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06.10.2016
Japanese Word Images for the Word “Life”
生命 means Life
The left side Japanese word “生命(せいめい-seimei)” means “Life”.
The below images are Japanese Kanji and Hiragana of some Japanese words which mean “Life”.
You can learn how to write these Japanese words by referring the stroke orders of these words.
生命 means Life
Hiragana for 生命
Stroke Order for 生命
And the word “life” covers the wide area of our “daily life”, so in Japan we translate this word in many ways such as “命(いのち-inochi)” or “生涯(しょうがい-shougai)” etc.
命 means Life
Hiragana for 命
Stroke Order for 命
生涯 means Life (Lifetime)
Hiragana for 生涯
Stroke Order for 生涯
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Here is how to say life in japanese:
4 Mins Read
Have you been searching for a way to describe something you’ve felt, and just can’t pin down using the English language? We’ve definitely felt that way before. Luckily, there are some Japanese words that are just so relatable, and we are here to share them with you! Here are 7 Japanese words that seem to perfectly condense an indescribable feeling or activity in a straightforward way:
1. Mottainai
Mottainai is a term that has recently been picked up by environmental activists, especially ever since a certain Japanese lady created a minimalist craze. In Japanese, mottainai is an expression of regret over waste – it literally translates to “what a waste!” Since being used by Kenyan green activist Wangari Mathai at a United Nations conference, the term has become a slogan to promote protecting our planet through reducing, reusing and recycling. In addition to the primary use of the word to describe wastefulness in Japanese, it is also used to mean “more than one deserves.”
Use it in a sentence: “After a marathon of Marie Kondo on Netflix, Nadine can’t stop lecturing us about mottanai.”
2. Shinrin-yoku
Are you in need of an outdoor nature activity that will make you feel good? In Japan, there is something called shinrin-yoku, the practice of forest bathing. It involves immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest, taking it in through your senses to restore mood and energy. The practice has its roots in the worship practices of Shinto and Buddhism. First developed in 1982 by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as a response to the emergence of karoshi (death by overwork), it has since become a popular therapy option.
Use it in a sentence: “My weekly hikes really help me get some much-needed shinrin-yoku.”
Read more about Shinrin-yoku & Why Trees Are So Magical
3. Satori
Satori is a Japanese Buddhist term, derived from the verb satoru, and it means awakening or understanding. In the Zen Buddhist tradition, satori is used as a reference to experiencing and realising one’s true nature – a state of enlightenment. According to D.T. Suzuki, satori is at the core of Zen thinking. You’ll also be surprised to know that the term also exists in Chinese (悟), which when used in conjunction with other characters is an expression for consciousness, awareness or the power of understanding.
Use it in a sentence: “A month-long yoga retreat in Bali helped Lily find satori.”
4. Hikikomori
Hikikomori describes socially withdrawing, shutting yourself out from the world, or pulling inward. Sometimes used to categorise a group of reclusive adolescents or modern-day hermits, we can perhaps use hikikomori as a warning that we have to take care of ourselves and our mental health. Yes, no matter how much of a social butterfly you might be, we all need some me-time sometimes. But if you are struggling, it’s always okay to reach out to those around you for help.
Use it in a sentence: “During Joanna’s hikikomori phase, she became increasingly anti-social.”
5. Oishii
Simply meaning tasty or delicious, oishii is definitely a term we should live by. Food should be shared, it should be enjoyable and it should be oishii! So next time you sit down with your family for a mouth-watering home-cooked meal, or if you’re out on a luxurious dinner date, remember to give the chef of the night a compliment in Japanese.
Use it in a sentence: “The oishii quotient was off the charts at Green Queen’s latest vegan dinner.”
