1000 Most Common Japanese Words 2026 (With Meaning, Romaji & Example Sentences)

Are you trying to learn Japanese fast? Then you’ve come to the right place.

Learning the 1000 most common Japanese words is the single most powerful step you can take toward fluency. Research shows that knowing just 1,000 words covers over 85% of everyday conversation. Whether you’re preparing for the JLPT exam, planning a trip to Japan, or simply want to hold a real conversation — this list gives you everything you need.

In this complete guide by trusted Japanese tutor Fumito Emi at reading-japanese.com, you’ll find all 1,000 Japanese vocabulary words with:

✅ Japanese script (Kanji/Hiragana/Katakana)
✅ Romaji (pronunciation)
✅ English meaning
✅ Real example sentences for key words

Let’s get started.

Why These 1000 Words Matter

Japanese may look intimidating at first glance — but the truth is, Japanese vocabulary is highly learnable.

According to Wikipedia’s overview of the Japanese language, modern Japanese draws from native Japanese words (yamato kotoba), Chinese-origin words (kango), and loanwords (gairaigo). Knowing how these categories work helps you learn faster.

The 1000 most common Japanese words appear in:

Daily conversations (shopping, greetings, directions)
JLPT N5 and N4 level tests — see our JLPT N5 vocabulary list
Japanese TV, manga, and social media
Basic reading and writing

Before diving into the list, make sure you can read hiragana and katakana. If not, check out our hiragana chart and katakana chart — they’re free and beginner-friendly.

Top 50 Most Important Japanese Words

These are the absolute must-know Japanese words. Master these first.

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning	Example Sentence
1	はい	hai	Yes	はい、わかりました。(Hai, wakarimashita.) — Yes, I understand.
2	いいえ	iie	No	いいえ、ちがいます。(Iie, chigaimasu.) — No, that’s wrong.
3	ありがとう	arigatou	Thank you	ありがとうございます。(Arigatou gozaimasu.) — Thank you very much.
4	すみません	sumimasen	Excuse me / Sorry	すみません、トイレはどこですか？(Sumimasen, toire wa doko desu ka?) — Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
5	おはようございます	ohayou gozaimasu	Good morning	おはようございます！(Ohayou gozaimasu!) — Good morning!
6	こんにちは	konnichiwa	Hello / Good afternoon	こんにちは、お元気ですか？(Konnichiwa, o-genki desu ka?) — Hello, how are you?
7	こんばんは	konbanwa	Good evening	こんばんは！(Konbanwa!) — Good evening!
8	さようなら	sayounara	Goodbye	さようなら、またね。(Sayounara, mata ne.) — Goodbye, see you.
9	わたし	watashi	I / Me	わたしは学生です。(Watashi wa gakusei desu.) — I am a student.
10	あなた	anata	You	あなたの名前は何ですか？(Anata no namae wa nan desu ka?) — What is your name?
11	これ	kore	This (near speaker)	これはいくらですか？(Kore wa ikura desu ka?) — How much is this?
12	それ	sore	That (near listener)	それは何ですか？(Sore wa nan desu ka?) — What is that?
13	あれ	are	That (over there)	あれは富士山です。(Are wa Fujisan desu.) — That is Mt. Fuji.
14	どこ	doko	Where	どこに住んでいますか？(Doko ni sunde imasu ka?) — Where do you live?
15	だれ	dare	Who	だれですか？(Dare desu ka?) — Who is it?
16	なに / なん	nani / nan	What	なにが好きですか？(Nani ga suki desu ka?) — What do you like?
17	いつ	itsu	When	いつ来ますか？(Itsu kimasu ka?) — When are you coming?
18	なぜ / どうして	naze / doushite	Why	なぜ泣いているの？(Naze naite iru no?) — Why are you crying?
19	どう	dou	How	どうですか？(Dou desu ka?) — How is it?
20	いくら	ikura	How much	これはいくらですか？(Kore wa ikura desu ka?) — How much is this?
21	です	desu	Is / Am / Are (polite)	これはペンです。(Kore wa pen desu.) — This is a pen.
22	ます	masu	Verb polite ending	食べます。(Tabemasu.) — I eat.
23	ない	nai	Not / Don’t (negative)	分からない。(Wakaranai.) — I don’t understand.
24	いる	iru	To be (animate)	猫がいる。(Neko ga iru.) — There is a cat.
25	ある	aru	To be (inanimate) / To have	本がある。(Hon ga aru.) — There is a book.
26	する	suru	To do	何をしますか？(Nani wo shimasu ka?) — What will you do?
27	くる	kuru	To come	明日来ますか？(Ashita kimasu ka?) — Are you coming tomorrow?
28	いく	iku	To go	学校に行く。(Gakkou ni iku.) — I go to school.
29	みる	miru	To see / To watch	映画を見る。(Eiga wo miru.) — I watch a movie.
30	きく	kiku	To listen / To ask	音楽を聞く。(Ongaku wo kiku.) — I listen to music.
31	たべる	taberu	To eat	ご飯を食べる。(Gohan wo taberu.) — I eat rice/a meal.
32	のむ	nomu	To drink	水を飲む。(Mizu wo nomu.) — I drink water.
33	かう	kau	To buy	本を買う。(Hon wo kau.) — I buy a book.
34	よむ	yomu	To read	新聞を読む。(Shinbun wo yomu.) — I read the newspaper.
35	かく	kaku	To write	手紙を書く。(Tegami wo kaku.) — I write a letter.
36	はなす	hanasu	To speak / To talk	日本語を話す。(Nihongo wo hanasu.) — I speak Japanese.
37	おおきい	ookii	Big / Large	大きい犬。(Ookii inu.) — A big dog.
38	ちいさい	chiisai	Small / Little	小さい猫。(Chiisai neko.) — A small cat.
39	たかい	takai	Expensive / High/Tall	このバッグは高い。(Kono baggu wa takai.) — This bag is expensive.
40	やすい	yasui	Cheap / Inexpensive	このりんごは安い。(Kono ringo wa yasui.) — This apple is cheap.
41	いい / よい	ii / yoi	Good	いい天気ですね。(Ii tenki desu ne.) — Nice weather, isn’t it?
42	わるい	warui	Bad	悪い夢を見た。(Warui yume wo mita.) — I had a bad dream.
43	あたらしい	atarashii	New	新しいスマホを買った。(Atarashii sumaho wo katta.) — I bought a new smartphone.
44	ふるい	furui	Old	古い車。(Furui kuruma.) — An old car.
45	はやい	hayai	Fast / Early	電車は速い。(Densha wa hayai.) — The train is fast.
46	おそい	osoi	Slow / Late	バスが遅い。(Basu ga osoi.) — The bus is slow.
47	むずかしい	muzukashii	Difficult	日本語は難しい。(Nihongo wa muzukashii.) — Japanese is difficult.
48	やさしい	yasashii	Easy / Kind	この問題はやさしい。(Kono mondai wa yasashii.) — This question is easy.
49	たのしい	tanoshii	Fun / Enjoyable	パーティーは楽しかった。(Paatii wa tanoshikatta.) — The party was fun.
50	かなしい	kanashii	Sad	悲しい映画。(Kanashii eiga.) — A sad movie.

