Japanese

QuestionAnswer
(air) temperature; (atmospheric) temperature
おんkion
(audio) speaker
スピーカーsupiikaa
(both) parents
(ご)りょうしん(go)ryousin
(coat) hanger
ハンガーhangaa
(computer) memory
メモリーmemorii
(concrete) thing
ものmono
(cow's) milk
ぎゅうにゅうgyuunyuu
(emotionally or personally) difficult to ...; uncomfortable to ...
づら〜durai
(hard) candy
あめame
(intangible) thing; matter
ことkoto
(official) document
しょるいsyorui
(over) there
あそこasoko
(physically or technically) difficult to ...
にく〜nikui
(pleasantly) warm (object, food, emotion)
あたたかいatatakai
(romantic) date
デートdeeto
(service) counter
まどぐちmadoguti
(someone else's) wife
おくさんokusan
(swimming) pool
プールpuuru
(unintended and destructive) fire
kazi

(Western-style) clothes
ようふくyouhuku
(your own) husband
おっとotto
(your own) wife
つまtuma
(your own) wife
ないkanai

This term is more old-fashioned and formal, and it's often used by older men when referring to their own wives, particularly in formal or public settings. It carries a more humble and traditional connotation.

Note how the kanji in this word correspond to traditional gender roles. Therefore, younger people tend to prefer using the word つま.

... or something; something like ...
でもdemo
1,000
いっせんissen
100
ひゃくhyaku
2,000
せんnisen
20
じゅうnizyuu
200
ひゃくnihyaku
3,000
さんぜんsanzen
30
さんじゅうsanzyuu
300
さんびゃくsanbyaku
4,000
よんせんyonsen
40
よんじゅうyonzyuu
400
よんひゃくyonhyaku
5,000
せんgosen
50
じゅうgozyuu
500
ひゃくgohyaku
6,000
ろくせんrokusen
60
ろくじゅうrokuzyuu
600
ろっぴゃくroppyaku
7,000
ななせんnanasen
70
ななじゅうnanazyuu
700
ななひゃくnanahyaku
8,000
はっせんhassen
80
はちじゅうhatizyuu
800
はっぴゃくhappyaku
9,000
きゅうせんkyuusen
90
きゅうじゅうkyuuzyuu
900
きゅうひゃくkyuuhyaku
a crowd; a large number of people; many
おおぜいoozei
a few; a little, a bit
すこsukosi

すこ is a bit more formal than ちょっと.

a few; a little; scarce; insufficient
すくないsukunai
a little bit
ちょっとtyotto
a.m.
ぜんgozen
about; approximate time
ごろgoro
about; approximately
ぐらいgurai
accident
ziko
according to
に よる とni yoru to
address
アドレスadoresu
adult
となotona
advice
アドバイスadobaisu
Africa
アフリカahurika
after; afterward
あとato
afternoon; p.m.
gogo
again; also
またmata
ah, oh, uh
ああaa
air
くうkuuki
air conditioning; air conditioner
エアコンeakon
airplane
こうhikouki
album
アルバムarubamu
alcohol
アルコールarukooru
alcohol; rice wine
(お)さけ(o)sake
all; everything; entire
すべsubete
all; whole
ぜんzenbu
allergy
アレルギーarerugii
already; more; again
もうmou
always; never
itumo
American football
アメフトamehuto
American person
アメリカじんamerikazin
and sentence conjunction
そしてsosite
and; and then; since then
それからsorekara
and; as well as
およびoyobi
and; or not exhaustive
ya
and; or; with
to
andnot exclusive; doing such things as ...
〜たり〜tari
Andrew
アンドリューandoryuu
animal
どうぶつdoubutu
animation
アニメanime
announcement; presentation; publication
はっぴょうhappyou
answer
こたkotae
apartment
マンションmansyon
apartment
アパートapaato
app; application
アプリapuri
apple
りんごringo
approximate time (but not in a very narrow window of time)
ころkoro
approximate time (but still pretty specific)
ごろgoro
April
がつsigatu
Arabic
アラビアarabiago
area
へんhen
around
まわりmawari
arrival
とうちゃくtoutyaku
as ... as possible
できる だけdekiru dake
ash; ashes
はいhai
ashtray
はいざらhaizara
Asia
アジアazia
assertion particle
yo
at; on; in; to; for [indirect object particle]
ni
August
はちがつhatigatu
aunt
oba
autumn, fall
あきaki
baby, infant
あかちゃんakatyan
back (of the body)
なかsenaka
bad (at), unskillful
heta
bad, evil
わるwarui
bag
かばんkaban

This is a general term for a bag, often referring to various kinds of handbags, school bags, or briefcases. It is more traditional and may be used more commonly in daily conversations than バッグ.

bag
バッグbaggu

This word is typically used to describe more fashionable or trendy bags, such as designer handbags, clutches, and the like. It carries a modern or fashionable connotation.

baggage, luggage
もつnimotu
ball
たまtama
ball
ボールbooru
ballpoint pen
ボールペンboorupen
banana
バナナbanana
band
バンドbando
bank
ぎんこうginkou
bar
バーbaa
barbecue
バーベキューbaabekyuu
basement; underground
tika
bat
コウモリkoumori
bath
(お)(o)huro
battery
バッテリーbatterii
battery
でんdenti
beach
ビーチbiiti
bean soup
まめ の スープmame no suupu
bean; pea; legume
まめmame
beautiful
うつくしいutukusii
beautiful woman
じんbizin
beautifully; cleanly
きれいにkireini
because, since
からkara
because, since
のでnode
bed
ベッドbeddo
beef
ぎゅうにくgyuuniku
beer
ビールbiiru
before long; soon; nearly
もうすぐmousugu
beginning; start; first; initial
はじhazime
behind, back
うしusiro
being high energy; being excited
テンション が たかtensyon ga takai
being low energy; being not excited
テンション が ひくtensyon ga hikui
bell
ベルberu
between
あいだaida
bicycle
てんしゃzitensya
big, large
おおきいookii
bill; check
かいけいokaikei
bird
とりtori
birthday
(お)たんじょう(o)tanzyoubi
bitter
にがnigai
black
くろkuro
black
くろkuroi
black and white
しろくろsirokuro
black tea
こうちゃkoutya
blood
ti
blue
あおao
blue
ブルーburuu
bluealso green for traffic lights
あおaoi
body
からだkarada
Bon appétit. (Thank you for the meal)
いただきます。itadakimasu.
Literally: I humbly receive
book
ほんhon
bookshelf
ほんだなhondana
bookstore
ほんhonya
boring
まらないtumaranai

Usually written using only hiragana.

boss; supervisor
じょうzyousi

じょう is a general term that means boss or supervisor and can refer to any person who holds a higher rank than you at work.

both ~
りょうryou〜
bottle; jar
びんbin
bow
ゆみyumi
box
はこhako
boxed lunch
(お)べんとう(o)bentou
boy
おとこ の otoko no ko
boyfriend
かれkare
bracelet
ブレスレットburesuretto
bread
パンpan
breakfast
あさはんasagohan
breakfast
ちょうしょくtyousyoku
breath
いきiki
bridge
はしhasi
bright; cheerful
あかるいakarui
brown
ちゃいろtyairo
brown
ちゃいろtyairoi
buffet
バイキングbaikingu
building
たてものtatemono
building
ビルbiru
bus
バスbasu
business
ビジネスbizinesu
business suit
びろsebiro
busy
いそがしいisogasii
but
ga
but, however
でもdemo
but, however
しかしsikasi
butter
バターbataa
button
ボタンbotan
by himself; by herself
ぶん でzibun de
by the window
まどmadobe
by the 〜
〜be

Can only be used after some nouns, so don't just randomly attach this after any noun.

by; by the time
まで にmade ni
cafe
カフェkafe
café; coffee shop; tearoom
きってんkissaten
cake
ケーキkeeki
calendar
カレンダーkarendaa
camera
カメラkamera
cameraman
カメラマンkameraman
Canada
カナダkanada
cancer
ガンgan
candle
キャンドルkyandoru
candy; sweets; snacks
okasi
canoe
カヌーkanuu
capital
みやこmiyako
car
くるまkuruma
car; automobile
どうしゃzidousya
card
カードkaado
casual
カジュアルkazyuaru
cat
ねこneko
cause; reason
げんいんgenin
ceiling
てんじょうtenzyou
center
ちゅうしんtyuusin
chair
isu
character; letter
zi
cheap
やすyasui
cheese
チーズtiizu
chemistry
がくkagaku
cherry
さくらんぼsakuranbo
cherry tree
さくらsakura
chicken
にわとりniwatori
chicken (meat)
とりにくtoriniku
child
どもkodomo
child
ko
child (polite)
さんokosan
children
どもたちkodomotati
chimpanzee
チンパンジーtinpanzii
China
ちゅうごくtyuugoku
Chinese character
かんkanzi
Chinese language
ちゅうごくtyuugokugo
Chinese person
ちゅうごくじんtyuugokuzin
chocolate
チョコレートtyokoreeto
chocolate bar
チョコレートバーtyokoreetobaa
chocolate cake
チョコレートケーキtyokoreetokeeki
chopsticks
はしhasi
Christmas
クリスマスkurisumasu
cigarettes; tobacco
タバコtabako
cinema
えいかんeigakan
city
si

is a political term that designates a city as an administrative unit. It's equivalent to the English word city when used in the context of a municipality.

