Introduction
Welcome to the Irodori Starter word guide at NihongoDoya. This collection lists ~600 Japanese terms from Irodori Starter (Japan Foundation) (18 task-based units), with kanji, hiragana, romaji and English meanings. The search bar above accepts Japanese, romaji or English — try typing konnichiwa, こんにちは or hello and you will land on the same card. Every entry links back to the matching grammar guide unit and audio practice scene.
What you will learn
- Words for self-introduction, family and hobbies
- Numbers, prices and counting objects in shops
- Transport, directions and station signage
- Food, drink and ordering at restaurants or cafés
- Times of day, days of the week and basic schedule talk
- Polite expressions for thanks, apologies and small talk
Who this level is for
Irodori Starter is built for adults living, working or studying in Japan who want practical conversation skills first and exam structure second. If you need Japanese for shops, transport, doctor visits and short small talk, the units here cover exactly those situations.
A useful weekly cycle for word study
- Scan a new unit and read every entry aloud once.
- Star the items you missed and copy them into a short example sentence.
- Listen on the matching audio practice page so each new term gets a real-world voice.
- Cross-link with the matching grammar guide unit to lock the term into a sentence pattern.
- Review for five minutes daily and run a longer pass once a week.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Translating literally and missing the situational tone of Japanese.
- Skipping the audio sample for each item — pronunciation drift starts at A1.
- Studying only kana when many shop signs already use kanji.
- Trying to learn 50+ items in a sitting; small batches stick far better at A1.
Related study materials
Build a joined-up study cycle by combining this page with the matching Irodori Starter grammar guide, the Irodori Starter Japanese word list and the Irodori Starter audio practice page.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of Japanese words does Irodori Starter cover?
High-frequency A1 expressions for daily life — shops, transport, food, family, hobbies and short polite phrases used on day one in Japan.
How is this different from a JLPT N5 word list?
Irodori Starter is situational and conversational, while JLPT N5 is exam-driven. Many learners use both for complementary coverage.
How fast should I learn new items?
Eight to twelve new items per day is comfortable at A1, with five-minute daily reviews of the previous unit and a weekly recap.
Is the audio integrated with the word list?
Yes — every Irodori Starter word has a matching scene on the audio practice page, so you can hear the term in real context.
What should I learn after Irodori Starter?
Move to the Irodori Elementary 1 word guide or the JLPT N5 word list, depending on whether you prefer daily-life or exam-focused study.