20 Common Japanese Words You Should Know Before Going To Japan

Not all people in Japan know how to speak English. To make your life easier when you travel there, learn these essential 21 words and phrases. 

For English speakers, Japanese or Nihongo is one of the hardest languages to learn. Not only is it very different in English, but it’s also very challenging for other language speakers as well.

Although there are fun ways to learn Japanese (such as learning with Japanese songs), learners need to make more effort when learning this language.

Unless you have a friend who can speak Japanese, it is recommended to learn essential words and phrases before going to Japan. Japan is known for being a service-based country.

A lot of things in the country require you to speak to people. You don’t need to be very proficient at speaking Japanese on your first days. But knowing the essential words can help you get through. 

Here are 21 useful Japanese words and phrases to learn before going to the land of the rising sun. 

7 Japanese Words For Everyday Use That Beginners Should Learn

1. Arigatou gozaimasu 

Meaning: Thank you

Being polite in Japan is a big deal, so knowing polite words is a big help in making new friends. This includes thanking someone who helped you in one way or another. You can thank someone by casually saying “arigatou.” But for formal conversations (e.g., talking to someone older), use “arigatou gozaimasu.” 

Tip: don’t forget to thank the store personnel. Since Japan is a service-based country, thanking them after helping you will make their day.  

2. Sumimasen 

Meaning: Excuse me / I’m Sorry / Thank you

The word sumimasen is both used for excusing yourself and apologizing to someone. It can be a little confusing for English speakers because of multiple meanings. Think of it like this: sumimasen is used for apologizing when you made a mistake or caused inconvenience. 

3. Hai / Iie 

Meaning: Yes / No

There are simple ways to communicate “yes” or “no” (e.g., nodding or shaking your head). However, knowing how to use these words in a sentence is a must for some cases. You can’t just nod or shake your head. Use hai if you agree or want to give an affirmative response.

Iie is used for expressing denial or refusal to a question or request. Tip: Both words have vowel combinations. In Japanese, these combinations are usually not pronounced. 

Hai : Ha-i

Iie : Eeee-eh

4. Konnichiwa 

Meaning: Hello

Like other foreign languages, the most popular word in the Japanese language is Konnichiwa or “hello.” It can be used regardless of the age or status of the person you’re talking with. Although you can only use it at certain hours, specifically when the sun is still in the sky. This is because the word literally means “the sun” or “today”. 

5. Gomenasai 

Meaning: I’m sorry

Gomenasai is the same as Sumimasen in meaning. Both are used when apologizing to someone. The only difference is that Sumimasen can have different meanings, while Gomenasai is solely used for saying sorry. And while Sumimasen is formal, Gomenasai is typically used on friends, family, and close relatives. 

6.  Wakarimasen 

Meaning: I don’t understand

Wakarimasen is something you’d say a lot during your first conversations once you started picking up Japanese. When you don’t understand or hear something properly, wakarimasen is often a proper response. This word is also used for cases where you understand the question, but can’t seem to find an answer. 

Tip: It is not the Japanese equivalent of “I don’t know”. For responses where you have knowledge of something but cannot give a concrete answer, the best Japanese word to use is Shirimasen. 

7. Daijoubu desu 

Meaning: It’s Okay

Daijoubu desu is another versatile word in the Japanese vocabulary which you can use in several instances. It can mean “yes”, “it’s okay”, and “I’m alright”. But what if you’re the one asking if someone’s alright? You can transform this phrase into question by adding -ka on the end. (Daijoubu desu ka?). 

5 Japanese Words For Transportation

8. Ue, Shita, Migi, Hidari 

Meaning: Up, Down, Right, Left

Traveling is quite straightforward in some areas of Japan, especially in rural places. But in crowded cities like Tokyo, things can a little bit overwhelming. In this situation, knowing directional words in Japanese is necessary. 

Here’s a visual representation of the directional words in Japanese. 

9. __ wa doko desu ka? 

Meaning: Where is __?

From the word doko which means “where”, wa doko desu ka is used for asking for direction. To use this phrase, fill the blank with the name of a specific location you want to go to. For example, if you want to ask for the direction to a konbini, this is what you’ll say: 

Konbini wa doko desu ka? (Eki means train station). 

Tip: Since doko means “where,” you can replace it with other question words like who and what. 

10. Konbini 

Meaning: Convenience store

Speaking of konbini, the word means “convenience store.” Konbini is considered as the 7-11 of Japan, where convenient items like food are sold. Most of the products ready-to-go items like bento and sandwiches. These places are very popular in Japan for both locals and foreigners because you can find a lot of things that you occasionally need. Knowing this word is very useful when you’re traveling.

Trivia: Konbini even has fax or xerox machines, depending on the location.

11. Tetsudatte 

Meaning: Can you help me? 

Unlike in English, Japanese words change depending on the usage. One example of this is tetsudau, tetsudatte, and tetsudaimasu. But for general use (e.g. asking for direction, etc.), you can use tetsudatte itadakemasu ka or “can you help me?”.

