Most Useful Japanese Expressions

With just a few Japanese phrases, you can get a lot of smiles and appreciation from the locals during your trip to Japan. Here’s my super easy rundown of the most useful Japanese expressions

[Dharma Hall at Nanzen-ji Temple]

I know what you’re thinking: Oh no! Not another list of phrases that I’ll never remember!

Don’t worry: I’m going to make it easy for you. I’m going to give you just five words here. These words will get you pretty far in Japan. So breathe deeply and relax. Here goes:

The Five Most Important Words in Japanese

KONNICHIWA — (hello)
ARIGATO — (thank you)
SUMIMASEN — (excuse me)
IKURA — (how much?)
DOKO — (where?)

• You probably already know “konnichiwa,” along with, of course, “sayonara.”
• “Arigato” is easy. Remember that the “ri” part sounds a bit like “dee.”
• “Sumimasen” sounds a bit like, “Sue me, my son”.
• “Ikura” sounds like the fish eggs you might know from your local sushi restaurant (also pronounced “ikura”).
• “Doko” sounds like Homer Simpson saying “Doh!” and then adding “ko” for some strange reason.

The first three words are used alone. The last two can also be used alone, but they’re usually used in sentences. Below are all five words written in English, with pronunciations and Japanese spellings. HINT: You can copy the Japanese into Google Translate and hit the “say” button (looks like a little speaker) and Google will correctly pronounce the word in Japanese.

The Most Useful Expressions in Japanese

In case you’re feeling ambitious, I’m going to add a few more useful phrases. Again, copy and paste any of the Japanese sayings into Google Translate and ask Google to say them for you to get the correct pronunciation.

English Phrase	Japanese Phrase
Hello. (used noon to 6pm)	Konnichiwa. (kon-ee-chee-wa) こんにちは
Thank you.	Arigato. (ah-ree-gah-toe) ありがとう
Excuse me.	Sumimasen. (sue-me-mah-sen) すみません
How much is this?	Kore wa ikura desu ka? (kor-eh-wah-ee-kor-uh-des-ka) これはいくらですか
Where is ~?	~ wa doko desu ka? (~ wah doh-ko-deh-sue-kah) 〜どこですか

Greetings and Pleasantries

English Phrase	Japanese Phrase
Good morning. (used until noon)	Ohayo gozaimasu. (oh-hah-yo-go-zai-ma-sue) おはようございます
Hello. (used noon to 6pm)	Konnichiwa. (kon-ee-chee-wa) こんにちは
Good evening. (used after 6pm)	Konbanwa. (kon-bahn-wa) こんばんは
Goodbye.	Sayonara. (sai-oh-na-ra) さよなら
Thank you. (casual)	Arigato. (ah-ree-gah-toe) ありがとう
Thank you. (formal)	Arigato gozaimasu. (ah-ree-gah-toe-go-zai-ma-sue) ありがとうございます
Excuse me.	Sumimasen. (sue-me-mah-sen) すみません
Please. (asking for something)	Kudasai. (koo-duh-sai) ください
Water please.	Mizo oh kudasai. (me-zoo-oh-koo-duh-sai) みずをください

At a Shop

English Phrase	Japanese Phrase
How much is this?	Kore wa ikura desu ka? (kor-eh-wah-ee-kor-uh-des-ka) これはいくらですか
I will buy this.	Kore oh kudasai. (kor-eh-oh-koo-duh-sai) これをください

At a Restaurant

English Phrase	Japanese Phrase
Do you have an English menu?	Eigo no menu arimasuka? (ei-go-no-meh-niu-ah-ree-ma-sue-ka) えいごのメニューありますか
Please recommend something.	Osusume wa nan desu ka? (oh-sue-sue-may-wa-non-deh-sue-ka) おすすめはなんですか
I eat anything.	Nan demo tabemasu. (non-deh-moe-tah-bay-ma-sue) なんでもたべます
I like Japanese food.	Washoku suki desu. (wah-show-koo-suh-kee-deh-sue) 和食すきです
I am a vegetarian.	Begitarian desu. (beh-jih-tah-ree-ann-deh-soo) ベジタリアンです

Finding Your Way

English Phrase	Japanese Phrase
Where is ~?	~ wa doko desu ka? (~ wah dough-ko-deh-sue-kah) どこですか
I want to go to ~.	~ ni ikitai desu. (~ knee-ee-kee-tie-deh-sue) にいきたいです

---