Learn Basic Japanese phrases and words

It is important for you to know some basic Japanese words and Japanese phrases which you could find very helpful on your travels to Japan. The words and phrases in this page is the most important and easy at least from my own experience.

Hello. : Konnichiwa. (kon-nee-chee-WAH)

How are you? : O-genki desu ka? (oh-GEN-kee dess-KAH?)

Fine, thank you. : Genki desu. (GEN-kee dess)

What is your name? : O-namae wa nan desu ka??(oh-NAH-mah-eh wah NAHN dess-KAH?)

My name is ____ . : Watashi no namae wa ____ desu. (wah-TAH-shee no nah-mah-eh wa ____ dess)

Nice to meet you. : Hajimemashite. (hah-jee-meh-MOSH-teh)

Please. (request) : Onegai shimasu. (oh-neh-gigh shee-moss)

Please. (offer) : D?zo. (DOH-zo)

Thank you. : D?mo arigat?. (doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh)

You’re welcome. : D? itashi mashite. (doh EE-tah-shee mosh-teh)

Yes. : Hai. (HIGH)

No. : Iie. (EE-eh)

Excuse me. : Sumimasen. (soo-mee-mah-sen)

I’m sorry. : Gomen-nasai. (goh-men-nah-sigh)

Goodbye. (long-term) Say?nara. (sa-YOH-nah-rah)

Goodbye. (informal) Sore dewa. (SOH-reh deh-wah)

I can’t speak Japanese [well]. Nihongo [yoku] hanasemasen. (nee-hohn-goh [yo-koo] hah-nah-seh-mah-sen)

Do you speak English? Eigo o hanasemasuka? (AY-goh oh hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?)

Is there someone here who speaks English? Dareka eigo o hanasemasuka? (dah-reh-kah AY-goh oh hah-nah-seh-moss-KAH?)

Help! Tasukete! (tah-soo-keh-teh!)

Look out! Abunai! (ah-boo-NIGH!)

Good morning. Ohay? gozaimasu. (oh-hah-YOH go-zigh-moss)

Good evening. Konbanwa. (kohm-bahn-wah)

I don’t understand. Wakarimasen. (wah-kah-ree-mah-sen)

Where is the toilet? Toire wa doko desu ka? (toy-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?)

For more details on basic Japanese language, you can buy the following book online from Amazon :