Alphabets › Japanese
Japanese · Hiragana, Katakana & Kanji
Japanese Alphabet
Japanese mixes three scripts: hiragana for native words and grammar endings, katakana for foreign words and names, and kanji, the Chinese characters, for most nouns and verb roots. Each kana set has 46 basic signs, learned row by row in the gojūon chart above; two dots (dakuten) or a small circle (handakuten) change the consonant, and a small ゃ ゅ ょ joins two sounds into one syllable. The kanji packs cover the 80 characters Japanese children learn first, plus kanji you'll see on signs. A kanji has a Chinese-based reading (on) and a native reading (kun), shown as 'on · kun'; kana in brackets is the part written in hiragana. Sounds are in Hepburn romanization, as in the lessons.
Hiragana Chart · Katakana Chart · Kanji Chart
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Hiragana: vowels
あahiragana · vowel, a as in 'father'あめ (ame) rain
いihiragana · vowel, ee as in 'see'いぬ (inu) dog
うuhiragana · vowel, oo as in 'food', lips not roundedうみ (umi) sea
えehiragana · vowel, e as in 'pet'えき (eki) station
おohiragana · vowel, o as in 'more', shortおちゃ (ocha) tea
Hiragana: k-row
かkahiragana · k-row, a-columnかさ (kasa) umbrella
きkihiragana · k-row, i-columnきって (kitte) stamp
くkuhiragana · k-row, u-columnくるま (kuruma) car
けkehiragana · k-row, e-columnけさ (kesa) this morning
こkohiragana · k-row, o-columnこども (kodomo) child
Hiragana: s-row
さsahiragana · s-row, a-columnさかな (sakana) fish
しshihiragana · s-row, i-column · not 'si'しお (shio) salt
すsuhiragana · s-row, u-columnすし (sushi) sushi
せsehiragana · s-row, e-columnせんせい (sensei) teacher
そsohiragana · s-row, o-columnそら (sora) sky
Hiragana: t-row
たtahiragana · t-row, a-columnたまご (tamago) egg
ちchihiragana · t-row, i-column · not 'ti'ちず (chizu) map
つtsuhiragana · t-row, u-column · 'ts' as in 'cats', not 'tu'つき (tsuki) moon
てtehiragana · t-row, e-columnて (te) hand
とtohiragana · t-row, o-columnとり (tori) bird
Hiragana: n-row
なnahiragana · n-row, a-columnなまえ (namae) name
にnihiragana · n-row, i-columnにく (niku) meat
ぬnuhiragana · n-row, u-columnいぬ (inu) dog
ねnehiragana · n-row, e-columnねこ (neko) cat
のnohiragana · n-row, o-columnのみもの (nomimono) drink
Hiragana: h-row
はhahiragana · h-row, a-columnはな (hana) flower · read 'wa' as the topic particle
ひhihiragana · h-row, i-columnひと (hito) person
ふfuhiragana · h-row, u-column · soft f, between f and hふね (fune) boat
へhehiragana · h-row, e-columnへや (heya) room · read 'e' as the direction particle
ほhohiragana · h-row, o-columnほん (hon) book
Hiragana: m-row
まmahiragana · m-row, a-columnまち (machi) town
みmihiragana · m-row, i-columnみず (mizu) water
むmuhiragana · m-row, u-columnむし (mushi) insect
めmehiragana · m-row, e-columnめ (me) eye
もmohiragana · m-row, o-columnもり (mori) forest
Hiragana: y-row
やyahiragana · y-row, a-columnやま (yama) mountain
