Vocabulary - 単語
Now that you've got the Japanese alphabets down, let's learn some vocabulary words and simple phrases. I will list the Kanji, Hiragana, Romaji (the word sounded out using English letters), and the English meaning for each word or phrase. Most words have Kanji for them but I will only include the Kanji if the word is regularly written that way.
Keep in mind that the Japanese language has different levels of politeness that change based on who you are talking to. I will refer to these as "ultra-formal", "formal" (or "polite form"), "normal" (or "plain form"), "informal", and "rude" (we won't be covering too much of the rude form, however).
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| 漢字 - Kanji |
ひらがな - Hiragana |
Romaji
(English Letters) |
English Meaning |
| 私 |
わたし |
watashi |
I (formal for males, normal for females) |
| 僕 |
ぼく |
boku |
I (normal for males) |
| 彼 |
かれ |
kare |
he |
| 彼女 |
かのじょ |
kanojo |
she |
| あなた |
あなた |
anata |
you (singular/normal) |
| これ |
これ |
kore |
this (object) |
| ここ |
ここ |
koko |
here |
| この |
この |
kono |
this (ex. this pen) |
| それ |
それ |
sore |
that (object) |
| そこ |
そこ |
soko |
there |
| その |
その |
sono |
that (ex. that pen) |
| 人 |
ひと |
hito |
person |
| 犬 |
いぬ |
inu |
dog |
| 猫 |
ねこ |
neko |
cat |
| 家 |
いえ |
ie |
house |
| ありがとう |
ありがとう |
arigatou |
Thank you. (normal) |
ありがとう
ございます |
ありがとう
ございます |
arigatou gozaimasu |
Thank you. (formal) |
| どういたしまして |
どういたしまして |
douitashimashite |
You're welcome. (normal) |
| おはよう |
おはよう |
ohayou
(sounds like Ohio) |
Good morning. (informal) |
| おはようございます |
おはようございます |
ohayou gozaimasu |
Good morning.
(normal and formal) |
| こんにちは |
こんにちは |
konnichi wa |
Hello. (normal) |
| こんばんは |
こんばんは |
konban wa |
Good evening. (normal) |
| さよなら |
さよなら |
sayonara |
Goodbye. (normal) | |