Lenguia | 1000 Most Common Japanese Words with Audio

Why these 1,000 words matter

Japanese vocabulary is astonishingly top-heavy: the 100 most frequent words make up about half of everything you will ever hear or read, and the top 1,000 cover roughly 85% of everyday speech. Learn these first and most sentences around you turn from noise into language.

The list below is ranked by how often each word actually occurs in spoken Japanese — dictionary forms, with concise English translations, the part of speech, the CEFR level at which learners typically meet the word, and audio for every word in a female and a male voice. Show the top 250, 500 or all 1,000, and flip to A–Z when you want to look something up.

#	Word	Translation	Part of speech	Level
1	は	topic marker (particle)	particle	N5
2	の	of; possessive particle; one (nominalizer)	particle	N5
3	を	direct-object marker (particle)	particle	N5
4	に	to; at; in; indirect-object marker (particle)	particle	N5
5	が	subject marker; but (particle)	particle	N5
6	と	and; with; that (quotative) (particle)	particle	N5
7	です	to be; is (polite copula)	verb	N5
8	する	to do; to make	verb	N5
9	ない	not; nonexistent (negative)	adjective	N5
10	これ	this; this one	pronoun	N5
11	て	and; then (conjunctive particle)	particle	N5
12	も	also; too; even (particle)	particle	N5
13	で	at; in; by; with (particle)	particle	N5
14	から	from; since; because (particle)	particle	N5
15	た	past-tense marker (particle)	particle	N5
16	こと	thing; matter; fact	noun	N5
17	ます	polite verb ending	verb	N5
18	か	question marker; or (particle)	particle	N5
19	ね	right?; isn't it? (particle)	particle	N5
20	いる	to be; to exist (animate); to need	verb	N5
21	ある	to be; to exist (inanimate); to have	verb	N5
22	なる	to become; to turn into	verb	N5
23	その	that (adnominal)	determiner	N5
24	この	this (adnominal)	determiner	N5
25	よ	you know; I tell you (particle)	particle	N5
26	私	I; me	pronoun	N5
27	人	person; people	noun	N5
28	そう	so; that way; that is right	adverb	N5
29	まで	until; up to; as far as (particle)	particle	N5
30	へ	to; toward (direction particle)	particle	N5
31	それ	that; that one	pronoun	N5
32	言う	to say; to tell; to be called	verb	N5
33	ん	colloquial nominalizer/explanatory (particle)	particle	N5
34	もの	thing; object	noun	N5
35	思う	to think; to feel; to believe	verb	N5
36	ば	if; conditional (particle)	particle	N4
37	見る	to see; to look; to watch	verb	N5
38	くれる	to give (to me); to do for me	verb	N4
39	行く	to go	verb	N5
40	来る	to come	verb	N5
41	いい	good; fine; okay	adjective	N5
42	あの	that (over there, adnominal); um	determiner	N5
43	ここ	here; this place	pronoun	N5
44	何	what	pronoun	N5
45	ください	please (give me); please do	verb	N5
46	できる	can; to be able to; to be done	verb	N5
47	だ	to be; is (plain copula)	verb	N5
48	今	now; the present	noun	N5
49	あなた	you	pronoun	N5
50	い	colloquial emphatic (particle)	particle	N4
51	とても	very; extremely	adverb	N5
52	もう	already; soon; more	adverb	N5
53	だけ	only; just (particle)	particle	N5
54	時	time; when; occasion	noun	N5
55	欲しい	wanted; to want (something)	adjective	N5
56	出る	to go out; to leave; to appear	verb	N5
57	知る	to know; to find out	verb	N5
58	日	day; sun	noun	N5
59	入る	to enter; to go in	verb	N5
60	ながら	while; during (particle)	particle	N4
61	取る	to take; to pick up; to get	verb	N5
62	やる	to do; to give (casual)	verb	N4
63	まだ	still; not yet; more	adverb	N5
64	そして	and; and then	conjunction	N5
65	でも	but; however; even	conjunction	N5
66	方	direction; side; way (comparison)	noun	N5
67	見える	to be visible; to be able to see	verb	N4
68	いつ	when	pronoun	N5
69	どう	how; what way	adverb	N5
70	大きい	big; large	adjective	N5
71	子	child; kid	noun	N5
72	感じる	to feel; to sense	verb	N4
73	ため	for; in order to; sake	noun	N4
74	好き	liked; favorite; to like	adjective	N5
75	ところ	place; point; about to	noun	N5
76	中	inside; middle; among	noun	N5
77	くらい	about; approximately; to the extent (particle)	particle	N5
78	持つ	to hold; to have; to carry	verb	N5
79	聞く	to hear; to listen; to ask	verb	N5
80	同じ	same; identical	adjective	N5
81	話す	to speak; to talk	verb	N5
82	目	eye	noun	N5
83	一	one	number	N5
84	書く	to write	verb	N5
85	前	front; before; ago	noun	N5
86	後	after; later; behind	noun	N5
87	手	hand	noun	N5
88	国	country; nation	noun	N5
89	とか	things like; and so on (particle)	particle	N4
90	また	again; also	adverb	N5
91	来年	next year	noun	N5
92	使う	to use	verb	N5
93	作る	to make; to create	verb	N5
94	どこ	where	pronoun	N5
95	年	year; age	noun	N5
96	気	spirit; mind; feeling	noun	N5
97	二	two	number	N5
98	思い	thought; feeling; wish	noun	N4
99	仕事	work; job	noun	N5
100	待つ	to wait	verb	N5
101	始める	to begin; to start	verb	N5
102	会う	to meet; to see (a person)	verb	N5
103	住む	to live; to reside	verb	N5
104	家	house; home	noun	N5
105	声	voice	noun	N4
106	名前	name	noun	N5
107	出す	to take out; to put out; to send	verb	N5
108	食べる	to eat	verb	N5
109	飲む	to drink	verb	N5
110	お金かね	money	noun	N5
