Japan is easy to travel in without Japanese. But knowing these phrases makes every interaction smoother, every meal easier, and earns genuine warmth from people you meet.
Japanese is not an easy language, and no one expects tourists to speak it. Most popular tourist areas have English signage. Many restaurant menus have pictures. However, even a handful of basic phrases transforms your interactions from functional to genuinely warm. Japanese people respond with disproportionate appreciation when visitors make any effort with the language.
This guide covers the most useful phrases by situation, with honest pronunciation guidance.
Pronunciation Basics
Japanese pronunciation is more consistent than English. Key points:
- Vowels: a = ‘ah’, i = ‘ee’, u = ‘oo’, e = ‘eh’, o = ‘oh’. Always short and clean no diphthongs.
- Silent u: The ‘u’ at the end of words ending in ‘desu’ and ‘masu’ is nearly silent. ‘Desu’ sounds like ‘dess’.
- Double consonants: A double letter (kk, tt, ss) indicates a brief pause before the sound. ‘Yappari’ has a held ‘p’.
- No tones: Japanese is not a tonal language. Getting the vowels right is the main goal.
Greetings and Courtesy
Konnichiwa (こんにちは) Good afternoon / Hello. The all-purpose daytime greeting. Pronounced ‘kon-nee-chee-wah’.
Ohayo gozaimasu (おはようございます) Good morning. Formal version. ‘Ohayo’ alone is casual.
Konbanwa (こんばんは) Good evening. Pronounced ‘kon-bahn-wah’.
Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) Thank you (formal). Pronounced ‘ah-ree-gah-toh go-zah-ee-mass’. Use this in shops, restaurants, with any staff.
Sumimasen (すみません) Excuse me / Sorry. The most useful single word in Japan. Used to get attention, apologize for bumping someone, and as a general softener before asking anything.
Hai (はい) / Iie (いいえ) Yes / No.
At a Restaurant
Hitotsu kudasai (ひとつください) One please. Replace hitotsu (one) with futatsu (two), mittsu (three) as needed. Point at the menu item and say this.
Kore wa nan desu ka? (これは何ですか？) What is this? Pointing at a menu item you cannot identify.
Okaikei kudasai (お会計ください) Bill please. Pronounced ‘oh-kai-keh-ee koo-dah-sai’. Alternatively, cross your index fingers in an X shape the universal Japanese sign for ‘bill’.
Oishii! (おいしい！) Delicious! Said genuinely after eating something good. Produces immediate warmth from any Japanese cook.
Karai (辛い) Spicy. Say ‘karai desu ka?’ to ask if something is spicy. Say ‘karaku shinai de kudasai’ to ask for no spice.
Bejitarian desu (ベジタリアンです) I am vegetarian. Combined with pointing at menu items and asking ‘niku wa haiite imasu ka?’ (does this have meat?).
Shopping
Ikura desu ka? (いくらですか？) How much is it?
Takai desu (高いです) That is expensive. Occasionally useful at markets.
Kore wo kudasai (これをください) I will take this one please. With pointing.
Mite iru dake desu (見ているだけです) I am just looking. For when shop staff approach.
Transport
…wa doko desu ka? (…はどこですか？) Where is…? Insert the place name. ‘Shinjuku wa doko desu ka?’ (Where is Shinjuku?).
…ni itte kudasai (…に行ってください) Please go to… For taxis. ‘Shinjuku ni itte kudasai’ (Please go to Shinjuku).
Koko de tomete kudasai (ここで止めてください) Please stop here. For taxis.
Emergencies
Tasukete kudasai! (助けてください！) Please help me!
Byouin wa doko desu ka? (病院はどこですか？) Where is the hospital?
Eigo wo hanashimasu ka? (英語を話しますか？) Do you speak English?
Wakarimasen (わかりません) I do not understand. Useful when a conversation goes beyond your Japanese.
Bonus Phrases Japanese People Love
Nihon no tabemono wa oishii desu (日本の食べ物はおいしいです) Japanese food is delicious. The single most effective phrase for earning goodwill at any restaurant.
Nihon ga daisuki desu (日本が大好きです) I love Japan.
Mata kimasu (また来ます) I will come back again. A gracious way to leave a restaurant or shop.
Apps for Japanese Translation
Google Translate’s camera function (point at menus and signs) works well for Japanese and is accurate for food menus. The accuracy is better than for Korean kanji recognition is excellent. Download the Japanese language pack offline before arriving.
