A selection of basic words and expressions in Japanese

When you start learning a foreign language, you are always glad that you can now say this or that word in it. It turns out to describe one object, another, it seems as if the world around is expanding. However, where to look for all this vocabulary? Beginners probably dream of a list that contains basic Japanese words with translation into Russian. Some people's soul requires a selection of beautiful words in Japanese in order to touch the beautiful, while others simply need popular Japanese words that can be found, for example, in anime. In this article we will share with you tables that contain just such vocabulary. Below you will find several selections with Japanese words with translation and Russian pronunciation .

Simple words in Japanese

If you've ever wondered how to say the word "Japan" in Japanese, then this collection is for you. It will allow you to become familiar with basic Japanese words and remember their transcription and translation. When reading Japanese words in Russian, keep in mind: “:” denotes a long sound, and the vowels [u] and [i] in the syllables “ku”, “ki” and “su”, “si” are reduced.

Of course, these are not all the Japanese words that beginners may need, but if you are just starting to learn Japanese, then this list may come in handy.

Insulting girls: あばずれ (abazure), やりまん (yariman)

Every language has curse words reserved for a specific gender, and Japanese is no exception. If you're ready for women to hate you, you can use abazure ("bitch") or yariman ("whore").

Abazure comes from the word abaremono ("someone who looks crazy"), and was used for both men and women in the Edo period. But now it is an insult exclusively towards women.

To be fair, if you only want to offend men, then use do'inpo ("impotent"). This is perhaps the best way to insult a man's dignity.

Usage example:

金をよこせ,このあばずれ!

Kin o yokose, kono abazure!

“Give me my money, bitch!”

Basic phrases in Japanese

These are the standard, most commonly used expressions in Japanese with translation and pronunciation. Take note!

The phrases above are etiquette , therefore they are irreplaceable in almost any situation. Try to learn them by heart.

Common honorific suffixes

さん (san)

The most common honorific. Used for first and last names of persons of any gender, it has the approximate meaning of “Mr,” “Mrs.” Never used for one's own name (considered a sign of vanity or childish stupidity), only to address the interlocutor. Almost never used when communicating within the family. Also -san can be used together with the profession of the interlocutor:

本屋さん (honya-san) – “bookseller” (“bookstore” + san), 肉屋さん (nikuya-san) – “butcher”

-san is sometimes used when referring to companies: for example, the offices or store of the Kojima Denki company may be called by another company located nearby as “Kojima Denki-san” (in business cards of companies, telephone directories or local maps, when describing the location of the company's office in relation to nearby companies, -san is added to their names).

As a simple, irreverent suffix, in everyday speech, -san can be added to the names of animals and even food items.

This use is frivolous, childish and used by women and children (for example, a domestic rabbit can be called “usagi-san” - “Mr. Rabbit”, or a fish in the kitchen - “sakana-san”).

In western Japan (particularly Kyoto Prefecture), はん (han) is used instead of -san.

When playing online, Japanese players often add the number 3 to the other player's name (for example, yoshimitsu3), which is pronounced さん (san) in Japanese.

君, くん (kun)

Used in informal communication, mainly between men. It is used when addressing a senior in status to a younger one, between men of approximately the same age and position, when addressing a boy child and, sometimes, a male pet. Also used by women when mentioning men for whom they have feelings (in a diminutive manner).

In a business environment, women, especially young ones, may be addressed with the suffix -kun by older male bosses.

School teachers address male students with -kun and girls with -san or -chan.

The rules for using the honorific suffix -kun for boys are about the same as -san for adults; non-use of the suffix -kun, in most situations, can be regarded as impolite, disrespectful, rude treatment (just like -san, -kun is not used when addressing one’s own child within the family, except when -kun is part of a nickname, diminutive name : Akkun – “Akira-kun”).

In the Japanese Diet, the chairman addresses members of parliament and ministers using the suffix -kun. The only exception was Takako Doi's presidency of the lower parliament (she used the suffix -san).

