So You Arent Talking to Me Again. Get Lost

Japanese Are then Polite! 52 Weirdly Useful Phrases to Understand Japanese Manners & Daily Life

Date published: 19 March 2020
Last updated: 29 September 2020

When visiting Japan, at that place are several useful phrases you should probably know, as there may non be many Japanese people who speak English very fluently. But with these key phrases, whether shy or famous, any Japanese-speaking person yous talk to will be certain to understand you.

Allow's look at some normally used expressions for situations yous may see when visiting Japan in the following example sentences, along with their meanings and usage.

In this article:
・Greetings and Replies
・Useful Phrases When Lost
・Useful Phrases for Accommodation
・Restaurant Phrases
・Phrases for Public Send
・Sightseeing Phrases
・Shopping Phrases

Greetings, Replies, and More! Basic Phrases for Polish Conversation

The following are some essential, must-know phrases when communicating with Japanese people.

1. Ohayou-gozaimasu (おはようございます): Proficient morn
ii. Kon'nichiwa (こんにちは): Hello (during daytime just)
iii. Konbanwa (こんばんは): Expert evening/how-do-you-do (during evening/night)
In Japan, the words used in greeting vary depending on the time of day: morning, apex/daytime, and evening/night. In the mornings, say "Ohayou-gozaimasu" (lit. 'Good morning), during the twenty-four hours say "Kon'nichiwa," and in the evening/at night, "Konbanwa" (lit. 'Good evening').

4. Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます): Cheers
This is a phrase to express thanks and gratitude. You lot can shorten the phrase to "arigatou" in a coincidental state of affairs, but "arigatou gozaimasu" is more than polite. If somebody tells you "Arigatou gozaimasu," you can reply with "Dou itashimashite (どういたしまして)," or "You lot're welcome."

5. Hai (はい): Yes
6. Iie (いいえ): No
Use "hai" as a positive/affirmative response in conversation. To deny or negate, say "iie," or "no."

vii. Sumimasen (すみません): Excuse me
This useful phrase can be used as both an apology and as cheers, as well as to address a stranger or unfamiliar person. Its nuance is quite similar to the English language equivalent "excuse me."

Useful Phrases When Lost

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Here are some useful phrases for if you happen to lose your manner. Even if this is the but thing you are able to say in Japanese, it volition be much easier for someone to help you out.

8. O-tazune shite mo ii desu ka? (おたずねしてもいいですか？): May I ask you a question?
When request someone for directions, this is a good phrase to begin the interaction with. Alternatively, y'all tin use the previously mentioned "Sumimasen" (Excuse me). If they can assist you, they volition probably reply, "Hai, two desu yo" (Aye, that'due south fine), and finish to assistance you. But if they say "Gomen nasai" or "Sumimasen" (both meaning "I'thou lamentable"), they may non exist able to help you, so give thanks them and look for someone else to enquire.

9. ~ wa doko desu ka? (~はどこにありますか？): Where is ~?
Employ this expression to inquire the location of your destination. Insert the name of the place you're looking for where indicated by the ~.

10. Chizu o kaite moraemasu ka? (地図を書いてもらえますか？): Can yous please draw a map for me?
If you lot have trouble understanding directions that are given to you in Japanese, you can ask someone to depict you a simple map. "Chizu" is the word for map. If yous accept pen and a paper, yous can politely paw it to them as y'all ask "Kaite moraemasu ka?" ("Tin can you please draw it?")

11. Koko wa doko desu ka? (ここはどこですか？): Where is this?/Where am I?
If you go lost, or don't know where yous are, this expression is used to enquire the name of the current location. "Koko" is the give-and-take for "here," or your current location. If you take a map, you lot can bear witness it to someone while asking this question so they tin can point out where you are.

Here are some other useful-to-know phrases:

12. Nihongo wa hanasemasen (日本語は話せません): I can't speak Japanese
This phrase lets the listener know that you lot cannot speak Japanese very well. You may want to inquire the other person if they can speak English with the post-obit phrase: "Eigo wo hanasemasu ka?" ("Can you lot speak English?") "Eigo" means English. You tin can modify the word "Eigo" to lucifer your own linguistic communication if different from English.

