Essential Japanese Phrases and Words for Your Trip: A Practical Guide

I’ve put together a list of practical Japanese words and phrases that will be useful right away. 

These expressions are chosen for being simple and easy to pronounce. 

For those who want to connect with locals and dive deeper into Japanese culture, check out the 'Advanced' section!

Phrases marked with an asterisk (*) are generally understood in English as well.

GREETINGS

*Hello - Konnichiwa

*Good morning. (Polite / Casual) - Ohayō gozaimasu / Ohayō

*Good evening. - Konbanwa

*Good night. (Polite / Casual) - Oyasumi nasai / Oyasumi

Tips:

Don't worry—just remembering 'Konnichiwa' is more than enough!

Most locals won't mind if you leave off formal endings like 'gozaimasu' or 'nasai.' 

Since not many people here speak fluent English, we are just genuinely happy that you're trying to speak our language!

Basics

*Yes - Hai

*No - īe

*Thank you. (Polite / Casual) - Arigatō gozaimasu / Arigatō

*Nice to meet you. - Hajime mashite

Please. - Onegai shimasu

*My name is ~ - Watashi no namae wa ~ desu

 Or you can say “Watashi wa ~ desu”

*This - Kore

*That - Are

*It - Sore

Excuse me. - Sumimasen 

*I’m sorry. - Gomen nasai

 - Please note that 'Gomen nasai' is strictly used for apologies. Unlike 'I’m sorry' in English, it is never used to express condolences or sympathy.

I’m from ~ . - ~ kara kimashita

Transport

*Train - Densha

*Bus - Basu

Subway - Chikatetsu 

 - While the literal word for subway is 'Chikatetsu,' many people just use the word 'Densha' to refer to any kind of train.

*Taxi - Takushī

*Station - Eki

Bus stop - Basu tei

Taxi stand - Takushī noriba

Airport - Kūkō

Enter - Iriguchi

Exit - Deguchi

*Ticket - Kippu

Ticket machine - Kenbaiki

Where is ~ ? - ~ wa doko desuka?

 Where is the station? - Eki wa doko desuka?

 Where is the bus stop? - Basu tei wa doko desuka?

Sightseeing

Convenience Store - Konbini

Shrine - Jinja

Temple - Otera

How much is it? - Ikura desuka?

Eat / Drink

*Delicious (Polite / Casual) - Oishī desu / Oishī

Cheers - Kampai

Water - Mizu

*Ice - Kōri

*Alcohol - Arukōru
Japanese meal - Washoku

*Hot - Atsui

*Iced / Cold - Tsumetai

*English menu - Eigo no menyū

Allergy - Arerugī

Check - Okaikei

*Fork - Fōku

*Spoon - Spūn

*Knife - Naifu

Chopsticks - Hashi

Small plates - Torizara

Can I get ~ , please? - ~ kudasai

Do you have ~ ? - ~ arimasuka?

I am allergic to ~ - ~ arerugī desu.

*Vegan - Vīgan

*Vegetarian - Bejitarian

Pescatarian - Pesukatarian

Halal - Hararu

Shopping

*Receipt - Reshīto

Change- Otsuri

*Credit Card - Kurejitto Kādo

Cash - Genkin

Bag - Fukuro

What is this? - Kore wa nandesuka?

Emergency

Wallet - Saifu

*Passport - Pasupōto

*Smartphone - Sumaho

I lost ~. - ~ nakushi mashita

Ambulance - Kyūkyūsha

*Police - Keisatsu

Police Station - Koban

Missing / Lost - Maigo

I am not feeling well. - Taicho ga warui desu

Headache - Zutsū

Stomachache - Fukutsū

Nausea - Hakike

Injury - Kega

I am pregnant. - Ninshin shite imasu

Numbers

*One - Ichi

*Two - Ni

*Three - San

*Four - Yon

*Five - Go

*Six - Roku

*Seven - Nana

*Eight - Hachi

*Nine - Kyū

*Ten - Jū

A hundred - Hyaku

A thousand - Sen 

Countries

The United States of America - Amerika

*Canada - Kanada

UK - Igirisu

Australia - Ōsutoraria

*New Zealand - Nyūjīrando

*Singapore - Shingapōru

*The Philippines - Firipin

*India - Indo

South Africa - Minami Afurika

Ireland - Airurando

Germany - Doitsu

*France - Furansu

*Spain - Supein

Austria - Ōsutoria

Belgium - Berugī

Netherlands - Oranda

Portugal - Porutogaru

*Finland - Finrando

*Norway - Noruwē

Sweden - Suwēden

*Poland - Pōrando

Turkey - Toruko

When you introduce your nationality:

 I’m American. - Amerika jin desu

 I’m British. - Igirisu jin desu

Other

Restroom - Toire

Nursing room - Junyū shitsu

Prayer room - Kitō shitsu

Advanced

What do you recommend? - Osusume wa nandesuka?

*Great - Sugoi

Cool - Kakkoī

*Cute - Kawaī

*Beautiful - Kirei / Utsukushī
Wonderful - Subarashī

Funny - Omoshiroi

After you. - Osakini dōzo

I’ll have what they’re having, please. - Onaji mono kudasai

Really?(Polite / Casual)  - Honto desuka? / Honto?

I like this. (Polite / Casual) - Kore suki desu / Kore suki

I don’t like this.(Polite / Casual)  - Kore suki janai desu / Kore suki janai

It’s nice meeting you. - Aete yokatta desu

Since not many travelers speak Japanese, locals are genuinely thrilled just to be greeted in our language! 

Learn a few simple phrases and make your trip to Japan even more unforgettable.