後輩 (-ko:hai)/-先輩 (senpai)

先輩 ["comrade in front"], せんぱい (senpai) - used to address a more senior colleague (by experience, age) within an organization, for example, at school (to an older student), in a sports club or business companies. Can be used for the interlocutor's name, instead of -san or -sensei.

後輩 [“comrade standing behind”], こうはい (ko: hai) - is the reverse of senpai (addressing a younger colleague). The suffix kohai is practically not used when addressing a younger person directly (this is considered rude, offensive); instead, the address -kun is used.

According to the unwritten rules that exist in Japanese society, the kohai must treat the sempai with respect, fulfill his minor requests and instructions, and the sempai looks after the kohai and is responsible for him to the official leadership of the organization.

The closest Russian equivalent of such relationships is hazing. Quite often, senpais abuse their position, and kohai are infringed upon in their rights, for example, in sports clubs, beginners are sometimes not even allowed to attend training, and their main occupation is helping elders, maintaining sports equipment, and cleaning the premises after training.

Despite this, the system of senpai/kohai relations brings certain benefits, making the work of official management easier, and, in the absence of excesses, allows newcomers to quickly adapt to a new environment and learn useful experience from their older comrades. Often a kohai does not end his friendship with his senpai even after completing his training or leaving the club.

ちゃん (chan)

Diminutive suffix, informal version -san (roughly meaning “dear”). Used in communication with children and women within the family.

It can also be used in relation to animals, lovers (women), close friends, and people whom you have known since childhood. -chan is used to express affection for adults, especially girls.

Parents often call their daughters -chan and their sons -kun throughout their lives.

Addressing a boy with -chan can develop as a nickname at school or family if it sounds good (but still -chan is considered a feminine suffix).

-chan is used mainly by women to refer to women (some young women use -chan for their name in the 3rd person).

Men use -chan between very close friends or business partners, or to young boys.

Favorite pet nicknames often consist of the animal's abbreviated name followed by -chan. For example, a domestic rabbit (usagi) is more affectionately called usa-chan instead of usagi-chan. Also, the suffix -chan is used for nicknames of favorite performers and movie stars. For example, Arnold Schwarzenegger is often affectionately called Shuwa-chan in Japan.

先生, せんせい (sensei)

Used to address teachers, doctors, lawyers, lawyers, politicians, representatives of creative and other socially important professions. Expresses respect for a person who has achieved certain knowledge and mastery in the profession. Sensei can also be used in a sarcastic sense in relation to “bloated”, self-confident stars, politicians, and religious figures with undeserved delusions of grandeur. Sensei can be used as an independent word with the meaning “professor, teacher, teacher.”

様, さま (herself)

Analogous to -san in official address. Used when addressing superiors of a much higher official position than the speaker and, in commercial organizations, when talking with clients. Used in words describing people or objects for whom the speaker wants to express deep respect: okyaku-sama (client, buyer) or Tateishi-sama (a gem revered as divine).

Japanese Christians turn to God in prayer as Kami-sama and Jesus as Yesu-sama. -sama is used when referring to female members of the imperial family (Masako-sama) in the media.

Also, the Japanese often add -sama to the names of people who have special skills, talent, or are particularly attractive (can sometimes be used ironically).

Using -sama with your own name or the pronoun “I” (ore-sama) is considered selfish and arrogant.

-sama is added to names on postcards, letters, parcels, and business emails.

Sama, as an independent pronoun “you”, has a semantic and semantic difference from -sama:

お待ち遠さま (o-machidoo-sama) – “sorry for keeping you waiting”, お疲れさま (o-tsukare-sama) – “thank you very much for your efforts” (expressing sympathy for a person doing long and hard work), ご苦労さま ( go-kuro:-sama) – “excellent work” (recognition of someone’s merits, work)

There are two additional options - sama.

-chama is used in conversations with older people.

-tama is a softer form of -sama, used rarely, mainly by young children in relation to older brothers, sisters or older friends who are an authority for them (“Onii-tama” - “elder brother”).

