If you are taking a Japanese group lesson online, or planning to study as a foreign student in Japan or to teach your language as a teacher in Japan, it’s good to know Japanese classroom phrases well for effective learning and better communication in the class.

In this guide, we introduce the most useful Japanese classroom phrases and vocabulary from various aspects, including school vocabulary, classroom greetings and calls, explaining absence and tardiness, teacher’s phrases, student phrases, and school subjects. You will learn not only common Japanese classroom phrases and vocabulary but also the unique features of Japanese schools, such as the school system, school routines, and school supplies. Let’s get ready for your class with JapanesePod101.com!

答えがわかったら手を挙げて Kotae ga wakattara te o agete
(“Raise your hand if you know the answer”)

Table of Contents

1. School Vocabulary
2. Classroom Greetings and Calls
3. Explaining Absence and Tardiness/Leaving Early
4. Teacher’s Phrases
5. Student’s Phrases
6. Talking About Subjects
7. Conclusion

1. School Vocabulary

Before talking about Japanese classroom phrases, here are the lists of school vocabulary for the Japanese school system, school facilities, school personnel, school routines and school supplies.

1. Japanese School System

April is one of the most important months of the year in Japan as the school year or the fiscal year begins.  Classes are held from Monday to Friday in compulsory education and at public schools, and some private schools are also open on Saturdays. The Japanese school year usually consists of three terms (学期 gakki), and there are short spring and winter breaks or a long summer break between each school term.

Below is the basic Japanese school system;

Elementary school:  6 years (age 7 to 12)    [Compulsory Education]
Junior high school : 3 years (age 13 to 15) [Compulsory Education]
Senior high school : 3 years (age 16 to 18)

[Higher Education]
University: 4 years (6 years for Medicine, Pharmaceutical, Veterinary, and Dentistry School)
Junior college: 2 years (or 3, depending on the school)
Vocational school: 2 years (or 3, depending on the school)

Japanese Words for School Vocabulary 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
school	学校	がっこう	gakkō
elementary school	小学校	しょうがっこう	shōgakkō
junior high school	中学校	ちゅうがっこう	chūgakkō
senior high school	高校 /高等学校	こうこう / こうとうがっこう	kōkō  (short version) / kōtō gakkō
university	大学	だいがく	daigaku
junior college	短期大学	たんき だいがく	tanki daigaku
vocational / technical school	専門学校	せんもん がっこう	senmon gakkō

教室 kyōshitsu (“classroom”)

2. School Facilities

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
classroom	教室	きょうしつ	kyōshitsu
faculty room	職員室	しょくいんしつ	shokuinshitsu
science laboratory	理科室	りかしつ	rikashitsu
arts / craft room	美術室 / 図工室	びじゅつしつ / ずこうしつ	bijutsushitsu / zukōshitsu
library	図書室 / 図書館	としょしつ  / としょかん	toshoshitsu / toshokan
gymnasium	体育館	たいいくかん	taiikukan
infirmary	保健室	ほけんしつ	hokenshitsu
schoolyard	校庭	こうてい	kōtei
athletic ground	運動場 / 校庭	うんどうじょう / こうてい	undōjō / kōtei
school cafeteria	学生食堂/ 学食	がくせい しょくどう/ がくしょく	gakusei shokudō/ gakushoku (short version)

図書室 toshoshitsu (“library”)

3. School Personnel

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
student	生徒	せいと	seito
teacher	先生 *	せんせい	sensei
professor	教授	きょうじゅ	kyōju
faculty	教員	きょういん	kyōin
vice principal	教頭 / 副校長	きょうとう / ふくこうちょう	kyōtō / fukukōchō
school principal	校長	こうちょう	kōchō
librarian	司書	ししょ	shisho
school caretaker	用務員	ようむいん	yōmuin

*Generally, 先生 (sensei) is who teaches something, and 先生 (sensei) is commonly used for school teachers. On the other hand, a synonym word 教師 (kyōshi) is used as an occupation, for example, 私は教師です Watashi wa kyōshi desu. “I’m a teacher.” 

4. School Routines

English	Kanji/Katakana	Hiragana	Reading
going to school	登校	とうこう	tōkō
morning assembly	朝礼	ちょうれい	chōrei
class	授業	じゅぎょう	jugyō
examination	試験	しけん	shiken
food service *	給食	きゅうしょく	kyūshoku
break / recess	休み時間	やすみじかん	yasumi jikan
cleaning **	清掃	せいそう	seisō
club activity	クラブ活動	くらぶかつどう	kurabu katsudō
leaving school	下校	げこう	gekō

*Food Service  給食 kyūshoku is usually provided at elementary school and middle high school for very low monthly fees in Japan. They usually eat kyūshoku in the classroom. In high school, students either bring their own lunch boxes お弁当 o-bentō or use the school cafeteria.

**There is time allocated for cleaning, especially from elementary to high school, and students clean their school by themselves in Japan. Not only in their home classroom but also in corridors, bathrooms, gym, and other places in the school. In this way, Japanese schools teach students to clean, keep tidy, be responsible, use things with care, etc.

5. School Supplies

English	Kanji / Katakana	Hiragana	Reading
pencil	鉛筆	えんぴつ	enpitsu
mechanical pencil	シャーペン *	しゃーぺん	shāpen
pen	ペン	ぺん	pen
eraser	消しゴム	けしごむ	keshigomu
pen case	筆箱	ふでばこ	fudebako
pencil sharpener	鉛筆削り	えんぴつけずり	enpitsu kezuri
notebook	ノート	のーと	nōto
textbook	教科書	きょうかしょ	kyōkasho
book	本	ほん	hon
scissors	ハサミ	はさみ	hasami
glue	ノリ	のり	nori
ruler	定規	じょうぎ	jōgi
calculator	計算機	けいさんき	keisanki
school indoor shoes	上履き **	うわばき	uwabaki
school backpack (elementary school)	ランドセル ***	らんどせる	randoseru

 * シャーペン shāpen (“mechanical pencil”) is 和製英語 Wasei-eigo (“Japanese-made English”)  word that is the shorter version of シャープペンシル “sharp pencil.”

** Wearing 上履き uwabaki (“school indoor shoes”) at school is something particular about Japan. This comes from the Japanese culture and etiquette that people are expected to remove their shoes when entering homes and other particular rooms or buildings.

*** ランドセル randoseru (“school backpack for elementary school kids”) is a unique Japanese school backpack usually made of leather with a firm structure. Traditionally, parents or grandparents give children as a gift upon entering elementary school. They use the same randoseru for 6 years until they graduate from elementary school. 

To enhance your Japanese vocabulary and learn more about Japanese basic nouns, please check out Guide to the Top 100+ Japanese Nouns.

ランドセルは日本の小学校のかばんです。
Randoseru wa Nihon no shōgakkō no kaban desu.
(“Randoseru is a bag for elementary school in Japan” )

6. Example Sentences

タメ口 Tameguchi (“peer language”) or casual speech form can be used when talking among students. However, 敬語 keigo (“honorific speech”) or polite language should be used for teachers.

Here are some basic phrases in Japanese classrooms using school vocabulary:

[Japanese]     鉛筆を1本借りてもいい？　Enpitsu o ippon karite mo ii?  (casual)      　　          
[English]        “May I borrow a (one) pencil? ”

*Japanese language learning: To learn more about Japanese numbers, see Japanese Numbers: Let’s Master the Basic Japanese Numbers!

[Japanese]    生物の教科書を失くしちゃった。    (casual)
                       Seibutsu no kyōkasho o nakushichatta. 
[English]        “I lost my biology textbook.”

[Japanese]    宿題を忘れました。 (polite)
                       Shukudai o wasuremashita.
[English]        “I forgot my homework.”

[Japanese]    消しゴム持ってる?     Keshigomu motte ru?    (casual)    　
[English]        “Do you have an eraser?”

[Japanese]    これ使っていいよ。   Kore tsukatte ii yo.     (casual)   
[English]        “Here, you can use this.”

[Japanese]    ありがとう、後で返すね。  Arigatō, ato de kaesu ne.     (casual)   
[English]        “Thanks, I will return it to you later.”

[Japanese]    明日の朝は体育館で全校朝礼があります。     (polite)
                       Ashita no asa wa taiikukan de zenkō chōrei ga arimasu.
[English]        “We will have a whole school assembly at the gymnasium tomorrow morning. ”

[Japanese]    明日の化学の試験は何時だっけ？       (casual)
                       Ashita no kagaku no shiken wa nan-ji dakke?
[English]        “What time is the chemistry test tomorrow?”

*Please visit How to Tell Time in Japanese article and Japanese Calendar Dates: Reading Dates in Japanese & More on JapanesePod101 to learn how to tell time and date in Japanese.

消しゴム持ってる?  Keshigomu motte ru?    (“Do you have an eraser?”)

2. Classroom Greetings and Calls 

Some of the most essential Japanese classroom phrases are greetings and calls used at school.
Here is the list of frequently used Japanese words and greetings in classrooms.

[Japanese]     先生 / 教授、おはようございます。　Sensei / kyōju, ohayō gozaimasu.  (polite)
[English]        “Good morning teacher / professor.”

*Japanese language learning: To learn more Japanese greetings, check out How to Say Hello in Japanese: Practical Japanese Greetings.

[Japanese]    おはよう。 Ohayō.   (casual)    　　  
[English]        “Good morning.”

[Japanese]    バイバイ。 Bai bai.   (casual)    　　  
[English]        “Bye bye.”

[Japanese]    また明日。 Mata ashita.  (casual)    　　  
[English]        “See you tomorrow.”

[Japanese]    先生、さようなら。 Sensei, sayōnara.   (polite)    　　  
[English]        “Good bye, teacher.”

[Japanese]    起立！   　 気をつけ！　   礼!　      着席!            (imperative)
                       Kiritsu ! Ki o tsuke ! Rei ! Chakuseki !
[English]        “Stand up! Attention (make a good posture)! Bow!  Seated down! ”

*This is the traditional call and ritual of bowing in Japan at the start and end of school class to greet the teacher. Usually, one of the students in a class is allocated to the call roll on a weekly or monthly basis.

When there is a whole school or classroom assembly, usually held in the gymnasium or schoolyard, the following phrases are used.

[Japanese]    集合！     Shūgō!     (imperative)    　
[English]        “Assemble / gather!”

[Japanese]    一列に並べ。   Ichi-retsu ni narabe.     (imperative)   
[English]        “Line up in a row.”

[Japanese]    前へならえ。  Mae e narae.     (imperative)   
[English]        “Stand at arm’s length. (Literally: follow (do) as front)”

[Japanese]    解散！ Kaisan !      (imperative) 　　   
[English]        “Dismissed!”

3. Explaining Absence and Tardiness/Leaving Early 

1. Taking Attendance

At Japanese Schools, usually from elementary school to high school, students have a “home class” and a particular teacher (担任 tannin) who’s in charge of its home class. Students usually stay in the home classroom and 担任 (tannin) teaches all the basic subjects in elementary school, and teachers of each subject come to the classroom to give classes in junior highschool and senior highschool.

The teacher in charge of a home-class calls the roll in the morning meeting. 

Japanese Vocabulary for Taking Attendance

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
take attendancecall the roll	出欠を取る	しゅっけつをとる	shukketsu o toru
present	出席	しゅっせき	shusseki
absent	欠席	けっせき	kesseki
tardiness / late	遅刻	ちこく	chikoku
leave early	早退	そうたい	sōtai

2. Teacher

Following are some teacher’s basic phrases in Japanese for taking attendance:

[Japanese]    静かに。出欠を取ります。 Shizuka ni. Shukketsu o torimasu.  　　  
[English]        “Quiet please, I will take attendance now.”

[Japanese]    名前を呼ばれたら返事をすること。   Namae o yobaretara henji o suru koto. 　　  
[English]        “Respond when your name is called.”

[Japanese]    全員いますか。  Zen’in imasu ka.　　  
[English]        “Is everyone here?”

[Japanese]    誰か欠席の人いますか。 Dare ka kesseki no hito imasu ka.      　　  
[English]        “Anybody absent?”

[Japanese]   [name]さんが今日欠席した理由を知っている人はいますか。
                      [name]-san ga kyō kesseki shita riyū o shitte iru hito wa imasu ka.
[English]     “Does anyone know why [name] is absent today?”

 はい、います。 Hai, imasu. (“Yes, I’m present”)

3. Student

Following are some student’s basic phrases in Japanese for taking attendance:

[Japanese]    はい、います。 Hai, imasu.  　　  
[English]       “Yes, I’m present.”   (response when your name is called) 

[Japanese]    [name] さんがいません。[name]-san ga imasen.    　　  
[English]      “[name] is not here.”

[Japanese]    すみません、寝坊したので遅刻しました。
                       Sumimasen, nebō shita node chikoku shimashita.
[English]        “I’m sorry, I was late because I overslept.”

[Japanese]    電車が人身事故で止まったので遅刻しました。
                       Densha ga jinshin jiko de tomatta node chikoku shimashita.
[English]        “I was late because the train stopped due to an injury accident.”

[Japanese]    [name]さんは昨日から体調が悪くて、今日は欠席です。 
                       [name]-san wa kinō kara taichō ga warukute, kyō wa kesseki desu.
[English]        “[name] has been sick since yesterday and is absent today.”

[Japanese]    足を骨折したので、体育の授業は見学します。 
                       Ashi o kossetsu shita node, taiiku no jugyō wa kengaku shimasu.
[English]        “I will just observe the PE class because I broke my leg.”

[Japanese]    すみません、とても気分が悪いので早退します。 
                       Sumimasen, totemo kibun ga warui node sōtai shimasu.
[English]        “Excuse me, I’m leaving early because I feel very sick.”

4. Teacher’s Phrases  

In the Japanese culture, names are called together with 敬称 keishō (“Japanese honorific title”), “さん san” is most commonly used.

When a teacher talks to a student : [student family name] + さん san 
In some cases, [family name of a male student] + 君 くん kun

The following are frequently used Japanese classroom phrases by teachers in a class.

1. Instructions

[Japanese]    みんな、席に着いて。 Minna, seki ni tsuite.  　　  
[English]       “Everyone, be seated.”

[Japanese]    [name] 君、早く座りなさい。　[name]-kun, hayaku suwarinasai.    　　  
[English]        “[name], sit down now.”

[Japanese]    では、始めます。 Dewa, hajimemasu.                   　  
[English]        “Well, let’s begin.”

[Japanese]    今日はXXXについて勉強します。    Kyō wa XXX ni tsuite benkyō shimasu.
[English]        “We are going to learn XXX today.”

[Japanese]    教科書のXXページを開いてください。  Kyōkasho no XX-pēji o hiraite kudasai. 
[English]        “Please open to page XX of your textbook.”

[Japanese]    これはとても重要です。   Kore wa totemo jūyō desu.  　　  
[English]        “This is very important.”

[Japanese]    これはテストに出るので、しっかり理解してください。 
                       Kore wa tesuto ni deru node, shikkari rikai shite kudasai.
[English]        “Please understand this well because this will be on the test.”

[Japanese]   しっかり聞いてください。 Shikkari kiite kudasai.　  
[English]       “Listen carefully.”

[Japanese]   　黒板の図を見てください。　Kokuban no zu o mite kudasai.  　　  
[English]        “Look at the diagram on the blackboard.”

[Japanese]    この質問の答えがわかる人は手をあげてください。 
                       Kono shitsumon no kotae ga wakaru hito wa te o agete kudasai.
[English]        “Raise your hand if you know the answer to this question.”

[Japanese]    最初に聞いてから、私の後で繰り返してください。    
                       Saisho ni kiite kara, watashi no ato de kurikaeshite kudasai.
[English]        “Listen first and repeat after me.”

[Japanese]    答えをノートに書いて。  Kotae o nōto ni kaite. 
[English]        “Write the answers in your notebook.”

[Japanese]    みんなで一緒に、２段落目から読みましょう。   
                       Minna de issho ni, ni-danraku-me kara yomimashō.
[English]        “Let’s read from the second paragraph together.”

[Japanese]    [name]さん、XXページを読んでください。
                       [name]-san, XX-pēji o yonde kudasai.
[English]        “[student name], read the page XX please.”

[Japanese]    紙を一枚ずつ取って、後ろの人に渡してください。
                       Kami o ichi-mai zutsu totte, ushiro no hito ni watashite kudasai.
[English]        “Take one sheet of paper and pass (the rest) to the person behind you.”

これはとても重要です。 Kore wa totemo jūyō desu.   ( “This is very important.”)

2. Homework

[Japanese]    今日の宿題はXXXです。    Kyō no shukudai wa XXX desu.
[English]        “Homework for today is XXX.”

[Japanese]    宿題は教科書XXページの１番から５番です。
                       Shukudai wa kyōkasho XX-pēji no ichi-ban kara go-ban desu.
[English]        “The homework is from the number 1 to 5 on page XX of the textbook.”

[Japanese]    今日学んだことを家で復習してください。  
                       Kyō mananda koto o ie de fukushū shite kudasai.
[English]        “Review at home what you’ve learned today.”

[Japanese]    前回出された宿題は、先生の机の上に提出してください。
                       Zenkai dasareta shukudai wa, sensei no tsukue no ue ni teishutsu shite kudasai.
[English]        “Please submit the homework given last time on the teacher’s desk.”

[Japanese]    宿題の提出は成績に反映されます。
                       Shukudai no teishutsu wa seiseki ni han’ei saremasu.
[English]        “Your homework submission will be reflected in your grades.”

3. Questions

[Japanese]    質問はありますか。    Shitsumon wa arimasu ka.
[English]        “Any questions?”

[Japanese]    皆さん分かりましたか。  Mina-san wakarimashita ka.
[English]        “Did everyone understand this?”

[Japanese]    誰かこの問題を解答できますか。   Dare ka kono mondai o kaitō dekimasu ka.  　　  
[English]        “Can anyone solve this problem?”

[Japanese]    正しい答えは何ですか。     Tadashii kotae wa nan desu ka.
[English]        “What is the correct answer?”

[Japanese]    ここまでで何か分からないことはありますか。
                       Koko made de nani ka wakaranai koto wa arimasu ka.
[English]        “Is there anything you don’t understand so far?”

  正しい答えは何ですか。  Tadashii kotae wa nan desu ka.  ( “What is the correct answer?”)

4. Keeping the Order

[Japanese]    静かにしなさい。Shizuka ni shinasai.
[English]        “Be quiet.”

[Japanese]    おしゃべりはやめなさい。  Oshaberi wa yamenasai.
[English]        “Stop talking!”

[Japanese]    自分の席に戻りなさい。    Jibun no seki ni modorinasai.
[English]        “Go back to your seat!”

[Japanese]    授業に集中しなさい。 Jugyō ni shūchū shinasai.
[English]        “Focus on the class!”

[Japanese]    質問がある時は手をあげてください。   Shitsumon ga aru toki wa te o agete kudasai.
[English]        “Raise your hand if you have a question.”

Japanese language learning : To learn more Japanese angry phrases, please also check out Getting Angry in Japanese: 20+ Useful Japanese Angry Phrases. 

5. Student’s Phrases 

At schools in Japan, faculty is usually called by his/her title by students.
When students talk to a teacher:  先生 sensei (“Mr./ Mrs.“, Literally: teacher)
When students talk to a professor:  教授 kyōju (Literally: professor)

If you want to be more specific, add a name in front of a title, such as 高橋先生 Takahashi-sensei (Mr./ Mrs.Takahashi, Literally: Takahashi teacher).

Here is the list of most useful Japanese classroom phrases used by students, including when asking questions to a teacher and when talking with other students.

1. Asking Questions

[Japanese]    すみません、何ページですか。    Sumimasen, nan-pēji desu ka.
[English]        “Excuse me, what page are we on?”

[Japanese]    わかりません。Wakarimasen.
[English]        “I don’t understand.”

[Japanese]    過去分詞の使い方がわかりません。Kakobunshi no tsukaikata ga wakarimasen.
[English]        “I don’t understand how to use a past participle.”

[Japanese]    その部分をもう一度言ってください。 Sono bubun o mō ichi-do itte kudasai.
[English]        “Please repeat that part again.”

[Japanese]    もう一度ゆっくり言ってもらえますか。 Mō ichi-do yukkuri itte moraemasu ka.
[English]        “Can you say that again slowly?”

[Japanese]    もっとわかりやすく説明してください。Motto wakariyasuku setsumei shite kudasai.
[English]        “Please explain it in a more understandable way.”

[Japanese]    質問があります。Shitsumon ga arimasu.
[English]        “I have a question.”

[Japanese]    質問してもいいですか。  Shitsumon shite mo ii desu ka.
[English]        “Can I ask you a question?”

[Japanese]    先生は今何て言いましたか。 Sensei wa ima nante iimashita ka.
[English]        “What did the teacher just say?”

[Japanese]    これは何て発音しますか。 Kore wa nante hatsuon shimasu ka.
[English]        “How do you pronounce this?”

