The 100 Most Frequent Words in Spoken Japanese

Revelations from the most frequently used words in Japanese

Source:

A Frequency Dictionary of Japanese (2013) from Routledge

This dictionary is based on a corpus of spoken Japanese available for free online academic use from the National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics. I made an Excel database of the top 100 words using the dictionary (below). The same corpus was used to create the Japanese version of the Leipzig Vocabulary Levels Tests. See right.

A close up of the most frequently used 100 words in Japanese

Here is a link to an Excel spread sheet of the 100 most frequently used words in spoken Japanese. You can sort it by ranking order (example 1-100) or by parts of speech. You can scan the list in its entirety below. Spread sheet link.

The First Hundred High-Frequency Spoken Japanese Words				Normalized frequence per million words	Dispersion value	Register

Rank	Part of Speech	Word	English translation	NF	DV	Register	Example
1	case-marking particle	の/NO	of; in; at; for; by	47078	47078	BK	彼はこの大学の学生だ。He is a student at this university.
2	case-marking particle	に/NI	at; on; in; to; for	32231	1	BK	私は大阪に住んでいます。I live in Osaka.
3	binding/adverbial particle	は/WA	TOPIC	31572	1	BK	好きなスポーツはテニスです。My favorite sport is tennis.
4	auxiliary	た/TA	PAST	31549	0.98	BK	昨日、彼を見ましたか。Did you see him yesterday?
5	case-marking particle	を/WO	ACCUSATIVE	29120	0.99	BK	彼は毎晩ビールを飲む。He drinks beer every night.
6	auxiliary	だ/DA	COPULA	27686	0.99	BK	僕は英語が苦手だ。I'm not good at English.
7	case-marking particle	が/GA	NOMINATIVE	26904	1	BK	こちらが私の妻です。This is my wife.
8	conjunctive particle	て/TE	REASON	22523	0.96	none	お金がなくて、海外旅行できない。I don't have money so I can't travel abroad.
9	case-marking particle	と/TO	and; or; with; if	18509	1	BK	彼とレストランへ行った。I went to a restaurant with my boyfriend.
10	auxiliary	ます/MASU	POLITE (after verb)	16855	0.95	none	来週京都へ行きます。I will go to Kyoto next week.
11	binding/adverbial particle	も/MO	too, also	16147	0.97	none	彼が行くなら、私も行きます。If he is going, I will go too.
12	case-marking particle	で/DE	in; at; from; by	14058	1	BK	東京駅で彼女に会った。I met her at Tokyo Station.
13	compound particle	ている、てる/TEIRU	CONTINUATION	13555	0.99	none	雨がふっている。It's raining.
14	auxiliary	です/DESU	COPULA (polite)	9828	0.83	WB	彼は独身です。He is single.
15	auxiliary	れる/RERU	PASSIVE	9234	0.99	BK	日本で使われている通貨は円です。The currency used in Japan is yen.
16	compound particle	という、つう/TOIU	called, named	9073	0.8	none	太郎という男の子を知っていますか。Do you know a boy called Taro?
17	noun	事/KOTO	thing	8747	0.96	none	今年はいろいろな事があった。All kinds of things happened this year.
18	interjection	えー、ええ/EE	eh? what? well, yes	8636	0.07	SP	あの人は、えー、ちょっと名前が思いだせません。・いい、そうです。That man is…, well I cannot remember his name./Right.
19	verb	言う/IU	say, speak, talk	8549	0.91	none	はっきり言うと、あなたの言っていることは無意味です。Frankly speaking, you are talking nonsense.
20	compound particles	のです、んです/NODESU	ASSERTION (polite)	8439	0.71	none	どうしたんですか。What's the matter?
21	interjection	あの、あのう、あのー/ANO	excuse me; uh, eh, um, ah, er	8431	0	SP	あの、ちょっとお聞きしたいんですが、バス乗り場はどこですか。Excuse me, could you tell me where the bus stop is?
22	verb	する/SURU	do; make	764	0.99	none	仕事をしなければなりません。I have to do my work.
23	interjection	まー、　まあ/MAA	Wow! Oh my God!	6950	0.04	SP	まー、なんて素晴らしいんでしょう。Wow! That's amazing!
24	binding/adverbial particle	の/NO	POSSESSIVE	6883	0.95	none	彼が言ったのは本当だ。What he said is true.
25	verb	ある/ARU	be (existence), have (possession), happen, occur	6496	0.98	none	彼の報告書は問題がある。His report has some problems.
26	sentence-ending particle	ね/NE	isn't it?, don't you?	6282	0.7	none	いい天気ですね。It's a nice day, isn't it?
27	auxiliary	ない/NAI	not	6253	0.98	none	彼は朝ごはんを食べない。He doesn't have breakfast.
