Japanese Basic Phrases for Travelers
If you’re planning a trip to Japan soon, it can be very helpful to learn a few handy Japanese basic phrases to help you get around and communicate. Although I recommend that you learn Japanese characters to really fit into a Japanese society, this little guide on Japanese basic phrases is written for a traveler who may not have the time or inclination to seriously study the Japanese language at this point. For this reason, the phrases here are only written in Romaji (English spelling of Japanese words).
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Let’s start with some of the really simple stuff. These phrases are very rudimentary, but they are absolutely critical to understand if you want to survive in Japan.
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Yes | Hai |
| No | Iie |
| Please | Onegaishimasu / Kudasai |
| Thank you |
Arigatou gozaimasu |
| Pardon me |
Sumimasen |
Below are a few Japanese basic phrases to help you find your way around Japan. These phrases can be used to help you ask for directions if you are lost or need help finding something. Traveling to an unfamiliar and enormous city like Tokyo can be hard enough without having to deal with a language barrier as well, so take the time to learn these phrases.
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Where is ___? |
___ wa doko desuka |
| Which way is it? |
Dokira desuka |
| Can you show me the way? |
Donoyouni iku no desuka |
| Restroom | Otearai |
| Taxi |
Takushi |
| Hotel |
Hoteru |
| Airport |
Hikoujou |
| Restaurant |
Resutoran |
| Where am I? |
Koko wa doko desuka |
| Is there a ___ nearby? |
Kono atari ni ___ wa arimasuka |
Now here are a few Japanese basic phrases that you may hear or may prove to be useful when you’re out and about in the city going to stores an restaurants. You can use these phrases to talk to waiters or sales employees at shops to help you find what you are looking for and to let them know if you like it.
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Welcome |
Irasshaimase |
| Please recommend something |
Osusume onegaishimasu |
| It is alright | Daijoubu desu |
| No Thanks / It’s no good |
Dame desu |
| How much is it? |
Ikura desuka |
| What is this? |
Kore wa nan desuka |
| Do you speak English? |
Eigo o hanashimasuka |
You also might want to read the lesson on this site about Japanese greetings to learn some more essential vocabulary to help you navigate your way through Japan.
If you are planning on going to Japan soon, it is very important that you learn at least a little bit of the language and a few Japanese basic phrases so you won’t feel lost or overwhelmed and unable to communicate with people.