Japanese Words to Know for B1 Level

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Learning Japanese can be a rewarding and enriching experience. For those who have advanced past the basics and are approaching a B1 level, expanding your vocabulary is crucial for better comprehension and communication. This article will introduce essential Japanese words and phrases that are vital for B1 learners. These words will help you navigate everyday conversations, understand more complex texts, and express yourself more clearly.

Everyday Vocabulary

At the B1 level, you should be familiar with a wide range of everyday vocabulary. These words will help you navigate daily life in Japan, from shopping to dining out, and from understanding directions to discussing your day.

1. **่ฒทใ„็‰ฉ** (ใ‹ใ„ใ‚‚ใฎ, *kaimono*) – **Shopping**
– Example: ่ฒทใ„็‰ฉใซ่กŒใใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใ‹ใ„ใ‚‚ใฎใซใ„ใใพใ™, *Kaimono ni ikimasu*) – Iโ€™m going shopping.

2. **ๆ–™็†** (ใ‚Šใ‚‡ใ†ใ‚Š, *ryouri*) – **Cooking/Food**
– Example: ๆ—ฅๆœฌๆ–™็†ใŒๅฅฝใใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใซใปใ‚“ใ‚Šใ‚‡ใ†ใ‚ŠใŒใ™ใใงใ™, *Nihon ryouri ga suki desu*) – I like Japanese food.

3. **ๅ‹้”** (ใจใ‚‚ใ ใก, *tomodachi*) – **Friend**
– Example: ๅ‹้”ใจไผšใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใจใ‚‚ใ ใกใจใ‚ใ„ใพใ™, *Tomodachi to aimasu*) – Iโ€™m meeting with a friend.

4. **้ง…** (ใˆใ, *eki*) – **Station**
– Example: ้ง…ใฏใฉใ“ใงใ™ใ‹๏ผŸ (ใˆใใฏใฉใ“ใงใ™ใ‹, *Eki wa doko desu ka?*) – Where is the station?

5. **ไป•ไบ‹** (ใ—ใ”ใจ, *shigoto*) – **Work/Job**
– Example: ไป•ไบ‹ใŒ็ต‚ใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ—ใŸใ€‚ (ใ—ใ”ใจใŒใŠใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ—ใŸ, *Shigoto ga owarimashita*) – I finished work.

Numbers and Time

Being able to discuss time and numbers is essential at the B1 level. Whether youโ€™re scheduling a meeting or talking about quantities, these words are crucial.

1. **ๆ™‚** (ใ˜, *ji*) – **Hour/Oโ€™clock**
– Example: ไปŠใฏไธ‰ๆ™‚ใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใ„ใพใฏใ•ใ‚“ใ˜ใงใ™, *Ima wa sanji desu*) – Itโ€™s three oโ€™clock now.

2. **ๅˆ†** (ใตใ‚“, *fun*) – **Minute**
– Example: ไบ”ๅˆ†ๅพ…ใฃใฆใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚ (ใ”ใตใ‚“ใพใฃใฆใใ ใ•ใ„, *Gofun matte kudasai*) – Please wait for five minutes.

3. **ๆ—ฅ** (ใซใก, *nichi*) – **Day**
– Example: ไปŠๆ—ฅใฏไฝ•ๆ—ฅใงใ™ใ‹๏ผŸ (ใใ‚‡ใ†ใฏใชใ‚“ใซใกใงใ™ใ‹, *Kyou wa nan nichi desu ka?*) – What day is today?

4. **ๆœˆ** (ใŒใค, *gatsu*) – **Month**
– Example: ไปŠๆœˆใฏๅฟ™ใ—ใ„ใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใ“ใ‚“ใ’ใคใฏใ„ใใŒใ—ใ„ใงใ™, *Kongetsu wa isogashii desu*) – This month is busy.

