Survival Japanese: Must-Know Easy Phrases for Travelling in Japan

A comprehensive guide of survival Japanese words and expressions you might hear or use in your next trip.

How exciting the upcoming trip to Japan! In cities like Tokyo, Osaka or tourist areas you will manage to understand basic information. However English is not spoken by most of the people or they feel to usecure to use it. Moreover, don’t expect to see many English signs in the countryside.

Here are some basic Japanese words you can learn that I suggest to my family when visiting me. Don’t panic if you can’t remember them all, this is a long list, select those that you find more important for you and enjoy!

Note:
– Read the letter “ō” like a long “o” ( sometimes it is transliterated in our alphabet as “ou” but the “u” is silent)
– You will often find “desu” at the end of a phrase. It is often used as a suffix to sound polite, but if you omit it the meaning of the phrase doesn’t change.

General Expressions

Hello: Konnichiwa
Nice to meet you: Hajimemashite
Good morning: Ohayō ( add “gozaimasu” to be more polite)
Good evening: Konbanwa
Bye: Bye-bye
See you later: Mata ne (casual)
Goodbye: Sayonara (This is hardly used; it has a bit of a dramatic meaning as it implies a nearly forever farewell. There are many situation-related ways to say goodbye so I personally often use “arigato = thank you” to be on the safe side)
How are you?: Genki desu ka?
I’m fine: Genki desu ( So and so: mama desu . Not good: yokunai desu. These are hardly used as people try not to upset the listener)
Thank you: Arigatō ( add “gozaimasu” to be more polite)
Excuse me..?: Sumimasen.. (to attract attention of somebody or used as a soft apology)
I am sorry: Sumimasen (to make an apology)
I’m very sorry / forgive me: Gomennasai (profound apology)
…..please: …onegai shimasu / …..kudasai (as in “One more time, please”= mō ichido, onegaishimasu)
Tastes good: Oishii desu
I don’t understand: Wakarimasen
Do you understand English?: Eigo wakarimasu ka?
Do you speak English?: Eigo hanashimasu ka?
Alright: Okkei / Daijobu desu
Yes: Hai
No: Iie
A little: Chotto

Exercise practical phrases

Wait a moment, please: Chotto matte, kudasai
Two glasses of water, please: Omizu futatsu, kudasai

Transportation and Directions

Where is the bathroom?: Toire wa doko desu ka?
Over there: Achira / Asoko desu
Here: Koko desu
That way: Acchi desu
Over there at the back: Mukō desu
Straight ahead: Massugu desu
Where does this train go?: Kono densha wa doko ni ikimasu ka?
Bus: Basu
I want to go to Akasaka: Akasaka ni ikitai desu
Ticket: Chiketto
Excuse me, where is Shinjuku station?: Sumimasen, Shinjuku-eki wa doko desu ka?

At the Restaurant/Supermarket

Where can I find milk?: Miruku wa doko desu ka?
How much does this cost?: Kore wa ikura desu ka?
Ichi man en: 10,000 yen
Issen en: 1,000 yen (slightly over 6 euros)
Hyaku en: 100 yen
Credit card OK?: (kureditto) Kaado okkei?
The menu, please: Menyū onegai shimasu ( or, Menyū kudasai)
Allergy: Arerugi
I don’t want onion, I’m allergic: Tamanegi dame desu, arerugi ga arimasu
The check, please: Okaikei onegai shimasu
No need: Iranai desu
Gochisōsama desu: Thank you, I ate well ( used when going out from a restaurant. Japanese don’t say arigatō to say thank you in this case)

Common Phrases You’ll Hear

No need to remember these more complicated phrases. They are not actually survival Japanese. They are very polite and they are often used in shops and restaurants. You might want to know what they are saying to you, it is not necessary being able to use them.

Irasshaimase! = Welcome!
Shō shō omachi kudasai = Please wait a moment
Omatase itashimashita = Thank you for waiting
Otsugi no kata dōzo = Next person, please
Pointo kādo wa omochi desu ka? = Do you have a point card?
Ohashi wo otsuke shimasu ka? = Do you need chopsticks? (often heard at konbini)
Kono mama de yoroshii desu ka? = Is it okay as it is? (meaning “without a bag”)
Fukuro ni ohaire shimasu ka? = Would you like it in a bag?
Fukuro wa irimasu ka? = Do you need a bag?
Reshīto wa yoroshii desu ka? = Would you like the receipt?

Useful Kanji

It’s not necessary, and quite unrealistic, to learn to read Japanese in a short time. The most useful alphabet might be the katakana, which is used to write foreign words. For example, if you learn that ミルク is “miruku,” you might guess it means milk. However, if you recognize some of the following kanji (ideograms) words, they can be helpful in critical situations (like choosing the right toilet door).

Toilet related