Full List: 1000 Most Common Japanese Words

Words 1–100 (Greetings, Pronouns, Core Verbs, Basic Adjectives)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
1	はい	hai	Yes
2	いいえ	iie	No
3	ありがとう	arigatou	Thank you
4	すみません	sumimasen	Excuse me / Sorry
5	おはようございます	ohayou gozaimasu	Good morning
6	こんにちは	konnichiwa	Hello / Good afternoon
7	こんばんは	konbanwa	Good evening
8	さようなら	sayounara	Goodbye
9	わたし	watashi	I / Me
10	あなた	anata	You
11	これ	kore	This
12	それ	sore	That (near you)
13	あれ	are	That (over there)
14	どこ	doko	Where
15	だれ	dare	Who
16	なに	nani	What
17	いつ	itsu	When
18	なぜ	naze	Why
19	どう	dou	How
20	いくら	ikura	How much
21	です	desu	Is / Am / Are
22	ます	masu	Polite verb ending
23	ない	nai	Not / Negative
24	いる	iru	To be (animate)
25	ある	aru	To be (inanimate) / Have
26	する	suru	To do
27	くる	kuru	To come
28	いく	iku	To go
29	みる	miru	To see / watch
30	きく	kiku	To listen / ask
31	たべる	taberu	To eat
32	のむ	nomu	To drink
33	かう	kau	To buy
34	よむ	yomu	To read
35	かく	kaku	To write
36	はなす	hanasu	To speak
37	おおきい	ookii	Big
38	ちいさい	chiisai	Small
39	たかい	takai	Expensive / Tall
40	やすい	yasui	Cheap
41	いい	ii	Good
42	わるい	warui	Bad
43	あたらしい	atarashii	New
44	ふるい	furui	Old
45	はやい	hayai	Fast / Early
46	おそい	osoi	Slow / Late
47	むずかしい	muzukashii	Difficult
48	やさしい	yasashii	Easy / Kind
49	たのしい	tanoshii	Fun
50	かなしい	kanashii	Sad
51	あかい	akai	Red
52	あおい	aoi	Blue / Green
53	しろい	shiroi	White
54	くろい	kuroi	Black
55	きいろい	kiiroi	Yellow
56	ひと	hito	Person
57	おとこ	otoko	Man / Male
58	おんな	onna	Woman / Female
59	こども	kodomo	Child
60	おとな	otona	Adult
61	ともだち	tomodachi	Friend
62	かぞく	kazoku	Family
63	おかあさん	okaasan	Mother
64	おとうさん	otousan	Father
65	おにいさん	oniisan	Older brother
66	おねえさん	oneesan	Older sister
67	おとうと	otouto	Younger brother
68	いもうと	imouto	Younger sister
69	おじいさん	ojiisan	Grandfather
70	おばあさん	obaasan	Grandmother
71	せんせい	sensei	Teacher
72	がくせい	gakusei	Student
73	いしゃ	isha	Doctor
74	かいしゃいん	kaishain	Company employee
75	けいさつ	keisatsu	Police
76	みず	mizu	Water
77	ごはん	gohan	Rice / Meal
78	パン	pan	Bread
79	にく	niku	Meat
80	さかな	sakana	Fish
81	やさい	yasai	Vegetables
82	くだもの	kudamono	Fruit
83	たまご	tamago	Egg
84	ぎゅうにゅう	gyuunyuu	Milk
85	コーヒー	koohii	Coffee
86	おちゃ	ocha	Tea
87	ジュース	juusu	Juice
88	さけ	sake	Alcohol / Rice wine
89	しょくじ	shokuji	Meal / Dining
90	あさごはん	asagohan	Breakfast
91	ひるごはん	hirugohan	Lunch
92	ばんごはん	bangohan	Dinner
93	みせ	mise	Shop / Store
94	レストラン	resutoran	Restaurant
95	スーパー	suupaa	Supermarket
96	びょういん	byouin	Hospital
97	がっこう	gakkou	School
98	だいがく	daigaku	University
99	かいしゃ	kaisha	Company
100	ぎんこう	ginkou	Bank

Words 101–200 (Places, Time, Numbers, Days)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
101	えき	eki	Train station
102	くうこう	kuukou	Airport
103	ホテル	hoteru	Hotel
104	うち / いえ	uchi / ie	House / Home
105	アパート	apaato	Apartment
106	へや	heya	Room
107	トイレ	toire	Toilet / Restroom
108	おふろ	ofuro	Bath
109	だいどころ	daidokoro	Kitchen
110	にわ	niwa	Garden
111	みち	michi	Road / Way
112	はし	hashi	Bridge
113	こうえん	kouen	Park
114	やま	yama	Mountain
115	うみ	umi	Sea / Ocean
116	かわ	kawa	River
117	もり	mori	Forest
118	そら	sora	Sky
119	つき	tsuki	Moon
120	たいよう	taiyou	Sun
121	ほし	hoshi	Star
122	あめ	ame	Rain
123	ゆき	yuki	Snow
124	かぜ	kaze	Wind
125	くも	kumo	Cloud
126	てんき	tenki	Weather
127	はれ	hare	Sunny / Clear
128	くもり	kumori	Cloudy
129	きおん	kion	Temperature
130	さむい	samui	Cold (weather)
131	あつい	atsui	Hot (weather / object)
132	すずしい	suzushii	Cool (pleasantly)
133	あたたかい	atatakai	Warm
134	いち	ichi	One (1)
135	に	ni	Two (2)
136	さん	san	Three (3)
137	し / よん	shi / yon	Four (4)
138	ご	go	Five (5)
139	ろく	roku	Six (6)
140	しち / なな	shichi / nana	Seven (7)
141	はち	hachi	Eight (8)
142	きゅう / く	kyuu / ku	Nine (9)
143	じゅう	juu	Ten (10)
144	ひゃく	hyaku	One hundred (100)
145	せん	sen	One thousand (1,000)
146	まん	man	Ten thousand (10,000)
147	なんにん	nannin	How many people
148	なんじ	nanji	What time
149	じかん	jikan	Time / Hour
150	ふん / ぷん	fun / pun	Minute
151	びょう	byou	Second
152	いま	ima	Now
153	きょう	kyou	Today
154	あした	ashita	Tomorrow
155	きのう	kinou	Yesterday
156	あさ	asa	Morning
157	ひる	hiru	Noon / Daytime
158	よる	yoru	Night
159	ごぜん	gozen	AM
160	ごご	gogo	PM
161	まいにち	mainichi	Every day
162	まいあさ	maiasa	Every morning
163	まいばん	maiban	Every evening
164	こんしゅう	konshuu	This week
165	らいしゅう	raishuu	Next week
166	せんしゅう	senshuu	Last week
167	こんげつ	kongetsu	This month
168	らいげつ	raigetsu	Next month
169	せんげつ	sengetsu	Last month
170	ことし	kotoshi	This year
171	らいねん	rainen	Next year
172	きょねん	kyonen	Last year
173	にちようび	nichiyoubi	Sunday
174	げつようび	getsuyoubi	Monday
175	かようび	kayoubi	Tuesday
176	すいようび	suiyoubi	Wednesday
177	もくようび	mokuyoubi	Thursday
178	きんようび	kin’youbi	Friday
179	どようび	doyoubi	Saturday
180	いちがつ	ichigatsu	January
181	にがつ	nigatsu	February
182	さんがつ	sangatsu	March
183	しがつ	shigatsu	April
184	ごがつ	gogatsu	May
185	ろくがつ	rokugatsu	June
186	しちがつ	shichigatsu	July
187	はちがつ	hachigatsu	August
188	くがつ	kugatsu	September
189	じゅうがつ	juugatsu	October
190	じゅういちがつ	juuichigatsu	November
191	じゅうにがつ	juunigatsu	December
192	はる	haru	Spring
193	なつ	natsu	Summer
194	あき	aki	Autumn / Fall
195	ふゆ	fuyu	Winter
196	たんじょうび	tanjoubi	Birthday
197	ねんれい	nenrei	Age
198	なんさい	nansai	How old
199	さい	sai	Years old (counter)
200	ごろ	goro	Around / About (time)

