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Japanese Versatility List

Core words: Errands, chores and formal

332 words for errands, chores, service and formal talk: there for when you need them, not for chatting.

332 words in 79 chunks, learned alongside Errands, chores and formal of the main list. Start with Welcoming and guiding and use Next at the bottom of each page.

  1. 1Welcoming and guidingVerbs: movingirassharu come; go; be (respectful)oide come here (to a child or pet)mairu go; come (humble); be stumped (as maitta)annai suru show around, guide; show the way
  2. 2Driving and stoppingVerbs: movingtomaru stop, come to a stopugoku move; work, run (machines)magaru turn (a corner); bendunten suru drive (a car)
  3. 3Trips and movesVerbs: movinghikkosu move housetouchaku arrival; arrive (formal)idou suru move (from one place to another), get from A to Bshuppatsu suru leave, set off, depart
  4. 4On, off, open, closeVerbs: home and routinetsukeru turn on (a light, TV, AC); put on, attachkesu turn off (a light, TV); erase, deleteakeru open (a door, window, box)shimeru close, shut (a door, window); close (a shop)
  5. 5Tidying upVerbs: home and routinekatazukeru tidy up; put away; clear (the table)shimau put away; put backseiri suru sort out; organisekazaru decorate; put on display, put up
  6. 6Getting dressed and washedVerbs: home and routinenugu take off (clothes, shoes, hats)haku put on, wear (shoes, socks, trousers, skirts)abiru take (a shower); bathe in (sunlight)migaku brush (teeth); polish
  7. 7Laundry and wipingVerbs: home and routinefuku wipe; dry (with a towel)hosu hang out to dry; air (a futon)tatamu fold (clothes, futons, umbrellas)
  8. 8Heating and cookingVerbs: home and routineatatameru warm up; reheatchin suru microwave, heat in the microwavewakasu boil (water); heat (the bath)yuderu boil (food)itameru stir-fry; fry (in a pan)
  9. 9Respectful say, know, eatVerbs: talkingmousu say; be called (humble)ossharu say (honorific)gozonji know (honorific)moushiageru say, tell (very humble)meshiagaru eat; drink (honorific)
  10. 10Caring for peopleVerbs: dealing with peopledaiji ni suru take good care of; treasuretaisetsu ni suru cherish, valuesewa ni naru be looked after (by someone); owe someone
  11. 11Go out, burn, flow, leakVerbs: change, start and endkieru go out (light, fire); disappear; vanishmoeru burn; be fired upnukeru come out (teeth, hair); slip out, leave (a meeting, group); go throughnagareru flow; be playing (music); fall through (plans)moreru leak; get out (secrets); be bursting (for the toilet)
  12. 12Open, close, start, stopVerbs: change, start and endaku open (doors, shops); come openshimaru close; shut (doors, shops)sutaato suru start; beginsutoppu stop; a halt
  13. 13Break, dirty, fixVerbs: change, start and endkowareru break; stop working; be brokennaosu fix; repair; correctwareru crack; break; smash; splityogoreru get dirty; get stainedkusaru go off; rot; go bad
  14. 14Left over and keptVerbs: handling thingsnokoru be left (over); remain; stay behindnokosu leave (food); leave behind; leave (a message)azukaru look after (for someone); keep; take charge ofazukeru leave (with someone); check (bags); deposit (money)
  15. 15Humble give and receiveVerbs: handling thingsitadaku receive (humble); have, eat or drink (humble)uketoru receive; accept; pick up (a parcel, tickets)sashiageru give (humble)
  16. 16Push, pull, throw, catchVerbs: handling thingsosu push; presshiku pull; catch (a cold); look up (a word)nageru throw; tosstsukamaeru catch (a person, animal); grab; flag down (a taxi)
  17. 17Phones and servicesVerbs: handling thingsriyou suru use (a service, place or system)tsunagu connect; plug in; hold (hands)koukan suru exchange; swap; replaceappu suru post, upload (online); go up, raise
  18. 18Gather, sort, packVerbs: handling thingsatsumeru collect; gathersorou be all there; be complete; matchwakeru divide; split; share; sortnaraberu line up; lay out; set outtsumeru pack; stuff; fill; move up (make room)
  19. 19Paying the billVerbs: handling thingsharau payshiharau pay (a bill, fee)tsuika suru add; order morefukumeru include; count in
  20. 20Polite do and handleVerbs: effort and resultsitasu do (humble)nasaru do (respectful)taiou suru deal with; handle; respond to
  21. 21Getting work doneVerbs: effort and resultssusumeru go ahead with; move forwardkaiketsu suru solve; be solved; settlematomeru put together; sum up; organisehikiukeru take on; accept (a job or request)
  22. 22Customers and crowdsPeopleokyakusan customer; guest; visitorkyaku customer; guesthonnin the person themselves; the person in questionoozei lots of people; a crowd