氏, し (si)

Used in formal writing (documents, scientific papers) and, sometimes, in very formal speech towards strangers (for example, in the news). When a person is mentioned for the first time in a conversation, his name and the suffix si are indicated. Further in the conversation, instead of the full name, only si is used.

Beautiful Japanese words

This selection has been prepared in case you are in a poetic mood. In it you will find beautiful words and phrases in Japanese with translation and transcription, they are easy to remember. Just a little more, and you can write poetry!

Other collections of words in Japanese with translation

There are many other useful articles about Japanese vocabulary . You may be interested in nouns, adjectives, verbs and other parts of speech in Japanese with translation and pronunciation.

Drinks in Japanese. Japanese language lesson for beginners. We gain vocabulary

Positive words in Japanese. How to admire or be surprised in Japanese?

Parts of the face in Japanese. Japanese words

Japanese words about nature

Japanese words. Learning Japanese words - office

Japanese words. Transport in Japanese

Japanese kitchen utensils

Fruits in Japanese. Japanese lesson for beginners

The 30 most common verbs in Japanese. Part 1

The 30 most common verbs in Japanese. Part 1

Verbs to put on and take off. Japanese words

Japanese adjectives for 5th kyu. Part 1

Japanese adjectives for 5th kyu. Part 2

Japanese adjectives for 5th kyu. Part 3

Russian-Japanese and Japanese-Russian dictionaries

Naturally, you can learn words not only through collections and articles; another good idea is to look for them in dictionaries yourself! If suddenly you need to say something, but you don’t know it, they will become a lifesaver - they will tell you how certain Russian words sound in Japanese. Here is a list of the three most popular Russian-Japanese online translators where you can search for words with translation and transcription:

Jardic is the largest dictionary of these, and is a consolidated database of several online translators. Here you can find words in Japanese with translation not only into Russian, but also into English.

Warodai is an electronic version of the Great Japanese-Russian Dictionary. In addition to the words themselves in Japanese with pronunciation and translation, the site also contains examples of their use, various set expressions and proverbs and sayings.

Yarxi is first and foremost a dictionary of hieroglyphs, and secondarily an online translator of Japanese words, which also displays them along with their pronunciation. It is very convenient for those who want to learn another sign and find an example of its use for better memorization.

In fact, all the words above were quite simple . It won't be surprising if you remember them almost immediately, because they are directly related to everyday life. However, when you encounter more complex vocabulary, such as those that refer to phenomena or abstract concepts, it will become more difficult to learn. Enter words into a special dictionary , make thematic lists and don’t be lazy to write down Japanese words not only with a translation into Russian, but also with a transcription at least in Russian (or better yet, in hiragana so that it is remembered faster). This will make it easier for you to spot the expression that has slipped out of your head. Good luck in learning the language!

Beautiful Japanese words with translation into Russian can be found in this article. Also here are the most common words and expressions of the Japanese language with translation.

"Dumb" - キチガイ (kichigai), カス (kasu)

Everyone knows the word baka (“stupid”). You may have also heard other words with similar meanings, such as aho ("idiot") or boke ("shit for brains"). But now it's time to learn a few more words to really insult someone's intelligence by calling them a kasu (a complete idiot) or a kichigai (a slow-witted one).

Kasu is a word that literally means “useless by-product,” that is, something that should simply be thrown away. Kichigai is usually translated as "crazy", but in a much more offensive sense, so the word is usually censored when written or spoken. It is used in conversation with friends, but you will never hear it in the media.

Like many other Japanese curse words, kasu and kichigai are usually used with the word kono in front of them, that is, “kono kasu” or “kono kichigai.” Kono usually means "this", but when used with an offensive word and speaking directly to someone, it translates to "you".

Usage example:

何だ、こんなこともわかんねぇのか？このキチガイ。

Nan da, konna koto mo wakannee no ka? Kono kichigai.

Didn't you know that? Well, you're a slowdown.