Basic Japanese Vocabulary and Phrases

sensei (せんせい)

teacher - This term is used to refer to teachers, doctors, or other professionals in a position of authority.

eego (えいご)

English language - Refers to the English language.

Senkoo (せんこう)

major - Refers to a student's field of study at a university.

ima (いま)

now - Indicates the present time.

gakuse (がくせい)

student - A person who is studying at a school or university.

nihongo (にほんご)

Japanese language - Refers to the Japanese language.

daigaku (だいがく)

university - An institution of higher education.

Kookoo (こうこう)

high school - Refers to senior high school.

denwa (でんわ)

telephone - A device used to communicate over a distance.

Gogo (ごご)

PM - Used to indicate time between noon and midnight.

Gozen (ごぜん)

AM - Used to indicate time between midnight and noon.

sai (さい)

years old - Used to express age in years.

san (さん)

Mr./Ms. - A polite title used to address people.

ji (じ)

o'clock - Used to specify the hour of the day.

tomodachi (ともだち)

friend - A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.

nan/nani (なん/なに)

what - Used to ask questions about things.

namae (なまえ)

name - The designation by which someone or something is known.

Nihon (にほん)

Japan - The country of Japan.

hai (はい)

yes - Affirmative response.

ano (あの)

um… - A filler word, similar to 'um' or 'well' in English.

ee (ええ)

yes - A more casual affirmative response.

…go

language - Suffix used to denote a language (e.g., nihongo).

… jin, … じん

people - Suffix used to denote nationality (e.g., nihonjin).

nihonjin

Japanese people - People from Japan.

soo desu (そうです)

that's right - Indicates agreement or affirmation.

soo desu ka (そうですか)

I see; Is that so? - Used to show understanding or ask for confirmation.