Words 201–300 (Body, Health, Clothing, Colors)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
201	あたま	atama	Head
202	かみ	kami	Hair
203	かお	kao	Face
204	め	me	Eye(s)
205	みみ	mimi	Ear(s)
206	はな	hana	Nose
207	くち	kuchi	Mouth
208	は	ha	Tooth / Teeth
209	くび	kubi	Neck
210	かた	kata	Shoulder
211	むね	mune	Chest
212	うで	ude	Arm
213	て	te	Hand
214	ゆび	yubi	Finger
215	こし	koshi	Waist / Hip
216	あし	ashi	Leg / Foot
217	ひざ	hiza	Knee
218	せなか	senaka	Back (of body)
219	おなか	onaka	Stomach / Belly
220	からだ	karada	Body
221	きもち	kimochi	Feeling / Mood
222	いたい	itai	Painful / Hurts
223	びょうき	byouki	Illness / Sickness
224	ねつ	netsu	Fever
225	かぜ	kaze	Cold (illness)
226	くすり	kusuri	Medicine
227	けが	kega	Injury
228	げんき	genki	Healthy / Energetic
229	ねる	neru	To sleep
230	おきる	okiru	To wake up
231	やすむ	yasumu	To rest
232	うごく	ugoku	To move
233	はしる	hashiru	To run
234	あるく	aruku	To walk
235	とぶ	tobu	To fly / Jump
236	およぐ	oyogu	To swim
237	ふく	fuku	Clothes / To blow
238	シャツ	shatsu	Shirt
239	ズボン	zubon	Pants / Trousers
240	スカート	sukaato	Skirt
241	ドレス	doresu	Dress
242	うわぎ	uwagi	Jacket / Coat
243	コート	kooto	Coat
244	くつ	kutsu	Shoes
245	くつした	kutsushita	Socks
246	ぼうし	boushi	Hat / Cap
247	めがね	megane	Glasses
248	かばん	kaban	Bag
249	さいふ	saifu	Wallet
250	とけい	tokei	Watch / Clock
251	ゆびわ	yubiwa	Ring
252	ネックレス	nekkuresu	Necklace
253	きる	kiru	To wear (upper body)
254	はく	haku	To wear (lower body / shoes)
255	かぶる	kaburu	To wear (on head)
256	みどり	midori	Green
257	むらさき	murasaki	Purple
258	オレンジ	orenji	Orange
259	ピンク	pinku	Pink
260	ちゃいろ	chairо	Brown
261	はいいろ	haiiro	Gray
262	きんいろ	kin’iro	Gold
263	ぎんいろ	gin’iro	Silver
264	いろ	iro	Color
265	あかるい	akarui	Bright
266	くらい	kurai	Dark
267	うつくしい	utsukushii	Beautiful
268	かわいい	kawaii	Cute / Adorable
269	かっこいい	kakkoii	Cool / Stylish
270	きれい	kirei	Pretty / Clean
271	きたない	kitanai	Dirty
272	にぎやか	nigiyaka	Lively / Bustling
273	しずか	shizuka	Quiet / Calm
274	ひろい	hiroi	Wide / Spacious
275	せまい	semai	Narrow / Small (space)
276	ながい	nagai	Long
277	みじかい	mijikai	Short
278	おもい	omoi	Heavy
279	かるい	karui	Light (weight)
280	あまい	amai	Sweet
281	からい	karai	Spicy / Salty
282	すっぱい	suppai	Sour
283	にがい	nigai	Bitter
284	おいしい	oishii	Delicious
285	まずい	mazui	Bad-tasting
286	おなかがすいた	onaka ga suita	Hungry
287	のどがかわいた	nodo ga kawaita	Thirsty
288	つかれた	tsukareta	Tired
289	ねむい	nemui	Sleepy
290	うれしい	ureshii	Happy
291	こわい	kowai	Scary / Afraid
292	はずかしい	hazukashii	Embarrassed / Shy
293	おこる	okoru	To get angry
294	わらう	warau	To laugh
295	なく	naku	To cry
296	おどろく	odoroku	To be surprised
297	しんぱいする	shinpai suru	To worry
298	あんしんする	anshin suru	To feel relieved
299	たのしむ	tanoshimu	To enjoy
300	だいすき	daisuki	Love / Really like

