
The Master List of Core Japanese Vocabulary: 1000’s of Words to Learn!
My favorite Japanese word is tsundoku—the art of buying too many books and never actually reading them. I’m guilty of this! I enjoy having books, even if they never get read.
What I don’t enjoy is spending time and effort learning Japanese words that I’ll never actually use.
That’s where categorized and themed vocabulary lists come in handy.
Read on to acquire Japanese vocabulary that you’ll actually use—unlike all those books I have piled up on my bookshelf.
Contents
- Core Japanese Vocabulary
- Professional and Academic Japanese Vocabulary
- Japanese Slang
- More Fun Japanese Vocabulary
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Core Japanese Vocabulary
Your core vocabulary sets the foundation for the rest of your language learning. These are the first words you should learn, and you’ll keep referring to them throughout your language learning journey.
In addition to everyday words like greetings and colors, Japan has very specific ways that it uses words. You’ll want to learn how to properly say “sorry” based on the occasion, the right way to refer to “you” without accidentally calling someone “darling” and more quirks unique to the Japanese language.
Common Japanese words
Good to the Core: Japanese Core Vocabulary Learning Made Easy
Learn how to build a strong Japanese core vocabulary with this guide to choosing and mastering key words on your road to fluency.
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Important specific words
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17 Ways to Say Sorry in Japanese from Most Formal to Informal (with Audio) | FluentU Japanese Blog
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15 Useful Ways to Say Goodbye in Japanese | FluentU Japanese Blog
Learn how to say goodbye in Japanese with these 15 phrases. You may already know さようなら (sayounara), but it’s not commonly used by native Japanese speakers! Here…
How to Say “You” in Japanese and Avoid Calling Your Boss “Darling” | FluentU Japanese Blog
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Japanese ki is a complex concept but an essential part of the Japanese language and culture. There are many common phrases that use ki, for example, describing someone as…
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Discover 14 ways to say friend in Japanese with this guide, which covers important words like 友達 (tomodachi) and 仲間 (nakama). From close friends to coworkers and…
7 Ways To Say “Happy Birthday” in Japanese Like a Native Speaker | FluentU Japanese Blog
There’s more than meets the eye to saying “happy birthday” in Japanese. Learn formal and informal phrases to wish someone a happy birthday, useful birthday-related…
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Saying “I love you” in Japanese isn’t as easy as in English. Many love phrases in Japanese are reserved for strong love and relationships. Click here to learn 77 ways to…
Easily confused words
15 Sneaky Japanese Kanji Synonyms with Very Subtle Usage Differences
Japanese synonyms involving kanji become real brainteasers! Here we’ll teach you 15 common kanji synonym pairs, plus tips for learning even more synonyms.
Days and months vocab
Fun Ways to Learn Days of the Week in Japanese [with Pronunciation] | FluentU Japanese Blog
The days of the week in Japanese are some of the most important vocabulary you can know. This post will be your ultimate guide to learning what the days of the week in…
Friends, family and home
5 Essential Ways to Describe People in Japanese
Met some colorful characters while traveling in Japan? Want to talk about friends and family more in-depth? Here’s how to describe anyone in Japanese!
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If you’re looking for Japanese nicknames to use on your loved ones, you’ve come to the right place. Read this guide to find out five of the most common origins of…
Travel and survival Japanese
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/japanese-for-travelers/
Asking for Directions in Japanese: Find Your Way to Fluency with These 35+ Words and Phrases
Find how to ask for and understand directions in Japanese, so you never get lost again! We’ll include basic words and phrases for asking directions, as well as some tips…
125 Japanese Medical Terms You Should Know [Audio Included] | FluentU Japanese Blog
Knowing Japanese medical terms is essential if you’re living in Japan or visiting for an extended period of time. You never know when you might need to use them! Plus,…
Food, drink and eating out
Ordering Food in Japanese: The Complete Guide for Foodies | FluentU Japanese Blog
Knowing how to order food in Japanese might be critical to your survival in Japan, but it’s also part of becoming fluent. Click here for the ultimate guide on how to order…
150 Japanese Food Vocabulary [with Pronunciation and Translation] | FluentU Japanese Blog
This Japanese food vocabulary is guaranteed to make you hungry, instantly. Don’t read about this delicious vocabulary on an empty stomach! You’ve been warned.
