Learning a new language can be both exciting and challenging. As you progress through different levels, your vocabulary expands, and you begin to understand more complex sentences and expressions. If you are currently at the A2 level in Japanese, congratulations! You are well on your way to becoming proficient. This article will introduce you to some essential Japanese words that are crucial for A2 level learners. These words will help you build your vocabulary and improve your overall language skills.
Basic Verbs
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