\u2192Sign Up Now: Free Trial Japanese Lesson With a Native Teacher!\u2190<\/a><\/p>\n “Konnichiwa” is more than a way to say \u201cGood morning\u201d or \u201cGood afternoon\u201d; it’s a way of saying \u201cHey, I\u2019m here\u201d. And the best thing about it is you can use it for every occasion. The usefulness of a simple Konnichiwa stretches beyond just a greeting; use it to catch someone’s attention before asking for instructions, making a request, or even ordering some sushi at a restaurant. So, while you may not have enough time to learn how to write \u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f, you definitely can (and should) learn how to say it: Konnichiwa!<\/p>\n If Arigatou is –next to Kinnichiwa– the Japanese phrase you\u2019ve heard most often, that\u2019s because gratitude is a universal language. This phrase is your go-to for expressing thanks, whether you’re receiving a drink in a bar, accepting directions from a local, or appreciating a gift. It’s a simple but powerful way to show appreciation, and it is also a very easy way to put a smile on people\u2019s faces at the end of every interaction.<\/p>\n There are a million occasions to use a phrase like \u201cSumimasen\u201d. Of course, it is first and foremost a way to say \u201cexcuse me\u201d when navigating through crowded spaces or after accidentally stepping on someone\u2019s shoe. But, like all Japanese phrases in this blog, it is much more versatile than that. Saying \u201cSumimasen\u201d is an effective way of saying \u201cattention, please\u201d when you need to ask for help or information. So make sure you know this one too!<\/p>\n Shopping for gifts, souvenirs, and even typical clothes is one of the most exciting parts of visiting a new place, which makes \u201cIkura desu ka?\u201d one of the most useful Japanese phrases in our little list. You can use it to start a negotiation, to confirm a purchase, or just out of curiosity to learn what\u2019s the price of an attractive item.<\/p>\n When nature calls, it\u2019s always best to answer. But what if you can\u2019t find the bathroom? Well, this phrase will help you locate it in a second, all while wowing people with your Japanese knowledge! Out of all the phrases in Japanese we\u2019ve compiled today, \u201cToire wa doko desu ka?\u201d is the one that will ensure comfort during your travels, whether you’re in a restaurant, a shopping mall, or exploring the streets of Kyoto. A basic need covered by a basic question!<\/p>\n At Language Trainers, our task is to always encourage people to use the local language to communicate in a new country. However, that\u2019s sometimes just not possible and we need an easy way out. \u201cEigo o hanasemasu ka?\u201d (Do You Speak English?) will help you find people who can assist you in complex situations, whether you need to borrow a phone or locate a hospital.<\/p>\n If you have an intermediate or advanced level when it comes to spoken Japanese, you may not need to resort to phrase number 6. This one, however, will come in extremely handy.<\/p>\n Misunderstandings are part of the journey, and \u201cMou ichido itte kudasaiis\u201d is your tool for clarification. Plus, it\u2019s one of the best Japanese phrases to show your eagerness to understand and communicate effectively in the target language. We are sure locals will appreciate it and respect your efforts to communicate in Japanese!<\/p>\n It may not sound like the most polite thing to say, but believe us: this is one of the most useful phrases in Japanese. Whether you’re ordering food, buying tickets, or choosing souvenirs saying “Kore o kudasai” while pointing at your target helps you assert your choice without the need for extensive vocabulary. Just make sure you add a nice smile when you say it!<\/p>\n Eating out in Japan is an adventure in itself. Filled with unique flavours, colours and shapes, Japanese cuisine is one of the best in the world. However, not knowing exactly what you\u2019re getting can be a bit anxiety-inducing for some people, especially those with specific allergies!<\/p>\n “Menyuu o Eigo de misete kudasai” is your bridge to understanding your dining options better, allowing you to explore Japanese flavours with confidence.<\/p>\n We started with Konnichiwa and Arigatou, and then moved on to more complex Japanese phrases. But before this blog is over, let\u2019s circle back to a basic courtesy expression: Onegaishimasu. The great thing about this expression is that you can use it at the end of your requests even if you\u2019ve spoken in English. This goes to show that even if you\u2019re not fluent in Japanese, you can still look for ways to add a local flavour to your interactions.<\/p>\n In this bonus section, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions from our Japanese learning community.<\/p>\n “\u3055\u3088\u3046\u306a\u3089 (Sayounara)” is the most common way to say goodbye in Japanese, especially when you’re not expecting to see the person again for a while. In informal contexts, you can also use “\u3058\u3083\u3042\u306d (Jaa ne)” or “\u307e\u305f\u306d (Mata ne)\u201d. These phrases are more similar to “See you later” or “Bye,” and they\u2019re better suited for situations in which you expect to meet the person again soon.