Top 100 Basic Japanese Words for Beginners
Learning Japanese can feel overwhelming at first, but mastering the most commonly used words is the key to building confidence. Whether you're traveling to Japan, preparing for the JLPT, or just starting your language-learning journey, knowing the top 100 Japanese words will help you communicate effectively.
At Team Language Services (TLS), we specialize in helping beginners learn essential vocabulary with interactive lessons and expert guidance. In this article, we’ll cover what Japanese words you should learn first and how TLS can support your learning journey.
Categories of the Top 100 Basic Japanese Words
Here’s a breakdown of the essential words every beginner should learn:
1. Greetings & Common Phrases
- こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello
- おはよう (Ohayou) – Good morning
- こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good evening
- おやすみ (Oyasumi) – Good night
- ありがとう (Arigatou) – Thank you
- すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me / Sorry
- はい (Hai) – Yes
- いいえ (Iie) – No
- さようなら (Sayounara) – Goodbye
- いってきます (Ittekimasu) – I’m leaving!
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2. Numbers (How to count 1 to 10 in Japanese)
- 一 (Ichi) – 1
- 二 (Ni) – 2
- 三 (San) – 3
- 四 (Shi/Yon) – 4
- 五 (Go) – 5
- 六 (Roku) – 6
- 七 (Shichi/Nana) – 7
- 八 (Hachi) – 8
- 九 (Kyuu) – 9
- 十 (Juu) – 10
3. Common Verbs
- 食べる (Taberu) – To eat
- 飲む (Nomu) – To drink
- 見る (Miru) – To see/watch
- 聞く (Kiku) – To listen
- 話す (Hanasu) – To speak
- 読む (Yomu) – To read
- 書く (Kaku) – To write
- 行く (Iku) – To go
- 来る (Kuru) – To come
- する (Suru) – To do
4. Everyday Nouns
- 人 (Hito) – Person
- 友達 (Tomodachi) – Friend
- 名前 (Namae) – Name
- 時間 (Jikan) – Time
- 学校 (Gakkou) – School
- 先生 (Sensei) – Teacher
- 車 (Kuruma) – Car
- 電車 (Densha) – Train
- 家 (Ie) – House
- 店 (Mise) – Shop
5. Essential Adjectives
- 大きい (Ooki) – Big
- 小さい (Chiisai) – Small
- 速い (Hayai) – Fast
- 遅い (Osoi) – Slow
- 新しい (Atarashii) – New
- 古い (Furui) – Old
- 良い (Yoi) – Good
- 悪い (Warui) – Bad
- 楽しい (Tanoshii) – Fun
- 美しい (Utsukushii) – Beautiful
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6. Time-related Words
- 今日 (Kyou) – Today
- 明日 (Ashita) – Tomorrow
- 昨日 (Kinou) – Yesterday
- 朝 (Asa) – Morning
- 昼 (Hiru) – Noon
- 夜 (Yoru) – Night
- 週 (Shuu) – Week
- 月 (Tsuki) – Month
- 年 (Toshi) – Year
- 時 (Toki) – Time
7. Directions & Locations
- 右 (Migi) – Right
- 左 (Hidari) – Left
- 上 (Ue) – Up
- 下 (Shita) – Down
- 中 (Naka) – Inside
- 外 (Soto) – Outside
- 駅 (Eki) – Station
- 道 (Michi) – Road
- 近い (Chikai) – Near
- 遠い (Tooi) – Far
8. Food & Drinks Vocabulary
- ご飯 (Gohan) – Rice/Meal
- パン (Pan) – Bread
- 肉 (Niku) – Meat
- 魚 (Sakana) – Fish
- 野菜 (Yasai) – Vegetables
- 果物 (Kudamono) – Fruits
- 水 (Mizu) – Water
- お茶 (Ocha) – Tea
- コーヒー (Koohii) – Coffee
- 牛乳 (Gyuunyuu) – Milk
9. Weather & Nature Words
- 天気 (Tenki) – Weather
- 雨 (Ame) – Rain
- 雪 (Yuki) – Snow
- 風 (Kaze) – Wind
- 太陽 (Taiyou) – Sun
- 月 (Tsuki) – Moon
- 星 (Hoshi) – Star
- 海 (Umi) – Sea
- 山 (Yama) – Mountain
- 花 (Hana) – Flower
“Japanese idioms add depth and cultural nuance to conversations. Explore essential expressions and their meanings in our guide on common Japanese idioms.”
