Review: phrases for your trip

Each card shows the phrase, how to say it in English letters, and the lesson it came from. Tap "Show English" for the meaning and when to say it.

1. G01
   すみませんSumimasen.L1 · 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.
2. G02
   ありがとうございますArigatō gozaimas.L1 · 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.
3. G03
   お願ねがいしますOnegai shimas.L1 · 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.
4. G04
   大丈夫だいじょうぶですDaijōbu des.L1 · 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”.
5. G05
   わかりませんWakarimasen.L1 · 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.
6. G06
   英語えいごは話はなせますかEigo wa hanasemas ka?L1 · 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.
7. G07
   もう一度いちどお願ねがいしますMō ichido onegai shimas.L1 · 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.
8. G08
   これをお願ねがいしますKore o onegai shimas.L1 · 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.
9. G09
   こんにちはKonnichiwa.L2 · daytime
   こんにちは。
   Konnichiwa.
   hello, good afternoon · Hello.

   From late morning until it gets dark. The は at the end is said wa.
10. G10
    はじめましてHajimemashite.L2 · meeting people
    はじめまして。
    Hajimemashite.
    nice to meet you · Nice to meet you.

    The first time you meet someone. Follow it with your name.
11. G11
    お邪魔じゃましますOjama shimas.L2 · home
    お邪魔じゃまします。
    Ojama shimas.
    sorry to disturb you (going in) · Thank you for having me.

    As you step into someone's home. Then take your shoes off in the entrance.
12. G12
    失礼しつれいしますShitsurei shimas.L2 · everywhere
    では、失礼しつれいします。
    Dewa, shitsurei shimas.
    excuse me (going in or leaving) · Well, I'll be going now.

    When you go into a room or office, and when you leave a meeting. Polite and safe.
13. G13
    二人ふたりですFutari des.L3 · restaurant
    二人ふたりです。
    Futari des.
    two people · Two of us.

    Also a special word: 二人ふたり. From three on, see the table.
14. G14
    〜のアレルギーがあります… no arerugī ga arimas.L3 · restaurant
    卵たまごのアレルギーがあります。
    Tamago no arerugī ga arimas.
    I'm allergic to … · I'm allergic to eggs.

    Say it when you order. For a serious allergy, carry a card that explains it in Japanese too.
15. G15
    いただきますItadakimas.L3 · restaurant
    いただきます。
    Itadakimas.
    (said before eating) · (before eating)

    It means “I humbly receive”. Say it to yourself, hands together, just before you start eating. It isn't “bon appétit”: you don't say it to others to wish them a good meal.
16. G16
    ごちそうさまでしたGochisōsama deshta.L3 · restaurant
    ごちそうさまでした。
    Gochisōsama deshta.
    thank you for the meal · Thank you for the meal.

    Say it when you finish eating, and to the staff on your way out. A lovely touch people appreciate.
17. G17
    お会計かいけいをお願ねがいしますOkaikei o onegai shimas.L3 · restaurant
    すみません、お会計かいけいをお願ねがいします。
    Sumimasen, okaikei o onegai shimas.
    the bill, please · Excuse me, the bill, please.

    In many places you take the bill to the till by the door and pay there.
18. G18
    これはいくらですかKore wa ikura des ka?L4 · shop
    すみません、これはいくらですか？
    Sumimasen, kore wa ikura des ka?
    how much is this? · Excuse me, how much is this?

    Point at the item. Prices on tags often show the price with tax (税込ぜいこみ) and without tax (税抜ぜいぬき).
19. G19
    カードは使つかえますかKādo wa tsukaemas ka?L4 · shop
    このカードは使つかえますか？
    Kono kādo wa tsukaemas ka?
    do you take cards? · Can I use this card?

    Hold up your card as you ask. Most shops take cards; small stalls may be cash only.
20. G20
    袋ふくろはいりませんFukuro wa irimasen.L4 · shop
    袋ふくろはいりません。
    Fukuro wa irimasen.
    I don't need a bag · I don't need a bag.