5. **ๅนด** (ใญใ‚“, *nen*) – **Year**
– Example: ๆฅๅนดๆ—ฅๆœฌใซ่กŒใใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใ‚‰ใ„ใญใ‚“ใซใปใ‚“ใซใ„ใใพใ™, *Rainen Nihon ni ikimasu*) – I will go to Japan next year.

Descriptive Words

To express yourself more clearly and vividly, itโ€™s important to use descriptive words. These adjectives and adverbs will help you convey your thoughts and feelings more accurately.

1. **ๅคงใใ„** (ใŠใŠใใ„, *ookii*) – **Big**
– Example: ๅคงใใ„ๅฎถใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใŠใŠใใ„ใ„ใˆใงใ™, *Ookii ie desu*) – Itโ€™s a big house.

2. **ๅฐใ•ใ„** (ใกใ„ใ•ใ„, *chiisai*) – **Small**
– Example: ๅฐใ•ใ„็ŠฌใŒใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใกใ„ใ•ใ„ใ„ใฌใŒใ„ใพใ™, *Chiisai inu ga imasu*) – Thereโ€™s a small dog.

3. **ๆฅฝใ—ใ„** (ใŸใฎใ—ใ„, *tanoshii*) – **Fun/Enjoyable**
– Example: ๆ—…่กŒใฏๆฅฝใ—ใ‹ใฃใŸใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใ‚Šใ‚‡ใ“ใ†ใฏใŸใฎใ—ใ‹ใฃใŸใงใ™, *Ryokou wa tanoshikatta desu*) – The trip was enjoyable.

4. **้›ฃใ—ใ„** (ใ‚€ใšใ‹ใ—ใ„, *muzukashii*) – **Difficult**
– Example: ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชžใฏ้›ฃใ—ใ„ใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใซใปใ‚“ใ”ใฏใ‚€ใšใ‹ใ—ใ„ใงใ™, *Nihongo wa muzukashii desu*) – Japanese is difficult.

5. **็ฐกๅ˜** (ใ‹ใ‚“ใŸใ‚“, *kantan*) – **Easy/Simple**
– Example: ใ“ใ‚Œใฏ็ฐกๅ˜ใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใ“ใ‚Œใฏใ‹ใ‚“ใŸใ‚“ใงใ™, *Kore wa kantan desu*) – This is easy.

Adverbs

Adverbs are essential for adding depth to your sentences. They help describe how an action is performed and can modify adjectives.

1. **ใ‚ˆใ** (*yoku*) – **Often/Well**
– Example: ใ‚ˆใๆ˜ ็”ปใ‚’่ฆ‹ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใ‚ˆใใˆใ„ใŒใ‚’ใฟใพใ™, *Yoku eiga o mimasu*) – I often watch movies.

2. **ๅฐ‘ใ—** (ใ™ใ“ใ—, *sukoshi*) – **A little**
– Example: ๅฐ‘ใ—็–ฒใ‚Œใพใ—ใŸใ€‚ (ใ™ใ“ใ—ใคใ‹ใ‚Œใพใ—ใŸ, *Sukoshi tsukaremashita*) – Iโ€™m a little tired.

3. **ใจใฆใ‚‚** (*totemo*) – **Very**
– Example: ใจใฆใ‚‚็พŽๅ‘ณใ—ใ„ใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใจใฆใ‚‚ใŠใ„ใ—ใ„ใงใ™, *Totemo oishii desu*) – Itโ€™s very delicious.

4. **ๆ—ฉใ** (ใฏใ‚„ใ, *hayaku*) – **Quickly/Early**
– Example: ๆ—ฉใๆฅใฆใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚ (ใฏใ‚„ใใใฆใใ ใ•ใ„, *Hayaku kite kudasai*) – Please come quickly.

5. **้…ใ** (ใŠใใ, *osoku*) – **Late/Slowly**
– Example: ้…ใใชใฃใฆใ™ใฟใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€‚ (ใŠใใใชใฃใฆใ™ใฟใพใ›ใ‚“, *Osoku natte sumimasen*) – Sorry for being late.

