# Survival Japanese

> Machine-readable version of https://questlogjapan.com/cheat-sheets/japanese
> from Quest Log Japan, a curated guide for the otaku traveler. Place data
> is editorial; verify hours before you go.
> Index of every machine-readable page: https://questlogjapan.com/llms.txt

The phrases that cover shopping, food, trains, and hotel check-in.

# 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](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZ6MAPhhjBm/))

## Essentials & politeness
- **Konnichiwa** (こんにちは) — Hello / good afternoon
- **Ohayō gozaimasu** (おはようございます) — Good morning (casual: **Ohayō** おはよう)
- **Konbanwa** (こんばんは) — Good evening
- **Oyasumi** (おやすみ) — Good night (add **nasai** おやすみなさい for politer) ([Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DW0U9Egj_f5/))
- **Arigatō gozaimasu** (ありがとうございます) — Thank you (polite; casual: **Arigatō** ありがとう)
- **Sumimasen** (すみません) — Excuse me / sorry / to get someone's attention
- **Gomen nasai** (ごめんなさい) — I'm sorry
- **Onegaishimasu** (お願いします) — Please (when asking for something)
- **Hai** (はい) — Yes
- **Iie** (いいえ) — No
- **Daijōbu desu** (大丈夫です) — I'm fine / it's okay / no thanks
- **Eigo o hanasemasu ka?** (英語を話せますか？) — Do you speak English?
- **Wakarimasen** (わかりません) — I don't understand
- **Wakarimashita** (わかりました) — Got it / understood
- **Nihongo ga wakarimasen** (日本語がわかりません) — I don't speak Japanese
- **Mō ichido onegaishimasu** (もう一度お願いします) — One more time, please
- **Kekkō desu** (結構です) — No thank you (declining politely — e.g. a bag, a refill)
- **Dōmo** (どうも) — Thanks (casual) / all-purpose little nicety
- **Dō itashimashite** (どういたしまして) — You're welcome
- **Sayōnara** (さようなら) — Goodbye
- **Ja, mata** (じゃあ、また) — See you / later (casual)
- **Mata kimasu** (また来ます) — 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](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXXIS1fESRH/))

- **Taishō** (大将) — to the chef-owner behind a sushi or ramen counter ("chief / boss")
- **Masutā** (マスター) — to the owner-bartender at a bar or an old-school coffee shop (kissaten)
- **Okami-san** (女将さん) — to the proprietress of a ryokan or a traditional restaurant
- **Onii-san** (お兄さん) — "big brother," to a younger male server at a casual izakaya
- **Onee-san** (お姉さん) — "big sister," to a younger female server
- **Mama** (ママ) — to the female owner of a snack bar

## Numbers & money
- 1–10: **ichi** (一), **ni** (二), **san** (三), **yon** (四), **go** (五), **roku** (六), **nana** (七), **hachi** (八), **kyū** (九), **jū** (十)
- **hyaku** (百) 100 · **sen** (千) 1,000 · **man** (万) 10,000
- **en** (円) — yen
- **Ikura desu ka?** (いくらですか？) — How much is it?

## Shopping (Pokémon Centers, stores)
- **Kore o kudasai** (これをください) — I'll take this / this one, please
- **Kore ni shimasu** (これにします) — I'll go with this one (deciding between options)
- **Miteiru dake desu** (見ているだけです) — I'm just looking (when a clerk offers help)
- **… wa arimasu ka?** (〜はありますか？) — Do you have …?
- **Mite mo ii desu ka?** (見てもいいですか？) — Can I take a look?
- **Shichaku shitemo ii desu ka?** (試着してもいいですか？) — Can I try this on?
- **Mō chotto ōkī no arimasu ka?** (もうちょっと大きいのありますか？) — Do you have a slightly bigger one? (swap 大きい for **chiisai** 小さい for smaller)
- **Chotto kangaemasu** (ちょっと考えます) — I'll think about it (polite way to step away)
- **Kādo de ii desu ka?** (カードでいいですか？) — Can I pay by card?
- **Kādo de** (カードで) — By card · **Genkin de** (現金で) — By cash (answering how you'll pay)
- **Ikkatsu de** (一括で) — In one payment (when the card terminal asks lump-sum vs installments)
- **Menzei dekimasu ka?** (免税できますか？) — Can I get this tax-free?
- **Fukuro o kudasai** (袋をください) — A bag, please
- **Fukuro wa irimasen** (袋はいりません) — I don't need a bag

## Food & restaurants
- **Menyū o kudasai** (メニューをください) — Menu, please
- **Nihongo no menyū o onegaishimasu** (日本語のメニューをお願いします) — The Japanese menu, please (some places charge more on the English menu)
- **Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?** (英語のメニューはありますか？) — Do you have an English menu? ([Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZILG7Zhbbd/))
- **Osusume wa nan desu ka?** (おすすめは何ですか？) — What do you recommend? (or **Osusume wa arimasu ka?** 〜はありますか？ — Do you have a recommendation?)
- **Kore o kudasai** (これをください) — This, please (while pointing)
- **Atatamete kudasai** (温めてください) — Please heat this up (ask the konbini clerk to microwave your food)
- **Omizu o kudasai** (お水をください) — Water, please
- **… hitotsu** (一つ) — one (of something); **futatsu** (二つ) — two
- **Oishii** (おいしい) — Delicious
- **Kanpai!** (乾杯) — Cheers! (raising a glass)
- **Omakase** (お任せ) — Chef's choice / "I'll leave it to you" (at a counter)
- **Okaikei onegaishimasu** (お会計お願いします) — Check, please
- **Itadakimasu** (いただきます) — said before eating
- **Gochisōsama deshita** (ごちそうさまでした) — Thank you for the meal (after eating)

## Getting around (trains, directions)
- **… wa doko desu ka?** (〜はどこですか？) — Where is …?
- **Toire wa doko desu ka?** (トイレはどこですか？) — Where is the bathroom?
- **Eki** (駅) — station · **Kippu** (切符) — ticket
- **Kono densha wa … ni ikimasu ka?** (この電車は〜に行きますか？) — Does this train go to …?
- **Migi** (右) right · **Hidari** (左) left · **Massugu** (まっすぐ) 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](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZ6FJwKBIZV/))

- **Go-yoyaku no onamae o onegaishimasu** (ご予約のお名前をお願いします) — "Name on your reservation?" → reply **Yoyaku shiteimasu, [name] desu** (予約しています、〜です) — "I have a reservation; I'm [name]"
- **Pasupōto no go-teiji o onegaishimasu** (パスポートのご提示をお願いします) — "Passport, please" → hand it over: **Hai, kochira desu** (はい、こちらです) — "Yes, here it is"
- **Kochira ni go-shomei o onegaishimasu** (こちらにご署名をお願いします) — "Please sign here" → not sure where? **Koko desu ka?** (ここですか？) — "Is it here?"
- **Chekku-in mae ni nimotsu o azukete mo ii desu ka?** (チェックイン前に荷物を預けてもいいですか？) — "Can I leave my luggage before check-in?" (say this if you arrive early)

## Emergencies / help
- **Tasukete!** (助けて！) — Help!
- **Michi ni mayoimashita** (道に迷いました) — I'm lost
- **Guai ga warui desu** (具合が悪いです) — I feel sick
- **Byōin** (病院) — hospital · **Keisatsu** (警察) — police

## Accounts to follow

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

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