35 Essential Japanese Words for Beginners358

Whether you're a complete novice or you've dabbled in Japanese before, mastering a solid foundation of vocabulary is essential for building fluency. To get you started, here's a comprehensive list of 35 essential Japanese words that will enhance your communication skills:1. こんにちは (Konnichiwa) - Hello (during the day)
Pronunciation: Kon-nee-chee-wa
2. こんばんは (Konbanwa) - Hello (in the evening)
Pronunciation: Kon-ban-wa
3. おはようございます (Ohayo Gozaimasu) - Good morning
Pronunciation: O-ha-yo go-zai-ma-su
4. ありがとうございます (Arigatou Gozaimasu) - Thank you
Pronunciation: A-ri-ga-to go-zai-ma-su
5. すみません (Sumimasen) - Excuse me (for apologies or attracting attention)
Pronunciation: Su-mi-ma-sen
6. はい (Hai) - Yes
Pronunciation: Ha-i
7. いいえ (Iie) - No
Pronunciation: I-e
8. だいじょうぶ (Daijoubu) - I'm fine (or OK)
Pronunciation: Dai-joe-bu
9. わかりません (Wakaranai) - I don't understand
Pronunciation: Wa-ka-ra-na-i
10. お名前はなんですか? (Onamae wa nan desu ka?) - What's your name?
Pronunciation: O-na-ma-e wa nan desu ka?
11. わたしは〇〇です (Watashi wa〇〇desu) - My name is...
Pronunciation: Wa-ta-shi wa〇〇desu (replace 〇〇 with your name)
12. はじめまして (Hajimemashite) - Nice to meet you
Pronunciation: Ha-ji-me-ma-shi-te
13. どういたしまして (Dou itashimashite) - You're welcome (response to thank you)
Pronunciation: Do-u i-ta-shi-ma-shi-te
14. いくらですか? (Ikura desu ka?) - How much is it?
Pronunciation: I-ku-ra desu ka?
15. どちらですか? (Dochira desu ka?) - Where is...?
Pronunciation: Do-chi-ra desu ka?
16. トイレはどこですか? (Toire wa doko desu ka?) - Where is the toilet?
Pronunciation: To-i-re wa do-ko desu ka?
17. お水ください (O mizu kudasai) - Please give me water
Pronunciation: O mi-zu ku-da-sai
18. お茶ください (O cha kudasai) - Please give me tea
Pronunciation: O cha ku-da-sai
19. いただきます (Itadakimasu) - Let's eat (said before eating)
Pronunciation: I-ta-da-ki-ma-su
20. ごちそうさま (Gochisousama) - Thank you for the meal (said after eating)
Pronunciation: Go-chi-soo-sa-ma
21. 日本語 (Nihongo) - Japanese language
Pronunciation: Ni-hon-go
22. 漢字 (Kanji) - Chinese characters used in Japanese writing
Pronunciation: Kan-ji
23. ひらがな (Hiragana) - Japanese syllabary
Pronunciation: Hi-ra-ga-na
24. カタカナ (Katakana) - Japanese syllabary used for foreign words and emphasis
Pronunciation: Ka-ta-ka-na
25. 日本 (Nihon) - Japan
Pronunciation: Ni-hon
26. 東京 (Tokyo) - Tokyo
Pronunciation: To-kyo
27. 京都 (Kyoto) - Kyoto
Pronunciation: Kyo-to
28. 大阪 (Osaka) - Osaka
Pronunciation: O-sa-ka
29. はい (Hai) - Yes (informal)
Pronunciation: Ha-i
30. いいえ (Iie) - No (informal)
Pronunciation: I-e
31. お元気ですか? (O genki desu ka?) - How are you? (formal)
Pronunciation: O gen-ki desu ka?
32. 元気です (Genki desu) - I'm doing well
Pronunciation: Gen-ki desu
33. さようなら (Sayonara) - Goodbye
Pronunciation: Sa-yo-na-ra
34. またね (Mata ne) - See you later
Pronunciation: Ma-ta ne
35. よろしくおねがいします (Yoroshiku onegai shimasu) - Nice to meet you (formal)
Pronunciation: Yo-ro-shi-ku o-ne-gai shi-ma-su