Unfortunately, English is still not widely spoken in Japan, though there are many multilingual signs and information centers within train stations and major sightseeing spots. In order to make your visit go a bit more smoothly, we have picked out some useful phrases and words for you to practice in Japanese.
100 Japanese Phrases
1. Basic Expressions
2. Transportation
3. Sightseeing
4. Shopping
5. Restaurant/Izakaya
6. Accommodation
7. When in Trouble
1. Basic Expressions
おはようございます OHAYOUGOZAIMASU (Oh-ha-yo-go-za-i-mas)
Good morning
こんにちは KONNICHIWA (Kon-ni-chi-wah)
Hello/Hi
こんばんは KONBANWA (Kon-ban-wah)
Good Evening
またね MATANE (Ma-ta-ne)
Bye/See you
People may often translate"goodbye" as being "sayonara" in Japanese, but this is a much more formal word and tends to have a more permanent tone to it, like a farewell. When speaking casually, "matane" is typically used.
すみません SUMIMASEN (Sue-me-ma-sen)
Excuse me/Pardon?
ごめんなさい GOMENNASAI (Go-men-nah-sigh)
I'm sorry
ありがとう ARIGATOU (A-li-gah-toe)
Thank you
おおきに OOKINI (O-o-ki-ni)
Thank you (used in Kansai, especially Osaka prefecture)
わかりません WAKARIMASEN (Wa-ka-ri-ma-sen)
I have no idea/I don't know
はい HAI (Hi)
Yes
いいえ IIE (E-aye)
No
あなた ANATA (A-na-ta)
You
わたし WATASHI (Wa-ta-she)
Me
英語 EIGO (Eh-go)
English
If you are trying to find information in English, you may want to ask someone for help, most easily done by saying "Eigo?" However, you may have some trouble finding an English speaker when outside of major sightseeing areas.
これはなんですか？ KOREWANANNDESUKA? (Ko-re-wa-nan-des-ka)
What is this?
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Japanese people are quite kind in fact, and they will definitely try their best to help you.
それはどこですか？ SOREWADOKODESUKA? (So-re-wa-do-ko-des-ka)
Where is that?
◯◯に行きたい ◯◯NI IKITAI (◯◯ni I-ki-tai)
I want to go to --.
失礼します SHITSUREISHIMASU (She-tsu-ray-she-mas)
May I enter?/Thank you for your time/Good bye
This is a more formal sentence used when entering or leaving a room, hanging up the phone, or other business/formal situations. Just keep in mind that this is a formal phrase and spoken when being very polite.
かわいい KAWAII (Ka-wah-e [rhymes with "Hawaii"])
Cute/Sweet/Adorable/Gorgeous
VERY useful word, it can describe any number of things, from foods to goods to people.
うれしい URESHII (U-re-she)
I’m happy.
かなしい KANASHII (Ka-na-she)
I’m sad.
たのしい TANOSHII (Ta-no-she)
I’m having fun.
すき SUKI (Sue-ki)
I like it/I like you.
きらい KIRAI (Ki-rai)
I don’t like it/I don’t like you.
2. Transportation
両替 RYOUGAE (Ryo-ga-eh)
Cash exchange
初乗り HATSUNORI (Ha-tsu-no-ri)
the base fare (on taxi)
You can find this word inside taxis, near the car navigation system on front perhaps. Generally, it is written like “初乗り◯◯円”, showing how much the base fare is. Also, there should be a small monitor on the front displaying the total fare for the distance run. You are unlikely to be ripped off by taxi drivers in Japan, so don't be afraid to ask what the rate is.
Suica Pasmo ICOCA (Sue-e-ka Pas-mo I-co-ka)
These are the IC smart cards you can use when getting on trains, metros, buses, and monorails. These cards are available at most train stations.
みどりの窓口 MIDORINOMADOGUCHI (Mi-do-ri-no-ma-doh-gu-chi) "Green Reception Counter” at JR stations
Look for this green-colored counters when you want to buy Suica, or reserve seat tickets for trains and shinkansen.
各駅停車 KAKUEKITEISHA (Ka-ku-eh-ki-tei-sha)
Local train
Stops at every station on the line until its final stop; usually displayed in light green lights on the digital displays.