6. Wabi-sabi
Wabi-sabi is a perspective that accepts transience and imperfection in aesthetics. It is about seeing beauty in something that might conventionally be perceived as incomplete or imperfect, and appreciating that things are not always permanent. In design, qualities of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include asymmetrical shapes, roughness, minimalism, and natural. In a broader sense, the term means to find natural objects and our surrounding environments fascinating. The Japanese, for instance, often use the term to describe fading autumn leaves – changing over time, imperfect, yet beautiful.
Use it in a sentence: I’m all about wabi-sabi these days- perfection is so overrated.
7. Ikigai
We saved the best-known one for last, of course. Ikigai is the now-famous Japanese concept that roughly translates to “reason for being”. It is usually used to indicate what one’s purpose is, or the things that make life worth living. It is also a deeply personal term – each person’s ikigai is specific to one’s own value system, beliefs and life experiences and reflects the inner self. Activities that allow ikigai to be felt are not forced, but are spontaneous and comes out during a mental state of ease. So what’s your reason for waking up each morning?
Use it in a sentence: “It took a few years, but I’ve finally found my ikigai in life and I can’t wait to pursue my passion.”
Lead image courtesy of Pexels.
I know that 人生 is used for “human life”, and 生命 for “life” in the biological sense.
But I want to express that life (whatever) is something good, something positive and I don´t know if it’s possible.
asked Nov 3, 2014 at 4:45
1
What about いのち (and the kana spelling here is intentional):
盗人が来るのは、ただ盗んだり、殺したり、滅ぼしたりするだけのためです。わたしが来たのは、羊がいのちを得、またそれを豊かに持つためです。 （ヨハネ福音の10:10）
My other thought is ライフ in the katakana.
My sensibilities could be off on both of those since I’m not a native speaker, but I get the impression that the 和製英語 has a positive feel to it and the other can mean life in the sense you would want to call good better than 生命 or 人生.
answered Nov 3, 2014 at 4:51
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Discovering philosophies from other cultures through their words can help you think about life completely differently. Take a look at these beautiful Japanese words to get a new perspective of things.
When you learn about other languages and words, you discover how other cultures organize the world around them, their perceptions of life, and even their personal universe. Here we will talk about some very interesting japanese words.
Japanese culture is known for having certain terms that encompass a series of ideas that tend to surprise, captivate, and draw in Westerners.
Japanese Words to Help Personal Growth
These invite you to deeply reflect on things and incorporate certain concepts that favor changes, personal growth, an understanding of new perspectives. Above all, they favor cultural and psychological enrichment.
Here we invite you to do this. We’re sure you’ll find these Japanese words to be as interesting as they are curious.
1. Ikigai, your reason for being
The first of these Japanese words is Ikigai. Everyone should have their own ikigai. This is a motive, purpose, illusion, or vital goal that gives you the strength and energy every morning to start your day.
As everyone knows, however, not everyone has discovered it yet. That’s why some people spend a long time feeling lost without a course or motivation that can bring them real and tangible happiness.
This is an interesting concept that you should definitely consider.
2. Kintsukuroi, repairing our wounds with gold
kintsukuroiemerge a stronger, more dignified, and more beautiful human being.
In Japanese culture, kintsukuroi refers to a technique that attempts to repair broken porcelain pieces.
Rather than discarding them, artists will join those pieces with a putty that contains gold dust.
The cracks are visible because these veins show the strength of a unique object that tells its own story.
3. Aware, or the sorrow of transience
The next of these Japanese words is Aware. Life moves quickly and does not wait for anyone. It’s fleeting, intense, and unforgiving. Love sometimes ends and friendships may expire. What seemed safe before suddenly ends, forcing you to start from scratch.
Within all of these processes is “aware,” one of the most transcendent words of the Japanese language.
With it, sadness is transmitted to the fleeting nature of things. In turn, there is the need to continue moving forward and closing doors to open new ones.
4. Majime, the person who knows how to be responsible
In Japanese, “majime” literally means a serious person.
Rather than understanding it to be a spontaneous little jab at someone’s closed or sullen appearance, however, it is above all a reference to their reliable character.