[Japanese]    XXXはどういう意味ですか。　XXX wa dō iu imi desu ka.
[English]        “What does XXX mean?”

[Japanese]    どうしてこの場合に未来完了形を使うのですか。
                       Dōshite kono bāi ni mirai kanryōkei o tsukau no desu ka.　
[English]        “Why do you use the future perfect tense in this case?”

[Japanese]    これは合ってますか。 Kore wa atte masu ka.
[English]        “Is this correct ?”

[Japanese]    これが正解ですか。 Kore ga seikai desu ka.
[English]        “Is this the correct answer?”

[Japanese]    やっと理解しました。Yatto rikai shimashita.
[English]        “I finally understood.”

[Japanese]    トイレに行ってもいいですか。 Toire ni itte mo ii desu ka.
[English]        “May I go to the bathroom?”

[Japanese]    気分が悪いので、保健室に行ってもいいですか。
                       Kibun ga warui node, hokenshitsu ni itte mo ii desu ka.
[English]        “May I go to the infirmary because I feel sick?”

 質問があります。Shitsumon ga arimasu. (“I have a question.”)

2. Talking Among Students

The speech tone is very casual for conversations among students. The following are handy Japanese classroom phrases when you want to chat with your friends in a class.

[Japanese]    今どこ？ Ima doko?
[English]        “Where are we at?”

[Japanese]    今何ページ？　Ima nan-pēji?
[English]        “Which page are we on?”

[Japanese]    宿題やった？ Shukudai yatta?  
[English]        “Did you do your homework?”

[Japanese]    宿題やったのに、家に忘れてきちゃった。Shukudai yatta noni, ie ni wasurete kichatta.
[English]        “Though I did my homework, I forgot it at home.”

[Japanese]    後でノート見せてもらってもいい？  Ato de nōto misete moratte mo ii?
[English]        “Can I see your notebook later?”

[Japanese]    今日の授業は全然わからなかった。Kyō no jugyō wa zenzen wakaranakatta.
[English]        “I didn’t understand today’s class at all.”

[Japanese]    この問題が分からないんだけど、教えて。 Kono mondai ga wakaranai n da kedo, oshiete.
[English]        “I don’t understand this problem, can you teach me?”

[Japanese]    宿題は何だっけ？ Shukudai wa nan dakke?
[English]        “What is the homework?”

[Japanese]   教科書の何ページが試験範囲？ Kyōkasho no nan-pēji ga shiken han’i?
[English]        “Which pages of the textbook will be covered in the exam?”

[Japanese]    英語のテストはいつだっけ？  Eigo no tesuto wa itsu dakke?
[English]        “When is the English exam?”

[Japanese]   試験の勉強は全然できてない。  Shiken no benkyō wa zenzen dekite nai.             
[English]        “I couldn’t study enough for exams at all.”

[Japanese]    テスト/試験 どうだった？ Tesuto / shiken dō datta?
[English]        “How was your test / exams?”

[Japanese]   どうしよう、英語のテストが赤点*だった。Dō shiyō, Eigo no tesuto ga akaten* datta. 
[English]        “What should I do, I got a red mark on the English test.”

*赤点 akaten is a slang word for bad grades, it is literally translated as “red mark”, meaning “failing grades”.

[Japanese]   試験の結果は思ったより良かったよ。Shiken no kekka wa omotta yori yokatta yo.           
[English]        “The result of the exam was better than I thought.”

[Japanese]    試験期間が終わったら、カラオケに行こう！ Shiken kikan ga owattara, karaoke ni ikō!
[English]        “When the exam period is over, let’s go to Karaoke!”

テストどうだった？ Tesuto dō datta? (“How was your test?”)

6. Talking About Subjects  

1. Subject Vocabulary [From Elementary To High School]

School subjects are one of the most essential parts when learning classroom phrases and vocabulary. 

The following is the list of subjects (科目 kamoku) that are taught from elementary school to high school in Japan. 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
arithmetic(elementary school)	算数	さんすう	sansū
mathematics	数学	すうがく	sūgaku
science (elementary and middle highschool)	理科	りか	rika
physics	物理	ぶつり	butsuri
chemistry	化学	かがく	kagaku
biology	生物	せいぶつ	seibutsu
geography	地理	ちり	chiri
Japanese(national language)	国語	こくご	kokugo
modern literature	現代文	げんだいぶん	gendaibun
classical literature	古文	こぶん	kobun
English	英語	えいご	Eigo
social science	社会	しゃかい	shakai
politics and economics	政治経済	せいじけいざい	seiji keizai
Japanese History	日本史	にほんし	Nihonshi
world history	世界史	せかいし	sekaishi
art and craft(elementary school)	図工	ずこう	zukō
art	美術	びじゅつ	bijutsu
physical education	体育	たいいく	taiiku
home economics	家庭科	かていか	kateika
music	音楽	おんがく	ongaku

学科 gakka / 科目 kamoku (“School subjects”)

2. Subject Vocabulary [University]

Below are the common department / course of study (学科 gakka) taught in higher education, such as junior college or university.

English	Kanji / Katakana	Hiragana	Reading
Psychology	心理学	しんりがく	shinrigaku
Law	法学	ほうがく	hōgaku
Literature	文学	ぶんがく	bungaku
Business Management	経営学	けいえいがく	keieigaku
Statistics	統計学	とうけいがく	tōkeigaku
Accounting	会計学	かいけいがく	kaikeigaku
Information Technology	情報技術	じょうほうぎじゅつ	jōhō gijutsu
International Relations	国際関係	こくさいかんけい	kokusai kankei
Education	教育学	きょういくがく	kyōikugaku
Medicine	医学	いがく	igaku
Pharmaceutics	薬学	やくがく	yakugaku
Nursing	看護学	かんごがく	kangogaku
Architecture	建築学	けんちくがく	kenchikugaku
Agriculture	農学	のうがく	nōgaku
Foreign language	外国語	がいこくご	gaikokugo
French	フランス語	ふらんすご	Furansu-go
German	ドイツ語	どいつご	Doitsu-go
Spanish	スペイン語	すぺいんご	Supein-go
Russian	ロシア語	ろしあご	Roshia-go
Chinese	中国語	ちゅうごくご	Chūgoku-go
Korean	韓国語	かんこくご	Kankoku-go

3. Example Sentences

Here are some basic phrases in Japanese using subject vocabulary:

[Japanese]    私の一番好きな科目は [subject] です。 
                       Watashi no ichi-ban suki na kamoku wa [subject] desu.
[English]        “My favorite subject is [subject].”

[Japanese]    私は [subject] が得意です。Watashi wa [subject] ga tokui desu.
[English]        “I’m good at [subject].”

[Japanese]    私は [subject] が苦手です。Watashi wa [subject] ga nigate desu.
[English]        “I’m not good at [subject].”

[Japanese]   [subject] は難しいので嫌いです。  [subject] wa muzukashii node kirai desu.
[English]        “I don’t like [subject] because it’s difficult.”

[Japanese]    何の科目が一番好きですか。 Nan no kamoku ga ichi-ban suki desu ka.
[English]        “What is your favorite subject?”

[Japanese]   何の科目が得意ですか。  Nan no kamoku ga tokui desu ka.            
[English]        “Which subjects are you good at?”

[Japanese]    大学では [subject] を学びたいです。 Daigaku de wa [subject] o manabitai desu.
[English]        “I’d like to learn [subject] at university.”

[Japanese]   専攻学科は何ですか。Senkō gakka wa nan desu ka.        
[English]        “What is your major?”

[Japanese]   私の専攻学科は [subject] です。 Watashi no senkō gakka wa [subject] desu.         
[English]        “My major is [subject].”

[Japanese]    第二外国語としてドイツ語のクラスをとっています。
                       Dai-ni gaikokugo toshite Doitsu-go no kurasu o totte imasu.
[English]        “I’m taking German class as a second foreign language.”

Japanese language learning : If you want to learn more about how to introduce yourself in Japanese, please see How to Say “My Name is,” in Japanese + More!

7. Conclusion

In this article, we introduced 100+ most useful Japanese Classroom Phrases and Vocabulary, including:

• School vocabulary and the Japanese school system 
• Useful Classroom Greetings and Calls
• Explaining Absence and Tardiness/Leaving Early
• Teacher’s Phrases
• Student’s Phrases
• Talking about Subjects

Whether you are taking a Japanese class or you want to teach at a Japanese local school and/or study with native students, our guide of Japanese Classroom Phrases and Vocabulary will make your school life easier and more adaptable.

If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language, you’ll find a lot more helpful content on JapanesePod101.com. This is the best place to learn Japanese online, providing a variety of free lessons designed to help you improve your Japanese-language skills. 

If you are interested in more Japanese phrases sorted by situations, the following articles are just right for you: 

• Japanese Travel Phrases for an Enjoyable Trip to Japan
• 50+ Restaurants Phrases for Eating Out in Japan
• Essential Business Japanese: Learn the Most Useful Phrases

And there’s so much more! Be a faster learner and enjoy studying Japanese at JapanesePod101.com!

Before you go, let us know in the comments if there are any specific topics or situations you’d like to learn Japanese phrases for. We’d be glad to help, and we look forward to hearing from you! 

Sushi, Ramen, Okonomiyaki… Japanese food is gaining fame around the world nowadays, and Japanese food lovers are increasing every year. Japan is known for delicious food, and everyone would be surprised by its variety of restaurants in every aspect when they come to Japan for the first time.

Whether you are a tourist or not, knowing the basic Japanese restaurant phrases is not only useful for smooth ordering but also for enjoying your dining time better. 

This article introduces the most useful Japanese restaurant phrases as well as tips and handy information about restaurants in Japan that would definitely help you make the most of your dining experience in Japan. Let’s start brushing up on your useful basic phrases in Japanese now!

Table of Contents

1. How to Look for Good Restaurants in Japan
2. Booking a Restaurant
3. At a Restaurant
4. After Dining
5. Conclusion

1. How to Look for Good Restaurants in Japan

First of all, Japanese people are avid foodies and they are quite demanding and particular about food. Not only the fact that Tokyo is the world’s most Michelin-starred city, more than Paris and New York City, but also there are a wide variety of food genres and levels of restaurants in Japan. Before learning Japanese dining phrases, let’s take a look at facts about Japanese restaurants!

1. Restaurant Variations in Japan

Before learning Japanese restaurant phrases, let’s take a look at an overview of restaurants in Japan.

Ranging from various world cuisines to Japanese food, from one-coin 牛丼 gyūdon (beef bowl) restaurants to high-class Japanese traditional restaurants such as 高級料亭 kōkyū ryōtei and 懐石料理 Kaiseki ryōri , you never run out of choices of restaurants, and you will always find any restaurants you prefer according to your budget, mood, and preferences.

Some of the most popular world cuisines in Japan and their Japanese words are listed below. 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
Chinese (cuisines)	中国 / 中華 料理	ちゅうごく/ちゅうか りょうり	Chūgoku / Chūka ryōri
Korean  (cuisines)	韓国料理	かんこく りょうり	Kankoku ryōri
Vietnamese (cuisines)	ベトナム料理	べとなむ りょうり	Betonamu ryōri
Thai (cuisines)	タイ料理	たい りょうり	Tai ryōri
Indian (cuisines)	インド料理	いんど りょうり	Indo ryōri
Mexican (cuisines)	メキシコ料理	めきしこ りょうり	Mekishiko ryōri
French (cuisines)	フランス料理	ふらんす りょうり	Furansu ryōri
Italian (cuisines)	イタリア料理	いたりあ りょうり	Itaria  ryōri

When you sit at the counter at a sushi restaurant, you can directly order your menu from the chef.

Even if you say “Japanese food” as a general category, you will not find a single restaurant in Japan that provides all kinds of Japanese food. The reason why is that Japanese restaurants in Japan are mostly specialized according to  the kinds of Japanese food they serve, such as ラーメン Ramen, うどん Udon, そば Soba, お好み焼き Okonomiyaki, 焼肉 Yakiniku, 寿司 Sushi, etc. 

When you look at the chart below, you will see that “Japanese food” has a wide range of characteristics such as food genre and rank.

Even for “Sushi” restaurants, there are casual “立ち食い tachigui (“standing at a counter to eat”) and “回転寿司 kaitenzushi (“Sushi go-around”)” style restaurants which are usually more reasonable, and also high class and expensive “real” Sushi restaurants prepared by trained Sushi chefs with fresh and high-quality ingredients.

Some casual restaurants, such as 牛丼 Gyūdon and ラーメン Ramen, have the 食券 shokken (“meal ticket”) system where customers have to buy a meal ticket from a ticket machine usually set in the entrance for ordering food. Although their staff services are minimal, it’s very quick and reasonable.

Please check out A Guide to the Best Traditional Japanese Foods to learn more about Japanese food!

食券 shokken (“meal ticket”)
Some Japanese casual restaurants have ticket machines for ordering meals.

2. Search on the Internet / Apps

So, now you understand there is a wide range of restaurants to choose from in Japan. Then, how can you find a good restaurant that you prefer? Well, the easiest answer is the modern necessity, the Internet!

Due to such huge lists of restaurants with various characteristics in Japan, there are a lot of websites and apps that provide useful information about restaurants, and you can search by genre of food, budget, area, and keywords such as “for anniversary,” “children welcome,” “night view,” etc. 

Here are some examples:

• ホットペッパーグルメ Hot Pepper Gourmet
  
  Hot Pepper Gourmet is positioned as one of the major restaurant search websites/apps in Japan, along with Gurunavi and Taberogu. Not only can users check information about restaurants, reviews, and menus, but also search for restaurants matched with their current position and make a reservation online. Users also benefit from coupons.

• 食べログ Taberogu
  
  Taberogu is initially a restaurant review website as its name indicates: 食べ(る) tabe(ru) “eat” + ログ rogu “log.”  They have more than 130,000 subscribers and 2 billion page views a month. Taberogu is generally highly recognized as a review 口コミ kuchikomi (“word of mouth”) website for restaurants, and they evaluate restaurants based on the reviews from those who actually visited restaurants. Evaluation is updated twice a month, and a lot of people use the website as a reference for choosing a restaurant. On the website, users can make reservations and benefit from coupons.

• ぐるなび Gurunavi
  
  Gurunavi, named after a short version of “gourmet navigation,” started as a restaurant booking website, and now the website has grown to have 56 million page views a month. They have information about over 60,000 restaurants and also provide pages for special features on seasonal or themed events. A variety of coupons are available, and not only can you reserve a table at restaurants, but you can also order delivery and takeaway.

• レッティ Retty
  
  Retty started as a social networking service for foodies. Users can post reviews of restaurants they visited on their pages and share them with other users. Users can follow other users so that they will always have real and up-to-date reviews and information about new restaurants when following “gourmet nerds” or “super foodies.” Like other websites/apps, you can make an online restaurant reservation with Retty.

• 一休.comレストラン  Ikkyu .com
  
  Ikkyu Restaurant focuses on restaurants, but Ikkyu.com is a booking website that also provides services for booking hotels and spas. Providing high-quality services through making a reservation at selected restaurants is their main objective. They are proud that all the restaurants, hotels, and spas listed on Ikkyu.com are selected ones that passed the distinctive standard of selection. If you are looking for something nice for special occasions or high-class luxury, Ikkyu Restaurant helps you perfectly. Subscribers will benefit from exclusive plans and offers.

Even if you don’t actually make a booking with these websites/apps, just looking at them can be an interesting way for Japanese language learning with a lot of pictures!

Useful Vocabs for Searching

Here is the list of useful and essential Japanese restaurant vocabulary and keywords that you can use for your search for restaurants. 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
No smoking table	禁煙席	きんえんせき	kin’enseki
Smoking table	喫煙席	きつえんせき	kitsuenseki
Private room	個室	こしつ	koshitsu
OK to bring children	子連れOK	こづれOK	kozure ōkē
Night view	夜景	やけい	yakei
Girls’ party/gathering	女子会	じょしかい	joshikai
For date	デート	でーと	dēto
Fashionable/ stylish	お洒落	おしゃれ	oshare
For anniversary/special day	記念日	きねんび	kinenbi
All you can eat	食べ放題	たべほうだい	tabehōdai
All you can drink	飲み放題	のみほうだい	nomihōdai

It’s easy to search nice restaurants on Apps and websites nowadays.

3. Asking For Recommendations

Gathering information online is very easy and quick. However, it’s always good to listen to real, local opinions! Following are some Japanese restaurant phrases that you can use when asking someone for recommendations.

[Japanese]    この辺りでおすすめの [ イタリアン / 寿司屋 ] はどこですか。      　　  
                     Kono atari de osusume no [ Itarian / sushiya ] wa doko desu ka.

[English]        “Which [Italian / Sushi restaurant ] is recommended around here?”

[Japanese]    [Area] で一番美味しいラーメン屋はどこですか。      　　  
                      [ Area ] de ichi-ban oishii rāmen’ya wa doko desu ka.

[English]        “Where is the most delicious Ramen restaurant in [Area]?”

[Japanese]    [Area]で英語のメニューがあるカジュアルなレストランを知っていますか。      　　  
                      [ Area ] de Eigo no menyū ga aru kajuaru na resutoran o shitte imasu ka.

[English]        “Do you know any casual restaurant with an English menu in [Area]?”

[Japanese]    デートに使えるおしゃれなレストランを知っていますか。     　　  
                      Dēto ni tsukaeru oshare na resutoran o shitte imasu ka.

[English]        “Do you know any fashionable restaurant that you can use for a date?”

[Japanese]    [ name ] へ行ったことがありますか。美味しかったですか。      　　  
                      [ name ] e itta koto ga arimasu ka. Oishikatta desu ka.

[English]        “Have you been to [name]? Was it good?”

[Japanese]    ベジタリアンの友達を連れて行くのに良いレストランはどこですか。      　　  
                      Bejitarian no tomodachi o tsurete iku noni ii resutoran wa doko desu ka.

[English]        “Where is a nice restaurant to bring my vegetarian friend?”

In order to maximize your travel experience in Japan other than restaurants, please also check Tokyo Travel Guide: See Japan’s Incredible Capital City!

ベジタリアンレストランを知っていますか。Bejitarian resutoran o shitte imasu ka.
(“Do you know any vegetarian restaurants?”)

2. Booking a Restaurant

1. Tips for Booking

The necessity of booking depends on what type of restaurant you would like to go to. You never need a reservation at most casual restaurants in Japan. However, a reservation is recommended for an 居酒屋 Izakaya, a Japanese kind of casual dining bar, if you plan to go on Friday night so you can secure a table. (Even if you don’t have a booking and are told it’s full, there are plenty of other dining bars and restaurants in lively areas in a big city, though!) 

Reservations are also recommended for popular restaurants, especially on weekends, and are probably considered reasonable etiquette for high-class restaurants.

予約席 yoyakuseki (“reserved seat”)

2. Booking Phrases

The following are useful Japanese restaurant phrases when you book a table at a restaurant. Some are very basic phrases in Japanese, and you can also use them on other booking occasions such as booking train tickets, etc.

Essential vocabularies:

• 予約 　　　よやく　             yoyaku              (“reservation / booking”)
• 予約する　 よやくする         yoyaku suru      (“ to reserve / to make a reservation”)

[Japanese]    4月10日の夜８時に４人で予約できますか。　      　　  
                      Shi-gatsu tōka no yoru hachi-ji ni yo-nin de yoyaku dekimasu ka.

[English]        “Can I make a reservation for 4 people on the 10th of April?”

*To learn more about Japanese numbers and Japanese dates, see Japanese Numbers: Let’s Master the Basic Japanese Numbers and Japanese Calendar Dates: Reading Dates in Japanese & More.

[Japanese]    今日の夜７時頃に行きたいのですが、空いていますか。
                      Kyō no yoru shichi-ji goro ni ikitai no desu ga, aite imasu ka.

[English]        “We’d like to come around 7pm, do you have a seat?”

*Please visit the How to Tell Time in Japanese article on JapanesePod101 to learn how to tell the time in Japanese.

[Japanese]    大人２人と子供１人です。      　　  
                      Otona futari to kodomo hitori desu.

[English]        “We are two adults and one child.”

[Japanese]    禁煙席で窓際希望です。      　　  

                      Kin’enseki de madogiwa kibō desu.

[English]        “We would like a non-smoking seat and by the window.”

[Japanese]    名前はOOOで、電話番号はXXXです。      　　  
                      Namae wa OOO de, denwa bangō wa XXX desu.

[English]        “My name is OOO, and the phone number is XXX.”

[Japanese]    ５月の週末で予約可能な日はいつですか。    　　  
                      Go-gatsu no shūmatsu de yoyaku kanō na hi wa itsu desu ka.

[English]        “When are available dates for booking on weekends in May?”

[Japanese]    記念日のディナーをしたいのですが、夜景の見える席を予約できますか。      　　  
                      Kinenbi no dinā o shitai no desu ga, yakei no mieru seki o yoyaku dekimasu ka.

[English]        “I’d like to have dinner for the anniversary, can I reserve a table with a nice night view?”

