Japanese daily expressions are essential for everyday conversations and interactions. Knowing these words will help you navigate daily life in Japan and engage in meaningful conversations with native speakers. Here are some common words and phrases for everyday conversations:
1. こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello
A standard greeting used throughout the day.
2. おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – Good morning
A polite way to say “good morning.”
3. こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good evening
A standard greeting used in the evening.
4. ありがとう (Arigatou) – Thank you
A casual way to express gratitude.
5. ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) – Thank you (polite)
A more formal way to say “thank you.”
6. どういたしまして (Douitashimashite) – You’re welcome
A polite response to “thank you.”
7. すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me/I’m sorry
Used to get someone’s attention or apologize.
8. お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – Please
Used when making a request or asking for something politely.
9. はい (Hai) – Yes
A simple affirmative response.
10. いいえ (Iie) – No
A simple negative response.
11. 分かりません (Wakarimasen) – I don’t understand
Used when you don’t understand something.
12. 英語を話せますか？ (Eigo o hanasemasu ka?) – Do you speak English?
Asking if someone speaks English.
13. わかります (Wakarimasu) – I understand
A response to indicate that you understand.
14. お名前は何ですか？ (Onamae wa nan desu ka?) – What is your name?
A polite way to ask for someone’s name.
15. 初めまして (Hajimemashite) – Nice to meet you
A polite phrase used when meeting someone for the first time.
16. お元気ですか？ (Ogenki desu ka?) – How are you?
A polite way to ask someone how they are doing.
17. はい、元気です (Hai, genki desu) – Yes, I’m fine.
A response to indicate that you are doing well.
18. お願いがあります (Onegai ga arimasu) – I have a favor to ask
Used when requesting help or a favor from someone.
19. いってきます (Ittekimasu) – I’m leaving (for a short time)
Said when leaving the house or office.
20. いってらっしゃい (Itterasshai) – Take care/I’ll be waiting for you to come back
A response to “Ittekimasu,” expressing good wishes for someone’s departure.
21. ただいま (Tadaima) – I’m back
Said upon returning home or to a place where people are waiting for you.
22. お帰りなさい (Okaerinasai) – Welcome back
A response to “Tadaima,” welcoming someone back.
23. 行ってきます (Ittekimasu) – I’m leaving (for an extended period)
Similar to “Ittekimasu,” used when leaving for an extended period of time.
24. 行ってらっしゃい (Itterasshai) – Take care/I’ll be waiting for you to come back
A response to “Ittekimasu,” expressing good wishes for someone’s departure.
25. お先に失礼します (O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu) – Excuse me for leaving ahead of you
Used when leaving before someone else as a sign of respect.
26. おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai) – Goodnight
A polite way to say “goodnight” when going to bed.
27. おめでとうございます (Omedetou gozaimasu) – Congratulations
Used to offer congratulations on someone’s achievement or special occasion.
28. お大事に (Odaiji ni) – Get well soon
Used to wish someone a speedy recovery when they are sick.
29. よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – Please take care of it/I look forward to working with you
A phrase used to express trust and cooperation.
30. じゃまたね (Ja mata ne) – See you later
A casual way to say goodbye.
31. さようなら (Sayounara) – Goodbye
A formal way to say goodbye, especially when you don’t expect to see the person for a while.
32. お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) – Thank you for your hard work
Used to acknowledge someone’s efforts or to say goodbye at work.
33. ではまた (Dewa mata) – See you then
A casual way to say goodbye when you plan to see the person again.
34. お元気で (Ogenki de) – Take care/I hope you stay well
A well-wishing phrase used when saying goodbye.
35. もう一度お願いします (Mou ichido onegaishimasu) – Please repeat that again
Used when asking someone to repeat something they said.
36. お手伝いしましょうか？ (O-tetsudai shimashou ka?) – Can I help you?
Offering assistance or help to someone.
37. ちょっと待ってください (Chotto matte kudasai) – Please wait a moment
Asking someone to wait for a short while.
38. お邪魔しています (Ojama shiteimasu) – Sorry for disturbing/Thank you for having me
A polite phrase used when visiting someone’s home or office.
39. ゆっくりしてください (Yukkuri shite kudasai) – Take your time
Encouraging someone to take their time or relax.