5. Nankurunaisa, one of the most beautiful words
Nankurunaisa is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful words of ancient Japanese and of this list of Japanese words to adopt in your vocabulary.
It refers to a classic idea within motivational psychology, personal growth, and even spirituality in which you are urged to trust in the future.
Everyone has been through times when in the midst of adversity, the only option you have is to trust.
You have to understand that the passage of time, together with your will to act and your spirit, will fix everything and bring new opportunities to your horizon.
6. Gaman, endure the difficulties with dignity
Gaman is another term that’s directly linked to the roots of Buddhism. It proposes a philosophy that will help you see your life in a different way.
This word actually contains several different ideas:
- The capacity for self-control.
- A need to be patient.
- The resistance to endure difficult and complex times.
- A need to be resilient and combine dignity and strength.
- The ability to overcome and to try to do something every day to feel better.
“Gaman” also integrates an equally important and valuable idea: not neglecting others.
You should not be a burden or a bother, but rather an understanding person who can understand those around you even in the midst of your own problems.
7. Wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfections
It refers to the beauty that exists within the things that seem to be imperfect.
In turn, it conveys the idea that the truly beautiful things are simpler, more elemental and pure, no matter their small defects or imperfections.
It’s something you can apply to your daily life to correct that common obsession with idealized beauty, seeking perfection in your life or with your body, or even your relationships.
Accept that we are all flawed and beautifully imperfect.
Learn to apply these simple but interesting ideas from Japanese culture in your day-to-day life.
- How are the words “Life” and “Death” in Japanese pronounced?
- The difference between 生 and 命?
- The different ways “Life” and “Death” can be expressed in Japanese characters and symbols
- What words are in the Japanese symbol for “Life” and “Death” Used In?
- How is “Life” and “Death” expressed in Chinese?
- Stroke order for writing the characters in Japanese “Life” and “Death” and associated symbols.
- Historical forms of the chinese character for “Life” and “Death”
- So should you get “Life” and/or “Death” done as a tattoo in Japanese lettering?
There aren’t many more significant characters or symbols in Japanese than those for “life” and “death”. Not in any language, really.
These characters are used in various words that may have religious or cultural significance in Japan.
The first thing to know is that there a couple of close equivalents you could choose for the character for “life”, namely 生 and 命.
Death is a Japanese character that can be seen in various forms throughout Japanese culture. There are many stories and customs surrounding death, and the meaning behind the character has evolved over time. In general, death represents change and transformation, and it is often seen as a natural part of life.
How are the words “Life” and “Death” in Japanese pronounced?
The Japanese symbol for life is the kanji 生 (Sei), while death in Japanese symbol is 死(shi).
These are the most common symbols that are used in Japanese to contrast the concepts of “life” and “death”.
You will sometimes see paired tattoos of the “life” kanji on the upper arms of a man and woman (indicating unwavering love).
There is also the symbol or 命 (inochi) which also translates as life. We’ll take a look at the difference between these below.
The difference between 生 and 命?
Used in isolation, the character 命 (inochi) is probably closer to the Japanese word “life” in isolation than 生 (sei).
The character 生 in isolation is most likely to be read by a Japanese person as “nama” which variously translates as raw, unadulterated, untampered with etc.
That being said, if you want to express the ideas of “life and death” as a juxtaposed pair in Japanese, then the characters to use are 生 (sei) and 死 (shi).
生 (sei) is more associated with verbs like “to live” 生きる (ikiru) or to be born 生まれる (umareru), or in phrases like 生を受ける (sei wo ukeru) “to come into being”.
In relation to this 命 is used in words like life, spirit or soul.
The different ways “Life” and “Death” can be expressed in Japanese characters and symbols
- 生活(seikatsu)
Generally translated as lifestyle but can also be translated as “life”.
Example sentences:
日本でどんな生活をしていましたか。
nihon de donna seikatsu wo shite imashita ka.
What kind of lifestyle do you live in japan.
