Building a strong vocabulary is the key to unlocking fluency in Japanese. Whether you are preparing for a trip to Tokyo, studying for the JLPT, or just enjoying anime, the right words make all the difference. Explore the categories below to expand your word bank, from essential daily greetings to advanced expressions.
🔰 The Essentials
- Greetings & Introductions (Aisatsu) – Hello, goodbye, and how to introduce yourself.
- Numbers & Counting (Suuji) – Cardinal numbers, counters for objects, and money.
- Time & Dates (Jikan) – Days of the week, months, years, and telling time.
- Common Phrases – Survival phrases for asking help, saying thank you, and apologizing.
🏠 Daily Life
- Family & People (Kazoku) – Terms for your own family versus others’ families.
- House & Home – Furniture, rooms, and daily household items.
- Food & Dining – Ingredients, restaurant phrases, and tastes.
- Clothing & Accessories – Types of clothes, colors, and wearing verbs.
- Transportation – Trains, buses, stations, and asking for directions.
🏫 Work & Study
- School & Education – Classroom objects, subjects, and study terms.
- Business Japanese (Keigo) – Office vocabulary and polite/honorific language.
- Occupations – Jobs, titles, and workplaces.
🎨 Fun & Culture
- Hobbies & Entertainment – Music, movies, anime/manga, and sports.
- Nature & Weather – Seasons, weather conditions, animals, and plants.
- Travel & Tourism – Hotels, sightseeing, and souvenirs.
📚 By Proficiency (JLPT Levels)
- JLPT N5 (Beginner) – Basic vocabulary for foundational understanding.
- JLPT N4 (Elementary) – Essential words for daily conversations.
- JLPT N3 (Intermediate) – Vocabulary for everyday situations and reading.
- JLPT N2 (Pre-Advanced) – Business and general/academic vocabulary.
- JLPT N1 (Advanced) – Highly abstract and sophisticated terminology.