Japanese Vocabulary: Essential Words from A to Z345

Japanese is a fascinating language with a rich vocabulary that spans thousands of words. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, expanding your vocabulary is crucial for effective communication. This comprehensive guide introduces some of the most essential Japanese words, covering a wide range of topics, from basic greetings to advanced expressions.

挨拶 (Greetings)

Konnichiwa (こんにちは) - Hello (daytime)
Ohayo gozaimasu (おはようございます) - Good morning
Konbanwa (こんばんは) - Good evening/night
Sayonara (さようなら) - Goodbye

自己紹介 (Self-Introduction)

Watashi no namae wa... desu (私の名前は...です) - My name is...
Hajimemashite (はじめまして) - Nice to meet you
Dozo yoroshiku (どうぞよろしくお願いします) - Nice to meet you (formal)

基本的な質問 (Basic Questions)

Onamae wa nan desu ka? (お名前は何ですか?) - What is your name?
Otoshi wa nan sai desu ka? (お年はいくつですか?) - How old are you?
Doitsugo o hanasemasu ka? (ドイツ語を話せますか?) - Can you speak German?
Ima nan ji desu ka? (今は何時ですか?) - What time is it?

時間 (Time)

Asa (朝) - Morning
Hiru (昼) - Noon
Banzai (晩) - Night
Getsu (月) - Monday
Kai (火) - Tuesday
Sui (水) - Wednesday

場所 (Places)

Ie (家) - House
Gakko (学校) - School
Byoin (病院) - Hospital
Eki (駅) - Station
Kombinibeni (コンビニ) - Convenience store

食べ物 (Food)

Gohan (ご飯) - Rice
Sushi (寿司) - Sushi
Ramen (ラーメン) - Ramen noodles
Tempura (天ぷら) - Deep-fried seafood and vegetables
Wagyu (和牛) - Japanese beef

動詞 (Verbs)

Taberu (食べる) - To eat
Nomu (飲む) - To drink
Miru (見る) - To watch/see
Kaku (書く) - To write
Hanasu (話す) - To speak

形容詞 (Adjectives)

Kirei (きれい) - Beautiful
Oishii (おいしい) - Delicious
Kawaii (かわいい) - Cute
Hayai (速い) - Fast
Samui (寒い) - Cold

数詞 (Numbers)

Ichi (一) - One
Ju (十) - Ten
Hyaku (百) - Hundred
Sen (千) - Thousand
Man (万) - Ten thousand

疑問詞 (Interrogatives)

Dare (誰) - Who
Nan (何) - What
Dokode (どこで) - Where
Itsu (いつ) - When
Naze (なぜ) - Why

助詞 (Particles)

Wa (は) - Subject marker
Ga (が) - Subject marker (emphasized)
O (を) - Object marker
Ni (に) - Location marker
De (で) - Location marker (inside)

敬語 (Respectful Language)

San (さん) - Polite suffix for a person's name
Sama (様) - More formal polite suffix
Sensei (先生) - Teacher or expert
Keigo (敬語) - System of respectful language

Expanding your Japanese vocabulary is an ongoing process that requires consistent practice. By incorporating these essential words into your daily communication, you will not only improve your language skills but also gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and society.

2025-02-16

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