Basic Japanese Phrases for Holiday Travelers to Japan

by Miho Okamoto | Travel

The audio and video for Basic Japanese Phrases for Holiday Travelers to Japan are provided at the end of this post.

Hello, Konnichi ha (pronounced as Konnichiwa)
How are you? Genki desu ka?
I'm fine: Genki desu.
Thank you, Arigato
Excuse me: Sumimasen
Goodbye: Sayonara
Please: Onegai
Delicious: Oishii
How much is this? Ikura desu ka?
Where is the restroom? Toire doko desu ka?
There: Achira desu, here: koko desu
I'm sorry: Gomen nasai
I don't understand : Wakaranai
Do you speak English? Eigo wakarimasu ka
Yes: Hai, No: Ie (In Japanese, "no" is rarely used), OK: Okkei, A little: Chotto
Please wait: Chotto matte kudaisai
Where does this go? Doko ni ikimasu ka?
I want to go to the station: Eki ni ikitai
I want to buy tickets: Chiketto kaitai
Where am I now? Koko ha doko desu ka?
Credit card OK? Kaado okkei?
Is it OK to try this on ? Shichaku shite mo okkei?
I don't have a reservation: Yoyaku ga nai desu. I have a reservation: Yoyaku ga arimasu.
How many people in your party? Nanmei sama desu ka? (Answer by showing your fingers)
Kitsuen seki ka, kinnen seki ka? Smoking section or nonsmoking section? (Answer in English)
This way: Kochira desu
Menu please: Menuu onegai shimasu
Chicken: Chikin , Beef:niku , Fish: Sakana , Pork: Butaniku , Wheat: komugi, Egg: Tamago, Milk: miruku
I want this: Kore hosii, I want chicken: Chikin hosii, I want beef: Niku hosii
I don't want pork: Butaniku dame desu
I don't want raw fish: Sushi dame desu
What would you recommend? Ossume ari masu ka?
Check please: Okaikei onegai shimasu
Stop: Stoppu
See you later: Mata ne
Kansai Dialect (Many Japanese will be surprised to hear these local phrases from you. Please watch the video below)
Ookini: Thank you
Akan: Impossible (Osaka)
Nanbou: How much (Osaka)
Nande yanen: Why??? (Osaka)
Okibariyasu: Don't give up (Kyoto)
Kannin: I'm sorry (Kyoto)
Sainara: Good bye (Kyoto)