Japan Travel Guide: Japanese Phrasebook. Useful Japanese Words and Phrases.

When you travel to another country, one of the best things you can do to prepare for your trip is to learn a new language. Learning the language of the country you are visiting is a great way to help you get around and also show the locals that you appreciate their culture and customs, and that you have taken the time to learn to communicate in the vernacular.It is advisable to become familiar with and own a good Japanese phrase guide. To help you, we have gone ahead and created a section in our Japan Travel Guide which contains a short list of useful and practical Japanese words and phrases for you to use while you are in Japan.

Unfortunately, in Japan, most of the tour operators, department store clerks, waiters, banking and other attendants have a limited knowledge of the English language. Hence, it is advisable that travelers to Japan familiarize themselves with the basic Japanese phrases (such as basic courtesies, a few greetings and how to ask the price of what you are buying), before traveling to Japan.

When you take the time to learn the language of the country you are visiting, you are making it easier for yourself to get around and do day to day tasks, such as getting a cab, asking for directions, shopping and asking for discounts or even ordering at the restaurant. It also becomes easier to make friends and conduct business when you know the language. An easy way to go about this is to purchase a phrase book that has some basic words and phrases you can easily use.

On the other hand, for those who wish to stay longer in another country, such as to study, do business or even migrate, it becomes important to learn the language more extensively. In this case, enrolling in a language class is a good investment of your time and money. This will enable you to be better prepared to face the challenges of living in another country.

For those who wish to have some important documents to be translated in another language, using the services of a professional language translation service may be crucial. After all, you want to make sure that nothing gets lost in translation and that you are able to get documents that have been quickly and accurately translated by a professional language translation service provider.

Japanese grammar is a lot simpler when compared with many of the European languages. There are virtually no complicating factors between singular and plural and gender articles. Japanese pronunciation is relatively easy to learn as there are very few sounds involved. It is the accent that actually poses a slight problem. Here are some of the most commonly used words and phrases in Japanese that will be useful to you, when you travel to Japan.

Useful Japanese Travel Words and Phrases

Basic Greetings

Thanks
Thank you very much
You’re welcome.
Yes
Yes. (That is right)
No
Right
Indeed
I am sorry
I apologize and I am very sorry
Excuse me
Excuse me a minute
I see
I understand
I don’t understand
That’s okay.
It does not matter
You don’t say! (You’re kidding!)
Is that right?
I can’t believe it!
Please (When offering)
Please (When requesting)
Go for it! / Try your best!
Hello
How are you? (formal)
How are you? (informal)
How do you do?
I am fine (Thank you)
How is your family?
They are all fine
I’ll see you later.
Good morning
Good evening
Good night
Long time no see!
What’s up ?
How’s it going?
It’s OK / Good
Not bad
Not very good
I have to leave now, Good bye!
Goodbye!
Goodbye, see you
Take care!
See you again soon
Thank you for your hospitality
Have a nice trip
Have a nice weekend
What is your name?
I am so pleased to see you

Arigatō / Arigatō gozaimasu
Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu
Dōitashimashite
Hai / Ee
Sō desu
Iie / Ie
Sōda ne/ sōdayo-ne
Tashikani
Sumimasen / Gomennasai
Moushiwake gozaimasen
Sumimasen
Chotto shitsurei shimasu
Sōdesuka
Wakari mashita
Wakarimasen
Dō itashimashite / Dai jobu / Ii desu yo
Dai-jōbu desu
Masaka!
Hontō desu ka?
Tashikani!
Dōzo
Onegai shimasu
Gambatte!
Kon-nichi wa
Ogenki desu ka?
Genki?
Hajimemashite / Yoroshiku?
(Watashi wa) genki desu
Gokazoku wa ogenki desu ka?
Mina genki desu
Jā, mata. / Dewa mata.
Ohayō gozaimasu
Kon-ban wa (read / pronounced as Kom-ban-wa)
Oyasumi nasai / Oyasumi
Hisash-buri!
Dou shiteru?
Choushi dou?
Mah mah dane
Kekkou ii yo
Am-mari yoku naine.
Soredewa shitsurei shimasu!
Sayōnara!
Jah-ne
Genki dene!
Soredewa, mata.
Osewa ni nari mahsita
Yoi Goryokou wo.
Yoi Shu-matsu wo
Anata no namae nan desu ka?
Oaidekite Kouei desu

