A
abiru: bathe, shower
agaru: step up
ageru: to give
ai: love
aida: between
aimasu (au) aisatsu: greeting
aisu kuriimu: ice cream
Ajia: Asia
aka: red
akagumi: red team
akemashite omedetoo gozaimasu: Happy New Year (after Jan. 1st)
aki: fall, autumn
akishitsu: available room
aku: open
amai: sweet
amari: not very
Amaterasu oomikami: Sun Goddess
ame: rain
Amerika: U.S.A.
anata: you
ane: older sister
ani: older brother
ano: that, the (over there)
anshin: safe
ao(i): blue
araiba: washing area
arau: to wash
are: that, it (over there)
arerugii: allergy
arigatoo: Thank you
aru: to have, to be (inanimate)
aruku: to walk
asa: morning
asa gohan: breakfast
ashi: legs, feet
asobu: to play
asoko: over there
atama: head
atashi: I, me (feminine)
ato: after
atopii: eczema
atsui: hot
atsukan: hot rice liquor
attakai: warm
au: to meet
B
baibai: bye-bye
baiku: bike
ban: platform
banana banana
basu: bus
basutei: bus stop
basuto: bust
bataa: butter
bejitarian: vegetarian
ben: dialect
benkyoo: study
bideo: video
biiru: beer
bijin: beauty
booifurendo: boyfriend
boku: I, me (masculine)
botan: button
boonenkai: end-of-year party
buchoo: division manager
budoo: grapes
bunka no hi: culture day
bunkasai: culture festival
butsudan: Buddhist altar
C
chaahan: fried rice
chairo: brown
chekku-auto: check-out
chi-chi: father (own)
chiisai (na): small
chikai: near
chikatetsu: subway
chippu: tip
chizu: map
choko: chocolate
choonan: eldest son
chooshi: condition
chooshoku: meal
chotto: a little
chuu: medium, regular
Chuugoku: China
D
dai ni kayoobi: second Tuesday of the month
dai suki: favorite
daidokoro: kitchen
daifuku: sticky rice cake with red bean jam
daijoobu: okay
daikon: long white radish
dakara: therefore
dake: only
dame: bad
danna-san: husband
danshi: boys, males
dare: who
dashi: broth
datsuiba: changing room
dekoreeshon: decoration
densha: train
deru: to leave, go out
desu: is, are, to be
dochira: which one
doko: where
donna: what kind of
donna fuu: what style of, type of
dono: what, who
doo: how
doo itashimashite: you are welcome
doo iu fuu: which way, type of
doobutsu: animal
doomo: thanks
dooshite: why
doozo: please, go ahead
dore: which
E
ebi: shrimp
echiketto: etiquette
eiga: movie
eigo: English
eikaiwa: English conversation
eki: train station
en: yen
enkai: drinking party
enpitsu: pencil
enryo: polite refusal
eta: “untouchable” caste
F
fianse: fiancé
fooku: fork
fukuro: bag
fun: minute
furai: fry
furaido poteto: French fries
furonto: front desk
furu: to fall (rain, snow, etc.)
furusato: hometown
furuutsu: fruit
futabin: two bottles
futari: two people
futatsu: two items
futomaki: fat sushi roll
futon: futon
futsuka: the second day of the month
fuusui: feng shui
fuyu: winter
G
gaarufurendo: girlfriend
gai: floor (of a building)
gaikokujin: foreigner, alien
gakkoo: school
gasorin sutando: gas station
gatsu: month
gawa: side
genkan: entryway
genki: lively, fine
getsu: month
go: five
gogo: afternoon
gohiki: five small animals
go-kekkon: wedding (honorific)
gomennasai: I'm sorry
gomi: garbage, trash
gooshitsu: room (hotel)
go-shussan: birth, labor (honorific)
gozenchuu:
gurai: about
guramu: grams
H
haburashi: toothbrush
hachi: eight
hada: skin
hadairo: orange (literally: skin color)
hade (na): flashy
hage: bald
hai: yes, okay, I understand, I see
haiiro: gray
haiku: 5-7-5 syllable poem
hairu: to enter, to go inside
haitta (hairu)
hajimari: the beginning
hajimaru: to begin
hajimemashite: Nice to meet you.
