15 Essential Japanese Words for High School Students321

Embarking on your journey into the fascinating world of Japanese language is an exciting endeavor. To lay the foundation for your linguistic proficiency, mastering a core vocabulary is paramount. This article will provide you with 15 essential Japanese words that will serve as building blocks for your language learning adventure.

1. はじめまして (hajimemashite) - Nice to meet you

A polite greeting used upon first meeting someone, expressing your pleasure at the encounter.

2. こんにちは (konnichiwa) - Hello

A general greeting used during the day, typically from morning until evening.

3. こんばんは (konbanwa) - Good evening

A greeting used specifically in the evening, after sunset.

4. おはようございます (ohayogozaimasu) - Good morning

A polite greeting used specifically in the morning from about 4:00 am to noon.

5. さようなら (sayonara) - Goodbye

A somewhat formal goodbye used in various situations.

6. ありがとう (arigatou) - Thank you

Expressing gratitude for a favor or kindness received.

7. すみません (sumimasen) - Excuse me

Used to apologize for an inconvenience or to attract attention politely.

8. はい (hai) - Yes

A simple affirmation used in response to questions or requests.

9. いいえ (iie) - No

A polite form of negation, expressing disagreement or refusal.

10. わかりません (wakarimasen) - I don't understand

A humble way to express that you do not comprehend something.

11. お名前は？ (おなまえは？) - What is your name?

A polite inquiry used to introduce oneself or ask for someone's name.

12. わたしは...です (わたしは...です) - I am...

A basic sentence structure used to introduce oneself or state one's identity.

13. そうですか (そうですか) - Is that so?

An expression of surprise or realization, used to show that you are listening and understanding.

14. どちらですか (どちらですか) - Which one?

A question used to inquire about a choice or preference between two options.

15. これは何ですか (これはなんですか) - What is this?

A question used to identify an object or concept that is unfamiliar to you.

By incorporating these 15 essential Japanese words into your vocabulary, you will establish a strong foundation for communicating in basic Japanese. As you progress in your language learning journey, you will encounter a wider range of vocabulary and grammatical structures that will enable you to express yourself with increasing fluency and accuracy.

2025-01-14

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