28	verb	なる/NARU	become, get; come to do, start to do, turn into	5977	0.99	none	彼は金持ちになるでしょう。He will become rich.
29	sentence-ending particle	か/KA	QUESTION	5594	0.91	none	コーヒーか紅茶はいかがですか。Would you like some coffee or tea?
30	adnominal	その/SONO	that	5546	0.95	BK	そのかばんを取ってくれませんか。Can you pass me that bag?
31	conjunction	けれど/KEREDO	though, although	5293	0.64	none	このアパートはあまり良くないえれどやすい。This apartment is cheap, though it's not so nice.
32	case-marking particle	から/KARA	from	4740	1	none	ここからその店までは遠い。The shop is a long way from here.
33	auxiliary	よう/YOU	INDUCEMENT	4638	0.97	BK	一緒にDVDを見よう。Let's watch a DVD together.
34	verb	思う/OMOU	think, believe; feel; expect	4599	0.88	none	私はそう思いません。I don't think so.
35	conjunction	で/DE	so, then	4412	0.15	SP	で、あの話はどうなりましたか。So what happened about the story you mentioned?
36	binding/adverbial particle	か/KA	if; or	4308	0.94	none	だれか来たようだ。It seems that someone has come.
37	conjunctive particle	が/GA	ADVERSATIVE	4168	0.96	none	いい天気だが、風が冷たい。It's a sunny day but the wind is chilly.
38	noun	物/MONO	thing, object, stuff	3676	0.96	none	そんなに高い物は買えません。I can't buy such expensive stuff.
39	adverb	そう/SOU	so, such	3497	0.8	none	私もそう思います。I think so too.
40	pronoun	何/NAN	what; something; anything; nothing	3497	0.76	none	何を考えていますか。What are you thinking?
41	conjunctive particle	と/TO	if, when; with	3458	0.97	none	お酒を飲みすぎると、眠くなってしまう。Drinking too much makes me sleepy.
42	pronoun	私/WATASHI	I	3404	0.9	none	私は寿司がすきです。I like sushi.
43	compound particle	てしまう/TESHIMAU	end up doing	3352	0.78	none	ダイエット中なのに、つい、甘いものを食べてしまう。I'm on a diet, but I can't stop eating sweets.
44	pronoun	それ/SORE	that	3278	0.91	BK	それあ明子さんのカバンですか。Is that Akiko's bag?
45	binding/adverbial particle	とか/TOKA	and; or	3174	0	SP	ケーキとかチョコレートばかり食べるから、君は太るんだ。You gain weight because you always eat cake and chocolate.
46	adnominal	この/KONO	this	2974	0.97	BK	この本をもう読みましたか。Have you read this book?
47	i-adjective	無い/NAI	there is no…, no…	2953	0.96	none	今、お金が無いんです。I have no money now.
48	verb	行く/IKU	go; come	2746	0.88	none	すぐ行きます。I'm just coming.
49	compound particle	のだ、んだ/NODA,NDA	ASSERTION	2708	0.94	none	彼女は何も知らないのだ。She doesn't know anything.
50	auxiliary	せる/SERU	CAUSATIVE	2702	0.87	none	子供にピアノを習わせたい。I want my child to learn how to play the piano.
51	pronoun	これ/KORE	this	2685	0.93	none	これをください。（レストランや店で）I will take this (in a restaurant or shop).
52	adverb	もう/MOU	already; soon; again	2630	0.66	none	もう寝ます。I'll go to bed soon.
53	compound particle	である/DEARU	COPULA (formula)	2586	0.81	BK	これが実験の結果である。These are the results of the experiment.
54	noun	時/TOKI	time	2514	0.96	none	時が悲しみを癒してくれますよ。Time will heal your sorrow.
55	sentence-ending particle	な/NA	PROHIBITION	225	0.78	none	動くな！手を挙げろ。Don't move! Get your hands up!
56	auxiliary	ず/ZU	NEGATION	2250	0.94	none	彼は何も言わずに去ってしまった。He left without saying anything.
57	conjunctive particle	ので、んで/NODE,NDE	as, because, since	2181	0	SP	娘はまだ小さいので手がかかります。My daughter is still very young, she needs to be looked after.
58	noun	人/HITO	person, people, human being	2178	0.93	none	その歌手は若い人に人気がある。That singer is popular among young people.
59	sentence-ending particle	よ/YO	ASSERTION, REMINDING (informal)	2134	0.88	none	また来るよ。I will come again.
60	adverb	こう/KOU	so, like this	2099	0.73	none	粉と水を混ぜ、こうしてよくこねてください。Mix flour and water together, and knead the dough like this.
61	conjunctive particle	から/KARA	because, since	2028	0.96	none	雨が降っているから、出かけるのはやめます。I will not go out, because it's raining.
62	conjunctive particle	ば/BA	if	1909	0.98	none	雨がふれば、試合は中止だ。If it rains, the game will be cancelled.
63	binding/adverbial particle	や/YA	and; or	1881	0.93	none	結婚式に家族や友人を招待した。We invited our family and friends to the wedding.
64	verb	来る/KURU	come	1876	0.92	none	ここに来てください。Come here, please.