40. いただきます (Itadakimasu) – I will receive (before a meal)
Said before starting a meal to express gratitude for the food.
41. ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita) – Thank you for the meal
Said after a meal to show appreciation to the person who prepared it.
42. お先に (O-saki ni) – Before you
A polite way to indicate that someone should go ahead of you.
43. お疲れさま (Otsukare-sama) – Good job/You must be tired
Used to acknowledge someone’s efforts or hard work.
44. これは何ですか？ (Kore wa nan desu ka?) – What is this?
Asking for the name or explanation of something.
45. わかります (Wakarimasu) – I understand/I know
Expressing understanding or knowledge of something.
46. わかりません (Wakarimasen) – I don’t understand
Saying that you don’t know or don’t understand something.
47. どうぞおかけください (Douzo okake kudasai) – Please have a seat
Inviting someone to sit down.
48. お名前は？ (Onamae wa?) – What’s your name?
A casual way to ask for someone’s name.
49. お会計はいくらですか？ (Okaikei wa ikura desu ka?) – How much is the bill?
Asking for the total cost or bill amount.
50. お手洗いはどこですか？ (Otearai wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the restroom?
Asking for the location of the restroom.
51. お土産はありますか？ (Omiyage wa arimasu ka?) – Do you have souvenirs?
Asking if there are souvenirs available for purchase.
52. どこから来ましたか？ (Doko kara kimashita ka?) – Where are you from?
Asking about someone’s place of origin.
53. お元気ですか？ (Ogenki desu ka?) – How are you?
Asking about someone’s well-being.
54. 何歳ですか？ (Nan-sai desu ka?) – How old are you?
Asking someone about their age.
55. いくらですか？ (Ikura desu ka?) – How much does it cost?
Asking about the price of something.
56. これは何ですか？ (Kore wa nan desu ka?) – What is this?
Inquiring about the identity or name of an object.
57. どうやって行けばいいですか？ (Douyatte ikeba ii desu ka?) – How do I get there?
Asking for directions to a specific place.
58. どこで買えますか？ (Doko de kaemasu ka?) – Where can I buy this?
Asking where to purchase a particular item.
59. いつ行けますか？ (Itsu ikemasu ka?) – When can I go?
Inquiring about the best time to visit a place or attend an event.
60. どのくらいかかりますか？ (Dono kurai kakarimasu ka?) – How long does it take?
Asking about the duration of a trip or task.
61. どうぞおかまいなく (Douzo okamai naku) – Don’t worry about it/It’s no trouble
Expressing that something is not a bother or inconvenience.
62. お先に失礼します (O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu) – Excuse me for leaving ahead of you
Used when leaving before someone else as a sign of respect.
63. お大事にしてください (O-daiji ni shite kudasai) – Take care/I hope you get well soon
A well-wishing phrase used when someone is not feeling well.
64. よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – Please take care of it/I look forward to working with you
A phrase used to express trust and cooperation.
65. さようなら (Sayounara) – Goodbye
A formal way to say goodbye, especially when you don’t expect to see the person for a while.
66. じゃあね (Jaa ne) – See you later
A casual way to say goodbye, implying that you’ll see the person again.
67. また会いましょう (Mata aimashou) – Let’s meet again
Expressing a desire to meet the person again in the future.
68. いってきます (Ittekimasu) – I’m leaving (for a short time)
Said when leaving the house or office.
69. いってらっしゃい (Itterasshai) – Take care/I’ll be waiting for you to come back
A response to “Ittekimasu,” expressing good wishes for someone’s departure.
70. ただいま (Tadaima) – I’m back
Said upon returning home or to a place where people are waiting for you.
71. お帰りなさい (Okaerinasai) – Welcome back
A response to “Tadaima,” welcoming someone back.
72. 行ってきます (Ittekimasu) – I’m leaving (for an extended period)
Similar to “Ittekimasu,” used when leaving for an extended period of time.
73. 行ってらっしゃい (Itterasshai) – Take care/I’ll be waiting for you to come back
A response to “Ittekimasu,” expressing good wishes for someone’s departure.
74. お先に失礼します (O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu) – Excuse me for leaving ahead of you
Used when leaving before someone