I’m Learning Japanese, I think i’m Learning Japanese, I really think so! So here’s some basic Japanese phrases for learners and travellers alike.
Heres some Basic Japanese Phrases for you to learn before you visit Japan.
Before we start – Please, do not ask me to translate anything unless you agree to point 5, this is one of the ways I make my living and I dont do free translations for the following reasons.
1. You never thank me if I do.
2. You can buy a Japanese Dictionary for less that £5.
3. There are resources on the internet, search for them. Try google!
4. I get loads of people asking me, “translate this” or “translate that”. I dont have the time for free work!
5. If you really need anything technical translating then my hourly rate is £35, if you require a translation quote then please contact me here.
I have split this page up into sections so you can skip to the bits you want quickly, as you read the Japanese words remember that Japanese words are made up of 1, 2 or three letter parts.
For example, Hajimemashite would be pronounced: Ha-ji-me-ma-shi-te
or Domo Arigato is pronounced: Do-mo A-ri-ga-to
One of the golden rules is to learn the vowel sounds, as below
a is pronounced as in apple
e is pronounced as in get
i is pronounced as it
o is pronounced as in coal
u is pronounced as in you
This youtube video will definately help.
Note: If you have some basic Japanese phrases or words which you think will benefit others then please send them to me via the comments below and I will include them for others to use.
Another Note: I have found a great resource for those wanting to learn Japanese online for FREE! Take a look at this link, its the NHK website: NHK Japanese Lessons
If you want to watch/learn Japanese through your TV and you have Sky then goto Channel 516, which is NHK World TV and they have Japanese programs as well as Japanese learning programs.
For those looking to learn Spanish my Basic Spanish Phrases page is here.
| Basic Japanese Phrases for travellers: Must know Japanese | ||
| Yes | Hai | |
| No | Iie | |
| Not | nai | |
| Please / excuse me / thank you | Sumimasen | |
| Thanks | Arigato or Domo (informal) | |
| Thank you very much | Arigato gozaimasu | |
| Thank you, when given something. | Arigato gozaimashita | |
| I cant speak Japanese | Nihongo ga hanashimasen | |
| Do you speak English? | Eigo wo hanasemasuka? | |
| Please speak more slowly | Yukkuri hanashite kudasai | |
| Basic Japanese Phrases for travellers: Basic Japanese Words and Phrases | ||
| Please (when buying /ordering) | o´ Kudasai | |
| Good morning | ohayo gozaimasu | |
| Good afternoon | konnichi wa | |
| Good evening | konban wa | |
| How are you? | Ogenki desu ka? | |
| Im fine | Genki Desu | |
| Nice to meet you | hajimemashite | |
| What is your name? | Onamae wa nan desu ka? | |
| My name is | watashi wa | |
| Nice to meet you, I am Its a pleasure | Hajimemashite, watashi wa dozo yoroshiku | |
| I dont understand | wakarimasen | |
| I dont know | Shirimasen | |
| How much is this? | Kore wa ikura desu ka? | |
| Thats fine | kekko desu | |
| Similar to saying Grace (say before a meal) | Itadakimasu | |
| Said after meals, as a compliment. | gochisousamadeshita | |
| Very Sorry | Gomen nasai/sumimasen (said whilst bowing) | |
| Sorry | Gomen | |
| Good Night | Oyasumi Nasai | |
| Good bye | sayonara | |
| Bye for now, see you | Ja ne | |
| What | Nani | |
| Cheers | Kanpai | |
| I am English | Igirisu jin desu | |
| What is this? | Kore wa nani desu ka? | |
| Where is the | wa doko desu ka? | |
| How far is on foot? | wa aruite dono gurai desku ka? | |
| Wait a Moment, Please | Chotto matte kudasai | |
| Please be careful | Ki o Tsukete | |
| Look Out (litterally “Its dangerous”) | Abunai | |
| Congratulations | Omedeto Gozaimasu | |