hajimeru: to start
hakaru: to measure
haku: to wear, put on, counter for nights
hameru: to wear (gloves)
hamigakiko: toothpaste
han: the half hour
hana: nose, flower
hanasu: to speak
hanbaagaa: hamburger
hane: wing (s)
hanko: signature stamp
happyookai: recital
hare: fine weather, blue sky
hareru: to clear
haru: spring, to stick, affix
hashi: bridge, chopsticks, edge
hashiru: to run
hatachi: twenty years old
hataraku: to work
hayai: fast
hayaku: quickly
hayaoki: waking up early
hazukashii: shy
hebi: snake
heitan: flat
heiwa: peaceful
heya: room
hidari: left
hiita (hiku)
hiitaa: heater
hikooki: airplane
hiku: to catch a cold
hima: free (time)
hinoiri: sunset
hippu: hips
hiroi: spacious
hirugohan: lunch, noon meal
hiruma: daytime
hirumeshi: noon meal
hirune: nap
hiruyasumi: lunch break, recess
hito: person
hitobin: one bottle
hitokoto: one word, a short speech
hitotsu: one thing
hitto: hit
hoeru: howl, bark
hon: book
honno: just
hontoo: really
hoo: direction
hooritsu: law
hoshii: want
hoshita: dried
hoteru: hotel
hotoke-sama: the Buddha
hyaku: hundred
I
ichi: one, market
ichiban: number one
ichidai: one (car, washing machine, etc.)
ichido: one time, once
ie: house
ii: good
iie: no
ikebana: flower arrangement
ikemasen: not allowed
iki: outward journey
ikkan: one piece of sushi
ikko (iku): one of something
iku: to go
ima: now, living area of a home
imasu (iru) inaka: countryside, rural
inkan: signature stamp
inu: dog
ippai: one (bowlful, cup)
ippon: one (bottle, pencil)
irasshaimase: welcome, may I help you?
irasshaimasu: to be, to go, to come (honorific)
iru: to need, to be (animate)
issho: together, same
isu: chair
itadaku: to humbly receive
itai: painful
itami: pain
ito: thread
itsu: when
itsuka: someday
itsumo: always
itsutsu: five of something
iu: to say
iyagaru: to dislike, to oppose
izakaya: Japanese pub, bar
J
jaa: well …
jaga imo: potato
janken: rock, scissors, paper game
ji: character, hour (time)
jibun: oneself
jikan: time
jikka: family home
jikokuhyoo: schedule
jikoshookai: self-introduction
jimaku: subtitles
jimi: subtle
jinja: shrine
jinkoo: population
jitaku: home (own)
jiyuuseki: nonreserved seat
jizoo: statue of the Buddha
joozu: well done
josei: girls, females
joshi: females, girls
junbi: preparation
juppun: ten minutes
juu: ten
juusho: address
juusu: juice
K
ka: mosquito, question indicator
ka mo shirenai: probably, perhaps, most likely
kabuki: Japanese comedy theater
kaburu: to wear (hat)
kachoo: supervisor
kado: corner
kago: basket
kai: floor (in a building), shellfish
kaidan: stairs
kaigan: coast, beach
kaimono: shopping
kairo: disposable hot pad
kaisha: company
kakeru: to put on, to drape
kaki: oysters, persimmon
kakko ii: “cool”
kaku: to write
kamera: camera
kami: god, goddess, paper, hair
kamidana: Shinto altar in the home
kaminoke: hair (on head)
kamisori: razor
kamu: to bite, to chew
kan: suffix for time
kangae: thought
kangaeru: to think
kanji: Chinese characters
kanningu (suru): to cheat
kanojo: her, girlfriend
kanpai: “cheers”
kanten: gelatin dessert
kao: face
kaori: scent
kappa maki: cucumber sushi roll
kara: from
karada: body
karai: spicy
karaoke: singing with taped music
karee raisu: curry rice
karuta: card game
kashikomarimasu: I understand (humble)
kasu: to loan
katahoo: one of a pair (shoes, socks, etc.)
