Japanese is grammatically complex and uses three writing systems simultaneously — but a small repertoire of spoken phrases goes a remarkably long way. Japanese people respond warmly to visitors making any effort to speak the language, and a handful of key phrases covers the vast majority of daily travel interactions. This guide focuses on what you’ll actually need: greetings, restaurant ordering, transportation, shopping, and emergency situations.
Pronunciation Basics
Japanese vowels are consistent and simple — unlike English, there are no silent letters or shifting vowel sounds:
- A = “ah” (as in “father”)
- I = “ee” (as in “feet”)
- U = “oo” (shorter than English “oo”)
- E = “eh” (as in “bed”)
- O = “oh” (as in “go”)
Every syllable is roughly equal in length and stress (unlike English’s stress-timed rhythm). “Arigato” = “ah-ree-gah-toh” with equal weight on each syllable, not “ah-REE-ga-toh.”
Essential Greetings & Basics
- Konnichiwa (こんにちは): Hello / Good afternoon
- Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます): Good morning
- Konbanwa (こんばんは): Good evening
- Sayonara (さようなら): Goodbye (formal/permanent)
- Ja, mata (じゃ、また): See you later (casual)
- Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます): Thank you (polite)
- Sumimasen (すみません): Excuse me / I’m sorry (most versatile phrase in Japanese — use to get attention, apologize for bumping someone, and get through crowds)
- Hai (はい): Yes
- Iie (いいえ): No
- Wakarimasen (わかりません): I don’t understand
- Eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (英語が話せますか？): Do you speak English?
At Restaurants
- Sumimasen (すみません): To call the waiter
- Kore wo kudasai (これをください): This one, please (point at menu)
- Osusume wa nan desu ka? (おすすめは何ですか？): What do you recommend?
- Okaikei kudasai (お会計ください): Check, please
- Oishii! (おいしい！): Delicious! (always welcomed)
- Itadakimasu (いただきます): Said before eating (I humbly receive this food)
- Gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした): Said after finishing (thank you for the meal)
- Karei wa arimasu ka? (カードは使えますか？): Can I use a card?
- ___ nuki de onegaishimasu (___ 抜きでお願いします): Without ___, please (e.g., “negi nuki” = no green onions)
Transportation
- ___ ni ikitai desu (___ に行きたいです): I want to go to ___
- ___ wa doko desu ka? (___ はどこですか？): Where is ___?
- Eki wa doko desu ka? (駅はどこですか？): Where is the station?
- ___ made onegaishimasu (___ までお願いします): To ___, please (in a taxi)
- Hidari (左): Left
- Migi (右): Right
- Massugu (まっすぐ): Straight ahead
- Tomete kudasai (止めてください): Please stop here (in a taxi)
Shopping
- Ikura desu ka? (いくらですか？): How much is this?
- Kore wo kudasai (これをください): I’ll take this one
- Mite iru dake desu (見ているだけです): Just looking, thank you (to overeager shop assistants)
- Futsu no fukuro wa irimasen (普通の袋はいりません): I don’t need a plastic bag
- Menzetsu shite moraemasu ka? (免税してもらえますか？): Can I get a tax exemption?
Emergencies
- Tasukete! (助けて！): Help!
- Kyukyusha wo yonde kudasai (救急車を呼んでください): Please call an ambulance
- Keisatsu wo yonde kudasai (警察を呼んでください): Please call the police
- Byouki desu (病気です): I am sick
- Kusuri ga hitsuyou desu (薬が必要です): I need medicine
Practical Tips for Language in Japan
- Google Translate camera mode can read Japanese menus and signs in real time — the most useful travel technology for navigating non-English contexts.
- Point and show — writing your destination on paper or showing it on a map/phone screen is universally understood.
- Tourist information offices (観光案内所) at major train stations typically have English-speaking staff.
- Japanese people are generally patient and creative about communication; the effort to try Japanese phrases is consistently appreciated even when your pronunciation is imperfect.