65	interjection	その/SONO	uh, er, um, mm	1868	0.01	SP	「どうして授業を休んだの。」「それは、その. . . .」"Why were you absent from class?" "Uh, well…"
66	binding/adverbial particle	まで/MADE	to, till, until	1839	0.99	none	休暇は明日から来週の水曜日までです。My vacation is from tomorrow till next Wednesday.
67	verb	見る/MIRU	see; look at, watch; check	1814	0.98	none	通りを渡る前に左右を見た。I looked left and right before crossing the street.
68	binding/adverbial particle	たり/TARI	and	1793	0.84	none	日曜日はよく部屋の掃除をしたり、本を読んだ。I usually clean up my room and read books on Sunday.
69	noun	今/IMA	now	1760	0.92	none	今何時ですか。What time is it now?
70	i-adjective	良い、いい/YOI,II	good	1734	0.84	none	彼は良い人だ。He is a good man.
71	noun	所/TOKORO	place, point, part, aspect	1714	0.93	none	先週はいろいろな所に行った。I went to many places last week.
72	noun	自分/JIBUN	onself	1709	0.86	none	彼は九十歳だが何でも自分でできる。He is ninety years old, yet he can do everything by himself.
73	interjection	ん/N	oh, mm, well	1706	0.16	SP	ん、何かがおかしいな。Hmm, something is wrong…
74	interjection	あー/AA	er, uh, um, hmm, ah, oh	1695	0.36	none	「入ってもいい。」「あー、ちょっとまって。」"Can I come in?" "Uh. Just a minute."
75	adverb	やはり、やっぱり/YAHARI	as (one) expected, still	1680	0.66	none	彼女はやはり遅れた。She was late for the appointment, as expected.
76	auxiliary	たい/TAI	want to, like to	1663	0.98	none	コーヒーが飲みたいな、ちょっと体もう。I want to have a cup of coffee. Let's take a break.
77	verb	やる/YARU	do; make; give	1644	0.88	none	今すぐやります。I'll do that right now.
78	noun	中/NAKA	inside, in; into	1534	0.97	BK	太郎は部屋の中に入った。Taro came into the room.
79	verb	いる/IRU	be, exist; stay	1499	0.89	none	「どこにいるの。」「ここだよ。」"Where are you?" "I'm here."
80	verb	できる/DEKIRU	be ready	1490	0.96	none	夕飯あできましたよ。Dinner is ready.
81	binding/adverbial particle	など/NADO	and so on, etc.	1471	0.91	none	警察官は私の名前や年齢などを尋ねた。The policeman asked me my name, age, and so on.
82	compound particle	として/TOSHITE	as	1453	0.95	none	彼女は女優としてはものにならなかった。As an actress, she did not succeed.
83	noun	後/ATO	after, later	1448	0.84	none	後で電話します。I'll call you later.
84	conjunction	また/MATA	addionally, moreover; again; too, and	1443	0.95	none	彼女は医者であり、また、歌手でもある。She is a doctor as well as a singer.
84	adverb	また/MATA	additionally, moreover; again; too, and	1443	0.95	none	また同じ間違いをしてしまった。I made the same mistake again.
85	adverb	ちょっと/CHOTTO	(just) a little, a bit	1352	0.66	none	最近、ちょっと太ってしまった。I gained a bit of weight recently.
86	compound particle	てくる/TEKURU	go and…	1351	0.98	none	スーパーへ行ってきます。I am going to the supermarket.
87	binding/adverbial particle	だけ/DAKE	only, alone, merely	1329	0.98	none	チャンスは一回だけだ。I have only one chance.
88	binding/adverbial particle	くらい、ぐらい/KURAI, GURAI	about, around	1318	0.79	none	彼女は二十歳ぐらいに見える。She looks around twenty years old.
89	compound particles	ではない/DEWANAI	it is not the case that…	1304	0.96	none	私は日本人ではない。I'm not Japanese.
90	interjection	えーと/EETO	well, let me see	1303	0.01	none	えーと、会議あ何時からだっけ。Well, what time does the meeting start?
91	noun	方/HOU	direction, way; side	1301	0.95	none	この部屋は午後になると西の方から日が差す。This room gets the sun in the afternoon from the west.
92	compound particle	ていく、てく/TEIKU	go and…	1245	0.92	none	明日の夕飯会にはどんな服を着て行ったらいいですか。What kind of dress should I wear for the dinner tomorrow?
93	noun	訳/WAKE	reason, cause	1215	0.82	none	訳を話してください。Tell me the reason.
94	case-marking particle	へ/E	DESTINATION	1196	0.95	BK	明日、大阪へ行きます。I will go to Osaka tomorrow.
95	adverb	どう/DOU	how, what	1173	0.96	none	彼をどう思いますか。What do you thnk of him?
96	conjunctive particle	し/SHI	and, besides	1167	0.88	none	彼はハンサムだし背が高い。He is handome, and tall.
97	noun	本当/HONTOU	truth, right	1125	0.73	none	それは本当かな。I wonder if it is true.
98	verb	持つ/MOTSU	have, take, hold	1106	0.97	none	これを持ってくれませんか。Can you hold this?
99	verb	出る/DERU	go out, come out; attend	1093	0.95	none	私は部屋から出た。
100	noun	ため/TAME	for	1084	0.93	none	これは初心者のための本です。

