hello
A WORD TO HAND
Essential Japanese words and phrases for beginners
Hear the words from your first six lessons, check their English meaning and see a useful phrase. This free reference follows the opening unit, so it connects with what you are learning.
Open the searchable dictionaryStart your first lessonFirst words
Say hello, greet someone politely and say goodbye.
morning
thanks
again
A phrase you can use
— Hello.
A neutral daytime greeting. The written は at the end sounds wa.
Read lesson 1: First wordsHow are you?
Ask how someone is and return the question.
well / energetic
I
also / too
you / your side
A phrase you can use
— How are you?
Literally, are you well? A useful polite catch-up question.
Read lesson 2: How are you?Nice to meet you
Introduce yourself and ask someone their name.
name
Yui
for the first time
request
A phrase you can use
— What is your name?
A shortened polite question; the rest is understood.
Read lesson 3: Nice to meet youA little politeness
Make a polite request and respond to thanks.
excuse me
all right
yes
no
A phrase you can use
— Excuse me.
Use to get attention or apologise.
Read lesson 4: A little politenessWhere are you from?
Say where you are from and where you live.
where (polite)
the UK
Japan
Tokyo
A phrase you can use
— Where are you from?
ご makes 出身 polite; どちら asks where.
Read lesson 5: Where are you from?When you do not understand
Ask for English, a slower pace or a repetition.
to understand
once more
slowly
English
A phrase you can use
— I do not understand.
A polite way to say that the meaning is unclear.
Read lesson 6: When you do not understandMake the sound and meaning familiar
Use a word in a whole sentence, hear it again, then try the interactive lesson. Each set of three teaching lessons leads to a short mini-test. Revision returns previously learnt phrases using spaced repetition; it does not require a streak or score target.
This reference covers the free opening unit. Full account access opens the remaining lesson content and vocabulary. The first five-minute listening recording and complete Little Town game are also free; checkout is currently closed.
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