111	車	car; vehicle	noun	N5
112	水	water	noun	N5
113	時間	time; hour	noun	N5
114	所	place; spot	noun	N5
115	買う	to buy	verb	N5
116	帰る	to return; to go home	verb	N5
117	悪い	bad; wrong	adjective	N5
118	高い	high; tall; expensive	adjective	N5
119	小さい	small; little	adjective	N5
120	新しい	new	adjective	N5
121	すぐ	immediately; right away; soon	adverb	N5
122	ちょっと	a little; a bit; slightly	adverb	N5
123	みんな	everyone; all	noun	N5
124	男	man; male	noun	N5
125	女	woman; female	noun	N5
126	母	mother	noun	N5
127	父	father	noun	N5
128	友達	friend	noun	N5
129	学校	school	noun	N5
130	先生	teacher; doctor (title)	noun	N5
131	本	book	noun	N5
132	なぜ	why	adverb	N5
133	どんな	what kind of	determiner	N5
134	どうして	why; how come	adverb	N5
135	死ぬ	to die	verb	N4
136	立つ	to stand; to rise	verb	N5
137	座る	to sit	verb	N5
138	歩く	to walk	verb	N5
139	走る	to run	verb	N5
140	読む	to read	verb	N5
141	教える	to teach; to tell	verb	N5
142	習う	to learn	verb	N5
143	働く	to work	verb	N5
144	休む	to rest; to take a break; to be absent	verb	N5
145	遊ぶ	to play; to have fun	verb	N5
146	嫌い	disliked; to dislike; hate	adjective	N5
147	楽しい	fun; enjoyable	adjective	N5
148	面白い	interesting; funny	adjective	N5
149	難しい	difficult; hard	adjective	N5
150	易しい	easy; simple	adjective	N4
151	早い	early; fast	adjective	N5
152	遅い	late; slow	adjective	N5
153	長い	long	adjective	N5
154	短い	short	adjective	N5
155	多い	many; a lot	adjective	N5
156	少ない	few; little	adjective	N5
157	暑い	hot (weather)	adjective	N5
158	寒い	cold (weather)	adjective	N5
159	安い	cheap; inexpensive	adjective	N5
160	古い	old (of things)	adjective	N5
161	町	town; city	noun	N5
162	駅	station	noun	N5
163	道	road; street; way	noun	N5
164	店	shop; store	noun	N5
165	会社	company; firm	noun	N5
166	電車	train	noun	N5
167	飛行機ひこうき	airplane	noun	N5
168	天気	weather	noun	N5
169	雨	rain	noun	N5
170	空	sky	noun	N5
171	花	flower	noun	N5
172	山	mountain	noun	N5
173	川	river	noun	N5
174	海	sea; ocean	noun	N5
175	木	tree; wood	noun	N5
176	犬	dog	noun	N5
177	猫	cat	noun	N5
178	魚	fish	noun	N5
179	肉	meat	noun	N5
180	ご飯はん	cooked rice; meal	noun	N5
181	パン	bread	noun	N5
182	テレビ	television; TV	noun	N5
183	コーヒー	coffee	noun	N5
184	カメラ	camera	noun	N5
185	三	three	number	N5
186	四	four	number	N5
187	五	five	number	N5
188	六	six	number	N5
189	七	seven	number	N5
190	八	eight	number	N5
191	九	nine	number	N5
192	十	ten	number	N5
193	つ	counter for general objects	counter	N5
194	枚	counter for flat objects (sheets, plates)	counter	N5
195	個	counter for small items	counter	N5
196	円	yen; circle	noun	N5
197	半	half	noun	N5
198	朝	morning	noun	N5
199	昼	noon; daytime	noun	N5
200	夜	night	noun	N5
201	今日	today	noun	N5
202	明日	tomorrow	noun	N5
203	昨日	yesterday	noun	N5
204	毎日	every day	noun	N5
205	週	week	noun	N5
206	月	moon; month	noun	N5
207	春	spring	noun	N5
208	夏	summer	noun	N5
209	秋	autumn; fall	noun	N5
210	冬	winter	noun	N5
211	色	color	noun	N5
212	白い	white	adjective	N5
213	黒い	black	adjective	N5
214	赤い	red	adjective	N5
215	青い	blue; green (of light)	adjective	N5
216	明るい	bright; cheerful	adjective	N4
217	暗い	dark; gloomy	adjective	N4
218	広い	wide; spacious	adjective	N5
219	狭い	narrow; cramped	adjective	N4
220	強い	strong	adjective	N4
221	弱い	weak	adjective	N4
222	重い	heavy	adjective	N5
223	軽い	light (weight)	adjective	N4
224	近い	near; close	adjective	N5
225	遠い	far; distant	adjective	N5
226	美しい	beautiful	adjective	N3
227	汚い	dirty; messy	adjective	N4
228	若い	young	adjective	N5
229	忙しい	busy	adjective	N5
230	危ない	dangerous	adjective	N5
231	母親ははおや	mother (parent)	noun	N3
232	両親	parents	noun	N4
233	兄	older brother	noun	N5
234	姉	older sister	noun	N5
235	弟	younger brother	noun	N5
236	妹	younger sister	noun	N5
237	家族	family	noun	N5
238	子供こども	child; children	noun	N5
239	赤あかちゃん	baby	noun	N4
240	大人	adult	noun	N4
241	体	body	noun	N5
242	頭	head	noun	N5
243	顔	face	noun	N5
244	耳	ear	noun	N5
245	口	mouth	noun	N5
246	足	foot; leg	noun	N5
247	心	heart; mind	noun	N4
248	力	power; strength	noun	N4
249	元気	healthy; energetic; well	adjective	N5
250	病気	illness; sickness	noun	N5
251	医者	doctor	noun	N5
252	病院	hospital	noun	N5
253	薬	medicine; drug	noun	N4
254	部屋	room	noun	N5
255	窓	window	noun	N5
256	ドア	door	noun	N5
257	机	desk	noun	N5
258	椅子いす	chair	noun	N5
259	ベッド	bed	noun	N5
260	電話	telephone; phone call	noun	N5
261	手紙	letter (mail)	noun	N5
262	新聞	newspaper	noun	N5
263	写真	photograph	noun	N5
264	映画	movie; film	noun	N5
265	音楽	music	noun	N5
266	歌	song	noun	N4
267	言葉	word; language	noun	N4
268	英語	English (language)	noun	N5
269	日本語にほんご	Japanese (language)	noun	N5
270	意味	meaning	noun	N5
271	問題	problem; question	noun	N5
272	答え	answer	noun	N4
273	質問	question; inquiry	noun	N4
274	勉強	study	noun	N5
275	試験	exam; test	noun	N4
276	宿題	homework	noun	N5
277	大学	university; college	noun	N5
278	学生	student	noun	N5
279	生徒	pupil; student	noun	N4
280	意見	opinion	noun	N3
281	考える	to think; to consider	verb	N4
282	覚える	to remember; to memorize	verb	N4
283	忘れる	to forget	verb	N5