ゆyuhiragana · y-row, u-columnゆき (yuki) snow
よyohiragana · y-row, o-columnよる (yoru) night
Hiragana: r-row
らrahiragana · r-row, a-column (a light tap between r, l and d)らいねん (rainen) next year
りrihiragana · r-row, i-column (a light tap between r, l and d)りんご (ringo) apple
るruhiragana · r-row, u-column (a light tap between r, l and d)はる (haru) spring
れrehiragana · r-row, e-column (a light tap between r, l and d)れきし (rekishi) history
ろrohiragana · r-row, o-column (a light tap between r, l and d)ろく (roku) six
Hiragana: w-row + ん
わwahiragana · w-row, a-columnわたし (watashi) I
をohiragana · w-row, o-column · read 'o'; used only for the object particleほんをよむ (hon o yomu) to read a book
んnhiragana · a syllable of its own: n, m or ng depending on the next soundほん (hon) book
Hiragana: dakuten & handakuten
がgahiragana · g-row (k + two dots)がっこう (gakkō) school
ぎgihiragana · g-row (k + two dots)ぎんこう (ginkō) bank
ぐguhiragana · g-row (k + two dots)かぐ (kagu) furniture
げgehiragana · g-row (k + two dots)げんき (genki) well, healthy
ごgohiragana · g-row (k + two dots)ごはん (gohan) rice, meal
ざzahiragana · z-row (s + two dots)ざっし (zasshi) magazine
じjihiragana · z-row (s + two dots) · like 'jee'じかん (jikan) time
ずzuhiragana · z-row (s + two dots) · like 'zoo'みず (mizu) water
ぜzehiragana · z-row (s + two dots)ぜんぶ (zenbu) all
ぞzohiragana · z-row (s + two dots)かぞく (kazoku) family
だdahiragana · d-row (t + two dots)だいがく (daigaku) university
ぢjihiragana · d-row (t + two dots) · like 'jee'はなぢ (hanaji) nosebleed · rare, sounds the same as じ
づzuhiragana · d-row (t + two dots) · like 'zoo'つづく (tsuzuku) to continue · rare, sounds the same as ず
でdehiragana · d-row (t + two dots)でんわ (denwa) telephone
どdohiragana · d-row (t + two dots)どこ (doko) where
ばbahiragana · b-row (h + two dots)ばんごう (bangō) number
びbihiragana · b-row (h + two dots)えび (ebi) shrimp
ぶbuhiragana · b-row (h + two dots)ぶどう (budō) grapes
べbehiragana · b-row (h + two dots)べんきょう (benkyō) study
ぼbohiragana · b-row (h + two dots)ぼうし (bōshi) hat
ぱpahiragana · p-row (h + small circle)かんぱい (kanpai) cheers!
ぴpihiragana · p-row (h + small circle)えんぴつ (enpitsu) pencil
ぷpuhiragana · p-row (h + small circle)てんぷら (tenpura) tempura
ぺpehiragana · p-row (h + small circle)ぺこぺこ (pekopeko) starving
ぽpohiragana · p-row (h + small circle)さんぽ (sanpo) a walk
Hiragana: combined sounds (yōon)
きゃkyahiragana · き + small ゃ, one syllableきゃく (kyaku) guest
きゅkyuhiragana · き + small ゅ, one syllableきゅう (kyū) nine
きょkyohiragana · き + small ょ, one syllableきょう (kyō) today
しゃshahiragana · し + small ゃ, one syllableしゃしん (shashin) photo
しゅshuhiragana · し + small ゅ, one syllableしゅくだい (shukudai) homework
しょshohiragana · し + small ょ, one syllableしょくじ (shokuji) meal
ちゃchahiragana · ち + small ゃ, one syllableおちゃ (ocha) tea
ちゅchuhiragana · ち + small ゅ, one syllableちゅうごく (Chūgoku) China