Words 301–400 (Transportation, Direction, Shopping, Technology)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
301	くるま	kuruma	Car
302	でんしゃ	densha	Train (electric)
303	バス	basu	Bus
304	タクシー	takushii	Taxi
305	じてんしゃ	jitensha	Bicycle
306	オートバイ	ootobai	Motorcycle
307	ひこうき	hikouki	Airplane
308	ふね	fune	Ship / Boat
309	ちかてつ	chikatetsu	Subway
310	バスてい	basutei	Bus stop
311	みぎ	migi	Right
312	ひだり	hidari	Left
313	まえ	mae	Front / Before
314	うしろ	ushiro	Back / Behind
315	うえ	ue	Up / Above
316	した	shita	Down / Below
317	なか	naka	Inside / Middle
318	そと	soto	Outside
319	となり	tonari	Next to / Beside
320	ちかく	chikaku	Near / Nearby
321	とおい	tooi	Far
322	まっすぐ	massugu	Straight ahead
323	まがる	magaru	To turn
324	わたる	wataru	To cross
325	とまる	tomaru	To stop
326	のる	noru	To ride / Board
327	おりる	oriru	To get off / Descend
328	つく	tsuku	To arrive
329	でる	deru	To leave / Exit
330	かえる	kaeru	To return / Go home
331	かいもの	kaimono	Shopping
332	ねだん	nedan	Price
333	おつり	otsuri	Change (money)
334	レジ	reji	Cashier / Register
335	ふくろ	fukuro	Bag / Sack
336	りょうしゅうしょ	ryoushuusho	Receipt
337	クレジットカード	kurejitto kaado	Credit card
338	げんきん	genkin	Cash
339	しはらう	shiharau	To pay
340	うる	uru	To sell
341	でんわ	denwa	Telephone
342	スマートフォン	sumaatofon	Smartphone
343	パソコン	pasokon	Personal computer
344	インターネット	intaanetto	Internet
345	メール	meeru	Email
346	メッセージ	messeji	Message
347	SNS	esu en esu	Social media
348	ウェブサイト	uebusaito	Website
349	アプリ	apuri	App (application)
350	カメラ	kamera	Camera
351	テレビ	terebi	Television
352	ラジオ	rajio	Radio
353	ゲーム	geemu	Game
354	おんがく	ongaku	Music
355	えいが	eiga	Movie / Film
356	しゃしん	shashin	Photo / Picture
357	どうが	douga	Video
358	チャンネル	channeru	Channel
359	ニュース	nyuusu	News
360	てんきよほう	tenki yohou	Weather forecast
361	でんち	denchi	Battery
362	じゅうでん	juuden	Charging
363	パスワード	pasuwaado	Password
364	ログイン	roguin	Login
365	ダウンロード	daunroodo	Download
366	アップロード	appuroodo	Upload
367	ファイル	fairu	File
368	データ	deeta	Data
369	セキュリティ	sekyuriti	Security
370	プリント	purinto	Print
371	コピー	kopii	Copy
372	さがす	sagasu	To search / Look for
373	けす	kesu	To erase / Delete
374	ほぞんする	hozon suru	To save (data)
375	でんき	denki	Electricity / Light
376	スイッチ	suicchi	Switch
377	コンセント	konsento	Electrical outlet
378	エアコン	eakon	Air conditioner
379	れいぞうこ	reizouko	Refrigerator
380	せんたっき	sentakki	Washing machine
381	そうじき	soujiiki	Vacuum cleaner
382	かぐ	kagu	Furniture
383	つくえ	tsukue	Desk
384	いす	isu	Chair
385	ベッド	beddo	Bed
386	そふぁ	sofa	Sofa
387	まど	mado	Window
388	とびら / ドア	tobira / doa	Door
389	かべ	kabe	Wall
390	ゆか	yuka	Floor
391	てんじょう	tenjou	Ceiling
392	かいだん	kaidan	Stairs
393	エレベーター	erebeetaa	Elevator
394	カーテン	kaaten	Curtain
395	でんきゅう	denkyuu	Light bulb
396	かぎ	kagi	Key / Lock
397	なおす	naosu	To fix / Repair
398	こわれる	kowareru	To break (intransitive)
399	つける	tsukeru	To turn on
400	けす	kesu	To turn off

Words 401–500 (Education, Work, Society, Nature)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
401	べんきょう	benkyou	Study
402	じゅぎょう	jugyou	Class / Lesson
403	しゅくだい	shukudai	Homework
404	しけん	shiken	Exam / Test
405	せいせき	seiseki	Grade / Results
406	こたえ	kotae	Answer
407	しつもん	shitsumon	Question
408	せつめい	setsumei	Explanation
409	れんしゅう	renshuu	Practice
410	おぼえる	oboeru	To memorize / Remember
411	わすれる	wasureru	To forget
412	しる	shiru	To know
413	わかる	wakaru	To understand
414	おしえる	oshieru	To teach
415	まなぶ	manabu	To learn
416	そつぎょう	sotsugyou	Graduation
417	にゅうがく	nyuugaku	School entrance
418	としょかん	toshokan	Library
419	きょうしつ	kyoushitsu	Classroom
420	こくばん	kokuban	Blackboard
421	えんぴつ	enpitsu	Pencil
422	ボールペン	boorupen	Ballpoint pen
423	ノート	nooto	Notebook
424	きょうかしょ	kyoukasho	Textbook
425	じしょ	jisho	Dictionary
426	しごと	shigoto	Work / Job
427	かいぎ	kaigi	Meeting
428	しめきり	shimekiri	Deadline
429	ほうこく	houkoku	Report
430	けいかく	keikaku	Plan
431	めいし	meishi	Business card
432	きゅうりょう	kyuuryou	Salary
433	ざんぎょう	zangyou	Overtime work
434	やすみ	yasumi	Day off / Holiday
435	きゅうか	kyuuka	Vacation
436	たいしょく	taishoku	Resignation / Retirement
437	うけつけ	uketsuke	Reception desk
438	じょうし	joushi	Superior / Boss
439	ぶか	buka	Subordinate
440	どうりょう	douryou	Colleague
441	きゃく	kyaku	Customer / Guest
442	えいぎょう	eigyou	Sales
443	マーケティング	maaketingu	Marketing
444	けいざい	keizai	Economy
445	ぶっか	bukka	Prices / Cost of living
446	ぜいきん	zeikin	Tax
447	ほうりつ	houritsu	Law
448	せいじ	seiji	Politics
449	せいふ	seifu	Government
450	えらぶ	erabu	To choose / Elect
451	ひつじ	hitsuji	Sheep
452	うし	ushi	Cow
453	うま	uma	Horse
454	ぶた	buta	Pig
455	にわとり	niwatori	Chicken
456	いぬ	inu	Dog
457	ねこ	neko	Cat
458	うさぎ	usagi	Rabbit
459	さる	saru	Monkey
460	くま	kuma	Bear
461	とら	tora	Tiger
462	らいおん	raion	Lion
463	ぞう	zou	Elephant
464	きりん	kirin	Giraffe
465	とり	tori	Bird
466	はな	hana	Flower
467	き	ki	Tree
468	くさ	kusa	Grass
469	は	ha	Leaf
470	たね	tane	Seed
471	みどり	midori	Green / Verdure
472	さくら	sakura	Cherry blossom
473	むし	mushi	Insect / Bug
474	ちょうちょ	chouchou	Butterfly
475	はち	hachi	Bee
476	ありんこ / あり	arinko / ari	Ant
477	かわ	kawa	River
478	いけ	ike	Pond
479	たき	taki	Waterfall
480	しま	shima	Island
481	さばく	sabaku	Desert
482	じしん	jishin	Earthquake
483	たいふう	taifuu	Typhoon
484	こうずい	kouzui	Flood
485	かざん	kazan	Volcano
486	かんきょう	kankyou	Environment
487	おせん	osen	Pollution
488	リサイクル	risaikuru	Recycling
489	エネルギー	enerugii	Energy
490	しぜん	shizen	Nature
491	せかい	sekai	World
492	くに	kuni	Country
493	にほん	nihon	Japan
494	アメリカ	Amerika	America
495	ちゅうごく	Chuugoku	China
496	かんこく	Kankoku	South Korea
497	フランス	Furansu	France
498	ドイツ	Doitsu	Germany
499	こくさい	kokusai	International
500	たびする / りょこう	tabi suru / ryokou	To travel

