Quick answer: Most everyday Japanese words change meaning with context and politeness. Arigatou means thank you, daijoubu means it's okay, ganbatte means do your best, and yabai can be good or bad. This guide explains each common word and phrase, its kanji where one exists, and when it is polite or rude to use it.
Last updated: 22 Oct 2026, by Spiddy Ng
Summary box - Everyday must-knows: arigatou (thank you), dou itashimashite (you're welcome), itadakimasu (before eating), daijoubu (it's OK), ganbatte (do your best), mata ne (see you). - Slang you'll hear everywhere: yabai, maji, baka, ara ara. - Relationships: senpai/kouhai, onii-chan/onee-chan. - Anime phrases: shinzou wo sasageyo, omae wa mou shindeiru, nico nico nii, waifu/husbando. - Rule of thumb: casual words are for friends; add -masu/-desu or "gozaimasu" with strangers and at work.
Table of contents
- How do you say thank you and you're welcome in Japanese?
- What are the common Japanese greetings and goodbyes?
- What do itadakimasu, gochisousama and kanpai mean?
- What do ganbatte and daijoubu mean?
- What do yabai, maji, baka and ara ara mean?
- What is the difference between ureshii and tanoshii?
- What does the particle ne do?
- What do senpai, kouhai and onii-chan mean?
- What do common anime and internet phrases mean?
- What do aiaigasa, hinode, itachi and kusarigama mean?
- What do the most common Japanese words mean at a glance?
- What other everyday Japanese words and phrases should you know?
- Frequently asked questions
1. How do you say thank you and you're welcome in Japanese?
Arigatou (ありがとう) is the standard "thank you". Make it more polite with arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます), and use the past form arigatou gozaimashita after something is finished, like when leaving a shop or restaurant. Doumo (どうも) is a short, all-purpose word: on its own it's a light "thanks" or even "hi", and doumo arigatou is a warmer thank you. Sumimasen (すみません) is often used as thanks when someone went out of their way for you, because it also carries a sense of "sorry for the trouble".
For "you're welcome", textbooks teach dou itashimashite (どういたしまして), but in real life Japanese people more often say iie iie (いえいえ) ("no, no"), tondemonai ("not at all") or simply smile and nod.
Verdict: Use arigatou gozaimasu with anyone you don't know; doumo is a safe short version.
2. What are the common Japanese greetings and goodbyes?
Konnichiwa is "hello" during the day, ohayou (gozaimasu) in the morning and konbanwa in the evening. For goodbye, sayounara (さようなら) is less common than learners expect: it sounds final, a bit like "farewell". Friends say mata ne, jaa ne or bai bai, and colleagues leaving work say otsukaresama desu ("thanks for your hard work").
Verdict: Save sayounara for long goodbyes; use mata ne with friends.
3. What do itadakimasu, gochisousama and kanpai mean?
Before eating, Japanese people say itadakimasu (いただきます), literally "I humbly receive", a thank-you to the food, the people who made it and, traditionally, the lives taken for the meal. After eating comes gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした). Fun fact from our original guide: gohan (ご飯) means steamed rice but is also the general word for "meal", because rice sits at the centre of a traditional Japanese meal alongside a main dish, a side dish and miso soup.
Kanpai (乾杯) means "dry the cup" and is the Japanese "cheers". Wait for the toast before you drink. Full guide: Meaning of kanpai.
Verdict: Itadakimasu before, gochisousama after, kanpai to start the drinks.
4. What do ganbatte and daijoubu mean?
Ganbatte (頑張って) means "do your best" or "hang in there". It's what you say before exams, games, job interviews or any hard task. The polite form is ganbatte kudasai, and the reply is ganbarimasu ("I'll do my best").
Daijoubu (大丈夫) means "OK", "all right" or "no problem". As a question, daijoubu? means "are you OK?". It can also mean "no thanks": if a shop assistant offers a bag and you say daijoubu desu, you're declining.
Verdict: Ganbatte is encouragement; daijoubu is reassurance, or a polite "no thanks".