収入に応じた生活をするように。
juunyuu ni oujita sekatsu wo suru youni.
You should try to live within your means.
- 人生(jinsei)
Means one’s life, or a human life.
Example sentences:
幸福になりたいなら人生における境涯に満足することを学びなさい。
koufuku ni naritai nara jinsei ni okeru kyougai ni manzoku suru koto wo manabinasai.
If you wish to be happy, learn to be content with your condition in life.
人生は長い曲がりくねった道だ。
jinsei wa nagai magariku netta michi da.
Life is a long and winding road.
- 生きる(ikiru)
As a verb, “ikiru” means to live or to exist. Using the symbol 生 alone also means life, genuine and birth but most of the time it is used and read as Nama meaning raw.
Example sentences:
私は生きたままのエビを食べたくない。
Watashi wa ikita mama no ebi wo tabetakunai.
I don’t want to eat a live lobster.
私たちは原子力時代に生きている。
Watashitachi wa genshiryoku jidai ni ikite iru.
We are living in the age of nuclear power.
彼は生魚を食べない。
Kare wa nama sakana wo tabenai.
He doesn’t eat raw fish.
- 命(inochi)
“Inochi” means life, or lifespan, the usual word used in japan for life itself.
Example sentences:
自分の命を大事にしてください。
jibun no inochi wo daiji ni shite kudasai.
Please take good care of your own life.
その医者は私の命の恩人だ。
sono isha wa watashi inochi no onjin da.
The doctor saved my life.
- 終わり(owari)
Generally means to end, ending, close, or conclusion, but can also be used to express death in Japanese language.
私の人生はここで終わりなんだ。
watashi no inochi wa kokode owari nan da.
my life ends here.
- 逝去(seikyo)
Means death; passing.
Seikyo is a word from Japanese language that comes under the category of honorific or respectful language, called sonkeigo(尊敬語)
Example sentences:
ご尊父のご逝去に対し、謹んで哀悼の意を表します。
gosonpu no goseikyo ni taishi, tsutsshinde aitou no i wo arawashimasu.
Please accept my condolences on the death of your father.
- 死(shi)
Means death or, in it’s verb form 死ぬ (shinu), to die.
The reading of “shi” is identical to one of the pronunciations of the number 4 四 in Japanese. As a result, there is a superstition around avoiding the number 4, where possible, in Japan.
Example sentences:
人は生まれるやいなや、死に向かう。
hito wa umareru yainaya, shi ni mukau.
As soon as man is born, he begins to die.
突然の父の死の電話を聞いて、私はオロオロしてしまった。
totsuzen no chichi no shi no denwa wo kiite, watashi wa oro oro shite shimatta.
When I got the phone call telling me of my father’s death, I was completely flustered.
What words are in the Japanese symbol for “Life” and “Death” Used In?
- 死亡(shibou)
Means death, mortality, to die, to pass away. The second character 亡(bou or nai) means deceased, the late, dying and perish.
Examples sentences:
飛行機事故で多くの人が死亡した。
Hikouki jiko de ooku no hito ga shibou shita.
Many people were killed in the aeroplane accident.
彼の死亡告知が新聞に出た。
Kare no shiboukokuchi ga shibun ni deta.
An announcement of his death appeared in the newspapers.
- 戦死(senshi)
Senshi means death in battle. The first character 戦(ikusa, tatakau) means war, battle or match.
Example sentences:
彼女の息子の戦死の知らせに彼女は気が狂った。
Kanojo no musuko no senshi no shirase ni kanojo wa ki ga kurutta.
News of her son’s death in battle drove her mad.
多くの兵士達が英雄的な戦死をした。
Ooku no seishitachi ga eiyuudeki na senshi wo shita.
Many soldiers died a hero’s death.
- 生命(seimei)
Seimei means life and existence.
Example sentences:
彼は生命の危険をおかしてその山に挑戦しました。
Kare wa seimei no kiken wo okashite sono yama ni chousen shimashita.
