Basic Japanese Words for Indian Students
Learn Basic Japanese words with meanings for day to day use to communicate with locals while working or studying in Japan. This beginner-friendly guide will help you to use popular words in the Japanese language to remove the language barrier.
- Japanese Greetings & Daily Survival Phrases for Indian Students
- Benefits of Learning Basic Japanese Words
- 10 Beautiful Japanese Words with Meaning
- Popular Japanese Words for Getting Around in Japan
- Japanese Words to Introduce Yourself as a Student.
- How to Learn Japanese Language in India (2026)?
- FAQs Related to Japanese Words
Japanese Greetings & Daily Survival Phrases for Indian Students
Japanese culture prioritizes politeness and respect. Using the appropriate formal or informal phrase depends heavily on your relationship with the listener. Below is a curated list of essential everyday vocabulary with accurate Romaji (pronunciation) and native writing systems.
| English Meaning | Romaji (Pronunciation) | Contextual Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / Good Afternoon | Konnichiwa | Standard daytime greeting; used from late morning to dusk. |
| Good Morning (Formal) | Ohayou gozaimasu | Use with professors, superiors, and strangers. "Ohayou" alone is informal. |
| Good Evening | Konbanwa | Used after dark as a formal or semi-formal greeting. |
| Goodbye (Formal) | Sayounara | Implies a long-term departure. For daily farewells, use "Ja, mata" (See you later). |
| Thank You (Formal) | Arigatou gozaimasu | Always use the full phrase in professional and academic settings. |
| Please (Offering) | Douzo | Used when offering something to someone else (e.g., "After you" or "Please take a seat"). |
| Please (Requesting) | Onegai shimasu | Used when asking for a service, item, or favor (e.g., calling for help or ordering food). |
| Excuse Me / Sorry | Sumimasen | Multi-purpose phrase. Functions as "Excuse me" to catch attention or a minor apology. |
| Yes | Hai | Also used to signal acknowledgment during a conversation. |
| No | Iie | Often softened in speech to avoid sounding overly direct or confrontational. |
| Delicious | Oishii | Common adjective used during meals or when buying food. |
| Beautiful / Clean | Kirei | Can describe both visual beauty and physical cleanliness. |
10 Japanese Words to Learn For University Students
Here are some important words that every international student should know, if they want to study in Japan:
| Japanese Words for Students | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hon | Book |
| Daigaku | University |
| Gakusei | Student |
| Sensei | Teacher |
| Kyampasu | Campus |
| Kyoushitsu | Classroom |
| Shokudo | Cafeteria |
| Gakusei ryō | Dormitory |
| Shiken | Exam |
| Chikoku shimashita | I'm late |
How Do You Write Numbers in Japanese (1 to 10)?
In English, it is easy to count numbers. Learn let's learn to count numbers in Japanese? Learning this is important for communication. No matter whether you are in Japan as a student, worker, or tourist. No matter your purpose, mastering Japanese numbers will surely help you.
| Number | Romaji (Pronunciation) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ichi |
| 2 | Ni |
| 3 | San |
| 4 | Shi / Yon |
| 5 | Go |
| 6 | Roku |
| 7 | Shichi / Nana |
| 8 | Hachi |
| 9 | Ku / Kyuu |
| 10 | Juu |
Benefits of Learning Basic Japanese Words
Japan is renowned not only for its top-ranked Japanese universities and the quality education they offer but also for its attractive career opportunities. The Japanese government actively working to attract international students to study and work in Japan to contribute to the nation's workforce. Learning beautiful Japanese words will be helpful for Indian students who are planning to study in Japan or settle in a Japanese city.
Here's why learning basic Japanese words with meaning is a fantastic idea for Indian students going to Japan:
- Removing Communication Barrier- Learning Japanese will help you to break the ice with local people around you. You can use words like “お元気ですか” (o genki desu ka) which means How Are You in Japanese.
- More Job Opportunities- Japanese is one of the toughest languages in the world. By just knowing some Japanese words, you are eligible to approach native Japanese speakers which can help you to get jobs in Japan. People should learn Japanese language to explore the Japanese job market.
- Making New Japanese Friends- It is always good to have a local friend if you are going to study abroad. They can help you understand the new culture of Japan.
- Helpful in Study- You are in Japan for your studies. You will face many cases where you need to participate in class discussions or understand the words of professors. Here, learning the meaning of Japanese words in English will be helpful for you.
Importance of Learning Japanese For Indian Students
Learn different Japanese words so that you can communicate easily. Japanese people talk in respectful and polite way to others. So, try not to use Japanese bad words while studying there. Instead of using Japanese bad words, you can use these basic words in the Japanese language to express your feelings.
- To show disagreement in Japanese, Say "So de wa nai to omoimasu" which means "I don't think so"
- To tell someone, I am in trouble in Japanese, say "Fuben desu".