[Japanese]    ６人で利用できる個室を予約できますか。      　　  
                      Roku-nin de riyō dekiru koshitsu o yoyaku dekimasu ka.

[English]        “Can I reserve a private room that can accommodate 6 people?”

[Japanese]    予約したいのですが、子連れでも大丈夫ですか。     　　  
                      oyaku shitai no desu ga, kozure demo daijōbu desu ka.

[English]        “I’d like to make a reservation, but are children welcome?”

[Japanese]    30人位で誕生日パーティーを行いたいのですが、貸切にできますか。     　　  
                      San-jū-nin kurai de tanjōbi pātī o okonaitai no desu ga, kashikiri ni dekimasu ka.

[English]        “I’d like to have a birthday party with about 30 people. Can I book the whole restaurant?”

予約できますか。Yoyaku dekimasu ka. ( “Can I make a reservation?”)

3. At a Restaurant

1. Entering a Restaurant

Below is a list of Japanese restaurant phrases that will help you enter a restaurant smoothly. Some phrases are often asked by restaurant staff.

[Japanese]    予約はされていますか。 　      　　  
                      Yoyaku wa sarete imasu ka.

[English]        “[staff] Do you have a reservation?”

[Japanese]    ７時に３人で予約したOOOです。      　　  
                      Shichi-ji ni san-nin de yoyaku shita OOO desu.

[English]        “I am OOO, I booked at 7 O’clock for 3.”

[Japanese]    OOOの名前で予約しています。      　　  
                      OOO no namae de yoyaku shite imasu.

[English]        “I have a reservation under the name of OOO.”

[Japanese]    何名様ですか。      　　  
                      Nan-mei-sama desu ka.

[English]        “[staff] How many people?”

[Japanese]    ４人です。      　　  
                      Yo-nin desu.

[English]        “We are four.”

[Japanese]    ８人の席を作ってもらえますか。      　　  
                      Hachi-nin no seki o tsukutte moraemasu ka.

[English]        “Can you arrange a table for 8 people?”

[Japanese]    窓際の席は空いてますか。     　　  
                      Madogiwa no seki wa aite masu ka.

[English]        “Is a table by the window available?”

[Japanese]    子供用の椅子を一つ用意してもらえますか。    　　  
                      Kodomoyō no isu o hitotsu yōi shite moraemasu ka.

[English]        “Could you please prepare one child’s chair?”

[Japanese]    ご案内するまで少々お待ちください。     　　  
                      Go-annai suru made shōshō o-machi kudasai.

[English]        “[staff] Please wait for a moment, I will show you to your table shortly.”

[Japanese]    こちらへどうぞ。     　　  
                      Kochira e dōzo.

[English]        “[staff] This way, please.”

こちらへどうぞ。 Kochira e dōzo.  ( “This way, please.”)

2. Ordering

Most restaurants in Japan have menus with abundant pictures next to the names of dishes, therefore, you don’t have to worry too much about whether you would ever understand what’s written on a menu. However, it’s good to communicate with a restaurant staff to tell what you want and what you don’t want, as well as get information that is not written on a menu. 

These Japanese restaurant phrases below will help you order your meal smoother. Rather than just pointing at the menu and saying, “これにします I will have this,” let’s use the following Japanese dining phrases!

[Japanese]    今日のおすすめは何ですか。      　　  
                      Kyō no osusume wa nan desu ka.

[English]        “What is today’s special?”

[Japanese]    一番人気の料理はどれですか。      　　  
                      Ichi-ban ninki no ryōri wa dore desu ka.

[English]        “Which is the most popular dish?”

[Japanese]      英語のメニューはありますか。 　　  
                      Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka.

[English]        “Do you have a menu in English?”

[Japanese]    ベジタリアン用の料理はありますか。      　　  
                      Bejitarian’yō no menyū wa arimasu ka.

[English]        “Do you have dishes for vegetarians?”

[Japanese]    ご注文はお決まりですか。   　　  
                      Go-chūmon wa o-kimari desu ka.

[English]        “[staff] Have you decided what you want to order?”

[Japanese]    もう少し時間をください。      　　  
                      Mō sukoshi jikan o kudasai.

[English]        “Can I have a little more time?”

[Japanese]    これに牛乳と卵は入っていますか。アレルギーがあります。  　　  
                      Kore ni gyūnyū to tamago wa haitte imasu ka. Arerugī ga arimasu.

[English]        “Does this contain milk and egg? I have allergies.”

[Japanese]    これにお肉は入っていますか。お肉は食べられません。 　　  
                      Kore ni o-niku wa haitte imasu ka. O-niku wa taberaremasen.

[English]        “Does this contain meat? I cannot eat meat.”

[Japanese]    これはどんな味ですか。    　　  
                      Kore wa donna aji desu ka.

[English]        “What does this taste like?”

[Japanese]    これは辛いですか。　  
                      Kore wa karai desu ka.

[English]        “Is this spicy?”

[Japanese]    辛いのは苦手です。唐辛子が入っていない料理はありますか。      　　  
                      Karai no wa nigate desu. Tōgarashi ga haitte inai ryōri wa arimasu ka.

[English]        “I’m not good at spicy food. Are there dishes that do not contain chili peppers?”

[Japanese]    これとこれにします。      　　  
                      Kore to kore ni shimasu.

[English]        “I will have this and this (by pointing on a menu).”

[Japanese]    Bランチセットをお願いします。      　　  
                      B ranchi setto o onegai shimasu.

[English]        “I would like a B Lunch Set.”

[Japanese]    とんかつ定食と温かいお茶をください。    　　  
                      Tonkatsu teishoku to atatakai o-cha o kudasai.

[English]        “I would like a Tonkatsu teishoku set and hot tea, please.”

[Japanese]    本日のスープとフィレステーキのミディアムレアをお願いします。    　　  
                      Honjitsu no sūpu to fire sutēki no midiamu rea o onegai shimasu.

[English]        “I would like today’s soup and a medium-rare filet steak, please.”

[Japanese]    セットのドリンクはアイスティーをお願いします。      　　  
                      Setto no dorinku wa aisu tī o onegai shimasu.

[English]        “I would like iced tea for the drink in the set.”

*You can choose either hot or cold (iced) coffee and tea at most restaurants in Japan. 

[Japanese]    ワイン/ 飲み物 のメニューはありますか。      　　  
                      Wain / nomimono no menyū wa arimasu ka.

[English]        “Do you have a wine list / drink menu?”

[Japanese]    生ビールをください。     　　  
                      Namabīru o kudasai.

[English]        “I’d like draft beer, please.”

[Japanese]    食後にホットコーヒーをお願いします。      　　  
                      Shokugo ni hotto kōhī o onegai shimasu.

[English]        “I would like hot coffee after a meal.”

[Japanese]    いただきます
                      Itadakimasu.

[English]        “(Japanese greeting phrase before eating) Thankfully I have a meal.”

* In order to learn more about Japanese untranslatable phrases and words, please check Japanese Untranslatable Words: Let’s Talk like a Native!

[Japanese]    デザートのご注文はございますか。      　　  
                      Dezāto no go-chūmon wa gozaimasu ka.

[English]        “[staff] Would you like to order desserts?”

For more about Japanese words for English speakers and Japanese nouns related to food and restaurants, see our Food – Utensils & Tableware and Restaurant vocabulary lists.

ご注文はお決まりですか。 Go-chūmon wa o-kimari desu ka.
(“Have you decided what you want to order?”)

3. Requesting

[Japanese]    すみません、お水 / ナプキンをもらえますか。　      　　  
                      Sumimasen, o-mizu / napukin o moraemasu ka.

[English]        “ Excuse me, can I have water / napkins?”

[Japanese]    小さい取り皿とスプーンをお願いします。      　　  
                      Chiisai torizara to supūn o onegai shimasu.

[English]        “Can you bring me a small plate and a spoon, please?”

[Japanese]    お箸をもう一膳もらえますか。     　　  
                      O-hashi o mō ichi-zen morae masu ka.

[English]        “Can I have one more set of chopsticks?”

[Japanese]    同じグラスワインをもう一杯ください。     　　  
                      Onaji gurasu wain o mō ippai kudasai.

[English]        “I would like another glass of the same wine.”

[Japanese]    デザートのメニューをもらえますか。      　　  
                      Dezāto no menyū o morae masu ka.

[English]        “Can I have a dessert menu, please?”

[Japanese]    ティラミスとカフェラテホットをお願いします。   　　  
                      Tiramisu to kaferate hotto o onegai shimasu.

[English]        “I would like Tiramisu and a hot caffe latte.”

[Japanese]    お手洗い/化粧室はどこですか。　  　　  
                      O-tearai / keshōshitsu wa doko desu ka.

[English]        “Where is a wash / powder room? ”

* The word “化粧室 keshōshitsu (“powder room”)” is the more polite expression to use but it’s usually used by women.

すみません、お水をもらえますか。
　      　　             Sumimasen, o-mizu o moraemasu ka. (“ Excuse me, can I have water?”)

4. After Dining

Apart from learning essential Japanese phrases for restaurants, here is information you need to know for after dining!

1. Etiquettes and Tips

• After eating everything, you can ask for hot (green) tea FOR FREE at Japanese restaurants, especially at Sushi and Teishoku restaurants, etc. 

• No Tip Needed: You never need to leave a tip in restaurants in Japan! If you leave money on your table, staff would run after you to tell you “you forgot your money”. 

• Pay at a Cashier (not at the table): Unlike most restaurants in western culture, customers usually pay at a cashier at the entrance of a restaurant in Japan. After telling a waiter “Check, please”, he/she brings your bill to your table, but you need to take it to a cashier to pay. 

• Though most casual restaurants allow customers to take leftovers home by offering a container, some restaurants refuse to do so due to hygiene and safety reasons. 

If you want to learn more about Japanese etiquette, please visit Japanese Etiquette and Manners!

温かいお茶をもらえますか。 Atatakai o-cha o moraemasu ka.　(”Can I have hot tea?”)

2. Useful Phrases after Eating

Here are some useful Japanese restaurant phrases after finishing your meal.

[Japanese]    ごちそうさまでした。　      　　  
                      Gochisō-sama deshita.

[English]        “ (Japanese greeting phrase after eating) Thank you for good food.”

[Japanese]    とても美味しかったです。      　　  
                      Totemo oishikatta desu.

[English]        “It was very delicious.”

[Japanese]    持ち帰りにできますか。     　　  
                      Mochikaeri ni dekimasu ka.

[English]        “Can I take this home?”

[Japanese]    残った料理用に持ち帰り容器をもらえますか。    　　  
                      Nokotta ryōriyō ni mochikaeri yōki o moraemasu ka.

[English]        “Can I have a container for leftovers?”

[Japanese]    お会計お願いします。      　　  
                      O-kaikei onegai shimasu.

[English]        “Check, please.”

[Japanese]    現金／カードで払います。   　　  
                      Genkin / kādo de haraimasu.

[English]        “I will pay by cash /card.”

[Japanese]    VISAカードは使えますか。　
                      Biza kādo wa tsukaemasu ka.

[English]        “Can I use a VISA card? ”

[Japanese]    決済アプリは使えますか。
                      Kessai apuri wa tsukaemasu ka.

[English]        “Can I use a payment application?”

*In Japan, payment applications such as  LINE Pay, PayPay, Rakuten Pay, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay etc. are popular alternatives to cash or credit.

[Japanese]    別々に払えますか。
                      Betsu-betsu ni harae masu ka.

[English]        “Can we pay separately? ”

[Japanese]    私が全部払います。
                      Watashi ga zenbu haraimasu.

[English]        “I will pay for everything.”

[Japanese]    美味しかったです。また来ます。　
                      Oishikatta desu. Mata kimasu.

[English]        “It was good, I (we) will come back again. ”

カードで払います。Kādo de haraimasu.  (“I will pay by card.”)

5. Conclusion

In this article, we introduced the most useful Japanese Restaurant Phrases by situation as well as restaurant tips and information, including:

• Restaurant Variations in Japan 
• Useful Restaurant Search Websites/Apps
• Phrase for Asking for Recommendations
• Tips for Booking
• Booking Phrases
• Phrases for Entering a Restaurant
• Phrases for Ordering 
• Phrases for Requesting
• Etiquette and Tips after Dining
• Phrases after Dining

With these Japanese restaurant phrases and information, you’ll be able to maximize your dining experience in Japan along with delicious food!

If you would like to learn more about Japanese words for English speakers, you’ll find a lot more helpful content on JapanesePod101.com. This is the best place to learn Japanese online, providing a variety of free lessons designed to help you improve your Japanese-language skills. 

If you are interested in more Japanese phrases by situations, the following articles are just right for you: 

• Japanese Travel Phrases for an Enjoyable Trip to Japan
• Giving and Asking for Directions: “Right” in Japanese & More
• The Most Useful Japanese Phone Phrases

And there’s so much more! Be a faster learner and enjoy studying Japanese at JapanesePod101.com!

Before you go, let us know in the comments if there are any specific topics or situations you’d like to learn Japanese phrases for. We’d be glad to help, and we look forward to hearing from you! 

When meeting someone exotic, most of us are interested in where he/she is from and try to start a conversation related to their  home country. Likewise, when we’re in a foreign country, we often  introduce ourselves by including what country we’re from. Here is the best guide on how to talk about countries and nationalities in Japanese!

As an island nation with a monocultural background, Japanese people are especially conscious and interested in the differences between countries and cultures. Talking about your own country and nationality is a good icebreaker when meeting new people in Japan. Some country names and their major cities are different in Japanese than in English, so it’s useful to know how to say them.

In this article, we’ll introduce how to talk about countries and nationalities in Japanese. This includes:

• The top-ranking nationalities that visit Japan
• Continents and directions
• Questions and answers related to nationality 
• Major capital cities of countries
• Languages
• Cuisines

Get ready to make international friends with this guide from JapanesePod101.com!

Table of Contents

1. Countries & Nationalities
2. How to Ask Someone Their Nationality
3. How to Tell Someone Your Nationality
4. Country, City, Nationality, and Language
5. Conclusion

1. Countries & Nationalities

1 – Nouns and Adjectives 

As you probably already know, Japanese nouns are very simple to learn compared to those of other languages, such as English and Romance languages. In Japanese, you don’t have to wonder about a noun’s grammatical gender, what article to add, or how to change its form for singular or plural. 

Japanese adjectives are also easy to learn because many adjectives simply take the form [noun + の (-no)]. This applies to the names of countries and their corresponding adjectives.

For example:

➢ Noun:        国 　　くに 　　kuni 　　 (“country” / “nation”)

➢ Adjective:  国の　くにの　 kuni no      (“national”)

➢ Noun:        日本 　　にほん 　　Nihon 　　 (“Japan”)

➢ Adjective:  日本の　にほんの　 Nihon no      (“Japanese,” like a Japanese song or a Japanese film)

To express the people of a country, add  人 じん (-jin), meaning person” or  “people” after the country name in Japanese.

For example:

➢ Country:         日本 　　にほん 　　   Nihon 　　 (“Japan”)

➢ Nationality:    日本人　にほんじん　 Nihon-jin      (Literally: “Japanese person/people” = “Japanese citizen”)

➢ Country:        アメリカ 　　あめりか 　  　  Amerika    　 (“America”)

➢ Nationality:   アメリカ人　  あめりかじん　 Amerika-jin      (Literally: “American person/people” = American citizen)

To learn more about Japanese nouns and Japanese adjectives, please check out our articles Guide to the Top 100+ Japanese Nouns and Learn the Top 100 Essential Japanese Adjectives.

2 – Top 21 Foreign Visitors to Japan

Japan is a fascinating and unique country that attracts global attention and foreign tourists. In 2019, Japan was the third most visited destination in the Asia-Pacific region by international tourist arrivals, following China and Thailand.

Many of the top foreign tourists in Japan are from neighboring Asian countries, according to the JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization); however, North American and European countries follow close behind.

Let’s take a look at the top 21 countries that visit Japan and learn what  they are called in Japanese!  

	English	Kanji / Katakana	Hiragana	Reading in Japanese
1	China	中国	ちゅうごく	Chūgoku
2	South Korea	韓国	かんこく	Kankoku
3	Taiwan	台湾	たいわん	Taiwan
4	Hong Kong	香港	ほんこん	Honkon
5	United States	アメリカ	あめりか	Amerika
6	Thailand	タイ	たい	Tai
7	Australia	オーストラリア	おーすとらりあ	Ōsutoraria
8	Philippines	フィリピン	ふぃりぴん	Firipin
9	Malaysia	マレーシア	まれーしあ	Marēshia
10	Vietnam	ベトナム	べとなむ	Betonamu
11	Singapore	シンガポール	しんがぽーる	Shingapōru
12	United Kingdom	イギリス	いぎりす	Igirisu
13	Indonesia	インドネシア	いんどねしあ	Indoneshia
14	Canada	カナダ	かなだ	Kanada
15	France	フランス	ふらんす	Furansu
16	Germany	ドイツ	どいつ	Doitsu
17	India	インド	いんど	Indo
18	Italy	イタリア	いたりあ	Itaria
19	Spain	スペイン	すぺいん	Supein
20	Macau	マカオ	まかお	Makao
21	Russia	ロシア	ろしあ	Roshia

3 – Continents, Regions, and Directions in Japanese

English	Kanji / Katakana	Hiragana	Reading
Africa	アフリカ	あふりか	Afurika
America	アメリカ	あめりか	Amerika
Asia	アジア	あじあ	Ajia
Europe	欧州 / ヨーロッパ	おうしゅう /よーろっぱ	Ōshū / Yōroppa
Middle East	中東	ちゅうとう	Chūtō
Oceania	オセアニア	おせあにあ	Oseania

As with country names, you can change the names  of continents/regions to adjectives by adding の (-no).

For example:

➢ Noun:        アフリカ 　　あふりか 　　Afurika 　　 (“Africa”)

➢ Adjective:  アフリカの　あふりかの　 Afurika no      (“African”)

➢ Noun:        中東 　　ちゅうとう 　　Chūtō 　　 (“Middle East”)

➢ Adjective:  中東の　ちゅうとうの　 Chūtō no      (“Middle Eastern”)

In order to be more specific, add the following directions in front of the country or region name: 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
East	東	ひがし / とう	Higashi / Tō
West	西	にし / さい	Nishi / Sai
South	南	みなみ / なん	Minami / Nan
North	北	きた / ほく	Kita / Hoku

For example:

➢ Southeast Asia:   東南アジア     とうなんあじあ 　Tōnan Ajia  

➢ West Africa:  　　西アフリカ　にしあふりか　 Nishi Afurika     

➢ South America:   南米 　　なんべい 　　Nanbei*

➢ North Europe:     北欧　    ほくおう　      Hokuō**

*“America” is also phrased as 米国 べいこく (beikoku), and “North America” and “South America” are expressed as 北米 ほくべい (Hokubei) and 南米 なんべい (Nanbei) respectively.

** “Europe” in Japanese is 欧州 おうしゅう (ōshū) where the Kanji 欧 represents “Europe” and 州 is “States.”

When specifying the region in Europe, 欧 is used together with the direction Kanji: “South Europe” = 南欧 なんおう (Nan’ō) and “East Europe” = 東欧 とうおう (Tōō).

To learn more about directions in Japanese, check out Giving and Asking for Directions: “Right” in Japanese & More.

2. How to Ask Someone Their Nationality

When meeting new people, especially those who are exotic, the very first question you’re likely to hear or ask is “Where are you from?” Asking about who they are is a good icebreaker if you want to get to know them better.

In Japanese, 敬語 (keigo), or “honorific speech,” is normally used when you’re talking to someone for the first time, unless they are a friend of your close friend and is around your age (or younger). 

Here are some question phrases for asking someone their nationality:

• Where are you from?
  (あなたの) 出身はどこですか。　(Anata no) shusshin wa doko desu ka.

You can omit あなたの (anata no), or “your” because it’s obvious that you’re talking to this person. This phrase can also be used to ask someone where they are from domestically. 

• What is your nationality? 
  (あなたの)国籍は何ですか。 (Anata no) kokuseki wa nan desu ka.

This question sounds a bit too direct for casual conversation. This might  be asked in some official procedure, for instance.
The answer to this question can be :

“My nationality is Japanese.”       私の国籍は日本です。Watashi no kokuseki wa nihon desu.     or　　 
“I have Japanese nationality / Japanese citizenship.”  日本の国籍 / 市民権 を持っています。Nihon no kokuseki / shiminken wo motte imasu.

• What country are you from? (Literally: A person from what country? )
  どこの国の方ですか。 Doko no kuni no kata desu ka.

This is a more polite way to ask someone their nationality.

• What country are you from? 
  どこの国から来ましたか。  Doko no kuni kara kimashita ka.

This is another common way to ask where they are from.

• Are you [nationality]? 
  [Nationality] 人ですか。　[Nationality] -jin desu ka.

This phrase sounds a bit too direct, but this can be used when you hear a particular language someone is speaking and you assume this person is from that country, etc.

