Basic Japanese Phrases to Travel

Here’s a guide to essential Japanese phrases to help you communicate confidently during your journey. Each phrase includes its pronunciation and English translation, with a bonus French translation for multilingual travelers.

BASICS: Greetings and Politeness

Mastering polite greetings is the first step to blending in and making a good impression.

• おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu)
  Good morning (Bonjour, matin)

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa)
  Hello (daytime) (Bonjour, jour)

• こんばんは (Konbanwa)
  Good evening (Bonsoir)

• ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu)
  Thank you very much (Merci beaucoup)

• すみません (Sumimasen)
  Excuse me / Sorry (Excusez-moi / Pardon)

Managing Situations

These phrases will help you navigate everyday interactions with ease.

• わかりました (Wakarimashita)
  I understand (J’ai compris)

• わかりません (Wakarimasen)
  I don’t understand (Je ne comprends pas)

• もう一度お願いします (Mou ichido onegaishimasu)
  Please repeat (Répétez, s’il vous plaît)

• はい (Hai)
  Yes (Oui)

• いいえ (Iie)
  No (Non)

Important Questions

Whether you’re asking for directions, prices, or recommendations, these phrases are essential for any traveler.

• お名前は？ (Onamae wa?)
  What’s your name? (Comment vous appelez-vous ?)

• どこですか？ (Doko desu ka?)
  Where is it? (Où est-ce ?)

• いくらですか？ (Ikura desu ka?)
  How much does it cost? (Combien ça coûte ?)

• トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?)
  Where is the bathroom? (Où sont les toilettes ?)

• どういう意味ですか？ (Dou iu imi desu ka?)
  What does it mean? (Que signifie cela ?)

Dining Out

Enjoying Japan’s cuisine is a highlight of any trip. Use these phrases to navigate restaurants and cafes.

• メニューをください (Menyuu o kudasai)
  Can I have the menu, please? (Puis-je avoir le menu, s’il vous plaît ?)

• これは何ですか？ (Kore wa nan desu ka?)
  What is this? (Qu’est-ce que c’est ?)

• おすすめは何ですか？ (Osusume wa nan desu ka?)
  What do you recommend? (Que recommandez-vous ?)

• お水をください (O-mizu o kudasai)
  Can I have some water, please? (Puis-je avoir de l’eau, s’il vous plaît ?)

• お会計お願いします (O-kaikei onegaishimasu)
  The bill, please. (L’addition, s’il vous plaît.)

Conclusion

Learning these basic Japanese phrases will not only help you navigate your trip more smoothly but also show respect for the local culture. Practice them before your journey and don’t hesitate to use them when needed. A friendly smile and a polite greeting in Japanese can go a long way in creating memorable travel experiences!

Pro Tip: Keep a list of these phrases on your phone or in a notebook for easy reference. Happy travels! 😊