city
tosi

is more generic than and refers to the concept of a city as a populated and developed area. It doesn't necessarily imply a political or administrative boundary like does. The term is more comparable to the English use of urban area or metropolis.

city center
しんtosin
city; (urban area)
かいtokai
class
クラスkurasu
class; lesson; instruction
じゅぎょうzyugyou
classroom
きょうしつkyousitu
cleaner; dry cleaner
クリーニングkuriininguya
cleaning; dry cleaning
クリーニングkuriiningu
cleaning; sweeping
そうsouzi
clear weather; sunny weather
hare
close friend; best friend
しんゆうsinyuu
clothes; outfit
ふくhuku
cloud
くもkumo
cloudy weather; cloudiness
くもkumori
club
クラブkurabu
coat
コートkooto
coat; jacket; outer garment
うわuwagi
coffee
コーヒーkoohii
coffee beans
コーヒーまめkoohiimame
coffee cup
コーヒーカップkoohiikappu
cold; flu
kaze
coldthing
つめたいtumetai
coldweather
さむsamui
color
いろiro
comedy
コメディkomedhi
company
かいしゃkaisya
company president; manager; director
しゃちょうsyatyou

The しゃちょう is the highest-ranking executive in a company. The しゃちょう is responsible for the overall management and direction of the company. This role is equivalent to the President or CEO in Western companies.

completely, entirely
すっかりsukkari
composition; essay
さくぶんsakubun
computer
コンピューターkonpyuutaa
computer
パソコンpasokon
computer
コンピュータkonpyuuta

Alternative spelling of コンピューター

concerning; regarding
に つい てni tui te
concert
コンサートkonsaato
confirmation particle
ne
congratulation; celebration; congratulatory gift
(お)いわ(o)iwai
congratulations
おめでとうomedetou
congratulations
おめでとう ございますomedetou gozaimasu

This is more polite and formal than just おめでとう

convenience store
コンビニkonbini
cook
りょうにんryourinin
cookie
クッキーkukkii
copy
コピーkopii
corner
かどkado
correct; right
ただしいtadasii
corridor; hallway
ろうrouka
counter for flat, thin objects
まいmai
country
くにkuni
countryside; (rural area)
なかinaka
cow
うしusi
crab
カニkani
cream
クリームkuriimu
credit
クレジットkurezitto
credit card
クレジット カードkurezitto kaado
crocodile
ワニwani
crow
カラスkarasu
Cuba
キューバkyuuba
cucumber
きゅうりkyuuri
culture
ぶんbunka
cup
カップkappu
cup counter
はい〜hai

Used to count cups, glasses, bowls, or servings of liquid, such as drinks and soups.

It can also be used to count things that are typically served in a vessel, like scoops of ice cream or servings of rice.

The pronunciation changes just as any other counter that starts with an h-sound, such as 本hon and 百hyaku.

curry
カレーkaree
cute
わいkawaii
dance; dancing
おどodori
dangerous
あぶないabunai
dark; gloomy
くらkurai
data
データdeeta
daughter
むすめmusume
day
hi
day (of the week)
ようyoubi
day counter
にち〜niti
day eight; eight days
ようyouka
day five; five days
いつituka
day four; four days
よっyokka
day fourteen; fourteen days
じゅうよっzyuuyokka
day nine; nine days
ここのkokonoka
day off
やすみ の yasumi no hi
day one
ついたちtuitati
day seven; seven days
なのnanoka
day seventeen; seventeen days
じゅうしちにちzyuusitiniti
day six; six days
むいmuika
day ten; ten days
とおtooka
day three; three days
みっmikka
day twenty-four; twenty-four days
じゅうよっnizyuuyokka
day twenty-seven; twenty-seven days
じゅうしちにちnizyuusitiniti
day twenty; twenty days
hatuka
day two; two days
ふつhutuka
dead body; corpse
たいsitai
death
si
December
じゅう がつzyuu nigatu
deer
シカsika
deer
鹿しかsika

Also written using katakana.

definitely; necessarily; invariably
かならkanarazu

かならexpresses a strong commitment or assurance that something will happen or is the case. It's often used to make promises or to express unwavering certainty.

degrees counter
~~do

This is the same counter as the times counter .

delicious
おいしいoisii
delicious
しいoisii

Alternative way to write おいしい

department manager
ちょうbutyou

A ちょう is responsible for overseeing an entire department within the company. This position typically involves managing multiple sections or teams within the department and making strategic decisions that align with the company’s broader goals.

A ちょう ranks above a ちょう.

department store
デパートdepaato
design
デザインdezain
designer
デザイナーdezainaa
desk
つくえtukue
dessert
デザートdezaato
diamond
ダイヤモンドdaiyamondo
diary; journal
にっnikki
dictionary
しょzisyo
dictionary
zibiki
difference
ちがtigai
difficult; hard
むずかしいmuzukasii
dining hall; cafeteria
しょくどうsyokudou
dinner
よるはんyorugohan
dinner
ばんはんbangohan

ばんはん is more commonly used than よるはん.

dinner
ゆうしょくyuusyoku
dinner; evening meal
ゆうはんyuuhan
direct object particle
wo
direction, way; side
ほうhou
dirty
きたなkitanai
disliked; hated
きらkirai
district in Tokyo that's famous for it's park
うえueno
do imperative
なさいnasai
dog
いぬinu
dollar
ドルdoru
doorbell
ドアベルdoaberu
down; under; lower; below
したsita
draft beer
なま ビールnama biiru
drama
ドラマdorama
drawer
hikidasi
dress (garment)
ドレスdoresu
dress shirt
ワイシャツwaisyatu

The term ワイシャツ is derived from the English word white shirt, but in Japanese, it generally refers to any formal dress shirt, not necessarily white.

drink, beverage
ものnomimono
driving; operation (of a machine)
うんてんunten
duration suffix
かん〜kan
ear
みみmimi
early; fast
はやhayai
early; fast
はやhayaku
earrings (for pierced ears)
ピアスpiasu
earrings (wearable without pierced ears)
イヤリングiyaringu
earthquake
しんzisin
east
ひがしhigasi
easy to ...
やす〜yasui
easy, simple
かんたんkantan
easy; plain; simple
やさしいyasasii
egg
たまごtamago
eight
はちhati
eight (objects)
やっyattu
eighty thousand
はちまんhatiman
electric train
でんしゃdensya
electricity; electric light
でんdenki
elementary school
しょうがっこうsyougakkou
elevator
エレベーターerebeetaa
email
メールmeeru
email address
メール アドレスmeeru adoresu
embassy
たい使かんtaisikan
end
わりowari
engine
エンジンenzin
engineer
エンジニアenzinia
England; United Kindom, Britain
イギリスigirisu
English (language)
えいeigo
enjoyment; pleasure
たのしみtanosimi
entrance
ぐちiriguti
entrance
げんかんgenkan
envelope
ふうとうhuutou
era; period; age
だいzidai
escalator
エスカレーターesukareetaa
et cetera, and so on, and the like
などnado
Europe
ヨーロッパyooroppa
Even if; even though; (after nouns and na-adjectives)
で もde mo
Even if; even though; (after verbs and i-adjectives)
〜て も〜te mo
even; (extreme extent)
までmade
evening
ばんban
ばん represents the time from sunset to bedtime.
evening; dusk
ゆうがたyuugata

Typically refers to the time period in the late afternoon to early evening, around sunset.

event
イベントibento
every day
まいにちmainiti
every evening, every night
まいばんmaiban
every month
まいつきmaituki
every morning
まいあさmaiasa
every week
まいしゅうmaisyuu
every year
まいとしmaitosi
every year
まいねんmainen
every ~
まいmai
everyone; everybody
みんなminna

Often written using hiragana instead of kanji.