He challenged the mountain at the risk of his own life.
太陽は生命に不可欠である。
Taiyou wa seimei ni fukaketsu de aru.
The sun is essential to life.
- 一生懸命(isshoukenmei)
Means to do one’s very hard, with utmost effort, with all one’s might, for dear life.
Example sentences:
一生懸命走ったが乗り損なった。
Isshoukenmei haashitta ga nori soko natta.
I ran as I could but missed the train.
一生懸命頑張りますのでチャンスを下さい。
Isshoukenmei ganbarimasu node chansu wo kudasai.
I’ll do my very best so give me a chance please.
How is “Life” and “Death” expressed in Chinese?
The chinese symbol for life is 生活 which is read as Shēnghuó and death is 死亡 read as Sǐwáng. Both life and death Chinese symbols are the same with Japanese symbols but they don’t have the same way of reading it.
Stroke order for writing the characters in Japanese “Life” and “Death” and associated symbols.
- 生活(seikatsu)
- 人生
- 生きる
- 命
- 終わり
Untitled-3.jpg
- 逝去
Untitled-4.jpg
- 死
- 死亡
- 戦死
Untitled-2.jpg
- 生命
- 一生懸命
Untitled-1.jpg
Historical forms of the chinese character for “Life” and “Death”
So should you get “Life” and/or “Death” done as a tattoo in Japanese lettering?
In conclusion, getting a tattoo for Japanese kanji for life and death is a personal choice that should be made carefully.
One big consideration is that when the character 生 (sei) for “life” is seen isolation, it is more likely to be read as “nama”, meaning “raw”. So you would need to be prepared for that.
The other stand-alone option is 命 (inochi), which by itself is probably closer to our concept of “life” with all its multiple nuances. That being said, this is not the character that gets used as contrast pair of “life and death”. For that you would use 生 and 死.
Consider all of the implications and make sure that you are comfortable with the design before going through with the tattoo.
A fair amount of people get tattoos of Japanese characters for death just because of the influence of anime, so you may also want to consider the somewhat “otaku” “nerd” kind of qualities that come along with getting “Life and Death” as a tattoo in Japanese.
Contributor
Article by Dhanie James Perez
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Sometimes when we’re studying a language, we can get a bit too caught up in the grammar rules and flashcards.
Actually functioning in daily life—taking our language skills out into the real world, in front of native speakers—can be a totally different, totally scary thing.
In this post, we’ll show you how to pick up essential vocabulary that will help you navigate restaurants, stores, social situations and more.
Memorize these phrases, and not only will daily life in Japan get easier, but you’ll also open the door to communication with native speakers and get on track to fluency.
Contents
- Household Vocabulary
- Money and Shopping
- Eating and Cooking
- Restaurants
- Special Dietary Requirements
- Greetings and Goodbyes
- Emergency Situations
- Useful Resources for Building Everyday Japanese Vocabulary
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- FluentU
- Tandem
- White Rabbit Japan
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Household Vocabulary
Let’s begin at the beginning—at home! It’s good to know some basic words and phrases to describe where you live and what kind of building you live in. Take note of these:
Vocabulary
- House: 家 (いえ)
- Apartment: マンション (まんしょん)
- Living room: 居間 (いま) or リビングルーム (りびんぐるーむ)
- Kitchen: キッチン (きっちん) or 台所 (だいどころ)
- Bedroom: 寝室 (しんしつ), or most people tend to say ベッドルーム (べっどるーむ)
- Toilet paper: トイレットペーパー (といれっとぺーぱー)
- Feminine hygiene products: 生理用品 (せいりようひん)
- Toothpaste: 歯磨き粉 (はみがきこ)
- Toothbrush: 歯ブラシ (はぶらし)
- Shampoo and conditioner: シャンプーとコンディショナー (しゃんぷー と こんでぃしょなー)
Phrases
- I live in (Tokyo): (東京)に住んでいます ((とうきょう)に すんでいます)
- Where do you live?: どこに住んでいますか？(どこに すんでいますか？)
- My address is _____: 私の住所は_____です (わたしの じゅうしょ は_____です)
Money and Shopping
In Japan, the currency is Japanese yen. 100 yen usually comes to around $0.90 to $1.10 USD. If you think of 100 yen as around a dollar when you go shopping, it’s a good way to keep track of your budget.
