Basic Greetings and Polite Phrases

Politeness is an important aspect of Japanese culture, and knowing how to greet someone properly is essential.

• Ohayo gozaimasu – Good morning

• Konnichiwa – Hello/Good afternoon

• Konbanwa – Good evening

• Oyasumi nasai  – Good night

• Arigato gozaimasu – Thank you (polite)

• Dō itashimashite  – You’re welcome

• Sumimasen– Excuse me / Sorry

• Gomen nasai – I'm sorry (more personal)

Introducing Yourself in Japan

If you want to introduce yourself in Japanese, keep it simple with these phrases:

• Watashi wa [name] desu [name]  – I am [name]

• Hajimemashite – Nice to meet you

• Yoroshiku onegaishimasu – Please be kind to me / I look forward to working with you

Getting Around

Whether you're asking for directions or trying to navigate public transport, these phrases will be helpful.

• [Place] wa doko desu ka? [place]– Where is [place]?

• Eki wa doko desu ka? – Where is the train station?

• Ikura desu ka? – How much is this?

• Kore wa nan desu ka? – What is this?

• Onegaishimasu – Please (when requesting something)

Ordering Food and Drinks

Trying Japanese food is one of the best parts of visiting Japan. Here’s how you can order like a pro:

• Menu o kudasai  – Can I have the menu, please?

• [Dish] o kudasai [dish]– I’d like [dish], please.

• Oishii desu!  – It’s delicious!

• Mizu o onegaishimasu  – Water, please.

• Okaikei onegaishimasu – The check, please.

Emergency and Help Phrases

In case of emergencies or if you need assistance, these phrases are good to know:

• Tasukete! – Help!

• Byōin wa doko desu ka? – Where is the hospital?

• Keisatsu wa doko desu ka?  – Where is the police station?

• Nihongo ga wakarimasen – I don’t understand Japanese.

• Eigo o hanasemasu ka?  – Do you speak English?

Shopping in Japan

If you love shopping, these expressions will help you get what you need:

• Kore wa ikura desu ka? – How much is this?

• Takai desu  – It’s expensive.

• Yasui desu  – It’s cheap.

• Kekko desu – No, thank you.

• Kaimasu  – I’ll buy it.

Learning a few essential Japanese expressions can make your travels or interactions with Japanese speakers much more enjoyable and meaningful. Even if you don’t speak Japanese fluently, locals will appreciate showing effort by using these common phrases. So, start practicing, and don’t be afraid to use them in real-life situations.

Happy learning! (‘Mata ne’ – See you later)!