快速 KAISOKU (Ka-i-so-ku)
Rapid train
This train may skip a few or many stations, it depends on the line. If you are going to a major station, it may be more convenient to take these trains, but please be careful to not miss your stop.
通勤快速 TSUUKINKAISOKU (Tsu-u-kin-kai-so-ku)
Commuter express
Only runs on certain lines or only during rush hours in big cities. Very crowded trains.
特急 TOKKYU (To-kkyu)
Express train.
You need to buy an additional ticket along with the usual one to get on this train. There are two types: reserved seat tickets and non-reserved seat tickets. Reserved tickets have to be bought in advance before the ride. Non-reserved ones can be bought in the train when the conductor comes by.
グリーン車 GREEN-SYA (Green-sha)
“Green car”, the first-class car
You need to buy the “green car ticket” in addition to other tickets mentioned above. There’s a ticket dispenser at the platform. You also can buy it inside car, but it would cost more than buying in advance. Green cars offer better seats and environment compared to others. You are also offered food services.
最寄り駅 MOYORIEKI (Mo-yo-ri-e-ki)
The nearest railway station to the destination.
This word often shows up in the access information for shops and restaurants. One characteristics of Japanese language is that several words are sometimes combined into one. In this case, "最寄り(= the nearest)" and "駅(= station)" are put together.
時刻表 ZIKOKUHYOU (Zi-ko-ku-hyoh)
Time-table
運賃 UNCHIN (Un-chin)
Fare
The fare depends on which company’s bus you took. Some sets all-commodity rate, and some do not. When to pay the fare differs by the bus, too. For details, ask the driver when boarding.
先払い SAKIBARAI (Sa-ki-ba-rai)
Pay first
If the bus driver tells you “SAKIBARAI," then you have to pay first before the ride.
後払い ATOBARAI (A-to-ba-rai)
Pay after
In this case you have to pay for the distance traveled when you get off the bus. The fare will be displayed on a screen above the front window.
3. Sight-seeing
拝観料 HAIKANRYOU (Hai-kan-ryoh)
Entrance fee at shrines and temples
おみくじ OMIKUJI (O-me-ku-g)
Written fortune
Written below is the seven ranks of lucks commonly found in Japan, from the best to the worst. The type of luck will be written on an omikuji at a shrine or temple.
大吉 DAIKICHI (Die-ki-chi)
Excellent luck
中吉 CHUKICHI (Chu-ki-chi) (high average)
小吉 SHOUKICHI (Show-ki-chi) (low average)
吉 KICHI (Ki-chi) (average)
Average luck
末吉 SUEKICHI (Sue-e-ki-chi)
Slightly bad luck
凶 KYOU (Kyo)
Bad luck
大凶 DAIKYOU (Da-i-kyo)
Horrible luck
お守り OMAMORI (O-ma-mo-ri)
Good-luck charm
お賽銭 OSAISEN (O-sigh-i-sen)
Monetary offering
When visiting a temple or shrine, you should offer some money when you go up to pray; usually a 5 yen coin will suffice because the word "go en" (5 yen) also sounds like the word "goen" which means good relationships.
観光案内所 KANKOUANNAISHO (Kan-koh-an-nai-sho)
Tourist Information Center
It’s often said that these centers are not easy to find. Check the location beforehand on the internet or guide books.
4. Shopping
これください KORE KUDASAI (Ko-re ku-da-sigh)
I want this.
お願いします ONEGAISHIMASU (O-ne-guy-she-mas)
Yes, please.
When you are offered something by the staff and you would like to have it, say this phrase.
大丈夫です DAIJOUBUDESU (Die-joe-bu-des)
No, thank you.
If you want to decline that offer, then this is what you should say.
いくら？ IKURA? (E-ku-ra)
How much is this?
おすすめ OSUSUME (O-sue-sue-may)
Recommendation
試食/試飲 SHISHOKU/SHIIN (She-sho-ku/She-n)
Food tasting, Drink Tasting
5. Restaurant/Izakaya
牛丼 GYUDON (Gyu-don)
A bowl of rice with sliced beef on top.
たこ焼き TAKOYAKI (Tah-ko-yah-ki)
Fried octopus dumplings.