284	分かる	to understand; to know	verb	N5
285	調べる	to investigate; to look up	verb	N4
286	決める	to decide	verb	N4
287	選ぶ	to choose; to select	verb	N4
288	探す	to look for; to search	verb	N4
289	見みつける	to find; to discover	verb	N4
290	始まる	to begin; to start (intransitive)	verb	N5
291	終わる	to end; to finish	verb	N5
292	続く	to continue (intransitive)	verb	N4
293	変わる	to change (intransitive)	verb	N4
294	動く	to move (intransitive)	verb	N4
295	止まる	to stop (intransitive)	verb	N4
296	開ける	to open (transitive)	verb	N5
297	閉める	to close (transitive)	verb	N5
298	開く	to open (intransitive)	verb	N4
299	閉じる	to close (intransitive)	verb	N3
300	送る	to send; to see off	verb	N4
301	届く	to reach; to be delivered	verb	N3
302	運ぶ	to carry; to transport	verb	N4
303	置く	to put; to place	verb	N4
304	渡す	to hand over; to pass	verb	N4
305	渡る	to cross (a road, river)	verb	N4
306	曲がる	to turn; to bend	verb	N4
307	登る	to climb	verb	N4
308	降りる	to get off; to descend	verb	N4
309	乗る	to ride; to board	verb	N5
310	着く	to arrive	verb	N4
311	着る	to wear; to put on (clothes)	verb	N5
312	脱ぐ	to take off (clothes)	verb	N4
313	洗う	to wash	verb	N5
314	掃除	cleaning	noun	N4
315	料理	cooking; dish; cuisine	noun	N5
316	洗濯	laundry; washing	noun	N4
317	買かい物もの	shopping	noun	N5
318	旅行	trip; travel	noun	N5
319	約束	promise; appointment	noun	N4
320	準備	preparation	noun	N4
321	用事	errand; business to attend to	noun	N4
322	会議	meeting; conference	noun	N3
323	社長	company president	noun	N4
324	客	guest; customer	noun	N4
325	受ける	to receive; to take (an exam)	verb	N4
326	払う	to pay	verb	N4
327	売る	to sell	verb	N4
328	貸す	to lend	verb	N4
329	借りる	to borrow	verb	N4
330	返す	to return; to give back	verb	N4
331	使つかい方かた	how to use; usage	noun	N4
332	仕方	way; method; means	noun	N3
333	理由	reason	noun	N4
334	場合	case; situation	noun	N4
335	普通	usual; ordinary; normally	adjective	N4
336	特別	special	adjective	N4
337	大切	important; precious	adjective	N5
338	必要	necessary; necessity	adjective	N4
339	便利	convenient	adjective	N5
340	不便	inconvenient	adjective	N4
341	簡単	simple; easy	adjective	N4
342	複雑	complicated; complex	adjective	N3
343	静か	quiet; calm	adjective	N5
344	賑にぎやか	lively; bustling	adjective	N5
345	有名	famous	adjective	N5
346	親切	kind; considerate	adjective	N5
347	丁寧	polite; careful	adjective	N4
348	真面目まじめ	serious; diligent	adjective	N4
349	無理	impossible; unreasonable	adjective	N4
350	大丈夫だいじょうぶ	all right; okay; fine	adjective	N5
351	本当	true; real; really	adjective	N5
352	嘘	lie; falsehood	noun	N4
353	本当ほんとうに	really; truly	adverb	N5
354	絶対	absolutely; definitely	adverb	N3
355	一番いちばん	the most; number one; best	adverb	N5
356	一緒いっしょ	together	noun	N5
357	自分	oneself; myself	pronoun	N5
358	彼	he; boyfriend	pronoun	N5
359	彼女	she; girlfriend	pronoun	N5
360	僕	I; me (male, casual)	pronoun	N4
361	君	you (familiar)	pronoun	N4
362	皆	everyone; all	pronoun	N4
363	誰	who	pronoun	N5
364	どれ	which one	pronoun	N5
365	どっち	which (of two)	pronoun	N5
366	こちら	this way; this side; me	pronoun	N5
367	そちら	that way; that side; you	pronoun	N5
368	あちら	that way (over there)	pronoun	N5
369	そこ	there; that place	pronoun	N5
370	あそこ	over there	pronoun	N5
371	上	above; up; on top	noun	N5
372	下	below; under; down	noun	N5
373	右	right (direction)	noun	N5
374	左	left (direction)	noun	N5
375	外	outside	noun	N5
376	横	side; beside; horizontal	noun	N4
377	隣	next to; neighbor	noun	N4
378	間	between; interval; while	noun	N4
379	近く	nearby; vicinity	noun	N5
380	真まん中なか	center; middle	noun	N3
381	北	north	noun	N4
382	南	south	noun	N4
383	東	east	noun	N4
384	西	west	noun	N4
385	地図	map	noun	N4
386	世界	world	noun	N4
387	社会	society	noun	N3
388	文化	culture	noun	N3
389	歴史	history	noun	N3
390	自然	nature	noun	N3
391	経済	economy	noun	N3
392	政治	politics	noun	N3
393	科学	science	noun	N3
394	技術	technology; skill	noun	N3
395	情報	information	noun	N3
396	生活	life; living	noun	N4
397	人生	life (human life)	noun	N3
398	世話	care; help; assistance	noun	N3
399	関係	relationship; relation	noun	N3
400	気持きもち	feeling; mood	noun	N4
401	嬉うれしい	happy; glad	adjective	N4
402	悲かなしい	sad	adjective	N4
403	楽らく	comfortable; easy	adjective	N4
404	怖こわい	scary; frightening	adjective	N4
405	痛いたい	painful; sore	adjective	N4
406	苦くるしい	painful; hard; suffering	adjective	N3
407	寂さびしい	lonely	adjective	N3
408	恥はずかしい	embarrassing; shy	adjective	N3
409	素晴すばらしい	wonderful; splendid	adjective	N3
410	厳きびしい	strict; severe	adjective	N3
411	優やさしい	kind; gentle	adjective	N4
412	正ただしい	correct; right	adjective	N4
413	珍めずらしい	rare; unusual	adjective	N3
414	細こまかい	fine; detailed; small	adjective	N3
415	太ふとい	thick; fat	adjective	N4
416	深ふかい	deep	adjective	N3
417	浅あさい	shallow	adjective	N3
418	甘あまい	sweet	adjective	N4
419	辛からい	spicy; hot	adjective	N4
420	苦にがい	bitter	adjective	N3
421	美味おいしい	delicious; tasty	adjective	N5
422	まずい	bad-tasting; awkward	adjective	N4
423	暖あたたかい	warm	adjective	N4
424	涼すずしい	cool (refreshing)	adjective	N4
425	眠ねむい	sleepy	adjective	N4