Verbs for Daily Activities

Verbs are the backbone of any language. At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with a variety of verbs that describe daily activities. Here are some essential ones:

1. **้ฃŸในใ‚‹** (ใŸในใ‚‹, *taberu*) – **To eat**
– Example: ๆœใ”้ฃฏใ‚’้ฃŸในใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใ‚ใ•ใ”ใฏใ‚“ใ‚’ใŸในใพใ™, *Asagohan o tabemasu*) – I eat breakfast.

2. **้ฃฒใ‚€** (ใฎใ‚€, *nomu*) – **To drink**
– Example: ใ‚ณใƒผใƒ’ใƒผใ‚’้ฃฒใฟใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใ‚ณใƒผใƒ’ใƒผใ‚’ใฎใฟใพใ™, *Koohii o nomimasu*) – I drink coffee.

3. **่ฆ‹ใ‚‹** (ใฟใ‚‹, *miru*) – **To see/To watch**
– Example: ใƒ†ใƒฌใƒ“ใ‚’่ฆ‹ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใƒ†ใƒฌใƒ“ใ‚’ใฟใพใ™, *Terebi o mimasu*) – I watch TV.

4. **่กŒใ** (ใ„ใ, *iku*) – **To go**
– Example: ๅญฆๆ กใซ่กŒใใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใŒใฃใ“ใ†ใซใ„ใใพใ™, *Gakkou ni ikimasu*) – I go to school.

5. **ๆฅใ‚‹** (ใใ‚‹, *kuru*) – **To come**
– Example: ๅ‹้”ใŒๆฅใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใจใ‚‚ใ ใกใŒใใพใ™, *Tomodachi ga kimasu*) – A friend is coming.

More Verbs

Here are some additional verbs that are useful for more complex conversations:

1. **ๆ›ธใ** (ใ‹ใ, *kaku*) – **To write**
– Example: ๆ‰‹็ด™ใ‚’ๆ›ธใใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใฆใŒใฟใ‚’ใ‹ใใพใ™, *Tegami o kakimasu*) – I write a letter.

2. **่žใ** (ใใ, *kiku*) – **To listen/To ask**
– Example: ้Ÿณๆฅฝใ‚’่žใใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใŠใ‚“ใŒใใ‚’ใใใพใ™, *Ongaku o kikimasu*) – I listen to music.

3. **่ฉฑใ™** (ใฏใชใ™, *hanasu*) – **To speak**
– Example: ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชžใง่ฉฑใ—ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใซใปใ‚“ใ”ใงใฏใชใ—ใพใ™, *Nihongo de hanashimasu*) – I speak in Japanese.

4. **่ชญใ‚€** (ใ‚ˆใ‚€, *yomu*) – **To read**
– Example: ๆœฌใ‚’่ชญใฟใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใปใ‚“ใ‚’ใ‚ˆใฟใพใ™, *Hon o yomimasu*) – I read a book.

5. **่ตทใใ‚‹** (ใŠใใ‚‹, *okiru*) – **To wake up**
– Example: ๆ—ฉใ่ตทใใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใฏใ‚„ใใŠใใพใ™, *Hayaku okimasu*) – I wake up early.

Useful Phrases

In addition to individual words, itโ€™s important to learn phrases that will help you in various situations. Here are some useful phrases for B1 learners:

1. **ใฉใ†ใžใ‚ˆใ‚ใ—ใใŠ้ก˜ใ„ใ—ใพใ™** (ใฉใ†ใžใ‚ˆใ‚ใ—ใใŠใญใŒใ„ใ—ใพใ™, *douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu*) – **Nice to meet you**
– Example: ๅˆใ‚ใพใ—ใฆใ€‚ใฉใ†ใžใ‚ˆใ‚ใ—ใใŠ้ก˜ใ„ใ—ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใฏใ˜ใ‚ใพใ—ใฆใ€‚ใฉใ†ใžใ‚ˆใ‚ใ—ใใŠใญใŒใ„ใ—ใพใ™, *Hajimemashite. Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu*) – Nice to meet you. Please treat me well.

