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Whether you\u2019re planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun or just want to dive into your Japanese studies, it can be daunting to start learning a new language. How about a head start with some basic Japanese phrases that will optimize your travel and daily conversations? In this article, we\u2019ll cover 20 essential Japanese phrases you should know.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re just starting out or if you\u2019ve been studying for a while: these Japanese phrases will lay the groundwork for your learning, etiquette, and daily life in Japan. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n
Greetings are so important in Japan that they have a special word: aisatsu<\/em><\/a> (\u6328\u62f6\u3001\u3042\u3044\u3055\u3064). If you\u2019re working in a Japanese office or attending a school in Japan, aisatsu <\/em>is especially important. Let\u2019s look at the essential aisatsu <\/em>phrases you\u2019ll need throughout the day.<\/p>\n Ohayougozaimasu<\/em> is Japanese for Good morning!<\/em> It\u2019s considered essential manners to greet your neighbors, coworkers, or classmates with a bright Ohayougozaimasu!<\/em> as you enter the workplace or classroom.<\/p>\n Ohayougozaimasu <\/em>can be said until around 10 or 11 in the morning. There are several ways to say it, depending on how formal the occasion is or what your relationship is with the person to whom you\u2019re speaking.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Konnichiwa <\/em>is probably the most common aisatsu<\/em>. It is already quite formal on its own; you can use konnichiwa <\/em>regardless of the situation or the social status of the person you\u2019re greeting. Technically, konnichiwa <\/em>is translated as Good afternoon<\/em>. It\u2019s commonly used between 11 AM and 4 PM. Don\u2019t worry too<\/em> much about using konnichiwa<\/em> at the wrong time, though; even Japanese people struggle with when to say it!<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n To learn some other useful Japanese greetings, take a look at our post Japanese Greetings: How to Say Hello in Japanese<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Konbanwa <\/em>is the greeting typically used after the sun has started to go down, or any time after 5 PM. It means good evening<\/em>, and like konnichiwa<\/em> can be used freely regardless of social status.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The aisatsu <\/em>phrase oyasuminasai <\/em>has more of a \u201cgoodbye\u201d nuance than the other Japanese phrases we\u2019ve looked at so far. Parents and family members say it to each other before going to bed, and friends or coworkers might exchange an oyasuminasai<\/em> before parting ways later in the night.<\/p>\n Oyasuminasai <\/em>is polite Japanese. You can say oyasumi <\/em>if you want to sound less formal.<\/p>\n Examples<\/span>:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re leaving your home, office, or other familiar setting, it\u2019s considered proper to announce this with ittekimasu! <\/em>The phrase ittekimasu<\/em><\/a> means, \u201cI\u2019m leaving\u201d or \u201cSee you later.\u201d It\u2019s especially important to use this aisatsu <\/em>if you\u2019re going to do some errands for your office.<\/p>\n There are two ways to say ittekimasu, <\/em>depending on the situation and who you\u2019re surrounded by. Itte<\/em>kimasu<\/em><\/strong> is the polite form, while itte<\/em>kuru<\/em><\/strong> is more casual.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Japanese people say itterasshai<\/em> in direct response to ittekimasu<\/em>. Whereas ittekimasu<\/em> means, \u201cI\u2019m leaving,\u201d itterasshai<\/em><\/a> means, \u201cSee you later.\u201d Both phrases are expected of you when you\u2019re leaving home or another familiar space. Unlike ittekimasu, <\/em>there\u2019s only one way people say itterasshai<\/em>. It\u2019s appropriate for any level of formality\u2014just be absolutely sure to say it if someone older than you or higher in social status says, \u201cIttekimasu!\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n Example<\/span>:<\/strong><\/p>\n Japan is a country steeped in specific manners for various occasions. There are also some Japanese etiquette phrases that are so specifically Japanese that it\u2019s considered impossible to fully translate them.<\/a> Phrases like these tend to be staples in Japanese etiquette and tradition, though, so let\u2019s take a brief look at them.<\/p>\n The phrase yoroshiku onegaishimasu <\/em> is essential to Japanese etiquette. Roughly translated<\/a>, it means I am in your care <\/em>or please take care of me. <\/em>Japanese people use it throughout their day: whether they\u2019re meeting someone to the first time or starting a tennis match, yoroshiku onegaishimasu <\/em>will make an appearance.<\/p>\n Consider this phrase to be \u201cplease,\u201d \u201cthank you,\u201d and \u201cI look forward to working with you\u201d all mashed together. These three words best sum up the many nuances yoroshiku onegaishimasu <\/em>has. For an in-depth study of yoroshiku onegaishimasu, <\/em>we recommend you check out Bond Lingo\u2019s article<\/a> or Coto Academy\u2019s list<\/a> on what it means and how to use it. For now, we\u2019ll just cover some basic situations in which you\u2019ll want to use this phrase.