ちょchohiragana · ち + small ょ, one syllableちょっと (chotto) a little
にゃnyahiragana · に + small ゃ, one syllableこんにゃく (konnyaku) konjac jelly
にゅnyuhiragana · に + small ゅ, one syllableぎゅうにゅう (gyūnyū) milk
にょnyohiragana · に + small ょ, one syllableにょろにょろ (nyoronyoro) wriggling
ひゃhyahiragana · ひ + small ゃ, one syllableひゃく (hyaku) hundred
ひゅhyuhiragana · ひ + small ゅ, one syllableひゅうひゅう (hyūhyū) whistling wind
ひょhyohiragana · ひ + small ょ, one syllableひょう (hyō) chart, table
みゃmyahiragana · み + small ゃ, one syllableみゃく (myaku) pulse
みゅmyuhiragana · み + small ゅ, one syllablerare in hiragana
みょmyohiragana · み + small ょ, one syllableみょうじ (myōji) family name
りゃryahiragana · り + small ゃ, one syllableりゃく (ryaku) abbreviation
りゅryuhiragana · り + small ゅ, one syllableりゅうがく (ryūgaku) studying abroad
りょryohiragana · り + small ょ, one syllableりょこう (ryokō) travel
ぎゃgyahiragana · ぎ + small ゃ, one syllableぎゃく (gyaku) opposite
ぎゅgyuhiragana · ぎ + small ゅ, one syllableぎゅうにく (gyūniku) beef
ぎょgyohiragana · ぎ + small ょ, one syllableきんぎょ (kingyo) goldfish
じゃjahiragana · じ + small ゃ, one syllableじゃあ (jā) well then
じゅjuhiragana · じ + small ゅ, one syllableじゅぎょう (jugyō) class, lesson
じょjohiragana · じ + small ょ, one syllableじょうず (jōzu) skilful
びゃbyahiragana · び + small ゃ, one syllableさんびゃく (sanbyaku) three hundred
びゅbyuhiragana · び + small ゅ, one syllablerare in hiragana
びょbyohiragana · び + small ょ, one syllableびょういん (byōin) hospital
ぴゃpyahiragana · ぴ + small ゃ, one syllableはっぴゃく (happyaku) eight hundred
ぴゅpyuhiragana · ぴ + small ゅ, one syllablerare in hiragana
ぴょpyohiragana · ぴ + small ょ, one syllableぴょんぴょん (pyonpyon) hopping
っ(double consonant)small tsu · doubles the next consonant with a tiny pauseきって (kitte) stamp; がっこう (gakkō) school
Katakana: vowels
アakatakana · vowel, a as in 'father'アイス (aisu) ice cream
イikatakana · vowel, ee as in 'see'イギリス (Igirisu) Britain
ウukatakana · vowel, oo as in 'food', lips not roundedウイスキー (uisukī) whisky
エekatakana · vowel, e as in 'pet'エレベーター (erebētā) lift, elevator
オokatakana · vowel, o as in 'more', shortオレンジ (orenji) orange
Katakana: k-row
カkakatakana · k-row, a-columnカメラ (kamera) camera
キkikatakana · k-row, i-columnキロ (kiro) kilo
クkukatakana · k-row, u-columnクラス (kurasu) class
ケkekatakana · k-row, e-columnケーキ (kēki) cake
コkokatakana · k-row, o-columnコーヒー (kōhī) coffee
Katakana: s-row
サsakatakana · s-row, a-columnサラダ (sarada) salad
シshikatakana · s-row, i-column · not 'si'タクシー (takushī) taxi
スsukatakana · s-row, u-columnスープ (sūpu) soup
セsekatakana · s-row, e-columnセーター (sētā) sweater
ソsokatakana · s-row, o-columnソース (sōsu) sauce
Katakana: t-row
タtakatakana · t-row, a-columnタオル (taoru) towel
チchikatakana · t-row, i-column · not 'ti'チーズ (chīzu) cheese
ツtsukatakana · t-row, u-column · 'ts' as in 'cats', not 'tu'ツアー (tsuā) tour
