You Don't Need to Be Fluent to Get By
Japanese is a complex language, but you don't need years of study to make a meaningful difference in your day-to-day interactions. A small set of practical phrases — pronounced with reasonable confidence — goes a long way in showing respect and making communication smoother. Most Japanese people are genuinely appreciative when visitors try to speak even a little of the language.
Greetings and Basic Courtesies
| Japanese | Romanisation | Meaning / When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| おはようございます | Ohayou gozaimasu | Good morning (formal) |
| こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello / Good afternoon |
| こんばんは | Konbanwa | Good evening |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you (formal) |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me / Sorry (very versatile) |
| はい / いいえ | Hai / Iie | Yes / No |
At Restaurants and Cafés
- 「これをください」(Kore o kudasai) — "This one, please." Point at a menu item and say this.
- 「おいしい！」(Oishii!) — "Delicious!" A simple, genuine compliment that any chef or host will appreciate.
- 「お会計をお願いします」(Okaikei o onegaishimasu) — "The bill, please."
- 「アレルギーがあります」(Arerugii ga arimasu) — "I have an allergy." Follow this with the allergen in Japanese or show a written card.
- 「ベジタリアンです」(Bejitarian desu) — "I am vegetarian." Useful to know, though note that vegetarian options can be limited in some traditional restaurants.
Shopping and Transactions
- 「いくらですか？」(Ikura desu ka?) — "How much is it?"
- 「カードで払えますか？」(Kaado de haraemasu ka?) — "Can I pay by card?"
- 「袋はいりません」(Fukuro wa irimasen) — "I don't need a bag." A courteous and environmentally considerate phrase at checkouts.
- 「ちょっと考えます」(Chotto kangaemasu) — "I'll think about it." Useful when a shop assistant is being attentive but you're not ready to buy.
Getting Around
- 「〜はどこですか？」(〜wa doko desu ka?) — "Where is 〜?" Insert the place name before "wa."
- 「〜まで、お願いします」(〜made, onegaishimasu) — "To 〜, please." Use in taxis by saying the destination.
- 「道に迷いました」(Michi ni mayoimashita) — "I'm lost." Useful if you need to ask for help.
Emergencies and Health
- 「助けてください！」(Tasukete kudasai!) — "Please help me!"
- 「病院はどこですか？」(Byouin wa doko desu ka?) — "Where is the hospital?"
- 「気分が悪いです」(Kibun ga warui desu) — "I feel unwell."
Pronunciation Tips for English Speakers
- Vowels are consistent: Unlike English, Japanese vowels always sound the same. "A" = "ah", "I" = "ee", "U" = "oo", "E" = "eh", "O" = "oh".
- Don't stress syllables unevenly: Japanese is a pitch-accent language, not a stress-accent one. Try to give each syllable roughly equal weight.
- Long vowels matter: A double vowel (like "oo" in "onegaishimasu") is held slightly longer. Getting this right makes you sound noticeably more natural.
Where to Keep Learning
If you'd like to build on these basics, apps like Duolingo and Anki (for flashcard-based kanji study) offer good free-tier content. For structured learning, the Japan Foundation's Marugoto course materials are available free online. Even dedicating 10 minutes a day will noticeably improve your confidence and comprehension within a few weeks.