Meeting and Greeting
- Good morning- Ohayou gozaimasu
- Good morning (informal)- Ohayou
- Good afternoon or Hello- Konnichiwa
- Good evening- Konbanwa
- Good night (used only when going to bed)- Oyasuminasai
- Good night (informal)- Oyasumi
- How are you?- Ogenki desu ka?
- I'm fine, thanks.- Genki desu.
- Nice to meet you!- Hajimemashite!
- See you later! or See you soon!- Ja mata! or De wa mata!
Being Polite
- Please- Kudasai
- Thank you very much.- Domo arigato gozaimasu.
- Thank you.- Domo arigato.
- Thanks.- Arigato.
- After you- Dozo
- I'm sorry- Gomenasai or Sumimasen
- Excuse me/Pardon me- Sumimasen
- After you.- Dozo
- Yes- Hai
- No- Iie
- Cheers!- Kanpai!
- Thank you for this delicious meal. (said before eating like grace)- Itadakimasu.
- Thank you for this delicious meal. (said after eating.)- Gochiso sama deshita.
- Good luck! (It also means do your best.)- Gambatte!
Communication
- Do you speak English (Japanese)?- Eigo (Nihongo) ga hanashi masu ka?
- Do you understand English (Japanese)?- Eigo (Nihongo) ga wakarimasu ka?
- I understand.- Wakarimasu.
- I don't understand.- Wakarimasen.
- Do you understand?- Wakarimasu ka?
- A little.- Sukoshi or Chotto
- I know.- Shitte imasu
- I don't know.- Shirimasen
- How do I say that in English (Japanese)?- Eigo (Nihongo) de nanto iimasu ka?
- Could you repeat that please?- Mo ichido itte kudasai?
- Could you speak a little slower please?- Yukkuri hanashite kudasai?
- What did you say?- Nan desuka?
Asking for Directions
- Where is it?- Dochira desu ka?
- Where is...?-... wa doko desu ka?
- Follow this road.- Kono michi ni notte kudasai.
- Continue on the highway.- Kousokudouro wo ikitsudzukete kudasai.
- Keep going straight.- Massugu arukitsudzukete kudasai.
- Go straight ahead.-Massugu itte kudasai.
- Make a U-turn.-U ta-n shite kudasai.
- Turn left.-Hidari he magatte kudasai.
- Turn right.-Migi he magatte kudasai.
- It's a bit far.-Chotto toui desu yo.
- It's right there.-Sugu soko desu.
- It's very close.-Totemo chikai desu.
- East-Higashi
- North-Kita
- South-Minami
- West-Nishi
- Northwest-Hokuse
- Northeast-Hokutou
- Southwest-Nanse
- Southeast-Nantou
- South-southwest-Nannanse
- How do I get to...?-...wa dou yatte ikimasu ka?
- Then-Sore kara
- Museum-Hakubutsukan
- School-Gakkou
- Airport-Kuukou
- Hotel-Hoteru
- Bank-Ginkou
- Restaurant-Resutoran
- Station-Eki
- Park-Kouen
At the Hotel
- I would like...- ...wo onegaishimasu.
- Night- Yoru
- Per- Ni yotte
- Room- Heya
- Suit- Su-tsu
- What is your rate?-Re-to ha ikura desuka?
- Turn left.-Hidari he magatte kudasai.
- Turn right.-Migi he magatte kudasai.
At the Restaurant
- I would like...- Watashi wa...ga ii desu.
- I'm hungry.-Onaka ga suki mashita.
- To go?-Amochi kaeri desuka?
- Will you eat here?-Kochirade o mehagari desuka?
- Do you like...?-...ga suki desuka?
- I like...-...ga suki desu.
- I hate...-... ga kirai desu.
- Toppings?-Toppingu wa?
- Your order?-Gochu mon wa?
- What will you have?-Nani ni nasimasu ka?
- Anything to drink?-O-nomi mono wa?
- Can we have ramen noodles for three please?-Ramen omittsu onegaishimasu.
- Can I have sushi, sashimi, and miso soup please?-Sushi to sashimi to misoshiru o onegaishimasu?
- What do you recommend?-Osusumehin wa?
- Please give us seperate checks.-Isshoni onegaishimasu.
- Check please.-O-kanjou o onegaishimasu.
- Receipt please.-Ryoushusho o onegaishimasu.
- (Said before eating)-Itadakimasu
- (Said after eating)-Gochisousama.
- Delicious!-Oishii!
- May I have another serving?-Okawari onegaishimasu?
- May I have some water?-May I have some water?