  23. 23Titles at workPeopleshachou company president; head of a companybuchou department head; head of a school clubtenchou store managerkachou section chief; managerkantoku film director; team manager or coach
  24. 24Life, light, boats, visitsLife and timeinochi life (being alive)hikari lighttazuneru visit (a person or place)fune boat; ship
  25. 25Talent and skillMind and feelingssainou talent; giftnouryoku ability; capabilityjitsuryoku real ability; actual skill
  26. 26Situations and waysReasons and situationsbaai case; if; whenjoukyou situation; how things standhouhou way; method; meansjoutai condition; state
  27. 27Where you livePlacesinaka the countryside; (rural) hometownjuusho address (where you live)apaato apartment; flat (in a low-rise block)katei home; household; family
  28. 28Buildings and institutionsPlacesyouchien kindergarten (ages 3 to 6)biru building (multi-storey)kaidan stairs; staircaseshisetsu facility; institution (care home, children's home)
  29. 29Meeting pointsPlacesiriguchi entrance; way inekimae in front of the station; the station areachuushajou car park; parking lotkaijou venue; event hall
  30. 30Errands in townPlacesginkou bankbiyouin hair salon; hairdresser'syuubinkyoku post officehyakkin 100-yen shop
  31. 31Gifts and lettersHome and everyday thingspurezento present; giftokaeshi something in return; return gift; paybacktegami letter
  32. 32Phone and gadgetsHome and everyday thingskeitai mobile phone; cell phonedenwa bangou phone numbertokei clock; watchkamera camera
  33. 33Doors and windowsHome and everyday thingsdoa doormado windowgenkan entrance hall; front doorniwa garden; yard
  34. 34Before you go outHome and everyday thingskagi key; locksaifu wallet; pursekasa umbrellamegane glasses; spectacleswasuremono something left behind; something forgotten
  35. 35Living room thingsHome and everyday thingsterebi TV; televisiondenki light; electricityteeburu tableisu chair
  36. 36Bags and boxesHome and everyday thingsfukuro bag (plastic or paper); sack; packetkaban bag (school bag, work bag, handbag)baggu bag; handbaghako box
  37. 37Bath and toiletHome and everyday thingsofuro bath; bathtub; bathroom (for bathing)toire toilet; bathroomshawaa showertaoru toweltisshu tissue; tissues
  38. 38Bed and sleepHome and everyday thingsfuton futon; bedding (floor mattress and quilt)beddo bedmakura pillowpajama pyjamas
  39. 39Kitchen and tableHome and everyday thingsreizouko fridge; refrigeratorhashi chopstickssara plate; dishkoppu glass; cup (for cold drinks)
  40. 40Doing the laundryHome and everyday thingssentaku suru do the laundry; wash clothessentakumono the washing; laundry (the clothes)beranda balconysentakuki washing machine
  41. 41Chores at homeHome and everyday thingsryouri cooking; a dish; cuisinehamigaki brushing your teetharaimono the dishes; washing-uptakuhaibin parcel delivery; a delivered parceljisui suru cook for yourself; make your own meals
  42. 42Home appliancesHome and everyday thingseakon air conditioner; heat pumprenji microwaverimokon remote controlsoujiki vacuum cleaner
  43. 43Beer, wine and juiceFood and drinkbiiru beerwain winejuusu juice; soft drink
  44. 44Taste and seasoningFood and drinkaji taste; flavournama raw; draft beer; liveshio saltshouyu soy sauce
  45. 45Sweets and snacksFood and drinkkeeki cakeokashi sweets; snacksaisu ice cream; ice lollychoko chocolateoyatsu snack; snack time
  46. 46Japanese home foodFood and drinkbentou packed lunch; boxed mealnabe hot pot; potonigiri rice ballmisoshiru miso soup
  47. 47Eating outFood and drinkmenyuu menuranchi lunch; lunch specialgaishoku eating outtabehoudai all-you-can-eatmochikaeri takeaway; to go
  48. 48Office tasksWork and schoolshiryou documents; materials; handoutshappyou presentation; announcementshiji instructions; directions; ordersdeeta data; files
  49. 49Jobs and businessWork and schoolshinjin newcomer; new employee; rookieeigyou sales (job or department); being open for businessshuushoku suru to get a job; to start working at a companysutaffu staff; a staff membershoubai business; trade; line of work
  50. 50Projects and resultsWork and schoolsagyou work; a task (the hands-on part)kikaku a project; a plan for an event or producthyouka rating; evaluationhonban the real thing; the actual performance, game or take
  51. 51Skills and expertiseWork and schoolkenkyuu research; study (of a subject)gijutsu technology; skill, techniquesenmon specialty; field of expertise; majorshisutemu system