Can also refer to things instead of people, but ぜん is more common in that case.

exactly, precisely; just
ちょうtyoudo
exam; test
けんsiken
excitement; mood; energy
テンションtensyon
exciting; much-anticipated
たのしみtanosimi
Excuse me for interrupting you; Used as a greeting when entering someone's home
じゃします。ozyamasimasu.
Excuse me, are you free?
ちょっと いい です か?tyotto ii desu ka?
Excuse me.
しつれいします。situreisimasu.
exercise; movement
うんどうundou
exit
ぐちdeguti
expensive; high, tall
たかtakai
experience
けいけんkeiken
extremelyslang
めちゃmetya
eye
me
face
かおkao
family
ぞくkazoku
family photo
ぞくしゃしんkazokusyasin
family trip
ぞくりょこうkazokuryokou
famous
ゆうめいyuumei
far, distant
とおtooi
far; distant; far away
とおtooku
fashion
ファッションfassyon
fast
はやhayai

While both はや and はや can mean fast, when referring purely to speed and not also implying earliness, it's more common to use はや.

fast
はやhayaku
fat
ふとhutoi
father
とうさんotousan
father
ちちおやtitioya
father plain
ちちtiti
Father's Day
ちち の titi no hi
fax
ファックスfakkusu
feast
そうtisou
February
がつnigatu
feeling
kimoti
feeling; mood
ぶんkibun
fence
フェンスfensu
festival; celebration
(お)まつ(o)maturi
fifty thousand
まんgoman
film
フィルムfirumu
finally, at last
ついにtuini
fire
hi
fireworks
はなhanabi
first of all; to start with
まずmazu
first; best
いちばんitiban
fish
さかなsakana
five
go
five (objects)
いつitutu
flavor; taste
あじazi
floor
ゆかyuka
floor counter
かい〜kai
flower
はなhana
flowers
はなばなhanabana
flute
フルートhuruuto
food
ものtabemono
food, cuisine
りょうryouri
foot; leg
あしasi
for the first time; the first time
はじめてhazimete
for the sake of; in order to; because of
ため にtame ni
foreign country
がいこくgaikoku
foreign language
がいこくgaikokugo
foreigner
がいこくじんgaikokuzin
forestmanmade
はやしhayasi
forestnatural
もりmori
fork
フォークfooku
forty thousand
よんまんyonman
fountain pen
まんねんひつmannenhitu
four
よんyon
four (objects)
よっyottu
fours
si
fox
キツネkitune
France
フランスhuransu
free (of charge)
りょうmuryou
French (language)
フランスhuransugo
Friday
きんようkinyoubi
friend
ともだちtomodati
friend
ゆうじんyuuzin
friend
ともだちtomodati

alternative spelling

frog
カエルkaeru
from; since; after
からkara
front; before
まえmae
fruit
くだものkudamono
frying pan
フライパンhuraipan
full
いっぱいippai
fun; enjoyable
たのしいtanosii
funny; strange
おかしいokasii
futon; traditional Japanese bedding
とんhuton

A とん is a traditional Japanese bedding consisting of a mattress and a duvet. It is designed to be placed directly on tatami flooring and can be easily folded and stored away during the day to save space.

future
らいmirai
future
しょうらいsyourai
game
ゲームgeemu
game; playing
あそasobi
garden, yard
にわniwa
gas
ガスgasu
gas station; petrol station
ガソリンスタンドgasorinsutando
gasoline; petrol
ガソリンgasorin
gate
もんmon
general object counter
tu
genre
ジャンルzyanru
gentle, tender, kind, friendly
やさしいyasasii
geography
tiri
German language
ドイツdoitugo
Germany
ドイツdoitu
giraffe
キリンkirin
girl
おんな の onna no ko
girlfriend
かのじょkanozyo
glass (material)
ガラスgarasu
glasses
がねmegane
goal
ゴールgooru
goat
yagi
gold
きんkin
golf
ゴルフgoruhu
good
いいii
good
ii

alternative spelling

good (at); skillful
じょうzyouzu
Good day.
こんにち は。konniti ha.
Good evening.
こんばん は。konban ha.
Good morning.
おはよう ございます。ohayou gozaimasu.
Good morning.casual
おはよう。ohayou.
Good night.
おやすみ なさい。oyasumi nasai.
Goodbye.
さようなら。sayounara.
gorilla
ゴリラgorira
gradually
だんだんdandan
graduation
そつぎょうsotugyou
gram
グラムguramu
grammar for indicating an ongoing state or action
〜て いる〜te iru
grammar indicating remaining state intentionally brought about by someone
〜て ある〜te aru
grandfather
sohu

is a formal alternative for grandfather. You might encounter this word in written contexts or official documents. In most contexts it's advised to use じいさんさん instead, as it sounds more friendly and respectful.

grandfather; old man
(お)さん(o)ziisan
grandmother
sobo

is a formal alternative for grandmother. You might encounter this word in written contexts or official documents. In most contexts it's advised to use ばあさん instead, as it sounds more friendly and respectful.

grandmother; old lady
(お)ばあさん(o)baasan
grape
ぶどうbudou
grass
くさkusa
gray
はいいろhaiiro
gray
グレーguree
green
みどりmidori
green tea
(お)ちゃ(o)tya
greengrocer
yaoya
guest; customer
(お)きゃく(さん)(o)kyaku(san)
guitar
ギターgitaa
gum
ガムgamu
gym
ジムzimu
had better; should
ほう が いいhou ga ii
half
はんhan
half
はんぶんhanbun
ham
ハムhamu
hammock
ハンモックhanmokku
hamster
ハムスターhamusutaa
handkerchief
ハンカチhankati
handmade
ずくtezukuri
hands
te
happiness
しあわsiawase
happy
しあわsiawase
Happy birthday!
たんじょう おめでとう!tanzyoubi omedetou!
Happy New Year!
しんねん おめでとう!sinnen omedetou!
hat
ぼうbousi
hated
だいきらdaikirai
having; with
の あるno aru
Hawaii
ハワイhawai
he
かれkare
head
あたまatama
headache
つうzutuu
heart; spirit, mind, soul
こころkokoro
heat
ねつnetu
heat weather
あつatusa
heavy
おもomoi
herbivore
そうしょくsousyoku
here
ここkoko
here you are
どうぞdouzo
high school
こうこうkoukou
hiking
ハイキングhaikingu
Hiroshima
ひろしまhirosima
hobby
しゅsyumi
holiday, day off
きゅうじつkyuuzitu
home
うちuti
home country, homeland
こくbokoku
hometown (area); local (area)
もとzimoto
homework
宿しゅくだいsyukudai
honorific postfix
さまsama
Can be used after a noun or な-adjective prefixed with お- or ご- honorifics.
honorific prefix
o
honorific prefix
go
hook
フックhukku
horizontal
よこyoko
horizontal writing
よこyokogaki
horse
うまuma
hospital
びょういんbyouin
hospitalization
にゅういんnyuuin
hot
ホットhotto

ホット is neither an い-adjective nor a な-adjective. It's a noun.

When used to describe a hot drink like coffee, ホット コーヒー, it functions more like a noun as part of a compound noun.

hotthing
あつatui
hotweather
あつatui
hotel
ホテルhoteru
hour (counter)
〜zi
house; home
いえie
household, family, home
ていkatei
how
いかがikaga
How do you do? / Nice to meet you.When meeting for the first time
はじめまして。hazimemasite.
how many
いくつikutu
how many hours
なんかんnanzikan
how many people
なんにんnannin
how many times
なんかいnankai
how many times, how often; many times
なんnando
how many years old
なんさいnansai
how much
いくらikura
how; by what means/method
どうやってdouyatte
how; how about; what
どうdou
The only difference between どう and いかが is that いかが is more polite than どう.
how; what; (what with)
なんnanto
humor
ユーモアyuumoa
hundred thousand
じゅうまんzyuuman
husband
(ご)しゅじん(go)syuzin

Note how, just as with ない the kanji in this word correspond to traditional gender roles.

