Vocabulary -

Now that you've got the Japanese alphabets down, let's learn some basic Japanese vocabulary
words and simple Japanese phrases. I will list the Kanji, Hiragana, Romaji (the word sounded
out using English letters), and the English meaning for each Japanese word or phrase. Most
Japanese words have Kanji for them but I will only include the Kanji if that word is typically
written that way.

Keep in mind that the Japanese language has different levels of politeness that change based
on who you are talking to. I will refer to these as "ultra-formal", "formal" (or "polite form"),
"normal" (or "plain form"), "informal", and "rude" (we won't be covering too much of the
rude form, however).
- Kanji - Hiragana
Romaji
(English Letters)
English Meaning
watashi
I (formal for males,
normal for females)
boku I (normal for males)
kare he
kanojo she
anata you (singular/normal)
kore this (the object itself)
koko here
kono this (ex. this pen)
sore that (the object itself)
soko there
sono that (ex. that pen)
hito person
inu dog
neko cat
ie house
arigatou Thank you. (normal)




arigatou gozaimasu Thank you. (formal)
douitashimashite
You're welcome.
(normal)

ohayou
(sounds like "Ohio")
Good morning.
(informal)
ohayou gozaimasu
Good morning.
(normal and formal)
konnichiwa Hello. (normal)
konbanwa Good evening. (normal)
sayonara Goodbye. (normal)