| Your Welcome | Do itashimashite | |
| Once more please, can you repeat it | Mo ichido onegaishimasu | |
| Basic Japanese Phrases for travellers: Numbers | ||
| Zero | Zero | |
| One | Ichi | |
| Two | Ni | |
| Three | San | |
| Four | Yon / Shi (yon is more common) | |
| Five | Go | |
| Six | Roku | |
| Seven | Nana /Shichi (nana is more common) | |
| Eight | Hachi | |
| Nine | Kyu | |
| Ten | Ju | |
| Eleven | Ju ichi | |
| Twelve | Ju ni | |
| Twenty | Ni ju | |
| Thirty | San ju | |
| One Hundred | Hyaku | |
| Two Hundred | Ni hyaku | |
| Three Hundred | Sanbyaku | |
| Thousand | Sen | |
| Two Thousand | Ni sen | |
| Ten Thousand | Ichi man | |
| Twenty Thousand | Ni man | |
| Hundred Thousand | Ju man | |
| Million | Hyaku man | |
| Billion | Ichi oku | |
| Basic Japanese for travellers: Japanese for Travellers | ||
| Information | Annai | |
| Passport Control | shutsunyukoku | |
| Taxi – Taxi Stand | Takushi – Takushi noriba | |
| Bus | Basu | |
| Hotel (western Style) | Hoteru | |
| Hotel (Japanese Style) | Ryokan | |
| Western style room | youshitsu | |
| Japanese style room | washitsu | |
| Single room | shinguru | |
| Key | Kagi | |
| Train station | eki | |
| Ticket Office | kippu uriba | |
| One way ticket | katamichi kippu | |
| Return ticket | ofuku kippu | |
| What is the fare to ….? | …. made ikura desu ka | |
| How long does it take to get to ….? | …. made jikan wa dono gurai desu ka | |
| A ticket to …., please | …. yuki no kippu wo kudasai | |
| Do I have to change trains? | norikae ga hitsuyo desu ka | |
| Which platform for the train to …. | …. yuki no densha wa nanban homu kara demasu ka | |
| Subway | chikatetsu | |
| Reception | uketsuke | |
| I have a reservation in the name of | de yoyaku o shite arimasu | |
| I´d like a room | Heya ha arimasu ka | |
| What is the charge per night? | ippaku ikura desu ka | |
| Elevator (lift) | erebeta | |
| Escalator | Esukareta | |
| Push | osu | |
| Pull | hiku | |
| Entrance | iriguchi | |
| Exit | deguchi | |
| Emergency Exit | hijoguchi | |
| Open | eigyochu | |
| Closed | kyugyochu | |
| Toilets | o-tearai/benjo | |
| Mens Toilets | otoko | |
| Womens Toilets | Onna | |
| Free (vacant) | aki | |
| Caution | Chui | |
| No Smoking | kin en | |
| How much is it? | ikura desu ka | |
| No more than you, when eating | kekko desu | |
| Cash | genkin | |
| Money Yen | en | |
| Money GB Pound | pondo | |
| Money US Dollar | doru | |
| Traveller Cheque | toraberazu chekku | |
| Credit Cards | kurejitto kado | |
| Bank | ginko | |
| Id like to cash these travellers cheques | kono toraberazu chekku o genkin ni kaete kudasai | |
| Which way? | dochira ni | |
| What? | nani | |
| Where is ….? | …. wa doko desu ka | |
| Is it far? | toi desu ka | |
| Where is there a Telephone? | denwa wa doko ni arimasu ka | |
| Where can I buy …..? | …. wa doko de kaemasuka | |
| How much does this cost? | Ikura kakari masuka ka | |
| Im just looking | mite iru dake desu | |
| Do you have ….? | …. arimasu ka | |
| Please show me that | sore wo misete kudasai | |
| Is tax included in the price? | zeikomi desu ka | |
| Boxed meal | bento | |
| Breakfast | choshoku | |
| Lunch | chushoku | |
| Dinner | yushoku | |
| Buffet | baikingu | |
| Hot | atsui | |
| Cold | tsumetai | |
| Hungry | onaka ga suita | |
| Set menu | setto (light meal) / teishoku | |
| A table for one/two/three/four | hitori/futari/sannin/yonin/gonin onegai shimasu | |
| Could I see the menu | menyu wo onegaishimasu | |
| Id like …. | watashi wa …. ga ii desu | |
| Waiter/waitress | ueita/ueitoresu | |
| Could we have the cheque please? | okanjo wo onegai shimasu | |
| Basic Japanese for travellers: Advanced Japanese Phrases | ||
| I Like You | Daisukidayo | |
| I Love You | Ai shite Masu / Aishiteru / Daisukidayo | |
Arigato gozaimasu mykp