426	疲つかれる	to get tired	verb	N4
427	寝ねる	to sleep; to go to bed	verb	N5
428	起おきる	to get up; to wake up; to happen	verb	N5
429	生うまれる	to be born	verb	N4
430	育そだてる	to raise; to bring up	verb	N3
431	笑わらう	to laugh; to smile	verb	N4
432	泣なく	to cry; to weep	verb	N4
433	怒おこる	to get angry	verb	N4
434	驚おどろく	to be surprised	verb	N3
435	喜よろこぶ	to be glad; to rejoice	verb	N3
436	困こまる	to be troubled; to be in difficulty	verb	N4
437	心配しんぱい	worry; anxiety	noun	N4
438	安心あんしん	relief; peace of mind	noun	N3
439	興味きょうみ	interest	noun	N3
440	趣味しゅみ	hobby	noun	N4
441	夢ゆめ	dream	noun	N4
442	希望きぼう	hope; wish	noun	N3
443	目的もくてき	purpose; goal	noun	N3
444	経験けいけん	experience	noun	N3
445	練習れんしゅう	practice	noun	N4
446	説明せつめい	explanation	noun	N4
447	用意ようい	preparation; getting ready	noun	N4
448	注意ちゅうい	caution; attention; warning	noun	N4
449	連絡れんらく	contact; communication	noun	N3
450	返事へんじ	reply; response	noun	N4
451	相談そうだん	consultation; discussion	noun	N3
452	報告ほうこく	report	noun	N3
453	予定よてい	plan; schedule	noun	N4
454	計画けいかく	plan; project	noun	N3
455	予約よやく	reservation; booking	noun	N3
456	結果けっか	result; outcome	noun	N3
457	原因げんいん	cause	noun	N3
458	方法ほうほう	method; way	noun	N3
459	内容ないよう	content; substance	noun	N3
460	影響えいきょう	influence; effect	noun	N3
461	関心かんしん	concern; interest	noun	N3
462	状況じょうきょう	situation; circumstances	noun	N3
463	条件じょうけん	condition; terms	noun	N3
464	環境かんきょう	environment	noun	N3
465	責任せきにん	responsibility	noun	N3
466	必要性ひつようせい	necessity (abstract)	noun	N3
467	働はたらき	function; work; action	noun	N3
468	感かんじ	feeling; impression	noun	N3
469	調子ちょうし	condition; tune; pace	noun	N3
470	様子ようす	appearance; state; situation	noun	N3
471	違ちがう	to differ; to be wrong	verb	N5
472	間違まちがう	to make a mistake	verb	N4
473	確たしかめる	to confirm; to make sure	verb	N3
474	比くらべる	to compare	verb	N3
475	増ふえる	to increase (intransitive)	verb	N4
476	減へる	to decrease (intransitive)	verb	N4
477	足たりる	to be enough; to suffice	verb	N3
478	残のこる	to remain; to be left	verb	N3
479	過すごす	to spend (time); to pass	verb	N4
480	進すすむ	to advance; to proceed	verb	N3
481	戻もどる	to return; to go back	verb	N4
482	離はなれる	to leave; to separate	verb	N3
483	集あつまる	to gather (intransitive)	verb	N4
484	集あつめる	to collect; to gather (transitive)	verb	N4
485	並ならぶ	to line up (intransitive)	verb	N4
486	育そだつ	to grow up (intransitive)	verb	N3
487	育はぐくむ	to nurture; to foster	verb	N3
488	守まもる	to protect; to keep (a promise)	verb	N4
489	助たすける	to help; to save	verb	N4
490	手伝てつだう	to help; to assist	verb	N4
491	困こまらせる	to trouble (someone)	verb	N4
492	謝あやまる	to apologize	verb	N4
493	許ゆるす	to forgive; to permit	verb	N4
494	信しんじる	to believe; to trust	verb	N4
495	疑うたがう	to doubt; to suspect	verb	N3
496	願ねがう	to wish; to request	verb	N4
497	祈いのる	to pray	verb	N4
498	感謝かんしゃ	gratitude; thanks	noun	N4
499	気きを付つける	to be careful; to take care	verb	N4
500	決きまる	to be decided (intransitive)	verb	N3
501	起おこる	to happen; to occur	verb	N3
502	起おこす	to wake (someone); to cause	verb	N3
503	見みせる	to show	verb	N5
504	見みつかる	to be found (intransitive)	verb	N3
505	呼よぶ	to call; to invite	verb	N4
506	答こたえる	to answer; to respond	verb	N4
507	返かえる	to return; to come back (of things)	verb	N3
508	伝つたえる	to convey; to tell	verb	N3
509	話はなしかける	to speak to; to address	verb	N3
510	呼よびかける	to call out to; to appeal	verb	N2
511	取とり決きめる	to arrange; to agree upon	verb	N2
512	表あらわす	to express; to represent	verb	N2
513	示しめす	to show; to indicate	verb	N2
514	認みとめる	to admit; to recognize	verb	N2
515	感かんじ取とる	to sense; to perceive	verb	N2
516	考かんがえ	idea; thought	noun	N3
517	知しらせる	to inform; to notify	verb	N3
518	知しり合あい	acquaintance	noun	N3
519	関係かんけい者しゃ	person concerned; official	noun	N2
520	相手あいて	partner; opponent; the other party	noun	N3
521	仲間なかま	companion; peer; group	noun	N3
522	恋人こいびと	lover; sweetheart	noun	N3
523	結婚けっこん	marriage	noun	N4
524	離婚りこん	divorce	noun	N2
525	夫おっと	husband	noun	N4
526	妻つま	wife	noun	N4
527	息子むすこ	son	noun	N4
528	娘むすめ	daughter	noun	N4
529	祖父そふ	grandfather	noun	N3
530	祖母そぼ	grandmother	noun	N3
531	親おや	parent	noun	N4
532	親戚しんせき	relative (family)	noun	N2
533	近所きんじょ	neighborhood	noun	N3
534	社員しゃいん	company employee	noun	N3
535	部長ぶちょう	department head; manager	noun	N3
536	仕事場しごとば	workplace	noun	N3
537	事務所じむしょ	office	noun	N2
538	工場こうじょう	factory	noun	N4
539	建物たてもの	building	noun	N4
540	公園こうえん	park	noun	N5
541	図書館としょかん	library	noun	N5
542	銀行ぎんこう	bank	noun	N5
543	郵便局ゆうびんきょく	post office	noun	N4
544	空港くうこう	airport	noun	N4
545	港みなと	harbor; port	noun	N3
546	橋はし	bridge	noun	N4
547	交差点こうさてん	intersection	noun	N3
548	信号しんごう	traffic light; signal	noun	N3
549	道路どうろ	road; highway	noun	N3
550	バス	bus	noun	N5
551	タクシー	taxi	noun	N5
552	自転車じてんしゃ	bicycle	noun	N5
553	地下鉄ちかてつ	subway	noun	N4
554	切符きっぷ	ticket	noun	N4
555	荷物にもつ	luggage; baggage	noun	N4
556	鞄かばん	bag	noun	N5
557	財布さいふ	wallet	noun	N4
558	鍵かぎ	key	noun	N4
559	傘かさ	umbrella	noun	N5
560	時計とけい	clock; watch	noun	N5
