Vocabulary and phrases
Practical guides on speaking, grammar, pronunciation, listening, and study planning, written for learners who want to use Japanese in real life.
Vocabulary and phrases · Page 6
Japanese Space and Planet Words: Sun, Moon, Stars and Planets
Space in Japanese is 宇宙 (uchū), and the basics are 太陽 (taiyō, sun), 月 (tsuki, moon) and 星 (hoshi, star). The planets have kanji names built on 星: 水星 (suisei, Mercury), 金星 (kinsei, Venus), 地球 (chikyū, Earth), 火星 (kasei, Mars), 木星 (mokusei, Jupiter), 土星 (dosei, Saturn), 天王星 (tennōsei, Uranus) and 海王星 (kaiōsei, Neptune).
10 min readJapanese Dinosaur Words: Kyōryū, Fossils and Dinosaur Names
Dinosaur in Japanese is 恐竜 (kyōryū), written with the kanji for fear and dragon. Fossils are 化石 (kaseki), meat-eaters are 肉食恐竜 (nikushoku kyōryū) and plant-eaters are 草食恐竜 (sōshoku kyōryū). Dinosaur names are written in katakana and follow the Latin spelling, so Tyrannosaurus becomes ティラノサウルス (tiranosaurusu).
9 min readJapanese Mushroom Names: Shiitake, Shimeji, Enoki and More
The Japanese word for mushroom is きのこ (kinoko). The mushrooms in every supermarket are しいたけ (shiitake), しめじ (shimeji), えのき (enoki), まいたけ (maitake), エリンギ (eringi) and なめこ (nameko), while 松茸 (matsutake) is the prized and expensive autumn mushroom. Note that マッシュルーム (masshurūmu) only means the white or brown button mushroom.
10 min readJapanese Winter Vocabulary: Snow, Cold, Food and Real Phrases
The basic Japanese words for winter are fuyu (冬, winter), yuki (雪, snow), samui (寒い, cold) and kōri (氷, ice). To sound natural, learn the difference between samui, tsumetai and hieru, a few kinds of snow, and the small-talk lines Japanese people say every winter morning.
9 min readHow to Say Happy Anniversary in Japanese: Kinenbi Omedetō and More
The natural way to say happy anniversary in Japanese is kinenbi omedetō (記念日おめでとう), or kinenbi omedetō gozaimasu in polite speech. For a wedding anniversary say kekkon kinenbi omedetō, and between partners it is very common to name the length instead: tsukiatte ichi-nen da ne, it's been a year since we got together.
10 min readHow to Say Have a Nice Day in Japanese (and Why It Is Tricky)
Japanese has no single phrase that people say as casually as have a nice day. Instead, you pick the line that fits the moment: itterasshai when someone leaves home or the office, ki o tsukete to wish them a safe trip, and yoi ichinichi o or yoi shūmatsu o, which you will mostly see in writing, shops and hotels.
9 min readHow to Say I Will Do My Best in Japanese: Ganbarimasu and Beyond
The standard way to say I will do my best in Japanese is ganbarimasu (がんばります), or ganbaru with friends. For more weight, say sei-ippai ganbarimasu, I'll do everything I can, and in formal settings zenryoku o tsukushimasu, I'll give it my all.
9 min readHow to Say It Depends in Japanese: Ni Yoru, Shidai, Baai ni Yorimasu
The core way to say it depends in Japanese is ~ ni yoru, it depends on ~: hito ni yoru, it depends on the person, or baai ni yorimasu, it depends on the situation. ~ shidai means it is up to or it depends entirely on, as in anata shidai, it's up to you.
9 min readHow to Say I Am Interested in Japanese: Kyōmi ga Aru, Ki ni Naru
The standard way to say I am interested in Japanese is ~ ni kyōmi ga arimasu (〜に興味があります). For something that has caught your eye, say ki ni naru, and for a hobby you are hooked on, ~ ni hamatte iru.
9 min readHow to Say I Am Confused in Japanese: Konran and How to Untangle It
To say I am confused in Japanese, use konran shite imasu (混乱しています) for real confusion, or the more everyday yoku wakaranaku natte shimaimashita, I've lost track. Casually, atama ga gochagocha, my head's all jumbled, and when confusion has left you stuck, komatte imasu.
9 min readHow to Say What Are You Doing in Japanese: Nani Shiteru? and More
The everyday way to say what are you doing in Japanese is nani shiteru? (何してる？), or ima nani shiteru? for what are you up to right now. The polite form is nani o shite imasu ka, and tone matters: a sharp nani shiteru no!? means what on earth are you doing?
10 min readHow to Say I Promise in Japanese: Yakusoku, Zettai, Chikau, Yubikiri
The direct way to say I promise in Japanese is yakusoku suru (約束する), or politely yakusoku shimasu. In everyday speech people often promise with zettai, definitely, as in zettai iku ne, I'll definitely come, and for a solemn vow they use chikaimasu, I swear.
9 min readPractical guides
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