The problem is that though among friends you can use おっと, in a less casual setting there's not currently really a good alternative to しゅじん to politely refer to someone else's husband.

hut; cabin; shed
koya
I
わたしwatasi
I beg your pardon; Excuse me.
ごめん なさい。gomen nasai.
I wonder
かなkana
I'm back.
ただいま。tadaima.
Literally "just now", an abbreviation of "I've returned just now": ただいま帰りました
I'm leaving (the house).
いってきます。ittekimasu.
Literally: I'll go and come back.
I'm pleased to meet you. Please treat me well
(どうぞ) よろしく おねがいします。(douzo) yorosiku onegaisimasu.
I'm pleased to meet you. Please treat me well
どうぞ よろしく。douzo yorosiku.
I'm sorry for ...
〜て すみません〜te sumimasen
I'm sorry for ...
〜て ごめん なさい〜te gomen nasai
I'm sorry; pardon me; thank you
すみませんsumimasen
ice cream
アイスクリームaisukuriimu
ice tea
アイスティaisuthi
ice; ice cream
アイスaisu
Iceland
アイスランドaisurando
idea
アイディアaidhia
if
to
if
〜ば〜ba
if ... is the case
。。。 なら... nara
if not
〜なければ〜nakereba
if not; (after na-adjectives and nouns)
じゃ なければzya nakereba
if not; (after na-adjectives and nouns)
で なければde nakereba
if; (following na-adjective or noun)
ならばnaraba
if; (following na-adjective or noun)
で あればde areba
immediately; right away
ぐ にsugu ni
important; precious
たいせつtaisetu
important; significant
じゅうようzyuuyou
in, inside; middle
なかnaka
inconvenience; inconvenient
便べんhuben
India
インドindo
insect
むしmusi
insult; slander, speaking ill
わるぐちwaruguti
intelligent, smart
あたま が いいatama ga ii
intended for; aimed at
〜muke
intention
つもりtumori
interesting; amusing
おもしろomosiroi
international student; foreign exchange student
りゅうがくせいryuugakusei
internet
インターネットintaanetto
intersection
こうてんkousaten
interview
インタビューintabyuu
iron
てつtetu
island
しまsima
island nation
しまぐにsimaguni
it is necessary to ...; it is needed to ...
。。。 ひつよう が ある... hituyou ga aru
it is not the case
じゃ ないzya nai
it is not the case
じゃ ありませんzya arimasen
it is not the case
で は ありませんde ha arimasen
it is not the case; is not
で は ないde ha nai
It is ok to 〜
〜て も いい (です)〜te mo ii (desu)
It was a feast. (Thank you for the meal)
そうさま でした。gotisousama desita.
It was a feast. (Thank you for the meal)
そうさま。gotisousama.
It's ok not to; to not have to
〜なくて も いい〜nakute mo ii
Italy
イタリアitaria
I’m glad that…; It’s good that…
~て よかった~te yokatta
jam; (as in the fruit preserve)
ジャムzyamu
January
いちがつitigatu
Japan
ほんnihon
Japanese (language)
ほんnihongo
Japanese (person)
ほんじんnihonzin
Japanese style door
to
Jewish person
ユダヤじんyudayazin
Jim
ジムzimu
jogging, jog
ジョギングzyogingu
John
ジョンzyon
Judea (southern Palestine)
ユダヤyudaya
juice
ジュースzyuusu
July
しちがつsitigatu
June
ろくがつrokugatu
junior high school; middle school
ちゅうがっこうtyuugakkou
just a little
すこし だけsukosi dake
just now
ただいまtadaima
Karaoke
カラオケkaraoke
karate
からkarate
key
かぎkagi
kilogram
キログラムkiroguramu
kilometer
キロメートルkiromeetoru
kind; kindness
しんせつsinsetu
king
おうou
kitchen
だいどころdaidokoro
kitten
ねこkoneko
knife
ナイフnaihu
Kyoto
きょうkyouto
label
ラベルraberu
lake
みずうみmizuumi
language
げんgengo
language suffix
〜go
laptop
ラップトップrapputoppu
last month
せんげつsengetu
last night
ゆうyuube
last night
さくsakuya

A more formal or literary term for last night compared to ゆう.

last week
せんしゅうsensyuu
last year
きょねんkyonen
late
おそosoku
late; slow
おそosoi
Later!casual
また ね。mata ne.
laundry; things to wash
せんたくものsentakumono
laundry; washing
せんたくsentaku
leaf
ha
learn
ならnarau

Learning through practice and repetition, often with a teacher or in a formal setting.

left
ひだりhidari
lemon
レモンremon
length
ながnagasa
let me see; well; err
えっとetto
You can use this interjection if you need time to think.
let me see; well; err
ええとeeto
Means the same as えっと
letter
がみtegami
library
しょかんtosyokan
life
じんせいzinsei
light
ひかりhikari
light blue
みずいろmizuiro
light rain
さめkosame
light, (not heavy)
かるkarui
like that
あんなanna
like that, (referring to something close to the listener or something mentioned in the conversation)
そんなsonna
like this, this kind of
こんなkonna
liked; likeable; loved; lovable
suki
lion
ライオンraion
list
リストrisuto
lively, bustling
にぎやかnigiyaka
lizard
トカゲtokage
location particle (for events and actions)
de
locker
ロッカーrokkaa
London
ロンドンrondon
long
ながnagai
long, cylindrical object counter
ほん〜hon
looking forward to; being excited about
たのしみtanosimi
Los Angeles
ロサンゼルスrosanzerusu
love
あいai
loved; very likeable
だいdaisuki
low, short
ひくhikui
lukewarm
ぬるnurui
lunch
ひるはんhirugohan
magazine
ざっzassi
mail; postal service
ゆう便びんyuubin
make
つくtukuru
makeup
メイクmeiku
making, producing; make, construction, structure
つくtukuri
man
おとこotoko
manmade, artificial
じんこうzinkou
many times
なん もnando mo
many, much, a lot
たくさんtakusan
many, much, a lot
たくさんtakusan

Alternative way to write たくさん

many, numerous
おおooi
many; most
おおooku
map
tizu
March
さんがつsangatu
mark
マークmaaku
marriage
けっこんkekkon
Mary
メアリーmearii
mat
マットmatto
match
マッチmatti

A small stick used to light a fire or a competition.

maternal side
ははかたhahakata
mathematics
すうがくsuugaku
May
がつgogatu
May I come in; Please forgive me.
ごめん ください。gomen kudasai.
meal
しょくsyokuzi
meaning; sense; significance
imi
meat
にくniku
medical doctor
しゃisya
medicine
くすりkusuri
meeting
ミーティングmiithingu
memo
メモmemo
memories; recollections
おもomoide
menu
メニューmenyuu
Mercedes
メルセデスmerusedesu
message
メッセージmesseezi
meter
メートルmeetoru
method/means particle
de
Mexican
メキシカンmekisikan
milk
ミルクmiruku
million
ひゃくまんhyakuman
mind, heart
ki
minute (counter)
ふん〜hun
mistake; error
ミスmisu
mobile phone
けいたいでんkeitaidenwa
model
モデルmoderu
Monday
げつようgetuyoubi
money
(お)かね(o)kane
month of the year
がつgatu
moon; month
つきtuki
more
もっとmotto
morning
あさasa
morning sun
あさasahi
Morocco
モロッコmorokko
mother
ははおやhahaoya
mother plain
ははhaha
mother polite
かあさんokaasan
Mother's Day
はは の haha no hi
mountain
やまyama
mouse; rat
ネズミnezumi
mouth
くちkuti
movie
えいeiga
music
おんがくongaku
must not
〜ちゃ いけない〜tya ikenai
must not
〜ちゃ ダメ〜tya dame
must not; is not allowed
〜て は いけない〜te ha ikenai
must not; is not allowed
〜て は いけません〜te ha ikemasen
Nagoya
nagoya
name
(お)まえ(o)namae
narrow; small
せまsemai
near
ちかtikai
near here
この ちかく にkono tikaku ni
near; beside
そばsoba

そば is usually written using kana alone as そば, and indicates proximity or nearness to something or someone, without specifying a particular side.

がわ specifies a particular side or aspect of something. Often used with direction words to indicate specific sides, such as right, left, this side, that side, etc.

necessary; necessity
ひつようhituyou
neck
くびkubi
necklace
ネックレスnekkuresu
neighborhood, vicinity
ちかtikaku
never again
nidoto
new
あたらしいatarasii
New Year
しんねんsinnen
New Year's Day
がんじつganzitu
New York
ニュー ヨークnyuu yooku
news
ニュースnyuusu
newspaper
しんぶんsinbun
next month
らいげつraigetu
next to
となりtonari
next week
らいしゅうraisyuu
next year
らいねんrainen
next, following, coming
つぎtugi
night
よるyoru

よる represents the time from sunset to sunrise. よる thus includes the time while you're asleep, whereas ばん does not.

night sky
ぞらyozora
nine
きゅうkyuu
nine (objects)
ここのkokonotu
ninety thousand
きゅうまんkyuuman
no
いいえiie
no good, useless
だめdame
no one; nobody
だれ もdare mo
noisy; annoying
うるさいurusai
noon; daytime
ひるhiru
north
きたkita
nose
はなhana
not
ないnai
not even once
いち もitido mo
not limited to; not only
だけで は なくdakede ha naku
not limited to; not only
だけで なくdakede naku
not much; not very
あまamari
notebook
ノートnooto
nothing, (not) anything
なにnanimo
novelist, writer
さっsakka
November
じゅう いちがつzyuu itigatu
now
いまima
number
ばんごうbangou
obstacle; hindrance
じゃzyama
occurrence counter; number of times
かい〜kai
October
じゅうがつzyuugatu
office
オフィスofisu
office worker
サラリーマンsarariiman
often
よくyoku
old
ふるhurui
older brother plain
あにani
older brother polite
にいさんoniisan
older sister plain
あねane
older sister polite
ねえさんoneesan
omurice; fried rice wrapped in an omelette
オムライスomuraisu
on; above; up; top
うえue
once
いっかいikkai
once
いちitido
one
いちiti
one (object)
ひとhitotu
one day
いちにちitiniti
one person; alone
ひとhitori
oneself
ぶんzibun
onion
たまねぎtamanegi
online
オンラインonrain
only, just, merely
ただtada
only, just; nothing but, no more than
しかsika

