Japanese Phrases While Travelling

Japanese-Phrases-Language

Getting around Japan without knowing any Japanese is doable, but learning some basic Japanese phrases will help you get by much more easily. Here are examples of common Japanese words and phrases that you may use during your travel:

Greeting IconGreetings

  • Hello [Konnichiwa]
  • Hi [Yo] To be used with close friends only
  • Welcome [Youkoso]
  • How are you? [O-genki desu ka?]
  • Good morning [Ohayou gozaimasu]
  • Good afternoon [Kon’nichiwa]
  • Good evening [Konbanwa]
  • Good night [Oyasumi]
  • Goodbye! (informal) [Ja ne!] Ja ne is informal, more like ‘see you’.
  • Goodbye! (formal) [Sayounara ]is ‘good bye’ in a formal way.
  • See you tomorrow! [Mata ashitane!]
  • What is your name? [Anatano namae wa nan desu ka?]
  • My name is ___ [Watashi no namae wa ___ desu]
  • Congratulations! [Omedetou!]
  • Happy birthday! [Tanjoubi omedetou!]
  • Good luck!/Do your best! [Ganbatte!]

Thumbs Up IconCourtesy

  • Yes [Hai]
  • No [Iie]
  • Please [Onegai shimasu]
  • Sorry [Sumimasen] This is the sorry you use when bumping into people, rather than a heartfelt apology.
  • Thank you [Arigatou gozaimasu]
  • You’re welcome [Doo itashimashite]
  • I do not speak Japanese [Nihongo ga hanasemasen]
  • I do not understand [Wakarimasen]
  • Are you okay? [Daijobu desu ka?]
  • Yes, I am okay [Hai, daijobu desu]

Counting IconNumbers and Counting

  • 1 [ichi]
  • 2 [ni]
  • 3 [san]
  • 4 [shi, yon]
  • 5 [go]
  • 6 [roku]
  • 7 [shichi, nana]
  • 8 [hachi]
  • 9 [kyuu, ku]
  • 10 [juu]

For numbers between 10 and 20, let’s say 11, simply say the Japanese for “10” and “1” together, i.e. “juu ichi.” So,

  • 12 [juu ni]
  • 13 [juu san]
  • 14 [juu yon]

For 20, 30, 40, up until 99, the numbers are translated as multiples of ten and ones.

For instance, 20 is equal to two 10s, so it is “ni juu” in Japanese. 30 is three 10s, so it is “san juu.” 40 is four 10s, so it is “yon juu.” 50 is five 10s, so it is “go juu.”

For 21, because it is two 10s and 1, it is “ni juu ichi.” 35 is three 10s and 5, so it is “san juu go.” 99 is nine 10s and 9, so it is “kyu juu kyu.”

  • 100 [hyaku]
  • 1000 [sen]

Japan Food IconOrdering Food

  • Meat [Niku]
  • Beef [Gyuniku]
  • Pork [Butaniku]
  • Chicken [Toriniku]
  • Fish [Sakana]
  • Cooked rice [Gohan]
  • Vegetables [Yasai]
  • Fruit [Kudamono]
  • Soup [Supu]
  • Dessert [Dezato]
  • Bread [Pan]
  • Beer [Biru]
  • Water [Mizu]
  • Milk [Gyunyu]
  • Tea [O-cha]
  • Coffee [Kohi]
  • Wine [Wain]
  • I would like to make a reservation. [Yoyaku o shitai n-desu ga.]
  • I would like some water, please. [O-mizu o kudasai.]
  • Do you have an English menu? [Eigo no menyuu ga arimasu ka?]
  • Where is the bathroom? [o-toire wa doko desu ka?]
  • Can I have the bill, please? [Okanjou o onegai shimasu.]
  • Thank you for the food. [Gochisousama deshita.]

Transport IconTransportation and Directions

  • Train [Densha]
  • Bus [Basu]
  • Bicycle [Jitensha]
    Car [Kuruma]
  • Taxi [Takushi]
  • Bullet train [Shinkansen]
  • Transfer [Norikae]
  • Platform number [Ban sen]
  • Pardon me/Excuse me [Sumimasen.]
  • Can you help me? [Tasukete itadakemasu ka?]
  • Do you speak English? [Eigo o hanashimasu ka?]
  • Where is the subway? [Chikatetsu wa doko desu ka?]
  • Where is the train station? [Eki wa doko desu ka?]
  • Where is the bus/train to ___? [ ___ yuki no basu/densha wa doko desu ka?]
  • How long does it take to walk there? [Aruite dorekurai kakari masu ka?]
  • What time does the train leave? [Densha wa Nanji ni shuppatsu shimasuka?]
  • What time do we arrive? [Nanji ni tsukimasu ka?]
  • How much does it cost to go to ___? [___ made wa ikura desu ka?]
  • Where can I buy a ticket? [Kippu wa doko de kaemasu ka?]
  • Does this train/bus stop at ___? [Kono densha/basu wa ___ ni tomarimasu ka?]
  • Where can I find the tourist information office? [Kanko annai jyo wa doko desu ka?]
  • Where can I exchange money? [Gaika ryogae wa doko de dekimasu ka?]

Shopping IconShopping

  • Cash [Genkin]
  • Credit card [Kurejitto kado]
  • Money [Okane]
  • Price [Genka]
  • Small [Chisai]
  • Large/big [Okii]
  • Clothes [Irui]
  • Shirt [Shatsu]
  • Dress [Doresu]
  • Suit [Sutsu]
  • Pants [Zubon]
  • Jeans [Jinzu]
  • Blouse [Burausu]
  • Jacket [Jaketto]
  • Sweater [Seta]
  • Shoe [Kutsu]
  • Jewelry [Ho-u-shoku hin]
  • Kimono [Kimono]
  • Food [Shoku hin]
  • How much? [Ikura?]
  • Where is the fitting room? [Shichakushitsu wa doko desu ka?]
  • May I try it on? [Kite mite mo ii desu ka?]
  • I will have this one. [Kore o kudasai.]
  • Do you have ____? [____ wa arimasu ka?]
  • I am just looking. [Miteiru dake desu.]
  • Can I return it? [Henpin suru koto ga dekimasu ka?]