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Japanese Vocabulary Guide

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Japanese KanjiJapanese Vocabulary Guide
You’re unlikely to become fluent in Japanese in just a matter of days, but we’ve assembled some Japanese words and phrases which may help you break the ice when travelling to Japan on business.

View the Vocabulary Lists Below
Vocabulary lists below are very basic and broken down into easy segments based on greetings, dining, shopping, etc. The Japanese column has been written in Romanji for easy pronunciation by non-native speakers.

Simple Japanese Phrases
English Japanese
Hello Konnichi wa.
How are You? Ogenki desu ka?
I am fine. Genki desu.
Thank you very much. Domo arigatou gozaimasu.
You're welcome. Doh itashimashite.
Good Morning. Ohayo Gozaimasu.
Good Evening. Konban wa.
Good Night. Oyasumi Nasai.

 

Japanese Introduction Phrases
English Japanese
How do you do? Hajimemashite.
My name is John. Watashi no namae wa John desu.
I came from America. Amerika kara kimashita.
It was nice to meet you. Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

 

Simple Japanese Weather Related Phrases
English Japanese
It's hot isn't it? Atsui desu ne.
It's cold isn't it? Samui desu ne.
It's nice weather isn't it. Ii tenki desu ne.
What's the weather tomorrow? Ashita no tenki wa, nan desu ka?
It's sunny today. Kyoh wa hare desu.
It's raining today. Kyoh wa ame desu.

 

Simple Japanese Questions
English Japanese
Are you an American?
 Anata wa Americajin desu ka?
Are you busy now? Ima isogashii desu ka?
Are you free this evening? Konya wa ohima desu ka?
Are you hungry? Onaka ga sukimashita ka? 
Do you understand? Wakarimasu ka?
What’s this? Kore wa nan desu ka?

 

Japanese Shopping Phrases
English Japanese
How much is this? Ikura desu ka?
I am just looking. Watashi wa miteru dake desu.
Do you have anything smaller? Motto chiisai no wa?
Do you have anything bigger? Motto ookii no wa?
This is too expensive. Taka sugimasu.

 

Helpful Japanese Words
English Japanese
Business Card Meishi.
Cheers! Kampai!
Excuse me. Sumimasen.
Foreigner. Gaijin.
Japanese person. Nihon-jin.
Welcome! Yoh-koso!
Food. Tabemono.
Water. Mizu.
Translation. Honyaku.
Train. Densha.
Car. Kuruma.
Bathroom. Toy-i-ray.
I don't understand. Wakarimasen.

 

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