13. Mou ichido onegaishimasu (もう一度お願いします): Tin y'all please say that once more?
If you tin't hear or understand the other person'due south reply the kickoff time, you can ask them to repeat it with this phrase. Information technology is also helpful to remember the phrase "Dou iu imi desu ka?" ("What does (it/this/that) mean?")

Useful Phrases for Hotels and Ryokan

Although English has become more widely available in many accommodation facilities, there may be some that are not as convenient for foreign visitors, such as a lack of multilingual staff and signs. But if y'all just remember the minimum required Japanese phrases below, y'all will be able access a greater range of facility options safely and with greater convenience.

fourteen. Check-in (Check-out) o onegai-shimasu (チェックイン（チェックアウト）をお願いします): I would similar to check-in/cheque-out
When yous are ready to check in or out, only call out to the hotel staff with the words "Onegai-shimasu," which means "Please."

xv. Aiteiru heya wa arimasu ka? (空いている部屋はありますか？): Are there any rooms available?
If you accept not made a reservation beforehand, use this phrase to ask if there is a vacant room, or "aiteiru heya." When there are no rooms available, they may reply "manshitsu," or "full rooms."

16. Kore wa nan no ryokin desu ka? (これは何の料金ですか？): What is this charge for?
Some accommodations may accept their own unique rates and fee systems, which tin can be confusing. Use this phrase if you find an unknown charge, or desire to know what a certain accuse is for.

17. Daiyokujou wa doko desu ka? (大浴場はどこですか？): Where is the public bath?
In Nihon, in that location is a big public bathing area chosen "daiyokujou," which is shared with other guests. Some places even have an open up-air bath ("rotemburo," 露天風呂) where you tin bask the scenery outside while you soak. Y'all tin ask where either of these areas are located with the question, "Daiyokujou/Rotemburo wa doko desu ka?" (Where is the public bathroom/open up-air bath?)

xviii. Chizu wa arimasu ka? (地図はありますか？): Do you have a map?
Use this phrase to asking a map you tin can use so you tin walk around afterwards checking in. You lot can ask for any detail you demand by asking the question, "~ wa arimasu ka?" (Practise you lot have a ~?)

nineteen. Chikaku ni o-susume no resutoran wa arimasu ka? (近くにおすすめのレストランはありますか？): Are there whatever recommended restaurants nearby?
If you can't decide which restaurant to consume at, inquire for a recommendation with this question. Yous tin can ask near various locations with the question, "Chikaku ni ~ wa arimasu ka?" (Is there a ~ nearby?)

twenty. Eigo no tsua wo shokai shite kudasai (英語のツアーを紹介してください): Delight tell me most the English language tour(south).
Some facilities offering diverse sightseeing tours for foreigner visitors. This is a phrase that tin be used when looking for a sightseeing bout with English language-speaking guides.

21. Heya ni kagi wo wasuremashita (部屋にカギを忘れました): I forgot my key in the room
If yous forget your key in a room that automobile-locks, apply this phrase at the front desk to have them open up it for y'all. You can replace the word "kagi" with any detail you forgot to say the expression, "~ o wasuremashita." (I forgot ~).

Ordering with Ease! Phrases to Use in Restaurants

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By learning how to club food in Japanese, y'all will be able to more thoroughly relish eating your Japanese meals. There are many restaurants where English may non be available, so it'south a expert thought to report and employ the phrases introduced below.

22. Bill of fare o kudasai (メニューをください): Please requite me a menu
Say this when you want to run across the menu. You can change the discussion with whatsoever y'all want and enquire "~ o kudasai" (Please give me ~). If you desire to ask for an English language menu, enquire "Eigo no bill of fare wa arimasu ka?" (Do you have an English menu?)

