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Essential Japanese Phrases and Words for Your Trip to Japan

Learn basic Japanese phrases and words to make your trip to Japan smoother. A handy guide for travelers exploring the Land of the Rising Sun!
Why Learn Basic Japanese?


While English is widely used in tourist areas in Japan, knowing a few key Japanese phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience. From navigating transportation to ordering food, these basic expressions will help you connect with locals and enjoy your journey more smoothly.







Common Greetings and Polite Expressions


    

  1. Hello (こんにちは): Konnichiwa (Kon-nee-chee-wah)
    2. 

  2. Thank you (ありがとう): Arigatou (Ah-ree-gah-toh)
      

    • Thank you very much: Arigatou gozaimasu (Ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zai-mah-soo)
      • 

    

    3. 

  3. Excuse me/Sorry (すみません): Sumimasen (Soo-mee-mah-sen)
    4. 

  4. Goodbye (さようなら): Sayounara (Sah-yoh-nah-rah)
    5. 

  5. Please (ください): Kudasai (Koo-dah-sigh)
    6. 



💡 Tip: Politeness is highly valued in Japan. Always use polite forms like gozaimasu when addressing strangers or in formal situations.









Numbers (数字)


Understanding basic numbers is helpful for shopping, transportation, and dining.


    

  • 1 (一): Ichi (Ee-chee)
    • 

  • 2 (二): Ni (Nee)
    • 

  • 3 (三): San (Sahn)
    • 

  • 4 (四): Shi/Yon (Shee/Yon)
    • 

  • 5 (五): Go (Goh)
    • 

  • 6 (六): Roku (Roh-koo)
    • 

  • 7 (七): Shichi/Nana (Shee-chee/Nah-nah)
    • 

  • 8 (八): Hachi (Hah-chee)
    • 

  • 9 (九): Kyuu (Kyoo)
    • 

  • 10 (十): Juu (Joo)
    • 



💡 Tip: Use Yon instead of Shi for "4" and Nana instead of Shichi for "7" in casual conversations, as Shi and Shichi sound similar to words related to death.









Getting Around


    

  1. Where is...? (...はどこですか?): ... wa doko desu ka? (... wah doh-koh dess kah?)
      

    • Example: Where is the train station? (駅はどこですか?): Eki wa doko desu ka? (Eh-kee wah doh-koh dess kah?)
      • 

    

    2. 

  2. How much is this? (これはいくらですか?): Kore wa ikura desu ka? (Koh-reh wah ee-koo-rah dess kah?)
    3. 

  3. I want to go to... (...に行きたいです): ... ni ikitai desu (... nee ee-kee-tie dess)
    4. 

  4. Left (左): Hidari (Hee-dah-ree)
    5. 

  5. Right (右): Migi (Mee-gee)
    6. 

  6. Straight ahead (まっすぐ): Massugu (Mah-soo-goo)
    7. 



💡 Tip: Keep your destination written in Japanese to show to taxi drivers or ask for directions.









Dining and Ordering Food


    

  1. Menu, please (メニューをください): Menyuu o kudasai (Meh-nyoo oh koo-dah-sigh)
    2. 

  2. I don’t eat... (...は食べません): ... wa tabemasen (... wah tah-beh-mah-sen)
      

    • Example: I don’t eat meat (肉は食べません): Niku wa tabemasen (Nee-koo wah tah-beh-mah-sen)
      • 

    

    3. 

  3. Delicious (おいしい): Oishii (Oh-ee-sheee)
    4. 

  4. Water, please (お水をください): Omizu o kudasai (Oh-mee-zoo oh koo-dah-sigh)
    5. 

  5. Bill, please (お会計をお願いします): Okaikei o onegaishimasu (Oh-kai-kay oh oh-neh-gai-she-mah-soo)
    6. 



💡 Tip: Pointing at pictures or using the phrase "Kore o kudasai" (I’ll take this) is helpful when ordering food.









Shopping and Bargaining


    

  1. How much is this? (これはいくらですか?): Kore wa ikura desu ka? (Koh-reh wah ee-koo-rah dess kah?)
    2. 

  2. Do you have...? (...はありますか?): ... wa arimasu ka? (... wah ah-ree-mah-soo kah?)
    3. 

  3. Can I try this on? (これを試着してもいいですか?): Kore o shichaku shite mo ii desu ka? (Koh-reh oh shee-chah-koo shee-teh moh ee dess kah?)
    4. 

  4. It’s too expensive (高すぎます): Takasugimasu (Tah-kah-soo-gee-mah-soo)
    5. 



💡 Tip: Bargaining is not common in Japan, especially in stores. Prices are usually fixed.









Emergency Phrases


    

  1. Help! (助けて!): Tasukete! (Tah-soo-keh-teh!)
    2. 

  2. Call the police (警察を呼んでください): Keisatsu o yonde kudasai (Kay-sah-tsoo oh yohn-deh koo-dah-sigh)
    3. 

  3. I’m lost (道に迷いました): Michi ni mayoimashita (Mee-chee nee mah-yoh-ee-mah-shee-tah)
    4. 

  4. I need a doctor (医者が必要です): Isha ga hitsuyou desu (Ee-shah gah hee-tsoo-yoh dess)
    5. 

  5. My phone doesn’t work (携帯が動きません): Keitai ga ugokimasen (Kay-tie gah oo-goh-kee-mah-sen)
    6. 



💡 Tip: Save emergency numbers like 110 for the police and 119 for an ambulance in your phone.









Pro Tips for Using Japanese Phrases


    

  1. Be Polite: Always add "Onegaishimasu" (please) or "Arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much) to your requests.
    2. 

  2. Use Apps: Apps like Google Translate or VoiceTra can help with real-time translations.
    3. 

  3. Practice Pronunciation: Japanese pronunciation is straightforward as each syllable is spoken clearly, but practicing key phrases beforehand will make interactions smoother.
    4. 





Learning these essential Japanese phrases will make your trip to Japan more enjoyable and help you connect with the local culture. Whether you’re exploring Tokyo’s vibrant neighborhoods, dining on authentic sushi, or navigating the countryside, these expressions will ensure a smoother and more memorable experience.
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