For example, when you hear someone speaking Thai, you could ask them: 

“Are you Thai?”
タイ人ですか。Tai-jin desu ka.

• Are you from Japan?   
  [Country] 出身ですか。　  [Country] shusshin desu ka.

This phrase is also used domestically. For example, you could ask this when you hear a particular dialect and ask the person if they’re from that particular region. 

• Where were you born?   
  生まれはどこですか。       Umare wa doko desu ka.

For more useful Japanese questions, please take a look at our article The 10 Most Useful Japanese Questions and Answers.

3. How to Tell Someone Your Nationality

Not only answering the question you were asked, but also giving extra information about yourself is a good way to keep a nice conversation going.

Here are some response phrases to talk about your nationality and more.

• I’m from Japan.
  私は Japan 出身です。　　Watashi wa Japan shusshin desu.

私は (Watashi wa), meaning “I am,” can be omitted when it’s obvious that you’re talking about yourself.

Example:

➢ Where are you from?
出身はどこですか。　Shusshin wa doko desu ka.

➢ I’m from Brazil.
ブラジル出身です。　Burajiru shusshin desu.

• I come from Japan.
  私は Japanから来ました。  Watashi wa  Japan kara kimashita.

Example:

➢ What country are you from?
どこの国から来ましたか。     Doko no kuni kara kimashita ka.

➢ I come from Russia.
私はロシアから来ました。　Watashi wa Roshia kara kimashita.

• I am [nationality].   
  私は [nationality] 人です。Watashi wa [nationality] -jin desu.

Example:

➢ What country are you from? (Literally: A person from what country? ) 私は [nationality] 人です。Watashi wa [nationality] -jin desu.
どこの国の方ですか。 Doko no kuni no kata desu ka.

➢ I am Kenyan.
私はケニア人です。　Watashi wa Kenia-jin desu.

• I am [nationality] but I live in Japan. 
  私は[nationality] 人ですが、Japan に住んでいます。
  Watashi wa  [nationality] –jin desu ga, Japan ni sunde imasu.

Example:

➢ What country are you from?
どこの国から来ましたか。 Doko no kuni kara kimashita ka.

➢ I am Chinese, but I live in Singapore.
私は中国人ですが、シンガポールに住んでいます。
Watashi wa  Chūgoku-jin desu ga, Shingapōru ni sunde imasu.

In some cases, a country of citizenship may not match with where you were born/grew up and currently live, or even your ethnicity. Such as when someone is a permanent resident in a country while having a foreign citizenship, or someone born in one country with a mother and a father from other countries. In such cases, suggestedyou can use following phrases; 

• I was born in [country 1] and grew up in [country 2].
  私は[country 1]生まれで、[country 2]で育ちました。
  Watashi wa [country 1] umare de, [country 2] de sodachimashita.

Example:

➢ Where were you born?
生まれはどこですか。Umare wa doko desu ka.

➢ I was born in America and grew up in Argentina.
私はアメリカ生まれで、アルゼンチンで育ちました。
Watashi wa Amerika umare de, Aruzenchin de sodachimashita.

• I am [nationality 1] and [nationality 2].
  私は[nationality 1] 人で、[nationality 2]人です。
  Watashi wa [nationality 1] -jin de, [nationality 2] -jin desu.

Example:

➢ Are you Spanish?
スペイン人ですか。　Supein-jin desu ka.

➢ I am Italian and Canadian.
私はイタリア人で、カナダ人です。
Watashi wa Itaria-jin de, Kanada-jin desu.

• My father is [nationality 1] and my mother is [nationality 2].
  私の父は[nationality 1] 人で、私の母は[nationality 2]人です。
  Watashi no chichi wa [nationality 1] -jin de, watashi no haha wa [nationality 2] -jin desu.

Example:

➢ Are you British?
イギリス人ですか。　Igirisu-jin desu ka.

➢ My father is Dutch and my mother is South African.
私の父はオランダ人で、私の母は南アフリカ人です。
Watashi no chichi wa Oranda-jin de, watashi no haha wa Minami Afurika-jin desu.

To learn more about how to introduce yourself, please check out How to Say “My Name is,” in Japanese + More!

4. Country, City, Nationality, and Language

1 – Variations of Country and Nationality: Language, Cuisines, etc.

Like people from a certain country being expressed by adding  人 じん (-jin) after the country name, Japanese can express other things by simply adding a word.

Language

[Country name] + 語 (-go) “language” = Language

For example:

Japanese:   日本語　　　　Nihon-go
French:   　 フランス語　　Furansu-go
German:  　ドイツ語   　　 Doitsu-go
Spanish: 　 スペイン語　　Supein-go
Korean:　　韓国語          　Kankoku-go
Chinese: 　 中国語　　  　 Chūgoku-go
Vietnamese: ベトナム語　  Betonamu-go
Russian:      ロシア語          Roshia-go

“English” is 英語 (Eigo), expressed with the Kanji 英 (ei), which indicates “United Kingdom.”

Cuisines 

[Country name] + 料理 (ryōri) “cooked food” =  a country’s cuisine

For example:

Japanese:   日本料理　　　Nihon ryōri
French:   　 フランス料理　　Furansu ryōri
German:  　ドイツ料理   　　 Doitsu ryōri
Spanish: 　 スペイン料理　　Supein ryōri
Korean:　　韓国料理         　Kankoku ryōri
Chinese: 　 中国料理　　  　 Chūgoku ryōri
Vietnamese: ベトナム料理　  Betonamu ryōri
Russian:      ロシア料理          Roshia ryōri

Counter Word for Country

There are particular counter words in Japanese when counting things, actions, and events. To count countries, add カ国 (-kakoku) after the number.

For example:

1カ国    ikkakoku     (1 country)
2カ国    ni-kakoku     (2 countries)
5カ国    go-kakoku   (5 countries)
10カ国  jukkakoku   (10 countries)

2 – Capital Cities, Nationalities, Languages, and Cuisines 

Let’s take a look at major countries and how their major cities, nationalities, languages, and cuisines are said in Japanese: 

English	Country	Major City	Nationality	Language	Cuisines
China	中国 chūgoku	北京 Pekin 上海 Shanhai	中国人 Chūgoku-jin	中国語 Chūgoku-go	中国料理Chūgoku ryōri
Korea	韓国 Kankoku	ソウル Sōru	韓国人 Kankoku-jin	韓国語 Kankoku-go	韓国料理Kankoku ryōri
Taiwan	台湾 Taiwan	台北 Taipei	台湾人 Taiwan-jin	台湾語 Taiwan-go	台湾料理 Taiwan ryōri
Thailand	タイ Tai	バンコク Bankoku	タイ人 Tai-jin	タイ語 Tai-go	タイ料理 Tai ryōri
India	インド Indo	デリー Derī ムンバイ Munbai	インド人 Indo-jin	ヒンドゥー語Hindū-go	インド料理 Indo ryōri
Australia	オーストラリアŌsutoraria	シドニー Shidonī メルボルンMeruborun	オーストラリア人Ōsutoraria-jin	英語 Eigo	オーストラリア料理 Ōsutoraria ryōri
New ZealanNyū jīrandod	ニュージーランド Nyū jīrando	オークランドŌkurando	ニュージーランド人 Nyū jīrando-jin	英語 Eigo	ニュージーランド料理 Nyū jīrando ryōri
United States	アメリカ Amerika	ニューヨーク Nyū yōku ロスアンジェルス Rosu anjerusu	アメリカ人Amerika-jin	英語 Eigo	アメリカ料理 Amerika ryōri
Canada	カナダ Kanada	バンクーバーBankūbā	カナダ人Kanada-jin	英語 Eigo	カナダ料理Kanada ryōri
Mexico	メキシコMekishiko	メキシコシティMekishiko  shitī	メキシコ人Mekishiko-jin	スペイン語Supein-go	メキシコ料理 Mekishiko ryōri
Brazil	ブラジル Burajiru	サンパウロ San pauro リオデジャネイロ Rio de janeiro	ブラジル人Burajiru-jin	ポルトガル語Porutogaru-go	ブラジル料理 Burajiru ryōri
Argentina	アルゼンチン Aruzenchin	ブエノスアイレス Buenosu airesu	アルゼンチン人 Aruzenchin-jin	スペイン語 Supein-go	アルゼンチン料理 Aruzenchin ryōri
Russia	ロシア Roshia	モスクワMosukuwa	ロシア人 Roshia-jin	ロシア語 Roshia-go	ロシア料理 Roshia–ryōri
France	フランス Furansu	パリ Pari	フランス人 Furansu-jin	フランス語 Furansu-go	フランス料理 Furansu ryōri
Germany	ドイツ Doitsu	ベルリン Berurin	ドイツ人 Doitsu-jin	ドイツ語 Doitsu-go	ドイツ料理 Doitsu ryōri
Italy	イタリア Itaria	ローマ Rōma	イタリア人 Itaria-jin	イタリア語 Itaria-go	イタリア料理 Itaria ryōri
Spain	スペイン Supein	マドリード Madorīdo	スペイン人 Supein-jin	スペイン語 Supein-go	スペイン料理 Supein ryōri
United Kingdom	イギリス Igirisu	ロンドン Rondon	イギリス人 Igirisu-jin	英語 Eigo	イギリス料理 Igirisu ryōri
Netherlands	オランダ Oranda	アムステルダム Amusuterudamu	オランダ人 Oranda-jin	オランダ語 Oranda-go	オランダ料理 Oranda ryōri
Turkey	トルコ Toruko	イスタンブール Isutanbūru	トルコ人 Toruko–jin	トルコ語 Toruko-go	トルコ料理 Toruko ryōri
Egypt	エジプト Ejiputo	カイロ Kairo	エジプト人 Ejiputo-jin	アラビア語 Arabia-go	エジプト料理 Ejiputo ryōri
Kenya	ケニア Kenia	ナイロビ Nairobi	ケニア人 Kenia-jin	スワヒリ語 Suwahiri-go	ケニア料理 Kenia ryōri

3 – Example Sentences

• I am Japanese, but I grew up in Germany. I like Brazilian cuisine.
  私は日本人ですが、ドイツで育ちました。ブラジル料理が好きです。
  Watashi wa Nihon-jin desu ga, Doitsu de sodachimashita. Burajiru ryōri ga suki desu.

• I’m from Canada, and I speak English and French.
  私はカナダ出身で、英語とフランス語を話します。
  Watashi wa Kanada shusshin de, Eigo to Furansu-go o hanashimasu.

• I’m Indian, but I was born in Turkey.  I can speak Turkish.
  私はインド人ですが、トルコで生まれました。私はトルコ語が話せます。
  Watashi wa Indo-jin desu ga, Toruko de umaremashita. Watashi wa Toruko-go ga hanasemasu.

• She is American and she loves Italy and Italian cuisine. She is learning Italian.
  彼女はアメリカ人で、イタリアとイタリア料理が大好きです。彼女はイタリア語を学んでいます。
  Kanojo wa Amerika-jin de, Itaria to Itaria ryōri ga daisuki desu. Kanojo wa Itaria-go o manande imasu.

• His father is Chinese and his mother is Russian, but he usually speaks English.
  彼のお父さんは中国人で、彼のお母さんはロシア人ですが、彼は普段英語を話します。
  Kare no o-tō-san wa Chūgoku-jin de, kare no o-kā-san wa Roshia-jin desu ga, kare wa fudan Eigo o hanashimasu.

• I am British and I often go to Asia for work. I’m learning Thai and Chinese.
  私はイギリス人で、仕事でよくアジアへ行きます。タイ語と中国語を学んでいます。
  Watashi wa Igirisu-jin de, shigoto de yoku Ajia e ikimasu. Tai-go to Chūgoku-go o manande imasu.

• I am from Australia, but I grew up in South America and the Middle East. I can speak Spanish and Arabic.
  私はオーストラリア人ですが、南米と中東で育ちました。スペイン語とアラビア語が話せます。
  Watashi wa Ōsutoraria-jin desu ga, Nanbei to Chūtō de sodachimashita. Supein-go to Arabia-go ga hanasemasu.

5. Conclusion

In this article, we introduced how to talk about countries and nationalities in Japanese. We covered everything from the top-ranking nationalities visiting Japan, continents and directions, Q&A conversational phrases, major cities, languages, and cuisines. With this guide, you’re now ready to introduce yourself in Japanese and also talk about countries to make international friends!

If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language and pick up other useful Japanese phrases for specific situations, you’ll find a lot more helpful content on JapanesePod101.com. We provide a variety of free lessons for you to help improve your Japanese language skills. 

The following articles are also very useful for boosting your Japanese conversational skills: 

• Learn the Most Useful Compliments in Japanese
• Life Event Messages: Happy Birthday in Japanese & More
• Useful Intermediate Japanese Phrases

And there’s so much more! Be a faster learner and enjoy studying Japanese at JapanesePod101.com!

Before you go, let us know in the comments if there are Japanese words on any specific topic that you want to know! We’d be glad to help, and look forward to hearing from you! 

If you’re an advanced learner or starting to move ahead to an upper level, you may soon face a phenomenon known as “diminishing returns.” The learning curve theory indicates that the more you advance, the slower your progress will be. This concept also applies to your Japanese language learning! As such, you’ll need to be patient and make a steady effort in order to achieve the advanced level of Japanese and reach true proficiency.

After learning the grammar and vocabulary of the intermediate level, all you need to do is increase your vocabulary by learning more advanced Japanese phrases. In particular, you’ll want to pick up a variety of idioms, proverbs, expressions, and slang terms. You’ll also benefit from expanding your knowledge of grammatical variations, such as 敬語 (Keigo), or “honorific speech,” as well as the very formal language for particular settings (e.g., only used in official letters or legal texts).

While conquering the advanced Japanese level may feel like an endless journey, remember that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! You have already achieved so much since Day 1 to arrive at your current level. Now you just need to continue filling the holes in your vocabulary and learning new expressions through books, the news, TV, movies, and other media. 

Boost your journey with our list of the most useful advanced Japanese phrases for various occasions!

You can handle any situation if you’re at an advanced level.

Table of Contents

1. Useful Phrases for Academic Writing
2. Power Phrases for Your Cover Letter
3. Smart Proverbs for Business and Meetings
4. Advanced Japanese Idioms and Sayings for Everyday Usage
5. Conclusion

1. Useful Phrases for Academic Writing

The use of logical and structured sentences is a key element in good academic writing. Below, we will introduce advanced Japanese phrases that are frequently used to organize, articulate, and connect thoughts in writing. These phrases are useful not only in writing but also in public speaking, where they allow the audience to more easily follow and understand the content. 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
first of all	まず初めに	まずはじめに	mazu hajime ni

Example:

まず初めに、本研究の趣旨について説明します。

Mazu hajime ni, hon kenkyū no shushi ni tsuite setsumei shimasu.

“First of all, I’d like to explain the purpose of this research.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
firstly secondly  thirdly	第一に 第二に 第三に	だいいちに だいにに だいさんに	daiichi ni daini ni daisan ni

Example:

小論文を書くために重要なことが三点ある。第一に、論理的であること。第二に、分かりやすいこと。第三に、納得できること、である。

Shōronbun o kaku tame ni, jūyō na koto ga san-ten aru.  Daiichi ni, rironteki de aru koto. Daini ni, wakariyasui koto. Daisan ni, nattoku dekiru koto, de aru.

“There are three important points in writing an essay. Firstly, it is logical. Secondly, it’s easy to understand. Thirdly, it is convincing.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
in regard to…	…に関して	…にかんして	…ni kanshite

Example:

地球温暖化のトピックに関して意見を交換しましょう。

Chikyū ondanka no topikku ni kanshite iken o kōkan shimashō.

“Let’s exchange views in regard to global warming.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
according to…	ー	…によると	…ni yoruto

Example:

中小企業白書によると、日本の中小企業数は3,578,176社で全企業数のうち99.7%を占めています。

Chūshō kigyō hakusho ni yoruto, Nihon no chūshō kigyōsū wa 3,578,176 sha de,  zen kigyōsū no uchi  99.7% o shimete imasu.

“According to White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises, the number of small and medium enterprises in Japan is 3,578,176, accounting for 99.7% of the total number of companies.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
in other words	言い換えれば	いいかえれば	iikaereba

Example:

地球温暖化の問題は、言い換えれば、私たちひとりひとりの問題です。

Chikyū ondanka no mondai wa, iikaereba, watashi-tachi hitori hitori no mondai desu.

“The problem of global warming is, in other words, the problem of each one of us.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
moreover / furthermore / in addition	更に	さらに	sara ni

Example:

パンデミックの発生は、人々の健康に影響を及ぼしました。 更に、国内および世界の経済にも大きな打撃となりました。

Pandemikku no hassei wa, hitobito no kenkō ni eikyō o oyoboshimashita. Sara ni, kokunai oyobi sekaijū no keizai ni mo ōkina dageki to narimashita.

“The outbreak of the pandemic has affected people’s health. In addition, it also had a major impact on the domestic and global economies.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
on the contrary /on the other hand	一方で	いっぽうで	ippō de

Example:

九州地方では大雨警報が出ています。 一方で、北関東地方では干ばつが連日続いています。

Kyūshū chihō de wa ōame keihō ga dete imasu. Ippō de, kita Kantō chihō de wa kanbatsu ga renjitsu tsuzuite imasu. 

“Heavy rain warnings have been issued in the Kyushu region. On the other hand, droughts continue every day in the northern Kanto region.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
therefore / consequently	従って	したがって	shitagatte

Example:

日本は火山が多い。従って、天然の温泉も多い。

Nihon wa kazan ga ōi. Shitagatte, tennen no onsen mo ōi. 

“Japan has a lot of volcanic mountains. Therefore, there are also many natural hot springs.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
to some extent	ある程度	あるていど	aru teido

Example:

作業過程をある程度自動化してくれるツールがいくつかあります。

Sagyō katei o aru teido jidōka shite kureru tsūru ga ikutsuka arimasu. 

“There are some tools that automate the work process to some extent.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
as long as… / as far as…	…である限り…いる限り	…であるかぎり　  　…いるかぎり	…de aru kagiri…iru kagiri

Example:

津波が発生した時は、高台にいる限り身の安全を確保できます。

Tsunami ga hassei shita toki wa, takadai ni iru kagiri mi no anzen o kakuho dekimasu.

“When a tsunami occurs, you can secure your safety as long as you are on a hill.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
by / in contrast	対照的に	たいしょうてきに	taishōteki ni

Example:

日本列島の南に位置する沖縄の年間平均気温は摂氏23.1度です。対照的に、北に位置する北海道では8.9度です。

Nihon rettō no minami ni ichi suru Okinawa no nenkan heikin kion wa sesshi 23.1-do desu. Taishōteki ni, kita ni ichi suru Hokkaidō wa 8.9-do desu.

“The average annual temperature of Okinawa, located south of the Japanese archipelago, is 23.1 degrees Celsius. By contrast, it is 8.9 degrees in Hokkaido, which is located in the North.”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
as a result	結果として	けっかとして	kekka to shite

Example:

高速道路での大きな事故によりひどい渋滞に巻き込まれました。結果として、飛行機に乗り遅れました。

Kōsoku dōro de no ōkina jiko ni yori hidoi jūtai ni makikomaremashita. Kekka to shite, hikōki ni noriokuremashita.

“I was caught in a terrible traffic jam due to a big accident on the highway. As a result, I missed the flight.”

2. Power Phrases for Your Cover Letter

When it comes to writing an official letter in Japanese, there are some particular rules and style guidelines to follow.

A cover letter (送付状 [sōfujō] or 添え状 [soejō] in Japanese) is a letter of introduction that a job seeker attaches to their resume or CV. In most cases, its function is to greet and to indicate what document(s) you’re sending by clarifying “to whom,” “by whom,” “what,” and “why.” It may also contain a supplementary explanation of what you want to emphasize in the main document.

Most importantly, however, it can be proof that you have business etiquette and common sense. Therefore, it should be a “decent” letter that follows the rules expected of an official document.

Here is a brief list of advanced-level Japanese phrases you should consider including in your cover letter.

Formal Greeting	拝啓、貴社ますますご清栄のこととお慶び申し上げます。  Haikei, kisha masumasu go-seiei no koto to o-yorokobi mōshiagemasu.
English	Dear sirs, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for considering my application. (in case you’re applying with a CV)
Literal Translation	Humbly (respectfully) I say, I am glad that your company is prospering more and more.

Explanation: 

This is a common formal greeting that is used only in official writing. It should be used as the first line of your text, especially when you’re writing to a company. 

When beginning with 拝啓 (haikei), meaning “Dear sirs” (literally: “Humbly I say”) you have to finish the letter with 敬具 (keigu), meaning “Sincerely yours” (literally: “Humbly I said”).