Words 501–600 (Food, Culture, Entertainment, Sports)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
501	すし	sushi	Sushi
502	ラーメン	raamen	Ramen
503	てんぷら	tenpura	Tempura
504	そば	soba	Soba noodles
505	うどん	udon	Udon noodles
506	みそしる	misoshiru	Miso soup
507	おにぎり	onigiri	Rice ball
508	やきとり	yakitori	Grilled chicken skewer
509	とんかつ	tonkatsu	Pork cutlet
510	すきやき	sukiyaki	Sukiyaki (hot pot)
511	カレー	karee	Curry
512	ケーキ	keeki	Cake
513	アイスクリーム	aisu kuriimu	Ice cream
514	チョコレート	chokoreeto	Chocolate
515	キャンディ	kyandi	Candy
516	クッキー	kukkii	Cookie
517	ポテトチップス	poteto chippusu	Potato chips
518	りんご	ringo	Apple
519	バナナ	banana	Banana
520	みかん	mikan	Mandarin orange
521	ぶどう	budou	Grapes
522	いちご	ichigo	Strawberry
523	もも	momo	Peach
524	すいか	suika	Watermelon
525	にんじん	ninjin	Carrot
526	じゃがいも	jagaimo	Potato
527	たまねぎ	tamanegi	Onion
528	トマト	tomato	Tomato
529	きゅうり	kyuuri	Cucumber
530	ほうれんそう	hourensou	Spinach
531	だし	dashi	Japanese soup stock
532	しょうゆ	shouyu	Soy sauce
533	みりん	mirin	Mirin (sweet rice wine)
534	さとう	satou	Sugar
535	しお	shio	Salt
536	こしょう	koshou	Pepper
537	あぶら	abura	Oil
538	バター	bataa	Butter
539	ちょうみりょう	choumiryou	Seasoning
540	レシピ	reshipi	Recipe
541	りょうり	ryouri	Cooking / Cuisine
542	つくる	tsukuru	To make / Create
543	にる	niru	To boil / Simmer
544	やく	yaku	To grill / Bake
545	あげる	ageru	To fry (deep fry)
546	きる	kiru	To cut
547	まぜる	mazeru	To mix
548	かんぱい	kanpai	Cheers! (toast)
549	いただきます	itadakimasu	Expression before eating
550	ごちそうさま	gochisousama	Expression after eating
551	しゅみ	shumi	Hobby
552	スポーツ	supootsu	Sports
553	やきゅう	yakyuu	Baseball
554	サッカー	sakkaa	Soccer / Football
555	テニス	tenisu	Tennis
556	バスケットボール	basuketto booru	Basketball
557	バレーボール	baree booru	Volleyball
558	すいえい	suiei	Swimming
559	マラソン	marason	Marathon
560	たいそう	taisou	Gymnastics / Exercise
561	ヨガ	yoga	Yoga
562	ランニング	ranningu	Running
563	ハイキング	haikingu	Hiking
564	キャンプ	kyanpu	Camping
565	りょこう	ryokou	Travel / Trip
566	おんせん	onsen	Hot spring
567	かぶき	kabuki	Kabuki (theater)
568	まつり	matsuri	Festival
569	はなびたいかい	hanabi taikai	Fireworks festival
570	じんじゃ	jinja	Shinto shrine
571	てら	tera	Buddhist temple
572	おまいり	omairi	Shrine/temple visit
573	おみやげ	omiyage	Souvenir
574	かんこう	kankou	Sightseeing
575	しゃしんをとる	shashin wo toru	To take a photo
576	びじゅつかん	bijutsukan	Art museum
577	はくぶつかん	hakubutsukan	Museum
578	どうぶつえん	doubutsuen	Zoo
579	すいぞくかん	suizokukan	Aquarium
580	えんそうかい	ensoukai	Concert
581	うたう	utau	To sing
582	おどる	odoru	To dance
583	えをかく	e wo kaku	To draw / Paint
584	しゃしんをとる	shashin wo toru	To take photos
585	りょうりをする	ryouri wo suru	To cook
586	ほんをよむ	hon wo yomu	To read books
587	えいごをまなぶ	eigo wo manabu	To learn English
588	りょこうをする	ryokou wo suru	To travel
589	ゲームをする	geemu wo suru	To play games
590	ドライブする	doraibu suru	To go for a drive
591	かいものをする	kaimono wo suru	To go shopping
592	えいがをみる	eiga wo miru	To watch a movie
593	はなをかう	hana wo kau	To buy flowers
594	コンサートにいく	konsaato ni iku	To go to a concert
595	ともだちとあそぶ	tomodachi to asobu	To hang out with friends
596	たびをたのしむ	tabi wo tanoshimu	To enjoy travel
597	スポーツをする	supootsu wo suru	To play sports
598	さんぽする	sanpo suru	To take a walk
599	ハイキングをする	haikingu wo suru	To go hiking
600	キャンプをする	kyanpu wo suru	To go camping

Words 601–700 (Abstract Concepts, Emotions, Communication)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
601	あい	ai	Love
602	ゆめ	yume	Dream
603	きぼう	kibou	Hope
604	じゆう	jiyuu	Freedom
605	へいわ	heiwa	Peace
606	しあわせ	shiawase	Happiness
607	かなしみ	kanashimi	Sadness
608	よろこび	yorokobi	Joy
609	いかり	ikari	Anger
610	おそれ	osore	Fear
611	まじめ	majime	Serious / Diligent
612	ていねい	teinei	Polite / Careful
613	やさしさ	yasashisa	Kindness
614	ゆうき	yuuki	Courage
615	がまん	gaman	Patience / Endurance
616	がんばる	ganbaru	To do one’s best
617	あきらめる	akirameru	To give up
618	しんじる	shinjiru	To believe / Trust
619	えらぶ	erabu	To choose
620	きめる	kimeru	To decide
621	かんがえる	kangaeru	To think / Consider
622	おもう	omou	To think / Feel
623	ちがう	chigau	To differ / Be wrong
624	あう	au	To meet
625	わかれる	wakareru	To separate / Break up
626	たすける	tasukeru	To help / Rescue
627	ゆるす	yurusu	To forgive
628	あやまる	ayamaru	To apologize
629	ほめる	homeru	To praise
630	しかる	shikaru	To scold
631	こうかん	koukanする	To exchange
632	むずかしさ	muzukashisa	Difficulty
633	じゅうよう	juuyou	Important
634	ひつよう	hitsuyou	Necessary
635	べんり	benri	Convenient
636	ふべん	fuben	Inconvenient
637	おもしろい	omoshiroi	Interesting / Funny
638	たいくつ	taikutsu	Boredom / Boring
639	ふしぎ	fushigi	Strange / Mysterious
640	びっくり	bikkuri	Surprised
641	むしろ	mushiro	Rather / Instead
642	やはり / やっぱり	yahari / yappari	As expected / After all
643	もちろん	mochiron	Of course
644	たしかに	tashika ni	Certainly
645	たぶん	tabun	Probably
646	もしかして	moshikashite	Perhaps / Maybe
647	ぜんぶ	zenbu	All / Everything
648	なにも	nanimo	Nothing
649	みんな	minna	Everyone
650	だれも	daremo	Nobody / Everyone (with neg)
651	いつも	itsumo	Always
652	たまに	tama ni	Sometimes / Occasionally
653	めったに	metta ni	Rarely
654	けっして	kesshite	Never (with negative)
655	もう	mou	Already / Anymore
656	まだ	mada	Still / Not yet
657	さっき	sakki	A moment ago
658	あとで	atode	Later
659	すぐ	sugu	Immediately / Soon
660	ゆっくり	yukkuri	Slowly
661	はやく	hayaku	Quickly
662	すこし	sukoshi	A little
663	たくさん	takusan	A lot / Many
664	ほとんど	hotondo	Almost / Mostly
665	ちょっと	chotto	A little / A moment
666	とても	totemo	Very
667	まあまあ	maamaa	So-so
668	ぜんぜん	zenzen	At all (with neg) / Totally
669	かなり	kanari	Considerably / Fairly
670	すごく	sugoku	Very / Awfully
671	ほんとうに	hontou ni	Really / Truly
672	たしかに	tashika ni	Indeed / Certainly
673	そのまま	sono mama	As is / Unchanged
674	せっかく	sekkaku	Took the trouble to
675	やっと	yatto	Finally
676	ちょうど	choudo	Exactly / Just
677	もっと	motto	More
678	いちばん	ichiban	The most / Number one
679	いっしょに	issho ni	Together
680	べつべつに	betsube tsu ni	Separately
681	こんな	konna	This kind of
682	そんな	sonna	That kind of
683	あんな	anna	That kind of (distant)
684	どんな	donna	What kind of
685	こんなに	konnani	To this extent
686	そんなに	sonnani	To that extent
687	それほど	sorehodo	That much
688	なるほど	naruhodo	I see / Indeed
689	さすが	sasuga	As expected (of great person)
690	ところで	tokorode	By the way
691	それに	soreni	Besides / Moreover
692	しかも	shikamo	Furthermore
693	ただし	tadashi	However / But
694	でも	demo	But / However
695	だから	dakara	Therefore / So
696	なぜなら	nazenara	Because
697	もし	moshi	If
698	たとえば	tatoeba	For example
699	つまり	tsumari	In other words
700	けっきょく	kekkyoku	In the end / After all

