10 Must-Know Japanese Words for Beginners (With Pronunciation & Meaning)

When you start learning Japanese, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the new sounds and writing systems. But here’s the good news, you don’t need to memorize hundreds of words right away. By learning just a few basic Japanese words, you can already start greeting people, showing good manners, and understanding everyday conversations. In this guide, I’ll share 10 easy and essential Japanese words for beginners, along with pronunciation, meaning, and quick memory tips.

Free resource: Boost your practice with my Hiragana Chart and Katakana Chart (kawaii, printable, watermark-protected).

1) こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello / Good Afternoon

• Meaning: A polite, common daytime greeting.
• When to use: Late morning to early evening.
• Memory tip: Think “Connie-chi-wa” — say hi to “Connie.”

2) おはよう (Ohayō) – Good Morning

• Meaning: Informal “good morning.” Polite: おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu).
• When to use: Morning (until ~10 AM).
• Tip: Sounds like “Ohio,” with a longer “o.”

3) こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good Evening

• Meaning: Evening greeting.
• When to use: After sunset.
• Tip: “Ban” = night; the sun is “banned.”

4) ありがとう (Arigatō) – Thank You

• Meaning: Informal thanks. Polite: ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu).
• Tip: “Ah-ree-gah-toe” — say thanks for cool shoes.

5) はい (Hai) – Yes

• Meaning: Yes / That’s correct.
• Tip: “Hai five” when you agree.

6) だいじょうぶ (Daijōbu) – It’s Okay / I’m Fine

• Meaning:: Can mean “I’m fine,” “It’s okay,” or “No worries.
• Tip: Think of it like a friendly all-purpose “No problem!”

7) すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse Me / I’m Sorry

• Meaning: Use to get attention or apologize politely.
• Tip: Say it fast: “su-mi-ma-sen.”

8) はじめまして (Hajimemashite) – Nice to Meet You

• Meaning: Used when meeting someone for the first time.
• Tip: Break it into “Ha-ji-me-ma-shi-te.”

9) おねがいします (Onegaishimasu) – Please

• Meaning: Polite “please” when requesting something.
• Tip: Fun mnemonic: “one guy she must (help).”

10) わかりません (Wakarimasen) – I Don’t Understand

• Meaning: Super useful for learners.
• Tip: Say it kindly with a smile — people will gladly help.

Mini Practice: Say It Out Loud

Read each word out loud and write it down three times. Next, test yourself by covering the romaji and guessing the pronunciation from the Japanese script. Consistency matters — try 10 minutes a day and you’ll see progress quickly.

Level Up: Start Reading with Hiragana & Katakana

These words are even more powerful when you can read them! Grab my cute, high-resolution Hiragana Chart and Katakana Chart (PDF + PNG, personal use only). They’re perfect for printing at home or studying on your tablet.

Useful Resources

• Jisho.org – Free Japanese dictionary
• How to Learn Hiragana & Katakana Fast (Fun Method)

Final Tip

Focus on small wins. Master these 10 words, then add 5 new words every day. Pair them with your charts and you’ll build a real habit — the kawaii way 🐾✨.