Comprehensive Japanese Vocabulary: Family, People, and Physical Attributes

Japanese Family Vocabulary: Nouns and Social Designations

  • kazoku (家族): Represents the concept of "family."

  • ojiisan (おじいさん): Refers to a "grandfather" or more broadly to an "old man."

  • obaasan (おばあさん): Refers to a "grandmother" or more broadly to an "old woman."

  • oniisan (お兄さん): Refers to an "older brother."

  • oneesan (お姉さん): Refers to an "older sister."

  • chichi (父): Specifically used to refer to "(my) father" in a humble context or when speaking to others outside the family.

  • haha (母): Specifically used to refer to "(my) mother" in a humble context or when speaking to others outside the family.

  • ani (兄): Specifically used to refer to "(my) older brother" in a humble context.

  • ane (姉): Specifically used to refer to "(my) older sister" in a humble context.

  • imouto (妹): Refers to a "younger sister."

  • otouto (弟): Refers to a "younger brother."

  • kyoudai (兄弟): Refers collectively to "brothers and sisters" or siblings.

People and Location-Based Nouns

  • otoko no hito (男の人): The Japanese term for a "man."

  • onna no hito (女の人): The Japanese term for a "woman."

  • kaisha (会社): Refers to a "company" or workplace.

  • shokudou (食堂): Refers to a "cafeteria" or "dining commons."

  • depaato (デパート): The loanword for a "department store."

Physical Features and Personal Items: Nouns

  • kami (髪): Refers to the "hair" on one\'s head.

  • kuchi (口): The Japanese word for "mouth."

  • me (目): The Japanese word for "eye."

  • megane (眼鏡): Refers to "glasses" or eyewear.

  • uta (歌): The word for a "song."

  • saakuru (サークル): Refers to "club activity" (derived from the English word "circle").

  • kuruma (車): The term for a "car" or vehicle.

Descriptive い-Adjectives (i-adjectives)

  • nagai (長い): Used to describe something that is "long."

  • mijikai (短い): Used to describe something that is "short" in terms of length.

  • hayai (速い): Used to describe something that is "fast."

  • se ga takai (背が高い): Used to describe a person who is "tall" in stature.

  • se ga hikui (背が低い): Used to describe a person who is "short" in stature.

  • atama ga ii (頭がいい):     * Definition: Describes someone who is "bright," "smart," or "clever."     * Grammatical Note: This adjective conjugates specifically like the word "ii" (good).

  • kawaii (かわいい): Used to describe something or someone that is "cute."