kataippo: the other one of a pair
katakana: syllabary for writing loan words
katakori: tense shoulders
katsudon: fried pork cutlet bowl
kau: to buy
kawaii: cute
kawaru: to change
kaze: wind
kazoedoshi: a way of determining age
kazokuburo: family bath
ke: hair, fur
kedo: but, however
keito: yarn
kekkoo: good, fine
ken: prefecture
kendoo: bamboo sword fighting
kenka: fight
kenkoo: health
kentooshimasu: to consider
kesa: this morning
ketsu: behind, buttocks
ketsuron: conclusion
ki: tree, life-force energy
kiiroi: yellow
kikai: machine
kimi: you (punitive)
kimochi: feeling
kimono: traditional Japanese dress
kingyo: goldfish
kinjo: neighbors
kinyoobi: Friday
kippu: ticket
kirai: hateful
kirei: pretty
kiro: kilogram
kiru: to cut, to wear
kisetsu: season
kita: north
kita (kuru) kitanai: dirty
ko: child
kodomo: children
koe: voice
koi: carp, deep (color), strong (flavor)
koko: here
kokonoka: the ninth day
kokusai: international
koma mawashi: top spinning
kome: rice
konbanwa: good evening
kondo: next
konnichiwa: hello, good afternoon
kono: this
kono aida: the time before this
kono hen: in this area
konya: this evening
kooen: park
koohai: inferior
koohii: coffee
kopii: copy
kore: this, the
korosu: to kill
kosaji: teaspoon
koshi: lower back
kotatsu: heated table
koto: Japanese harp
koto: thing, matter, incident
kotowaru: to refuse
kowai: scary
kowasu: to break
ku: nine
kuchi: mouth
kudamono: fruit
kudasai: please
kudasaru: to give (honorific)
kun: term of endearment for boy
kura: storehouse for treasures
kuraberu: to compare
kurai: dark
kureru: to give, to be given
kuru: to come
kuruma: car
kurumi: walnut
kusai: stinky, smelly
kushami: sneeze
kushi: comb
kutsu: shoe
kutsushita: socks
kuukoo: airport
kuuraa: cooler, air conditioner
kyoodai: sibling
kyoomi: interest
kyootoo sensei: vice principal
kyuu: nine
kyuu ni: suddenly
M
maamaa: so-so
machi: town, wait
mada: still
made: until
mae: before, in front of
maefuri: smalltalk
maemuki: positive attitude
magaru: to bend, to turn
mai: every
mai: counter for flat things
makiburo: wood-fire heated bath
makura: pillow
man: 10,000
mannenrei: way of determining age
manzoku: satisfied, full
massaaji: massage
massugu: straight
mata: again, once more
mawashi: sumoo uniform
mei: counter for people
meishi: business card
men: noodles
menkyoshoo: driver's license
menyuu: menu
meshi: meal, rice
mezurashii: rare, unusual
michi: road, path
midori: green
migi: right (direction)
mikan: tangerine
mikka: the third day
mimikaki: ear cleaner, pick
minami: south
mina-sama: ladies and gentlemen, everyone
mina-san (mina-sama) minshuku: Japanese-style guesthouse
miririttoru: milliliters
miru: to see, to watch
mise: store
miseru: to show
miso: soybean paste
mittsu: three items
mizu: water
mizuburo: cold-water bath
mizuumi: lake
mo: too, both
mochi: sticky rice cakes
mochiron: of course
moeru: burnable, to burn
mokuyoobi: Thursday
momijigari: autumn maple leaf “hunting”
mono: thing
mooningu kooru: wake-up call
morau: to receive
moshi-moshi: excuse me, hello? (on the phone)
motsu: to hold, to keep, to carry
motto: more
moo: already, yet, any more
moofu: blanket
mooshikomu: to apply
mooshimasu: to be called (formal)
mooshiwake: apology
mugi: barley
mugicha: barley tea
