Japanese words

Learn Japanese
 aa, ee, un, saa = yes (informal)
 abayo = casual goodbye, kind of like "see you"
 abunai = dangerous, threatening
 aburi = fried tofu
 ahou = moron
 ai = love
 aisatsu ni = to greet, say hello to
 aishiteru = I love you (romantic love)
 aisuru = love, sweetheart, beloved
 akari = light
 aku = evil, wicked, bad, etc.
 ana-ki = respectful word for "sister"
 ane-ue = respectful word for "older sister"
 ani-ue = respectful word for "older brother"
 ano hi = "this day"
 ano hito = literally "that person", exact meaning varies according to context
 ano toki = back there, back then, at that time, etc.
 anou = "well..."
 ara/are = oh, or "huh?"; "Ara" is used by women, "Are" by men.
 arigatou gozaimasu = thank you very much (arigatou = thanks, thank you)
 arimasen/imasen = isn't ("arimashita" = was, were)
 asagohan = breakfast; often shortened to "gohan"
 atama = head

 B

 baka = idiot, fool, etc. (all-purpose insult)
 bakaga = impossible
 bakemono = monster
 bangohan = dinner; evening meal
 bento = a box lunch
 betsu ni = a multi-purpose negative phrase, usually translated as "nothing" or "not really"
bishonen = pretty-boy(I prefer it as that anyways)/ beatiful boy (sometimes actually translated as "pretty"; the word itself is a combination of "bi" = beautiful and "shounen" = boy. Same thing goes for bishoujo)
 bishoujo = beautiful girl
 bouzu = kid
 budo = a set of goals/morals for martial artists; one use seems to be a philosophy that goes with your particular style, such as "protect the weak" or "revitalize people" or something of that sort.
bushido = the "warrior's code", or code of honor among samurai.
 busu = ugly girl (an insult)

 C

 chibi = little
 chichi-oya = formal, respectful word for "father"
 chikyuu = Earth (as in the planet)
 chigau = different (can also be used as "no" as in "no, it's something different" or "that's wrong")
 chisana = small (as in "small in size")
 chotto matte = "wait a minute!" ("matte" = wait, "chotto" = for a short time)
 clothing nouns: kimono, yukata (summer kimono), obi (sash), haori (coat), hanten (jacket), hakama (skirt pants), tabi (split-toed socks), gi (short men's kimono), zori (sandals for kimono), geta (wooden sandals), manto (cloak)

 D

 daga = however/but
 daijoubu = don't worry, I'm okay, I'll be allright, etc. "daijouka" is "are you okay?"
 daikon = large Japanese radish
 daimyo = fuedal lord; these people were the next rank above samurai in Japan's fuedal era and were the major landowners.
 daisho = traditional pair of swords carried by samurai, consisting of a katana (long sword) and wakizashi (short sword)
 daisuki desu/da = I love you. This has more emphasis than "suki desu/da" which means "I love you/I like you" (boyfriend/girlfriend type love, not romantic marraige-type love). "daisuki" can also describe your favorite things.
 dakara = so, therefore
 damare = the command form of "be quiet", often translates as "shut up!" or "silence!"
 dame = no (as in "don't do that!")
 dare = who
 de gozaru = a "polite phrase" that can be added to the ends of sentences. Only Himura Kenshin of Rurouni Kenshin uses this. It's a very outdated, archaic form of the polite "de gozaimasu" and would almost be like someone walking up to you and saying stuff like "thou art" and other Shakespearan-era English. You know what it means, but you would never use it in regular converstion. Kenshin's just odd -_-;; but cool^^
 desu = this has many uses in speech, mostly as a polite tag. It's derived from "de gozaimasu" and is somewhat less polite.
 demo/datte = but
 densetsu = legend, legendary
 dewa = an interjection, has various meanings including "Then...","Well...","Now..." etc.
 dim sum = pork buns (a Chinese dish)
 do-iu koto da = "what do you mean?"
 dojo = school (as in a training hall)
 doki doki = a phrase meaning "sometimes/from time to time", also refers to a heartbeat
 doko = where
 domo = thank you; this is a short version of the full (i.e. very formal) version of "thank you very much" which is "domo arigatou gozaimasu"
 doozo = here you go, here you are (giving someone something)
 doushite = why/why not?/how come, etc. "doushita" can mean "what's wrong?"
 dou = how; "dou da?" is "how about it?"