Tip: For serious and urgent situations where yours or another person’s life is at risk, use the word “tasukeru” or “tasukete”. This will catch the attention of people nearby immediately. 

12. __ e ikitai desu 

Meaning: I want to go to __

This phrase is to be used if you’re using a transportation service like taxis. Just replace the bank with the name of the place or establishment. For example:

Nihon e ikitai desu. (I want to go to Japan).

The focus word here is ikitai, which means “want to go”. This means that you can also use this if you want to express your willingness to go somewhere. 

Watashi wa ikitai. (I want to go) 

Natsuki wa ikitai. (Natsuki wants to go). 

4 Japanese Words For Dining In 

13. Ikura desuka? 

Meaning: How much is it? 

Ikura desuka means “How much is it?”, a useful word to know while shopping or dining. This sentence is only useful if you’re asking for the quantifiable value of an object. When this word is used, it is automatically assumed that you’re asking for the cost or value of something. 

Baggu wa ikura desuka? (How much is the bag?) 

Tip: For counting, it might be better to use ikutsu, which also means “how much,” but refers to the count of specific items. 

Baggu wa ikutsu desuka? (How many bags are there?) 

14. Itadakimasu 

Meaning: Thank you for the food

Itadakimasu is used when after receiving a gift or something else. Typically, itadakimasu is used for table manners. When you say itadakimasu, you’re thanking the one who prepared your food. This can also be translated as expressing gratitude for the meal given to you. Don’t forget to say this word before diving into the meal given to you. 

Tip: There is also a word spoken after every meal in Japan. Gochisousama means that you’re done eating, and the meal was good. 

15. Chōshoku, Chushoku, Yushoku 

Meaning: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There are different ways how the Japanese call their “meals.” It depends on the time of the day, just like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Tip: If you want to invite someone for a meal, just add o tabemashou

Chōshoku o tabemashou. (Let’s eat breakfast.)

Chushoku o tabemashou. (Let’s eat lunch.)

Yushoku o tabemashou.   (Let’s eat dinner.) 

16. __ ga arimasu ka? 

Meaning: Do you have __? 

The focus word in this sentence is arimasu, which literally means “there is.” If you plug an object in the blank (e.g. sandwich), the sentence will turn into “There is sandwich”. Adding ga and ka in the sentence will turn it into a question. So if you want to ask if sandwiches are available, you can say:

Sandoitchi ga arimasu ka? 

Tip: If you’re talking to someone close to you, you can use ga aru no instead. 

4 Greetings And Formalities in Japanese

17. Ohayo gozaimasu 

Meaning: Good morning

When you see someone you know in the streets, it’s polite to greet them Good Morning. Greeting someone is quite a big aspect of the Japanese culture since it is seen as a polite gesture. Hence, one of the phrases you should learn while staying in Japan is saying “Good Morning,” or Ohayo gozaimasu. 

Ohayo gozaimasu is also used during noon or lunchtime. Don’t get surprised if you receive such greetings during lunch.  When greeting a friend or a close family member, the word gozaimasu can be omitted. 

18. Konbanwa 

Meaning: Good evening

Konbanwa literally means “this evening,” usually used to acknowledge that the time is night and not day or afternoon. Sounds a little bit weird right? Regardless of the literal meaning, Konbanwa is used similarly to that of “Good evening” in English. It’s also a popular method of being polite while breaking the ice if you just met someone. 

19. Oyasumi nasai 

Meaning: Good night

Konbanwa is great if you met someone while doing something at night (attending an event, accidentally meeting someone in a konbini, etc.) But what if you want to signal that you’re going to sleep? This is where oyasumi nasai is used. 

Oyasumi nasai means you’re going to bed and wish the other person goodnight. It is also the default phrase to use if you’re already leaving an event and going home. Oyasumi nasai is used for someone who is superior to you (someone who’s older or has a higher position in an organization). Nasai can be omitted if you’re talking with a friend or a family. 

Here’s an analogy to make things easier: 

When the event starts: Konbanwa

When the event ends or if going home: Oyasumi nasai / Oyasumi

20. Sayonara 

Meaning: Goodbye

Sayonara is the proper word to use if you’re saying goodbye to someone or a group of people. Although it is translated to “goodbye”, It has a deeper meaning. Sayonara implies that you might not see the person for a long time or ever.  Basically, if you use sayonara, you’re not expecting to see that person again. 

Knowing the context of sayonara is quite important because it’s easy to misuse if you’re a beginner. Using the word ja ne (see you later) or mata ashita (see you tomorrow) is preferred. 

Final Thoughts

And that’s it for the 20 common words and phrases you should learn in Japanese.

It is a challenging language but still one of the most popular among studying polyglots.

If you’re having a hard time understanding the language independently, you can use online language tutoring services like JustLearn to raise your proficiency.