テtekatakana · t-row, e-columnテレビ (terebi) TV
トtokatakana · t-row, o-columnトイレ (toire) toilet
Katakana: n-row
ナnakatakana · n-row, a-columnナイフ (naifu) knife
ニnikatakana · n-row, i-columnテニス (tenisu) tennis
ヌnukatakana · n-row, u-columnカヌー (kanū) canoe
ネnekatakana · n-row, e-columnネクタイ (nekutai) necktie
ノnokatakana · n-row, o-columnノート (nōto) notebook
Katakana: h-row
ハhakatakana · h-row, a-columnハンバーガー (hanbāgā) hamburger
ヒhikatakana · h-row, i-columnコーヒー (kōhī) coffee
フfukatakana · h-row, u-column · soft f, between f and hフランス (Furansu) France
ヘhekatakana · h-row, e-columnヘリコプター (herikoputā) helicopter
ホhokatakana · h-row, o-columnホテル (hoteru) hotel
Katakana: m-row
マmakatakana · m-row, a-columnマスク (masuku) face mask
ミmikatakana · m-row, i-columnミルク (miruku) milk
ムmukatakana · m-row, u-columnゲーム (gēmu) game
メmekatakana · m-row, e-columnメモ (memo) memo
モmokatakana · m-row, o-columnモデル (moderu) model
Katakana: y-row
ヤyakatakana · y-row, a-columnタイヤ (taiya) tyre
ユyukatakana · y-row, u-columnユーモア (yūmoa) humour
ヨyokatakana · y-row, o-columnヨーロッパ (Yōroppa) Europe
Katakana: r-row
ラrakatakana · r-row, a-column (a light tap between r, l and d)ラジオ (rajio) radio
リrikatakana · r-row, i-column (a light tap between r, l and d)リモコン (rimokon) remote control
ルrukatakana · r-row, u-column (a light tap between r, l and d)ルール (rūru) rule
レrekatakana · r-row, e-column (a light tap between r, l and d)レストラン (resutoran) restaurant
ロrokatakana · r-row, o-column (a light tap between r, l and d)ロボット (robotto) robot
Katakana: w-row + ン
ワwakatakana · w-row, a-columnワイン (wain) wine
ヲokatakana · w-row, o-column · read 'o'; used only for the object particlerarely used; the particle is written を in hiragana
ンnkatakana · a syllable of its own: n, m or ng depending on the next soundパン (pan) bread
Katakana: dakuten & handakuten
ガgakatakana · g-row (k + two dots)ガス (gasu) gas
ギgikatakana · g-row (k + two dots)ギター (gitā) guitar
グgukatakana · g-row (k + two dots)グラス (gurasu) glass
ゲgekatakana · g-row (k + two dots)ゲーム (gēmu) game
ゴgokatakana · g-row (k + two dots)ゴルフ (gorufu) golf
ザzakatakana · z-row (s + two dots)ピザ (piza) pizza
ジjikatakana · z-row (s + two dots) · like 'jee'ジム (jimu) gym
ズzukatakana · z-row (s + two dots) · like 'zoo'チーズ (chīzu) cheese
ゼzekatakana · z-row (s + two dots)ゼロ (zero) zero
ゾzokatakana · z-row (s + two dots)ゾーン (zōn) zone
ダdakatakana · d-row (t + two dots)ダンス (dansu) dance
ヂjikatakana · d-row (t + two dots) · like 'jee'rare; ジ is used instead
ヅzukatakana · d-row (t + two dots) · like 'zoo'rare; ズ is used instead
デdekatakana · d-row (t + two dots)デパート (depāto) department store
ドdokatakana · d-row (t + two dots)ドア (doa) door
バbakatakana · b-row (h + two dots)バス (basu) bus
ビbikatakana · b-row (h + two dots)ビール (bīru) beer
ブbukatakana · b-row (h + two dots)ブラシ (burashi) brush
