Japanese Glossary

I speak a lot of Japanese. Most of it I learned at school, although I learned quite a bit on my own as well. I’ve been teaching myself for several years now, and this is my first year in a formal class. So... yeah, I’m all proud of myself. Here’s a glossary of terms and what-not here. Also, this is a list of vocabulary I’ve learned/have to learn, but it might be revised as to how often I actually use the words, lol.

p.s. Kenshin, if you go looking around in here trying to translate some stuff I say forget it. Besides, you’ve got your dictionary so there!

Akai - Red

Anata – you (can be used affectionately)

Aoi - blue

Baka(yarou) – stupid, fool, dummy

-chan – used between girls and for younger people

Doozo yorishiku! – It’s a pleasure to meet you!

Gohan – meal/rice

Hai - yes

Hajime mashite! – Hello there! (introductory)

Hanasu (Hanashimasu) – to speak

Hon - book

Iie - no

Iku (Ikimasu) – to go

Imouto-chan – little sister

Irasshaimase! – Welcome

Kaeru (kaerimasu) – to return

Kami – paper

Kami-sama - God

Katana – Japanese –style sword, used most commonly by samurai

Kawaii - cute

Kichigai – crazy, insane

Kiru (Kimasu) – to come

Konbanwa – good evening

Konnichi-wa – good day, good afternoon

Korosu (Koroshimasu) - kill

Kuroi – Black, dark

Kutsu - shoes

Miko - Priestess

Mizu – (cold) water

Neko - cat

Nihon - Japan

Ocha - tea

Ohayo gozaimasu – good morning

Okaasan - mother

Oneesan, Oneechan – older sister

-sama – suffix, used for royalty and gods

Samurai – knight, swordsman, etc.

-san – used the same as “Mr” or “Mrs”

Sensei – teacher

Senshi - soldier

Seppuku - suicide

Shinigami – God of Death

Uchi - home

Umi – beach, ocean

Watashi – I, me, my

I’ll get more later, and maybe scrounge up some kanji too!