    When the cashier asks about a bag. 大丈夫だいじょうぶです works too.
21. G21
    免税めんぜいの手続てつづきはできますかMenzei no tetsuzuki wa dekimas ka?L4 · tax-free
    すみません、免税めんぜいの手続てつづきはできますか？
    Sumimasen, menzei no tetsuzuki wa dekimas ka?
    can I shop tax-free here? · Excuse me, can I do the tax-free process here?

    Ask before you pay. Look for a Tax-Free sign at the till or door.
22. G22
    トイレはどこですかToire wa doko des ka?L5 · everywhere
    すみません、トイレはどこですか？
    Sumimasen, toire wa doko des ka?
    where's the toilet? · Excuse me, where's the toilet?

    Stations, shops and convenience stores usually have toilets. Some are labelled お手洗てあらい.
23. G23
    この電車でんしゃは〜に止とまりますかKono densha wa … ni tomarimas ka?L5 · station
    この電車でんしゃは渋谷しぶやに止とまりますか？
    Kono densha wa Shibuya ni tomarimas ka?
    does this train stop at …? · Does this train stop at Shibuya?

    Express trains skip stations, so it's worth checking.
24. G24
    〜までお願ねがいします… made onegai shimas.L5 · taxi
    東京駅とうきょうえきまでお願ねがいします。
    Tōkyō eki made onegai shimas.
    to …, please (taxi) · To Tokyo Station, please.

    Say it to the driver, or show the address on your phone. The rear door opens and closes by itself: don't touch it.
25. G25
    予約よやくしていますYoyaku shite imas.L6 · hotel
    スミスで予約よやくしています。
    Sumisu de yoyaku shite imas.
    I have a reservation · I have a reservation under Smith.

    Say it at the front desk with your name.
26. G26
    荷物にもつを預あずかっていただけますかNimotsu o azukatte itadakemas ka?L6 · hotel
    チェックインまで荷物にもつを預あずかっていただけますか？
    Chekkuin made nimotsu o azukatte itadakemas ka?
    could you keep my bags? · Could you keep my bags until check-in?

    Before check-in or after check-out. Most hotels will keep them for free.
27. G27
    写真しゃしんを撮とってもいいですかShashin o totte mo ii des ka?L7 · temple
    すみません、ここで写真しゃしんを撮とってもいいですか？
    Sumimasen, koko de shashin o totte mo ii des ka?
    may I take a photo? · Excuse me, may I take photos here?

    Ask inside halls and before photographing people. Photos are often not allowed inside temple buildings.
28. G28
    救急車きゅうきゅうしゃを呼よんでくださいKyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.L8 · emergency
    すみません、救急車きゅうきゅうしゃを呼よんでください！
    Sumimasen, kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai!
    please call an ambulance · Excuse me, please call an ambulance!

    Ask someone nearby, or call 119 yourself.
29. G29
    気分きぶんが悪わるいですKibun ga warui des.L8 · health
    すみません、ちょっと気分きぶんが悪わるいです。
    Sumimasen, chotto kibun ga warui des.
    I feel unwell · Excuse me, I don't feel well.

    For feeling sick or faint. Staff will help you find somewhere to sit.
30. G30
    財布さいふをなくしましたSaifu o nakushimashta.L8 · police
    すみません、財布さいふをなくしました。
    Sumimasen, saifu o nakushimashta.
    I've lost my wallet · Excuse me, I've lost my wallet.

    Go to a police box or ask station staff. Many lost things are handed in.

If you only learn a few, learn these.

• Start with すみません. Put it in front of almost any question and it sounds polite.
• Point and say お願ねがいします. You don't need the word for the thing you want.
• Keep the emergency numbers. 110 police, 119 ambulance and fire, and the Japan Visitor Hotline 050-3816-2787.

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

1. 1. Excuse me, do you speak English?
   Show answer
2. 2. Slowly, please.
   Show answer
3. 3. Two of us.
   Show answer
4. 4. What do you recommend?
   Show answer
5. 5. I'm allergic to eggs.
   Show answer
6. 6. How much is this?
   Show answer
7. 7. I don't need a bag, thank you.
   Show answer
8. 8. Where's the station?
   Show answer
9. 9. May I take a photo?
   Show answer
10. 10. I've lost my passport.
    Show answer