Stating Reason for Writing	この度、貴社の___職の採用情報を拝見し、応募書類をお送りいたします。  Kono tabi, kisha no ___shoku no saiyō jōhō o haiken shi, ōboshorui o o-okuri itashimasu.
English	I saw your company’s employment information about the ___ position, and I’d like to send you the application documents.
Literal Translation	This time, I humbly saw your company’s employment information for ___, and I will kindly send you the application documents.

Discussing Interests	貴社の求人で特に、___のグローバルプロジェクトについて関心を持ちました。  Kisha no kyūjin de toku ni, ___ no gurōbaru purojekuto ni tsuite kanshin o mochimashita.
English	In your company’s job offer advertisement, I am particularly interested in the global projects of ___.

Talking About Your Experience	___の分野において幅広い経験を持ち、新規顧客の獲得と売り上げの拡大に努めてまいりました。   ___ no bun’ya ni oite habahiroi keiken o mochi, shinki kokyaku no kakutoku to uriage no kakudai ni tsutomete mairimashita.
English	Having extensive work experience in (the field of) ___,  I have endeavored to acquire new customers and expand sales.

Explaining the Relevance of Your Experience	私のX年における___の経験をこのポジションで即戦力として活かし、貴社の業績拡大に貢献できると思っております。   Watashi no X-nen ni okeru ___ no keiken o kono pojishon de sokusenryoku to shite ikashi, kisha no gyōseki kakudai ni kōken dekiru to omotte orimasu.
English	I believe I can apply my X years of experience in ___ to this position from day one, and I will be able to contribute to the expansion of your business.

Asking for a Presentation Opportunity	是非私のプレゼンテーションとポートフォリオをご覧になっていただける機会をいただけたら幸いです。   Zehi watashi no purezentēshon to pōtoforio o goran ni natte itadakeru kikai o itadaketara saiwai desu.
English	I would appreciate it if you could give me a chance to show you my presentation and portfolio.

Asking for an Interview	ご検討の上、是非面接の機会をいただけましたら幸いです。   Go-kentō no ue, zehi mensetsu no kikai o itadakemashitara saiwai desu.
English	I would appreciate it if you could give me a chance to have an interview.

Formal Closing	何卒よろしくお願いいたします。 敬具   [名前]  Nanitozo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.  Keigu  [Namae]
English	Thank you very much for your consideration.  Sincerely yours,  [Name]
Literal Translation	Please kindly be favorable.

Explanation: 

よろしくお願いいたします (yoroshiku onegai itashimasu) is an untranslatable Japanese phrase that is often used in business contexts. It’s a useful phrase in that it has many meanings and can be used in various situations to express gratitude, humbleness, and the desire to have a good relationship from that point forward.

And remember: When you use 拝啓 (haikei) at the beginning of your letter, you must finish it with 敬具 (keigu).

➜ For more expressions related to business and other formal contexts, please also check out our blog posts Essential Business Japanese: Learn the Most Useful Phrases and The Most Useful Japanese Phone Phrases.

3. Smart Proverbs for Business and Meetings

In Japanese culture, idiomatic expressions (慣用表現 kan’yō hyōgen) and proverbs (ことわざ kotowaza) are often used in daily conversations in order to enrich statements or to include a moralistic meaning. The following phrases are popular Japanese idioms and proverbs that are frequently used in business contexts. 

Japanese	埒があかない   rachi ga akanai
Literal Translation	the fence (of a horse riding ground) does not open
Meaning	make no progress / remain unsettled

Example: 

同じ議論を繰り返しても、埒があかない。

Onaji giron o kurikaeshite mo, rachi ga akanai.

“Repeating the same discussion does not make any progress.”

Japanese	案ずるより産むが易し   anzuru yori umu ga yasushi
Literal Translation	It’s easier to give birth than to worry about it.
Meaning	It’s easier to do something than to worry about it. / An attempt is sometimes easier than expected.

Example: 

案ずるより産むが易しと言います。まずはリスクを恐れずに実行することが大切です。

Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi to iimasu. Mazu wa risuku o osorezu ni jikkō suru koto ga taisetsu desu.

“It is said that it’s easier to do something than to worry about it; it’s important to take action without fear of risk.”

Japanese	善は急げ   zen wa isoge
Literal Translation	hurry up goodness
Meaning	Strike while the iron is hot. / Good deeds (ideas) should be done quickly.

Example: 

それは良い案ですね！善は急げ、早速それをプロジェクトに取り入れましょう。

Sore wa ii an desu ne! Zen wa isoge, sassoku sore o purojekuto ni toriiremashō.

“That’s a good idea! Strike while the iron is hot; let’s adopt it into the project now.”

Japanese	損して得取れ   son shite toku tore
Literal Translation	obtain benefit by losing
Meaning	Even if you’re at a temporary loss, keep striving for virtue so that you will get a bigger return later.

Example: 

損して得取れと言うように、設備投資による費用はかかりますが、長期的に見ると生産コストとCO2排出を大幅に削減できます。

Son shite toku tore to iu yō ni, setsubi tōshi ni yoru hiyō wa kakarimasu ga, chōkiteki ni miru to seisan kosuto to CO2 haishutsu o ōhaba ni sakugen dekimasu.

“As the proverb says, ‘Obtain benefit by losing.’ Although there are costs associated with capital investment, production costs and CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced in the long run.”

Japanese	苦肉の策   kuniku no saku
Literal Translation	idea of (from) suffering body
Meaning	last resort / desperate measure taken under pressure of necessity

Example: 

その企業は事業存続のために苦肉の策として、大手企業との業務提携に踏み切りました。

Sono kigyō wa jigyō sonzoku no tame ni kuniku no saku to shite, ōte kigyō to no gyōmu teikei ni fumikirimashita.

“The company has decided to make a business alliance with a major company as a desperate measure for business survival.”

Japanese	乗りかかった船   norikakatta fune
Literal Translation	the ship that already got on
Meaning	having started on something that you can’t quit / having gone too far to turn back

Example: 

一度引き受けた案件は、乗りかかった船です。情勢が変化しても全力でやり遂げましょう。

Ichi-do hikiuketa anken wa, norikakatta fune desu. Jōsei ga henka shite mo zenryoku de yaritogemashō.

“The project that we once undertook is the ship we have already gotten on. Even if the situation changes, let’s do our best to complete it.”

Japanese	先んずれば人を制す   sakinzureba hito o seisu
Literal Translation	If you go ahead, you will get the better of (other) people.
Meaning	Take the initiative, and you will win. / The foremost dog catches the hare.

Example: 

先んずれば人を制す。ライバル社が参入する前に新規事業を軌道にのせましょう。

Sakinzureba hito o seisu. Raibarusha ga sannyū suru mae ni shinki jigyō o kidō ni nosemashō.

“The foremost dog catches the hare. Let’s get the new business on track before our rivals enter the market.”

Japanese	白羽の矢が立つ   shiraha no ya ga tatsu
Literal Translation	An arrow with a feather stands.
Meaning	to be singled out / to be selected from among other people

Example: 

新規プロジェクトのリーダーとして、経験豊富な彼に白羽の矢がたった。

Shinki purojekuto no rīdā to shite, keiken hōfu na kare ni shiraha no ya ga tatta.

“As someone who is well experienced, he was chosen to be the leader of the new project.”

Japanese	後の祭り  ato no matsuri
Literal Translation	later festival
Meaning	a day after the fair / a stage when it’s too late

Example: 

彼は間違って非常に重要な書類を破棄してしまった。後悔しても所詮、後の祭りだ。

Kare wa machigatte hijō ni jūyō na shorui o haki shite shimatta. Kōkai shitemo shosen, ato no matsuri da.

“He accidentally discarded the very important document. Even if he regrets it, it’s too late after all.”

Japanese	運を天に任せる     un o ten ni makaseru
Literal Translation	leave luck to heaven
Meaning	to leave one’s fate to a deity / to leave the rest to heaven

Example: 

イベントの準備に最前を尽くしてきました。成功するかどうかは、あとは運を天に任せましょう。

Ibento no junbi ni saizen o tsukushite kimashita. Seikō suru ka dō ka wa, ato wa un o ten ni makasemashō.

“We have been doing our best to prepare for the event. Let’s leave luck to heaven as to whether we succeed or not.”

4. Advanced Japanese Idioms and Sayings for Everyday Usage

Idiomatic expressions are frequently used not only in daily conversations but also in the stories that make our lives so rich and colorful. 

Japanese idioms are very fun to learn! They feature unique and sometimes eccentric combinations of words that would make no sense at all if you were to translate them word for word.

What do you imagine when you hear “bite a parent’s shin” (親のすねをかじる oya no sune o kajiru)? It does not refer to someone actually biting their parent’s shin, but rather to an adult who still lives off of their parents. 

Below are several idiomatic phrases in Japanese for advanced learners.

Japanese	油を売る　   abura o uru
Literal Translation	sell oil
Meaning	to loaf (particularly on the job) / to idle one’s time away

Example: 

彼はよく営業の外回り中に、カフェで油を売っている。

Kare wa yoku eigyō no sotomawarichū ni, kafe de abura o utte iru.

“He often idles his time away at a cafe when he’s meeting clients out of office.”

Japanese	顔に泥を塗る    kao ni doro o nuru
Literal Translation	smear mud on one’s face
Meaning	disgrace somebody / make somebody lose face

Example: 

彼女は犯罪を犯して、誠実な両親の顔に泥を塗った。

Kanojo wa hanzai o okashite, seijitsu na ryōshin no kao ni doro o nutta.

“She committed a crime and disgraced her sincere parents.”

Japanese	口を酸っぱくする    kuchi o suppaku suru
Literal Translation	make a mouth sour
Meaning	to repeatedly admonish / to tell over and over

Example: 

口を酸っぱくして何度も言うように、交通事故には気をつけてください。

Kuchi o suppaku shite nan-do mo iu yō ni, kōtsū jiko ni wa ki o tsukete kudasai.

“As I tell you over and over, please be careful of traffic accidents.”

Japanese	さじを投げる     saji o nageru
Literal Translation	throw a (small) spoon
Meaning	give up hopelessly

Example: 

彼女はダイエットしようと決めたが、トレーニングと食事制限が辛くてさじを投げた。

Kanojo wa daietto o shiyō to kimeta ga, torēningu to shokuji seigen ga tsurakute saji o nageta.

“She decided to go on a diet, but she gave up because of the painful training and dietary restrictions.”

Japanese	雀の涙    suzume no namida
Literal Translation	sparrow’s tears
Meaning	very small quantity

Example: 

世界的な不景気の影響で、今年のボーナスは雀の涙ほどでした。

Sekaiteki na fukeiki no eikyō de, kotoshi no bōnasu wa suzume no namida hodo deshita.

“Due to the global recession, this year’s bonus was very little.”

Japanese	喉から手が出る　   nodo kara te ga deru
Literal Translation	hands come out from a throat
Meaning	to want something desperately

Example: 

喉から手が出るほど、来月発売の新しいスマートフォンがほしい。

Nodo kara te ga deru hodo, raigetsu hatsubai no atarashii sumātofon ga hoshii.

“I desperately want the new smartphone that will be released next month.”

Japanese	根も葉もない    ne mo ha mo nai
Literal Translation	no roots or leaves
Meaning	completely untrue / groundless (rumor)

Example: 

根も葉もない噂を信じて人を判断しないでください。

Ne mo ha mo nai uwasa o shinjite hito o handan shinaide kudasai.

“Don’t judge people by believing groundless rumors.”

Japanese	身を粉にする     mi o ko ni suru
Literal Translation	make one’s body into powder
Meaning	work hard / make the utmost effort

Example: 

彼女は身を粉にして働き、女手一つで３人の子供を育てました。

Kanojo wa mi o ko ni shite hataraki, onnade hitotsu de san-nin no kodomo o sodatemashita.

“She worked very hard and raised three children all by herself.”

Japanese	水に流す    mizu ni nagasu
Literal Translation	flush in water
Meaning	let bygones be bygones / forgive and forget

Example: 

過去のことは水に流して、今と将来のことに目を向けよう。

Kako no koto wa mizu ni nagashite, ima to shōrai no koto ni me o mukeyō.

“Let’s forgive and forget about the past, and focus on the present and the future.”

Japanese	胸が騒ぐ    mune ga sawagu
Literal Translation	chest makes a fuss
Meaning	to feel uneasy / to feel a strange presentiment

Example: 

帰り道で救急車のサイレンを聞いて胸が騒いだので、家族を心配して家まで走って帰った。

Kaerimichi de kyūkyūsha no sairen o kiite mune ga sawaida node, kazoku o shinpai shite ie made hashitte kaetta.

“I felt uneasy when I heard the ambulance siren on my way home, so I ran home because I was worried about my family.”

5. Conclusion

In this article, we introduced the most useful advanced Japanese phrases for academic writing, cover letters, and business. We even included a few idioms and sayings for daily usage. Some of these phrases are only used in a particular context, such as the formal greeting for letters, and mastering such advanced Japanese phrases will make you appear more fluent!

If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language and pick up additional Japanese phrases for different situations, you’ll find a lot more helpful content on JapanesePod101.com. We provide a variety of free lessons designed to help you improve your Japanese language skills. 

As you approach the advanced level in your Japanese studies, the following articles will also be very useful for you: 

• Advanced Japanese Words
• Essential Business Japanese
• Japanese Proverbs – Gain Japanese Wisdom and Insight

And there’s so much more! Be a faster learner and enjoy studying Japanese at JapanesePod101.com!

Have you gotten bored of learning the basic Japanese grammar rules, reviewing beginner-level words, and practicing beginner phrases? Then it’s time to level up and start learning intermediate Japanese phrases! 

Once you’re confident in your ability to master the beginner levels (N5 and N4) of the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test), you can aim to achieve the intermediate level (N3 and above). Achieving this level of proficiency will allow you to cope with more complicated everyday situations while in Japan. The intermediate level is surely more difficult, requiring continuous effort and patience; however, it’s also an enjoyable stage of learning as you’ll start being able to understand more complex things and express more subtle feelings.

In this article, we’ll introduce a list of the most useful intermediate Japanese phrases for various situations. Whether you want to talk about past events, change plans, or make recommendations, this useful phrase list here at JapanesePod101.com covers it all!

Knowing some intermediate-level phrases will make your conversations more enjoyable.

Table of Contents

1. Talking About Past Events
2. Making and Changing Plans
3. Explaining and Giving Reasons
4. Making Recommendations and Complaints
5. Reaction Phrases for Everyday Conversations
6. Etiquette Phrases for Social and Business Settings
7. Conclusion

1. Talking About Past Events

When you first start learning Japanese, you primarily study and use the present tense. However, talking about the past and the future is inevitable in our daily lives; for example, we make plans for the weekend with friends and tell stories about our past experiences. 

When it comes to grammatical tense, Japanese is much simpler than other languages such as English or the Romance languages. This is because Japanese does not have a future tense nor any perfect tenses. Things concerning the future are expressed using the present tense and a time-indicating word, such as “later” or “tomorrow.” It is also relatively easy to use the past tense in Japanese because there is no verb conjugation according to “how far” in the past something took place. 

The only thing you need to pay attention to is the formality level you use (casual vs. formal) and 敬語 (Keigo), the Japanese honorific language. For each of the following intermediate phrases in Japanese, we have included both the casual version and the polite version.  

1.

[Casual] ___はさっき終わったよ。　　
              ___ wa sakki owatta yo.

[Polite] ___はさっき終わりました
            ___ wa sakki owarimashita.

[English]  ___ has just finished. 

2.

[Casual]  今日は忙しくてとても疲れた。　　　  
               Kyō wa isogashikute totemo tsukareta.

[Polite]    今日は忙しくてとても疲れました。
              Kyō wa isogashikute totemo tsukaremashita.

[English]  Today was busy, and I got really tired. 

3.

[Casual]  今日は幸運／不運な日だった。
               Kyō wa kōun/fūn na hi datta.

[Polite]    今日は幸運／不運な日でした。
              Kyō wa kōun/fūn na hi deshita.

[English]  Today was a lucky/unlucky day.

4.

[Casual]  昨日のパーティーは楽しかったよ。
               Kinō no pātī wa tanoshikatta yo.

[Polite]    昨日のパーティーは楽しかったです。
              Kinō no pātī wa tanoshikatta desu.

[English]  The party yesterday was fun. (I enjoyed the party yesterday.)

5.

[Casual]  去年の夏にハワイへ旅行した。
               Kyonen no natsu ni Hawai e ryokō shita.

[Polite]    去年の夏にハワイへ旅行しました。
              Kyonen no natsu ni Hawai e ryokō shimashita.

[English]  I traveled to Hawaii last summer.

6.

[Casual]  私はこの会社で５年前から働いている。
               Watashi wa kono kaisha de go-nen mae kara hataraite iru.

[Polite]    私はこの会社で５年前から働いています。
              Watashi wa kono kaisha de go-nen mae kara hataraite imasu.

[English]  I have been working for this company for five years.

7.

[Casual]  昔「ポチ」という犬を飼っていた。
               Mukashi “Pochi” to iu inu o katte ita.

[Polite]    昔「ポチ」という犬を飼っていました。
              Mukashi “Pochi” to iu inu o katte imashita.

[English]  I used to have a dog called Pochi (in the past).

8.

[Casual]  子供の頃は東京に住んでいた。
               Kodomo no koro wa Tōkyō ni sunde ita.

[Polite]    子供の頃は東京に住んでいました。
              Kodomo no koro wa Tōkyō ni sunde imashita.

[English]  I used to live in Tokyo when I was a kid.

去年の夏にハワイへ旅行しました。(Kyonen no natsu ni Hawai e ryokō shimashita.)
“I traveled to Hawaii last summer.”

2. Making and Changing Plans

As mentioned in the section above, we can use the present tense to express the future by using a time-indicating word. This is the structure we use when making or changing plans. 

In order to form a question, you only have to add a question mark to the end of a casual sentence or か (ka) to the end of a formal sentence. In Japanese, the subject is often omitted when it’s obvious who is speaking or whom you are talking to.

Below are a few examples of how to use this type of intermediate Japanese sentence structure to talk about plans. 

1.

[Casual]  来週空いている日ある？
               Raishū aite iru hi aru?

[Polite]    来週空いている日ありますか。
              Raishū aite iru hi arimasu ka. 　

[English]  Do you have a free day next week?

2.

[Casual]  来月都合の良い日はいつ？
               Raigetsu tsugō no yoi hi wa itsu？

[Polite]    来月都合の良い日はいつですか。
              Raigetsu tsugō no yoi hi wa itsu desu ka.

[English]  When is your convenient day next month? (When is the best day next month for you?)

3.

[Casual]  お寿司食べに行く？
               O-sushi tabe ni iku?

[Polite]    お寿司食べに行きませんか。
              O-sushi tabe ni ikimasen ka.

[English]  Would you like to go eat sushi?

4.

[Casual]  彼氏／彼女も連れて来ていい？
               Kareshi/ kanojo mo tsurete kite ii ?

[Polite]    彼氏／彼女も連れて来ていいですか。
              Kareshi/ kanojo mo tsurete kite ii desu ka.

[English]  Can I bring my boyfriend/girlfriend?

5.

[Casual]  スケジュールを確認してまた連絡するよ。
               Sukejūru o kakunin shite mata renraku suru yo.

[Polite]    スケジュールを確認してまた連絡しますね。
              Sukejūru o kakunin shite mata renraku shimasu ne.

[English]  I will let you know after checking my schedule.

6.

[Casual]  来週にスケジュールを変更できる？
               Raishū ni sukejūru o henkō dekiru?

[Polite]    来週にスケジュールを変更できますか。
              Raishū ni sukejūru o henkō dekimasu ka.

[English]  Is it possible to reschedule for next week?

7.

[Casual]  今週の金曜日にオンライン会議で詳細を話そう
               Konshū no kin-yōbi ni onrain kaigi de shōsai o hanasō.

[Polite]    今週の金曜日にオンライン会議で詳細を話しましょう。　
              Konshū no kin-yōbi ni onrain kaigi de shōsai o hanashimashō.

[English]  Let’s discuss the details during the online meeting this Friday.

来週にスケジュールを変更できますか。(Raishū ni sukejūru o henkō dekimasu ka.)
“Is it possible to reschedule for next week?”

3. Explaining and Giving Reasons

If you’re a native speaker of English or a Romance language, you may feel that giving reasons in Japanese is a bit awkward due to the Japanese word order and sentence structure. Contrary to English and many other languages, we usually mention the reason before the action or event.

For example:

[English]         I drank a glass of water because it was hot.
                (a person’s action) (the reason why)

[Japanese]     暑かったので、  グラス１杯の水を飲みました。
                Atsukatta node,  gurasu ippai no mizu o nomimashita.
                 (the reason why) (a person’s action)

1.

[Polite]    アレルギーがあるので卵を食べられません。　
                 Arerugī ga aru node tamago o taberaremasen.

[English]  I can’t eat eggs because I have an allergy.

2.

[Polite]    雨が降っているので、今日の花火大会は中止になりました。
              Ame ga futte iru node, kyō no hanabi taikai wa chūshi ni narimashita.