2. **ใŠ็–ฒใ‚Œๆง˜ใงใ—ใŸ** (ใŠใคใ‹ใ‚Œใ•ใพใงใ—ใŸ, *otsukaresama deshita*) – **Thank you for your hard work**
– Example: ไปŠๆ—ฅใ‚‚ไธ€ๆ—ฅใŠ็–ฒใ‚Œๆง˜ใงใ—ใŸใ€‚ (ใใ‚‡ใ†ใ‚‚ใ„ใกใซใกใŠใคใ‹ใ‚Œใ•ใพใงใ—ใŸ, *Kyou mo ichinichi otsukaresama deshita*) – Thank you for your hard work today.

3. **ใŠไธ–่ฉฑใซใชใ‚Šใพใ—ใŸ** (ใŠใ›ใ‚ใซใชใ‚Šใพใ—ใŸ, *osewa ni narimashita*) – **Thank you for your help**
– Example: ใ„ใ‚ใ„ใ‚ใŠไธ–่ฉฑใซใชใ‚Šใพใ—ใŸใ€‚ (ใ„ใ‚ใ„ใ‚ใŠใ›ใ‚ใซใชใ‚Šใพใ—ใŸ, *Iroiro osewa ni narimashita*) – Thank you for all your help.

4. **ใ™ใฟใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€ใ‚‚ใ†ไธ€ๅบฆใŠ้ก˜ใ„ใ—ใพใ™** (ใ™ใฟใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€ใ‚‚ใ†ใ„ใกใฉใŠใญใŒใ„ใ—ใพใ™, *sumimasen, mou ichido onegaishimasu*) – **Excuse me, please say that again**
– Example: ใ™ใฟใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€ใ‚‚ใ†ไธ€ๅบฆใŠ้ก˜ใ„ใ—ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใ™ใฟใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€ใ‚‚ใ†ใ„ใกใฉใŠใญใŒใ„ใ—ใพใ™, *Sumimasen, mou ichido onegaishimasu*) – Excuse me, please say that again.

5. **ใฉใ“ใงไผšใ„ใพใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ‹** (ใฉใ“ใงใ‚ใ„ใพใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ‹, *doko de aimashou ka*) – **Where shall we meet?**
– Example: ๆ˜Žๆ—ฅใฏใฉใ“ใงไผšใ„ใพใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ‹๏ผŸ (ใ‚ใ—ใŸใฏใฉใ“ใงใ‚ใ„ใพใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ‹, *Ashita wa doko de aimashou ka?*) – Where shall we meet tomorrow?

Expressing Feelings and Opinions

Being able to express your feelings and opinions is crucial for more advanced conversations. Here are some key words and phrases:

1. **ๅฅฝใ** (ใ™ใ, *suki*) – **Like**
– Example: ้ŸณๆฅฝใŒๅฅฝใใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใŠใ‚“ใŒใใŒใ™ใใงใ™, *Ongaku ga suki desu*) – I like music.

2. **ๅซŒใ„** (ใใ‚‰ใ„, *kirai*) – **Dislike**
– Example: ้‡Ž่œใŒๅซŒใ„ใงใ™ใ€‚ (ใ‚„ใ•ใ„ใŒใใ‚‰ใ„ใงใ™, *Yasai ga kirai desu*) – I dislike vegetables.

3. **่ˆˆๅ‘ณใŒใ‚ใ‚‹** (ใใ‚‡ใ†ใฟใŒใ‚ใ‚‹, *kyoumi ga aru*) – **Interested in**
– Example: ๆ—ฅๆœฌใฎๆ–‡ๅŒ–ใซ่ˆˆๅ‘ณใŒใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใซใปใ‚“ใฎใถใ‚“ใ‹ใซใใ‚‡ใ†ใฟใŒใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™, *Nihon no bunka ni kyoumi ga arimasu*) – I am interested in Japanese culture.