 E

 eeto... = like saying "um..." or "erm...", that sort of thing
 expletives: mou, che, chikuso, kuso, shimatta (all meaning darn, crap, etc.)

 F

 fuku = uniform
 fureru = touch
 furo = bath
 futon = the thin, soft mattresses Japanese sleep on
 fushigi = mystery, wonder, mysterious, etc.

 G

 gaijin = refers to any foreigner
 gakkou = highschool
 gambatte ne! = do your best!
 genki da = cheer up, be well, take care, etc. ("genki" literally means energy)
 gochisousama! = I'm finished! (with a meal)
 gomen nasai = I'm sorry

 H

 haha-oya = respectful word for "mother"
 hai = yes
 hajime = beginning, start, the first time, etc.
 hajimemashite = I'm pleased to meet you
 hakubaikou = white plum (the scent and the flower)
 han = half; examples are "hanbun" ("half of me" or "part of me") and "hanyou" ("half-demon"), "Han" also refers to the cutting edge of a sword.
 hanase = command form of "to release", often translates as "release me!" or "let me go!"
 hanashi = as a noun it means "news, account, story", etc. It is also a form of the verb "to talk".
 hayaku = means "faster", also translates as "hurry up" or "quickly" when used as a command.
 hen = weird or strange
 henshin = transform or change
 hidoi = mean, cruel
 hikari = light, energy (glare, gleam, ray)
 hime = princess
 himitsu = secret
 hito = man, person
 hitokiri = assassin ("hito"= man and "hito-kire" means "to slice", so "hitokiri" literally means "Man-Slicer" or "ManSlayer", hence why it's an appropriate job title for an assassin ;)
 hitomi = to see, eye
 hitotsu no = a part of something (a, one, etc.)
 honorifics: the Japanese "honorific" has no English equivalent. They are a way of showing your status in relation to another person and so, depending on how they are used, they can be either respectful or insulting. In rank from highest respect to lowest they are: -sama, -san, -dono, -kun, -chan. They are used as suffixes attached to the ends of words. There has been some debate amongst myself and others about the exact usage of "-dono" and it seems to be inconsistent from anime to anime. It's an older honorific and seems to imply that the speaker is in the service of another person...but this isn't always true in context. In any event, it actually seems to be equal in rank to "-san", its usage is just on a case-by-case basis.
 honto = really ("honto desu ka" = "really?")
 houshi = priest

 I

 ichiban = first, the best, favorite, etc.
 ie = house
 ii = good, nice; the phrase "ii ne/na" means "it's all right"
 iie, iya = no
 iinazuke = fiancee
 ikari = fury
 ikenai = oh no!
 iku = "to go", often you hear it as "ikuzo" meaning "let's go"
 ima = now
 imouto = younger sister
 inochi = life
 inu = dog
 irrashimase! = welcome! (used in restaurants to greet customers)
 itachi = weasel
 itadakimasu = let's eat!, here's to good food, etc.
 ite = ouch, ow
 itte kimasu = "I'm taking off!" or "I'm leaving now!" ; "kimasu" is a casual form of the verb "to leave"
 istumo = always, constantly, ever, etc. Just "itsu" is "when"

 J

 ja ne/ja na = see you later/see you then
 ja matta/mattana = casual "goodbye"
 -janai/-nai = a suffix, makes a word negative
 janken = the Japanese version of "rock, paper, scissors", the phrase is "Janken, Janken, Pon!"
 jibun = self, yourself/himself/herself
 jikai = next time
 jinchuu = Earthly justice (is also sometimes translated as "revenge")
 jitsu wa = "actually..."
 jou-chan = "little missy"
 joudan janai ="this is no joke!" or "you've got to be kidding!", etc. "Joudan janai wa" is like "are you joking?" and such.

