10 Common Hiragana Words Every Beginner Should Know
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Time to read 4 min
Pure kana
Zero kanji
Real Japanese from the start
When you begin to learn hiragana, you gain access to one of the most foundational tools in Japanese literacy. Suddenly, menus, signs, and subtitles start making more sense. But as exciting as that is, a question quickly follows:
What can you actually read with just hiragana?
The answer? A lot more than you think.
Many high-frequency Japanese words are written entirely in hiragana. No kanji. No katakana. Just clean, approachable syllables perfect for beginners.
In this guide, we introduce you to 10 common hiragana words that are useful across anime, conversation, travel, and everyday life. These are the kinds of hiragana words you’ll see again and again, so they’re ideal for building your beginner Japanese vocabulary.
Why Learning Common Hiragana Words Matters
For most beginners, the hiragana chart is your first taste of reading Japanese. It is phonetic, systematic, and beautiful in its simplicity. Once you can read hiragana, the next step is building a hiragana vocab list that you can actually use.
By focusing on hiragana only words , you bypass the complexity of kanji and go straight to communication. These words often appear in daily conversations, anime subtitles, kids’ books, language apps, and even street signs.
Even better, they reinforce grammar structures like particles, verb endings, and sentence flow, all while staying within the beginner-friendly hiragana vocabulary range.
The 10 Common Hiragana Words
Let’s break down each word, its usage, and why it earns a spot on your early learning list.
1. こんにちは (konnichiwa) — Hello / Good afternoon
One of the most iconic hiragana words , this is the default greeting in Japan from midday onwards.
Note: The “wa” particle is written as は, a quirk tied to Japanese grammar you’ll want to get used to early.
2. ありがとう (arigatou) — Thank you
Essential for showing politeness. You’ll hear this everywhere, from markets to anime.
Want to be extra polite? Add ございます:
→ ありがとうございます。
3. ごめんなさい (gomennasai) — I’m sorry
Used in casual and serious apologies alike.
You’ll hear this across daily life and fiction — making it a must-learn in your beginner Japanese vocabulary toolkit.
4. はい (hai) — Yes
Short and easy, but powerful.
Also used to express understanding, agreement, and attentiveness. One of the most useful basic Japanese words to know.
5. いいえ (iie) — No
Polite, but clear.
Practice saying it with natural rhythm: “ee-eh.” Many learners over-pronounce this one at first.
6. おはよう (ohayou) — Good morning
Casual and cheerful.
For formal settings, add ございます:
→ おはようございます。
7. なに (nani) — What?
This word will follow you through all stages of Japanese.
You’ll also encounter its compound forms like “なんですか？” which means “What is it?”
Among the common hiragana words , this one teaches you both standalone meaning and grammar flexibility.
8. すごい (sugoi) — Amazing / Wow
An expressive word used often in slang, anime, and excitement.
You’ll hear it for anything impressive — food, talent, beauty, surprises.
9. たくさん (takusan) — A lot / Many
Extremely handy when you don’t know specific numbers.
Example: たくさんたべました = I ate a lot.
10. わたし (watashi) — I / Me
Polite, gender-neutral, and safe in most situations.
A perfect pronoun to start your journey with. Later on, you’ll discover alternatives like ぼく or おれ, but わたし remains a staple of beginner usage.
To hear more common hiragana words in use and get pronunciation practice, check this video out.
How to Practice These Hiragana Words Effectively
Learning common hiragana words is just the start. To make them stick, you need repetition — not just in memory, but in real-life use.
Here’s a practical way to reinforce them:
Write Each Word by Hand
The physical act of writing anchors memory.
Studies show handwriting activates brain regions for movement, vision, and memory more than typing—supporting your writing practice for hiragana words. Write each word 5 to 10 times. Say it aloud as you write to involve both visual and auditory channels.
Use Them in Simple Sentences
Try combining them with particles you already know.
Examples:
わたしは たくさん たべました。
おはよう、なにを しますか？
Creating your own sentences builds context and reinforces hiragana vocab list usage.
Hear Them in Native Content
Watch anime, vlogs, or beginner YouTube lessons and listen for these hiragana only words.
Hearing native rhythm helps you mimic pronunciation and intonation.
Use Flashcards and Apps
Language flashcards help reinforce hiragana vocabulary through spaced repetition.
Apps like Anki, Kana Drill, or even physical flashcards keep you practicing daily.
The goal? Use these words so much that they become second nature — not something you pause to recall, but something you say without thinking.
Want an easier way to review and retain these common hiragana words daily? Our Hiragana Flashcards are designed for real beginners. Clean layout and vocabulary that actually sticks.
Prefer to shop on Amazon? Browse our Amazon flashcard store for faster shipping.
Why These 10 Common Hiragana Words Are a Smart Starting Point
Here’s what makes them special:
No kanji required
100% written in hiragana
Found in beginner lessons, native conversation, and real-world signs
Reinforce grammar structures and sentence patterns
Help build your first sentences confidently
These words are the foundation of hiragana beginner words. They appear again and again in every stage of learning. The more you master these now, the smoother everything else becomes later.
Curious how hiragana compares to katakana — or what mistakes to avoid as you build your skills?
These two breakdowns can help:
Real Progress with Simple Words
Learning common hiragana words might feel basic, but basic is where fluency begins.
These words let you say hello, express feelings, ask questions, and describe experiences.
They help you think in Japanese.
They help you listen with purpose.
They help you speak with confidence.
Every word you master brings you closer to understanding not just the language, but the culture behind it.
So don’t underestimate these ten words. Practice them. Use them. Build from them.
Before long, you’ll look back and realize these were the words that started everything.