4. **ๆ‚ฒใ—ใ„** (ใ‹ใชใ—ใ„, *kanashii*) – **Sad**
– Example: ๆ‚ฒใ—ใ„ๆ˜ ็”ปใงใ—ใŸใ€‚ (ใ‹ใชใ—ใ„ใˆใ„ใŒใงใ—ใŸ, *Kanashii eiga deshita*) – It was a sad movie.

5. **ๆฅฝใ—ใ„** (ใŸใฎใ—ใ„, *tanoshii*) – **Fun/Enjoyable**
– Example: ๆฅฝใ—ใ„ๆ™‚้–“ใ‚’้Žใ”ใ—ใพใ—ใŸใ€‚ (ใŸใฎใ—ใ„ใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“ใ‚’ใ™ใ”ใ—ใพใ—ใŸ, *Tanoshii jikan o sugoshimashita*) – I had a fun time.

Expressing Opinions

Here are some phrases to help you express your opinions:

1. **ใจๆ€ใ„ใพใ™** (ใจใŠใ‚‚ใ„ใพใ™, *to omoimasu*) – **I think**
– Example: ใ“ใ‚Œใฏ้›ฃใ—ใ„ใจๆ€ใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใ“ใ‚Œใฏใ‚€ใšใ‹ใ—ใ„ใจใŠใ‚‚ใ„ใพใ™, *Kore wa muzukashii to omoimasu*) – I think this is difficult.

2. **ใจๆ„Ÿใ˜ใพใ™** (ใจใ‹ใ‚“ใ˜ใพใ™, *to kanjimasu*) – **I feel**
– Example: ใ“ใ‚Œใฏ็ฐกๅ˜ใ ใจๆ„Ÿใ˜ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใ“ใ‚Œใฏใ‹ใ‚“ใŸใ‚“ใ ใจใ‹ใ‚“ใ˜ใพใ™, *Kore wa kantan da to kanjimasu*) – I feel this is easy.

3. **ใ‹ใ‚‚ใ—ใ‚Œใพใ›ใ‚“** (*kamoshiremasen*) – **Might/Maybe**
– Example: ๆ˜Žๆ—ฅใฏ้›จใŒ้™ใ‚‹ใ‹ใ‚‚ใ—ใ‚Œใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€‚ (ใ‚ใ—ใŸใฏใ‚ใ‚ใŒใตใ‚‹ใ‹ใ‚‚ใ—ใ‚Œใพใ›ใ‚“, *Ashita wa ame ga furu kamoshiremasen*) – It might rain tomorrow.

4. **ใงใ—ใ‚‡ใ†** (*deshou*) – **Probably**
– Example: ๅฝผใฏๆฅใ‚‹ใงใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ€‚ (ใ‹ใ‚Œใฏใใ‚‹ใงใ—ใ‚‡ใ†, *Kare wa kuru deshou*) – He will probably come.

5. **ใจ่€ƒใˆใฆใ„ใพใ™** (ใจใ‹ใ‚“ใŒใˆใฆใ„ใพใ™, *to kangaeteimasu*) – **I am considering**
– Example: ๆ—ฅๆœฌใซ็•™ๅญฆใ™ใ‚‹ใจ่€ƒใˆใฆใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚ (ใซใปใ‚“ใซใ‚Šใ‚…ใ†ใŒใใ™ใ‚‹ใจใ‹ใ‚“ใŒใˆใฆใ„ใพใ™, *Nihon ni ryuugaku suru to kangaeteimasu*) – I am considering studying abroad in Japan.

Conclusion

Expanding your vocabulary at the B1 level will significantly enhance your ability to communicate and understand Japanese. By incorporating these everyday words, descriptive terms, verbs for daily activities, useful phrases, and expressions of feelings and opinions into your language practice, youโ€™ll be well-equipped to handle a variety of situations and conversations in Japanese. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible to continue improving your proficiency. Happy learning!

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