Japanese Reviewer: Romaji-Only Guide

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering essential Japanese verbs, adjectives, question words, counters, particles, and conjugations in romaji.

ikimasu

Go

kimasu

Come

kaerimasu

Return / go home

agemasu

Give (usually when you give to someone)

moraimasu

Receive / get

kuremasu

Someone gives to me/us

jouzu desu

Be good / skilled at

heta desu

Be not good at

wakarimasu

Understand

arimasu

There is / are (used for things and plants)

imasu

There is / are (used for people and animals)

tonari

Next to

aida

Between

mukai

Across / opposite

furui

Old (for things)

ii

Good (changes to yokunai for negative)

nigiyaka

Lively

shinsetsu

Kind

genki

Healthy / energetic

dore

Which one

dono

Which + noun

donna

What kind of

ikura

How much

ikutsu

How many / how old

nin

Counter for people

tsu

General counter for many objects

ko

Counter for small objects

satsu

Counter for books

mai

Counter for flat / thin objects (paper, tickets)

hon

Counter for long cylindrical objects

hiki

Counter for small animals

dai

Counter for machines / vehicles

kai

Counter for number of times / floors, depending on context

sai

Counter for age

wa

Particle that marks the topic

ga

Particle that marks the subject / focus; used with suki, wakarimasu, and jouzu

o

Particle that marks the direct object

ni

Particle that marks a destination, specific time, recipient, or location of existence

e

Particle that indicates direction / destination (emphasizes direction)

de

Particle indicating the place of an action or the method / means used

ya

Particle meaning and (used for a non-exhaustive list)

dake

Particle meaning only / just

dewa arimasen

Polite negative form of desu; is / am / are not

dewa arimasen deshita

Polite past negative form of desu; was / were not