561	眼鏡めがね	glasses	noun	N4
562	服ふく	clothes	noun	N4
563	靴くつ	shoes	noun	N5
564	帽子ぼうし	hat; cap	noun	N5
565	洋服ようふく	clothes (Western-style)	noun	N4
566	野菜やさい	vegetable	noun	N5
567	果物くだもの	fruit	noun	N5
568	卵たまご	egg	noun	N5
569	牛乳ぎゅうにゅう	milk	noun	N5
570	お茶ちゃ	tea	noun	N5
571	砂糖さとう	sugar	noun	N4
572	塩しお	salt	noun	N4
573	味あじ	taste; flavor	noun	N4
574	料理りょうり人にん	cook; chef	noun	N2
575	食事しょくじ	meal; dining	noun	N4
576	朝あさご飯はん	breakfast	noun	N5
577	昼ひるご飯はん	lunch	noun	N5
578	晩ばんご飯はん	dinner	noun	N5
579	レストラン	restaurant	noun	N5
580	喫茶店きっさてん	coffee shop; cafe	noun	N4
581	台所だいどころ	kitchen	noun	N4
582	風呂ふろ	bath	noun	N4
583	洗面所せんめんじょ	washroom	noun	N2
584	庭にわ	garden; yard	noun	N4
585	階段かいだん	stairs	noun	N4
586	屋根やね	roof	noun	N3
587	壁かべ	wall	noun	N3
588	床ゆか	floor	noun	N3
589	電気でんき	electricity; light	noun	N5
590	火ひ	fire	noun	N5
591	風かぜ	wind	noun	N5
592	雪ゆき	snow	noun	N5
593	雲くも	cloud	noun	N4
594	星ほし	star	noun	N4
595	太陽たいよう	sun	noun	N3
596	光ひかり	light	noun	N3
597	音おと	sound; noise	noun	N4
598	石いし	stone	noun	N4
599	土つち	soil; earth; ground	noun	N4
600	森もり	forest; woods	noun	N4
601	感動かんどう	being moved; deep emotion	noun	N3
602	緊張きんちょう	tension; nervousness	noun	N2
603	努力どりょく	effort; endeavor	noun	N3
604	我慢がまん	patience; endurance	noun	N3
605	成功せいこう	success	noun	N3
606	失敗しっぱい	failure; mistake	noun	N3
607	成長せいちょう	growth	noun	N3
608	変化へんか	change; variation	noun	N3
609	発展はってん	development; expansion	noun	N2
610	進歩しんぽ	progress	noun	N2
611	目標もくひょう	goal; target	noun	N3
612	将来しょうらい	future	noun	N3
613	過去かこ	past	noun	N3
614	現在げんざい	present; now; current	noun	N3
615	最近さいきん	recently; lately	adverb	N4
616	最後さいご	the last; the end	noun	N4
617	最初さいしょ	the first; the beginning	noun	N4
618	途中とちゅう	on the way; midway	noun	N3
619	以外いがい	except; other than	noun	N3
620	以上いじょう	more than; above; that is all	noun	N3
621	以下いか	less than; below; the following	noun	N3
622	全部ぜんぶ	all; the whole	noun	N5
623	一部いちぶ	a part; a portion	noun	N3
624	半分はんぶん	half	noun	N4
625	両方りょうほう	both	noun	N4
626	普段ふだん	usually; ordinarily	adverb	N3
627	突然とつぜん	suddenly	adverb	N3
628	急きゅう	sudden; urgent	adjective	N3
629	必かならず	certainly; without fail	adverb	N3
630	例たとえば	for example	adverb	N3
631	つまり	in other words; that is	adverb	N3
632	やはり	as expected; after all	adverb	N3
633	しかし	however; but	conjunction	N4
634	それで	and so; therefore	conjunction	N4
635	だから	so; therefore	conjunction	N4
636	それに	besides; moreover	conjunction	N3
637	ところで	by the way	conjunction	N3
638	または	or; alternatively	conjunction	N3
639	もし	if; supposing	adverb	N4
640	たぶん	probably; maybe	adverb	N4
641	きっと	surely; certainly	adverb	N4
642	ずっと	all along; by far; continuously	adverb	N4
643	やっと	at last; finally	adverb	N3
644	ちょうど	exactly; just	adverb	N3
645	なるべく	as much as possible	adverb	N3
646	せっかく	with trouble; taking the effort	adverb	N2
647	わざと	on purpose; deliberately	adverb	N2
648	そろそろ	soon; about time	adverb	N3
649	だんだん	gradually	adverb	N3
650	はっきり	clearly; plainly	adverb	N3
651	しっかり	firmly; properly	adverb	N3
652	ゆっくり	slowly; at ease	adverb	N4
653	びっくり	surprised; startled	adverb	N4
654	のんびり	relaxed; carefree	adverb	N2
655	ばか	idiot; stupid (mild insult)	noun	N3
656	くそ	damn; crap (vulgar interjection)	interjection	N3
657	文句もんく	complaint; objection	noun	N2
658	冗談じょうだん	joke	noun	N3
659	秘密ひみつ	secret	noun	N3
660	規則きそく	rule; regulation	noun	N2
661	法律ほうりつ	law	noun	N2
662	政府せいふ	government	noun	N2
663	国民こくみん	citizen; nation (people)	noun	N2
664	市民しみん	citizen; townspeople	noun	N2
665	会員かいいん	member	noun	N3
666	医療いりょう	medical care	noun	N2
667	教育きょういく	education	noun	N3
668	研究けんきゅう	research	noun	N3
669	調査ちょうさ	investigation; survey	noun	N2
670	実験じっけん	experiment	noun	N2
671	機械きかい	machine	noun	N3
672	道具どうぐ	tool; instrument	noun	N3
673	製品せいひん	product	noun	N2
674	商品しょうひん	goods; merchandise	noun	N3
675	値段ねだん	price	noun	N4
676	価格かかく	price; value	noun	N2
677	料金りょうきん	fee; charge	noun	N3
678	税金ぜいきん	tax	noun	N2
679	給料きゅうりょう	salary; wages	noun	N3
680	貯金ちょきん	savings	noun	N3
681	現金げんきん	cash	noun	N3
682	生活費せいかつひ	living expenses	noun	N2
683	会計かいけい	accounting; the bill	noun	N2
684	数かず	number; count	noun	N3
685	量りょう	quantity; amount	noun	N3
686	数字すうじ	numeral; figure	noun	N3
687	計算けいさん	calculation	noun	N3
688	結局けっきょく	in the end; after all	adverb	N3
689	当然とうぜん	natural; obvious; of course	adjective	N2
690	確たしか	certain; sure; if I recall	adjective	N3
691	確実かくじつ	certain; reliable	adjective	N2
692	適当てきとう	suitable; appropriate; half-hearted	adjective	N2
693	正直しょうじき	honest; frankly	adjective	N3
694	素直すなお	obedient; honest; meek	adjective	N2
695	立派りっぱ	splendid; fine; respectable	adjective	N3
696	見事みごと	splendid; admirable	adjective	N2
697	実じつは	actually; to tell the truth	adverb	N3
698	実際じっさい	actually; in fact	adverb	N3
699	一応いちおう	for the time being; more or less	adverb	N2
700	とにかく	anyway; in any case	adverb	N3
701	なんとか	somehow; manage to	adverb	N3
702	さすが	as expected; truly	adverb	N2