[English]  Today’s fireworks festival has been canceled because it is raining.

3.

[Polite]    風邪をひいて頭痛がひどいです。そのため、今日は早く帰ります。
              Kaze o hiite zutsū ga hidoi desu. Sono tame, kyō wa hayaku kaerimasu.

[English]  I caught a cold, and I have a severe headache. For that reason, I will go home early today.

4.

[Polite]    午後に会議が予定されています。このため、会議室は使用できません。
              Gogo ni kaigi ga yotei sarete imasu. Kono tame, kaigishitsu wa shiyō dekimasen.

[English]  A meeting is scheduled in the afternoon. Therefore, the meeting room is not available.

5.

[Polite]    最近少し太ったのでダイエットをしています。 
              Saikin sukoshi futotta node daietto o shite imasu.

[English]  I’m on a diet because I’ve gained a little weight recently.

6.        

[Polite]    終電を逃してしまったため、歩いて家に帰りました。
              Shūden o nogashite shimatta tame, aruite ie ni kaerimashita.

[English]  I missed the last train, so I walked back home.

7.

[Polite]    私がこの車を選んだのには三つ理由があります。
              一つ目はデザイン、二つ目は機能性、そして最後は価格が理由です。

              Watashi ga kono kuruma o eranda no ni wa mittsu riyū ga arimasu.
              Hitotsu-me wa dezain, futatsu-me wa kinōsei, soshite saigo wa kakaku ga riyū desu.

[English]  There are three reasons why I chose this car. 
               Firstly, because of its design; secondly, its functionality; and lastly, its price.

午後に会議が予定されています。このため、会議室は使用できません。
(Gogo ni kaigi ga yotei sarete imasu. Kono tame, kaigishitsu wa shiyō dekimasen.)
“A meeting is scheduled in the afternoon. Therefore, the meeting room is not available.”

4. Making Recommendations and Complaints

Giving your opinion by recommending or complaining about something is a good way to share and exchange ideas in a conversation. 口コミ情報, or word-of-mouth information, is somewhat reliable as it comes from one’s firsthand experience. Sharing experiences and insights is not only useful when deciding what to buy or try, but it also creates rapport between speakers.

The following are frequently used words and phrases for making recommendations and complaints.

• おすすめ (osusume) = recommendation [noun]
• おすすめする (osusume suru) = to recommend [verb]
• おすすめしない (osusume shinai) = not to recommend [verb]

1.

[Casual]  この映画は今年見た中で一番面白いよ。
               Kono eiga wa kotoshi mita naka de ichi-ban omoshiroi yo.

[Polite]    この映画は今年見た中で一番面白いです。
              Kono eiga wa kotoshi mita naka de ichi-ban omoshiroi desu.

[English]  This movie is the most interesting I’ve seen this year.

2.

[Casual]  広島に旅行するなら、厳島神社に行くことをおすすめするよ。
               Hiroshima ni ryokō suru nara, Itsukushima Jinja ni iku koto o osusume suru yo.

[Polite]    広島に旅行するなら、厳島神社に行くことをおすすめします。
              Hiroshima ni ryokō suru nara, Itsukushima Jinja ni iku koto o osusume shimasu.

[English]  If you’re traveling to Hiroshima, I recommend you go to Itsukushima Shrine.

3.

[Casual]  本当においしいお寿司を食べたいなら、銀座の次郎が有名だよ。
               Hontō ni oishii o-sushi o tabetai nara, Ginza no Jirō ga yūmei da yo.

[Polite]    本当においしいお寿司を食べたいなら、銀座の次郎が有名です。
              Hontō ni oishii o-sushi o tabetai nara, Ginza no Jirō ga yūmei desu.

[English]  If you want to eat really delicious sushi, Jiro in Ginza is famous.

4.

[Casual]  この携帯電話の充電器はメーカーの純正を使った方が良いよ。
               Kono keitai denwa no jūdenki wa mēkā no junsei o tsukatta hō ga ii yo.

[Polite]    この携帯電話の充電器はメーカーの純正を使った方が良いですよ。
              Kono keitai denwa no jūdenki wa mēkā no junsei o tsukatta hō ga ii desu yo.

[English]  It’s better to use the manufacturer’s genuine charger for this mobile phone.

5.

[Casual]  あのホテルはカスタマーサービスが最悪だよ。
               Ano hoteru wa kasutamā sābisu ga saiaku da yo.

[Polite]    あのホテルはカスタマーサービスが最悪です。
              Ano hoteru wa kasutamā sābisu ga saiaku desu.

[English]  That hotel has the worst customer service.

6.

[Casual]   あそこは値段が高い割においしくないので、おすすめしないよ。
                Asoko wa nedan ga takai wari ni oishikunai node, osusume shinai yo.

[Polite]     あそこは値段が高い割においしくないので、おすすめしません。
              Asoko wa nedan ga takai wari ni oishikunai node, osusume shimasen.

[English]  I don’t recommend that place because it’s not delicious for the expensive price.

7.

[Casual]  商品が１回使ってすぐ壊れた。このショップからは二度と購入しない。　
               Shōhin ga ikkai tsukatte sugu kowareta. Kono shoppu kara wa ni-do to kōnyū shinai.

[Polite]    商品が１回使ってすぐ壊れました。このショップからは二度と購入しません。
              Shōhin ga ikkai tsukatte sugu kowaremashita. Kono shoppu kara wa ni-do to kōnyū shimasen.

[English]  The product broke immediately after I used it once. I will never buy anything from this shop.

広島に旅行するなら、厳島神社に行くことをおすすめします。　
(Hiroshima ni ryokō suru nara, Itsukushima Jinja ni iku koto o osusume shimasu.)
“If you’re traveling to Hiroshima, I recommend you go to Itsukushima Shrine.”

5. Reaction Phrases for Everyday Conversations

You’ll also need some intermediate Japanese phrases for reacting to others’ statements. Knowing various ways to reply to someone will help make your conversations more colorful and enjoyable. Below, we have included a few short conversation samples using common reaction phrases. 

1.

A:
昨日のパーティーは楽しかったね。　
Kinō no pātī wa tanoshikatta ne.
The party last night was fun.

B: 
うん、みんなに会って話せて良かったよ！
Un, minna ni atte hanasete yokatta yo!
Yeah, I was glad to meet and talk to everyone!

2.

A: 
来週空いている日ある ？　
Raishū aite iru hi aru?
Do you have a free day next week?

B: 
土曜日なら一日中空いてるよ。
Do-yōbi nara ichi-nichijū aite ru yo.
I’m free all day next Saturday.

3.

A: 
この映画は今年見た中で一番面白いよ。
Kono eiga wa kotoshi mita naka de ichi-ban omoshiroi yo.　
This movie is the most interesting I’ve seen this year.

B: 
そうなんだ。Netflixで配信されたら見てみるよ。
Sō nan da. Nettofurikkusu de haishin saretara mite miru yo.
Oh yeah? I’ll watch it when it’s released on Netflix.

4.

A: 
来週にスケジュールを変更できますか。
Raishū ni sukejūru o henkō dekimasu ka.
Is it possible to reschedule for next week?

B: 
はい、大丈夫です。来週の月曜日から金曜日の午後なら調整できます。
Hai, daijōbu desu. Raishū no getsu-yōbi kara kin-yōbi no gogo nara chōsei dekimasu.
Yes, it’s okay. I can make adjustments in the afternoon from next Monday to Friday.

5.

A: 
アレルギーがあるので卵を食べられません。
Arerugī ga aru node tamago o taberaremasen.
I can’t eat eggs because I have an allergy.

B: 
卵を使用していないメニューはこちらです。
Tamago o shiyō shite inai menyū wa kochira desu.
Here is the menu that does not contain eggs.

6.

A: 
あのホテルはカスタマーサービスが最悪です。
Ano hoteru wa kasutamā sābisu ga saiaku desu.
That hotel has the worst customer service.

B: 
本当ですか？有名なホテルなのに残念ですね。
Hontō desu ka? Yūmei na hoteru na noni zannen desu ne.
Really? It’s a shame, though; it’s a famous hotel.

小麦粉を使用していないメニューはこちらです。
(Komugiko o shiyō shite inai menyū wa kochira desu.)
“Here is the menu that does not contain wheat.”

6. Etiquette Phrases for Social and Business Settings

Japanese has some very unique and polite expressions that are frequently used in social and business settings. It’s good to know such phrases even if you’re a traveler to Japan, as you’ll hear them often in restaurants, shops, and hotels.

1.

[Polite]    いらっしゃいませ。
              Irasshaimase.

[English]  Welcome. (Staff members of shops and restaurants will say this to customers.)

2.

[Very Polite]    少々お待ち下さいませ。 
                       Shōshō o-machi kudasai mase.

[English]  Please wait for a moment.

3.

[Very Polite]    大変お待たせしました。 
                      Taihen o-matase shimashita.

[English]  Thank you very much for your patience. (Literally: I made you waiting for long time.)

4.

[Very Polite]    ごゆっくりお過ごしください。
                      Go-yukkuri o-sugoshi kudasai.

[English]  Please have a relaxed time. 

5.

[Very Polite]    何かご質問がありましたらお知らせください。 
                      Nani ka go-shitsumon ga arimashitara o-shirase kudasai.

[English]  Please let us know if you have any questions.

6.        

[Very Polite]    お忙しい中お時間をいただき、どうもありがとうございます。
                      O-isogashii naka o-jikan o itadaki, dōmo arigatō gozaimasu.

[English]  Thank you very much for your time while you are busy.

7.

[Very Polite]    お返事お待ちしております。
                      O-henji o-machi shite orimasu.

[English]  I look forward to hearing from you.

8.

[Very Polite]    お気をつけていってらっしゃいませ。
                      O-ki o tsukete itterasshai mase.

[English]  Please take care and have a safe trip.

少々お待ち下さいませ。
(Shōshō o-machi kudasai mase.)
“Please wait for a moment.”

7. Conclusion

In this article, we introduced the most useful intermediate Japanese phrases for various situations, including:

• Talking about past events
• Making and changing plans
• Explaining and listing reasons
• Making recommendations and complaints
• Reacting to others during a conversation
• Being polite in social and business settings

With these intermediate phrases, you’ll be able to have more complex conversations and explain what you want to say in more detail.

If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language, you’ll find a lot more helpful content on JapanesePod101.com. This is the best place to learn Japanese online, providing a variety of free lessons designed to help you improve your Japanese-language skills. 

If you’re at the intermediate level in your Japanese studies, the following articles are a great place to start: 

• Learn Japanese with Netflix
• Essential Business Japanese
• Japanese Phone Call Phrases

And there’s so much more! Be a faster learner and enjoy studying Japanese at JapanesePod101.com!

Before you go, let us know in the comments if there are any specific topics or situations you’d like to learn Japanese phrases for. We’d be glad to help, and we look forward to hearing from you!

If you’re looking at this page, it means that you’ve achieved the intermediate level and are interested in moving ahead to advanced-level Japanese. That’s great—you’re in the right place!

Levels N1 and N2 of the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) are equivalent to the advanced level, and aiming to pass these levels would be a good source of motivation at this point in your studies. It surely takes tremendous effort and dedication to reach this stage, especially when it comes to learning the more difficult Kanji that are mostly used for special occasions or in official settings. 

Apart from conventional studying, however, there are more enjoyable ways to learn advanced Japanese words. For example, you could start reading books in Japanese and watching Japanese movies or TV shows in more serious genres; history shows, biographies, thrillers, and action films are great examples. Once you learn enough advanced Japanese words, you can utilize such tools to reinforce your knowledge and memory.

In this article, we will introduce a list of frequently used advanced Japanese words, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, as well as other sophisticated words you can use to substitute basic everyday words. Let’s start climbing to the summit here at JapanesePod101.com!

You will be able to more easily read Japanese newspapers with advanced Japanese words.

Table of Contents

1. Nouns – 名詞 (Meishi)
2. Verbs – 動詞 (Dōshi)
3. Adjectives – 形容詞 (Keiyōshi)
4. Adverbs – 副詞 (Fukushi)
5. Alternative Words for Greater Sophistication
6. Conclusion

1. Nouns – 名詞 (Meishi)

The Kanji for advanced Japanese nouns is often complicated and difficult. However, the good news is that you’ll never have to worry about which article to use or how to change a word from singular to plural. 

Advanced Japanese nouns are usually just as simple as beginner nouns in terms of reading and pronunciation, but learning the high-level Kanji will take a lot of time and effort. 

1 – Advanced Academic Words 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
concept	概念	がいねん	gainen
precision	精密	せいみつ	seimitsu
expansion / extension	拡張	かくちょう	kakuchō
pressure	圧力	あつりょく	atsuryoku
efficiency	効率	こうりつ	kōritsu
specimen / sample	標本	ひょうほん	hyōhon
evidence	証拠	しょうこ	shōko
verification / inspection	検証	けんしょう	kenshō
atom	原子	げんし	genshi
molecule	分子	ぶんし	bunshi
radioactivity	放射能	ほうしゃのう	hōshanō
concentration / density​	濃度	のうど	nōdo
coagulation / solidification​	凝固	ぎょうこ	gyōko
fusion / melting / liquefaction	融解	ゆうかい	yūkai

Examples:

• この実験は新しい説の分析と検証です。
  Kono jikken wa atarashii setsu no bunseki to kenshō desu.
  “This experiment is an analysis and verification of a new theory.”

• この地域は放射能の濃度が高く危険です。
  Kono chiiki wa hōshanō no nōdo ga takaku kiken desu.
  “This area is dangerous because of its high concentration of radioactivity.”

• その物質は温度の変化により凝固と融解を繰り返した。
  Sono busshitsu wa ondo no henka ni yori gyōko to yūkai o kurikaeshita.
  “The substance repeatedly solidified and melted by changes in temperature.”

物質の濃度を測る (busshitsu no nōdo o hakaru)
“measure the concentration of the substance”

2 – Advanced Business Words

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
negotiation	交渉	こうしょう	kōshō
strategy	戦略	せんりゃく	senryaku
capital / fund	資本	しほん	shihon
stockholder /  shareholder	株主	かぶぬし	kabunushi
revenue	歳入	さいにゅう	sainyū
investment	投資	とうし	tōshi
securities  / stock	証券	しょうけん	shōken
loan / financing	融資	ゆうし	yūshi
repayment /  payment / settlement	返済	へんさい	hensai
debt	債務	さいむ	saimu
mortgage /  guarantee	担保	たんぽ	tanpo
credit	債権	さいけん	saiken
assets	資産	しさん	shisan
bankruptcy	倒産	とうさん	tōsan
trademark	商標	しょうひょう	shōhyō
patent	特許	とっきょ	tokkyo
employment	雇用	こよう	koyō
dismissal /  termination of employment​	解雇	かいこ	kaiko
company director  / board member	取締役	とりしまりやく	torishimariyaku
board of  directors	理事会	りじかい	rijikai
permanent  employee	正社員	せいしゃいん	seishain
contract-based  employee	契約社員	けいやくしゃいん	keiyaku shain
outsourced  temporary employee	派遣社員	はけんしゃいん	haken shain

Examples:

• その証券会社は巨額の債務を抱え倒産しました。
  Sono shōkengaisha wa kyogaku no saimu o kakae tōsan shimashita.
  “The securities company went bankrupt with huge debt.”

• 新しい事業のため銀行から融資を受けたいです。
  Atarashii jigyō no tame ginkō kara yūshi o uketai desu.
  “I’d like to get a loan from a bank for a new business.”

• 革新的な技術の特許を取得した後、その企業の株価が上がりました。
  Kakushinteki na gijutsu no tokkyo o shutoku shita ato, sono kigyō no kabuka ga agarimashita.
  “After acquiring the patent of an innovative technology, the company’s stock price went up.”

交渉を有利に行う戦略 (kōshō o yūri ni okonau senryaku)
“a strategy to negotiate favorably”

3 – Advanced Medical Words 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
medical care	医療	いりょう	iryō
gene	遺伝子	いでんし	idenshi
immunity	免疫	めんえき	men’eki
artery	動脈	どうみゃく	dōmyaku
vein	静脈	じょうみゃく	jōmyaku
blood  transfusion	輸血	ゆけつ	yuketsu
spinal cord	脊髄	せきずい	sekizui
radioactive ray	放射線	ほうしゃせん	hōshasen
medical treatment / therapy	治療	ちりょう	chiryō
department of surgery	外科	げか	geka
internal medicine	内科	ないか	naika
symptom	症状	しょうじょう	shōjō
infection	感染	かんせん	kansen
inflammation	炎症	えんしょう	enshō
fit / spasm / seizure	発作	ほっさ	hossa
paralysis / palsy	麻痺	まひ	mahi
coma	昏睡	こんすい	konsui
tumor	腫瘍	しゅよう	shuyō
bruise	ー	あざ	aza
vomiting	嘔吐	おうと	ōto
diarrhea	下痢	げり	geri
pneumonia	肺炎	はいえん	haien
cancer	癌	がん	gan

Examples:

• 日本の医療システムは国民健康保険で成り立っています。
  Nihon no iryō shisutemu wa kokumin kenkō hoken de naritatte imasu.
  “The Japanese medical system works with National Health Insurance.”

• 昨日から嘔吐と下痢の症状があります。
  Kinō kara ōto to geri no shōjō ga arimasu.
  “I have had the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea since yesterday.”

• その男性は発作を起こして昏睡状態になりました。
  Sono dansei wa hossa o okoshite konsui jōtai ni narimashita.
  “The man had a seizure and went into a coma.”

放射線治療で癌を治す (hōshasen chiryō de gan o naosu)
“cure cancer with radiation therapy”

4 – Advanced Legal Words 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
arrest	逮捕	たいほ	taiho
detention / custody	拘留	こうりゅう	kōryū
prosecution / indictment	起訴	きそ	kiso
probation / suspension of sentence	執行猶予	しっこうゆうよ	shikkō yūyo
arbitration / mediation	調停	ちょうてい	chōtei
trial	裁判	さいばん	saiban
court	裁判所	さいばんしょ	saibansho
judge	裁判官	さいばんかん	saibankan
plaintiff / accuser	原告	げんこく	genkoku
defendant / accused	被告	ひこく	hikoku
public prosecutor	検察官	けんさつかん	kensatsukan
imprisonment / penal servitude	懲役	ちょうえき	chōeki
appeal	控訴	こうそ	kōso
detention center / jail	拘置所	こうちしょ	kōchisho
prison	刑務所	けいむしょ	keimusho
death penalty / capital punishment	死刑	しけい	shikei
fraud	詐欺	さぎ	sagi
bribery	賄賂	わいろ	wairo
tax evasion	脱税	だつぜい	datsuzei
forgery / falsification / counterfeiting	偽造	ぎぞう	gizō
threatening / intimidation	脅迫	きょうはく	kyōhaku
theft / stealing	窃盗	せっとう	settō
assault / act of violence	暴行	ぼうこう	bōkō
murder / homicide	殺人	さつじん	satsujin

Examples:

• 彼は懲役５年執行猶予３年の判決を受けました。
  Kare wa chōeki go-nen shikkō yūyo san-nen no hanketsu o ukemashita.
  “He was sentenced to five years in prison suspended for three years.”

• あの会社の元社長は脱税罪で刑務所にいます。
  Ano kaisha no moto shachō wa datsuzeizai de keimusho ni imasu.
  “The former president of that company is in prison for tax evasion.”

•  日本には死刑制度があります。
  Nihon ni wa shikei seido ga arimasu.
  “Japan has the death penalty system.”

裁判官の判決 (saibankan no hanketsu)
“judgment by a judge”

To review the basic Japanese nouns, please check out our blog post titled Guide to the Top 100+ Japanese Nouns.

2. Verbs – 動詞 (Dōshi)

Below, we have divided the most important advanced Japanese verbs into two groups: general verbs and those that are formed using the word する(suru) – “do.”

1 – General Verbs

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
force / compel	強いる	しいる	shiiru
range / lie in a line / stretch out	連なる	つらなる	tsuranaru
go through / pierce	貫く	つらぬく	tsuranuku
rub / chafe	擦れる	すれる	sureru
judge	裁く	さばく	sabaku
dedicate / commit / give	捧げる	ささげる	sasageru
prosper	栄える	さかえる	sakaeru
prohibit / ban	禁じる	きんじる	kinjiru
endure / bear / tolerate / withstand	耐える	たえる	taeru
deal / treat / handle	取り扱う	とりあつかう	toriatsukau
accompany / entail	伴う	ともなう	tomonau
nod	頷く	うなずく	unazuku
influence / affect / exert / cause	及ぼす	およぼす	oyobosu
become weak / become old	衰える	おとろえる	otoroeru
control / regulate /  manage	取り締まる	とりしまる	torishimaru
investigate / examine	取り調べる	とりしらべる	torishiraberu
remove	取り除く	とりのぞく	torinozoku
be made up of / consist of / be composed of	成り立つ	なりたつ	naritatsu
install / attach	備え付ける	そなえつける	sonaetsukeru

Examples:

• その地位は重大な責任を伴う。
  Sono chii wa jūdai na sekinin o tomonau.
  “The position entails grave responsibility.”

