30+ Cool Japanese Words Everyone Should Know (2024)

FAQs

What is the coolest Japanese word? ›

Generally speaking, you need to know about 3,000 – 5,000 Japanese words to be fluent in the language. But it can't just be any words, as you could simply learn the names of people, places, and Pokémon to hit one or two thousand.

かわいい (kawaii) or Cute

Pronounced "kawaii," this popular word means cute. You will want to use it when describing your friend's cute outfit or looking at a cute dog.

To recap: The number of words to learn to speak a language really depends on your purpose. Remember that 300 to 600 words may be enough to travel, but at least 1,000 words are necessary for a conversation.

The average length of time to learn advanced Japanese is 2-3 years. At the intermediate level, you can understand most of what your teacher says, and you can follow along with TV programs. When it comes to using the language with other Japanese speakers, however, you still have some limitations.

Japanese has 46 letters in its alphabet.

Meanwhile, Korean only has 24. If you're looking for which is easier to learn between Korean or Japanese, Korean wins this round too.

What does unkai mean in Japanese? ›

Visit Japan UK on Twitter: "Did you know that Japanese has a word to describe this kind of stunning view above the clouds - 'unkai' （雲海）, literally meaning 'sea of clouds'.

A funny phrase in japanese is “toragahitowokamoutosurutokinounarinow” 虎が人を噛もうとするときのうなり声。 It is 37 letters long and is comprised of a 17 syllables. It is a very odd phrase, as it is defined as “the growl a tiger makes when it is about to about to bite someone”.

Heiwa (平和), the Japanese word for peace, may refer to: Heiwa, Aichi, a town in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Muzukashii is a Japanese word meaning hard or difficult. Learn more about its pronunciation and usage using the information below.

"Itadakimasu" is an essential phrase in your Japanese vocabulary. It's often translated as "I humbly receive," but in a mealtime setting, it's compared to "Let's eat," "Bon appétit," or "Thanks for the food." Some even liken it to the religious tradition of saying grace before eating.

Doki Doki or doki-doki (Japanese: ドキドキ) is a term for the sound of a beating heart in Japanese sound symbolism.

Yumi can be written using different kanji characters and as a given name can mean: 由美, "origin/history, beauty" 裕美, "abundance, beauty" 夕実, "evening, fruition" 優美, "tenderness, beauty"'

Pretty in Japanese – 綺麗な

きれいな (kireina), or written in kanji – 綺麗な – means both “clean” and “pretty.” You can use it to describe your room as clean, like: 部屋はきれいです。

Which language is the easiest to learn? ›

When you reach the A2 level, you should have a working vocabulary of about 1500 words and far more grammar than at A1.

Watching Anime can certainly be a useful tool to learn Japanese language. Yes, people can learn at least a bit watching anime! Although it may be tricky at times, it is possible to enjoy and learn Japanese at the same time.

It's unlikely you'll learn Japanese when you're asleep

Even if you are asleep listening to the best Japanese course on the planet, your brain is unlikely to register anything you hear, because while you're sleeping you're not really “hearing” it at all. While it's not possible to learn new information while you sleep.

1. Study Japanese every day. I know I just said that traditional studying methods are only a small part of it, but they're an essential part nonetheless. Grab a few recommended textbooks and knuckle down for at least twenty minutes a day (ideally an hour or two, but twenty minutes is better than nothing).

With consistent studying and speaking, for about 30 minutes to an hour a day, you could speak at a conversational level in Japanese in about 3 months.

Duolingo Japanese is not perfect. But it is a fun and effective way to learn some basic Japanese. If you really only have five minutes in a day to study, Duolingo is probably one of the most effective ways to spend your time.

A recent survey of over 70,000 members of BeautifulPeople.com found that Korean men and women are considered more beautiful than their Japanese neighbors. Korean inhabitants were also highly ranked, among the world's most beautiful people globally.

Meaning:bright, clear, ideal. Akira is a gender-neutral name of Japanese origin. This name has grown in popularity throughout the US in the 21st century and is sometimes used as a variation of “Kira”. Akira may also originate from other cultures, too!

What is the kanji for death? ›

死 means 'death'

Oi /ɔɪ/ is an interjection used in various varieties of the English language, particularly British English, Australian English, New Zealand English, Irish English and South African English, as well as non-English languages like Hindi/Urdu, Portuguese and Japanese to get the attention of another person or to express ...

The modern Japanese writing system transcribes the insult baka as バカ in katakana, ばか in hiragana, or 馬鹿 ( lit. "horse deer") in ateji phonetic kanji transcription; earlier ateji renderings included 莫迦, 母嫁, 馬嫁, or 破家.

Baka is a Japanese word that means “crazy,” “foolish,” or downright “stupid.” It can also be used as a noun for “a fool” or “a crazy or stupid person.” Anime and manga fans in the West have adopted the use of baka as a (usually joking) insult.

What does ikigai mean? Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means your 'reason for being. ' 'Iki' in Japanese means 'life,' and 'gai' describes value or worth. Your ikigai is your life purpose or your bliss.