23. Chumon o onegashimasu (注文をお願いします): I'k gear up to order
Once you take decided what you want to society, let the waiter know with this expression.

24. O-susume no menu wa dore desu ka? (おすすめのメニュ―はどれですか？): What menu item do y'all recommend?
If you lot don't know which i to cull, or just want to know the staff-picked recommendations, yous can use this phrase to enquire them.

25. Kore wa nan desu ka? (これは何ですか？): What is this?
This is useful when you desire to know what an ingredient is, especially if there are certain things you cannot swallow. Use this phrase to ask about what you want to know, using the word "kore" to indicate "this."

26. Kore o onegaishimasu (これをお願いします): I'd like (to club) this, please
You can easily order something by pointing to information technology on the carte and maxim, "Kore o onegaishimasu" (I would like to order this).

27. Kohi wa tsukimasu ka? (コーヒーはつきますか？): Does it include coffee?
When ordering a set menu, they sometimes include coffee. You tin can inquire whether they practise or not with this phrase.

28. Mizu o onegaishimasu (水をお願いします): Please give me some water
In Japanese restaurants, it is common to serve free water to guests after they have their seats. You tin also use this phrase "Mizu o onegaishimasu" (Please give me some water) if the water you were drinking has finished to inquire for a refill.

29. Toire wa doko desu ka? (トイレはどこですか？): Where is the bathroom?
This is a convenient expression when request the location of the restrooms in any identify, not just in the restaurants.

30. Itadakimasu (いただきます): Phrase said earlier eating nutrient
31: Gochisosama deshita (ごちそうさまでした): Phrase said later on eating; as well means "Thank y'all for the meal."
In Nihon, information technology is customary to say "Itadakimasu" before eating (literally, "I receive [the food]), and "Gochisosama deshita" ("Cheers for the meal") when you are done eating. These both limited gratitude to the people who prepared the meal, so delight use to bear witness your appreciation. It is also polite to say the expression "Gochisosama deshita" to the restaurants front staff earlier leaving.

32. O-kaikei o onegaishimasu (お会計をお願いします): Bank check please
This phrase is used when you are ready to pay after finishing your meal. In some places they volition even so bring you the check if you tell the staff the previous phrase, "Gochisosama deshita."

Phrases to Become Around the Station and in the Train

Trains are a convenient manner to travel in Japan, just depending on the location, train routes and transfers can be complicated, making it easy to get lost. But if yous remember these phrases, you tin can get around with ease.

33. Kippu uriba wa doko desu ka? (切符売り場はどこですか？): Where can I buy tickets?
Use this phrase when you desire to know where the ticket window is, or where yous can purchase tickets. Tickets can be sold at automatic vending machines, too equally at the counter where the staff can help.

34. ~ made no kippu o kudasai (までの切符をください): Please give me a ticket to ~
When buying a ticket at the window, apply this phrase and insert the name of your destination in the ~.

35. ~ ni wa dou ikeba ii desu ka? (にはどう行けばいいですか？): How practice I get to ~?
If the road map is complicated and you lot can't figure out where to transfer, you can ask for directions by using this expression and replacing the ~ with the proper name of the station y'all want to become to.

36. ~ yuki no densha wa dore desu ka? (行きの電車はどれですか？): Which train goes to ~?
This phrase is used to ask at which platform you can take your desired railroad train. Replace ~ with the name of the station you are trying to get to.

37. Kono densha wa ~ ni ikimasu ka? (この電車は○○に行きますか): Does this train go to ~?
Apply this to inquire if the railroad train you are on (or are asking about) goes to your desired station. Replace the ~ with the station name you want, and make sure you don't accidentally take the incorrect train.

38. Tsugi no ~ yuki wa nanji desu ka? (次の○○行きは何時ですか？): What time is the adjacent train to ~?
Use this phrase to inquire what time the next train to your desired location will go out. Replace ~ with the name of the station.

