How to quickly communicate in Japan
We’ve all been there and, if you’re like me you feel bad for not being able to speak the language of a new country. However, when on holidays and you need to communicate and it’s just not going right and you need to communicate quickly…. I recommend these tried and tested by me tips.
If you’re a person who is all about the words and the talking ( like me!) travelling in Japan can be quite a shock once you leave the touristy spots or a well-known hotel.
Tokyo is definitely the most international part of the country but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to get by speaking in the same way and at the same pace as you would at home. In fact, you’d miss out on so many amazing (and convenient) experiences by only going where the English is.
It can be quite a challenge to suddenly not be able to express yourself in the way you’re used to.
I do speak Japanese now but we recently took a trip to Korea and I was suddenly reminded of the frustration and general feeling of relinquishing control. But it’s worth it ! Japan is truly amazing.
I wanted to share some tips and tricks that have been working for me since I first started my time in Japan in 1997.
It is Japan so ……funnily enough….Japanese is the main form of communication. I would like to suggest some ways to help you, hopefully, still get around and get by when you truly get stuck.
Communicate quickly in Japan: Try writing it down
Japanese people all learn English at school…but not always through conversation…. instead through rote learning. I’ve met so many people who can write, pretty much, an essay in beautiful, grammatically correct English….but can barely manage a brief self-introduction.
So, if you’re ever truly stuck…. write down what you’d like to say. A concise short sentence and I think you’ll be surprised.
Communicate quickly in Japan: Go for American English
I’m Aussie and even when I do my very, very best to avoid slang or play down my accent, I find that American English seems to get the message across just that much faster. Think about the way you say tomato or consider saying elevator instead of lift, etc. For me it’s annoying but it works so…whatever.
Communicate quickly in Japan: Slow it right down
I know that this one if a no-brainer but slow it all down. Even if you’re stressed and seeking directions – the whole purpose is to get your message/question across ….but if you’re not giving the receiver the opportunity to take it on , compute and then start to formulate an answer? Then your point has been completely lost.
Communicate quickly in Japan: Ask the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ questions
I remember hearing that, if you want to get other people talking, you’re meant to ask open ended questions like “Tell me how your day was exciting…” “Where would you recommend I go for…?”
But in this instance…I suggest doing the opposite.
Where possible, try and go for a question that can be answered with a yes or no.
For example: “Is this the bus to Asakusa?” “Is this spicy?” “Can I pay with credit card?”
You are more likely to get a concise and direct answer. It’s also so much easier for the person who is using English as a second language.
It’s also so much easier to be on the comprehending and saying YES or NO side than form a full sentence.
Communicate quickly in Japan: I wouldn’t bother asking ” Do you speak English?” ….
This is just something that I’ve found doesn’t work but you can decide if you’d still like to take on board or not…. Japanese people are, for the most part, very modest.
So if you ask “can you speak English?” you may find that even a fluent speaker may say no for fear of you speaking too quickly or using vocabulary that they haven’t encountered before.
Instead, I’d just open with “Excuse me….” and the just try and ask the question straight out.
Communicate quickly in Japan: Remember the words that work in both languages
“No,” “Okay,” “Okay?” “Thank you” – I don’t think I’ve had an instance where these words don’t work.
“Okay?” is particularly useful as you can , for example, use it for verification in restaurants and confirming directions etc.
Communicate quickly in Japan: Leave your “filler” words at home
English (actually, the way English is used in western society) is very wordy.
Especially if you’re trying to be polite (don’t you remember your mum telling you to say “Can I please have …?” over ” Give me…” ) and even more so if you’re female. I think the reason is that women like to apologize for themselves, unfortunately, before we’ve even begun our question and that just makes for long, word-heavy phrases.
Keep in mind that when you’re speaking to someone who is trying to catch the main point…the emphasis needs to be on the topic and leading words in your sentence.
**Please don’t just speak loudly. Would someone speaking a foreign language to you really loudly help with general comprehension?**
Communicate quickly in Japan: Prepare for very specific statements and requests
For example, if you have a special medical condition, particular dietary requirements or you are coming to Japan with a specified interest (such as to see certain historical monuments or to purchase figurines etc.) your time here is just going to be that much easier if you have a short passage translated and written on a piece of paper to pull out of your wallet when required.
If you’re already here, it’s not to late to do this either. Why not ask an English speaking person at your accommodation or the airport help you out with this?
Communicate quickly in Japan: Remember that it doesn’t take words to show that you’re a kind person
This might sound like a weird point to make but sooooo many people forget this when they are feeling frustrated or self-conscious in a new environment and become like a grumpy-looking mime….furiously pointing and grunting. I think it’s still worth saying the full sentence even if you know that the person doesn’t fully comprehend English. If you’re using nice manners and a soft, friendly tone I think that your message is likely to not only be understood but also… people are more likely to want to help you until you get the answer you’re looking for.
9 times of 10, your question (sorry but it’s true) won’t be that original and these people probably hear it all the time.
Think of it this way, even if someone is standing in front of you and they are an a*&#%hole, you don’t need to understand every word they say in order to know that they are an a*&#%hole. So it works the same way for working out if someone is a good person or not too.
Communicate quickly in Japan: Relish in the fact that Japan is such a safe country
I, honestly, can’t think of a better place to not understand 100% of what is happening.
Japanese people are so kind (and often when they don’t seem that way when asked a question it is because they feel so embarrassed at their lack of English proficiency) and Japan is such a safe country that it is highly unlikely that someone will try and swindle you at any point. In fact, it can often be the opposite. Some friends have found the kindness overwhelming at times – asking a fellow train passenger for directions and then had that person offer to get off at their station to make sure they get to the correct touristy spot.
So think of it this way…. it’s a great place to get lost as there certainly isn’t really a bad part of town or a high risk of being talked into parting with your cash for no reason.
For some Japanese vocab and phrase tips try my language cheat sheet post here.
Or if you’d prefer a heads up on pantry staples in the convenience stores try here.
If you’d like to know more about my background and my connection to Japan please take a look here.