 K

 kakatte iru = depend
 kakkoii! = "cool!"
 kami = some common meanings for this word are "spirit" ("Kamisama" is God), "hair" and "paper"
 kamiya = flower
 kanai = wife
 kanji = perception, feeling. Also refers to the Chinese characters used in Japanese writing.
 kanojo = girlfriend
 kao = face
 kaoru = scent
 kare/kareshi = literally "he", it's also used to refer to a boyfriend
 kawaii/kawaiikune = cute/uncute
 kaze = wind
 keisatsu = police
 ken = sword; there are many words for sword according to their type (usually determined by length). Examples: wattou (long battle katana, usually greater than 30 inches in length), katana (generally 25-30 inches long), wakizashi (short sword), kodachi (short sword between a wakizashi and katana in length), tanto (long dagger), kunai (short throwing knives), sakabatou (a fictional reverse-bladed sword), zanbatou (giant sword used to cut down both horse and rider), bokken (wooden sword), and shinai (bamboo practice sword). The sheath or scabbard for a sword is called a "saya".
 kenjutsu = swordsmanship
 kenkaku = swordsman
 kenshin = devotion, dedication; in kanji it reads "Heart of Sword"
 keredo/kedo = though, although, but
 ki/chi = the Asian concept of a life force or life spirit; it's mentioned a lot in martial arts anime. "Ken-ki" is used in Rurouni Kenshin in reference to swords, and in Inuyasha "youki" is used to describe demon energy.
 kimochi = feeling, emotion, pleasure
 kiotsukete = be careful
 kitsune = fox
 kirei = pretty, lovely (can also be used as an affectionate nickname for someone)
 kizu = wound (physical cut)
 kodomo = child
 koekeishiya = successor
 koishii, koibito = beloved, lover, sweetheart, etc.
 koi = love (also a kind of goldfish). "Koi" is one of those Japanese homonym words that has about a million different meanings, so you hear it everywhere. The verb "kuru" which means "to come" is often used in a conjugated form which is "koi!" meaning "come over here" or "come on".
 koko = here (koko wa = "where am I?")
 kokoro = heart, mind, soul, etc.
 konbanwa = good evening
 koneko = kitten
 konnichiwa = hello, good afternoon
 kono = this, however it has many meanings I think kore wa = this is, that's
 korosu = kill
 kotaeru = "to answer", you'll hear it in various forms in anime, often as the command "answer me!"
 koto wa = thing, what, affair/matter
 kotowaru = decline (to refuse do something, such as fight)
 kowai = scared, fear, afraid
 kudasai = please

 M

 maa, maa = "now, now" ; a phrase used to placate someone
 maa na = I guess
 maboroshi = means "illusion", as in a dream or illusion constructed by someone; figuratively it means "mystic" or "mystical".
 machigainai = there's no mistake! (like when you recognize someone, or verify information)
 mamoru = protect
 masaka = of course not, impossible, it can't be, not really, etc.
 massushiro = a phrase, means "clean and white"
 mattaku = sheesh, yeesh, jeez, "oh for heaven's sake", etc. General expression of annoyance.
 miko = priestess
 minna = everyone
 miru = to see
 miso = Japanese soy-based soup
 mizu = water
 mochi = a Japanese dessert: rice dough (kind of marshmallow in texture) stuffed with ohagi (sweet bean paste)
 moko-dono = son-in-law
 mon = family crest, often seen on formal kimono.
 mononoke = vengeful spirit
 mooto = increases the amount of something. An example is "hayaku, hayaku, mooto hayaku" (a phrase from a "Spirited Away" image song) which means "faster, faster and faster" but "mooto" doesn't mean "and"; it's simply increasing the amount of "hayaku"
 mori = forest
 moshi moshi = hello (on the phone)
 mou ii = a phrase, means "no more" or "that's enough!"
 mune = the dull edge of a Japanese sword. It also means "heart"
 musume = daughter or young woman (in Rurouni Kenshin "itachi musume" = "weasel girl" or literally the daughter of a weasel) and can be an insult in context
 myuun = the sound a cat makes; cats also make a "nyaa nyaa" sound.

 N

 na ha = a very impolite and abbreviated way to ask someone their name. "O-namae wa" is standard-polite; if you want to be even more formal you would use "O-namae wa nan to iimasu ka" or "O-namae wa nan to osshaimasu ka" (the latter is very polite ^^)
 nakanaide = don't cry ("nakanaide kudasai" = please don't cry)
 nanda/nande = why, what. "nanda to" is an extreme version of "what", sort of like "WHAT?!"
 nandeste = what did you say?
 nani = what
 nani yatten no = what are you doing?
 nani-mo = nothing
 naruhodo = I see (as in "I understand")
 naze = why (an extreme why, as in "why did you do that?!")
 ne = right (as in "correct")
 neko = cat
 nezumi = mouse or rat
 nibun = half
 nigeru = run
 nihon, nippon/nihongo = Japan/Japanese (language)
 nikuma = pork buns
 ningen = human
 nidoto = never (as in "I'll never do that again")
 no = serves several purposes, often as a particle, but also marks a possessive ("Watashi no inu" would be "My dog" for instance)

