How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Japanese words on “Core verbs”. The full topic holds 246 in the KoKo app: 98 at the easy level, 86 at the medium level and 62 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this Japanese vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

Japanese vocabulary: basic verbs

To be, to have, to go, to do, to want: the basic Japanese verbs, the ones found in almost every sentence.

Here are 100 Japanese words on “Core verbs”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 40 words

Japanese	English
加える	to add
答える	to answer
知る	to be familiar withBe familiar with someone or something
なる	to becomeChange from one state to another
建てる	to build
買う	to buy
呼ぶ	to call
運ぶ	to carryHave on you, carry around
来る	to come
戻る	to come back
作る	to create
死ぬ	to die
入る	to enter
説明する	to explain
終える	to finish
帰宅する	to go home
上がる	to go up
探す	to look for
失う	to lose
会う	to meet
開ける	to open
通る	to pass
遊ぶ	to play
防ぐ	to prevent
保護する	to protect
引く	to pull
読む	to read
受け取る	to receive
言う	to say
仕える	to serve
分かち合う	to share
微笑む	to smile
始める	to start
止める	to stop
使う	to use
待つ	to waitBe patient, let time pass
望む	to want
疑問に思う	to wonder
働く	to work
書く	to write

Level 2: medium 35 words

Japanese	English
受け入れる	to accept
攻撃する	to attack
必要である	to be necessary
壊す	to break
持ってくる	to bringBring something towards the speaker
白状する	to confess
渡る	to cross
泣く	to cry
決める	to decide
破壊する	to destroy
消える	to disappear
感じる	to feelPerceive a physical sensation or an emotion
戦う	to fight
起きる	to get up
下りる	to go down
想像する	to imagine
跳ぶ	to jump
愛する	to love
動く	to move
気づく	to notice
提案する	to offer
組織する	to organise
取り除く	to remove
直す	to repair
取り替える	to replace
休む	to rest
走る	to run
成功する	to succeed
支える	to support
語る	to tellNarrate, tell a story
捨てる	to throw away
触る	to touch
歩く	to walk
引き出す	to withdraw
書き留める	to write down

Level 3: hard 25 words

Japanese	English
懇願する	to beg
属する	to belong
捕まえる	to catch
おしゃべりする	to chat
掃除する	to clean
批判する	to criticise
要求する	to demand
依存する	to depend
割る	to divide
空にする	to empty
見積もる	to estimate
失敗する	to fail
強いる	to force
集める	to gather
服を着る	to get dressed
住む	to live in
拾う	to pick up
計画する	to plan
好む	to prefer
座る	to sit down
締める	to squeeze
つける	to switch on
連れて行く	to take alongTake someone along with you
脅す	to threaten
ささやく	to whisper

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 Japanese words on “Core verbs”. The full topic holds 246 in the KoKo app: 98 at the easy level, 86 at the medium level and 62 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this Japanese vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.