In shops in Japan, customer service norms require the employees to talk to you, but not directly; they address the customers with things like “welcome!” or “try the strawberries today, they’re half-price!” but you aren’t (usually) required to respond.
Here are some phrases you might hear in a Japanese shop or supermarket, and some handy words you might need.
Vocabulary
- Yen: 円 (えん)
- Supermarket: スーパー (すーぱー)
- Convenience store: コンビニエンスストア (こんびにえんす すとあ) or コンビニ (こんびに)
- Post office: 郵便局 (ゆうびんきょく)
- Groceries: 日用品 (にちようひん), literally “daily necessities” or 買い物 (かいもの), meaning “things I’ve bought” or “things to buy”
- Basket: 買い物かご (かいもの かご)
- Shopping cart: ショッピングカート (しょっぴんぐ かーと)
- Free sample: 無料サンプル (むりょう さんぷる)
- Cash register: 会計 (かいけい) or レジ（れじ)
Phrases
- Welcome: いらっしゃいませ
- Half-price: 半額 (はんがく)
- (This product) is on sale today: 本日は (_) がセールです (ほんじつは (_)が せーるです), or _いかがですか？ literally means “how is it?” and is often used to invite you to take a look at specific products or try a free sample
- I’d like…: ＿をください
- Do you have…?: ＿がありますか？
- Would you like a bag?: 袋に入れますか？(ふくろに いれますか？) (They’ll sometimes give you a bag automatically but will often ask if you would like one)
- Answer:
- Yes, please: はい、お願いします (はい、おねがいします)
- No, thank you: いいえ、結構です (いいえ、けっこうです)
- Number of bags: 一枚 (いちまい) — one, 二枚 (にまい) — two, 三枚 (さんまい)
— three
- That’s (amount), please: (amount) になります
- Here’s your change (+ amount): (amount)をお返しいたします ((amount)をおかえしいたします)
Eating and Cooking
Although you should definitely try out as many restaurants and local cuisines as you can in Japan, you’ll likely be cooking for yourself at some point, even if it’s just toast. Here are some useful Japanese words if you plan on cooking.
Vocabulary
- Ingredients: 材料 (ざいりょう)
- Cooking: 料理 (りょうり)
- Readymade meal/TV dinner: お弁当 (おべんとう)
- Rice (raw): 米 (こめ)
- Instant rice (for the microwave): レトルトご飯 (れとると ごはん)
- Vegetables: 野菜 (やさい)
- Fruit: 果物 (くだもの) or フルーツ (ふるーつ)
- Milk: ミルク (みるく) or 牛乳 (ぎゅうにゅう) / soy milk: 豆乳 (とうにゅう)
- Bread: パン (ぱん)
- Pasta: パスタ (ぱすた)
- Meat: 肉 (にく)
- Potatoes: じゃがいも
- Eggs: 卵 (たまご)
- Gram(s): グラム (ぐらむ)
- Kilogram(s): キログラム (きろぐらむ)
- (300) grams of (beef): (牛肉) を (300) グラム ((ぎゅうにく)を(300)ぐらむ)
- Large portion: 大盛り (おおもり)
- Medium portion: 中盛り (ちゅうもり)
- Small portion: 小盛り (しょうもり)
Restaurants
Even if you love cooking, you’d be wise to check out the local eateries in Japan, since there are so many types of food to explore. Eating out in Japan is a whole new experience in itself in terms of culture and etiquette, but for now, let’s check out these useful words and phrases to prepare for when you go.