 O

 obasan = aunt
 obaasan = grandmother. It's important to note that this word is very different from "obasan" above (which only has one "a" in romanji or a short "a" sound in speech). The "a" sound in "obaasan" is held twice as long.
 obaba = great-grandmother or a fairly rude way of saying "old woman"
 obou = monk
 oden = a mixed stew
 ohagi = sweet bean paste
 oi = "hey!"
 oishii = delicious, tasty
 ojisan = uncle, or "mister" when used by a non-relative. The Japanese have the habit of sometimes referring to strangers or aquaintances with familial terms. This is one such example.
 ojiisan = grandfather. Just as with "obasan" it's important to note the difference in spelling. You hold the "i" sound longer when you want to say "grandfather" as opposed to "uncle".
 okaa = mother. In speech this word is almost always used with an honorific. "Okaasama" is very respectful, "Okaasan" is general respect (this is the usual form you hear), "Okaachan" is informal and is sort of like saying "mommy".
 okari nasai = welcome home
 okashira = commander or boss
 okonomiyaki = Japanese "pizza" (it's similar to a pancake with sauce and other toppings added)
 ohayou gozaimasu = good morning (just "ohayou" is like "morning!")
 ohisashiburi = it's been a long time or "long time no see"
 onna = woman
 onegai = please (the full version is "onegai-shimasu" when you're being really polite; if used like a command I've seen it translated as "I beg of you!")
 oneesan = older sister
 oni = ogre or demon
 oniichan = older brother (-chan is informal, to be polite you'd say oniisan)
 onigirii = rice ball
 onsen = hot spring
 ooji = prince
 osuwari = the command form of "to sit" ; actually this is technically a dog command...
 otaku = in Japan this words simply refers to a fan of anything, in America it's come to describe an fan of anime specifically.
 otoko = man
 otou = father. In speech, just as with "okaa", this word is almost always used with an honorific. "Otousama" is very respectful, "Otousan" is general respect (this is the usual form you hear), "Otouchan" is informal and is sort of like saying "daddy".
 otouto = younger brother
 otto = husband
 ougi = succession technique for a sword or martial arts school, literally means "deep act"
 owari = "the end", as in the end of a show or story
 oyaji = "old man", as in your dad
 oyasumi nasai = good night

 P

 pacu = the sound a fish makes
 pan = bread
 particle: the Japanese "particle" refers to the short syllables (no, to, ni, mo, ha, ya, yo, wa, na, etc.) sprinked in Japanese sentences. The meaning and uses of particles are many and varied. They most often serve as object markers, identifying the subject of the sentence (first person pronouns are nearly always followed by a particle. Examples would be "watashi no", "sessha mo", etc.). They also serve a function similar to English preposition "filler" words such as: of, and, the, from, to, etc. To understand particles you need a Japanese grammar dictionary.
 piyo = the sound a bird makes

 R

 rei = soul
 rounin = masterless samurai
 rurouni = vagabond or wanderer (it's important to note that this word was made up by the creator of Rurouni Kenshin, combining "rounin" (masterless samurai) and "rurou" (vagabond). It doesn't actually exist in the Japanese language)
 ryu = school or style (for example, a sword style). It also means "dragon".

 S

 sakura = cherry blossom
 samurai = Japan's ancient warrior class (one step above peasants), officially abolished at the start of the Meji era (1868)
 sasuga ha = "nothing less from", as when someone lives up to his/her reputation or does something cool that you expected
 sayounara = farewell (as in "goodbye forever" or for a long time)
 seiyuu = voice actor/actress
 sen = a breakdown of Japanese currency
 sensei, shishou = teacher, master
 senshi = soldier
 sempai = upperclassmen, predecessor; essentially someone who has studied or been there before you.
 shakkin = debt (money)
 shihondai = assistant master
 shikashi = however/but
 shinde = command form of "shinu", which is the verb "to die"
 shinji = believe, can also mean "hope"
 shinjitsu = truth
 shinpai = worry
 shogun = warlord
 shoji = the sliding rice paper doors in Japanese houses
 shounen = boy
 shoujo = girl
 sonna = such
 soo = so (the one word that's the same in Japanese and English)
 sore = that
 soredemo = however/but
 soro soro = soon, now
 soshite = and
 sou ka = I see or "do I?" (the ka indicates a question)
 sou na = no, as in "no, that can't be!" or "no way!"
 sou desu ne = yes it is; "sou sou" can mean "oh yeah", and "sou" on its own can also mean "yes"
 so-yo = that's true, that's right! (usually pronounced "soi-you")
 subete = all, everything
 sugoi! = awesome!, cool!, wow!, etc.
 suhama = rice cake
 sukoshi = literally "to a small degree"; usual translations: a bit, few, slight, slightly, little, some, any
 sumanu/sumanai/sumimasen = I'm sorry (formal)
 suru = to do; "nani o suru?" = "what are you doing?"