5. What do yabai, maji, baka and ara ara mean?
| Word | Kanji/kana | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yabai | やばい | "Dangerous" → now "awesome" or "terrible" | Very casual |
| Maji | マジ | "Seriously?" / "for real" | Casual |
| Baka | 馬鹿 | "Idiot / fool" – teasing or insulting | Careful! |
| Ara ara | あらあら | "Oh my, oh my" – amused, motherly | Playful (anime) |
Yabai started as "risky" but young people use it for anything extreme, good or bad. Maji with a rising tone is "really?!", while a flat tone is "really". Baka can be affectionate between friends, but it's rude to strangers. For stronger versions, see yarou, konoyaro and bakayaro. Ara ara is famous from anime characters, including in Demon Slayer.
Verdict: Fine with friends, avoid with elders and at work.
6. What is the difference between ureshii and tanoshii?
Both translate as "happy", but ureshii (嬉しい) is the happiness of something good happening to you ("I'm glad you came"), while tanoshii (楽しい) is enjoyment of an activity ("the trip was fun").
Verdict: A gift is ureshii; a party is tanoshii.
7. What does the particle ne do?
Ne (ね) at the end of a sentence asks for agreement or adds warmth, like "isn't it?" or "right?". Oishii ne means "this is tasty, isn't it?". It's one of the hardest particles for learners because it does so many jobs.
8. What do senpai, kouhai and onii-chan mean?
Senpai (先輩) is a senior at school, at work or in a club; kouhai (後輩) is the junior. The senpai guides, and the kouhai shows respect. Onii-chan / onee-chan are affectionate words for an older brother or sister (and for young adults generally). See onii-chan and onee-chan meaning.
For "woman", onna (女) is plain and can sound blunt, josei (女性) is neutral and polite, and onna no hito (女の人) is the everyday choice. Kanojo means "she" and also "girlfriend".
Verdict: Use josei or onna no hito; avoid plain onna about a person.
9. What do common anime and internet phrases mean?
- Shinzou wo sasageyo (心臓を捧げよ) – "Dedicate your hearts", the Survey Corps salute and song from Attack on Titan.
- Omae wa mou shindeiru (お前はもう死んでいる) – "You are already dead", from Fist of the North Star, now a meme followed by "Nani?!".
- Nico nico nii (にこにこにー) – Nico Yazawa's catchphrase from Love Live!, a cheerful greeting with hand gestures.
- Waifu / husbando – from English "wife/husband", used by fans for their favourite characters.
- Moe moe kyun – the maid-café "love spell". See moe moe kyun.
10. What do aiaigasa, hinode, itachi and kusarigama mean?
- Aiaigasa (相合傘) – two people sharing an umbrella, the Japanese "love umbrella" doodle with two names under it. Fitting for tsuyu (梅雨), the rainy season from about early June to mid-July (varies by region).
- Hinode (日の出) – sunrise, from 日 (sun) and 出 (come out). The first sunrise of the year, hatsuhinode, is a New Year tradition.
- Itachi (鼬) – weasel. In Japanese folklore weasels are tricksters and sometimes a bad omen; the name is also famous from Naruto.
- Kusarigama (鎖鎌) – a sickle (kama) on a chain with a weight at the end, a traditional weapon seen in samurai films.
11. What do the most common Japanese words mean at a glance?
| Japanese | Meaning | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you (polite) | Anyone |
| Doumo | Thanks / hi | Quick, casual |
| Iie iie | You're welcome | Everyday |
| Itadakimasu | Before eating | Every meal |
| Gochisousama deshita | After eating | Every meal |
| Kanpai | Cheers | Toasts |
| Ganbatte | Do your best | Encouragement |
| Daijoubu | OK / no thanks | Reassuring, declining |
| Yabai | Crazy / awesome / bad | Friends only |
| Maji | Seriously? | Friends only |
| Senpai / kouhai | Senior / junior | School, work |
| Mata ne | See you | Friends |
How can you practise these words?