Vocabulary
- Menu: メニュー (めにゅー)
- Dessert: デザート (でざーと)
- Drinks: 飲み物 (のみもの)
- Check: 会計 (かいけい)
Phrases
- (When you first arrive) How many people?: 何名様ですか？ (なんめいさま ですか？)
- Answer:
- One: 一人 (ひとり)
- Two: 二人 (ふたり)
- Three: 三人 (さんにん)
- Four: 四人 (よにん).
- (To get the server’s attention) Excuse me: すみません or お願いします (おねがいします)
- I’d like the _____ please: _____をください
- Can I have the check, please?: お会計をお願いします (おかいけいを おねがいします)
Special Dietary Requirements
Due to religion or personal beliefs, some people have special dietary requirements that can make them reluctant to eat out. This may be even more true in Japan, if you feel like you can’t explain these requirements in Japanese.
One good thing to know is that many restaurants are becoming more friendly toward dietary restrictions. For example, there are many halal restaurants found in Japan and there are often vegetarian choices in local and chain restaurants.
Here are some useful words so that you’ll have no problem explaining your dietary requirements to the servers, and you can chow down with peace of mind.
Vocabulary
- Gluten-free: 無グルテン (む ぐるてん) or グルテンフリー (ぐるてん ふりー)
- Vegetarian: ベジタリアン (べじたりあん)
- Vegan: ビーガン (びーがん)
- Dairy-free: 乳製品無し (にゅうせいひん なし) or 乳製品抜き (にゅうせいひん ぬき)
- Alcohol: お酒 (おさけ)
Phrases
- Is there _____ in this?: これに _____ が入っていますか？ (これに _____ が はいって いますか？)
- How many calories are in this?: これは何カロリーですか？ (これは なんかろりー ですか？)
Greetings and Goodbyes
Having some friendly greetings and goodbyes in your toolbox will help you make friends and get familiar with your new neighbors or local shopkeepers in Japan—all of which is vital to getting that true immersion experience!
Phrases:
- Good morning/afternoon/evening: おはよう(ございます) / こんにちは / こんばんは
- How are you?/I’m fine: お元気ですか？ (おげんきですか？) / 元気です (げんきです)
- Thank you: ありがとう(ございます)
- See you later: またね or じゃあね
- Cheers! (Before everyone drinks): 乾杯！(かんぱい！)
Emergency Situations
Japan is a relatively safe country, but emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. It’s better to be prepared than caught unaware. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use the following words or phrases, but please keep a note of them just in case.
Vocabulary
- Police: 警察 (けいさつ)
- Police box (small police station): 交番 (こうばん)
- Ambulance: 救急車 (きゅうきゅうしゃ)
- Fire truck: 消防車 (しょうぼうしゃ)
- Hospital: 病院 (びょういん)
Phrases
- Please call the police: 警察に電話してください (けいさつに でんわ してください)
- Please help me: 助けてください (たすけて ください)
- I’m injured: 怪我しました (けが しました)
- I’ve lost my wallet: 財布をなくしました (さいふを なくしました)
- My _____ was stolen: 私の _____ が盗まれました (わたしの _____ が ぬすまれました)
Useful Resources for Building Everyday Japanese Vocabulary
FluentU
To prepare for daily life in Japan, it’s important to get familiar with the latest movies, TV shows and web content. FluentU is a language learning platform that helps you explore interesting videos and actually learn from them.
The program pulls videos from real Japanese sources, like movie trailers, music videos and news clips, and helps you review vocabulary and grammar in context.
Each video comes with interactive subtitles that provide definitions, example sentences and other videos that use a given word.
FluentU also turns each video into a vocabulary quiz and flashcard set to help you drill the new words you’ve picked up. There’s also progress tracking so FluentU can suggest new content based on what you’ve already learned.
Tandem
If you want to get some practice before a trip to Japan, or are looking to keep up your skills after returning, Tandem will give you authentic conversations with native speakers no matter where you’re located.
