If you are traveling to Japan for the first time, you may be concerned about something known as the \u201clanguage barrier\u201d \u2013 that inexplicable inability to communicate with others due to speaking a different language. Should you stress if you don\u2019t speak any Japanese?\u00a0Simply put, the answer is no!<\/p>\n
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If you\u2019ve pictured yourself lost in Japan, wandering around with no way to ask directions to the airport, you can put those fears to rest. Thousands of travelers enter the country each day, many knowing very little Japanese or none at all.<\/strong> While a few key phrases can be useful, you can travel successfully even if you don\u2019t know any Japanese words. English is taught in Japanese schools, so even if they are not fluent, most people you meet will speak some English as well.<\/strong> In areas frequented by tourists, signs may also be written in English.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to learn some words for travel, however, you\u2019ve come to the right place. The following words and sentences are common in everyday use and will aid you in getting around, ordering at restaurants, and greeting those you may meet.<\/strong><\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/p> The word for \u201chello\u201d in Japanese is often used in popular culture<\/strong>, so don\u2019t be surprised if you or your children already know it. If you want to say \u201chi,\u201d simply say kon-nichiwa<\/em>.<\/p>\n In order to say \u201chow are you?\u201d you will ask Ogenki desuka?<\/em> <\/strong>If someone asks this question of you, say Genki desu. Arigato!<\/em> That means, \u201cI\u2019m fine. Thanks!\u201d.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to introduce yourself,<\/strong> say Watashi no namae wa <\/em>(insert your name) desu.<\/em> In this sentence, watashi<\/em> means \u201cI\u201d and namae<\/em> means \u201cname.\u201d<\/p>\n \n \n Buy your JR Pass\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n The simplest way to say \u201cthank you\u201d in Japanese is Arigatou<\/em>.<\/strong> If you are in a formal situation, you would elongate the thanks to Arigatou gozaimasu.<\/em> Most people bow while saying thank you in order to add emphasis to their words of gratitude.<\/p>\n Similar to saying \u201cplease\u201d in English<\/strong>, (name of item) wo kudasai<\/em> is a way of politely asking to look at or purchase an item. If you don\u2019t know the item\u2019s name \u2013 such as when ordering food from a display case \u2013 feel free to point or gesture.<\/p>\n Whenever you immerse yourself in an unfamiliar culture, you are bound to make a few mistakes. If you bump into someone, forget to take off your shoes, or find some other reason to apologize, simply say sumimasen\u00a0<\/em>for “excuse me”<\/strong>. This word can also be used to get someone\u2019s attention, such as when you wish to summon a waiter in a restaurant or to ask someone to repeat something they\u2019ve said.<\/p>\n When asking \u201cwhere is (something)?\u201d in Japanese<\/strong>, you will notice that the \u201csomething\u201d comes first in the sentence. For example, if you ask \u201cWhere is Tokyo Station?\u201d you will say Tokyo<\/em> eki wa doko desu ka?<\/em> In this phrase, eki<\/em> means \u201cstation\u201d and wa doko desu ka<\/em> means \u201cwhere is?\u201d You may also want to know how to ask, \u201cWhere is the bathroom?\u201d That\u2019s Otearai wa doko desu ka?<\/em><\/p>\n Even though you may not understand the spoken answer, you will likely be pointed in the right direction.<\/strong> Don\u2019t be surprised if the person you asked walks with you to show you where to go \u2013 even if that means walking several blocks or more!<\/p>\n A good vacation calls for souvenirs, but you\u2019ll likely wish to know what an item costs before you buy. If you don\u2019t know what the item in question is called, hold it up or point to it and ask “Ikura desuka?”,\u00a0<\/em>Japanese for “How much does it cost?”.<\/strong> If you know the name of the item, insert it before the question.<\/p>\n Since we live in a technological society, this question can be important, especially if you are traveling for business purposes. To ask for access to wi-fi in a store, restaurant, hotel, train station, or caf\u00e9, say Wi-fi arimasuka?<\/em><\/strong> If you\u2019re in need of something besides the internet, replace \u201cwi-fi\u201d with the word for the item you need. Although you won’t need to ask if you have your Pocket Wi-Fi<\/a> or Japanese Data SIM Card<\/a> with you!<\/p>\n Finally, to ask if someone speaks English, say Eigo wo hanashimasu ka?<\/em><\/strong> In this sentence, eigo<\/em> is the word for \u201cEnglish.\u201d\u00a0But really, it is ok (and easier) to simply ask it in English!<\/p>\n You’re welcome: D\u014d itashimashite<\/em>. \u201cHonorifics\u201d are a common part of Japanese speech. These are words that show respect in social situations. Don\u2019t worry \u2013 all the useful phrases listed in this article are in teineigo<\/em>, or \u201cpolite language.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\nGreeting<\/span><\/h2>\n
Konnichiwa<\/span><\/h3>\n
Ogenki\u00a0desuka?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Watashi no namae wa…<\/span><\/h3>\n
Thank you, please and sorry<\/span><\/h2>\n
Arigatou<\/span><\/h3>\n
Kudasai<\/span><\/h3>\n
Sumimasen<\/span><\/h3>\n
Getting around and shopping<\/span><\/h2>\n
Doko…<\/span><\/h3>\n
Ikura desuka?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Wi-fi\u00a0arimasuka?<\/span><\/h2>\n
“Do you speak English?”<\/span><\/h2>\n
Other useful phrases<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nYes: Hai<\/em>.
\nNo: Iie<\/em>.
\nI’m sorry: Gomen\u2019nasai.<\/em>
\nGood morning: Ohay\u014d.<\/em>
\nGood evening: Konbanwa.\u00a0<\/em>
\nGood night: O-yasumi nasai.\u00a0<\/em>
\nI don’t understand: Wakarimasen.<\/em>
\nI understand you perfectly: Yoku wakarimasu.\u00a0<\/em>
\nThat’s all right:\u00a0Dai j\u014dbu desu.<\/em><\/p>\n\n