10 Beautiful Japanese Words with Meaning
Here we have mentioned some beautiful Japanese words with English meaning to express different emotions and expressions.
| Japanese Word | Meaning in English |
|---|---|
| Akogare | The meaning of this Japanese word is inspiration or adoration. |
| Gussuri | The English Meaning of Gussuri is sound sleep or fast sleep. |
| Hinode | The meaning of this Japanese word is Sunrise. |
| Ikigai | The meaning of Ikigai is " A Reason for Being". |
| Kyōryokuna | When you want to say “Powerful in Japanese, say Kyōryokuna. |
| Kyoudai | This Japanese word means Siblings. |
| Natsukashii | The meaning of this Japanese word is Nostalgic. |
| Otsukare | The Japanese meaning of this word is “Good Job”. |
| Renai | Renai is a Japanese word used to describe feelings of romantic love. |
| Ryoushin | A Person's parents are referred to as Ryoushin in Japanese. |
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Popular Japanese Words for Getting Around in Japan
No matter if you are a tourist or a student in Japan, knowing some basic Japanese words when you are in a public place will be helpful. You can use these words to ask for directions or help.
| For Asking General Directions |
|
|---|---|
| Japanese Word |
English Meaning |
| Migi |
Right |
| Hidari |
Left |
| Mae |
Straight ahead |
| Ushiro |
Back |
| Transportation |
|
| Eki |
Station |
| Densha |
Train |
| Basu |
Bus |
| Chikatetsu |
Subway |
| Shinkansen |
Bullet train (high-speed train) |
| Noriba |
Platform (where you board) |
| Oriba |
Exit (where you disembark) |
| Kippu |
Ticket |
| Kisha |
Train (more general term) |
| Asking for Help |
|
| Sumimasen |
Excuse me |
| Doko desu ka? |
Where is it? |
| Sumimasen, dochira desu ka? |
Excuse me, which way is it? (more polite) |
| Kudasai |
Please (when requesting something) |
Japanese Words to Introduce Yourself as a Student.
You are an Indian student in Japan. Here are some popular Japanese words to introduce yourself in Japanese.
| English | Romaji |
|---|---|
| Hi | Konnichiwa |
| Nice to Meet You | Hajimemashite |
| My Name is | Watashi no namae wa [Your Name] desu |
| What is Your Name? | Anata no onamae wa nan desu ka? |
| I Came from India | Indo kara kimashita |
| I am Indian | Indojin desu |
| I am a Student Here in Japan | Nihon de gakusei desu |
That’s all about the topic. We hope that you have learnt some beautiful and cute Japanese words with their meaning in the English language. These words will be helpful for you when you are communicating with the Japanese people.
How to Learn Japanese Language in India (2026)?
Learning Japanese is a smart move in 2026. Japan has many high-paying jobs for Indian engineers, IT experts, and students. To get these jobs, you usually need to pass the JLPT exam. This test proves your skills to Japanese companies.
Where to Learn Japanese in India?
You can find many great Japanese language classes in India.
-
University Courses: Places like Delhi University and JNU offer full-time programs.
-
Private Institutes: Schools like Nihonkai or MOSAI are popular in big cities.
-
Online Platforms: Use apps like Duolingo or Memrise for basics. Websites like Minato or JapanesePod101 are great for deeper study.
JLPT Exam Journey
The JLPT exam has five levels. You can take it in July or December.
-
N5 & N4 (Beginner): Takes 6 to 10 months. You learn basic greetings and simple reading.
-
N3 (Intermediate): Takes 1 year. This is the bridge to working in Japan.
-
N2 & N1 (Advanced): Takes 2+ years. Most high-salary jobs in Japan for Indians require N2.
Tips to Learn Faster
-
Watch Anime: Use subtitles to hear how native speakers talk.
-
Daily Practice: Spend 30 minutes every day. Consistency is key!
-
Flashcards: Use apps like Anki to remember Kanji characters easily.
Start with a Japanese language course in India today to unlock a bright future in Japan!
If you wish to study in Japan and are looking for guidance, then hit the link to get Shiksha Counselling Services for free. Also, you can drop your queries in the comments section below.
FAQs Related to Japanese Words
Commonly asked questions
You should first learn simple and polite Japanese phrases. Konnichiwa (Hello), Arigatou gozaimasu: (Thank you), and Sumimasen: (Excuse me / Sorry) are some of them.
These words are helpful for you. If want to study in Japan.
Romaji only helps with initial pronunciation. Because Japanese transit signs, university notices, and store menus are written using native scripts, learning Hiragana, Katakana, and basic Kanji is vital for daily independent survival and clearing official JLPT exams.
While some basic conversational jobs accept N5 or N4 levels, most student part-time jobs (Arubaito) in retail or food service prefer at least an N3 level. Achieving N3 ensures you can understand instructions and communicate effectively with local customers.
The MEXT scholarship application process can happen in two ways. One based on the recommendation by Embassy. These applicants undergo initial screening tests, and interviews before submitting their MEXT application and documentation for admissions. Alternatively, the next way to apply for MEXT schoalrship is through university recommendations.

Raj Vimal is an education writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. He helps Indian students find the right universities, visas, and courses abroad. Currently, he leads content strategies at InfoEdge India
Read Full Bio