How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Japanese words on “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 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: greetings and polite phrases

Hello, thank you, please, sorry, see you soon: the polite Japanese phrases for greeting, thanking and starting a conversation.

Here are 100 Japanese words on “Politeness and small talk”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 39 words

Japanese	English
お先にどうぞ	after you
乾杯	cheers
幸運を祈る	good luck
おやすみなさい	good nightWhen parting to go to sleep
さようなら	goodbye
お誕生日おめでとう	happy birthday
あけましておめでとう	happy New Year
よい夜を	have a good eveningWhen leaving someone early in the evening
こんにちは	helloGreeting on arrival, during the day
やあ	hiInformal greeting
何と言いますか	how do you say
知りません	I do not know
分かりません	I do not understand
構いません	it does not matter
頑張って	keep it up
くつろいでください	make yourself at home
お手伝いしましょうか	may I help you
いいえ	no
問題ありません	no problem
お気になさらず	not at all
もちろん	of course
分かりました	okay
少々お待ちを	one moment
また後で	see you shortly
また近いうちに	see you soon
よかった	so much the better
ごめんなさい	sorryApology
ありがとう	thank you
残念です	that is a pity
知り合う	to get acquainted
紹介する	to introduce
自己紹介する	to introduce oneself
また今度	until next time
気をつけて	watch out
どういう意味ですか	what does it mean
変わりありませんか	what is new
喜んで	with pleasureEnthusiastic acceptance
はい	yes
どういたしまして	you are welcomeEveryday use

Level 2: medium 35 words

Japanese	English
謝罪	apology
ご多幸をお祈りします	best wishes
会話	conversation
-していただけますか	could you
話し合い	discussion
英語を話しますか	do you speak English
いただきます	enjoy your meal
すみません	excuse me
別れの挨拶	farewell
ついてきてください	follow me
お大事に	get well soon
こんばんは	good eveningGreeting on arrival, from late afternoon onwards
握手	handshake
よい週末を	have a good weekend
助けてください	help me
-をお願いします	I would like
紹介	introduction
招待	invitation
メリークリスマス	merry Christmas
もっとゆっくり	more slowly
仕方ない	never mind
お願いします	please
お会いできてうれしいです	pleased to meet you
非難	reproach
誠にありがとうございます	thanks a million
ご親切に	that is kind
謝罪する	to apologise
声をかける	to approach someone
挨拶する	to greet
招待する	to invite
祈る	to wish
もてなし	welcomeNoun, the act of receiving someone
なんと残念な	what a shame
お名前は何ですか	what is your name
とんでもございません	you are welcomeFormal register

Level 3: hard 26 words

Japanese	English
失礼ですが	allow me
気まずい沈黙	awkward silence
お入りください	come in
慰め	comfort
お世辞	compliment
激励	encouragement
敬語	formal address
挨拶	greeting
もしもし	helloOn the phone, when picking up
お待ちください	hold on
無礼	ill mannered
誤解	misunderstanding
お悔やみ申し上げます	my condolences
はじめまして	nice to meet you
少々お待ちください	please hold on
挨拶の言葉	polite formula
礼儀正しく	politely
礼儀	politeness
もう一度言ってください	repeat
無作法	rudeness
お座りください	sit down
祝福する	to congratulate
邪魔する	to disturb
話をさえぎる	to interrupt
頬にキスする	to kiss on the cheek
ため口で話す	to use informal address

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 “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 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.