<\/p>\n If you want to make yourself sound even more formal, you can add the prefix \u3069\u3046\u305e\uff08douzo\uff09or say \u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u306d\u304c\u3044\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059<\/strong>\uff08yoroshiku onegai<\/em>itashimasu<\/em><\/strong>\uff09. If you\u2019re speaking with friends and want to say this phrase casually, you can simply say, \u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\uff08yoroshiku<\/em>\uff09.<\/p>\n Like yoroshiku onegaishimasu, <\/em>the phrase otsukare sama desu <\/em>has a plethora<\/a> of nuances and meanings. Another staple in the Japanese workplace, otsukare sama<\/em><\/a> is often used to thank someone for the work they\u2019ve done. It\u2019s often used at the end of the day when workers begin to clock out. However, ostukare sama desu <\/em>is also used at the end of events, appointments, or other social occasions as a way to wrap things up and thank everyone for participating. Here are some common situations in which the phrase can be used:<\/p>\n The word sumimasen<\/em><\/a> is most often used to say excuse me<\/em> or sorry<\/em>. However, it can also be used to thank someone! Sumimasen <\/em>is a useful phrase to remember and is guaranteed to make you sound polite.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Of course, sumimasen\u00a0<\/em>is not the only way to apologize in Japanese. If you’d like to learn the other ways to say \u201csorry\u201d in Japanese, check out our blog post Sorry in Japanese: Learn How to Properly Apologize in Japanese<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n If you visit Japan, you\u2019ll want to experience the many delicious foods it has to offer! Here are some Japanese phrases that will help you navigate your eating experience in Japan.<\/p>\n Japanese menus are often colorful and packed with helpful photos. Even if you can\u2019t read kanji or hiragana, you should be able to point to what looks the tastiest and use this phrase! For example:<\/p>\n If you want more than one thing, say kore<\/em> as many times as you like! Just add the particle \u3068\uff08to,<\/em> pronounced \u201ctoh\u201d\uff09between them. Allergies can be tricky when navigating foreign food. Fortunately, the Japanese word for \u201callergy\u201d is borrowed from English: \u30a2\u30ec\u30eb\u30ae\u30fc\uff08arerugii<\/em>\uff09! Here are some common examples for explaining you have a food allergy:<\/p>\n Before and after you eat in Japan, it\u2019s essential that you say these phrases. Itadakimasu <\/em>means literally I humbly receive <\/em>and gochisou sama <\/em>means it was a feast<\/em>. Both are rooted in Japanese Buddhism and express thanks<\/a> to the person who prepared the meal. It\u2019s considered rude not to use these phrases when you\u2019re eating with others, so try to remember them!<\/p>\n Of course you\u2019re excited to visit Japan, but if something goes wrong you\u2019ll need some Japanese knowledge to figure out what to do or where to go. Here\u2019s a quick list of Japanese phrases to help you in a pinch.<\/p>\n This phrase is pretty self-explanatory, but just as vital! There are two common words for bathroom in Japanese: o tearai <\/em>and the borrowed word toire. <\/em>Either one will convey your meaning, and you can rest assured that whoever you ask will either point or guide you to the nearest facilities.<\/p>\n You can also use ___wa doko desuka? <\/em>to ask about the location of any facility or place! Don\u2019t be afraid to use this phrase; it\u2019s a huge help.<\/p>\n When asking a stranger\u2019s name in Japanese, it\u2019s polite to refer to them as \u3042\u306a\u305f<\/a>\uff08anata<\/em>\uff09or the polite word for you<\/em>. However, if you\u2019re talking to a child or someone you want to be friendly with right away, you can replace anata<\/em> with \u304d\u307f<\/a>\uff08kimi<\/em>\uff09. In Japanese, you can sometimes leave out pronouns altogether, so simply asking \u304a\u540d\u524d\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff08O namae wa nan desu ka?<\/em>\uff09is also acceptable.<\/p>\n If someone asks for your name, the response should be, \u79c1\u306e\u540d\u524d\u306f\uff3f\uff3f\u3067\u3059\u3002\uff08Watashi no namae wa ____ desu.<\/em>\uff09<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that in Japan, people often call each other by their last names. Because of this, when someone introduces themselves, they will either use their last name only, or say their last name followed by their first name. Remember to stick with calling a new acquaintance by their last name! First-name basis is only for friends and family members in Japan.<\/p>\n The phrase Tetsudatte kuremasen ka? <\/em>will cover pretty much any situation you might need some personal help with. This phrase is polite Japanese; you can be a little less formal (but still polite) by saying, \u624b\u4f1d\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\uff08Tetsudatte kudasai<\/em>.\uff09<\/p>\n If you are experiencing an emergency, the phrase \u52a9\u3051\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\uff01\uff08Tasukete kudasai!<\/em>\uff09will best convey your urgency. However, as this is typically an emergent phrase, please don\u2019t use it unless your need is dire.<\/p>\n We hope you find these Japanese phrases useful! An important thing to remember is that whether or not you <\/em>feel confident in your language ability, Japanese people are always delighted when people speak to them in their own language. Communication is key, and it doesn\u2019t have to be perfect.<\/p>\n\u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\uff08Ohayougozaimasu<\/em>\uff09\u2013 Good morning<\/h3>\n
