Essential Japanese Phrases is built for learners who want useful Japanese vocabulary in a clean reference format instead of a long, fluffy article.
Ready to sound a little more natural in Japanese? Take a breath, smile, and scroll to the bottom of the article for the free printable japanese vocabulary list list PDF and the free downloadable printable japanese list flashcards—they’re waiting for you like a friendly study buddy.
Use this list as a starting point, then keep going in the Yak Yacker Japanese section for more words, phrases, and study-friendly reference pages.
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| Phrase | Reading | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| まだ勉強中です | mada benkyōchū desu | I’m still studying. | まだ勉強中です | I’m still studying. |
| また誘ってください | またさそってください | Please invite me again. | また誘ってください | Please invite me again. |
| メニューを見せてください | めにゅーをみせてください | please show me the menu | メニューを見せてください | please show me the menu |
| もう一度お願いします | もういちどおねがいします | Once more, please | もう一度お願いします | Once more, please |
| もう少しゆっくり | もうすこしゆっくり | A little slower, please. | もう少しゆっくり | A little slower, please. |
| もう少し安いのはありますか | もうすこしやすいのはありますか | do you have something a little cheaper? | もう少し安いのはありますか | do you have something a little cheaper? |
| もしもし | もしもし | Hello (on the phone) | もしもし | Hello (on the phone) |
| やった | やった | yay; I did it | やった | yay; I did it |
| やばい | やばい | awesome; oh no; dangerous | やばい | awesome; oh no; dangerous |
| ゆっくり話してください | ゆっくりはなしてください | Please speak slowly | ゆっくり話してください | Please speak slowly |
| よかった | よかった | I'm glad; that's a relief | よかった | I'm glad; that's a relief |
| よろしくお願いします | yoroshiku onegaishimasu | please treat me well; nice to meet you | よろしくお願いします | please treat me well; nice to meet you |
| よろしければ | よろしければ | If you don't mind | よろしければ | If you don't mind |
| わかります | wakarimasu | I understand. | わかります | I understand. |
| わかりません | wakarimasen | I don’t understand. | わかりません | I don’t understand. |
| 一緒に行きませんか | いっしょにいきませんか | Won't you come with me? | 一緒に行きませんか | Won't you come with me? |
| 乾杯 | かんぱい | cheers | 乾杯 | cheers |
| 今何時ですか | いまなんじですか | What time is it now? | 今何時ですか | What time is it now? |
| 会社員です | kaishain desu | I am a company employee. | 会社員です | I am a company employee. |
| 何ですか | なんですか | What is it? | 何ですか | What is it? |
| 元気です | genki desu | I'm fine | 元気です | I'm fine |
| 写真を撮ってもいいですか | しゃしんをとってもいいですか | may I take a picture? | 写真を撮ってもいいですか | may I take a picture? |
| 初めまして | はじめまして | Nice to meet you | 初めまして | Nice to meet you |
| 助けてください | たすけてください | Please help me. | 助けてください | Please help me. |
| 可能性がある | かのうせいがある | there is a possibility; might | 午後から雨が降る可能性がある。 | There is a possibility of rain this afternoon. |
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