Hai (はい): Yes
Iie(いいえ): No
Namae wa nan des ka ( 名前はなんですか): What is your name?
Watashi wa ~ des ( 私は〜です): I am ~
~kara Kimashita ( ~から来ました): I came from~/ I am from~
Kore wa nan des ka (これは何ですか): What is this?
Ikura des ka ( いくらですか）How much?
Kore kudasai ( これください): Can I get this one? / I will take this
one
Onegaishimas (おねがいします): Please
Chumon onegashimas (注文お願いします): Can I place an order?
Mizu o onegaishimas (水をお願いします): Water please
Okaikee onegaishimas (お会計お願いします): Can I get the check/bill
please (in a restaurant)
Koko wa Doko desu ka (ここはどこですか): Where am I?
Toire wa doko des ka (トイレはどこですか): Where is the bathroom?
Eki wa doko des ka (駅はどこですか): Where is the train station?
Ima nan ji des ka (今何時ですか) : What time is it now?
Wakarimasen (わかりません): I don’t understand
Nihongo wo hanasemasen (日本語を話せません): I can’t speak
Japanese
Greetings
Japanese people greet each other by bowing, which shows respect,
care, and gratitude. Knowing the basic Japanese words that
accompany a bow when you greet someone are also essential in
Japanese culture.
Ohayoo gozaimas (おはようございます): Good morning
This phrase is only used in Japanese if you wake before 11 am. If you
want to say it casually, you can simply say “Ohayo” and drop the
formal expression “gozaimas.”
Kon’nichiwa (こんにちは) : Good Afternoon
Often mistaken to mean “Hello,” this Japanese phrase only means
“Good afternoon”. So, make sure you only use it in the daytime.
Konbanwa (こんばんは): Good evening
To be used from late afternoon (around 5pm) into the evening hours.
Arigatoo Gozaimas (ありがとうございます): Thank you
If you want to say thank you more casually, you can simply say
“Arigato”. Dropping the formal expression “gozaimas” is more
common.
Sumimasen (すみません): Excuse me/ I am sorry
This is a handy basic Japanese phrase because it works in all
situations. You can use it to get a waiter’s attention at a restaurant, ask
for help when you get lost, or say sorry formally.
People occasionally say Sumimasen when someone else did them a
favor, replacing Arigato (Thank you). This is seen as a different way to
be respectful and polite to the person who helped you.
Check out more on how to say sorry in Japanese.
People/ Pronouns
One of the trickiest parts of learning basic Japanese words is
understanding the way Japanese speakers use pronouns. Unlike in
most languages, Japanese speakers usually avoid using pronouns in
conversations where it’s obvious who they are referring to. Instead,
they use the person’s name, family role, or social role to refer to them.
In Japanese culture, it’s considered rude to address someone without
using their name. Therefore, it’s common to never use “you,” “he,” or
“she” if you already know the person’s name. If you’re learning
Japanese, remember this difference in pronoun usage.
Watashi/ Boku/Ore (私、僕、俺): I
Tomodachi(友達): Friend
Do-ryoo(同僚): Co-worker
Buchoo/Syachoo(部長、社長): Boss / President (of a company)
Kazoku(家族): Family
Otoo-san(お父さん): Father
Okaa-san(お母さん): Mother
Oni-san(お兄さん): Older brother
Onee-san(お姉さん): Older sister
Otooto(弟): Younger brother
