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Survival Japanese

Japanese — words & phrases

Basic words and phrases for traveling in Japan. Romaji (what to say) is bolded first, then the Japanese, then the meaning. Polite forms — fine to use with anyone. (Instagram)

Essentials & politeness

  • Konnichiwa () — Hello / good afternoon
  • Ohayō gozaimasu () — Good morning (casual: Ohayō )
  • Konbanwa () — Good evening
  • Oyasumi () — Good night (add nasai for politer) (Instagram)
  • Arigatō gozaimasu () — Thank you (polite; casual: Arigatō )
  • Sumimasen () — Excuse me / sorry / to get someone's attention
  • Gomen nasai () — I'm sorry
  • Onegaishimasu () — Please (when asking for something)
  • Hai () — Yes
  • Iie () — No
  • Daijōbu desu () — I'm fine / it's okay / no thanks
  • Eigo o hanasemasu ka? () — Do you speak English?
  • Wakarimasen () — I don't understand
  • Wakarimashita () — Got it / understood
  • Nihongo ga wakarimasen () — I don't speak Japanese
  • Mō ichido onegaishimasu () — One more time, please
  • Kekkō desu () — No thank you (declining politely — e.g. a bag, a refill)
  • Dōmo () — Thanks (casual) / all-purpose little nicety
  • Dō itashimashite () — You're welcome
  • Sayōnara () — Goodbye
  • Ja, mata () — See you / later (casual)
  • Mata kimasu () — I'll come again (warm thing to say leaving a shop or restaurant you liked)

Calling staff (beyond sumimasen)

Sumimasen works everywhere to get attention, but in the right spot a specific title lands warmer — locals notice when you use it. Casual and situational, so read the room; the last two are for very informal settings. (Instagram)

  • Taishō () — to the chef-owner behind a sushi or ramen counter ("chief / boss")
  • Masutā () — to the owner-bartender at a bar or an old-school coffee shop (kissaten)
  • Okami-san () — to the proprietress of a ryokan or a traditional restaurant
  • Onii-san () — "big brother," to a younger male server at a casual izakaya
  • Onee-san () — "big sister," to a younger female server
  • Mama () — to the female owner of a snack bar

Numbers & money

  • 1–10: ichi (), ni (), san (), yon (), go (), roku (), nana (), hachi (), kyū (), jū ()
  • hyaku () 100 · sen () 1,000 · man () 10,000
  • en () — yen
  • Ikura desu ka? () — How much is it?

Shopping (Pokémon Centers, stores)

  • Kore o kudasai () — I'll take this / this one, please
  • Kore ni shimasu () — I'll go with this one (deciding between options)
  • Miteiru dake desu () — I'm just looking (when a clerk offers help)
  • … wa arimasu ka? () — Do you have …?
  • Mite mo ii desu ka? () — Can I take a look?
  • Shichaku shitemo ii desu ka? () — Can I try this on?
  • Mō chotto ōkī no arimasu ka? () — Do you have a slightly bigger one? (swap for chiisai for smaller)
  • Chotto kangaemasu () — I'll think about it (polite way to step away)
  • Kādo de ii desu ka? () — Can I pay by card?
  • Kādo de () — By card · Genkin de () — By cash (answering how you'll pay)
  • Ikkatsu de () — In one payment (when the card terminal asks lump-sum vs installments)
  • Menzei dekimasu ka? () — Can I get this tax-free?
  • Fukuro o kudasai () — A bag, please
  • Fukuro wa irimasen () — I don't need a bag

Food & restaurants

  • Menyū o kudasai () — Menu, please
  • Nihongo no menyū o onegaishimasu () — The Japanese menu, please (some places charge more on the English menu)
  • Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka? () — Do you have an English menu? (Instagram)
  • Osusume wa nan desu ka? () — What do you recommend? (or Osusume wa arimasu ka? — Do you have a recommendation?)
  • Kore o kudasai () — This, please (while pointing)
  • Atatamete kudasai () — Please heat this up (ask the konbini clerk to microwave your food)
  • Omizu o kudasai () — Water, please
  • … hitotsu () — one (of something); futatsu () — two
  • Oishii () — Delicious
  • Kanpai! () — Cheers! (raising a glass)
  • Omakase () — Chef's choice / "I'll leave it to you" (at a counter)
  • Okaikei onegaishimasu () — Check, please
  • Itadakimasu () — said before eating
  • Gochisōsama deshita () — Thank you for the meal (after eating)

Getting around (trains, directions)

  • … wa doko desu ka? () — Where is …?
  • Toire wa doko desu ka? () — Where is the bathroom?
  • Eki () — station · Kippu () — ticket
  • Kono densha wa … ni ikimasu ka? () — Does this train go to …?
  • Migi () right · Hidari () left · Massugu () straight

Hotel check-in

The front desk asks the same few things every time, all in Japanese — it's the same script at every hotel. Here's what you'll hear, and what to say back. (Instagram)

  • Go-yoyaku no onamae o onegaishimasu () — "Name on your reservation?" → reply Yoyaku shiteimasu, [name] desu () — "I have a reservation; I'm [name]"
  • Pasupōto no go-teiji o onegaishimasu () — "Passport, please" → hand it over: Hai, kochira desu () — "Yes, here it is"
  • Kochira ni go-shomei o onegaishimasu () — "Please sign here" → not sure where? Koko desu ka? () — "Is it here?"
  • Chekku-in mae ni nimotsu o azukete mo ii desu ka? () — "Can I leave my luggage before check-in?" (say this if you arrive early)

Emergencies / help

  • Tasukete! () — Help!
  • Michi ni mayoimashita () — I'm lost
  • Guai ga warui desu () — I feel sick
  • Byōin () — hospital · Keisatsu () — police

Accounts to follow

Instagram accounts and apps that post everyday words and phrases worth learning before you go.

  • Manaka Sensei App (@manaka.app) — Learn-Japanese account/app; posts everyday words and phrases useful for travelers.
  • Yuki — Japanese teacher (@nihongo_nandeyanen) — Japanese-with-music account; bite-sized everyday words and phrases.
  • Mari — native Japanese teacher (@ask_mari_japanese) — Native-teacher account; everyday phrases and pronunciation tips.
  • Lindsay — Tokyo local (@blindsaayintokyo) — Local's-eye Tokyo account; highlights lesser-known, less-touristy neighborhoods and spots.
  • Retro Game Center CX (@retrogamecentercx) — Specializes in retro game hunting spots across Japan.