Used together with a negative verb.

only; just
だけdake
opinion; view
けんiken
or exhaustive
ka
orangefruit; color
オレンジorenzi
orchid
ランran
order
ちゅうもんtyuumon
other side; over there, beyond
こうmukou
other, another
ほかhoka

Often written using hiragana only.

outside
そとsoto
overseas trip; travel abroad
かいがいりょこうkaigairyokou
overseas, abroad, foreign
かいがいkaigai
owner (of a store); landlord
しゅじんsyuzin
package
もつnimotu
page
ページpeezi
painful, sore
いたitai
paint; (the kind used for painting walls, buildings, and other surfaces)
ペンキpenki
painter
gaka
painting
かいkaiga
pancake
パンケーキpankeeki
paper
かみkami
pardon; sorry
ごめんgomen
parent(s)
おやoya
Paris
パリpari
park
こうえんkouen
part-time job
アルバイトarubaito

Borrowed from the German word Arbeit, which means work or job.

participation
さんsanka
particle for connecting nouns
de
particle used at the end of a sentence for explanation, confirmation, softening or emphasis
no
party
パーティーpaathii
passing an exam or test
ごうかくgoukaku
passive form suffix
〜あれる〜areru
password
パスワードpasuwaado
pasta
パスタpasuta
patch of (typically long and dense) grass
くさむらkusamura
paternal side
ちちかたtitikata
peace of mind; relief
あんしんansin
pen
ペンpen
pencil
えんぴつenpitu
people
ひとびとhitobito
people counter
にん〜nin
percent
パーセントpaasento
period (of time)
あいだaida
person
ひとhito
person
かたkata
person from ... (suffix for indicating nationality, race or origin)
じん〜zin
pet
ペットpetto
phone number
でんばんごうdenwabangou
piano
ピアノpiano
picnic
ピクニックpikunikku
picture, photo
しゃしんsyasin
picture; drawing; painting; sketch
e
piece of music; song; tune; music
きょくkyoku
pig
ぶたbuta
pink
ピンクpinku
pizza
ピザpiza
place
ところtokoro
place; location; spot
しょbasyo
plan
プランpuran
plan
けいかくkeikaku

けいかく refers to a plan, project, or scheme that involves detailed planning and preparation. It often implies a more structured and strategic approach.

plan; plans
ていyotei

てい refers to a single scheduled instance or arrangement. It implies a fixed or pre-determined plan, often involving time or dates.

plate, dish
(お)さら(o)sara
please
くださいkudasai
Please go ahead; Please go first; After you
さき に どうぞ。osaki ni douzo.
Please go ahead; Please go first; After you
どうぞ おさき にdouzo osaki ni
please; go ahead
どうぞdouzo
pluralizing suffix
たちtati
pluralizing suffix
ra
pluralizing suffix
たち〜tati
pocket
ポケットpoketto
Pokemon
ポケモンpokemon
police box
こうばんkouban

A こうばん is a small neighborhood police station commonly found in Japan where police officers provide various services, such as giving directions, handling lost and found items, and responding to local incidents.

police officer
けいかんkeikan
police officer
まわりさんomawarisan

まわりりさん is a polite and somewhat affectionate term for a police officer.

polite name ender
さんsan
politician
せいseizika
politics; government
せいseizi
pond
いけike
popcorn
ポップコーンpoppukoon
popularity
にんninki
population
じんこうzinkou
pork
ぶたにくbutaniku
portable; cellphone
けいたいkeitai
possessive case particle
no
post office
ゆう便びんきょくyuubinkyoku
postage stamp
きっkitte
postbox; mailbox
ポストposuto
postcard
がきhagaki
potatoe
ポテトpoteto
potential form
〜える; 〜られる〜eru; 〜rareru

For verbs in Group 1, change the final う-sound into an え-sound, and add -る as ending.

For verbs in Group 2, change the -る ending into -られる.

poundunit of weight; currency
ポンドpondo
power, strength
ちからtikara
practice; training
れんしゅうrensyuu
present
プレゼントpurezento
pretty, beautiful; clean
きれいkirei
previous, past, after; ahead
さきsaki
probably, I think; isn't it, right?
でしょうdesyou
probably, I think; isn't it, right?
だろうdarou
probably, perhaps
ぶんtabun
probably, perhaps
おそらくosoraku

Same degree of confidence as ぶん, but more formal.

problem; question; issue
もんだいmondai
professional, pro
プロpuro
project
プロジェクトpurozyekuto
puppy
いぬkoinu
quality
クオリティkuorithi
queen
じょおうzyoou
question
しつもんsitumon
question particle
ka
quiet
しずsizuka
rabbit
ウサギusagi
radio
ラジオrazio
radio cassette player
ラジカセrazikase
radio cassette player
ラジオカセットraziokasetto
rain
あめame
ramen
ラーメンraamen
raw; fresh
なまnama
reading
どくしょdokusyo
real thing
ほんものhonmono
really, truly
ほんとう にhontou ni
reason particle
de
reason suffix
〜te
recipe
レシピresipi
record
レコードrekoodo
red
あかakai
red
あかaka
refreshing; cool
すずしいsuzusii
refrigerator
れいぞうreizouko
relax
リラックスrirakkusu
report
レポートrepooto
rest, break; holiday
やすyasumi
restaurant
レストランresutoran
restful, peaceful
やすらかyasuraka
rice; meal
はんgohan
riceuncooked
こめkome
right
みぎmigi
river
かわkawa
road, street, way
みちmiti
roast
ローストroosuto
robot
ロボットrobotto
room
heya
rose
バラbara
round, circular
まるmarui
rudeness, impoliteness
しつれいsiturei
rule; regulation
そくkisoku
runner
ランナーrannaa
running as exercise
ランニングranningu
Russia
ロシアrosia
safe
あんぜんanzen
safe; alright, okay
だいじょうdaizyoubu
sake
ほんしゅnihonsyu
salad
サラダsarada
salesman
セールスマンseerusuman
salt
しおsio
same
おなonazi
sand
すなsuna
sandal
サンダルsandaru
sandwich
サンドイッチsandoitti
Saturday
ようdoyoubi
scary, frightening
こわkowai
school
がっこうgakkou
school library
がっこうしょかんgakkoutosyokan
screen
スクリーンsukuriin
screw
ネジnezi
sea, ocean
うみumi
section chief
ちょうkatyou

The ちょう is responsible for managing a specific section or team within a department. This role involves overseeing the daily operations of the team, guiding staff, and ensuring that the team's objectives align with the department’s overall strategy.

See ya.casual
じゃあ ね。zyaa ne.
See you later.casual
じゃあ また。zyaa mata.
sense; taste
センスsensu
sentence
ぶんしょうbunsyou
separate, individual
べつべつbetubetu
September
がつkugatu
sequential conditional
〜たら〜tara
serious, terrible; difficult, hard, tough
たいへんtaihen
seven
ななnana
seven
しちsiti
seven (objects)
ななnanatu
seventy thousand
ななまんnanaman
she
かのじょkanozyo
sheep
ひつじhituzi
shelf
たなtana
shellfish; shell
かいkai
shirt
シャツsyatu
shock
ショックsyokku
shoes
くつkutu
shop, store
(お)みせ(o)mise
shopping
ものkaimono
short (in length)
みじかmizikai
shower
シャワーsyawaa
shrimp
エビebi
sibling
きょうだいkyoudai
sickness, illness, disease
びょうbyouki
side
がわgawa
side; beside; alongside
よこyoko
silver
ぎんgin
singer
しゅkasyu
single word; brief comment
ひとことhitokoto
situation
じょうきょうzyoukyou
six
ろくroku
six (objects)
むっmuttu
sixty thousand
ろくまんrokuman
size
サイズsaizu
size
おおきさookisa

おおきさ is more general than サイズ. For shoes, clothes and other items that come in standardized sizes, it's more common to hear サイズ.

