Verbs are the backbone of any language. They allow you to express actions, states, and occurrences. Here are some essential Japanese verbs that you should know at the A2 level:

1. **食べる (たべる, taberu)** – to eat
2. **飲む (のむ, nomu)** – to drink
3. **見る (みる, miru)** – to see/watch
4. **聞く (きく, kiku)** – to listen/ask
5. **話す (はなす, hanasu)** – to speak
6. **読む (よむ, yomu)** – to read
7. **書く (かく, kaku)** – to write
8. **行く (いく, iku)** – to go
9. **来る (くる, kuru)** – to come
10. **帰る (かえる, kaeru)** – to return
11. **起きる (おきる, okiru)** – to wake up
12. **寝る (ねる, neru)** – to sleep
13. **買う (かう, kau)** – to buy
14. **売る (うる, uru)** – to sell
15. **使う (つかう, tsukau)** – to use

Nouns

Nouns are equally important as they help you identify people, places, and things. Here are some key nouns you should be familiar with:

People and Relationships

1. **先生 (せんせい, sensei)** – teacher
2. **学生 (がくせい, gakusei)** – student
3. **友達 (ともだち, tomodachi)** – friend
4. **家族 (かぞく, kazoku)** – family
5. **母 (はは, haha)** – mother
6. **父 (ちち, chichi)** – father
7. **兄 (あに, ani)** – older brother
8. **姉 (あね, ane)** – older sister
9. **弟 (おとうと, otouto)** – younger brother
10. **妹 (いもうと, imouto)** – younger sister

Places

1. **学校 (がっこう, gakkou)** – school
2. **図書館 (としょかん, toshokan)** – library
3. **病院 (びょういん, byouin)** – hospital
4. **駅 (えき, eki)** – station
5. **店 (みせ, mise)** – shop
6. **家 (いえ, ie)** – house
7. **公園 (こうえん, kouen)** – park
8. **会社 (かいしゃ, kaisha)** – company
9. **銀行 (ぎんこう, ginkou)** – bank
10. **郵便局 (ゆうびんきょく, yuubinkyoku)** – post office

Everyday Objects

1. **本 (ほん, hon)** – book
2. **ノート (nooto)** – notebook
3. **ペン (pen)** – pen
4. **電話 (でんわ, denwa)** – phone
5. **時計 (とけい, tokei)** – watch/clock
6. **車 (くるま, kuruma)** – car
7. **自転車 (じてんしゃ, jitensha)** – bicycle
8. **かばん (kaban)** – bag
9. **財布 (さいふ, saifu)** – wallet
10. **コンピューター (konpyuutaa)** – computer

Adjectives

Adjectives describe nouns and can add detail to your sentences. Here are some essential adjectives to know:

1. **大きい (おおきい, ookii)** – big
2. **小さい (ちいさい, chiisai)** – small
3. **新しい (あたらしい, atarashii)** – new
4. **古い (ふるい, furui)** – old
5. **高い (たかい, takai)** – high/expensive
6. **安い (やすい, yasui)** – cheap
7. **良い (いい, ii)** – good
8. **悪い (わるい, warui)** – bad
9. **暑い (あつい, atsui)** – hot (weather)
10. **寒い (さむい, samui)** – cold (weather)
11. **暖かい (あたたかい, atatakai)** – warm
12. **涼しい (すずしい, suzushii)** – cool
13. **面白い (おもしろい, omoshiroi)** – interesting
14. **つまらない (tsumaranai)** – boring
15. **忙しい (いそがしい, isogashii)** – busy

Expressions and Phrases

Knowing individual words is important, but understanding commonly used expressions and phrases can greatly enhance your communication skills. Here are some useful expressions:

Greetings and Polite Expressions

1. **おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu)** – Good morning
2. **こんにちは (konnichiwa)** – Good afternoon/Hello
3. **こんばんは (konbanwa)** – Good evening
4. **さようなら (sayounara)** – Goodbye
5. **ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu)** – Thank you
6. **すみません (sumimasen)** – Excuse me/I’m sorry
7. **お願いします (onegaishimasu)** – Please
8. **どういたしまして (douitashimashite)** – You’re welcome
9. **はい (hai)** – Yes
10. **いいえ (iie)** – No

Daily Activities

1. **行ってきます (ittekimasu)** – I’m going out (said when