Basic Japanese Survival Phrases and Vocabulary

Japanese vocabulary flashcards covering greetings, politeness, introductions, languages, origins, hobbies, and personality traits.

おはよう(ございます) [ohayoo (gozaimas)]

Good morning.

こんにちは [kon'nichiwa]

Good afternoon.

こんばんは [kombanwa]

Good evening.

おやすみ(なさい) [oyasumi (nasai)]

Good night.

どうも [doomo]

Hello./Hi. / Thanks.

元気 (ですか) ? [genki (des-ka)]

How are you?

どうですか? [doo des-ka]

How's it going? / And you?

おかげさまで [okage-samade]

Fine, thank you.

元気 (です) [genki (des)]

Doing great.

忙しい(です) [isogashii (des)]

Keeping busy.

何とか (やってます) [nantoka (yattemas)]

Surviving.

まあまあ (です) [maamaa (des)]

So-so.

大変 (です) [taihen(des)]

Things are tough.

ありがとう(ございます) [arigatoo (gozaimas)]

Thank you (very much).

結構です [kekkoo des]

No, thank you.

どういたしまして [doo itashi-mashite]

You're welcome.

ごめんな(さい) [gomen (nasai)]

(I'm) sorry.

大丈夫(です) [daijoobu (des)]

No problem.

こちらこそ [kochira-koso]

My pleasure. / Nice to meet you, too.

気をつけて (下さい) [ki o tsukete (kudasai)]

(Please) be careful.

さようなら [sayoonara]

Good bye.

失礼します [shitsuree shimas]

I must be going.

お先に [osakini]

Allow me to leave before you do.

また会いましょう [mata aimashoo]

Let's meet again.

じゃあね [jaa-ne]

See you.

先日はどうも [sen'jitsu wa doomo]

Good to see you again.

またね [mata-ne]

See you later.

久しぶり [hisashi-buri]

Long time no see.

写真、いい(ですか? [shashin,ii (des-ka)]

Can I take a photo?

どうぞ [doozo]

Sure. / Go ahead.

困ります [komarimas]

Please don't.

写真お願い(します) [shashin onegai (shimas)]

Please take a photo (of/for me).

はじめまして [hajime-mashite]

How do you do?

私の名前は~(です) [watashi no nama'e wa~ (des)]

My name is ~.

よろしく(お願いします) [yoroshiku (onegai shimas)]

Nice to meet you.

(すみません) お名前は? [(sumimasen) o-nama'e wa]

And your name is…?

お世話になります [osewa ni narimas]

I appreciate your help.

今後ともよろしく(お願いします) [kongo-tomo yoroshiku (onegai shimas)]

Nice meeting you.

いつもすみません [itsumo sumimasen]

Thank you for your kindness.

Noikro-san [ノリコさん]

Being polite (universal honorific).

Noriko-chan [ノリコちゃん]

Being friendly (especially for girls).

Yamada-san [山田さん]

Showing respect (for seniors/ superiors).

Yamada-kun [山田君]

Showing friendliness (for juniors/subordinates).

話せます [hanase-mas]

I can speak.

話せません [hanase-masen]

I can't speak.

話せますか? [hanase-mas-ka]

Can you speak?

勉強中(です) [benkyoo-chuu (des)]

I am learning.

日本語 [nihon-go]

Japanese language

英語 [eego]

English language

韓国語 [kankoku-go]

Korean language

中国語 [chuugoku-go]

Chinese language

~から来ました [~kara kimashita]

I am from ~.

(ご) 出身は? [(go) shusshin wa]

Where are you from?

どんな所(ですか)? [don'na tokoro (des-ka)]

What kind of place is it?

~生まれ (です) [~umare (des)]

I was born in ~.

どこの地方 (ですか) ? [doko no chihoo (des-ka)]

What part of the country?

何が有名 (ですか) ? [nani ga yuumee des-ka]

What is it famous for?

行ったことあります [itta koto arimas]

I have been there.

行ったことありますか? [itta koto arimas-ka]

Have you been there?

アメリカ [amerika]

U.S.A.

英国/イギリス [eekoku/igirisu]

Britain

中国 [chuugoku]

China

趣味は何ですか? [shumi wa (nan des-ka)]

What are your hobbies?

音楽 [ongaku]

music

映画 [eega]

movies

アニメ [anime]

cartoons/anime

街歩き [machi-aruki]

going downtown

食べ歩き [tabe-aruki]

eating out

おしゃれ [oshare]

fashion/dressing up

買い物 [kaimono]

shopping

写真 [shashin]

photography

カラオケ [kara'oke]

karaoke

合コン [gookon]

blind date party

漫画 [manga]

manga comic books

お金持ち [okane-mochi]

rich

ビンボー [bimboo]

poor

カッコいい [kakko-ii]

cool

カワイイ [kawaii]

cute

真面目 [majime]

trustworthy/serious

優しい [yasashii]

nice/sympathetic

面白い [omoshiri]

funny/interesting

頭いい [atama-ii]

smart

わがまま [wagamama]

selfish

あな(た) [anata]

you

私 [watashi]

I/me