Introduction:

Learning vocabulary plays a key role in learning a new language. It is almost always the keywords and phrases that we first pick up and then move towards other things. It is not just the nouns that we learn as a part of the new vocabulary. It includes everything from nouns, adjectives to verbs. You can start with the greetings and move on to using simple words like yes or no and simple phrases to ask basic questions or respond to someone. Let us look at the top Japanese words that you can learn.

Good morning   Ohayō gozaimasu   おはようございます。

Good evening Konbanwa  こんばんは。

Good night   O-yasumi nasai おやすみなさい。

Please   O-negai shimasu   おねがいします。

Thank you Arigatō  ありがとう。

You are welcome Dōitashimashite どういたしまして。

Yes Hai         はい。

No    Iie    いいえ。

Excuse me Sumimasen      すみません。

I am sorry Gomennasai  ごめんなさい。

Now let us look at a few phrases or expressions that you can use for meeting and greeting

What is your name?  O-namae wa nan desu ka   おなまえはなんですか。

My name is —- Watashi no namae wa ——- desu わたしのなまえは　かおりです。

How are you? O-genki desu ka おげんきですか。

I’m fine. Thank you. Genki desu げんきです。

I am glad to meet you. Oai Dekite ureshī desu       おあいできて　うれしいです。

Do you speak English? Eigo o hanasemasu ka   えいごをはなせますか。

Does anyone here speak English? Koko ni eigo o hanaseru hito wa imasu ka  ここに　えいごおはなせるひとはいますか。

What did you say?        Nante iimashita ka  なんていいましたか。

Can you speak more slowly?        Motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai.   もっと　ゆっくりはなしてください。

Let us now look at a few nouns that can be helpful

Japan      Nihon 日本

Name Namae 名前

School Gakkou 学校

Water Mizu 水

Home or house Uchi or Ie   家

Shop Mise or Ya 店

Family Kazoku 家族

Today Kyou 今日

Hour or time Ji or Toki 時

Week Shuu 週

• Conclusion

These are just a few expressions or words that you can begin with when learning Japanese. Along with the common words, phrases, expressions, learning nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, and connectors that are commonly used can help in forming simple sentences. 

Most of the time learning the basic vocabulary even without knowledge of sufficient grammar and rules can be of great help in conveying your message. Ever observed how children start speaking. They just use the core words and elders are able to understand exactly what they are trying to convey. This holds good for beginners while learning Japanese as well. A smile and the important core words can help you get the message across to your listener. It might sound very crude but can help you with the response and the native speakers may even help you with the language as most native speakers appreciate it when someone makes an effort to learn their language. Once you understand the core words, it becomes easy to build on the vocabulary. Also, you can focus on the words that are relevant to you which can save a lot of time and effort and help in getting better with the communication.