Best Japanese Vocabulary for Beginners: 100 Must-Know Words

Learning the right vocabulary is key if you’re starting your Japanese language journey. Japanese has thousands of words, but you don’t need them all in the beginning. Instead, focus on the essentials—words used in daily conversations, greetings, numbers, and basic verbs.

In this article, we’ll cover the 100 most important beginner Japanese words categorised for easier learning. This list will help you build a strong foundation in vocabulary and enhance your reading, speaking, and listening skills.

Best Japanese Vocabulary for Beginners

Starting your Japanese learning journey means building a strong foundation of essential vocabulary. For beginners, mastering the right words can make daily conversations, reading, and listening much easier and more enjoyable. The best Japanese vocabulary for beginners includes practical words and phrases that are commonly used in everyday life, helping you communicate effectively and confidently from the start.

Here are key vocabulary areas every beginner should focus on:

• Basic Greetings and Polite Phrases: Words like こんにちは (konnichiwa - hello), ありがとう (arigatou - thank you), and すみません (sumimasen - excuse me) are essential for polite communication.
• Numbers and Counting: Understanding numbers is crucial for shopping, telling time, and dates. Learn both native and Sino-Japanese numbers.
• Common Verbs: Basic action verbs such as 食べる (taberu - to eat), 行く (iku - to go), and 見る (miru - to see) form the backbone of sentence construction.
• Everyday Nouns: Familiarize yourself with common objects and places like 学校 (gakkou - school), 家 (ie - house), and 電車 (densha - train).
• Time and Date Words: Knowing how to say days of the week, months, and time-related terms helps in scheduling and daily planning.
• Simple Adjectives: Describing things is easier with words like 大きい (ookii - big), 小さい (chiisai - small), and きれい (kirei - beautiful).
• Family and People: Words for family members and social relationships will help you talk about people around you.

Focusing on these vocabulary groups will give you the tools to start forming sentences and engaging in basic conversations, making your Japanese learning journey smoother and more rewarding.

Essential Japanese Greetings and Expressions

Mastering essential Japanese greetings and expressions is a crucial foundation for effective communication. Whether you're meeting someone new or navigating daily life in Japan, knowing the right phrases makes a big difference. Common greetings like Konnichiwa (Hello), Ohayou gozaimasu (Good morning), and Konbanwa (Good evening) help you start conversations respectfully. 

Polite expressions such as Arigatou (Thank you), Sumimasen (Excuse me), and Onegaishimasu (Please) are used frequently in both casual and formal situations. These basic expressions not only show courtesy but also reflect a genuine respect for Japanese culture. Learning them early enhances both confidence and connection in real-life conversations.

To avoid common pitfalls, check out our detailed guide on mistakes in Japanese pronunciation and improve your speaking skills.

Why Start with Basic Japanese Words?

Starting with a beginner-friendly Japanese vocabulary list ensures:

• You can understand daily conversations
• You build confidence quickly
• You master core grammar and sentence structure
• You make faster progress in JLPT N5/N4 prep

1. Basic Greetings & Expressions

Learning common greetings like こんにちは (konnichiwa - hello), ありがとう (arigatou - thank you), and すみません (sumimasen - excuse me) is essential for polite and smooth daily interactions in Japanese. These expressions help you connect respectfully in various social settings.

If you want to sound more natural, explore our comprehensive list of common Japanese greetings words for everyday conversations.

2. Essential Pronouns

Pronouns such as 私 (watashi - I/me), あなた (anata - you), and 彼 (kare - he) are fundamental to constructing sentences and understanding conversations. Mastering pronouns early on allows you to talk about yourself and others clearly.

3. Numbers (1–10)

Numbers are everywhere—from shopping to telling time. Learning the Japanese numbers 一 (ichi), 二 (ni), 三 (san) up to 十 (juu) helps you count, understand prices, dates, and express quantities confidently.

4. Common Verbs

Verbs like 食べる (taberu - to eat), 行く (iku - to go), and 見る (miru - to see) are building blocks of sentences. Knowing these basic verbs lets you describe actions, making your speech more dynamic.

5. Everyday Nouns

Words for everyday objects such as 本 (hon - book), 車 (kuruma - car), and 水 (mizu - water) help you name things around you. Recognizing these nouns improves your comprehension and vocabulary in daily conversations.

6. Places & Directions

Learning words like 学校 (gakkou - school), 駅 (eki - station), and directional terms such as 右 (migi - right), 左 (hidari - left) is crucial for navigating and asking for directions in Japan.

7. Days & Time

Familiarity with days of the week (月曜日 - getsuyoubi - Monday), months, and time expressions helps you discuss schedules, appointments, and daily routines smoothly.

For those looking for flexibility, consider enrolling in our online Japanese classes in India to learn from anywhere at your own pace.

8. Adjectives & Descriptions

Adjectives like 大きい (ookii - big), 新しい (atarashii - new), and 暑い (atsui - hot) enable you to describe people, places, and things, making your conversations more vivid and precise.

How to Learn These Words Effectively

To learn these essential words efficiently, use a combination of flashcards, daily practice, and contextual learning. Try to incorporate new vocabulary into sentences, practice speaking with native speakers or language partners, and use apps or textbooks that focus on JLPT or beginner Japanese. Regular review and applying words in real-life situations will help you retain them longer and improve your overall language skills.

1. Flashcards – Use apps like Anki or Quizlet.
2. Practice in Sentences – Create short Japanese sentences with new words.
3. Daily Use – Try using these words while speaking or writing.
4. Watch Anime or Japanese YouTube with subtitles.
5. Pair With Grammar – Learn grammar alongside vocabulary for context.

Beginners can get started quickly by learning essential basic Japanese phrases that are useful in multiple situations.

Final Thoughts

This curated Japanese vocabulary list for beginners includes the top 100 words that form the foundation of communication in Japanese. By memorising and practising these words regularly, you will improve your reading, speaking, and comprehension skills—perfect for JLPT N5 and real-life conversations.

“For a comprehensive breakdown of JLPT levels, structure, and scoring, see our full post: Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) – Complete Guide.”

FAQs

1. What are the most essential Japanese words for beginners?
Words like konnichiwa (hello), watashi (I), taberu (eat), and numbers 1–10 are crucial for early learners.

2. How many Japanese words should a beginner learn?
Start with 100–150 basic words including nouns, verbs, and adjectives. It’s enough for JLPT N5 and daily usage.

3. Are these words enough for JLPT N5?
These 100 words are part of the core JLPT N5 syllabus and daily Japanese conversations.

4. What is the best way to memorise Japanese vocabulary?
Use flashcards, write daily journal entries, and practice with language exchange or apps like Duolingo and Anki.

5. Can I learn Japanese vocabulary without learning Kanji?
Yes, you can start with Hiragana and Katakana. Kanji comes later but knowing kana helps you learn faster.