Distribution of the types of words in the most frequent 100

	Part of speech	Quantity	Example
1)	adnominals	2	この・ｋｏｎｏｔｈｉｓ
2)	adverbs	7	こう・ｋｏｕｌｉｋｅ　ｔｈｉｓ
3)	auxiliaries	10	言わず・ｉｗａｚｕｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ　ｓａｙｉｎｇ
4)	binding/adverbial particles	11	は・ｗａｔｏｐｉｃ　ｍａｒｋｅｒ
5)	case-marking particles	8	の・ｎｏｏｆ
6)	compound particles	10	という・ｔｏｉｕｃａｌｌｅｄ
7)	conjunctions	3	から・ｋａｒａｂｅｃａｕｓｅ
8)	conjunctive particles	7	て／ｔｅｒｅａｓｏｎ
9)	い・I adjectives	2	よい・ｙｏｉｇｏｏｄ
10)	interjections	7	ええ・ｅｅｙｅｓ
11)	nouns	13	もの・ｍｏｎｏｔｈｉｎｇ
12)	pronouns	4	私・ｗａｔａｓｈｉ I/me
13)	sentence-ending particles	4	ね・ｎｅｉｓｎ＇ｔ　ｉｔ
14)	verbs	13	思う・ｏｍｏｕｔｈｉｎｋ、ｆｅｅｌ