children
- お兄さん (Oni-san) – Older brother
- 妹 (Imooto) – Younger sister
- 家族 (Kazoku) – Family
- 同僚 (Do-ryoo) – Co-worker
- 男の人 (Otoko-no-hito) – Man
- お父さん (Otoo-san) – Father
👉 In conversation, try using names or titles instead of pronouns it sounds much more natural in Japanese!
Check out more on Family members in Japanese
🍣 Basic Japanese Food & Drink Vocabulary
Japanese cuisine is both traditional and creative, blending Washoku (和食) and Yoshoku (洋食) influences. Whether you’re ordering food, shopping, or just chatting about meals, these words are super handy:
- サラダ (Sarada) – Salad
- 魚 (Sakana) – Fish
- チーズ (Chee-zu) – Cheese
- 水 (Mizu) – Water
- 卵 (Tamago) – Egg
- デザート (Dezaato) – Dessert
- スープ (Suupu) – Soup
- 朝ご飯 (Asa-gohan) – Breakfast
- 果物 (Kudamono) – Fruits
- 昼ご飯 (Hiru-gohan) – Lunch
- お茶 (Ocha) – Tea (green or general)
- 肉 (Niku) – Meat
- 夜ご飯 (Yoru-gohan) – Dinner
- ご飯 (Gohan) – Rice / Meal
- 野菜 (Yasai) – Vegetables
- コーヒー (Koohii) – Coffee
- パン (Pan) – Bread
- お酒 (Osake) – Sake / Alcohol
- ワイン (Wain) – Wine
- 牛乳 (Gyuu-nyuu) – Milk
- ビール (Biiru) – Beer
🍱 Pro Tip: Use these words in simple phrases like “ご飯をください (Gohan o kudasai)” – “Can I have rice, please?”
Check out more on Japanese Food Vocabulary
Days of the Week in Japanese
In Japan, the week starts on Monday (just like in many other countries). Here’s how to say each day:
- 月曜日 (Getsuyōbi) – Monday
- 火曜日 (Kayōbi) – Tuesday
- 水曜日 (Suiyōbi) – Wednesday
- 木曜日 (Mokuyōbi) – Thursday
- 金曜日 (Kinyōbi) – Friday
- 土曜日 (Doyōbi) – Saturday
- 日曜日 (Nichiyōbi) – Sunday
Months of the Year in Japanese
The months in Japanese are very simple! They use numbers + the word for “month” (gatsu). Here’s the full list:
- 一月 (Ichigatsu) – January
- 二月 (Nigatsu) – February
- 三月 (Sangatsu) – March
- 四月 (Shigatsu) – April
- 五月 (Gogatsu) – May
- 六月 (Rokugatsu) – June
- 七月 (Shichigatsu) – July
- 八月 (Hachigatsu) – August
- 九月 (Kugatsu) – September
- 十月 (Jūgatsu) – October
- 十一月 (Jūichigatsu) – November
- 十二月 (Jūnigatsu) – December
In Japanese, the date format goes Year – Month – Day (just like in many parts of Asia). To say a date:
- Year = Number + 年 (nen)
- Month = Number + 月 (gatsu)
- Day = Number + 日 (nichi)
Here’s an example:
🗓 2025年5月14日 (Nisen nijūgo nen go gatsu jūyokka)
= May 14th, 2025
Some days have special readings. A few examples:
- 一日 (Tsuitachi) – 1st
- 二日 (Futsuka) – 2nd
- 三日 (Mikka) – 3rd
- 四日 (Yokka) – 4th
- 五日 (Itsuka) – 5th
- 十日 (Tōka) – 10th
- 二十日 (Hatsuka) – 20th
Seasons in Japanese
Japan has four distinct and beautiful seasons. Here’s how to say them:
- 春 (Haru) – Spring 🌸
- 夏 (Natsu) – Summer ☀️
- 秋 (Aki) – Autumn 🍁
- 冬 (Fuyu) – Winter ❄️
Useful Time Words in Japanese
Here are some helpful time-related expressions, great for travelers and beginners alike:
- 今日 (Kyō) – Today
- 昨日 (Kinō) – Yesterday
- 明日 (Ashita) – Tomorrow
- 今週 (Konshū) – This week
- 先週 (Senshū) – Last week
- 来週 (Raishū) – Next week
- 今月 (Kongetsu) – This month
- 先月 (Sengetsu) – Last month
- 来月 (Raigetsu) – Next month
- 今年 (Kotoshi) – This year
- 去年 (Kyonen) – Last year
- 来年 (Rainen) – Next year
Hours of the Day in Japanese
Telling the time in Japanese is easy! Just say the number and add “時 (ji)” at the end:
- 一時 (Ichi-ji) – 1 o’clock
- 二時 (Ni-ji) – 2 o’clock
- 三時 (San-ji) – 3 o’clock
- 四時 (Yon-ji) – 4 o’clock
- 五時 (Go-ji) – 5 o’clock
- 六時 (Roku-ji) – 6 o’clock
- 七時 (Nana-ji) – 7 o’clock
- 八時 (Hachi-ji) – 8 o’clock
- 九時 (Ku-ji) – 9 o’clock
- 十時 (Jū-ji) – 10 o’clock
- 十一時 (Jūichi-ji) – 11 o’clock
- 十二時 (Jūni-ji) – 12 o’clock
AM and PM in Japanese
Japanese doesn’t use the 24-hour clock in casual speech. Instead, they use:
- 午前 (Gozen) – AM (before noon)
- 午後 (Gogo) – PM (after noon)
Just add it before the time. For example:
- 午前七時 (Gozen shichi-ji) – 7 AM
- 午後三時 (Gogo san-ji) – 3 PM
Places You Might Visit in Japan
When you’re exploring Japan whether hopping on a train, grabbing a quick bite, or visiting a peaceful shrine—it helps to know these useful place names in Japanese. Don’t worry about memorizing them all at once. Just start with the ones that feel most relevant to you!
