Japanese that gets used
Twenty phrases cover 90 percent of a trip. Say them slowly; the effort is what counts.
| Say | Sounds like | Means |
|---|---|---|
| Sumimasen | soo-mee-mah-sen | Excuse me, sorry, and how to call staff. The most useful word in Japan. |
| Arigatou gozaimasu | ah-ree-gah-toh go-zai-mas | Thank you (polite) |
| Konnichiwa | kon-nee-chee-wah | Hello (daytime) |
| Ohayou gozaimasu | oh-hah-yoh go-zai-mas | Good morning |
| Konbanwa | kon-bahn-wah | Good evening |
| Onegaishimasu | oh-neh-gai-shee-mas | Please, when asking for something |
| Kore o kudasai | koh-reh oh koo-dah-sai | This one, please (point at it) |
| Ikura desu ka | ee-koo-rah des-kah | How much is it? |
| Okaikei onegaishimasu | oh-kai-kay oh-neh-gai-shee-mas | The check, please |
| Oishii | oy-shee | Delicious. Say it to the chef. |
| Itadakimasu | ee-tah-dah-kee-mas | Said before eating |
| Gochisousama deshita | go-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tah | Thanks for the meal, said leaving |
| Hai / Iie | hai / ee-eh | Yes / No |
| Daijoubu desu | dai-joh-boo des | I'm fine, no thanks, it's OK. Turns down the bag, the receipt, the upsell. |
| Wakarimasen | wah-kah-ree-mah-sen | I don't understand |
| Eigo o hanasemasu ka | ay-go oh hah-nah-seh-mas-kah | Do you speak English? |
| Toire wa doko desu ka | toy-reh wah doh-koh des-kah | Where is the toilet? |
| Kameido made onegaishimasu | kah-may-doh mah-deh oh-neh-gai-shee-mas | To Kameido, please. Say this to a taxi driver. |
| Yoyaku shite imasu | yoh-yah-koo shee-teh ee-mas | I have a reservation |
| Tatuu ga arimasu, daijoubu desu ka | tah-too gah ah-ree-mas, dai-joh-boo des-kah | I have tattoos, is that OK? At a bath or pool. |
| Kanpai | kahm-pai | Cheers 20+ |
| Ja ne | jah neh | See you. Casual goodbye. |