Basic Phrases to be used at a Restaurant

Are you open?
Is there an English speaking employee?
No-smoking section please
Smoking section please
Can we sit at that table?
There is a waiting time of 30 minutes or so
OK, We (I) will wait
Sorry, we have no time to wait. Thank you
Excuse me, where can I hang my jacket?
What time is the last order?
I’d like to have beef
I’d like to have pork
I’d like to have chicken
I’d like to have vegetable
I’d like to have a raw fish
I’d like to have a salad
Is it sweet?
Is it spicy?
Is it sour?
Is it salty?
Is it fried in oil?
Is it steamed?
Is it fried?
Is it raw?
Cheque please!
Can I pay by credit card?
OK, I will pay by cash
Please give me a receipt

Ima, Aite-masuka ? / Eigyouchu desuka?
Kin-en-seki, Kitsuen-seki no dochirani shimasuka?
Kin-en-seki wo onegai shimasu
Kin-en-seki wo onegai shimasu.Kin-en-seki wo onegai shimasu
Aiteiru Heya wa gozaimasu. Douzo, otomari kudasai
Machi-jikan wa San- juppun hodo ni Narimasu.
Sodewa, Machi masu
Zannen desu ga matemasen. Osewa wo okake shimashita.
Sumimasen, Uwagi wo kakeru Basho wo kakete ii desu ka?
“Last Order” wa nanji desu ka?
Gyuu-Niku Ryouri ga tabetai desu
Buta-Niku Ryouri ga tabetai desu
Tori-Niku Ryouri ga tabetai desu.
Yasai Ryouri ga tabetai desu
Nama no Sakana Ryouri ga tabetai desu
Sarada ga tabetai desu
Amai desu ka?
Karai desu ka?
Suppai desu ka?
Shioaji desu ka?
Agemono desu ka?
Mushimono desu ka?
Itamemono desu ka?
Nimono desu ka?
Okanjou onegai shimasu
Credit Card wa tsukae masuka?
Wakarimahsita. Genkin de harai masu
Rryou Shuusho wo Kudasai

Phrases to be used at a Grocery Store

I would like to buy 5 tomatoes
I would like 5 kg of apples
Do you sell those in bulk?
Do you sell these by the kg?
Do you have Tofu products?
I will take this for 3
This is for 3?
No, the one on the left
This?
No, the one in front
I will have a salad
Will you warm it up for me?
What is the ‘use by date’?
Should I eat them today?
They will fresh for a few days?
How long will they be fresh?
Do I need to keep them in fridge?
I will take this bacon please
I will take these Pork spareribs please
I will take these sausages, for 5 please
I will take these Pork fillets please
Do you have minced pork?
I will take this beef, 3 (slices) please
I will take this chicken breast for one please

Tomato wo Go-ko kudasai.
Ringo wo 5 Kg kudasai
Korewa Barauri shite imasuka?
Korewa Kiro-uri desuka?
Toufu Seihin wa arimasu ka?
Korewo Mittsu kudasai
Korewo Mittsu desuka?
Iie. Sono hidarigawa
Koredesuka?
Iie. Sono mae
Kono sarada wo kudasai
Atatamete morae masu ka?
Shoumi-kigen wa itsu desu ka?
Korewa Kyoujuu ni tabeta houga yoi desu ka?
Korewa Suujitukan mochimasu ka?
Dorekurai mochimasu ka?
Reizouko de hokan shita houga yoi desu ka?
Kono Becon wo kudasai
Supea-ribu wo kudasai
Kono Souseiji wo Go-hon kudasai
Buta Hire-niku wo kudasai
Buta no Hikiniku wa arimasu ka?
Kono Gyu-niku wo San-mai kudasai
Tori no Mune-niku wo Hitotsu kudasai.

Phrases while commuting

Excuse me. May I ask you something?
I’m looking for a train station. Do you know where it is?
I’m looking for a subway station. Do you know where it is?
I’m looking for a bus stop. Do you know where it is?
I am going to Kyoto. Is this right direction to go?
Would you show me where we are now on this map?
Would you show me where my designation is on this map?
Is it near here?
Is it far from here?
Do you think I can get there by walking?
How long does it take to get there?
Is there a Koban (Police Station) near here?
Is there a public phone near here?
I see. Thank you very much
It was great help! Thank you very much!

Sumimasen, Chotto Otazune shimasu?
Ima, Eki wo sagashite imasu. Dokoni arimasude shouka?
Ima, Chikatetsu no Eki wo sagashite imasu. Dokoni arimasude shouka?
Ima Basu-tei wo sagashite imasu. Dokoni arimasude shouka?
Kyoto ni ikitai no desuga, kono Houkou de tadashii desu ka?
Kono Chizu de Genzai-ichi wo oshiete kudasai?
Kono Chizu de Watashi ga ikouto shiteiru Basho no Ichi wo oshiete kudasai?
Koko kara chikai desu ka?
Koko kara to-oi desu ka?
Toho de ikemasu ka?
Dorekurai kakari masu ka?
Kono chikakuni Ko-ban wa arimasu ka?
Kono chikakuni Koushuu Denwa wa arimasu ka?
Wakarimashita. Arigatou gozaimashita
Totemo Tasukari mashita! Arigatou gozaimashita!