ベbekatakana · b-row (h + two dots)ベッド (beddo) bed
ボbokatakana · b-row (h + two dots)ボール (bōru) ball
パpakatakana · p-row (h + small circle)パン (pan) bread
ピpikatakana · p-row (h + small circle)ピアノ (piano) piano
プpukatakana · p-row (h + small circle)プール (pūru) swimming pool
ペpekatakana · p-row (h + small circle)ペン (pen) pen
ポpokatakana · p-row (h + small circle)ポスト (posuto) postbox
Katakana: combined sounds (yōon)
キャkyakatakana · キ + small ャ, one syllableキャンプ (kyanpu) camping
キュkyukatakana · キ + small ュ, one syllableキューバ (Kyūba) Cuba
キョkyokatakana · キ + small ョ, one syllableトウキョウ (Tōkyō) Tokyo, as written on some signs
シャshakatakana · シ + small ャ, one syllableシャツ (shatsu) shirt
シュshukatakana · シ + small ュ, one syllableシューズ (shūzu) shoes
ショshokatakana · シ + small ョ, one syllableショッピング (shoppingu) shopping
チャchakatakana · チ + small ャ, one syllableチャンス (chansu) chance
チュchukatakana · チ + small ュ, one syllableチューブ (chūbu) tube
チョchokatakana · チ + small ョ, one syllableチョコレート (chokorēto) chocolate
ニャnyakatakana · ニ + small ャ, one syllableニャー (nyā) meow
ニュnyukatakana · ニ + small ュ, one syllableニュース (nyūsu) news
ニョnyokatakana · ニ + small ョ, one syllableニョッキ (nyokki) gnocchi
ヒャhyakatakana · ヒ + small ャ, one syllablerare in katakana
ヒュhyukatakana · ヒ + small ュ, one syllableヒューズ (hyūzu) fuse
ヒョhyokatakana · ヒ + small ョ, one syllableヒョウ (hyō) leopard
ミャmyakatakana · ミ + small ャ, one syllableミャンマー (Myanmā) Myanmar
ミュmyukatakana · ミ + small ュ, one syllableミュージック (myūjikku) music
ミョmyokatakana · ミ + small ョ, one syllablerare in katakana
リャryakatakana · リ + small ャ, one syllableリャマ (ryama) llama
リュryukatakana · リ + small ュ, one syllableリュック (ryukku) backpack
リョryokatakana · リ + small ョ, one syllablerare in katakana
ギャgyakatakana · ギ + small ャ, one syllableギャラリー (gyararī) gallery
ギュgyukatakana · ギ + small ュ, one syllablerare in katakana
ギョgyokatakana · ギ + small ョ, one syllableギョーザ (gyōza) dumplings
ジャjakatakana · ジ + small ャ, one syllableジャム (jamu) jam
ジュjukatakana · ジ + small ュ, one syllableジュース (jūsu) juice
ジョjokatakana · ジ + small ョ, one syllableジョギング (jogingu) jogging
ビャbyakatakana · ビ + small ャ, one syllablerare in katakana
ビュbyukatakana · ビ + small ュ, one syllableビュッフェ (byuffe) buffet
ビョbyokatakana · ビ + small ョ, one syllablerare in katakana
ピャpyakatakana · ピ + small ャ, one syllablerare in katakana
ピュpyukatakana · ピ + small ュ, one syllableコンピューター (konpyūtā) computer
ピョpyokatakana · ピ + small ョ, one syllablerare in katakana
Katakana: extras for foreign words
ッ(double consonant)katakana · small tsu · doubles the next consonant with a tiny pauseベッド (beddo) bed
ー(long vowel)katakana · long-vowel mark · holds the vowel before it twice as longコーヒー (kōhī) coffee
ファfakatakana · f + a, for foreign wordsファミリー (famirī) family
フィfikatakana · f + i, for foreign wordsフィルム (firumu) film
