Why Learning a Few Phrases Matters
English is not widely spoken outside of major tourist areas in Japan. While most train stations and airports have English signage, speaking even a handful of Japanese phrases will transform your experience. Japanese people genuinely appreciate the effort, and a simple arigatou gozaimasu will earn you warm smiles wherever you go.
You don't need years of study. The pronunciation in Japanese is very consistent — once you learn how vowels sound, you can read and say almost anything phonetically.
Japanese Pronunciation Basics
Japanese vowels are always pronounced the same way:
- A — like "ah" (as in "father")
- I — like "ee" (as in "see")
- U — like "oo" (but shorter, as in "put")
- E — like "eh" (as in "get")
- O — like "oh" (as in "go")
Greetings and Politeness
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| おはようございます | Ohayou gozaimasu | Good morning (formal) |
| こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello / Good afternoon |
| こんばんは | Konbanwa | Good evening |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you (formal) |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me / Sorry |
| はい / いいえ | Hai / Iie | Yes / No |
At Restaurants
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| いただきます | Itadakimasu | Said before eating (like "bon appétit") |
| ごちそうさまでした | Gochisousama deshita | Said after eating (thank you for the meal) |
| これをください | Kore wo kudasai | I'll have this, please (point at menu) |
| おかいけいをください | Okaikei wo kudasai | The bill, please |
| おいしい！ | Oishii! | Delicious! |
Getting Around
- ～はどこですか？ (~ wa doko desu ka?) — Where is ~? (e.g., "Eki wa doko desu ka?" = "Where is the station?")
- ～までおねがいします (~ made onegaishimasu) — To ~ please (use in taxis, e.g., "Shinjuku made onegaishimasu")
- わかりません (Wakarimasen) — I don't understand
- えいごをはなせますか？ (Eigo wo hanasemasu ka?) — Do you speak English?
Shopping and Prices
- いくらですか？ (Ikura desu ka?) — How much is this?
- たかい (Takai) — Expensive
- これをください (Kore wo kudasai) — I'll take this one
- みるだけです (Miru dake desu) — Just looking, thanks
Emergency and Help
- たすけてください！ (Tasukete kudasai!) — Please help me!
- びょういんはどこですか？ (Byouin wa doko desu ka?) — Where is the hospital?
- けいさつをよんでください (Keisatsu wo yonde kudasai) — Please call the police
A Tip on Tone
Japanese communication places great value on politeness markers. Adding onegaishimasu (please) or kudasai (please give me) to almost any request softens it and shows good manners. When in doubt, smile and bow slightly — it communicates goodwill in any language.