Nature-related Words
25 Japanese Animal Sounds and Onomatopoeia You’ve Got to Know
Japanese animal sounds might be something you never thought you’d need in your life. However, these onomatopoeia are commonly used in Japan and will provide you with an…
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/japanese-animal-words/
Weather in Japanese: 36 Useful Words for Describing Temperature, Seasons and More | FluentU Japanese Blog
Describe weather in Japanese with these 36 key vocabulary, whether rain or shine! Find out how to talk about rain, snow, seasons, temperatures and more. Each word also…
35 Insects in Japanese and Their Role in Japanese Culture | FluentU Japanese Blog
Insects in Japanese are called konshuu (昆虫), and they’re very important to Japanese culture. Read on to learn 35 Japanese words for common insects, including crickets,…
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Learn how to say the four seasons in Japanese, and over 20 related vocabulary words and phrases. In addition to the seasons, discover some seasonal facts about Japanese…
Hobbies
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Learning Japanese baseball vocabulary can help keep you from striking out during Japanese conversation! This useful post covers 50 Japanese baseball terms, plus some…
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/japanese-vocabulary-word-list-soccer-football/
Break into the Scene with These 90+ Japanese Music Words
Wish you could talk about your favorite band in Japanese? Armed with these 90+ words, you’ll be set for socializing with all types of music fans in Japan!
Anime and Manga
http://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/anime-vocabulary-2/
Professional and Academic Japanese Vocabulary
Whether you’re getting ready for the advanced JLPT or you’re interested in teaching or working in Japan, these advanced vocabulary words will get you through it!
10 Advanced Japanese Words to Memorize for the JLPT N1 and Fluency
Studying for the JLPT N1? Just trying to get fluent? Here are 10 words advanced Japanese words you should learn, and some tips on how to memorize them.
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Japanese school vocabulary is important for tourists, students, volunteers and all other visitors to Japan! It’s also handy for watching TV shows. Check out this post to…
Japanese Business Survival Vocabulary for Office Newbies
Need to pick up some survival business Japanese, fast? Here’s a quick look at the essential vocabulary you’ll need in a Japanese office, and how to use it.
Japanese Slang
Yo! How down are you with the lingo on the streets? Okay, sorry, I’ll stop. In all seriousness, your Japanese studies won’t be complete unless you learn some authentic Japanese slang.
From the streets to the internet, these Japanese slang words will add some color to your language knowledge.
A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Internet Slang
Want to learn some Japanese internet slang to chat with friends or understand message boards? Here’s the beginner’s guide to Japanese internet slang!
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/japanese-slang-words-phrases/
More Fun Japanese Vocabulary
Make your vocab learning even more fun by studying some more unique words. You might enjoy stocking up on Japanese loanwords, basking in the beauty of the language or taking a step into the wonderful world of Japanese puns.
Japanese Loanwords
6 Japanese Words Everyone Thinks They Understand (But Don’t)
Do you know what a Japanese loan word is? Check out these common Japanese words derived from English. Their meanings will surprise you!
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Fillers and sounds
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Trying to get started with Japanese aizuchi? This post will help you learn the basics of aizuchi.
10 Gitaigo You Need to Add to Your Japanese Vocabulary, Stat
Japanese is even cooler than you thought. Doki doki, giri giri, beto beto—do you know what all these awesome Japanese gitaigo express?
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Japanese onomatopoeia are fun words that imitate sounds, but Japanese people also use many of them to describe things in everyday conversation. Read this guide to master…
Holidays in Japanese
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/japanese-halloween
Fun miscellaneous vocabulary
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37 Weird Japanese Words You Won’t Believe Exist
Are you learning the Japanese language and want to have some fun with it? Check out these bizarre Japanese words you won’t believe exist!
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Discover the zodiac signs in Japanese, including the character traits for each of the 12 zodiac animals. You’ll learn the Japanese words for the signs, as well as where…
Use these vocab lists to find the most relevant Japanese vocabulary words for you. Then, add them to your mental library and use them often!