skin; peel; bark
かわkawa
skirt
スカートsukaato
sky; air
そらsora
skydiving
スカイダイビングsukaidaibingu
slippers
スリッパsurippa
slowly; leisurely
ゆっくりyukkuri
small
ちいさいtiisai
smell; scent; odor
におnioi
snack
おやつoyatu
snake
ヘビhebi
snow
ゆきyuki
so, such
そうsou
soap
せっけんsekken
soccer
サッカーsakkaa
sock
くつしたkutusita
software
ソフトsohuto
solo
ソロsoro
Somalia
ソマリアsomaria
someone; somebody
だれdareka
something
なにnanika
something urgent; urgency
きゅうkyuu
sometimes; at times
ときどきtokidoki
son
むすmusuko
song
うたuta
soon
そろそろsorosoro
soon; right away, at once
すぐsugu
sound
おとoto
soup
スウプsuupu
south
みなみminami
soy sauce
しょうsyouyu
Spain
スペインsupein
Spanish language
スペインsupeingo
spare time; day off; leisure
ひまhima
special; extraordinary
とくべつtokubetu
speed
はやhayasa
spicy; painful; harsh; hard
からkarai
spider
クモkumo
splendid; magnificent; fine; admirable
りっrippa
splendid; nice; sufficient; no thank you; that's fine
けっこうkekkou
spoon
スプーンsupuun
sports
スポーツsupootu
spring, springtime
はるharu
stage
ステージsuteezi
stairs
かいだんkaidan
star
ほしhosi
start, beginning
かいkaisi
station
えきeki
stature; height
se
steak
ステーキsuteeki
steam train
しゃkisya
step
いっippo
step; grade
だんdan
sticker
ステッカーsutekkaa
still, yet
まだmada
stomach; belly
なかonaka
story; talk
はなしhanasi
stove; heater
ストーブsutoobu
straight, direct
まっすぐmassugu
strange
へんhen
street; avenue
とおtoori
strong wind
きょうふうkyouhuu
strong; powerful
つよtuyoi
strongly
つよtuyoku
student
がくせいgakusei
student; pupil
せいseito
study
べんきょうbenkyou
sturdy; strong; durable
じょうzyoubu
subject particle
ga
subway
てつtikatetu
sudden; urgent
きゅうkyuu
suddenly; unexpectedly
きゅう にkyuu ni
suffix to indicate profession or expertise
〜ka
sugar
とうsatou
suit
スーツsuutu
suitable, appropriate
ふさわしいhusawasii
suitcase
スーツケースsuutukeesu
summer
なつnatu
summer vacation
なつやすnatuyasumi
sun
hi
Sunday
にちようnitiyoubi
sunglasses
サングラスsangurasu
sunlight
にっこうnikkou
supermarket
スーパーsuupaa
sure, certain; reliable
たしtasika
surely, certainly
きっとkitto
surely; certainly; indeed
たしか にtasika ni

Where きっと expresses a strong belief or confidence that something will happen or is the case, たしか に often additionally implies that the speaker has evidence or reasoning to support the certainty, or has personally verified the fact.

surfing
サーフィンsaafin
sushi
寿susi
sushi restaurant
寿susiya
sweater, jumper
セーターseetaa
sweet
あまamai
swimming
およoyogi
swimsuit, bathing suit
みずmizugi
sword
かたなkatana
table
テーブルteeburu
Take care. Come back safely.
いってらっしゃい。itterassyai.
Literally: go and come back
tale, story
ものがたりmonogatari
Tanaka surname
なかtanaka
tape
テープteepu
tape recorder
テープレコーダーteepurekoodaa
taxi
タクシーtakusii
tea bowl; rice bowl
ちゃわんtyawan
teacher
せんせいsensei
telephone
でんdenwa
temperature
おんondo
temple
(お)てら(o)tera
ten
じゅうzyuu
ten (objects)
十つとおtoo
ten million
いっせんまんissenman
ten thousand
いちまんitiman
ten thousands counter
まんman
tennis
テニスtenisu
tennis court
コートkooto
test
テストtesuto
text(book)
テキストtekisuto
Thailand
タイtai
than; from; more
よりyori
thank you neutral
ありがとうarigatou
Thank you very much. formal
どうも ありがとう ございます。doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you very much. neutral
どうも ありがとう。doumo arigatou.
Thank you. formal
ありがとう ございます。arigatou gozaimasu.
thanks casual
どうもdoumo
that (one) pronoun
それsore
that (one) over there pronoun
あれare
that ... (over there) adnominal
あのano
that ... adnominal
そのsono
that formal; that person; that way
そちらsotira
that over there formal; that person over there; that way over there
あちらatira
that person over there; that way over there; that (one) over there
あっちatti
that person; that way; that (one)
そっちsotti
the day after tomorrow
さっasatte
the day before yesterday
といototoi
the explanation is that...; it is that....
んですndesu
the explanation is that...; it is that....
んだnda
the explanation is that...; it is that....
の ですno desu
the month after next
らいげつsaraigetu
the month before last
せんせんげつsensengetu
The Netherlands
オランダoranda
the week after next
らいしゅうsaraisyuu
the week before last
せんせんしゅうsensensyuu
the year after next
らいねんsarainen
the year before last
としototosi
theme; topic
テーマteema
then; well; so; well then
じゃあzyaa
therenear the listener
そこsoko
these
これらkorera
these days; recently; nowadays
このごろkonogoro
they; them
かれkarera
they; them (female only)
かのじょたちkanozyotati
thick; generous; deep
あつatui
thief; burglar
どろぼうdorobou
thin, slender, slim; narrow
ほそhosoi

Primarily used to describe the thinness in diameter or width of something long and narrow, like a thread, hair, or a road. It can also describe slender physical features.

thin; light; weak
うすusui

Used to describe the physical thinness of something flat (like paper or cloth), the lightness of color or taste, or the diluteness of a liquid. It can also imply something is superficial or not profound.

thing; situation; verb nominalizer
〜こと〜koto
thirty thousand
さんまんsanman
this (one) pronoun
これkore
this ... adnominal
このkono
this formal; this person; this way
こちらkotira
this month
こんげつkongetu
this morning
kesa
this person; this way; this (one)
こっちkotti
this week
こんしゅうkonsyuu
this year
としkotosi
those; they
それらsorera
though, although
けどkedo
though, although
けれどkeredo
though/although
けれどもkeredomo
thousand
せんsen
thousands
なんぜんnanzen
thread
いとito
three
さんsan
three (objects)
みっmittu
throughout, duringused after a noun
ちゅう〜tyuu

Sometimes the initial t-sound changes into a d-sound due to rendaku, a phenomenon where the initial consonant of the second part of a compound word becomes voiced.

Unfortunately, there are no clear rules for when rendaku applies.

thunder; thunderbolt
かみなりkaminari
Thursday
もくようmokuyoubi
ticket
チケットtiketto
ticket
きっkippu
tie; necktie
ネクタイnekutai
time
かんzikan
time
ときtoki
times counter
〜do

This counter is regular.

tip, point
さきsaki
to (hang to) dry; to air
hosu
to announce; to present; to publish
はっぴょうするhappyousuru
to answer, to reply
こたえるkotaeru
to apply paint; to paint
ペンキ を penki wo nuru
to arrive formal
とうちゃくするtoutyakusuru
to arrive, to reach
tuku
to ask
kiku
to ask (humbly)
うかがukagau
to ask a question
しつもんするsitumonsuru
to ask for ...; to order
たのtanomu
to ask for directions
みち を miti wo kiku
to attach; to apply; to put
けるtukeru
to be
ですdesu
to be
da
to be very polite
ございますgozaimasu
to be able to do
できるdekiru
to be able to; to be possible to
〜こと が できる〜koto ga dekiru
to be absent; to take a day off
やすyasumu
to be audible; to be able to hear
こえるkikoeru
to be born
まれるumareru
to be contained in
はいって いるhaitte iru
to be curved; to be bent
がって いるmagatte iru
to be decided
まるkimaru
to be done
されるsareru
to be due to; to be caused by
よるyoru
to be hospitalized
にゅういんするnyuuinsuru
to be hungry
なか が onaka ga suku
to be in time (for); to catch (e.g. a train)
maniau
to be involved in; to affect; to concern
かかわるkakawaru
to be late; to be delayed; to be overdue
おくれるokureru
to be lined up; to line up
ならnarabu
to be made of
で て いるde dekite iru