Words 701–800 (Verbs — Action, Movement, Creation)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
701	おく	oku	To put / Place
702	もつ	motsu	To hold / Have
703	わたす	watasu	To hand over
704	うける	ukeru	To receive
705	もらう	morau	To receive (from someone)
706	あげる	ageru	To give (to someone)
707	くれる	kureru	To give (to me)
708	かりる	kariru	To borrow
709	かす	kasu	To lend
710	つかう	tsukau	To use
711	みつける	mitsukeru	To find
712	なくす	nakusu	To lose
713	すてる	suteru	To throw away
714	ひろう	hirou	To pick up
715	はこぶ	hakobu	To carry / Transport
716	あける	akeru	To open
717	しめる	shimeru	To close
718	おす	osu	To push
719	ひく	hiku	To pull
720	まわす	mawasu	To turn / Rotate
721	まわる	mawaru	To go around / Rotate
722	おとす	otosu	To drop
723	ひっぱる	hipparu	To pull / Drag
724	たおす	taosu	To knock over
725	たてる	tateru	To build / Erect
726	こわす	kowasu	To break / Destroy
727	つくる	tsukuru	To make / Create
728	かえる	kaeru	To change (something)
729	きめる	kimeru	To decide
730	やる	yaru	To do
731	おこなう	okonau	To carry out / Perform
732	はじめる	hajimeru	To start / Begin
733	おわる	owaru	To end / Finish
734	つづける	tsuzukeru	To continue
735	やめる	yameru	To stop / Quit
736	のこる	nokoru	To remain / Be left
737	まにあう	ma ni au	To be in time
738	あわてる	awateru	To hurry / Panic
739	まつ	matsu	To wait
740	よぶ	yobu	To call / Invite
741	こたえる	kotaeru	To answer
742	たのむ	tanomu	To ask / Request
743	ことわる	kotowaru	To refuse
744	みせる	miseru	To show
745	かくす	kakusu	To hide
746	おしえる	oshieru	To tell / Teach
747	つたえる	tsutaeru	To convey / Inform
748	しらせる	shiraseru	To notify
749	よてい	yotei	Schedule / Plan
750	やくそく	yakusoku	Promise / Appointment
751	そうだん	soudan	Consultation
752	はなしあう	hanashiau	To discuss
753	けんかする	kenka suru	To argue / Fight
754	なかなおり	nakanаori	Reconciliation
755	あいさつ	aisatsu	Greeting
756	じこしょうかい	jiko shoukai	Self-introduction
757	おねがいします	onegai shimasu	Please (request)
758	どういたしまして	dou itashimashite	You’re welcome
759	おせわになりました	o-sewa ni narimashita	Thank you for your help
760	きをつけて	ki wo tsukete	Take care
761	いってきます	ittekimasu	I’m leaving (and coming back)
762	いってらっしゃい	itterasshai	Goodbye / Have a safe trip
763	ただいま	tadaima	I’m home!
764	おかえり	okaeri	Welcome back!
765	おやすみなさい	oyasumi nasai	Good night
766	おめでとうございます	omedetou gozaimasu	Congratulations!
767	がんばってください	ganbatte kudasai	Please do your best
768	きをつけて	ki wo tsukete	Be careful / Take care
769	たのしんで	tanoshinde	Enjoy yourself
770	まかせて	makasete	Leave it to me
771	なるべく	narubeku	As much as possible
772	できる	dekiru	Can / To be able to
773	できない	dekinai	Cannot / Unable to
774	やってみる	yatte miru	To try doing
775	ためす	tamesu	To try / Test
776	なれる	nareru	To get used to
777	おぼえる	oboeru	To remember / Learn
778	なれている	narete iru	Accustomed to
779	むずかしい	muzukashii	Difficult
780	かんたん	kantan	Simple / Easy
781	あたりまえ	atarimae	Natural / Of course
782	ふつう	futsuu	Normal / Ordinary
783	とくべつ	tokubetsu	Special
784	ゆうめい	yuumei	Famous
785	ひみつ	himitsu	Secret
786	ほんもの	honmono	Genuine / Real thing
787	にせもの	nisemono	Fake / Imitation
788	ほんやく	hon’yaku	Translation
789	つうやく	tsuuyaku	Interpretation
790	ことば	kotoba	Word / Language
791	いみ	imi	Meaning
792	ぶんしょう	bunshou	Sentence / Text
793	だいめい	daimei	Title / Heading
794	ないよう	naiyou	Content
795	はっきり	hakkiri	Clearly
796	ぼんやり	bonyari	Vaguely / Absentmindedly
797	とつぜん	totsuzen	Suddenly
798	じょじょに	jojo ni	Gradually
799	さっさと	sassato	Quickly / Promptly
800	のんびり	nonbiri	Leisurely / Easygoing