703	別べつ	different; separate; another	adjective	N4
704	他ほか	other; else	noun	N4
705	次つぎ	next	noun	N5
706	最もっとも	most; extremely	adverb	N2
707	全体ぜんたい	the whole; entirety	noun	N2
708	一般いっぱん	general; ordinary	noun	N2
709	特徴とくちょう	characteristic; feature	noun	N2
710	種類しゅるい	kind; type; sort	noun	N3
711	内うち	inside; within; among	noun	N4
712	表おもて	surface; front; table	noun	N3
713	裏うら	back; reverse side	noun	N3
714	角かど	corner	noun	N4
715	底そこ	bottom	noun	N3
716	端はし	edge; end	noun	N2
717	列れつ	row; line; queue	noun	N2
718	点てん	point; dot; score	noun	N3
719	線せん	line	noun	N3
720	形かたち	shape; form	noun	N3
721	丸まる	circle; round	noun	N3
722	四角しかく	square	noun	N3
723	種たね	seed; source	noun	N2
724	葉は	leaf	noun	N3
725	根ね	root	noun	N2
726	枝えだ	branch	noun	N2
727	草くさ	grass	noun	N3
728	虫むし	insect; bug	noun	N4
729	鳥とり	bird	noun	N5
730	馬うま	horse	noun	N4
731	牛うし	cow; cattle	noun	N4
732	豚ぶた	pig	noun	N3
733	羊ひつじ	sheep	noun	N3
734	動物どうぶつ	animal	noun	N4
735	植物しょくぶつ	plant	noun	N3
736	生いきる	to live; to be alive	verb	N4
737	殺ころす	to kill	verb	N3
738	戦たたかう	to fight; to battle	verb	N3
739	勝かつ	to win	verb	N4
740	負まける	to lose; to be defeated	verb	N4
741	戦争せんそう	war	noun	N3
742	平和へいわ	peace	noun	N3
743	事件じけん	incident; case; affair	noun	N3
744	事故じこ	accident	noun	N4
745	危険きけん	danger; dangerous	adjective	N4
746	安全あんぜん	safety; safe	adjective	N3
747	被害ひがい	damage; harm	noun	N2
748	警察けいさつ	police	noun	N3
749	犯人はんにん	criminal; culprit	noun	N2
750	泥棒どろぼう	thief	noun	N3
751	軍ぐん	army; military	noun	N2
752	兵士へいし	soldier	noun	N2
753	王おう	king	noun	N3
754	神かみ	god; deity	noun	N3
755	宗教しゅうきょう	religion	noun	N2
756	寺てら	temple	noun	N3
757	神社じんじゃ	shrine	noun	N3
758	祭まつり	festival	noun	N3
759	伝統でんとう	tradition	noun	N2
760	習慣しゅうかん	custom; habit	noun	N3
761	芸術げいじゅつ	art	noun	N2
762	絵え	picture; painting	noun	N5
763	小説しょうせつ	novel	noun	N3
764	物語ものがたり	story; tale	noun	N3
765	漫画まんが	comic; manga	noun	N3
766	雑誌ざっし	magazine	noun	N5
767	記事きじ	article (news)	noun	N3
768	番組ばんぐみ	TV/radio program	noun	N3
769	放送ほうそう	broadcast	noun	N2
770	広告こうこく	advertisement	noun	N2
771	案内あんない	guidance; information	noun	N3
772	受付うけつけ	reception; front desk	noun	N3
773	順番じゅんばん	order; turn	noun	N3
774	番号ばんごう	number (label)	noun	N4
775	住所じゅうしょ	address	noun	N4
776	名刺めいし	business card	noun	N2
777	書類しょるい	documents	noun	N2
778	資料しりょう	materials; data	noun	N2
779	本棚ほんだな	bookshelf	noun	N3
780	引ひき出だし	drawer	noun	N3
781	棚たな	shelf	noun	N3
782	袋ふくろ	bag; sack	noun	N3
783	箱はこ	box	noun	N4
784	紙かみ	paper	noun	N5
785	筆ふで	brush (writing)	noun	N2
786	鉛筆えんぴつ	pencil	noun	N5
787	消けしゴム	eraser	noun	N4
788	定規じょうぎ	ruler (measuring)	noun	N2
789	辞書じしょ	dictionary	noun	N5
790	教科書きょうかしょ	textbook	noun	N3
791	黒板こくばん	blackboard	noun	N3
792	筆箱ふでばこ	pencil case	noun	N3
793	会場かいじょう	venue; hall	noun	N2
794	教室きょうしつ	classroom	noun	N5
795	廊下ろうか	corridor; hallway	noun	N3
796	講義こうぎ	lecture	noun	N2
797	授業じゅぎょう	class; lesson	noun	N4
798	成績せいせき	grades; results	noun	N2
799	合格ごうかく	passing (an exam)	noun	N3
800	卒業そつぎょう	graduation	noun	N3
801	入学にゅうがく	entering school; admission	noun	N3
802	知識ちしき	knowledge	noun	N2
803	能力のうりょく	ability; capacity	noun	N3
804	才能さいのう	talent	noun	N2
805	努つとめる	to strive; to make efforts	verb	N2
806	勤つとめる	to work (for a company)	verb	N3
807	就職しゅうしょく	getting a job; employment	noun	N2
808	面接めんせつ	interview	noun	N2
809	職業しょくぎょう	occupation; profession	noun	N3
810	産業さんぎょう	industry	noun	N2
811	農業のうぎょう	agriculture	noun	N2
812	工業こうぎょう	manufacturing industry	noun	N2
813	貿易ぼうえき	trade (foreign)	noun	N2
814	輸入ゆにゅう	import	noun	N2
815	輸出ゆしゅつ	export	noun	N2
816	会社員かいしゃいん	office worker	noun	N4
817	公務員こうむいん	public servant	noun	N3
818	看護師かんごし	nurse	noun	N3
819	弁護士べんごし	lawyer	noun	N2
820	運転手うんてんしゅ	driver	noun	N3
821	選手せんしゅ	athlete; player	noun	N3
822	試合しあい	match; game	noun	N4
823	運動うんどう	exercise; movement	noun	N4
824	練習れんしゅう場じょう	practice ground	noun	N2
825	応援おうえん	support; cheering	noun	N3
826	観客かんきゃく	audience; spectators	noun	N2
827	優勝ゆうしょう	championship; victory	noun	N2
828	記録きろく	record	noun	N2
829	休日きゅうじつ	holiday; day off	noun	N3
830	旅たび	journey; travel	noun	N3
831	観光かんこう	sightseeing; tourism	noun	N3
832	見物けんぶつ	sightseeing; watching	noun	N2
833	風景ふうけい	scenery; landscape	noun	N2
834	景色けしき	scenery; view	noun	N3
835	自由じゆう	freedom; free	adjective	N3
836	平等びょうどう	equality; equal	adjective	N2
837	幸しあわせ	happiness; happy	adjective	N3
838	不幸ふこう	unhappiness; misfortune	adjective	N2
839	幸運こううん	good luck; fortune	noun	N2
840	運うん	luck; fortune	noun	N3
841	性格せいかく	personality; character	noun	N3
842	態度たいど	attitude	noun	N2
843	感情かんじょう	emotion; feeling	noun	N2
844	記憶きおく	memory	noun	N2
845	想像そうぞう	imagination	noun	N2
846	考かんがえ方かた	way of thinking	noun	N3
847	判断はんだん	judgment; decision	noun	N2
848	意識いしき	consciousness; awareness	noun	N2
849	無意識むいしき	unconsciousness; unconscious	noun	N2
850	常識じょうしき	common sense	noun	N2
851	知しり合あう	to get to know each other	verb	N3
852	付つき合あう	to associate with; to date	verb	N3