- 空港 (Kuukou) – Airport
- パン屋 (Pan ya) – Bakery
- 病院 (Byouin) – Hospital
- 受付 (Uketsuke) – Reception desk
- 郵便局 (Yūbinkyoku) – Post office
- ホテル (Hoteru) – Hotel
- 警察署 (Keisatsusho) – Police station
- 神社 (Jinja) – Shrine
- バス停 (Bas-tei) – Bus stop
- 町 (Machi) – Town
- お寺 (Otera) – Temple
- スーパー (Sūpā) – Grocery store
- 駅 (Eki) – Station
- 店 (Mise) – Shop/Store
- 両替 (Ryougae) – Money exchange
- コンビニ (Konbini) – Convenience store
- 銀行 (Ginkou) – Bank
- 港 (Minato) – Port
Check out more on Travel Vocabulary
Colors in Japanese You’ll See Everywhere
From bright vending machines to temple walls and cherry blossoms, colors in Japan make everything pop. Here are some fun and simple words to know:
- 緑 (Midori) – Green
- ピンク (Pinku) – Pink
- 茶色 (Chairo) – Brown
- 白 (Shiro) – White
- オレンジ (Orenji) – Orange
- 青 (Ao) – Blue
- 紫 (Murasaki) – Purple
- 黄色 (Kiiro) – Yellow
- 赤 (Aka) – Red
- 黒 (Kuro) – Black
Must-Know Japanese Verbs for Daily Life
Verbs help you take action whether you’re eating sushi, taking photos, or just saying “I want to sleep!” Here are some easy and super common ones to kickstart your learning:
- 書く (Kaku) – To write
- 食べる (Taberu) – To eat
- 遊ぶ (Asobu) – To play
- 乗る (Noru) – To ride
- 寝る (Neru) – To sleep
- 見る (Miru) – To see / watch
- 話す (Hanasu) – To speak
- 泳ぐ (Oyogu) – To swim
- 買う (Kau) – To buy
- 会う (Au) – To meet
- 飲む (Nomu) – To drink
- 帰る (Kaeru) – To return / go back
- 待つ (Matsu) – To wait
- 立つ (Tatsu) – To stand up
- 起きる (Okiru) – To wake up
- 行く (Iku) – To go
- 聞く (Kiku) – To listen / hear
- 撮る (Toru) – To take (a picture)
- 座る (Suwaru) – To sit down
- 読む (Yomu) – To read
Check out more on Japanese Verbs
Where can you practice Japanese vocabulary without getting bored?
Traditional flashcards and textbooks can only go so far. But with interactive apps like Langlandia, your vocab drills turn into battles, quizzes, and storyline-based missions.
Practice happens inside:
- PvP Battles: Test your word memory against real players.
- Langlympics: Join global tournaments with themed word challenges.
- Clan Wars: Team up with others to earn points by mastering vocabulary sets.
- Classroom Mode: Practice in structured levels tailored to your goals.
You’ll find yourself playing “just one more round” and before you know it you’re thinking in Japanese.
Easy Japanese Vocabulary Practice for Everyone
| in Japanese | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| オレンジ (orenji) | orange | |
| さんじ (san-ji) | 3 o’clock | |
| これはなんですか (kore wa nan desu ka) | what is this? | |
| ホテル (hoteru) | hotel | |
| くろ (kuro) | black | |
| にがつ (nigatsu) | February | |
| さかな (sakana) | fish | |
| すいようび (suiyoubi) | Wednesday | |
| やさい (yasai) | vegetables | |
| ちゃいろ (chairo) | brown | |
| くうこう (kuukou) | airport | |
| おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) | good morning | |
| たまご (tamago) | egg | |
| しがつ (shigatsu) | April | |
| ぎゅうにゅう (gyuunyuu) | milk | |
| はちがつ (hachigatsu) | August | |
| こーひー (koohii) | coffee | |
| すみません (sumimasen) | excuse me / sorry | |
| みせ (mise) | shop | |
| あか (aka) | red | |
| にちようび (nichiyoubi) | Sunday | |
| ありがとう (arigatou) | thank you | |
| しちじ (shichiji) | 7 o’clock | |
| もくようび (mokuyoubi) | Thursday | |
| いちがつ (ichigatsu) | January | |
| えき (eki) | station | |
| ろく (roku) | six | |
| きんようび (kinyoubi) | Friday | |
| こんばんは (konbanwa) | good evening | |
| いちじ (ichiji) | 1 o’clock | |
| あお (ao) | blue | |
| さんがつ (sangatsu) | March | |
| じゅうじ (juuji) | 10 o’clock | |
| しろ (shiro) | white | |
| にじ (niji) | 2 o’clock | |
| おれ (ore) | I (casual masculine) | |
| どようび (doyoubi) | Saturday | |
| ごはん (gohan) | rice / meal | |
| にく (niku) | meat | |
| はい (hai) | yes | |
| まち (machi) | town | |
| じんじゃ (jinja) | shrine | |
| これください (kore kudasai) | I’ll take this one | |
| かようび (kayoubi) | Tuesday | |
| ろくじ (rokuji) | 6 o’clock | |
| ごじ (goji) | 5 o’clock | |
| ひゃく (hyaku) | one hundred | |
| こんいちは (konnichiwa) | good afternoon | |
| じゅうがつ (juugatsu) | October |