• この古い建物は大きな地震に耐えてきた。
  Kono furui tatemono wa ōkina jishin ni taete kita.
  “This old building has withstood big earthquakes.”

• 警察は彼を賄賂の疑いで取り調べた。
  Keisatsu wa kare o wairo no utagai de torishirabeta.
  “Police investigated him on suspicion of bribery.”

アンテナを備え付ける (antena o sonaetsukeru)
“install an antenna”

2 – Verbs Formed Using [ Noun + する (suru) ] 

This type of Japanese verb is formed with the following pattern: 

• [ Noun ] + [ する (suru) – “do” ]

For example:

•  運動する(undō suru) – “to exercise” 
  • 運動 (undō) – “exercise” + する (suru) – “do”

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
fermentate	発酵する	はっこうする	hakkō suru
make use of / have a command	駆使する	くしする	kushi suru
vibrate	振動する	しんどうする	shindō suru
bear (a cost, a responsibility, etc.)	負担する	ふたんする	futan suru
deploy / lay out	配置する	はいちする	haichi suru
shut down / lock out	閉鎖する	へいさする	heisa suru
evacuate	避難する	ひなんする	hinan suru
criticize / blame / condemn	非難する	ひなんする	hinan suru
intervene / interfere	干渉する	かんしょうする	kanshō suru
collapse / break down	崩壊する	ほうかいする	hōkai suru

Examples:

• ブドウを発酵させてワインを作ります。
  Budō o hakkō sasete wain o tsukurimasu.
  “Ferment the grapes to make wine.”

• その建物は人々が避難した後に崩壊した。
  Sono tatemono wa hitobito ga hinan shita ato ni hōkai shita.
  “The building collapsed after people evacuated.”

• 私が車の修理費を負担します。
  Watashi ga kuruma no shūrihi o futan shimasu.
  “I will bear the car repair cost.”

To review the basics regarding Japanese verbs, please check out our articles The 100+ Most Common Japanese Verbs and Japanese Verb Conjugations.

エンジンが振動する (enjin ga shindō suru)
“engine vibrates”

3. Adjectives – 形容詞 (Keiyōshi)

As you approach an advanced level in Japanese, you should start strengthening your vocabulary with more nuanced descriptive words. Below is a list of Japanese adjectives to get you started. 

1 – I Adjectives

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
suitable / appropriate / compatible	相応しい	ふさわしい	fusawashii
delusive / misleading / confusing	紛らわしい	まぎらわしい	magirawashii
grateful	有難い	ありがたい	arigatai
brave/ courageous	勇ましい	いさましい	isamashii
shameful / pitiful	情けない	なさけない	nasakenai
equal	等しい	ひとしい	hitoshii
regrettable	惜しい	おしい	oshii
great	偉い	えらい	erai
dangerous / critical	危うい	あやうい	ayaui
hurried / busy / frantic	慌しい	あわただしい	awatadashii
impudent / shameless	図々しい	ずうずうしい	zūzūshii
quick	素早い	すばやい	subayai
incredible / enormous / dreadful	物凄い	ものすごい	monosugoi
odious / hateful	憎らしい	にくらしい	nikurashii
chilly	肌寒い	はだざむい	hadazamui
careful / cautious / vigilant	用心深い	ようじんぶかい	yōjinbukai
extreme / terrible	甚だしい	はなはだしい	hanahadashii

Examples:

• これはあなたに相応しい車です。
  Kore wa anata ni fusawashii kuruma desu.
  “This is a suitable car for you.”

• 今日は慌ただしい一日でした。
  Kyō wa awatadashii ichinichi deshita.
  “Today was a very frantic day.”

• 彼はとても用心深い男で、人を簡単に信用しない。
  Kare wa totemo yōjinbukai otoko de, hito o kantan ni shin’yō shinai.
  “He is a very cautious man, and he does not trust people easily.”

2 – NA Adjectives

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
immature	未熟	みじゅく	mijuku
thoughtless / careless	軽率	けいそつ	keisotsu
generous	寛容	かんよう	kan’yō
essential / main point	肝心	かんじん	kanjin
depressed / melancholic / gloomy	憂鬱	ゆううつ	yūtsu
sensitive	敏感	びんかん	binkan
quick / rapid / prompt	迅速	じんそく	jinsoku
loyal	忠実	ちゅうじつ	chūjitsu
cruel	残酷	ざんこく	zankoku
detailed	詳細	しょうさい	shōsai

Examples:

• 私はいつも肝心なところで失敗する。
  Watashi wa itsumo kanjin na tokoro de shippai suru.
  “I always fail where it matters.”

• この化粧品は敏感な肌に適しています。
  Kono keshōhin wa binkan na hada ni tekishite imasu.
  “This cosmetic is suitable for sensitive skin.”

• 自然破壊が進む残酷な現実に目を向けなければならない。
  Shizen hakai ga susumu zankoku na genjitsu ni me o mukenakereba naranai.
  “We must face the cruel reality of the destruction of nature.”

仕事で失敗した憂鬱な日 (shigoto de shippai shita yūtsu na hi)
“a gloomy day that failed at work”

To review the basics of Japanese adjectives, please check out Learn the Top 100 Essential Japanese Adjectives and -I vs. -NA Adjectives in Japanese on our blog.

4. Adverbs – 副詞 (Fukushi)

Another set of words you’ll need to add to your advanced Japanese vocabulary is adverbs. You likely know a few of these already, but below is a list of more refined adverbs you can start practicing right away. 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
at once / right away / promptly / suddenly	咄嗟に	とっさに	tossa ni
just as one thought / as usual	案の定	あんのじょう	annojō
by far / far off	遥かに	はるかに	haruka ni
indeed / truly / certainly	如何にも	いかにも	ikanimo
taking the trouble to do / intentionally	ー	わざわざ	wazawaza
dare to do / not necessarily to do	敢えて	あえて	aete
above all	何より	なにより	naniyori
quite / reasonably / fairly	結構	けっこう	kekkō
once / before / never before	ー	かつて	katsute
in spite of / regardless of​	ー	かかわらず	kakawarazu
as it is / as you are	ー	ありのまま	arinomama
naturally	当たり前に	あたりまえに	atarimae ni
vaguely / ambiguously	ー	あやふやに	ayafuya ni
easily / lightly	ー	あっさり	assari
properly / neatly	ー	きちんと	kichinto
thoughtlessly / recklessly	ー	むやみに	muyami ni
quite / very (emphasizing a size, frequency, etc.)	ー	ごく	goku

Examples:

• 問い詰められて私は咄嗟に嘘をついた。
  Toitsumerarete watashi wa tossa ni uso o tsuita.
  “Being pressed for an answer, I lied promptly.”

• 敢えてそうする訳を教えてください。
  Aete sō suru wake o oshiete kudasai.
  “Please tell me why you dare to do so.”

• ごくわずかな違いで結果が大きく変わります。
  Goku wazuka na chigai de kekka ga ōkiku kawarimasu.
  “A very subtle difference greatly changes the result.”

きちんとお辞儀する (kichinto ojigi suru)
“bow properly”

5. Alternative Words for Greater Sophistication

Whether you aim to get higher scores on writing exams or you want to write proper sentences for official documents, using high-level vocabulary and the appropriate expressions will refine your writing. 

In Japanese, many basic words have more nuanced or formal synonyms. A great example of these advanced counterparts are 熟語 Jukugo (Kanji compounds), which are combinations of different Kanji that create words at different levels of difficulty and specify a meaning.

In addition, having a good command of 敬語 Keigo (“honorific language”) in Japanese is a sign of being at an advanced level, which is essential for official occasions and business settings.  

In this section, you’ll learn the more sophisticated counterparts of simple Japanese words, including frequently used Keigo.  

1 – Alternative Verbs

	English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
生むうむ (umu)to give birth / to generate / to produce	to be born	出生する	しゅっしょうする	shusshō suru
	to be born	誕生する	たんじょうする	tanjō suru
	to derive / to generate from something	派生する	はせいする	hasei suru
	to produce / to yield	産出する	さんしゅつする	sanshutsu suru
	to generate	生成する	せいせいする	seisei suru

始めるはじめる (hajimeru)to start / to begin	to begin / to commence	開始する	かいしする	kaishi suru
	to start / to initiate	始動する	しどうする	shidō suru
	to start / to undertake	着手する	ちゃくしゅする	chakushu suru
	to start / to get down to / to set about	取りかかる	とりかかる	torikakaru
	to start / to set up / to be established	発足する	ほっそくする	hossoku suru

言ういう (iu)to say	to say / to state	述べる	のべる	noberu
	to speak	発言する	はつげんする	hatsugen suru
	to mention / to refer to	言及する	げんきゅうする	genkyū suru

見るみる (miru)to see / to look / to watch	to view / to browse	閲覧する	えつらんする	etsuran suru
	to stare / to gaze	凝視する	ぎょうしする	gyōshi suru
	to watch / to look carefully	注視する	ちゅうしする	chūshi suru
	to see / to visit (a temple, a shrine, etc.)	拝観する	はいかんする	haikan suru

食べるたべる (taberu)to eat	to eat	食す	しょくす	shokusu
	to eat / to take in	摂取する	せっしゅする	sesshu suru

書くかく (kaku)to write	to write (a thesis, a book, etc.)	執筆する	しっぴつする	shippitsu suru
	to write / to transcribe / to take notes	筆記する	ひっきする	hikki suru

読むよむ (yomu)to read	to read (books)	読書する	どくしょする	dokusho suru
	to read well or thoroughly	熟読する	じゅくどくする	jukudoku suru
	to read carefully	精読する	せいどくする	seidoku suru

描くえがく (egaku)to draw / to paint / to depict	to depict / to portray	描写する	びょうしゃする	byōsha suru
	to imitate and draw	模写する	もしゃする	mosha suru

比べるくらべる (kuraberu)to compare	to compare	比較する	ひかくする	hikaku suru
	to compare and check each other	照らし合わせる	てらしあわせる	terashiawaseru

調べるしらべる (shiraberu)to search / to look up / to examine	to examine / to investigate	調査する	ちょうさする	chōsa suru
	to examine / to inspect	検査する	けんさする	kensa suru
	to check / to inspect	点検する	てんけんする	tenken suru

Examples:

• 彼は新しい本を書き始めた。          →   彼は新しい本の執筆に着手した。
  Kare wa atarashii hon o kakihajimeta.    Kare wa atarashii hon no shippitsu ni chakushu shita.
  “He started writing a new book.”

• 実験結果の違いを比べます。　　　　　→      実験結果の違いを比較します。
  Jikken kekka no chigai o kurabemasu.　　　   Jikken kekka no chigai o hikaku shimasu.
  “Compare the differences in the experimental results.”

• 車の調子が悪いので、エンジンを調べてください。        →  車の調子が悪いので、エンジンを点検してください。
  Kuruma no chōshi ga warui node, enjin o shirabete kudasai.     Kuruma no chōshi ga warui node, enjin o tenken shite kudasai.
  “The car has a problem, so please check the engine.”

2 – Alternative Adjectives & Adverbs

	English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
今いま (ima)now	now / present	現在	げんざい	genzai
今日きょう (kyō)today	today	本日	ほんじつ	honjitsu
前にまえに (mae ni)before	before / earlier / back in the past	以前	いぜん	izen
後であとで (ato de)later	later on /  afterwards	後ほど	のちほど	nochihodo
この先このさき (kono saki)from this time on	from now on / in the future / hereafter	今後	こんご	kongo
簡単にかんたんに (kantan ni)easily	easily	容易に	よういに	yōi ni
もっと(motto)more	what is more / furthermore / moreover	更に	さらに	sara ni
	even more / all the more	より一層	よりいっそう	yori issō
本当にほんとうに (hontō ni)really	really / truly	正に	まさに	masani
それぞれ(sorezore)each	each	各々	おのおの	ono’ono
まだ(mada)yet / still	as yet / still	依然として	いぜんとして	izen toshite
少しすこし (sukoshi)a little / a few	a little / a small quantity	少々	しょうしょう	shōshō

Examples:

• 後で資料を送ります。          　　→   後ほど資料を送信します。
  Ato de shiryō o okurimasu.                Nochihodo shiryō o sōshin shimasu.
  “I will send the document later.”

• 原因はまだはっきりしない。　　　　→      原因は依然としてはっきりしない。
  Gen’in wa mada hakkiri shinai.        　　       Gen’in wa izen toshite hakkiri shinai.   
  “The cause is still unclear.”

• 少し待ってください。          →   少々お待ちください。
  Sukoshi matte kudasai.     　　　Shōshō o-machi kudasai.
  “Please wait for a moment.”

3 – 敬語 (Keigo) [Japanese Honorific Language]

Meaning	Keigo	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
見るみる (miru)look / watch / see	Respectful	ご覧になる	ごらんになる	goran ni naru
	Humble	拝見する	はいけんする	haiken suru
食べるたべる (taberu)eat	Respectful	召し上がる	めしあがる	meshiagaru
	Humble	頂く	いただく	itadaku
言ういう (iu)say	Respectful	ー	おっしゃる	ossharu
	Humble	申す申し上げる	もうすもうしあげる	mōsumōshiageru
いる(iru)be there / exist	Respectful	ー	いらっしゃる	irassharu
	Humble	ー	おる	oru
する(suru)do	Respectful	ー	なさる	nasaru
	Humble	ー	いたす	itasu
行くいく (iku)go	Respectful	ー	いらっしゃる	irassharu
	Humble	参る	まいる	mairu
くれる (kureru)give me/us	Respectful	ー	くださる	kudasaru
	Humble	ー	ー	ー
あげる (ageru)give someone something	Respectful	ー	ー	ー
	Humble	差し上げる	さしあげる	sashiageru
知るしる (shiru)know	Respectful	ご存じ	ごぞんじ	gozonji
	Humble	存じ上げる	ぞんじあげる	zonjiageru
聞くきく (kiku)ask / listen	Respectful	お聞きになる	おききになる	o-kiki ni naru
	Humble	伺う	うかがう	ukagau

Examples:

• [Normal Polite] 彼は流れ星を見ました。  Kare wa nagareboshi o mimashita.    
  　　　　　　　(“He saw a shooting star.”)
  
  [Respectful]  こちらのデータをご覧ください。Kochira no dēta o goran kudasai.
  　　　　　　 (“Please look at this data.”)
  
  [Humble]  求人広告を拝見し、応募いたしました。Kyūjin kōkoku o haiken shi, ōbo itashimashita.
  　　　　　(“I saw the job advertisement and applied.”)

• [Normal Polite] 彼女は会議で意見を言いました。  Kanojo wa kaigi de iken o iimashita.    
  　　　　　　　(“She gave her opinion in the meeting.”)
  
  [Respectful]  社長は会議でご意見をおっしゃいました。Shachō wa kaigi de go-iken o osshaimashita.
  　　　　　　 (“The president gave her/his opinion in the meeting.”)
  
  [Humble]  私は会議で意見を申し上げました。   Watashi wa kaigi de iken o mōshiagemashita.
  　　　　　(“I gave my opinion in the meeting.”)

• [Normal Polite]  この新しい技術を知っていますか。  Kono atarashii gijutsu o shitte imasu ka.
  　　　　　 　　(“Do you know this new technology?”)
  
  [Respectful]  この新しい技術をご存じですか。  Kono atarashii gijutsu o gozonji desu ka.
  　　　　　 　(“Do you know this new technology?”)
  
  [Humble]  この新しい技術を存じ上げております。  Kono atarashii gijutsu o zonjiagete orimasu.
  　　　　　(“I know this new technology.”)

6. Conclusion

In this article, we introduced the most frequently used advanced Japanese words, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and sophisticated alternative words. Although the Kanji is difficult at this level, once you conquer it, you’ll be able to successfully work in Japan and watch any Japanese movie without stress!

If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language and pick up other useful Japanese phrases for different situations, you’ll find more helpful content on JapanesePod101.com. We provide a variety of free lessons to help you improve your Japanese-language skills. 

If you want to review and check your knowledge of the intermediate level, the following articles will be very useful: Intermediate Japanese Words, Essential Business Japanese, and Japanese Phone Phrases. On the other hand, if you’re ready to press onward, then we recommend visiting our advanced Japanese course. 

And there’s so much more! Learn Japanese faster and enjoy studying at JapanesePod101.com!

Before you go, let us know in the comments if there are Japanese words related to any specific topic you want to know! We’d be glad to help, and we look forward to hearing from you! 

So, you’ve already mastered the beginner level in Japanese? Congratulations! That means you know how to write Hiragana, Katakana, and the basic Kanji, as well as the basic grammar rules. Now you’re ready to level up to intermediate Japanese! 

At some point during your studies, you probably heard about the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test). This is a standardized test that evaluates the Japanese-language proficiency of non-native speakers, including their language knowledge (vocabulary/grammar), reading ability, and listening ability. Level N3 is equivalent to the intermediate level, and setting a goal for yourself to pass this level would be a good source of motivation to help you keep up your studies.

You faced the first challenge when you started learning Japanese, a language with a totally new set of characters and grammar rules from English. However, the beginner level is rewarding in that you can easily see your progress the more you study. On the other hand, the intermediate level is when things start getting hard—you need continuous effort and patience to make meaningful advances at this stage. Although the progress may seem very slow, you’ll steadily move forward as long as you don’t give up!

In this article, we’ll introduce a list of frequently used intermediate Japanese words, including larger numbers, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and even conjunctions and Japanese particles. Let’s start the journey toward conquering the next level here at JapanesePod101.com!

The Japanese intermediate level gets harder, but you can still have fun learning with JapanesePod101.com.

Table of Contents

1. Larger Numbers
2. Nouns – 名詞 (Meishi)
3. Verbs – 動詞 (Dōshi)
4. Adjectives – 形容詞 (Keiyōshi)
5. Adverbs – 副詞 (Fukushi)
6. Conjunctions – 接続詞 (Setsuzokushi)
7. Auxiliary Words and Particles – 助詞 (Joshi)
8. Conclusion

1. Larger Numbers　

Once you know the basic Japanese numbers, counting to larger numbers is fairly simple. We can easily express these numbers with Kanji using relatively few digits. 

Keep in mind, however, that we group larger numbers by every 10,000 (rather than every 1,000 like in Western counting). That said, when we do write the Arabic numbers in Japan, it’s common to use commas for every thousand just like it’s done in the West. 

Arabic Number	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
100	百	ひゃく	hyaku
1,000	千	せん	sen
10,000	万	まん	man
100,000	十万	じゅうまん	jū-man
1,000,000	百万	ひゃくまん	hyaku-man
10,000,000	千万	せんまん	sen-man
100,000,000	億	おく	oku
1,000,000,000	十億	じゅうおく	jū-oku
10,000,000,000	百億	ひゃくおく	hyaku-oku
100,000,000,000	千億	せんおく	sen-oku
1,000,000,000,000	兆	ちょう	chō

Number-related Vocabulary

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
number	数字	すうじ	sūji
calculation	計算	けいさん	keisan
arithmetic	算数	さんすう	sansū
mathematics	数学	すうがく	sūgaku
addition	足し算	たしざん	tashizan
subtraction	引き算	ひきざん	hikizan
multiplication	掛け算	かけざん	kakezan
division	割り算	わりざん	warizan

Examples:

• 私のいとこは宝くじで2億円を当てました。
  Watashi no itoko wa takarakuji de ni-oku-en o atemashita.
  “My cousin won 200 million Yen in the lottery.”

• 2020年の日本の国家予算は約103兆円です。
  Ni-sen ni-jū-nen no Nihon no kokka yosan wa yaku hyaku san-chō-en desu.
  “Japan’s national budget in 2020 was around 103 trillion Yen.”

• 私は毎日その日の利益を計算します。 
  Watashi wa mainichi sono hi no rieki o keisan shimasu.
  “I calculate the profit for the day every day.”

We can easily express larger numbers with Kanji.

2. Nouns – 名詞 (Meishi)

Our next set of intermediate Japanese vocabulary words will cover the most practical nouns in a range of categories. At this stage in your learning journey, picking up as many new nouns as possible will help you better express yourself and allow you to hold conversations on a greater number of topics. 

Time

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
sunrise	日の出	ひので	hinode
sunset	日没	にちぼつ	nichibotsu
instant (a very short moment)	一瞬	いっしゅん	isshun
a whole life / lifetime /  for life	一生	いっしょう	isshō
a time / while / one time	一時	いちじ	ichiji
a short period or term	短期	たんき	tanki
a medium-length period or term	中期	ちゅうき	chūki
a long period or term	長期	ちょうき	chōki
a school term / semester	学期	がっき	gakki
this time	今回	こんかい	konkai
hereafter / from now on / onward	今後	こんご	kongo

Examples:

• 夏は日の出が早く、日没が遅い。
  Natsu wa hinode ga hayaku, nichibotsu ga osoi.
  “In summer, the sunrise (time) is early and the sunset (time) is late.”