muika: the sixth day of the month
mukae: to go and meet
mukashi: a long time ago, once upon a time
mukoo: over there
munoo yaku: organic
murasaki: purple
musume: daughter
muzukashii: difficult
myooji: family name
N
nado: such as
nagai: long
naifu: knife
naka: inside
nakigoe: cry
naku: to cry
nama: raw
namazake: raw rice liquor
nan: what, how many
nana: seven
nande: why
nande daroo: I wonder why, good question
nandemo: anything
nani: what
nanoka: the seventh day of the month
naosu: to fix
nara: if it comes to, supposing
naru: to become
naru hodo: as expected, I see
nashi: without
nasubi: eggplant
natsu: summer
nattoo: fermented soybeans
naze: why
nemuru: to sleep
nen: year
neru: to lie down
netsu: fever
nezumi: rat
ni: two, at, to, towards
nichi: day
nigakki: second semester
nihaku: two nights stay
Nihon: Japan
nihongo: Japanese
nihonshu: Japanese rice liquor
nijikai: second party
nikan: two pieces of sushi
niku: meat
nimono: boiled things
nimotsu: luggage, packages
nin: people, person
nioi: smell, odor
nisatsu: two books, bills
nise: fake
nishi: west
niwa: garden
niwatori: chicken
no: possessive particle
nobasu: to stretch out
nomu: to drink
nonbiri: relaxing, taking it easy
noo: traditional Japanese theater
nooyaku: pesticides, fertilizers
noriba: platform
nugu: to remove (shoes, clothing)
O
oagari: help yourself
o-baa-san: grandmother
oban: evening
oba-san: aunt
o-bentoo: boxed lunch
obi: wide belt for kimono
oboeru: to learn, to memorize
o-cha: tea
odoru: to dance
o-furo: bath
o-hagi: sticky rice cake
o-hanami: flower viewing party
o-hayou gozaimasu: good morning
o-hisashiburi: long time, no see
o-hitsu: wooden container for rice
oide: come here (casual)
o-ikura: how much
o-ikutsu: how old, how many
oishii: delicious
o-jama-shimasu: may I come in
ojigi suru: to bow
ojiichan: grandpa
o-kaeri: welcome home, return home
o-kaeri nasai (o-kaeri) o-kaeshi: return item, change (money)
o-kage-sama: thanks to you
o-kane: money
okashii: funny
okimari: decision (honorific)
okimasu (okiru) okiru: to awaken
okosu: to wake someone up
okuremasu: to be late
okuru: to send
o-kyaku-sama: customers, guests
omae: you (punitive)
omae: guest entrance
omakaseru: to defer to someone's expertise
o-medeta: celebratory occasion
omedetoo: congratulations
omikoshi: miniature shrine used in festivals
o-miyage: souvenirs, gifts
omoi: heavy
omoshiroi: interesting
omou: to think, to feel, to hope
omuraisu: rice omelet
omutsu: diapers
onaji: same
ondo: temperature
o-nee-san: older sister
onegai: favor
onegai itashimasu: please do this for me (formal)
onegai shimasu: please do this for me
ongakushitsu: music room
onidaiko: demon dancing
onigiri: rice balls
onna: woman
onna-no-ko: girl
onsen: hot springs
ooendan: cheerleader
ooendanchoo: head cheerleader
ookii: big
ookisa: size
oomare: birthplace
oosaji: tablespoon
orenji: orange (color and fruit)
osaki ni: before you, to go first
o-sewa ni nattemasu: to be taken care of
o-shibori: wet handtowel
oshieru: to teach
o-shokuji: meal
o-shoogatsu: the New Year
o-sooji: cleaning
o-sooshiki: funeral
ossu: casual greeting
o-sumai: home (polite)
o-susume: today's special
otaku: home (someone else's)
o-tanjoobi: birthday
o-tera: temple
o-tetsudai: assistance, help
oto: sound
otoko: male, man
