Phrases like “please” and “thank you” are simple courtesies that go a long way. And being able to ask how much something costs in the native language is also a great asset if you love to shop in not-so-touristy locations. Download my basic word and phrase PDF to print off or keep on your phone if you need to reference it during your travels!

Table Of Contents

1. Greetings
2. Courtesies
3. Questions
4. Responses
5. Dining & Eating
6. Transportation
7. Hotel
8. Emergency
9. Shopping
10. Numbers

Greetings

Ohayou = Good morning
Konnichiwa = Hello/Good afternoon
Konbanwa = Good evening
Oyasum = Good Night

Courtesies

Kudasai = Please
Gomen nasai = I’m sorry
Suimasen = Pardon/Excuse me
Arigatou gozaimasu = Thank you

Questions

Genki desu ka? = How are you?
Eigo o hanasemasu ka = Do you speak English?
O-namae wa nan desu ka = What is your name?

Responses

Hai – Yes
Iie – No
Genki desu = I’m fine. Thank you.
Oaidekite ureshī desu = I am very glad to meet you.
Wakarimasen = I don’t understand.
Douitashimashite = You’re welcome

Dining & Eating

Kanpai = Cheers
Itadakimasu = Let’s eat!
Gochisousama deshita = That was delicious
O-susume no menu wa dore desu ka? = What menu item do you recommend?
Kore wa nan desu ka? = What is this?
Kore o onegaishimasu = I’d like (to order) this, please
Mizu o onegaishimasu = Water, please (or to refill water)
Toire wa doko desu ka? = Where is the bathroom?
O-kaikei o onegaishimasu = Check please
Mochikaeri = Take-out
Tennai = Eat-in
Futari desu = For two (when asking for a table)
Yōyaku = (Reservation)
Kinen seki onegaishimasu = A non-smoking table, please.
Eigo no menyu arimasuka? = Do you have an English menu?
Kore kudasai = This one please (when pointing to an item)
(insert food item here) arerugii ga arimasu = I am allergic to (insert food item here)
Toire (otearai) wa doko desu ka? = Where is the toilet?
Ikuradesuka = How much is this?Okaikei kudasai = Bill please

Transportation

takushii = Taxi
densha = Train
eki = Train station
Basu = Bus
Kuukoo = Airport
Eki wa dochira desu ka? = Where is the train station?
Kippu uriba wa doko desu ka? = Where can I buy tickets?

Hotel

Hoteru wa doko desu ka? = Where is the hotel
o onegai-shimasu = Check-in (Check-out)
Chizu wa arimasu ka? = Do you have a map?
Nimotsu o koko ni oite ittemo ii desu ka = Asking to store luggage
Yoyaku o shitai desu = Can I have a room for 1 night?
WI-FI ga arimasu ka = Do you have wifi?
Chekku outo wa nanji desu ka = What time is check-out?
Asagohan / bangohan wa nanji desu ka = What time is (breakfast / dinner)?

Emergency

Tasukete! = Help me!
Kyuu kyuusha o yonde kudasai! = Please call an ambulance!
Kega o shimashita = I’m injured”
Keisatsu o yonde kudasai = Please call the police

Shopping

Kore o kudasai = I’ll take this
Ikura desu ka? = How much is it/this?
Shichaku demimasuka? = Can I try it on?

Numbers

ichi = one
ni = two
san = three
yon = four
go = five
roku = six
nana = seven
hachi = eight
kyuu = nine
juu = ten

I hope that this little reference PDF helps you learn a few Japanese phrases to use on your next trip. If you are interested in learning even more, then apps like Duolingo are amazing to delve further into the language! Let me know in the comments what other essential words or phrases you might want to learn or what your favourite experience was when speaking a native language while travelling.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Most Useful Japanese Words and Phrases for Tourists first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Sure, google translate works great and is another fantastic translation option, but I think learning a little bit of a new language is super fun and immerses you more into the country. I’ve gone ahead and created this little language resource to help you when ordering or shopping for food in Japan.

Words to Use at a Restaurant

These are some key phrases to use when you are dining out! Even if you only learn “please” and “thank you” this will really go along way into making an effort in a new city.

Konnichiwa = hello
Sumimasen = Excuse me (great for asking for the waiter’s attention)
Mochikaeri = Take-out
Tennai = Eat-in
Futari desu = For two (when asking for a table)
Yōyaku = (Reservation)
Osusume wa nandesuka? = What do you recommend?
Kinen seki onegaishimasu = A non-smoking table, please.
Eigo no menyu arimasuka? = Do you have an English menu?
Kore kudasai = This one please (when pointing to an item)
(insert food item here) arerugii ga arimasu = I am allergic to (insert food item here)
Toire (otearai) wa doko desu ka? = Where is the toilet?
Ikuradesuka = How much is this?Okaikei kudasai = Bill please
Omizu kudasai = Water please
Arigato = Thank you
Sayonara = Goodbye

Words to Use While Eating

Kanpai = Cheers (when toasting)
Itadakimasu = Bon appetit
Oishii desu = It’s delicious (Great to use to tell the staff you like the food)
Suki desu = I like it!
Gochisousama deshita = Thank you for the meal (used after the meal is over)
oshibori = wet towel (at nice restaurants these will be given before the meal but also can be asked for after)

Menu Items

I’ve gone ahead and written this part out with the Japanese characters as well as the English pronunciation and translations. Since most menus will have dishes written in Hiragana/Kanji this will help you read the menu as well as ask for certain items. If you are interested in downloading a PDF of all these words click here to access the entire reference sheet!

Cooking Methods

カツ (katsu) = fried
から揚げ (karaage) = deep fried
やき (yaki) = fried (in pan or on grill)
てんぷら (tenpura) = tempura (battered and fried)
串 (kushi) = cooked on skewers
蒸し (Mushi) = steamed

Hopefully, this helped you learn a few more words and phrases to add to your Japanese repertoire. I found that even learning the meats and veg really went a long way in how I could interpret the menus. Let me know in the comments what Japanese words or phrases you found to be essential on your travels or what you would be interested in learning more about!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Best List of Essential Japanese Words to Use When Eating Out first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.