10. Common Question Words
- 何 (Nani) – What
- どこ (Doko) – Where
- いつ (Itsu) – When
- 誰 (Dare) – Who
- なぜ (Naze) – Why
- どうやって (Douyatte) – How
- いくら (Ikura) – How much
- どのくらい (Donokurai) – How long
- どれ (Dore) – Which one
- どんな (Donna) – What kind
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Why Learn Basic Japanese Words First?
Before diving into grammar and complex sentence structures, it's crucial to build a strong vocabulary foundation. Here’s why:
1️⃣ Understand Simple Conversations Faster
- Knowing common words helps you grasp the general meaning of conversations.
- You don’t need to translate every word—just recognizing key words can provide context.
2️⃣ Boost Confidence in Speaking & Listening
- If you can recognize and use high-frequency words, you’ll feel more comfortable engaging in conversations.
- Speaking even a few words fluently reduces hesitation and fear of making mistakes.
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3️⃣ Make Daily Communication Easier
- Everyday situations—like ordering food, asking for directions, or shopping—become much simpler when you know the right words.
- You can avoid misunderstandings and interact with native speakers more naturally.
4️⃣ Build a Strong Foundation for Grammar & Sentences
- Once you have a basic vocabulary, it’s easier to understand sentence structures and grammar rules.
- Instead of memorizing abstract rules, you’ll learn naturally through familiar words.
5️⃣ Learn Efficiently with TLS’s Structured Approach
- TLS focuses on high-frequency words used in daily conversations.
- Our step-by-step method ensures learners retain vocabulary effectively.
- We provide practical exercises that help you apply new words in real-life situations.
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How TLS Helps You Master Japanese Vocabulary
At Team Language Services (TLS), we provide: ✔ Interactive lessons with real-life examples
✔ Practical exercises to reinforce learning
✔ Personalized coaching for faster improvement
Our structured approach ensures that you remember and apply words naturally in conversations.
Study Tips for Memorizing Japanese Words
Here are some expert tips from TLS to memorize Japanese words faster:
✅ Use flashcards & mnemonics – Associate words with images
✅ Practice daily conversation – Speak with a tutor or language partner
✅ Engage with Japanese media – Watch anime, movies, and listen to podcasts
FAQs About Learning Japanese Vocabulary
1. What are the basic words to learn in Japanese?
Start with greetings, common verbs, numbers, and essential nouns to build a strong foundation.
2. What Japanese words should I learn first?
Beginners should focus on high-frequency words used in daily conversations, such as greetings, pronouns, and basic verbs.
3. How to count 1 to 10 in Japanese?
The numbers in Japanese are: Ichi, Ni, San, Shi/Yon, Go, Roku, Shichi/Nana, Hachi, Kyuu, Juu.
4. How long does it take to learn basic Japanese words?
With consistent practice, you can memorize 100 essential words in a few weeks.
5. Can I learn Japanese vocabulary without learning kanji?
Yes! Start with hiragana and katakana, then gradually learn kanji.
Conclusion
Mastering the top 100 Japanese words is the first step to fluency. By focusing on essential vocabulary, practicing daily, and using expert guidance from Team Language Services (TLS), you can confidently start your Japanese learning journey.
🚀 Ready to speak Japanese fluently? Enroll in TLS’s beginner courses today and start learning with expert guidance!