otoko-no-ko: boy
otona: adult
o-too-san: father
otooto: younger brother
otoshidama: gift of money for children
otosu: to drop
otsukai: use (polite)
o-tsukare sama deshita: thanks for your hard work
otsumami: appetizer for beer, alcohol
otsuri: change(money)
otsuyu: soup
o-yasumi: good night (casual)
o-yasuminasai: good night, take a rest
oyogu: to swim
o-yome-san: bride, daughter-in-law
o-yu: hot water
P
pan: bread
pasokon: personal computer
pateii: party
piero: clown
pinku: pink
piza: pizza
poteto chippusu: potato chips
pun: minute
R
raamen: Chinese noodles
raishuu: next week
rajio tairoo: radio exercises
rashii: suffix: typical of
renkon: lotus root
rentakaa: rental car
reshiito: receipt
resutoran: restaurant
rimokon: remote control
ringo: apple
rokkaa: locker
roku: six
roomaji: Roman letters
roppon: six bottles, pencils, towers
ryokan: Japanese-style hotel
ryokoo: travel
ryokoo gaisha: travel company
ryookin: fee
ryoori: cooking
ryooshuusho: receipt
ryuu: reason
S
saabisu: free, no charge
sabaku: desert
sadoo: path of tea (ceremony)
sai: age
saifu: wallet
sain: sign, signature
saishokushugisha: vegetarian
saizu: size
sakana: fish
sakanatsuri: fishing
sake: rice liquor
sakkaa: soccer
sakura: cherry blossoms
sama: honorific title
samishii: lonely
samui: cold
samurai: warrior
san: three
san bon: three bottles, pencils, etc.
san butsu: products
san kan: three pieces of sushi
sarada: salad
sashimi: sliced raw fish
satsu: counter for books and bills
sauna: sauna
sawaru: to touch
sayoonara: goodbye
se: height
seito: student
seisoo: formal
seki: seat
sekihan: celebration rice
sen: line
senaka: back
senchi: centimeters
senpai: superior
sensei: teacher
sentoo: public bath
setto: set
shaberu: to speak
shachoo: president, boss
shawaa: shower
shi: city
shichi: seven
shigoto: job
shiiru: seal, sticker
shika: nothing to do but …
shima: island
shimaru: to be closed, to be shut
shimeru: to shut, to close
shimoza: worst seat
shindo: scale for measuring earthquakes
Shinkansen: bullet train
shinsetsu: kind
shinshitsu: sleeping room
shintoo: folk religion of Japan
shirogumi: white team
shiru: to know
shishi: lions used in onidaiko
shiteiseki: reserved seat
shitsurei: rude
shodoo: the path of calligraphy
shooganai: it cannot be helped
shoogi: Japanese chess
shoogo: noon
shooji: paper doors
shoo-shoo: a little
shuppatsu: departure
shushoku: staple food
shusshin: birthplace
shuu: state, week
shuuji: calligraphy
shumi: hobby
shuuzu: shoes
soba: buckwheat noodles
sobo: grandma (own)
sodatsu: to raise (plants, children)
sokkusu: socks
soko: there
soku: counter for shoes
sono: that, it, thing
soo: that way, like that
soomen: skinny wheat noodles
sore: that, it
sorosoro: soon, almost
soshite: and then
soto: outside
sotsugyooshiki: graduation
sudomari: overnight only, no meals (hotel)
sugiru: to do something to excess
sugoi: great
sugu: soon
suki: like, enjoy
sukoshi: a little
sumimasen: excuse me, I'm sorry
sumoo: Japanese wrestling
sumu: to live
sunakku: hostess bar, club
supeingo: Spanish
supootsu: sports
supuun: spoon
surippa: slippers
suru: to do
sushi: vinegared rice topped with (often raw) fish
sutando: gas station, market stall
suteeki: steak
suteki: lovely, nice
suu: to smoke, to inhale
suutsu: suit