853	別わかれる	to part; to break up	verb	N3
854	出会であう	to encounter; to meet	verb	N3
855	愛あいする	to love	verb	N3
856	恋こい	love; romance	noun	N3
857	愛情あいじょう	affection; love	noun	N2
858	友情ゆうじょう	friendship	noun	N2
859	信頼しんらい	trust; reliance	noun	N2
860	尊敬そんけい	respect	noun	N2
861	感かんじ方かた	way of feeling; perception	noun	N2
862	態勢たいせい	posture; readiness	noun	N2
863	姿すがた	figure; appearance	noun	N2
864	表情ひょうじょう	facial expression	noun	N2
865	笑顔えがお	smiling face; smile	noun	N3
866	涙なみだ	tears	noun	N3
867	汗あせ	sweat	noun	N3
868	血ち	blood	noun	N3
869	骨ほね	bone	noun	N3
870	皮膚ひふ	skin	noun	N2
871	筋肉きんにく	muscle	noun	N2
872	呼吸こきゅう	breathing; respiration	noun	N2
873	健康けんこう	health; healthy	adjective	N3
874	治なおる	to be cured; to heal	verb	N3
875	治なおす	to cure; to heal (transitive)	verb	N3
876	怪我けが	injury	noun	N3
877	痛いたみ	pain; ache	noun	N3
878	熱ねつ	fever; heat	noun	N4
879	風邪かぜ	cold (illness)	noun	N4
880	症状しょうじょう	symptom	noun	N2
881	検査けんさ	examination; inspection	noun	N2
882	治療ちりょう	medical treatment	noun	N2
883	手術しゅじゅつ	surgery; operation	noun	N2
884	注射ちゅうしゃ	injection	noun	N3
885	入院にゅういん	hospitalization	noun	N3
886	退院たいいん	leaving hospital	noun	N3
887	疲労ひろう	fatigue; exhaustion	noun	N2
888	睡眠すいみん	sleep	noun	N2
889	食欲しょくよく	appetite	noun	N2
890	栄養えいよう	nutrition	noun	N2
891	効果こうか	effect; efficacy	noun	N2
892	原はら	field; plain	noun	N2
893	畑はたけ	field (crops); farm	noun	N3
894	米こめ	rice (uncooked)	noun	N4
895	麦むぎ	wheat; barley	noun	N2
896	豆まめ	bean	noun	N3
897	油あぶら	oil	noun	N3
898	調味料ちょうみりょう	seasoning; condiment	noun	N2
899	材料ざいりょう	materials; ingredients	noun	N3
900	食料しょくりょう	food; provisions	noun	N2
901	皿さら	plate; dish	noun	N4
902	茶碗ちゃわん	rice bowl; teacup	noun	N3
903	箸はし	chopsticks	noun	N4
904	鍋なべ	pot; pan; hot pot	noun	N3
905	包丁ほうちょう	kitchen knife	noun	N2
906	冷蔵庫れいぞうこ	refrigerator	noun	N4
907	電子でんしレンジ	microwave oven	noun	N3
908	洗濯機せんたくき	washing machine	noun	N4
909	掃除機そうじき	vacuum cleaner	noun	N3
910	道具箱どうぐばこ	toolbox	noun	N2
911	機会きかい	opportunity; chance	noun	N3
912	瞬間しゅんかん	moment; instant	noun	N2
913	期間きかん	period; term	noun	N2
914	期限きげん	deadline; time limit	noun	N2
915	締しめ切きり	deadline	noun	N2
916	遅刻ちこく	lateness; being late	noun	N3
917	欠席けっせき	absence	noun	N2
918	出席しゅっせき	attendance	noun	N3
919	参加さんか	participation	noun	N3
920	出発しゅっぱつ	departure	noun	N4
921	到着とうちゃく	arrival	noun	N3
922	移動いどう	movement; transfer	noun	N2
923	交通こうつう	traffic; transportation	noun	N3
924	渋滞じゅうたい	traffic jam	noun	N2
925	距離きょり	distance	noun	N2
926	速度そくど	speed	noun	N2
927	方向ほうこう	direction	noun	N3
928	位置いち	position; location	noun	N2
929	場所ばしょ	place; location	noun	N4
930	地域ちいき	area; region	noun	N2
931	地方ちほう	region; countryside	noun	N3
932	都会とかい	city; urban area	noun	N2
933	田舎いなか	countryside; rural area	noun	N3
934	村むら	village	noun	N4
935	島しま	island	noun	N4
936	湖みずうみ	lake	noun	N3
937	池いけ	pond	noun	N4
938	谷たに	valley	noun	N2
939	坂さか	slope; hill	noun	N3
940	砂すな	sand	noun	N2
941	波なみ	wave	noun	N3
942	氷こおり	ice	noun	N3
943	湯ゆ	hot water	noun	N3
944	煙けむり	smoke	noun	N2
945	灰はい	ash	noun	N2
946	金属きんぞく	metal	noun	N2
947	鉄てつ	iron	noun	N3
948	金きん	gold	noun	N3
949	銀ぎん	silver	noun	N3
950	布ぬの	cloth; fabric	noun	N2
951	糸いと	thread; string	noun	N3
952	針はり	needle	noun	N2
953	綿わた	cotton	noun	N2
954	革かわ	leather	noun	N2
955	種々しゅじゅ	various; all kinds	adjective	N2
956	様々さまざま	various; diverse	adjective	N3
957	色々いろいろ	various; all sorts	adjective	N4
958	普及ふきゅう	spread; diffusion	noun	N2
959	発見はっけん	discovery	noun	N2
960	発明はつめい	invention	noun	N2
961	製造せいぞう	manufacture	noun	N2
962	完成かんせい	completion	noun	N3
963	破壊はかい	destruction	noun	N2
964	修理しゅうり	repair	noun	N3
965	故障こしょう	breakdown; malfunction	noun	N3
966	停電ていでん	power outage	noun	N2
967	節約せつやく	saving; economizing	noun	N2
968	無駄むだ	waste; futile	adjective	N2
969	費用ひよう	cost; expense	noun	N2
970	予算よさん	budget	noun	N2
971	収入しゅうにゅう	income	noun	N2
972	支出ししゅつ	expenditure	noun	N2
973	利益りえき	profit; benefit	noun	N2
974	損そん	loss; disadvantage	noun	N3
975	得とく	gain; advantage; profit	noun	N3
976	許可きょか	permission; approval	noun	N2
977	禁止きんし	prohibition; ban	noun	N3
978	命令めいれい	order; command	noun	N2
979	指示しじ	instruction; direction	noun	N2
980	命いのち	life	noun	N3
981	存在そんざい	existence; being	noun	N2
982	現実げんじつ	reality	noun	N2
983	事実じじつ	fact; truth	noun	N2
984	真実しんじつ	truth	noun	N2
985	理解りかい	understanding	noun	N3
986	解決かいけつ	solution; settlement	noun	N3
987	意義いぎ	significance; meaning	noun	N2
988	価値かち	value; worth	noun	N2
989	評価ひょうか	evaluation; appraisal	noun	N2
990	批判ひはん	criticism	noun	N2
991	賛成さんせい	agreement; approval	noun	N3
992	反対はんたい	opposition; opposite	noun	N3
993	賛同さんどう	approval; support	noun	N2
994	議論ぎろん	discussion; argument	noun	N2
995	会話かいわ	conversation	noun	N4
996	発表はっぴょう	presentation; announcement	noun	N3
997	表現ひょうげん	expression	noun	N2
998	内緒ないしょ	secret; confidential	noun	N2
999	約束やくそくする	to promise	verb	N4
1000	最高さいこう	the best; the highest; supreme	adjective	N3

