Visiting Japan · Lesson 1

The essentials

A handful of polite words will get you through most of a trip to Japan. Start here: excuse me, thank you, please, and what to say when you don't understand. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.

14 essential phrases

Each card shows the phrase, how to say it in English letters, and a short line using it. Tap "Show English" for the meaning and a note on when to say it, and tap the speaker to hear it.

G01

すみませんSumimasen.everywhere

すみません、通とおります。
Sumimasen, tōrimas.

excuse me, sorry, thank you · Excuse me, coming through.
The most useful word: to get someone's attention, to say sorry, or to thank someone who went to some trouble.
G02

ありがとうございますArigatō gozaimas.everywhere

どうもありがとうございます。
Dōmo arigatō gozaimas.

thank you · Thank you very much.
Polite thanks for anyone. Add どうも at the front to make it warmer.
G03

お願ねがいしますOnegai shimas.everywhere

コーヒーをお願ねがいします。
Kōhī o onegai shimas.

please (asking for something) · A coffee, please.
Put it after the thing you want. It's polite and works when ordering, asking or handing something over.
G04

はいHai.everywhere

はい、そうです。
Hai, sō des.

yes · Yes, that's right.
Yes. You'll also hear はい used as “OK” or “I'm listening”.
G05

いいえIie.everywhere

いいえ、違ちがいます。
Iie, chigaimas.

no · No, that's not right.
A flat いいえ can sound blunt. To turn down an offer, 大丈夫だいじょうぶです is softer.
G06

大丈夫だいじょうぶですDaijōbu des.everywhere

大丈夫だいじょうぶです、ありがとうございます。
Daijōbu des, arigatō gozaimas.

I'm fine, no thank you · I'm fine, thank you.
The gentle way to say no: a bag, a receipt, help you don't need. Also means “I'm OK”.
G07

わかりませんWakarimasen.everywhere

すみません、日本語にほんごがわかりません。
Sumimasen, nihongo ga wakarimasen.

I don't understand · Sorry, I don't understand Japanese.
Start with すみません so it sounds polite, not abrupt.
G08

日本語にほんごは少すこしだけですNihongo wa sukoshi dake des.everywhere

日本語にほんごは少すこしだけです。
Nihongo wa sukoshi dake des.

I only speak a little Japanese · I only speak a little Japanese.
Useful when someone replies in fast Japanese after you've said one phrase.
G09

英語えいごは話はなせますかEigo wa hanasemas ka?everywhere

すみません、英語えいごは話はなせますか？
Sumimasen, eigo wa hanasemas ka?

do you speak English? · Excuse me, do you speak English?
Ask before you switch to English. Many people read English better than they speak it, so writing can help.
G10

もう一度いちどお願ねがいしますMō ichido onegai shimas.everywhere

すみません、もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。
Sumimasen, mō ichido onegai shimas.

once more, please · Sorry, could you say that again?
When you didn't catch something. It's polite to ask more than once.
G11

ゆっくりお願ねがいしますYukkuri onegai shimas.everywhere

もう少すこしゆっくりお願ねがいします。
Mō sukoshi yukkuri onegai shimas.

slowly, please · A bit more slowly, please.
When someone is talking too fast. Pair it with a smile.
G12

これをお願ねがいしますKore o onegai shimas.shop

これとこれをお願ねがいします。
Kore to kore o onegai shimas.

this one, please · This one and this one, please.
Point at a menu, a picture or a shelf as you say it. You don't need the name of the thing.
G13

ちょっと待まってくださいChotto matte kudasai.everywhere

すみません、ちょっと待まってください。
Sumimasen, chotto matte kudasai.

just a moment, please · Sorry, just a moment, please.
While you find your ticket or your wallet. Don't drop the small っ: it's matte, with a short stop.
G14

トイレを借かりてもいいですかToire o karite mo ii des ka?shop

すみません、トイレを借かりてもいいですか？
Sumimasen, toire o karite mo ii des ka?

may I use the toilet? · Excuse me, may I use your toilet?
In a shop or café. Many convenience stores let you use theirs; it's polite to ask first.

When to say it

Everyday moments and the phrase that fits.

Situation	Say	Pronunciation
Someone holds a door for you	すみません / ありがとうございます	Sumimasen / Arigatō gozaimas
You want a waiter's attention	すみません	Sumimasen
You bump into someone	あ、すみません	A, sumimasen
You're offered something you don't need	大丈夫だいじょうぶです	Daijōbu des
You didn't catch it	もう一度いちどお願ねがいします	Mō ichido onegai shimas
You're ordering by pointing	これをお願ねがいします	Kore o onegai shimas
You need a moment	ちょっと待まってください	Chotto matte kudasai

One word does a lot. すみません gets attention, says sorry and says thanks for the trouble. If in doubt, say it.
Pointing is fine. Point at a menu or a shelf and say これをお願ねがいします. It works almost everywhere.
People are patient. Speak slowly and smile. Most people are pleased you're trying, even with one word.

Two patterns to use today

〜をお願ねがいします

Say the thing you want, then を and お願ねがいします.

レシートをお願ねがいします。

Reshīto o onegai shimas.

A receipt, please.

これを二ふたつお願ねがいします。

Kore o futatsu onegai shimas.

Two of these, please.

〜は何なんですか

Point and ask what something is.

これは何なんですか？

Kore wa nan des ka?

What is this?

あれは何なんですか？

Are wa nan des ka?

What is that (over there)?

Say it in Japanese

Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.

1. Do you speak English?
2. Thank you.
3. I'm fine, thanks. (turning something down)
4. Sorry, I don't understand.
5. Once more, please.
6. Slowly, please.
7. This one, please. (pointing)
8. Just a moment, please.
9. What is this?
10. Two coffees, please.