suwaru: to sit
suzushii: cool
T
tabako: cigarettes
tabemono: food
taberarenai (taberu) taberu: to eat
tada ima: I'm home (colloquialism)
tadashii: correct
taiikusai: sports festival
taijuu: weight
taiko: drum
takai: tall, expensive
tako: octopus, kite
takusan: a lot
takushii: taxi
tamago: egg
tame: for the sake of
tanoshimi: looking forward to
tantoosha: office worker
tanuki: raccoon dog
taoru: towel
tarai: wooden tub
tasu: to add
tasukarimashita (tasukaru) tasukaru: to help, to assist
tasuu: majority
tataku: to drum
tatami: rice straw mats
te: hand
teinei: polite
teishoku: set meal or menu
tekitoo: take it easy, in an easy way
tempura: battered, deep-fried vegetables and fish
tenkeiteki (na): typical
tenki: weather
terebi: television
to: and
toire: toilet
tokidoki: sometimes
tokonoma: alcove
tokoro: place
tokubetsu: special
tomaru: to stop
tomo: all, both, of course
tomodachi: friend
tondemonai: terrible
tono koto desu: I think (polite)
tori: bird
torizara: dish, small plate
toru: to take
toshi: year, age
tottemo: very
too: counter for large animals
toofu: tofu
tooka: the tenth day
tsuaa: tour
tsugi: next
tsuitara (tsuku) tsukaikata: how to use
tsukare: tiredness
tsukau: to use
tsukekata: how to pickle
tsukemasu (tsukeru) tsukemono: pickled vegetables
tsukeru: to pickle
tsuki: moon
tsukimasu (tsuku) tsuku: to be included, to be attached
tsukuru: to make
tsumaranai: not satisfying
tsumetai: chilly, cold
tsumori: intention
tsunami: tidal wave
tsutsumu: to wrap
tsuyoi: strong
U
uchi: house, personal reference
uchiawase: meeting
udon: fat, wheat noodles
uesuto: waist
umai: delicious
umaremashita (umareru) umareru: to be born
umeboshi: pickled Japanese apricot
umi: sea, ocean
undookai: sports festival
unko: bowel movement
unten: driving
urayamashii: jealous
uru: to sell
urusai: noisy, loud
usui: thin (color, taste)
utau: to sing
uuron-cha: Oolong tea
W
wa: ring, counter for birds and rabbits, harmony
wa: subject indicator
wafuku: Japanese clothing
wafuu: Japanese style (anything)
wakaru: to understand
waribashi: disposable chopsticks
warui: bad
washitsu: Japanese room
wasuremono: forgotten item
wasureru: to forget
watashi: I, me
Y
yakiniku: grilled meat
yakisoba: fried noodles
yakuza: Japanese mafia
yakyuu: baseball
yama: mountain
yappari: as expected, nevertheless
yaru: to do (casual)
yasashii: gentle
yasui: cheap
yasumi: rest, vacation
yobu: to call, to invite
yobun: extra
Yoi o-toshi o: Happy New Year (before)
yokatta: I'm glad, it was good
yokka: the fourth day of the month
yoko: next to
yoku: good
yomu: to read
yon: four
yon kan: four pieces of sushi
yopparai: drunken person
yori: than, from
yoroshii: good (polite)
yoroshiku: Please take care of me.
yoru: night
yoru: to drop in, to visit
yotei: schedule, plans
yottsu: four things
yooka: the eighth day of the month
yookan: Japanese sweet
yookoso: welcome
yoyaku: reservation
yukata: cotton, summer kimono
yuki: snow
yukkuri: slowly
yunyuu: import
yurusu: to forgive
yuube: last night
yuugata: evening
yuuhan: evening meal
yuuhi: sunset
yuumei: famous
Z
zabuton: floor cushion
zashiki: formal room for entertaining
zeikin: tax
zen: thousand (three)
zenzen: not at all
zookin gake: floor cleaning race
zubon: pants
zutsu: each
zutto: for a long time