Showing the top 1000 of 1000 words, by frequency · audio: female voice

Put the list to work

Frequently asked questions

Why learn Japanese words by frequency?

Word frequency is brutally top-heavy: a small core of words does almost all the work in everyday speech. Learning in frequency order front-loads exactly those words, so every hour of study unlocks the largest possible share of real conversations, shows and books — instead of textbook chapter vocabulary you might not meet for months.

How many Japanese words do I need to understand conversations?

The 100 most common Japanese words already cover roughly half of everyday speech, the top 1,000 around 85%, and about 2,500–3,000 words push you past 95%. That last stretch is the long tail — but this list is the highest-value first mile: master it and most sentences you hear will be built from words you know.

What do the JLPT levels next to the words mean?

Each word carries the JLPT level (N5 easiest … N2) at which learners typically study it — the standard scale of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. Most of the top 1,000 is N5–N4, the beginner core, with the tail reaching into N3–N2; none are N1, which is reserved for advanced vocabulary rarely seen in a top-1,000 list. If the N3 and N2 words feel unfamiliar, that is a normal place for an N4 learner to be.

How was the audio made?

Every word was recorded individually with two studio-grade neural text-to-speech voices — one female, one male — so you can hear each word in isolation and compare pronunciations. Use the voice toggle above the table to switch; the clips are short, natural and free to replay as often as you like.

Is this a list of dictionary forms or word forms?

Dictionary forms (lemmas): verbs appear once in their plain dictionary form — する (to do), 行く (to go), 見る (to see) — never as an inflected form like します, した or している, which all fold into the one lemma. I-adjectives are listed in their dictionary form (大きい), na-adjectives as the bare stem (好き). Grammatical particles (は, の, を, に…) sit at the very top of the list because they are the single most frequent tokens in the language, and each is listed once.

What are the small kana above the kanji?

Those are furigana — the reading of each kanji written in hiragana above it (as ruby text), so you can tell how the word is pronounced even before you have learned the character. Pure-kana words and katakana loanwords (テレビ, コーヒー) have no furigana because they already show their own reading. The audio speaks the reading of every word, so you can listen and read the furigana at the same time to lock in the pronunciation.

Why do は, へ and を sound different from how they are written?

A few kana are pronounced differently when they act as grammatical particles: the topic particle は is read "wa" (not "ha"), the direction particle へ is read "e" (not "he"), and the object particle を is read "o". The list shows their written form, and the audio plays the correct spoken sound, so what you hear is what a native speaker actually says.

How should I study this list?

Don't memorize it top to bottom in one go. Work in slices (the Top 250 view is a good first target), listen to every word as you review it, and meet the same words in context as fast as possible — graded stories and podcasts at your level are where frequency vocabulary actually sticks. Spaced-repetition flashcards work well for the concrete nouns and verbs in the tail.

Don't just read the list — learn it

Lenguia turns vocabulary like this into a daily Japanese plan: graded stories and podcasts built from high-frequency words, spaced-repetition flashcards, grammar, writing and speaking practice — all at exactly your level.

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How many of these words do you already know?

Take the free Japanese placement test — grammar, reading, vocabulary, listening, writing and speaking, graded A1 to C1 — and find out exactly where to start in this list.

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