Common Japanese Words 101-150 for Beginners
A mobile-friendly reader for the full markdown study file, with Example 1 visible on each card and Example 2 tucked into expandable details.
This list continues the first 100 words with more practical vocabulary for daily life, directions, shopping, food, errands, and simple conversation in Japan. Each word includes:
- Japanese
- Reading (with Romaji)
- Meaning
- Example sentence with reading (with Romaji), English translation, and Chinese translation
Note: Frequency depends on the corpus, so this is a practical beginner-useful list rather than a perfect scientific ranking.
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
- Standalone (moon): 月 (つき / tsuki)
- In compounds (month): 月 (げつ・がつ / getsu / gatsu) — e.g., 来月 (らいげつ / raigetsu) "next month"
つき alone means "moon"; in compounds the kanji is read getsu or gatsu and refers to "month". Example 1 uses 来月 (raigetsu). Example 2 below uses the standalone 月 (つき / tsuki) "moon".
Open Example 2 and notes
- Standalone (year): 年 (とし / toshi)
- In compounds: 年 (ねん / nen) — e.g., 来年 (らいねん / rainen) "next year"
とし alone means "year" (or "age"); in compounds the kanji is read nen. Example 1 uses 来年 (rainen). Example 2 below uses the standalone 年 (とし / toshi) in the expression 年を取る "to grow older".
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
- "after" (time): 後 (あと / ato) — e.g., 仕事の 後で "after work"
- "behind" (position): 後ろ (うしろ / ushiro) — in modern usage almost always written with the okurigana ろ, e.g., 後ろの ドア "the back door"
あと is the time meaning ("after"); うしろ is the position meaning ("behind / back"). Example 1 uses あと ("after work"); Example 2 below also uses あと.
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
Open Example 2 and notes
- Dictionary form: 会う (あう / au)
- Polite ます-form: 会います (あいます / aimasu)
会う is the plain/dictionary form used in casual speech and before certain grammar (e.g., 会って, 会った); 会います is the polite ます-form used in everyday polite speech. Example 1 uses 会います (aimasu).
Open Example 2 and notes
- Dictionary form: 使う (つかう / tsukau)
- Polite ます-form: 使います (つかいます / tsukaimasu)
使う is the plain/dictionary form (also needed for forms like 使って, 使えます, 使った); 使います is the polite ます-form. Example 1 uses 使えますか (the polite potential form derived from 使う).
Open Example 2 and notes
- Dictionary form: 作る (つくる / tsukuru)
- Polite ます-form: 作ります (つくります / tsukurimasu)
作る is the plain/dictionary form used in casual speech and as a base for other forms (作って, 作った, 作りたい); 作ります is the polite ます-form. Example 1 uses 作ります.
Open Example 2 and notes
- Dictionary form: 持つ (もつ / motsu)
- Polite ます-form: 持ちます (もちます / mochimasu)
持つ is the plain/dictionary form used in casual speech and as a base for related forms (持って, 持っている, 持った); 持ちます is the polite ます-form. Example 1 uses 持っています (the te-iru form built from the te-form 持って).
These words are useful when you need to ask where something is, explain what you need, or handle everyday situations in Japan.
Examples:
For conversation, practice these location words together:
---
A は どこですか。
Where is A?
A は B の 隣です。
A is next to B.
A を 持っていますか。
Do you have A?
A を 使えますか。
Can I use A?
一緒に ご飯を 食べませんか。
Would you like to eat together?| Dictionary Form | Polite Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 前 | まえ (mae) | front / before |
| 後 | あと / うしろ (ato / ushiro) | after / behind |
| 中 | なか (naka) | inside |
| 外 | そと (soto) | outside |
| 右 | みぎ (migi) | right |
| 左 | ひだり (hidari) | left |
| 上 | うえ (ue) | above / on top |
| 下 | した (shita) | below / under |