Words 801–900 (Society, Daily Life, Relationships)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
801	しゃかい	shakai	Society
802	もんだい	mondai	Problem / Issue
803	こうどう	koudou	Behavior / Action
804	ルール	ruuru	Rule
805	まなー	manaa	Manners
806	じょうしき	joushiki	Common sense
807	けいけん	keiken	Experience
808	ちしき	chishiki	Knowledge
809	わかもの	wakamono	Young people
810	おとしより	otoshiyori	Elderly people
811	かんけい	kankei	Relationship
812	えんりょ	enryo	Hesitation / Restraint
813	きにする	ki ni suru	To worry about / Mind
814	かまわない	kamawanai	Don’t mind / Don’t care
815	じゃまする	jama suru	To bother / Disturb
816	おじゃまします	ojama shimasu	Sorry to intrude
817	おせわになる	osewa ni naru	To be taken care of
818	よろしくおねがいします	yoroshiku onegai shimasu	Please treat me well
819	はじめまして	hajimemashite	Nice to meet you
820	おひさしぶり	ohisashiburi	Long time no see
821	おかげさまで	okagesama de	Thanks to you
822	もうしわけない	moushiwakenai	I’m very sorry
823	ごめんなさい	gomen nasai	I’m sorry
824	しかたない	shikata nai	Can’t be helped
825	だいじょうぶ	daijoubu	It’s okay / Fine
826	きにしないで	ki ni shinaide	Don’t worry about it
827	むり	muri	Impossible / Overexertion
828	どりょく	doryoku	Effort
829	けっか	kekka	Result
830	せいこう	seikou	Success
831	しっぱい	shippai	Failure
832	チャンス	chansu	Chance / Opportunity
833	もくひょう	mokuhyou	Goal / Target
834	みらい	mirai	Future
835	かこ	kako	Past
836	げんざい	genzai	Present (time)
837	はじめ	hajime	Beginning
838	おわり	owari	End
839	とちゅう	tochuu	Midway / On the way
840	そのあと	sono ato	After that
841	なまえ	namae	Name
842	じゅうしょ	juusho	Address
843	でんわばんごう	denwa bangou	Phone number
844	メールアドレス	meeru adoresu	Email address
845	うまれる	umareru	To be born
846	そだつ	sodatsu	To grow up
847	けっこんする	kekkon suru	To marry
848	りこんする	rikon suru	To divorce
849	しぬ	shinu	To die
850	いきる	ikiru	To live
851	かお	kao	Face
852	こころ	kokoro	Heart / Mind
853	たましい	tamashii	Soul / Spirit
854	からだ	karada	Body
855	いのち	inochi	Life
856	じんせい	jinsei	Human life
857	せいかつ	seikatsu	Daily life
858	なりたい	naritai	Want to become
859	したい	shitai	Want to do
860	ほしい	hoshii	Want (a thing)
861	すきな	sukina	Liked / Favorite
862	きらいな	kirainna	Disliked
863	とくい	tokui	Good at / Specialty
864	にがて	nigate	Not good at / Weakness
865	ゆめをもつ	yume wo motsu	To have a dream
866	あこがれ	akogare	Longing / Admiration
867	しそう	shisou	Thought / Philosophy
868	しゅっせ	shusse	Success in society
869	じどうしゃ	jidousha	Automobile
870	こうつう	koutsuu	Traffic / Transportation
871	ちかみち	chikamichi	Shortcut
872	とうちゃく	touchaku	Arrival
873	しゅっぱつ	shuppatsu	Departure
874	おくれる	okureru	To be late
875	まにあう	mani au	To be in time
876	じかんどおり	jikan doori	On time
877	よやく	yoyaku	Reservation / Booking
878	キャンセル	kyanseru	Cancellation
879	かくにん	kakunin	Confirmation
880	てつづき	tetsuzuki	Procedure
881	もうしこむ	moushikomu	To apply
882	しんせいする	shinsei suru	To apply (formally)
883	ていしゅつする	teishutsu suru	To submit
884	さっか	sakka	Writer / Author
885	がか	gaka	Painter / Artist
886	おんがくか	ongakuka	Musician
887	さっきょくか	sakkyokuka	Composer
888	はいゆう	haiyuu	Actor
889	かしゅ	kashu	Singer
890	スポーツせんしゅ	supootsu senshu	Athlete
891	けんきゅうしゃ	kenkyuusha	Researcher
892	エンジニア	enjinia	Engineer
893	プログラマー	puroguramaa	Programmer
894	デザイナー	dezainaa	Designer
895	かんごし	kangoshi	Nurse
896	べんごし	bengoshi	Lawyer
897	かいけいし	kaikeishi	Accountant
898	けんちくか	kenchiikuka	Architect
899	のうか	nouka	Farmer
900	りょうし	ryoushi	Fisherman

Words 901–1000 (Advanced Common Words, Connectors, Key Phrases)

#	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
901	ことに	koto ni	In particular
902	かならず	kanarazu	Without fail / Always
903	たいてい	taitei	Usually
904	どうやら	douyara	It seems
905	なんとか	nantoka	Somehow
906	ようやく	youyaku	Finally / At last
907	まさに	masa ni	Exactly
908	さらに	sara ni	Furthermore / Additionally
909	いっぽう	ippou	On the other hand
910	いずれ	izure	Someday / Either way
911	かわりに	kawari ni	Instead / In return
912	おもに	omo ni	Mainly / Primarily
913	ほかに	hoka ni	Additionally / Besides
914	なかでも	naka de mo	Among them / Especially
915	とくに	toku ni	Especially / In particular
916	ぜひ	zehi	By all means
917	いっそ	isso	Rather / It would be better
918	まさか	masaka	No way! / Surely not
919	なんと	nanto	What a …! / Surprisingly
920	やはり	yahari	As expected
921	よく	yoku	Often / Well
922	あまり	amari	Not very (with neg) / Too much
923	あまりにも	amari ni mo	Way too much
924	いまさら	imasara	Now of all times / Too late
925	そのため	sono tame	For that reason
926	それ以来	sore irai	Ever since then
927	いちおう	ichiou	For now / Just in case
928	とにかく	tonikaku	Anyway / At any rate
929	たとえ	tatoe	Even if
930	おそらく	osoraku	Probably
931	おそらく	osoraku	Perhaps
932	あるいは	aruiwa	Or / Alternatively
933	かつ	katsu	And also / Moreover
934	ならば	naraba	If that is the case
935	ような	you na	Like / As if
936	らしい	rashii	Seems / Apparently
937	そうだ	sou da	I heard that / It seems
938	はずだ	hazu da	Should be / Expected to
939	かもしれない	kamoshirenai	Might be / Perhaps
940	にちがいない	ni chigai nai	Must be / No doubt
941	だろう	darou	Probably / I think
942	べきだ	beki da	Should / Ought to
943	てはいけない	te wa ikenai	Must not
944	なければならない	nakereba naranai	Must / Have to
945	てもいい	te mo ii	It’s okay to / May
946	たほうがいい	ta hou ga ii	It’s better to
947	というより	to iu yori	Rather than
948	のに	noni	Even though / Despite
949	ながら	nagara	While doing
950	てから	te kara	After doing
951	まえに	mae ni	Before doing
952	あいだに	aida ni	During / While
953	について	ni tsuite	About / Regarding
954	にとって	ni totte	For (someone’s perspective)
955	によって	ni yotte	By / Depending on
956	にたいして	ni taishite	Toward / Against
957	にもかかわらず	ni mo kakawarazu	Despite / In spite of
958	おかげで	okage de	Thanks to
959	せいで	sei de	Because of (negative)
960	ために	tame ni	In order to / For
961	かわる	kawaru	To change
962	ふえる	fueru	To increase
963	へる	heru	To decrease
964	すすむ	susumu	To advance / Progress
965	もどる	modoru	To return / Go back
966	そだつ	sodatsu	To grow
967	ちぢむ	chijimu	To shrink
968	のびる	nobiru	To extend / Grow
969	ひろがる	hirogaru	To spread / Expand
970	せばまる	sebamaru	To narrow
971	まとめる	matomeru	To summarize / Organize
972	わける	wakeru	To divide / Separate
973	あわせる	awaseru	To combine / Match
974	くらべる	kuraberu	To compare
975	えらぶ	erabu	To select / Choose
976	ならべる	naraberu	To arrange
977	かさねる	kasaneru	To stack / Overlap
978	ためる	tameru	To save up / Accumulate
979	つかいはたす	tsukaihatasu	To use up
980	うけいれる	ukeireru	To accept
981	さけ	sake	Rice wine / Alcohol
982	こうちゃ	koucha	Black tea
983	ミネラルウォーター	mineraru wootaa	Mineral water
984	てんさい	tensai	Genius
985	ふつうじん	futsuujin	Ordinary person
986	しゅじんこう	shujinkou	Main character / Protagonist
987	なかま	nakama	Companion / Fellow
988	ライバル	raibaru	Rival
989	せんぱい	senpai	Senior (in school/work)
990	こうはい	kouhai	Junior (in school/work)
991	どうき	douki	Same year / Peer cohort
992	でんとう	dentou	Tradition
993	ぶんか	bunka	Culture
994	ぶんめい	bunmei	Civilization
995	れきし	rekishi	History
996	てつがく	tetsugaku	Philosophy
997	かがく	kagaku	Science
998	げいじゅつ	geijutsu	Art
999	にんげん	ningen	Human being
1000	いのち	inochi	Life