39. Koko wa nan eki desu ka? (ここは何駅ですか？): What station is this?
If you do not know or cannot read the name of the station your train has arrived at, yous can ask another passenger this question to bank check. When you want to know the name of the next cease you lot tin can inquire, "Tsugi wa nan eki desu ka?" (次は何駅ですか; "What station is next?")

40. Orimasu (降ります): I'k getting off (bus or train)
If you lot arrive at your desired station but the train automobile is crowded, you can use this phrase to let other passengers know you are trying to get out.

Getting Useful Data: Phrases for Sightseeing

Speaking in Japanese may help you lot learn information in a way only obtainable by using the local linguistic communication.

41. Kankou-annai-jou wa doko desu ka? (観光案内所はどこですか？): Where is the tourist data center?
This phrase is used to ask the location of the tourist information center. The Tourist Information Center (kankou-annai-jou) has tons of useful information for sightseeing.

42. Pamfuretto wa arimasu ka? (パンフレットはありますか？): Are there any brochures?
Use this phrase to enquire for an information brochure with more detailed information on tourist attractions.

43. Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka? (写真を撮ってもいいですか？): May I take a photograph?
This expression is used to inquire for permission to accept pictures. Y'all can employ it when asking if photography is allowed in a sure expanse, as well as to ask people if yous can take a photograph of or with them (such as when you want a photo of someone wearing a kimono).

44. Shashin o totte moraemasu ka? (写真を撮ってもらえますか？): Can you please take a film (for me)?
This phrase is used when you want to ask someone to take a picture of/for you. Don't forget to say "Arigatou gozaimasu," or "Thanks," to the person who takes the picture show for you lot.

45. Takushii noriba wa doko desu ka? (タクシー乗り場はどこですか？): Where is the taxi stand?
Use this when looking for a spot you can catch a taxi. If looking for a bus stop, ask "Basu noriba wa doko desu ka?" (バス乗り場はどこですか？; "Where is the bus terminate?")

46. Koko ni itte kudasai (ここに行ってください): Please go here
When taking a taxi, you can easily tell the taxi driver where you desire by pointing out the location on the map and saying "koko," or "hither." You can also replace "koko" in the expression with the proper name of a specific location ("~ ni itte kudasai") to specifically tell the driver where you desire to go.

Useful Phrases for Shopping

While some stores may take staff who can speak foreign languages in popular tourist destinations, in that location are nevertheless many stores that tin can only speak Japanese.

47. Kore o misete kudasai (これを見せてください): Please evidence me this
Apply this phrase to ask a clerk to show you a product in a display example.

48. Kichaku shite mo 2 desu ka? (試着してもいいですか？): Can I endeavor it on?
When clothes shopping, trying items on is chosen "kichaku." Japanese clothes are often smaller than in the West, then it is a good idea to use this phrase and try them on earlier buying.

49. ~ wa arimasu ka? (はありますか？): Do you have ~?
Apply this phrase to ask the shop clerk for an item you are looking for. Supplant the ~ with the proper name of the product y'all want.

l. Kore o kudasai (これをください): I'll take this
Once yous have decided on your items, use this expression to indicate what you want to buy.

51. Ikura desu ka? (いくらですか？): How much is it/this?
Use this phrase to ask the price of items. When you want to know the cost of a specific detail, you lot can point at it and ask "Ikura desu ka?" If yous want to ask the total cost of several items, you can ask "Zenbu de ikura desu ka?" (全部でいくらですか？; How much is all of this?)

52. Kurejitto kado wa tsukaemasu ka? (クレジットカードは使えますか？): Tin I use a credit menu?
If planning to employ a credit card, you may want to ask this phrase in advance, earlier doing your shopping. Some stores practise not have credit cards.

By understanding and using these useful phrases, you are now well prepared for actively communicating with the Japanese locals during your visit to Nihon. With these, you are certain to be able to create fifty-fifty more wonderful memories during your trip!

Written past Yoko. English translation past Krys Suzuki.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are field of study to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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Source: https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-tokyo_train_station/article-a0003255/

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