Usually written using only hiragana

to be made; to be built
dekiru

Often written using hiragana only

to be old; to have aged
とし を って いるtosi wo totte iru
to be popular
にん が あるninki ga aru
to be promoted; to advance
がるagaru
to be ready
できるdekiru
to be rude, to be impolite
しつれいするsitureisuru
to be sensitive to; to be susceptible to
〜 に よわ〜 ni yowai
to be short
 が ひくse ga hikui
to be sufficient, to be enough
りるtariru
to be tall
 が たかse ga takai
to be tired
つかれて いるtukarete iru
to be troubled; to have difficulty
こまkomaru
to be understood; to understand; to be known
かるwakaru
to be visible; to be able to see
えるmieru
to become
なるnaru
to begin (something)
はじめるhazimeru
to begin, to start intransitive
はじまるhazimaru
to believe; to trust
しんじるsinziru
to bend; to turn
がるmagaru
to bite; to chew
kamu
to bloom; to blossom
saku
to blow; to breathe out; to play (a wind instrument)
huku
to borrow
りるkariru
to breathe
いき を するiki wo suru
to build; to construct
てるtateru
to buy
kau
to call, to telephone
でんするdenwasuru
to call; to invite; to summon
yobu
to carry; to hold; to take; to have
motu
to carry; to transport
はこhakobu
to catch a cold
 を kaze wo hiku
to cause
こすokosu
to celebrate
(お)祝いわいする(o)iwaisuru
to change intransitive
かわkawaru
to change transitive
えるkaeru
to chirp; to cry; to sing; to meow; to bark; (animal making sound)
naku
to clean; to sweep
そうするsouzisuru
to clear up; to be sunny
れるhareru
to climb
のぼnoboru
to closeintransitive
まるsimaru
to closetransitive
めるsimeru
to come
kuru
to come down with (a disease); to catch (a disease)
かかるkakaru
to come in; to come into
はいって くるhaitte kuru
to come off, to be removed
れるtoreru
to come to a halt, to stopintransitive
まるtomaru
to come to an end
れるkureru
to comehonorific
いらっしゃるirassyaru
to commute, to go (somewhere regularly)
かよkayou
to cook
りょうするryourisuru
to copy
コピーするkopiisuru
to cross over
わたwataru
to cut
kiru
to dance
おどodoru
to dance; to flutter
mau

舞う primarily means to flutter, to swirl, or to dance in a graceful, often floating manner.

It conveys a sense of elegance, lightness, and sometimes a more traditional or poetic quality. It is frequently used in the context of nature, such as leaves fluttering in the wind, snowflakes falling gently, or birds dancing in the air.

When referring to human dancing, 舞う often implies a more traditional or ritualistic dance, such as those found in classical Japanese arts like Noh or Kabuki.

to decide
めるkimeru
to decide on ~
〜 に する〜 ni suru
to descend; to go down
くだkudaru
to die
sinu
to differ; to be wrong
ちがtigau
to disappear; to vanish; to go out; to be extinguished
えるkieru
to disconnect; to hang up (the phone); to turn off (an appliance)
kiru

is not used for turning off lights. For lights, use instead.

to disturb; to interrupt
じゃするzyamasuru
to divide; to share (by dividing)
けるwakeru
to do
するsuru
to do
やるyaru

やる has a more casual tone compared to する and is often used in everyday conversation. It's also often used when talking about doing a task, especially a chore.

to do laundry; to wash clothes
せんたくするsentakusuru
to drink
nomu
to drive; to operate (a machine)
うんてんするuntensuru
to eat
べるtaberu
to encounter; to meet (by chance)
deau
to enjoy, to have a good time
たのしむtanosimu
to enter
はいhairu
to erase; to extinguish; to turn off, to switch off
kesu
to escort; to see off
おくokuru
to exceed; to pass
ぎるsugiru
to exercise; to move
うんどうするundousuru
to exist; to have; (used for non-living entities)
あるaru
to exist; to stay; to have (used for living beings)
いるiru
to experience
けいけんするkeikensuru
to fail (for example an exam)
ちるotiru
to fall (from the sky)
huru
to fall; to drop
ちるotiru
to feel relieved
あんしんするansinsuru
to find; to discover
つけるmitukeru
to finish (something), to end (something)
えるoeru
to finish; to endintransitive
わるowaru
to fly
tobu
to forget
わすれるwasureru
to gain weight; to become fat
ふとhutoru
to gather (something); to collect (something); to assemble (something)
あつめるatumeru
to gather; to come together; to assemble
あつまるatumaru
to get cloudy; to cloud up; to become gloomy
くもkumoru
to get dark; to setthe sun
 が れるhi ga kureru
to get empty
suku
to get off; to disembark; to dismount
りるoriru
to get up; to wake up
きるokiru
to get; to receive; to take; to have (as in taking)
もらmorau

Usually written without kanji.

to give (humbly); to offer (humbly)
げるsasiageru
to give (something intangible); to bestow; to grant
あたえるataeru
to give as a present
プレゼントするpurezentosuru
to go
iku
to go for a walk; to stroll
さんするsanposuru
to go out, to leave
かけるdekakeru

出かける is more specific than 出る, as it implies going out specifically for a purpose, such as shopping, dining or visiting someone.

to go straight
まっすぐ いくmassugu iku
to go to see; to visit
 に mi ni iku
to graduate
そつぎょうするsotugyousuru
to hand over; to pass
わたwatasu
to hang; to suspend
けるkakeru
to hate, to detest
きらkirau
to have a headache
つう が するzutuu ga suru
to have done (before)
〜こと が ある〜koto ga aru
to have to do 〜
〜ない と いけない〜nai to ikenai
to have to do 〜
〜ない と ダメ (です)〜nai to dame (desu)
to have to do 〜
〜なくて は いけない〜nakute ha ikenai
to have to do 〜
〜なくて は ならない〜nakute ha naranai
to have to do 〜
〜なくて は ダメ〜nakute ha dame
to have to do 〜
〜なくちゃ〜nakutya
to help
つだtetudau
to hold up (an umbrella)
sasu
to hurry
いそisogu
to hurt, to ache
いたitamu
to hurt; to injure; to straintransitive
いためるitameru
to insert
れるireru
to know
siru
to learn; to study
まなmanabu

Studying or learning broadly, often through self-study or academic pursuit.

to leave, to go out, to exit
deru
to lend
kasu
to light; to ignite
 を つけるhi wo tukeru
to line up something; to arrange
ならべるnaraberu
to listen; to hear
kiku
to live in, to reside
sumu
to look like
に えるni mieru
to lose something
くすnakusu
to make a call
けるkakeru
to make a copy (of)
コピー を kopii wo toru
to mark
マークするmaakusuru
to marry
けっこんするkekkonsuru
to meet, to see
au
To move (house)
引っひっhikkosu
to move; to run used for a machine
うごugoku
to need; to want
iru
to not do 〜 and ...; to not do 〜 so ...
〜なくて〜nakute
to obtain; to procure; to get
 に れるte ni ireru
to occur; to happen
こるokoru
to openintransitive
aku
to opentransitive
けるakeru
to order
ちゅうもんするtyuumonsuru
to paint; to plaster; to spread; to apply
nuru
to participate, to take part in
さんするsankasuru
to pass an exam or test
ごうかくするgoukakusuru
to pass away; to die
くなるnakunaru
to paste; to stick; to affix
haru
to pay
はらharau
to play (a game)
あそasobu
to play a string instrumente.g. guitar, piano
hiku
to polish; to grind; to brush (teeth)
みがmigaku
to practice; to train
れんしゅうするrensyuusuru
to praise; to compliment
めるhomeru
to prefer; to be fond of
このkonomu
to pull; to draw; to catch (a cold)
hiku
to push, to press
osu
to put on; to wear
けるkakeru
to put out; to produce; to take out; to release
dasu
to put, to place; to leave
oku
to raise; to give
げるageru
to read
yomu
to recall, to remember
おもomoidasu
to receive (humbly)
いただitadaku
to receive; to undergo; to take
けるukeru
to relax
リラックスするrirakkususuru
to remember; to memorize
おぼえるoboeru
to remove; to take off; to detach; to unfasten
はずhazusu
to request; to wish; to hope
(お)ねがいする(o)negaisuru
to rest; to take a break
やすyasumu
to return
かえkaeru
to return (something); to give back
かえkaesu
to ride; to get on (a vehicle)
noru
to rise; to go up
がるagaru
to rise; to increase
たかまるtakamaru
to run
はしhasiru
to run
ランニングするranningusuru
to run out
れるkireru
to say
iu
to say (humbly); to offer (words) (humbly)
もうげるmousiageru
to see; to look at; to watch
miru
to sell
uru
to send
おくokuru
to send; to submit
dasu
to serve (food)
dasu
to shine
sasu
to shine; to glitter; to glow
ひかhikaru
to show; to display
せるmiseru
to sing
うたutau
to sit
すわsuwaru
to sleep; to lie down; to go to bed
neru
to smoke
suu
to sound; to ring
naru
to speak
はなhanasu
to spread; to stretchintransitive
ひろがるhirogaru
to stand; to stand up
tatu
to start up, to boot up; to launch
げるtatiageru
to start, to begin
かいするkaisisuru
to steal
ぬすnusumu
to stop
yamu

is used when something stops on its own. It's often used for weather phenomena, such as rain or snow.