Japanese Travel Phrases (Train)

What’s the fare for Kyoto Station?
I bought the wrong ticket, do you think I could refund this?
What time does the train leave?
What is the arrival time?
Where can I get the train for Kyoto?
Where can I get on Yamanote-Line?
Is this train for Kyoto?
Does this train stop at Kyoto Station?
Can I reach Kyoto Station by this train?
Do I have to change trains?
Which station do I change the trains at?

Kyoto Eki madeno Jousha-Ryoukin wa ikura desu ka?
Machigatta Kippu wo katte shimai mashita. Harai modoshi wa dekimasu ka?
Hassha Jikan wa nan-ji desu ka?
Touchaku Jikan wa nan-ji desu ka?
Kyoto lki no Densha wa dokode nore masu ka?
Yamanote-sen wa dokode nore masu ka?
Kono Densha wa Kyoto Iki desu ka?
Kono Densha wa Kyoto Eki de Teisha shimasu ka?
Kono Densha de Kyoto Eki ni ikemasu ka?
Norikae ga hitsuyou desu ka?
Dono Eki de norikaeru hitsuyou ga arimasu ka?

Japanese Travel Phrases (Bus/Taxi)

Where can I get bus No. 2?
What is the fare?
How do I pay the fare?
How many stops to go before this bus stop?
Where is the Taxi stand?
Where can I catch a Taxi?
Take me to this address, please
How long does it take to get there?
What will be the fare?
Thank you very much.
Excuse me, do you happen to know where the rest room is?

2 Ban no Basu wa doko de noremasu ka?
Joushya-chin wa ikura desu ka?
Joushya-chin wa dou-yatte shiharae ba iino desu ka?
Kono Basu-tei made wa, ato ikutsu Basu-tei ga arimasu ka?
Taxi-noriba wa doko desu ka?
Dokode Taxi wo hiroe masu ka?
Kono Jusho made, Onegai shimasu.
Jikan wa dorekurai kakari masu ka?
Ryoukin wa dorekurai kakari masu ka?
Arigatou Gozaimashita.
Sumimasen, Toire ga dokoni aruka gozonji de shouka?

Japanese Travel Phrases (Hotel/Reservations)

This is a confirmation slip
I have no reservation. Do you have a room available?
One single room for 2 nights
One double room for 1 night
One twin room for 3 nights.
Is this room with a bath / shower?
Please fill out this form.
Will you make payment by credit card?

Korega Yoyaku-kakuninsho desu
Yoyaku shiteimasen. aiteiru Heya wa arimasu ka?
Single Hito Heya de Ni-Haku desu
Double room Hito Heya de Ippaku desu.
Twin room Hito heya de San-paku desu.
Bath room/Shower tsuki no Heya desu ka?
Kochira no Form ni gokinyu kudasai.
Oshiharai wa Credit Card desu ka?

Buying Medicine at a Pharmacy

Do you have medicine for diarrhea?
Do you have medicine for constipation?
Do you have medicine for a cold?
Do you have medicine for headache?
Do you have medicine for stomach ache?
Do you have medicine for heartburn?
Do you have medicine for a temperature?
Do you have medicine for nausea?
Do you have medicine for a toothache?
Do you have medicine for hemorrhoids?
You need a prescription to buy the medicine
Which one do you recommend for me?
What is the condition of your illness? Is it serious? Or just a light illness?

Geri-dome no Kusuri wa arimasu ka?
Benpi-yaku wa arimasu ka?
Kaze-gusuri wa arimasu ka?
Zutsuu-yaku wa arimasu ka?
Ichou-yaku wa arimasu ka ?
Muneyake-dome no kusuri wa arimasu ka?
Genetsu-zai wa arimasu ka?
Hakike wo tomeru Kusuri wa arimasu ka?
Haita wo tomeru Kusuri wa arimasu ka?
Ji ni kiku Kusuri wa arimasu ka?
Sono Kusuri no Kounyu niwa, Shohousen ga hitsuyou desu.
Dore ga Osusume desu ka?
Karui Shoujou desu ka? Omoi Shoujou desu ka?

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Further reading and information reference/sources

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