Learn Japanese Online: 25 Everyday Phrases for Beginners

If you want to learn Japanese online, the fastest confidence boost is learning phrases you can use from the very first day. This guide is for anyone in India starting a Japanese language course for beginners. It gives you 25 everyday phrases with romaji (Japanese written in English letters), meanings, simple Hindi comparisons and a practice plan. Learn a few each day, say them out loud, and Japanese will soon feel friendly instead of scary. Gambarimasho! 😊

Before You Start: 3 Pronunciation Tips

• Long vowels matter. A line over a vowel (ō, ū) means you hold it a little longer. Arigatō has a long 'o' at the end.
• The particle は is read 'wa'. That is why こんにちは is konnichiwa, not 'konnichiha'.
• The 'u' in desu is often very soft. In normal speech desu sounds close to 'des'.

Greetings and Introductions

1. Ohayō gozaimasu (おはようございます): Good morning
2. Konnichiwa (こんにちは): Hello / Good afternoon
3. Kombanwa (こんばんは): Good evening
4. Hajimemashite (はじめまして): Nice to meet you (said the first time you meet someone)
5. Watashi wa Priya desu: I am Priya (use your own name)
6. Indo kara kimashita: I came from India
7. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくおねがいします): Roughly 'I look forward to working with you'. You say it after introducing yourself.
8. O-genki desu ka?: How are you?

A Hindi speaker's shortcut

Japanese word order is close to Hindi: the verb comes at the end. Compare Indo kara kimashita with 'Main India se aaya/aayi hoon'. Here kara works like 'se'. Many Indian learners find this much easier than English word order.

Polite Everyday Words

1. Arigatō gozaimasu (ありがとうございます): Thank you (polite)
2. Sumimasen (すみません): Excuse me / Sorry. This is very useful for calling a waiter or getting someone's attention.
3. Hai / Iie: Yes / No
4. Daijōbu desu (だいじょうぶです): It's okay / I'm fine
5. Shitsurei shimasu (しつれいします): Excuse me (said when entering or leaving a room, office or online meeting)
6. Otsukaresama desu (おつかれさまです): Thank you for your hard work. It is common at work and in class.
7. Gambarimasu (がんばります): I'll do my best!

Phrases That Save You in Class

1. Wakarimasen (わかりません): I don't understand
2. Mō ichido onegaishimasu (もういちどおねがいします): One more time, please
3. Yukkuri onegaishimasu (ゆっくりおねがいします): Slowly, please
4. Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu: I am studying Japanese
5. Kore wa nan desu ka? (これはなんですか): What is this?

Another Hindi link: the question word 'ka'

In Japanese, you often make a question by adding ka at the end of the sentence. Hindi does something similar with 'kya' at the start ('Kya yeh kitaab hai?'). Japanese simply puts its marker at the end.

Food, Shopping and Getting Around

1. Ikura desu ka? (いくらですか): How much is it?
2. Toire wa doko desu ka? (トイレはどこですか): Where is the toilet?
3. Itadakimasu (いただきます): Said before eating, a bit like giving thanks for the food
4. Gochisōsama deshita (ごちそうさまでした): Said after eating, to thank the cook or host
5. Jā mata (じゃあまた): See you! (casual). Use Sayōnara for a more final goodbye.

A Simple 7-Day Practice Plan

• Days 1–2: Greetings (1–8). Record yourself introducing yourself in Japanese.
• Days 3–4: Polite words (9–15). Use arigatō gozaimasu and sumimasen in your head whenever you would say 'thank you' or 'sorry'.
• Day 5: Class phrases (16–20). These help you speak up in live classes.
• Day 6: Food and shopping (21–25). Say itadakimasu before every meal today.
• Day 7: Revise everything. Then try reading the hiragana versions above, not only the romaji.

Tip: Romaji is a helpful starting bridge, but start learning hiragana early. Textbooks and the JLPT use Japanese script, not romaji.

FAQ: Learning Japanese Online from India

Can I really learn Japanese online from India?

Yes. With live Japanese classes online in India, you can practise speaking with a trainer, ask doubts and take tests from home. The key is regular practice and speaking out loud, not only watching videos.

Will these phrases help with JLPT N5?

They give you a base of everyday vocabulary and sentence patterns. JLPT N5 tests language knowledge (vocabulary and grammar), reading and listening. There is no speaking or writing section. It is scored out of 180, with an overall pass mark of 80 plus a minimum in each section. Always check the latest details on jlpt.jp.

Should I learn romaji or hiragana first?

Use romaji for a few days to get comfortable with sounds, then move to hiragana and katakana. Reading kana opens the door to real study material.

Do I need Japanese to study or work in Japan?

It depends on your route. Language school students need to show A1-level Japanese, through a test such as JLPT N5 or JFT-Basic. Many Japan jobs ask for N3 or N2 and above. Requirements change, so always check the official site or the school or employer.

Say Your First Real Sentence with Us

Reading a list is a great start, but speaking with a trainer is where Japanese comes alive. At Japanese Ninjas Institute, our free 2-day live demo class is designed so that by Day 1 you read some hiragana and say a real Japanese sentence. Day 2 shows you the course, batch dates and fee plan clearly, with no pressure. Our courses run from JLPT N5 to N1, plus NAT and JFT preparation.

👉 Book your free 2-day demo class here, or message us on WhatsApp at 8168282193. Hajimemashite. We would love to meet you! 🙏