フェfekatakana · f + e, for foreign wordsカフェ (kafe) café
フォfokatakana · f + o, for foreign wordsフォーク (fōku) fork
ティtikatakana · t + i (not chi), for foreign wordsパーティー (pātī) party
ディdikatakana · d + i (not ji), for foreign wordsディズニー (Dizunī) Disney
トゥtukatakana · t + u (not tsu), for foreign wordsタトゥー (tatū) tattoo
ウィwikatakana · w + i, for foreign wordsウィンドウ (windō) window (on a screen)
ウェwekatakana · w + e, for foreign wordsウェブ (webu) web
ウォwokatakana · w + o, for foreign wordsウォッカ (wokka) vodka
シェshekatakana · sh + e, for foreign wordsシェフ (shefu) chef
ジェjekatakana · j + e, for foreign wordsジェット (jetto) jet
チェchekatakana · ch + e, for foreign wordsチェック (chekku) check
ヴvukatakana · v sound, often said as bヴァイオリン (vaiorin) violin, also バイオリン
Kanji: first-grade 1
一ichi · hito(tsu)one一つ (hitotsu) one (thing)
二ni · futa(tsu)two二人 (futari) two people
三san · mit(tsu)three三月 (sangatsu) March
四shi, yon · yot(tsu)four四時 (yoji) four o'clock
五go · itsu(tsu)five五円 (goen) five yen
六roku · mut(tsu)six六月 (rokugatsu) June
七shichi, nana · nana(tsu)seven七時 (shichiji) seven o'clock
八hachi · yat(tsu)eight八月 (hachigatsu) August
九kyū, ku · kokono(tsu)nine九時 (kuji) nine o'clock
十jū · tōten十日 (tōka) the tenth (of the month)
百hyakuhundred三百 (sanbyaku) three hundred
千sen · chithousand千円 (sen'en) 1,000 yen
円en · maru(i)yen; circle百円 (hyakuen) 100 yen
日nichi, jitsu · hi, kaday; sun日本 (Nihon) Japan
月getsu, gatsu · tsukimonth; moon月曜日 (getsuyōbi) Monday
火ka · hifire火曜日 (kayōbi) Tuesday
水sui · mizuwater水曜日 (suiyōbi) Wednesday
木moku · kitree, wood木曜日 (mokuyōbi) Thursday
金kin · kanegold; moneyお金 (okane) money
土do · tsuchiearth, soil土曜日 (doyōbi) Saturday
年nen · toshiyear今年 (kotoshi) this year
早sō · haya(i)early早い (hayai) early
夕seki · yūevening夕方 (yūgata) evening
天tensky, heaven天気 (tenki) weather
気kispirit, air, mood元気 (genki) well, healthy
空kū · sorasky; empty空港 (kūkō) airport
雨u · amerain雨 (ame) rain
人jin, nin · hitoperson日本人 (Nihonjin) Japanese person
男dan · otokoman, male男の人 (otoko no hito) man
女jo · onnawoman, female女の子 (onna no ko) girl
子shi · kochild子ども (kodomo) child
王ōking王様 (ōsama) king
先sen · sakiahead; previous先生 (sensei) teacher
生sei · i(kiru), u(mareru)life; to be born学生 (gakusei) student
学gaku · mana(bu)study, learning大学 (daigaku) university
校kōschool学校 (gakkō) school
字jicharacter, letter漢字 (kanji) kanji
文bun · fumiwriting, sentence文化 (bunka) culture
本hon · motobook; origin日本 (Nihon) Japan
名mei · naname名前 (namae) name
Kanji: first-grade 2
口kō · kuchimouth; opening入口 (iriguchi) entrance
目moku · meeye目 (me) eye
耳ji · mimiear耳 (mimi) ear
手shu · tehand上手 (jōzu) skilful
足soku · ashifoot, leg; enough足 (ashi) foot, leg
力ryoku · chikarastrength力 (chikara) strength
上jō · ue, a(garu)up, above上 (ue) above
下ka, ge · shita, sa(garu)down, below地下鉄 (chikatetsu) subway