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\u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f\uff08Konnichiwa<\/em>\uff09\u2013 Hello<\/h3>\n
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\u3053\u3093\u3070\u3093\u306f\uff08Konbanwa<\/em>\uff09\u2013 Good evening<\/h3>\n
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\u304a\u4f11\u307f\u306a\u3055\u3044\uff08Oyasuminasai<\/em>\uff09\u2013 Good night<\/h3>\n
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\u884c\u3063\u3066\u304d\u307e\u3059\uff08Ittekimasu<\/em>\uff09\u2013 I\u2019m leaving<\/h3>\n
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\u3044\u3063\u3066\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\uff08Itterasshai<\/em>\uff09\u2013 See you later<\/h3>\n
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Etiquette: Japanese Polite Phrases<\/h2>\n
\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\uff08Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.<\/em>\uff09\u2013 I\u2019m in your care.<\/h3>\n
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\nHi, I\u2019m ________. Nice to meet you. \u306f\u3058\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3066\u3002\uff3f\uff3f\uff3f\u3067\u3059\u3002\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\uff08Hajimemashite. _____ desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.<\/em>\uff09<\/li>\n
\nMr. Tanaka will not present. Thank you, Mr. Tanaka. \u3053\u308c\u304b\u3089\u7530\u4e2d\u3055\u3093\u304c\u767a\u8868\u3055\u305b\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002\u7530\u4e2d\u3055\u3093\u3001\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\uff08Kore kara Tanaka-san ga happyou sasete itadakimasu. Tanaka-san, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.<\/em>\uff09<\/li>\n
\nI\u2019d like to start the match. I look forward to playing with you all. \u3053\u308c\u304b\u3089\u8a66\u5408\u3092\u59cb\u3081\u305f\u3044\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\uff08Kore kara shiai wo hajimetai to omoimasu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu<\/em>.\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8\u3067\u3059\u3002\uff08Otsukare sama desu.<\/em>\uff09\u2013 Thanks for the hard work.<\/h3>\n
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\n\u201cI\u2019m done for the day. Good work, everyone!\u201d \u304a\u5148\u306b\u5931\u793c\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8\u3067\u3057\u305f\uff01\uff08O saki ni shitsurei shimasu. Otsukare sama deshita!<\/em>\uff09<\/li>\n
\n\u201cGood work today. What\u2019s for dinner?\u201d \u201c\u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8\u3067\u3059\u3002\u4eca\u65e5\u306e\u3054\u98ef\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff1f\u201d \uff08Otsukare sama desu. Kyou no gohan wa nan deshou?<\/em>\uff09<\/li>\n
\n\u201cHey there, Mr. Tanaka. How are you?\u201d \u201c\u7530\u4e2d\u3055\u3093\u3001\u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8\u3067\u3059\u3002\u304a\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\u201d \uff08Tanaka-san, otsukare sama desu. O genki desu ka?<\/em>\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nDining: Japanese Food-related Phrases<\/h2>\n
\uff3f\uff3f\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\uff08_____ wo kudasai.<\/em>\uff09\u2013 I\u2019d like _______, please.<\/h3>\n
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\n\u201cI\u2019d like this and this, please.\u201d \u201c\u3053\u308c\u3068\u3053\u308c\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\u201d \uff08Kore to kore wo kudasai.<\/em>\uff09<\/p>\n\uff3f\uff3f\u30a2\u30ec\u30eb\u30ae\u30fc\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002\uff08____ arerugii ga arimasu.<\/em>\uff09\u2013 I have a(n)____ allergy.<\/h3>\n
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\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059\uff01\u30fb\u3054\u3061\u305d\u3046\u3055\u307e\u3067\u3057\u305f\uff01\uff08Itadakimasu!\/Gochisou sama deshita!<\/em>\uff09\u2013 Let\u2019s eat!\/ Thank you for the food!<\/h3>\n
Wrapping Up: Japanese Survival Phrases<\/h2>\n
\u304a\u624b\u6d17\u3044\u30fb\u30c8\u30a4\u30ec\u306f\u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff08O tearai\/toire wa doko desu ka?<\/em>\uff09\u2013 Where is the restroom?<\/h3>\n
\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u540d\u524d\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff08Anata no namae wa nan desu ka?<\/em>\uff09\u2013 What\u2019s your name?<\/h3>\n
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\u624b\u4f1d\u3063\u3066\u304f\u308c\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304b\uff1f\uff08Tetsudatte kuremasen ka?<\/em>\uff09\u2013 Could you please help me?<\/h3>\n
Essential Japanese Phrases \u2013 Conclusion<\/h2>\n