Useful Japanese Phrases

Ichi

1

Ni

2

Desu

Am, is, are

Senpai

Anyone older than you or someone who has had longer service than you

Shizukani

Be quiet

Umi

Beach

Tanjoubi

Birthday

Akarui

Bright, cheerful

Natsukashii

Brings back good memories

Neko

Cat

Kanpai

Cheers!

Kumori

Cloudy

Koohii

Coffee

Koora

Cola/soda

Konpyuuta

Computer

Omedetou

Congratulations

Kuso

Damn or Sh!t! (Bad word)

Kurai

Dark and depressing

Inu

Dog

Erebeeta

Elevator

Esukareeta

Escalator

Sumimasen

Excuse me.

Gairaigo

Foreign words

Oyasumi nasai

Good Night

Ohayo Gozaimasu

Good morning

Ohayo

Good morning. (informal)

Sayounara

Goodbye ( when leaving for a long time / forever)

Hanbaaga

Hamburger

Tanjoubi omedetou

Happy birthday

Ureshii

Happy, pleased

Moshi moshi

Hello (On phone)

Atsui

Hot (weather)

Yatta

Hurray/ Yess, I did it!

Nihongo wakarimasen

I don't understand Japanese

Wakarimasen

I don't understand.

Anata ga suki desu

I like you

Aishiteru

I love you (Strong)

Watashi

I or me

Sou nan da

I see

Tadaima

I'm home!

Gomen nasai

I'm sorry.

Baka

Idiot (Bad word)

Aho

Impolite term meaning "dumb ass" or stupid (Bad word)

Omoshiroi

Interesting, funny

Intanetto

Internet

Kanashii

Is sad

Ganbatte

Keep at it! Or good luck!

Yasashii

Kind

Ooraka

Laid back, carefree

Ittekimasu

Leaving Home or "I'm leaving"

Ikou

Lets go (verb)

Daisuki

Like very much, love, be fond of.

Ijiwaru

Mean-spirited

Manshon

Multistory apartment (condominium)

Watashi wa ... desu

My name is...

Hajimemashite

Nice to meet you. / How do you do?

Iie

No

Iie

No (informal)

Fuun

Oh, really.; Really?

Kouhai

One's junior, or someone lower in age or rank than you

Zubon

Pants

Kouen

Park (noun)

Arubaito

Part time job

Buta

Pig

Piza

Pizza

Kudasai

Please (give me) [point to object]

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu

Please be kind to me.

Itterasshai

Please go and come back safely

Ame

Rain

Hontou

Really?

Sou sou

Right; yeah!

Mata ne

See ya (Casual departure)

Wagamama

Selfish

Damare!

Shut up (Strong)

Yuki

Snow, snowy

O (particle)

Specifies the direct object of a verb in a sentance

Hare

Sunny

Bikkurishita

Surprised

Oki o tsukete

Take care! (As in goodbye)

Hidoi

Terrible, awful

Arigato gozaimashita

Thank you (say at the end of a completed action)

Domo arigato

Thank you very much

Arigato

Thank you.

Arigato gozaimasu

Thank you. (polite)

Ni (particle)

The location particle, to, on, and at

Saitei

The lowest, the worst (Bad word)

Nomi

To drink (verb)

Tabe

To eat (verb)

Iku

To go (verb)

Majime

Trustworthy/serious

Shinkeishitsu

Uptight

Tenki

Weather (can also start with o)

Okaeri

Welcome home!

Dou shimashita ka

What happened? / What's up?

Dou shita no?

What's happening?

Un (un-un)

Yeah, or abbreviated 'mmhm' to let someone know your listening

Anata

You (singular)

Urusai

You're loud (Less impolite, still rude though)

Sou ne

let me see... (thinking)