Example Sentences for Real-Life Usage

Here are additional example sentences for high-frequency words that go beyond the table above. These cover real-life scenarios.

Shopping & Money

これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) “How much is this?”

クレジットカードで払えますか？ (Kurejitto kaado de haraemasu ka?) “Can I pay by credit card?”

もう少し安くなりますか？ (Mou sukoshi yasuku narimasu ka?) “Can it be a little cheaper?”

At a Restaurant

メニューを見せてください。 (Menyuu wo misete kudasai.) “Please show me the menu.”

これをください。 (Kore wo kudasai.) “I’ll have this, please.”

おいしいです！ (Oishii desu!) “It’s delicious!”

Directions

駅はどこですか？ (Eki wa doko desu ka?) “Where is the train station?”

まっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。 (Massugu itte, migi ni magatte kudasai.) “Go straight and turn right.”

ここから遠いですか？ (Koko kara tooi desu ka?) “Is it far from here?”

Health & Emergency

具合が悪いです。 (Guai ga warui desu.) “I feel sick.”

病院はどこですか？ (Byouin wa doko desu ka?) “Where is the hospital?”

助けてください！ (Tasukete kudasai!) “Help me please!”

Making Friends

はじめまして。わたしは田中です。 (Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Tanaka desu.) “Nice to meet you. I am Tanaka.”

どこから来ましたか？ (Doko kara kimashita ka?) “Where are you from?”

日本語を勉強しています。 (Nihongo wo benkyou shite imasu.) “I am studying Japanese.”

How to Memorize Japanese Words Fast

Learning 1,000 Japanese vocabulary words is very achievable with the right strategies. Here’s what works best:

1. Use Spaced Repetition (SRS)

Apps like Anki or Wanikani use spaced repetition to help you review words at the optimal time before you forget them. This is scientifically proven to boost retention.

2. Learn Words in Context

Don’t learn words in isolation. Always link a new word to a sentence. For example, don’t just memorize 食べる (taberu); remember 朝ごはんを食べる (asagohan wo taberu) — “I eat breakfast.”

3. Group Words by Theme

Use the structure in this list. Learn foods together, transportation words together, and so on. Your brain loves patterns.

4. Study Hiragana and Katakana First

You cannot learn Japanese vocabulary efficiently without reading the scripts. Use our free hiragana chart and katakana chart to get started.

5. Listen and Repeat

Hearing native pronunciation is crucial. Use Japanese podcasts, YouTube channels, or language exchange apps to train your ear.

6. Aim for JLPT N5 First

The JLPT N5 vocabulary list contains about 800 words — many of which overlap with this list. Passing N5 gives you a solid foundation.

7. Use the “20 Words a Day” Rule

Learn 20 words a day and review the previous day’s words. In 50 days, you’ll have all 1,000 words.

Download: PDF, Audio & Practice Sheets

Want to study offline? Fumito Emi at reading-japanese.com offers:

📄 PDF Version — Printable, clean format of all 1,000 words
🔊 Audio Pronunciation — Native speaker audio for every word
✍️ Practice Sheets — Kanji and kana writing worksheets
🃏 Flashcard Sets — Ready-made Anki decks for all 1,000 words

👉 Visit reading-japanese.com to access all free resources.

For an authoritative overview of the Japanese language itself, see the JLPT official website for exam information and vocabulary levels.

FAQ

❓ How many Japanese words do I need to be fluent?

Most linguists agree that 2,000–3,000 words are needed for general fluency. However, knowing 1,000 words lets you understand about 85% of everyday conversation. It’s the most impactful milestone for beginners.

❓ Is learning 1,000 Japanese words enough for JLPT?

For the JLPT N5, you need approximately 800 words. For JLPT N4, you’ll need around 1,500 words. So yes, this list covers the N5 level completely, and gives you a strong foundation for N4. Visit our JLPT N5 vocabulary guide for a targeted list.

❓ What is the best order to learn Japanese words?

Start with:

Greetings and basic phrases (Words 1–50 in this list)
Numbers, time, and dates (Words 134–200)
Food, transportation, and daily life (Words 76–100, 301–400)
Verbs and adjectives (Words 21–50, 701–800)

Build outward from what you use most often.

❓ How long does it take to learn 1,000 Japanese words?

At 20 words per day, it takes about 50 days — less than two months. With daily review and spaced repetition, most beginners achieve this in 2–3 months of consistent study.

❓ Should I learn kanji along with vocabulary?

You don’t need to master kanji to start. Begin with hiragana (check our hiragana chart) and use romaji as a guide. Introduce kanji gradually as you build vocabulary — most JLPT N5 words use simple kanji.

❓ Do I need to memorize romaji?

Romaji is a helpful starting point, but the goal is to read hiragana and katakana directly. These two writing systems can be learned in as little as a week each. Romaji is a crutch — useful at first, but drop it when you can.

❓ What makes reading-japanese.com different from other resources?

reading-japanese.com is created and maintained by Fumito Emi, a professional Japanese tutor with years of experience teaching beginners online. Every resource is designed for practical, real-world Japanese — not just textbook phrases.

Explore more free resources from reading-japanese.com:

🎯 Ready to Master Japanese?

You now have access to the complete 1,000 most common Japanese words — with romaji, meanings, and example sentences.

The next step? Start today. Pick the first 20 words, study them with spaced repetition, and come back tomorrow for the next batch.

Fumito Emi at reading-japanese.com is here to guide you every step of the way — from your first hiragana stroke to full Japanese fluency.

🔗 Download the free PDF version of this word list at reading-japanese.com — and start your Japanese journey today!

Article by Fumito Emi | reading-japanese.com | Japanese Language Tutor Sources: Japanese Language — Wikipedia | JLPT Official Website