Learn Japanese

Lesson 3

Now that you've at least started learning the Japanese alphabets, let's learn some basic vocabulary words and simple Japanese phrases. I will list the Kanji, Hiragana, Romaji (the word sounded out using English letters), and the English meaning for each Japanese word or phrase. Most Japanese words have Kanji for them but I will only include the Kanji if that word is typically written that way. 

Keep in mind that the Japanese language has different levels of politeness that change based on who you are talking to. I will refer to these as "ultra-formal", "formal" (or "polite form"), "normal" (or "plain form"), "informal", and "rude" (we won't be covering too much of the rude form, however).

漢字 - Kanjiひらがな - HiraganaRomaji
(English Letters)English Meaning
私わたし
watashiI
(formal for males, normal for females)
僕ぼく
bokuI
(normal for males)
彼かれ
karehe
彼女かのじょ
kanojoshe
あなたあなた
anatayou
(singular/normal)
これこれ
korethis
(noun)
ここここ
kokohere
このこの
konothis
(descriptive - ex. this pen)
それそれ
sorethat
(noun)
そこそこ
sokothere
そのその
sonothat
(descriptive - ex. that pen)
人ひと
hitoperson
犬いぬ
inudog
猫ねこ
nekocat
家いえ
iehouse
ありがとうありがとう
arigatou
Thank you.
(normal)
ありがとう
ございますありがとう
ございます
arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you.
(formal)
どういたしましてどういたしまして
douitashimashite
You're welcome.
(normal)
おはようおはよう
ohayou
(sounds like "Ohio")
Good morning.
(informal)
おはようございますおはようございます
ohayou gozaimasu
Good morning.
(normal and formal)
こんにちはこんにちは
konnichiwa
Hello.
(normal)
こんばんはこんばんは
konbanwa
Good evening.
(normal)
さよならさよなら
sayonara
Goodbye.
(normal)
頑張ってくださいがんばってください
gambatte kudasai
(can also be written "ganbatte kudasai")
Hang in there
気をつけてくださいきをつけてください
ki o tsukete kudasai
(can also be written "ki wo tsukete kudasai")
Be careful, Take care