<\/p>\n Start with “\u306f\u3058\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3066 (Hajimemashite),” which means “Nice to meet you.” Then say what your name is with a simple “\u3068\u7533\u3057\u307e\u3059 (to moushimasu)” (“My name is…”) After this, you can finish with “\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu),” a phrase that doesn’t have a direct English translation but is a way of requesting favorable treatment and good relations going forward.<\/p>\n Flirting in Japanese is subtler than in most Western countries. However, a common phrase that is often used to express interest is “\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306f\u3068\u3066\u3082\u304d\u308c\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d (Anata wa totemo kirei desu ne)”. It means\u00a0 “You are very beautiful,” and it\u2019s most commonly used for complimenting a woman. If you\u2019re looking for gender-neutral flirtatious Japanese phrases, go for “\u3042\u306a\u305f\u3068\u3082\u3063\u3068\u8a71\u3057\u305f\u3044\u3067\u3059 (Anata to motto hanashitai desu)”, which means “I want to talk with you more\u201d. It\u2019s a gentle way of expressing interest and letting someone know you want to spend more time with them.<\/p>\n To ask someone “How are you?” in Japanese, say “\u304a\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (O-genki desu ka?). A common response to this question would be “\u306f\u3044\u3001\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3059 (Hai, genki desu),” which means “I’m fine.” If you’re not doing well, you might say “\u3044\u3044\u3048\u3001\u5c11\u3057\u75b2\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f (Iie, sukoshi tsukaremashita),” meaning I’m a bit tired.” However, it’s worth noting that asking directly “How are you?” is not as common in Japan in casual conversation as it is in some other cultures. The question and its response are typically reserved for when there’s a genuine concern for the person’s health or well-being.<\/p>\n \u2192Sign Up Now: Free Trial Japanese Lesson With a Native Teacher!\u2190<\/a><\/p>\n So, is it possible to get by in Japan with only 10 phrases? Absolutely. With these useful phrases in Japanese, you\u2019ll be able to do more than get by. You will show Japanese people that you\u2019ve done your homework and done your best to communicate on their own terms, quite literally.<\/p>\n Are you planning to travel to Japan soon? At Language Trainers, we offer customised courses, both in-person and online, to help you brush up on your Japanese skills in Japanese. Whether you want to learn the basics of the Japanese alphabet<\/a> or just want to practice the pronunciation and intonation of these basic survival Japanese phrases, we\u2019re here to help. Contact us now and get a free trial online lesson in Japanese<\/a> or let us arrange for you an in-person Japanese course in London<\/a> or wherever you happen to live!<\/p>\n \u307e\u305f\u306d – Mata ne! See you later!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Is it possible to get by in Japan with only 10 survival Japanese phrases? Walking through the…","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":7522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,706],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japanese","category-travel"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n1. Konnichiwa (\u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f) – “Hello”<\/h2>\n
2. Arigatou (\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046) – “Thank You”<\/h2>\n
3. Sumimasen (\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093) – “Excuse Me \/ I’m Sorry”<\/h2>\n
![\"Iconic](\"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-bagus41-1440476.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4. Ikura desu ka? (\u3044\u304f\u3089\u3067\u3059\u304b?) – “How Much Is This?”<\/h2>\n
5. Toire wa doko desu ka? (\u30c8\u30a4\u30ec\u306f\u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b?) – “Where is the Bathroom?”<\/h2>\n
6. Eigo o hanasemasu ka? (\u82f1\u8a9e\u3092\u8a71\u305b\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f) – “Do You Speak English?”<\/h2>\n
7. Mou ichido itte kudasai (\u3082\u3046\u4e00\u5ea6\u8a00\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044) – “Please Say It Again.”<\/h2>\n
8. Kore o kudasai (\u3053\u308c\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002) – “Please Give Me This.”<\/h2>\n
9. Menyuu o Eigo de misete kudasai – (\u30e1\u30cb\u30e5\u30fc\u3092\u82f1\u8a9e\u3067\u898b\u305b\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044) – “Please Show Me the Menu in English.”<\/h2>\n
10. \u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 (Onegaishimasu) – “Please \/ I Request”<\/h2>\n
![\"Japanese](\"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-dsd-143941-1822605.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMore Common Phrases in Japanese<\/h2>\n
How do you say Goodbye in Japanese?<\/h3>\n
How do you introduce yourself in Japanese?<\/h3>\n
What’s the most common flirting phrase in Japanese?<\/h3>\n
How do you say “How are you”? in Japanese (Include response too)<\/h3>\n