中chū · nakamiddle, inside中国 (Chūgoku) China
左sa · hidarileft左 (hidari) left
右u, yū · migiright右 (migi) right
大dai · ō(kii)big大きい (ōkii) big
小shō · chii(sai)small小さい (chiisai) small
入nyū · hai(ru), i(reru)to enter入口 (iriguchi) entrance
出shutsu · de(ru), da(su)to go out出口 (deguchi) exit
立ritsu · ta(tsu)to stand立つ (tatsu) to stand
休kyū · yasu(mu)to rest休み (yasumi) day off; closed
見ken · mi(ru)to see見る (miru) to see, look
音on · otosound音楽 (ongaku) music
正sei, shō · tada(shii)correct正しい (tadashii) correct
白haku · shiro(i)white白い (shiroi) white
赤seki · aka(i)red赤い (akai) red
青sei · ao(i)blue (also green)青い (aoi) blue
山san · yamamountain富士山 (Fujisan) Mount Fuji
川sen · kawariver川 (kawa) river
田den · tarice field田んぼ (tanbo) rice paddy
林rin · hayashiwoods林 (hayashi) woods
森shin · moriforest森 (mori) forest
石seki · ishistone石 (ishi) stone
花ka · hanaflower花見 (hanami) cherry-blossom viewing
草sō · kusagrass草 (kusa) grass
竹chiku · takebamboo竹 (take) bamboo
犬ken · inudog犬 (inu) dog
虫chū · mushiinsect虫 (mushi) insect
貝kaishellfish貝 (kai) shellfish
玉gyoku · tamaball, jewel玉ねぎ (tamanegi) onion
糸shi · itothread糸 (ito) thread
車sha · kurumacar, vehicle電車 (densha) train
町chō · machitown町 (machi) town
村son · muravillage村 (mura) village
Kanji: signs & travel
駅ekistation東京駅 (Tōkyō-eki) Tokyo Station
東tō · higashieast東口 (higashiguchi) east exit
西sei, sai · nishiwest西口 (nishiguchi) west exit
南nan · minamisouth南口 (minamiguchi) south exit
北hoku · kitanorth北口 (kitaguchi) north exit
京kyōcapital東京 (Tōkyō) Tokyo
前zen · maefront; before駅前 (ekimae) in front of the station
後go · ato, ushi(ro)after; behind午後 (gogo) p.m., afternoon
時ji · tokitime; o'clock時間 (jikan) time, hours
分fun, bun · wa(keru)minute; part五分 (gofun) five minutes
半hanhalf三時半 (sanji han) half past three
今kon · imanow今日 (kyō) today
何nani, nanwhat何時 (nanji) what time
万manten thousand一万円 (ichiman'en) 10,000 yen
曜yōday of the week日曜日 (nichiyōbi) Sunday
週shūweek来週 (raishū) next week
毎maievery毎日 (mainichi) every day
食shoku · ta(beru)to eat; food食堂 (shokudō) canteen, diner
飲in · no(mu)to drink飲み物 (nomimono) drink
店ten · miseshop店 (mise) shop
外gai · sotooutside外国 (gaikoku) foreign country
国koku · kunicountry中国 (Chūgoku) China
語golanguage日本語 (Nihongo) Japanese (language)
電denelectricity電話 (denwa) telephone
話wa · hana(su)to speak; talk話す (hanasu) to speak
会kai · a(u)to meet会社 (kaisha) company
社shacompany; shrine神社 (jinja) Shinto shrine
来rai · ku(ru)to come来る (kuru) to come
行kō · i(ku)to go銀行 (ginkō) bank
開kai · a(ku)open開く (aku) to open
閉hei · shi(maru)closed閉まる (shimaru) to close
押ō · o(su)push (on doors)押す (osu) to push
引in · hi(ku)pull (on doors)引く (hiku) to pull
禁kinforbidden禁煙 (kin'en) no smoking
止shi · to(maru)to stop止まれ (tomare) STOP (road sign)
薬yaku · kusurimedicine薬局 (yakkyoku) pharmacy
病byōillness病院 (byōin) hospital
Basic Japanese phrases