  52. 52Meetings and deadlinesWork and schooluchiawase a (planning) meetingsukejuuru scheduleshorui documents; paperworkshutchou business tripshimekiri deadline; closing date
  53. 53Injuries and emergenciesHealthkega suru to get hurt; to be injuredkeisatsu the policejiko accidentkizu cut, wound; scratch; scarkyuukyuusha ambulance
  54. 54Doctors and medicineHealthkusuri medicine; drugsoishasan doctorkensa (medical) test; examination; inspectionchiryou medical treatmenthaisha dentist; the dentist's
  55. 55In and out of hospitalHealthnyuuin suru to go into hospital; to be hospitalisedtaiin suru to leave hospital; to be dischargedshujutsu surgery; an operationkaifuku suru to recover; to get betterninshin suru to get pregnant; pregnancy
  56. 56Symptoms and seasonal illsHealthhanamizu runny nose; snotseki coughnetchuushou heatstroke; heat exhaustionkafunshou hay fever; pollen allergy
  57. 57Rules and permissionSociety and newskyoka permission; approvalruuru rules; a rulekinshi ban; not allowedkenri a right
  58. 58News and emergenciesSociety and newsshinbun newspaperjishin earthquakekinkyuu emergency; urgentheiwa peaceful; peace
  59. 59Contracts and paperworkSociety and newskeiyaku contractkojin individual; personaltetsuzuki paperwork; procedure
  60. 60Ways to get aroundGetting arounddensha trainbasu busjitensha bicycletakushii taxi
  61. 61Traffic and crowdsGetting aroundshingou traffic lightjuutai traffic jamman'in densha packed train
  62. 62Free and extrasMoney and shoppingtada free (no charge)muryou free of chargepointo loyalty points; key pointsaabisu service; something free, on the house
  63. 63Shopping and pricesMoney and shoppingkaimono shoppingnedan priceshouhin product; item for saleseeru sale (discounts)waribiki discount
  64. 64Booking, ordering, payingMoney and shoppingyoyaku suru book; reservechuumon suru order (food, goods)shiharai payment; payingwarikan splitting the bill evenlyshakkin debt; borrowed moneysagi scam; fraud
  65. 65Paying at the tillMoney and shoppingkaado card (credit, points, ID)genkin cashotsuri change (money back)reji checkout; tillreshiito receipt
  66. 66Computer and chargingFree time and techpasokon computer; PC; laptopjuuden battery charge; chargingjuudenki chargerwaifai wifigamen screen; display
  67. 67Over, within, exceptThings, kinds and amountsijou or more; over; that's alligai except; other than; besidesinai within (a time, number or distance)teido degree; extent; about (after an amount)
  68. 68Both, each, everythingThings, kinds and amountsryouhou bothsorezore each; each one; respectivelysubete all; everythingnanimo kamo everything; all of itzentai the whole; overall
  69. 69Letters and numbersThings, kinds and amountsji written character, letter; handwritingmoji letter; character; textsuuji number (the figure); figures; digitskazu number (of things); countsain signature; autograph; signal
  70. 70Where and which wayThings, kinds and amountshoukou direction; wayichi position; location; placechuushin centre; middle; core
  71. 71Top, biggest, onlyThings, kinds and amountstoppu top; first place; the head (of a group)saidai biggest; largest; maximumtairyou a large amount; loads; in bulkyuiitsu the only (one); sole
  72. 72Size, look and limitsThings, kinds and amountsookisa size; how bigsaizu size (clothes, shoes, products)dezain design; look (of a thing)ika or less; or under; below
  73. 73Calm and carefulAdjectives: peoplereisei calm; level-headed; cool under pressureshinchou careful; cautiousteinei polite; careful; thoroughnesshin eager; keen; dedicated
  74. 74Formal and work wordsAdjectives: things and situationsyoroshii all right, fine (polite 'ii')seishiki official, formalkanou possiblegutaiteki concrete, specifickojinteki personal; personally
  75. 75How well it's doneSound and feeling wordszatto roughly; quickly, brieflyperapera fluent (speaking)kotsukotsu steadily; bit by bit
  76. 76Empty, packed, messySound and feeling wordsgaragara nearly empty (place); hoarse (voice)guchagucha messy, jumbled; mushygyutto tightly, firmlygyuugyuu packed tight, crammed
  77. 77Food texturesSound and feeling wordsfuwafuwa fluffy, soft; floatysakusaku light and crispy; quickly and smoothlymochimochi chewy, springykotteri rich, heavy (food)paripari crisp, crunchy
  78. 78Hunger, thirst and achesSound and feeling wordspekopeko starving (hungry); bowing again and againkarakara parched; bone-drymukamuka queasy, sick to your stomach; seething (angry)zukizuki throbbing (pain)buruburu shivering; trembling
  79. 79Surfaces and wetnessSound and feeling wordspikapika shiny, spotless; sparklingsarasara silky, smooth; flowingbishobisho soaking wet, drenchedtsurutsuru smooth; slipperybetobeto sticky