Tandem is a language exchange app that connects you with people from all over the world, including Japan. You can send texts, audio messages and photos just like you already do with your phone—and there’s also a built-in language correction tool that lets native speakers fix mistakes in your messages in a friendly way.
It’s a fast, flexible, immersive way to practice your Japanese—and maybe even make some new friends!
White Rabbit Japan
How about a wasabi-flavored Kit Kat with your Japanese learning? White Rabbit Japan is a Tokyo-based exporter of both Japanese language-learning tools and Japanese products ranging from home decor items to cool tech accessories to the famously crazy varieties of Japanese Kit Kats.
Japanese learners will find neatly designed language tools such as practice workbooks, graded readers, flashcard sets and much more. There’s even a Nintendo DS game that’ll help you practice your kanji. Plus, there’s material for all proficiency levels targeted to a range of learning goals such as listening comprehension or grammar.
All in all, White Rabbit Japan is a fantastic place to find resources no matter what your level or learning objectives, plus some fun explorations of the culture and entertainment world of Japan.
Hopefully, this guide will make things a little easier as you get used to your new lifestyle! Living in Japan is an incredible experience, so be sure to use Japanese as often as you can and soak up all the culture and history.
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The title of Mari Fujimoto’s book, ikigai & and other Japanese words to live by (Modern Books), includes an interesting addition to the English language. Ikigai simply means “purpose in life”. Yet, once imported into English it become quasi-mystical: “a way of finding profound meaning in one’s life or work” – a less alienated, more fulfilling life.
The assumption is that Japanese people are especially adept at ikigai, and indeed at the other 42 words in Fujimoto’s book.
Ikigai is just the latest in a long line of Japanese terms and concepts to make it “big” in the West. Many are included in this book. For example, kaizen (“seeking continuous improvement”) was a buzzword in the 1980s when Western companies analysed and tried to emulate the success of Japanese competitors. Amae (“depending on others”) was the focus of a 1971 book by psychoanalyst Takeo Doi. Going right back to the dawn of Japonisme, wabi-sabi is gamely translated by Fujimoto as “the beauty of imperfection”, but more often than not it serves as code for supposedly ineffable and untranslatable Japanese aesthetics.
At the other extreme, some words in Fujimoto’s selection are surprisingly obvious. There is heiwa (“peace”), shizen (“force of nature” as translated by the author, or simply “nature”), and teinei (“courtesy expressed through attentiveness”, or simply “polite”).
Some, like ikigai are Japanese concepts that conveniently sync with Western cultural concerns or trends. Shinrinyoku (“forest bathing”) has been the subject of several recent books. (WeDoJapan translated one of these last year). Ecologists and recyclers have happily taken up the term mottainai (“not being wasteful”) – even if the spirit of mottainai is conspicuously absent in Japan’s elaborate packaging, culture of disposable items, and ultra-consumerist economy.
But what links these terms and why present them in this way? In the book’s introduction, Fujimoto presents these words as a guide to a “simpler, more mindful” approach to life. She offers a uniquely Japanese wisdom that English-speaking readers might study, and thus enrich their lives.
Yet, if this wisdom is Japanese, Japanese people may struggle to recognize it in their daily lives. One senses a lot of nostalgia in New York based academic Fujimoto’s writing – for a different age as well as the country of her birth.
There isn’t time for much zazen (“meditative sitting”) in 21st Century Japan. And while Japan’s superlative customer service and highly-dedicated employees might suggest that ikigai is alive and well, what about the even better known Japanese term, karoshi (death by involuntary overwork)? That is certainly NOT included in this book.
But, even if these 43 terms aren’t “uniquely Japanese”, or sometimes even very Japanese at all, there’s no reason they can’t still be useful pointers. Why not take them as a guide to quieter, more tranquil life? There is much to ponder in this beautifully presented book, and for that, we owe Fujimoto go-on (a “debt of gratitude”).
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