 T

 tabun = probably
 taberu = to eat (verb)
 -tachi = when added to things, makes them plural ("hito-tachi" = "folk, people" for example). When used with first and second person pronouns -tachi can make words that mean we/our and "you guys". Ore/Boku/Watashi-tachi all mean "we/our" and "Omeatachi" means "you guys", essentially referring to a group of people (see notes on pronoun use above).
 tadaima = I'm home, I'm back, etc.
 taichou = captain, commander
 taisetsu na = important, beloved (to/of someone)
 tamago = egg
 tamashi = soul
 tanuki = raccoon (the Japanese raccoon dog, actually)
 taousu = defeat (in battle)
 tasukete = help
 tataku = to hit, beat, or knock. Variations are "tatakau" (battle or fight) and "tatakai" (this is the command form of "to fight")
 tatami = the mats that cover Japanese floors
 tatta = conjugated form (it means "I/ You/ He.. stood") of the verb "to stand up" which is "tatsu"
 tattaka = fight/battle
 tempura = deep-fried vegetables
 tenchuu = divine or Heavenly justice
 tenshi = angel
 to = means "and" when linking two words
 tori = bird, also refers to a chicken (tori no atama = "chicken head"; from Rurouni Kenshin)
 tsubasa = wings
 tsuee = strong, as in "he's strong"
 tsugi = next
 tsuki = moon (as in the satellite)
 tsuzuku = to be continued
 tsuyoi = strong, powerful

 U

 udon = a kind of Japanese noodle
 unmei = fate or destiny
 usagi = rabbit
 urasai! = "shut up!" or just "be quiet"
 ureshii = happy
 uso = lie

 W

 wai! = yay!
 wakaru/wakatta/wakarimashita = various commonly used forms of "to understand", they mean "I understand, I know, I get it", etc. When talking to a person who is higher ranked than you (or if you just want to be very polite) you say "kashikomarimashita"
 wakaranai = negative form of the verb; means "I don't understand, I don't get it", etc.
 wan = the sound a dog makes
 writing: The Japanese written system is very complicated and consists of three separate scripts that are used together: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
 Hiragana is the Japanese native script and consists of 46 basic characters. Hiragana is a syllabary rather than an alphabet (ka, ki, ko, ku, etc.) so English words cannot be neatly transcribed into Hiragana or vice versa. "Romanji" is the Japanese term for native words written in the English alphabet. Several systems exists for transcribing Japanese words into English script, the most common of which is the Hepburn system.
 Katakana is also 46 characters and has the same sounds as Hiragana, but is used primarily for writing foreign words and for emphasis (similar to the way we use bold or italic characters).
 Kanji are Chinese characters that have been adapted for the Japanese language. There are literally thousands of different Kanji, and much of Japanese is written in them. Kanji are often used for proper nouns (such as names and places) and also distinguish between homonyms (which are very common in Japanese).

 Y

 yahari/yappari = literally "as expected"; usally translated as: as I thought, just as I suspected, you really are, can it be that you're?, etc.
 yakisoba = pan-fried noodles ("soba" are buckwheat noodles)
 yakusoku = promise
 yamete/yamero = stop ("yamete" is feminine, "yamero" is masculine)
 yare yare = oh well, "oh brother", etc.
 yatta! = he/she/I did it!
 yatto = finally
 yen = Japanese money; although the exact exchange rate varies day by day
 yo = just as in English, this is a really casual greeting. As a particle in Japanese speech, "yo" adds emphasis to a word
 yokai = "roger!"
 yokatta = an expression of relief, usually translates as "I'm so glad" or "thank goodness!"
 yoshi! = all right, let's go, let's do it!
 youma/youkai = demon
 yowai = weak
 yume = dream
 yuurei = ghost
 yuki = snow
 yurusenai! = "I won't allow/permit it!", "I can't forgive this!", etc. "Yurusu" means to forgive, pardon, etc.

 Z

 zettai! = absolutely!, definitely! This phrase can be translated many ways actually, and can also be used as empahsis to make another word seem stronger.