The fastest way to make these words stick is to hear them in context. Watch a Japanese drama or anime with Japanese subtitles and pause whenever you hear daijoubu, maji or yabai; notice who is speaking to whom. In Japan, listen at the konbini: staff say irasshaimase ("welcome") when you walk in and arigatou gozaimashita as you leave. In restaurants, try sumimasen to call the server and gochisousama deshita on your way out; staff will notice and appreciate it. If you are learning seriously, a graded reader or an app with audio helps you get the pitch right, which matters for words like maji? and ne.
What other everyday Japanese words and phrases should you know?
Basic words
| Japanese | Rōmaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| はい / いいえ | hai / iie | Yes / no |
| 私 / あなた | watashi / anata | I / you |
| 今日 / 明日 | kyou / ashita | Today / tomorrow |
| 朝 / 夜 | asa / yoru | Morning / night |
| 高い / 安い | takai / yasui | Expensive (or tall) / cheap |
| 美味しい | oishii | Delicious |
| 辛い / 甘い | karai / amai | Spicy / sweet |
Greetings for home, work and first meetings
- Ittekimasu / itterasshai (行ってきます / 行ってらっしゃい): You say "ittekimasu" ("I'm off") when you leave home, and the people staying reply "itterasshai" ("see you later").
- Tadaima / okaeri (ただいま / おかえり): "I'm home" and "welcome back".
- Hajimemashite (はじめまして): "Nice to meet you", said the first time you meet someone.
- Sumimasen (すみません): "Excuse me" or "sorry". People also use it to call a waiter.
Why do Japanese people say moshi moshi on the phone?
Moshi moshi (もしもし) comes from mōsu (申す), a humble verb meaning "to say". You use it to answer the phone or to check that the other person can still hear you. In person, or when answering a business call, use another greeting instead.
How do you use san, sama, kun and chan?
| Title | Used for |
|---|---|
| -san (さん) | A polite default for almost anyone |
| -sama (さま) | Very respectful; used for customers, in letters, and for deities |
| -kun (くん) | Boys, younger men, or juniors at work |
| -chan (ちゃん) | Children, close friends, pets and cute nicknames |
Never add an honorific to your own name.
How do you say shut up or be quiet in Japanese?
Urusai (うるさい) means "noisy" or "shut up". Damare (黙れ) is a rude "shut up". Shizuka ni shite kudasai (静かにしてください, "please be quiet") is the polite way to ask. Use the blunt forms only with close friends, or not at all.
How do Japanese people write dates?
Japanese dates go from biggest unit to smallest: year (年 nen), month (月 gatsu), day (日 nichi). For example, 2026年10月22日. Official documents often use the era name as well. The Reiwa era (令和) began in 2019, so 2026 is Reiwa 8.
Which Japanese words have no English equivalent?
- Komorebi (木漏れ日): sunlight filtering through leaves
- Tsundoku (積ん読): buying books and leaving them unread in a pile
- Mottainai (もったいない): a feeling of regret at waste
- Natsukashii (懐かしい): fond nostalgia
- Shouganai (しょうがない): "it can't be helped"
- Wabi-sabi (侘寂): finding beauty in imperfection and impermanence
- Kintsugi (金継ぎ): repairing broken pottery with gold
- Nekojita (猫舌): "cat tongue", meaning you can't handle hot food or drinks
What does neko mean, and what is a maneki-neko?
Neko (猫) means cat. A maneki-neko (招き猫, "beckoning cat") is a lucky cat figure seen in shops and restaurants. Traditionally, a raised left paw invites customers and a raised right paw invites money.
What does moshi moshi mean? It is the phrase Japanese people use to answer the phone, from the humble verb mōsu (to say).
Should I use san or chan? Use -san by default. -chan is for children, close friends and pets.
12. Frequently asked questions
Is "sayounara" rude? No, but it sounds final. Most people say mata ne or jaa ne.
Can I say "baka" to a friend? Between close friends it can be playful, but avoid it with anyone else.
What's the difference between arigatou and doumo? Doumo is shorter and more casual; doumo arigatou gozaimasu is very polite.
What do Japanese say before eating? Itadakimasu, and gochisousama deshita after.
Is "yabai" positive or negative? Both, depending on tone and context.
Related guides: Japanese kanji for words · Japanese onomatopoeia · Japanese names by meaning
About the author – Spiddy Ng, Japan Truly.