まる is a broader term that can be used for any sort of cessation of movement or action.

to stop (an activity); to give up; to quit
やめるyameru
to stop (an activity); to give up; to quit
めるyameru

Alternative spelling of やめる

to stop ...
めるtomeru
to study
べんきょうするbenkyousuru
to sweep; to brush; to clean
haku
to swim
およoyogu
to take
toru
to take (a bath or shower); to bask (in the sunlight)
びるabiru
to take (time to do something)
かかるkakaru
to take a bath
(お) に はい(o)huro ni hairu
to take a photo
toru
to take care; to be careful
 を けるki wo tukeru
to take lightly; to underestimate
あまく amaku miru
to take notes
メモするmemosuru
to take off; to remove clothing
nugu
to take/bring something with you
って motte iku
to take/bring something with you
って motte kuru

Whether you say って or 持って depends on the perspective of the speaker. For movement away from the speaker, use . For movement towards the speaker, use .

to tasteintransitive
あじ が するazi ga suru
to tastetransitive
あじ を azi wo miru
to teach; to inform
おしえるosieru
to test
テストするtesutosuru
to think about; to ponder; to consider
かんがえるkangaeru
to think; to believe
おもomou
to throw away; to discard
てるsuteru
to tire
つかれるtukareru
to touch; to feel
さわsawaru
to travel
りょこうするryokousuru
to travel abroad
かいがいりょこう を するkaigairyokou wo suru
to turn left
ひだり に がるhidari ni magaru
to turn on; to switch on
つけるtukeru
to turn right
みぎ に がるmigi ni magaru
to use
使つかtukau
to visit
たずねるtazuneru
to wait
matu
to wake someone up
こすokosu
to walk
あるaruku
to wash
あらarau
to wear; to put on (something on feet or legs)
haku
to wearon upper body
kiru
to work
はたらhataraku
to work
ごとするsigotosuru
to work for; to be employed at; to serve
つとめるtutomeru
to write
kaku
to [destination particle]
he
today
きょkyou
together with
と いっしょ にto issyo ni
together; at the same time; simultaneously
いっしょ にissyo ni
together; same
いっしょissyo
toilet
トイレtoire
toilet; restroom; lavatory; bathroom
あらotearai
Tokyo
とうきょうtoukyou
Tokyo City
とうきょうtoukyousi
tomato
トマトtomato
tomorrow
したasita
tonight
こんkonya
tonight, this evening
こんばんkonban
too; also
mo
tooth
ha
topic particle
ha
town
まちmati
Toyota
トヨタtoyota
traditional Japanese dress
ものkimono
traffic
トラフィックtorafikku
traffic accident
こうつうkoutuuziko
traffic light; signal
しんごうsingou
traffic situation
こうつうじょうきょうkoutuuzyoukyou
traffic; transportation
こうつうkoutuu
train
れっしゃressya
trash can; garbage bin
ゴミばこgomibako
trash; garbage; rubbish
ごみgomi

Usually written using katakana.

travel, traveling, trip, tour
りょこうryokou
travel, trip, journey
たびtabi
tree; wood
ki
trees
kigi
trousers
ズボンzubon
trumpet
トランペットtoranpetto
trust
しんらいsinrai
trustworthy; able to be trusted
しんらい できるsinrai dekiru

The structure [noun] + できる is a common way to express the ability or possibility related to the noun. This construction turns the noun into an adjective describing the noun that follows.

truth, right
ほんとうhontou
Tuesday
ようkayoubi
tunnel
トンネルtonneru
TV
テレビterebi
twenty thousand
まんniman
twenty years old
hatati
twice
かいnikai
two
ni
two (objects)
ふたhutatu
two people
ふたhutari
two times; twice
nido
type, kind
しゅるいsyurui
typhoon
たいふうtaihuu
U.S.A.
アメリカamerika
Ueno Park
うえ こうえんueno kouen
um, uh; excuse me
あのうanou
umbrella
かさkasa
unappetizing; bad-tasting; unpleasant
mazui
uncle
ozi
United Kingdom; England
えいこくeikoku
United States
べいこくbeikoku
university
だいがくdaigaku
university student
だいがくせいdaigakusei
unpalatable; bad-tasting
まずいmazui
unpleasant; disagreeablei
いや(な)iya(na)
until, till, to
までmade
useful, convenient
便べんbenrina
vanilla
バニラbanira
various
いろいろiroiro

Alternative spelling of いろいろ.

various
いろいろiroiro
vase
びんkabin
vegetable
さいyasai
vegetarian
ベジタリアンbezitarian
verb group 1
だんgodan
verb group 2
いちだんitidan
verb nominalizer
no
verb suffix for forming the imperative, among other things
〜て〜te
verb suffix to express desire
〜たい〜tai
versatile and expressive particle often used in conversational Japanese to convey a range of emotions, from reflection and emphasis to longing and admiration
なあnaa
vertical writing
たてtategaki
vertical; lengthwise
たてtate
very popular
だいにんdaininki
very, extremely
とてもtotemo
very; greatly; terribly; extremely; awfully
たいへんtaihen
videogame
テレビゲームterebigeemu
village
むらmura
village; hometown
さとsato
violin
バイオリンbaiorin
virus
ウイルスuirusu
visiting someone who is ill or injured; a visit to express sympathy; sending a gift or card to someone who is unwell as a gesture of concern and well-wishing
omimai
voice
こえkoe
volcano
ざんkazan
volitional form
〜おう、 〜よう〜ou, 〜you
walk, stroll
さんsanpo
wall
かべkabe
wallet
さいsaihu
wanted
ほしいhosii
war
せんそうsensou
warm
あたたかいatatakai

あたたかい is a mild and comfortable warmth, and can be used for weather, for object that make you physically warm such as clothes and blankets, and also for things that make you metaphorically warm such as a song.

washing-up, dish-washing
さらあらsaraarai
watch (time piece)
けいtokei
Watch out!
あぶない!abunai!
water
みずmizu
water buffalo
すいぎゅうsuigyuu
watermelon
西すいsuika
wax
ワックスwakkusu
way of; method of
かた〜kata
we
わたしたちwatasitati
weak
よわyowai

Refers to the lack of physical strength, durability, or robustness. It can also describe a low level of ability, influence, or intensity in non-physical contexts, such as a weak argument or being weak against cold temperatures.

weather
てんtenki
website
ウェブサイトwebusaito
Wednesday
すいようsuiyoubi
week
しゅうsyuu
weekend
しゅうまつsyuumatu
Welcome home.
かえり なさい。okaeri nasai.
Literally: do return
well, properly; best regards
よろしくyorosiku
well; lively, vigorous; health
げんgenki
west
西にしnisi
Western style door
ドアdoa
what
なんnan
what
なにnani
what day (of the month); how many days
なんにちnanniti
what day (of the week)
なんようnanyoubi
What does X mean?
X は なん の  です か?X ha nan no imi desu ka?
what floor
なんかいnankai
What happened?; What's wrong?
どう しました か。dou simasita ka.
What is it?
なん です か?nan desu ka?
what month
なんがつnangatu
what time
なんnanzi
what year
なんねんnannen
what, what kind of
どんなdonna
when
いつitu
where
どこdoko
whether or not
か どう かka dou ka
which (one)
どれdore
which ...
どのdono
which one; who
どちらdotira
which person; which way; which (one)
どっちdotti
while ...
〜ながら〜nagara
whisky
ウイスキーuisukii
whiteadjective
しろsiroi
whitenoun
しろsiro
who
だれdare
whovery polite
どなたdonata
why; for what reason
naze
why; for what reason
なぜnaze

Same as . This word is often written using hiragana alone.

why; how
どうしてdousite
wide; spacious
ひろhiroi
wind
かぜkaze
window
まどmado
wine
ワインwain
winter
ふゆhuyu
wish, hope
(お)ねが(o)negai
without doing
〜ないで〜naide
woman
おんなonna
woman
おんな の ひとonna no hito
woman, girl
じょzyosi

The term 女子 in Japanese refers to a girl or young woman, but the specific age range it covers can vary depending on the context. Generally, 女子 is used to refer to females from early childhood up to their late twenties.

In schools, 女子学生 refers to female students of any age, from elementary through university. In sports and other activities, 女子 might be used to distinguish female participants, again without strict age limits.

However, in more formal or official contexts, 女子 might be more closely associated with younger females, particularly those in the schooling age range up to young adulthood.

word; language
ことkotoba
work, job
ごとsigoto
Yamada surname
やまyamada
Yamashitaname
やましたyamasita
year counter
ねんnen
year; age
としtosi
years of age (counter)
さい〜sai
yellow
いろkiiro
yellow
いろkiiroi
yen
えんen
yes
はいhai
yes
ええee
yesterday
のうkinou
yoghurt
ヨーグルトyooguruto
Yokohama
よこはまyokohama
you
あなたanata
you (plural)
あなたたちanatatati
young
わかwakai
younger brother
おとうと(さん)otouto(san)
younger sister
いもうと(さん)imouto(san)
zebra
シマウマsimauma
zero
ゼロzero
zero
れいrei