I have an article here for those who are studying Japanese in a serious capacity and want to get to a conversational quickly and I have another article here for those who are finding that their message isn’t getting across while in Japan.
However, if you are just about to go to Japan for a holiday and want to know a few phrases to make things easier, be more polite and also show Japanese people that you are willing to give a few phrases a go – I recommend practicing these beforehand.
1. ONEGAISHIMASU
This is polite way to say please or yes please.
Someone asks if you’d like a bag while at the shops? Onegaishimasu.
Someone offers to fill up your drink or take your coat? Onegaishimasu.
It can also be used after a preference. So if someone says “would you like beer or wine?” You can say “Wine onegaishimasu” (Wine, please.)
It is pronounced like “oh-ne-guy-shi-mas”
2. ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU
Arigatou means “thanks” but it’s always best to use the full arigatou gozaimasu for people who aren’t family or best friends (actually, even with friends it’s a good idea to use the full phrase if someone has done something kind.)
It is pronounced like “ariga-toe-gozai-mas”
3. SUMIMASEN
This means excuse me (as in “sorry but I need to go past you to get off the train here” or “sorry I bumped into you!”
It also means “anyone here?” if you’re in a shop and can’t see the person who works there.
It also is a way to catch the waiters attention in an izakaya (or can be said quietly at a bit more of a fancy place.)
It can also be used to politely grab someone’s attention – “Excuse me. Could you please take our picture?” or “Excuse me. Could you tell me the way to….?”
It is pronounced like “Sumi-mas-sen”
4. GOCHISOUSAMA DESHITA
This literally translates to “that was a feast!” but I find it easier to think of it as “thank you for the meal.” This can be used to thank a friend who cooked you a meal and also as you leave a restaurant.
It’s a bit weird to use it if you ate one small thing like a cookie. It needs to be used after a meal.
It is pronounced like “Gochi-so-sama-deshi-ta”
5. ….. KARA KIMASHITA
This is “I am from……” In Japanese, the word at the start of this phrase is the country you are from. So, I’m from Australia so I would say “O-suto-ra-ri-a kara kimashita.”
If you are interacting with someone in a restaurant or you make a new friend in Japan – they will most likely want to know where you are from. I recommend googling how to say your country in Japanese and then adding “kara kimashita” to the end.
Same goes for small children. Google how to say their age (just google the number) and then add “…. sai desu” to the end. For eg. San sai desu = “I am 3 years old.”
See here for how phrases to ask for less plastic (and to assist with general waste reduction.)
See here for shopping related Japanese phrases.