お好み焼き OKONOMIYAKI (O-ko-no-mi-yah-ki)
Meat (or seafood) and vegetable pancakes.
和風 WAFUU (Wa-fu)
Japanese-style
無料 MURYOU (Mu-ryoh)
Free
大盛り OOMORI (Oh-moh-ri)
Large serving
You sometimes might find this word in combination with "無料", which means you can eat more for the same price!
食べ放題/飲み放題 TABEHOUDAI/NOMIHOUDAI (Tah-beh-hoh-die/Noh-mi-hoh-die)
all-you-can-eat/all-you-can-drink
Quite a number of restaurants and bars offer such food and drink plans.
トイレ/お手洗い/化粧室 TOIRE/OTEARAI/KESHOSHITSU (Toy-re/O-teh-ah-rai/Keh-show-she-tsu)
Toilet
OTEARAI and KESHOSHITSU are formal expressions for the bathroom used in restaurants or hotels.
ベジタリアン/菜食 VEGETARIAN/SAISHOKU (Beh-ji-tah-ri-an/Sigh-sho-ku)
Vegetarian
Vegetarian and vegan dining is gaining in popularity in Japan, but it can be hard to find at standard restaurants. Ask the employee at the restaurant just in case.
いただきます ITADAKIMASU (I-tah-da-ki-mas)
A phrase showing gratitude to the people who made the ingredients and cooked the dish. It is a basic manner to say this before eating the food.
おいしい OISHII (O-e-she)
Delicious
おかわり OKAWARI (O-ka-wa-ri)
Another helping/cup
ごちそうさまでした GOCHISOSAMADESHITA (Go-chi-so-u-sah-mah-de-she-tah)
Phrase similar to ITADAKIMASU, but you say this after your food is done. Don't forget to say it otherwise that is considered as rude to the cooks.
居酒屋 IZAKAYA (I-za-ka-ya)
Japanese bar
日本酒 NIHONSHU (Ni-ho-n-shoe)
Sake
地酒 ZIZAKE (Zi-za-ke)
Local sake
焼酎 SHOUCHUU (Show-chu-u)
Distilled liquor made mainly from rice, barley, or potatoes.
泡盛 AWAMORI(A-wa-mo-li)
Strong Okinawa liquor
枝豆 EDAMAME (E-da-ma-me)
Green boiled and salted soybeans
乾杯 KANPAI (Kan-pai)
Cheers!
6. Accommodation
ホステル HOSTEL (Ho-sue-te-lu)
Hostel
カプセルホテル CAPSULE HOTEL (Ca-pu-seh-lu-ho-te-lu)
Capsule hotel
A typical hotel in Japan that only one capsule is given for each guest, instead of rooms.
旅館 RYOKAN (Ryo-kan)
A Japanese-style hotel
民宿 MINSHUKU (Min-shoe-ku)
A Japanese-style private guesthouse
素泊まり SUDOMARI (Sue-do-ma-ri)
A stay without meals included
7. When in Trouble
盗まれた NUSUMARETA (Nu-sue-ma-re-tah)
My belongings have been stolen.
なくした NAKUSHITA (Na-ku-she-tah)
I’ve lost my belongings.
たすけて TASUKETE (Ta-sue-ke-te)
Help!
交番 KOUBAN (Koh-ban)
Police station
警察 KEISATSU (Kei-sa-tsu)
Police
１１０ HYAKUTOBAN (Hya-ku-to-ban)
If you want to ask people to call for the police, tell them "HYAKUTOBAN." Or push 1-1-0 on your mobile phone or public telephone nearby. Emergency calls on public phones are free.
きもちわるい KIMOCHIWARUI (Ki-mo-chi-wa-ru-i)
I’m feeling sick.
怪我した KEGASHITA (Ke-ga-she-ta)
I’m injured.
救急車 KYUKYUSYA (Kyu-kyu-sya)
Ambulance
１１９ HYAKUJUKYUBAN (Hya-ku-zyu-kyu-ban)
The Japanese 911, this number will call for an ambulance or fire services. When using certain SIM cards, you might not be able use such emergency calls. Ask for help around you.
大使館 TAISHIKAN (Tai-she-kan)
The embassy
Many embassies are located in the Roppongi area, but make sure you know where yours is in advance.