Learning practical Japanese phrases can significantly enhance your communication skills and help you speak like a native.
These everyday phrases will be handy whether you travel to Japan, engage in business, or simply learn the language.
This guide covers essential phrases for various situations, helping you feel more confident in your Japanese language skills.
Basic Greetings and Polite Expressions
Politeness is crucial in Japanese culture, and knowing how to greet others appropriately is a fundamental part of learning the language.
Common Greetings
- おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – Good morning
- こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Good afternoon/Hello
- こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good evening
- おやすみなさい (Oyasumi nasai) – Good night
- さようなら (Sayounara) – Goodbye
Polite Expressions
- ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) – Thank you
- すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me/I’m sorry
- おねがいします (Onegaishimasu) – Please (request)
- どういたしまして (Douitashimashite) – You’re welcome
- はい (Hai) – Yes
- いいえ (Iie) – No
Asking for Directions and Information
When traveling or exploring new places in Japan, knowing how to ask for directions and information is essential.
- ～はどこですか？ (～ wa doko desu ka?) – Where is ～?
- 例: トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the bathroom?
- どうやっていきますか？ (Dou yatte ikimasu ka?) – How do I get there?
- このバスは駅（えき）に行（い）きますか？ (Kono basu wa eki ni ikimasu ka?) – Does this bus go to the station?
- 駅（えき）はどちらですか？ (Eki wa dochira desu ka?) – Where is the station?
Dining and Shopping Phrases
Understanding how to order food and make purchases can make your dining and shopping experiences in Japan much smoother.
Ordering Food
- メニューをください (Menyuu o kudasai) – Please give me a menu
- おすすめは何（なん）ですか？ (Osusume wa nan desu ka?) – What do you recommend?
- これをください (Kore o kudasai) – I’ll have this
- お会計（かいけい）をお願（ねが）いします (Okaikei o onegaishimasu) – Check, please
Shopping
- これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) – How much is this?
- 試着（しちゃく）してもいいですか？ (Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?) – Can I try this on?
- 別（べつ）のサイズはありますか？ (Betsu no saizu wa arimasu ka?) – Do you have a different size?
- これをください (Kore o kudasai) – I’ll take this
Meeting New People
Making connections and introductions are vital parts of social interactions in Japan.
- はじめまして (Hajimemashite) – Nice to meet you
- 私（わたし）の名前（なまえ）は～です (Watashi no namae wa ～ desu) – My name is ～
- どこから来（き）ましたか？ (Doko kara kimashita ka?) – Where are you from?
- 日本語（にほんご）が少（すこ）しわかります (Nihongo ga sukoshi wakarimasu) – I understand a little Japanese
Emergency Phrases
Knowing some emergency phrases can be very helpful in case you find yourself in a difficult situation.
- 助けてください (Tasukete kudasai) – Please help me
- 警察を呼んでください (Keisatsu o yonde kudasai) – Call the police, please
- 病院はどこですか？ (Byouin wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the hospital?
- 気分が悪いです (Kibun ga warui desu) – I feel sick
Additional Commonly Asked Phrases
These phrases are frequently asked and are useful in various everyday situations.
Asking for Help
- ちょっと手伝（てつだ）ってくれますか？ (Chotto tetsudatte kuremasu ka?) – Could you help me a little?
- 英語（えいご）を話（はな）せますか？ (Eigo o hanasemasu ka?) – Do you speak English?
Clarifying and Confirming
- もう一度（いちど）お願（ねが）いします (Mou ichido onegaishimasu) – Please say it again.
- わかりましたか？ (Wakarimashita ka?) – Did you understand?
- わかりました (Wakarimashita) – I understand/I got it.
Making Requests
- 水（みず）を一杯（いっぱい）ください (Mizu o ippai kudasai) – Please give me a glass of water.
- この道（みち）をまっすぐ行（い）ってください (Kono michi o massugu itte kudasai) – Please go straight down this road.
- 窓（まど）を開（あ）けてもいいですか？ (Mado o akete mo ii desu ka?) – Can I open the window?
Conclusion
By familiarizing yourself with these practical Japanese phrases, you can navigate everyday situations with greater ease and confidence. Practice these phrases regularly to enhance your fluency and sound more like a native speaker.
Remember, the key to mastering a language is consistent practice and real-world application. Happy learning!
