Going to a foreign country can be scary, especially if you don’t know the language to express yourself.
Even for seasoned travelers, Japanese phrases and expressions can be quite confusing!
Let’s look at some of the most common Japanese phrases you need to learn, whether you want to survive as a tourist or adapt to your new home in Japan.
Simple greetings and pleasantries will go a long way if you want to make a good impression in Japan.
Japanese greetings, known as aisatsu（挨拶), rely on context and depend on who you’re talking to.
They are also paired with actions considered good etiquette in Japan, particularly bowing.
Here are some to get you started:
- Hello – Konnichiwa (こんにちは)
- Hello (through the phone or digital platforms) – Moshi moshi (もしもし)
- Good morning – Ohayō (おはよう) or Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます)
- Good evening – Konbanwa (こんばんは)
- Long time no see – Ohisashiburi desu ne (お久しぶりですね)
- See you later (saying goodbye to friends) – Matane (またね)
- Goodbye (going away for a while) – Sayōnara (さようなら)
Arriving Home in Japan
Moving to Japan? You should know how they announce their arrival and welcome others home!
You can say “Tadaima” (ただいま), which is the equivalent of “I’m home.”
This greeting is paired with “Okaerinasai” (おかえりなさい) or simply “Okaeri” (おかえり), which means “Welcome back.”
Japanese people are known for being really polite with others, even strangers.
While they have varying degrees of formality in their speech, they generally talk to others with decency and respect.
Here are some phrases for casual chats and formal conversations alike:
- Please – Kudasai (ださい ) or Onegaishimasu (おねがいします)
- Thank you – Arigatō gozaimas (ありがとうございます)
- How are you? – Ogenki desu ka? (お元気ですか)
- I’m doing good – Genki desu (元気です)
- And you? (asking the person how they are doing) – _______–san mo? (______-さんも？)
- Excuse me / I’m sorry – Sumimasen (すみません)
- Please wait a bit – Chotto matte kudasai (ちょっと待ってください。)
- Please hurry – Hayaku kudasai (速ください。)
Carrying a conversation with Japanese locals is easy if you know the right words!
Using the following phrases will help you ask and answer others appropriately:
- Yes – Hai (はい)
- No – Iie (いいえ)
- Douzo (どうぞ) – Go ahead.
- What’s your name? – Namae wa nan desu ka? (名前は何ですか)
- My name is ______ – Watashi no namae wa _____ desu (私の名前は＿＿です)
- Where are you from? – Doko kara kimashita ka? (どこから来ましたか)
- I’m from __________ – Watashi wa ______ kara kimashita (私は＿＿から来ました)
- Is that so? / Really? / I see – Sou desu ka? (そうですか)
- Hai sou desu (はい、そうです) – Yes, that’s right.
- Iie chigai masu (いいえ、違います) – No, that’s wrong.
Japan has customary expressions that express gratitude (and hungriness!) during mealtime.
Take note of these key phrases:
Before meals (similar to “Bon appétit!”, literally means “I humbly receive”) – Itadakimasu (いただきます)
After meals (expression of gratitude similar to “Thank you for the meal” or “That was a delicious meal”) – Gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした)
Cheers! – Kanpai! (かんぱい)
Japanese people value proper decorum, more so in formal spaces such as the office.
Business Japanese is a bit different from casual Japanese. It’s good to know some expressions for professional situations, even when exchanging business cards!
These are considered good expressions for your bosses and coworkers:
Please / Thank you in advance (making requests and seeking favors) – Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします)
Thank you for your hard work / You’re tired – Otsukaresama desu (お疲れさまです)
The best way to learn about other cultures is through a nice chat with different types of people.
To really deepen your knowledge of Japanese and have an enriching discussion with others, consider these phrases:
I think that – To omou (と思う)
In my opinion – Watashi no iken wa (私の意見は)
On the other hand – Taitei (大抵)
As a matter of fact – Jitsu wa (実は)
It’s okay – Daijoubu desu (大丈夫です。)
Are you okay / Is it okay? – Daijoubu desuka (大丈夫ですか ? or ダイジョブですか？)
Certified Japanese Document Translation
Learning basic Japanese phrases is great if you want to ease into the culture and society in Japan.
That said, you still need a professional translator to handle important travel documents like birth certificates, diplomas, and passports.
Elite Translations offers certified translation services for your requirements, whether you’re a tourist, a student, or a foreign worker.
We hire native Japanese speakers, and they each have subject-matter expertise to ensure precision and accuracy when translating your documents.
Chat with us today and get a free quote!