• 彼は短期目標を設定しました。
  Kare wa tanki mokuhyō o settei shimashita.
  “He has set a short-term goal.”

• 私は今後一切タバコを吸いません。 
  Watashi wa kongo issai tabako o suimasen.
  “I will never smoke cigarettes from now on.”

2. People

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
individual	個人	こじん	kojin
group	集団	しゅうだん	shūdan
citizen	市民	しみん	shimin
people (of a country) or  nation	国民	こくみん	kokumin
man / boy / male	男子	だんし	danshi
woman / girl / female	女子	じょし	joshi
infant	幼児	ようじ	yōji
young man / young people / youth	青年	せいねん	seinen
elderly	年配	ねんぱい	nenpai
old person / the aged	老人	ろうじん	rōjin
stranger / others	他人	たにん	tanin
colleague / coworker	同僚	どうりょう	dōryō
boss / superior	上司	じょうし	jōshi
subordinate	部下	ぶか	buka
employee / staff	社員	しゃいん	shain
president / head (of a company)	社長	しゃちょう	shachō

Examples:

• 国民の三大義務は、教育、労働、納税です。
  Kokumin no sandai gimu wa, kyōiku, rōdō, nōzei desu.
  “The three major duties of the people in Japan are education, labor, and paying taxes.”

• あの青年は老人介護施設で働いています。
  Ano seinen wa rōjin kaigo shisetsu de hataraite imasu.
  “That young man works at a nursing home for the elderly.”

• 私の目標は起業して社長になることです。 
  Watashi no mokuhyō wa kigyō shite shachō ni naru koto desu.
  “My goal is to start a business and become president.”

To learn more work-related vocabulary words with audio, we recommend you check out our wordlists Jobs / Work and Workplace.

昼休みに同僚と雑談する (hiruyasumi ni dōryō to zatsudan suru)
“chat with colleagues during lunch break”

3. Other Nouns

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
start / beginning	開始	かいし	kaishi
end / close / termination	終了	しゅうりょう	shūryō
stop / suspension	停止	ていし	teishi
base / fundament / standard	基本	きほん	kihon
basis / foundation	基礎	きそ	kiso
(practical) application	応用	おうよう	ōyō
input / entry / filling in / filling out	記入	きにゅう	kinyū
article	記事	きじ	kiji
right	権利	けんり	kenri
rules / regulations	規則	きそく	kisoku
law	法律	ほうりつ	hōritsu
accounting	会計	かいけい	kaikei
business / commerce	商売	しょうばい	shōbai
profit	利益	りえき	rieki
product	製品	せいひん	seihin
lack / shortage / deficiency	不足	ふそく	fusoku
income	収入	しゅうにゅう	shūnyū
documents	書類	しょるい	shorui
cooperation / collaboration	協力	きょうりょく	kyōryoku
satisfaction / contentment	満足	まんぞく	manzoku
dissatisfaction	不満	ふまん	fuman

Examples:

• 開始と終了の時間に、ベルが鳴ります。
  Kaishi to shūryō no jikan ni, beru ga narimasu.
  “The bell rings at the start and end times.”

• 法律に基づき、18歳以上の国民は投票する権利があります。
  Hōritsu ni motozuki, jū hassai ijō no kokumin wa tōhyō suru kenri ga arimasu.
  “By law, citizens over 18 years old have the right to vote.”

• パンデミックの影響で、衛生製品が不足しています。 
  Pandemikku no eikyō de, eisei seihin ga fusoku shite imasu.
  “Due to the influence of the pandemic, there is a shortage of hygiene products.”

書類に記入する (shorui ni kinyū suru)
“fill out the document”

To learn more Japanese nouns, please check out Guide to the Top 100+ Japanese Nouns on our website. 

3. Verbs – 動詞 (Dōshi)

Verbs, like nouns, make up a huge chunk of any language’s vocabulary. At the beginner level, you picked up a number of useful action words and auxiliaries to get your point across—but as you approach the intermediate level, you may find yourself needing more advanced verbs to clearly express your thoughts. Below is a list to get you started.

General Verbs

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
to encounter / to meet / to come across	出会う	であう	deau
to remove / to undo	外す	はずす	hazusu
to like / to be pleased with	気に入る	きにいる	ki ni iru
to fall down / to fall over	転ぶ	ころぶ	korobu
to receive	受け取る	うけとる	uketoru
to take (something) out	取り出す	とりだす	toridasu
to divide / to split / to separate	分ける	わける	wakeru
to give up	諦める	あきらめる	akirameru
to lose interest in / to get tired of	飽きる	あきる	akiru
to be enough / to be sufficient	足りる	たりる	tariru
to remain / to be in excess	余る	あまる	amaru
to appear / to show up / to turn up	現れる	あらわれる	arawareru
to express / to show	表す	あらわす	arawasu
to treat / to handle / to deal with	扱う	あつかう	atsukau
to put together / to combine / to add to / to match	合わせる	あわせる	awaseru
to deposit / to consign / to entrust	預ける	あずける	azukeru
to touch	触れる	ふれる	fureru
to shake / to tremble / to vibrate / to shudder / to shiver	震える	ふるえる	furueru
to prevent / to guard against	防ぐ	ふせぐ	fusegu
to wear (trousers, skirt, shoes) / to put on	履く	はく	haku
to discuss	話し合う	はなしあう	hanashiau
to separate / to keep apart / to isolate	離す	はなす	hanasu
to release / to free / to let go	放す	はなす	hanasu
to decrease	減る	へる	heru
to pull	引く	ひく	hiku
to celebrate	祝う	いわう	iwau
to dislike	嫌がる	いやがる	iyagaru
to be concerned with / to engage in / to be related to	関わる	かかわる	kakawaru
to hide	隠す	かくす	kakusu
to earn / to make money	稼ぐ	かせぐ	kasegu
to pile up / to put on top of one another	重ねる	かさねる	kasaneru
to shine / to sparkle	輝く	かがやく	kagayaku
to repeat	繰り返す	くりかえす	kurikaesu
to stretch / to get longer / to grow	伸びる	のびる	nobiru
to remove / to get rid of / to exclude	除く	のぞく	nozoku

Examples:

• 諦めたらそこで試合は終了です。
  Akirametara soko de shiai wa shūryō desu.
  “If you give up, the game ends there.”

• あなたに預けた書類を受け取りに来ました。
  Anata ni azuketa shorui o uketori ni kimashita.
  “I came to pick up the documents I entrusted to you.”

• 彼は彼女に関わることを嫌がった。 
  Kare wa kanojo ni kakawaru koto o iyagatta.
  “He disliked getting involved with her.”

[ Noun + する (suru) ] Verbs 

This type of Japanese verb is formed by using this pattern: noun + する (suru). You may remember that する (suru) means “do,” and in this case, we use it to create verbs. For example: 

• 期待する (kitai suru) or “to expect” = 期待 (kitai) “expectation” + する (suru) “do” 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
to go out	外出する	がいしゅつする	gaishutsu suru
to make (an) effort	努力する	どりょくする	doryoku suru
to memorize / to store data	記憶する	きおくする	kioku suru
to expect / to hope to	期待する	きたいする	kitai suru
to grow (up)	成長する	せいちょうする	seichō suru
to lack	不足する	ふそくする	fusoku suru
to match / to coincide	一致する	いっちする	itchi suru
to agree with / to support (a measure)	賛成する	さんせいする	sansei suru
to oppose / to object	反対する	はんたいする	hantai suru
to concentrate	集中する	しゅうちゅうする	shūchū suru
to import	輸入する	ゆにゅうする	yunyū suru
to export	輸出する	ゆしゅつする	yushutsu suru
to sell	販売する	はんばいする	hanbai suru
to zoom / to enlarge / to expand	拡大する	かくだいする	kakudai suru
to shrink / to reduce / to diminish	縮小する	しゅくしょうする	syukushō suru

Examples:

• 彼は彼女に会えることを期待して外出しました。 
  Kare wa kanojo ni aeru koto o kitai shite gaishutsu shimashita.
  “He went out hoping to see her.”

• この会社は日本茶を海外へ輸出して、世界中で販売しています。
  Kono kaisha wa nihoncha o kaigai e yushutsu shite, sekaijū de hanbai shite imasu.
  “This company exports Japanese tea overseas and sells it all over the world.”

• 勉強する時はテレビを消して集中しなさい。 
  Benkyō suru toki wa terebi o keshite shūchū shinasai.
  “When you study, turn off the TV and concentrate.”

To learn more about Japanese verbs, please check out our articles The 100+ Most Common Japanese Verbs and Ultimate Japanese Verb Conjugation Guide.

努力して試験に合格 (doryoku shite shiken ni gōkaku)
“passing the exam by making an effort”

4. Adjectives – 形容詞 (Keiyōshi)

As a beginner, you probably spent most of your time memorizing nouns, verbs, and practical sentence patterns. But once you have the basics down, picking up a few common adjectives can help you enrich your conversations and add flavor to your writing. Below, we’ve listed the most useful adjectives for intermediate Japanese learners. 

i-Adjectives

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
intense / hard / violent / fierce / furious	激しい	はげしい	hageshii
nostalgic / dear	懐かしい	なつかしい	natsukashii
shameful / pitiful / miserable	情けない	なさけない	nasakenai
frightening / terrifying / fearful	恐ろしい	おそろしい	osoroshii
persistent / insistent	ー	しつこい	shitsukoi
powerful	力強い	ちからづよい	chikarazuyoi
smart / wise / clever	賢い	かしこい	kashikoi
childlike / childish / infant	幼い	おさない	osanai
hard / tough / painful / bitter	辛い	つらい	tsurai
jealous / envious	羨ましい	うらやましい	urayamashii
loose / lax	緩い	ゆるい	yurui
equal / equivalent	等しい	ひとしい	hitoshii
itchy	痒い	かゆい	kayui
noisy	騒がしい	さわがしい	sawagashii
funny	可笑しい	おかしい	okashii
empty / void / fruitless	空しい	むなしい	munashii
refreshing / refreshed	清々しい	すがすがしい	sugasugashii
menial / vulgar / greedy	卑しい	いやしい	iyashii
lovely / adorable	可愛らしい	かわいらしい	kawairashii
missed / longed for	恋しい	こいしい	koishii
smelly / stinky	臭い	くさい	kusai
tight / hard / tough	ー	きつい	kitsui
detailed	詳しい	くわしい	kuwashii
regretful / mortifying	悔しい	くやしい	kuyashii
dazzling / bright	眩しい	まぶしい	mabushii
poor	貧しい	まずしい	mazushii
gentle / mild / quiet	大人しい	おとなしい	otonashii
fortunately / luckily	幸い	さいわい	saiwai
sharp	鋭い	するどい	surudoi
dull / slow	鈍い	にぶい	nibui
rough / harsh / wild	荒い	あらい	arai

Examples:

• 台風の影響で激しい雨が降っています。 
  Taifū no eikyō de hageshii ame ga futte imasu.
  “It is raining hard due to the typhoon.”

• 公園で可愛らしい女の子が一人で遊んでいました。
  Kōen de kawairashii onnanoko ga hitori de asonde imashita.
  “The adorable girl was playing alone in the park.”

• 彼は大人しいが、鋭い洞察力を持っています。 
  Kare wa otonashii ga, surudoi dōsatsuryoku o motte imasu.
  “He is quiet but has keen insight.”

太陽が眩しい。 (Taiyō ga mabushii.)
“The sun is bright.”

na-Adjectives

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
serious / earnest	真面目	まじめ	majime
eager / zealous / ardent	熱心	ねっしん	nesshin
advantageous	有利	ゆうり	yūri
flat / even	平ら	たいら	taira
troublesome / cumbersome	厄介	やっかい	yakkai
rich / abundant / fertile	豊か	ゆたか	yutaka
luxurious	贅沢	ぜいたく	zeitaku
slight / subtle	僅か	わずか	wazuka
obstructive	邪魔	じゃま	jama
obvious	明らか	あきらか	akiraka
troublesome / annoying / unwelcome	迷惑	めいわく	meiwaku
troublesome / onerous / perplexing	面倒	めんどう	mendō

Examples:

• この箱は平らな所に置いてください。 
  Kono hako wa taira na tokoro ni oite kudasai.
  “Please place this box on a flat surface.”

• 私は僅かな可能性があれば、希望を捨てない。
  Watashi wa wazuka na kanōsei ga areba, kibō o sutenai.
  “I will not lose hope if there is a slight possibility.”

• 彼は明らかな間違いを犯しました。 
  Kare wa akiraka na machigai o okashimashita.
  “He made an obvious mistake.”

To learn more about Japanese adjectives, please check out our articles Learn the Top 100 Essential Japanese Adjectives and -I vs. -NA Adjectives in Japanese.

5. Adverbs – 副詞 (Fukushi)

While adjectives describe nouns, adverbs provide additional information about verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. At this stage in your learning journey, having a few Japanese adverbs up your sleeve will allow you to give more detailed descriptions of events and help your writing flow more smoothly. 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
at once / immediately / promptly / right away	早速	さっそく	sassoku
as … as possible	ー	なるべく	narubeku
carelessly / thoughtlessly	ー	うっかり	ukkari
probably / presumably	恐らく	おそらく	osoraku
quite / pretty	ー	かなり	kanari
approximately / about / roughly	ー	およそ	oyoso
just like / as if	ー	まるで	marude
abruptly / suddenly	急に	きゅうに	kyū ni
rather	ー	むしろ	mushiro
kind of / sort of / fairly / reasonably	ー	なかなか	nakanaka
what is more / furthermore / moreover	更に	さらに	sara ni
already	既に	すでに	sude ni
for some time / for a while	暫く	しばらく	shibaraku
surely / definitely / indeed	確かに	たしかに	tashika ni
rather / quite a	随分	ずいぶん	zuibun
at one time / at once / all at once	一度に	いちどに	ichi-do ni
all / whole	全て	すべて	subete
desperately / frantically	必死に	ひっしに	hisshi ni
deliberately / on purpose	ー	わざと	wazato
increasingly / more and more	益々	ますます	masumasu
one after another	次々と	つぎつぎと	tsugitsugi to
anytime / at all times	ー	いつでも	itsu demo
before one is aware / before one knows	いつの間にか	いつのまにか	itsunomanika
indeed / really	実に	じつに	jitsu ni
as it is	ー	そのまま	sonomama
each / respectively	ー	それぞれ	sorezore
sometimes	時々	ときどき	tokidoki
always / at all times / constantly	常に	つねに	tsune ni
suddenly	突然	とつぜん	totsuzen
in/at the beginning	始めに	はじめに	hajime ni
early / earlier / ahead of time	早めに	はやめに	hayame ni
before long / shortly	間もなく	まもなく	mamonaku
at least	少なくとも	すくなくとも	sukunakutomo
by chance / accidentally / unintentionally	ー	たまたま	tamatama
in particular / particularly	別に	べつに	betsu ni
anyways / in any case	ー	とにかく	tonikaku
by all means	ー	どうしても	dōshitemo
again / once again	再び	ふたたび	futatabi
together	共に	ともに	tomo ni
a short while ago / a moment ago	先程	さきほど	sakihodo

Examples:

• なるべく早く返信してください。 
  Narubeku hayaku henshin shite kudasai.
  “Please reply as soon as possible.”q145

• 間もなく電車が到着します。
  Mamonaku densha ga tōchaku shimasu.
  “The train will arrive shortly.”

• 私は別にこれを欲しくない。 
  Watashi wa betsu ni kore o hoshikunai.
  “I don’t want this in particular.”

次々と良い案が浮かぶ (tsugitsugi to ii an ga ukabu)
“come up with good ideas one after another”

6. Conjunctions – 接続詞 (Setsuzokushi)

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
finally / at last	遂に	ついに	tsuini
to sum up / in short / in a word	ー	つまり	tsumari
therefore / accordingly / consequently	従って	したがって	shitagatte
so / therefore / hence	ー	ゆえに	yueni
therefore / wherefore	ー	それゆえに	soreyueni
and then	ー	すると	suruto
however	ー	しかしながら	shikashinagara
and yet / but even so	ー	それなのに	sorenanoni
nevertheless / in spite of	それにも関わらず	それにもかかわらず	sorenimo kakawarazu
having said that	とは言うものの	とはいうものの	towa iumonono
and / as well as	及び	および	oyobi
besides / moreover / also	ー	かつ	katsu
and also / both…and	並びに	ならびに	narabini
first / first of all	最初に	さいしょに	saisho ni
next / secondly	次に	つぎに	tsugi ni
at last / finally	最後に	さいごに	saigo ni
moreover / besides / on top of	ー	しかも	shikamo
in addition	加えて	くわえて	kuwaete
moreover / in addition	その上で	そのうえで	sonouede
on the one hand	一方	いっぽう	ippō
conversely / contrarily	逆に	ぎゃくに	gyaku ni
while / on the other hand	反面	はんめん	hanmen
the reason why is / because	なぜかと言うと	なぜかというと	naze ka to iu to
still / yet / even	ー	なお	nao
on the condition that…	ー	ただし	tadashi
by the way	ー	ちなみに	chinamini
in truth / in fact	実は	じつは	jitsu wa
namely / that is to say	ー	すなわち	sunawachi
in short / in a word /to sum up	要するに	ようするに	yōsuruni
especially / in particular	特に	とくに	tokuni
above all / in particular	ー	とりわけ	toriwake
anyhow / in any case / either way / anyway	ー	いずれにしても	izurenishitemo
anyways / above all things	ー	ともあれ	tomoare
then / if that is the case	ー	それでは	soredewa

Examples:

• 従って、規則によりこれは無効となります。 
  Shitagatte, kisoku ni yori kore wa mukō to narimasu.
  “Therefore, this is invalid according to regulation.”

• レストランは12時に閉まります。なお、ラストオーダーは11時です。
  Resutoran wa jū ni-ji ni shimarimasu. Nao, rasuto ōdā wa jū ichi-ji desu.
  “The restaurant closes at twelve. Yet, the last order is at eleven.”

• いずれにしても、納期は守ってください。 
  Izurenishitemo, nōki wa mamotte kudasai.
  “In any case, please keep the delivery date.”

いずれにしても、来月は赤字になりそうです。
Izurenishitemo, raigetsu wa akaji ni narisō desu.
“In any case, it looks like it will be in the red next month.”

7. Auxiliary Words and Particles – 助詞 (Joshi)

Japanese particles, or 助詞 (joshi), are suffixes or short words that follow a modified noun, verb, adjective, or sentence. Particles play a very important role in Japanese grammar because even a slight difference in this regard could change the meaning/nuance of a sentence. Memorizing and becoming familiar with how to use these particles is a great way to start improving your Japanese as an intermediate learner. 

English	Hiragana	Reading
the more…the more	ば…ほど	ba…hodo
would have / should have	ば…のに	ba…noni
degree / extent	ほど	hodo
is not as…as	ほど…ない	hodo…nai
no matter how	いくら…ても	ikura…te mo
through / from [A] to [B]	[A]から[B]にかけて	[A] kara [B] ni kakete
only / just / since / after	…きり	…kiri
for sure (emphasizes the preceding word)	…こそ	…koso
if / suppose	もしも…たら	moshimo…tara
although / despite	…ながらも	…nagaramo
even if / even though / regardless of	…ても	…te mo
to / for / as far as…is concerned / regarding	…にとって	… ni totte
even / so much as / not even	さえ	sae
if only / as long as	さえ…ば	sae…ba

Examples:

• 勉強すればするほど賢くなります。 
  Benkyō sureba suru hodo kashikoku narimasu.
  “The more you study, the smarter you become.”

• もしも大金があったら、豪華客船で世界一周したい。
  Moshimo taikin ga attara, gōka kyakusen de sekai isshū shitai.
  “If I had a lot of money, I would want to go around the world on a luxury cruise ship.”

• あなたさえ良ければ、一緒に行きませんか。
  Anata sae yokereba, issho ni ikimasen ka.
  “If only you’re okay, would you like to go with us?”

いくら寝ても眠い。 (Ikura nete mo nemui.)
“(I’m) sleepy no matter how much I sleep.”

Conclusion

In this article, we introduced the most frequently used intermediate Japanese words, including large numbers, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, and particles—we even threw in some example sentences for you. Some Kanji are a bit harder than those you learned at the beginner level, but you’ll now be able to deal with a wider range of topics and converse in more detail.

If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language and culture, you’ll find a lot more helpful content on JapanesePod101.com. We provide a variety of free lessons designed to help you improve your Japanese language skills. 

If you’re at the intermediate level in your Japanese studies, you’ll find the following articles very useful: 

• Learn Japanese with Netflix
• Essential Business Japanese
• Japanese Phone Phrases

And there’s so much more! Learn Japanese faster and enjoy studying with JapanesePod101.com!

Before you go, let us know in the comments if you would like to learn Japanese words related to any specific topic. We’d be glad to help, and look forward to hearing from you!