NIN

Zero Japanese required

Phrases

What to say, how to say it and what to expect in the spots you will actually be in. Everything is written in English letters with a sounds-like line, so just read it out loud.

00

How to say it

Every phrase has the Japanese written in English letters (romaji) and a sounds-like line. Read the sounds-like line out loud like normal English and you will be understood.

Vowels never change
a is ah, i is ee, u is oo, e is eh, o is oh. Say them the same way every time.
Every beat is even
Japanese has no stressed syllable. Say ko-n-ni-chi-wa flat, like counting. The sounds-like line shows the beats.
Long and double sounds
ou and oo are just a longer oh. ai sounds like eye and ei like ay. Double letters like tt and ss add a tiny stop: matte is mat-teh.
The R
A quick tap of the tongue, somewhere between R, L and D. Arigatou becomes ah-ree-gah-toh with that light tap.
Swallowed endings
desu and masu lose their last u. Say dess and mahss.
Close enough works
A smile, a small nod and sumimasen get you most of the way. People appreciate the try.
01

The first ten

If you learn nothing else, learn these.

Good to know

  • Sumimasen gets anyone's attention: waiters, shop staff, strangers. It means excuse me, sorry and thank you all at once.
  • Add onegaishimasu to almost any request and it turns polite. Point at the thing and say kore, onegaishimasu.
  • A small nod or bow does the same job as words.

  • Excuse me / sorry / thanks

    Sumimasen

    Saysoo-mee-mah-sen

    すみません

  • Thank you very much

    Arigatou gozaimasu

    Sayah-ree-gah-toh go-zah-ee-mahss

    ありがとうございます

  • Please (when you ask for something)

    Onegaishimasu

    Sayoh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    お願いします

  • This one, please

    Kore, onegaishimasu

    Saykoh-reh, oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    これお願いします

  • Yes

    Hai

    Sayhi (like the greeting)

    はい

  • No

    Iie

    Sayee-ee-eh

    いいえ

  • I'm fine / no thank you

    Daijoubu desu

    Saydye-joh-boo dess

    大丈夫です

  • I don't understand

    Wakarimasen

    Saywah-kah-ree-mah-sen

    わかりません

  • Do you speak English?

    Eigo wa hanasemasu ka

    Sayay-go wah hah-nah-seh-mahss kah

    英語は話せますか

  • Where is the toilet?

    Toire wa doko desu ka

    Saytoy-reh wah doh-koh dess kah

    トイレはどこですか

  • How much is it?

    Ikura desu ka

    Sayee-koo-rah dess kah

    いくらですか

  • Hello

    Konnichiwa

    Saykohn-nee-chee-wah

    こんにちは

  • Good morning

    Ohayou gozaimasu

    Sayoh-hah-yoh go-zah-ee-mahss

    おはようございます

  • Good evening

    Konbanwa

    Saykohm-bahn-wah

    こんばんは

  • See you later

    Mata ne

    Saymah-tah neh

    またね

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02

Airport and arrival

Landing, immigration and getting out of the airport.

Good to know

  • Fill in Visit Japan Web before you land and save the QR codes. Immigration and customs go much faster with them.
  • Officers at immigration speak English. Have your passport open and say sightseeing when they ask why you are visiting.
  • Both Tokyo airports have train links into the city. Google Maps will give you the route and the platform.
  • Save your hotel name and address in Japanese on your phone. Taxi drivers and staff can read it.

  • I'm here for sightseeing

    Kankou desu

    Saykahn-koh dess

    観光です

  • Where is the station?

    Eki wa doko desu ka

    Sayeh-kee wah doh-koh dess kah

    駅はどこですか

  • Where is the taxi stand?

    Takushii noriba wa doko desu ka

    Saytahk-shee noh-ree-bah wah doh-koh dess kah

    タクシー乗り場はどこですか

  • Is there Wi-Fi?

    Wai-fai wa arimasu ka

    Saywhy-fye wah ah-ree-mahss kah

    Wi-Fiはありますか

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03

Trains and subway

The thing you will do most. Google Maps does the heavy lifting, these cover the rest.

Good to know

  • Tap your IC card (Suica, Pasmo or ICOCA) on the gate when you go in and again when you come out.
  • Trains are listed by their last stop, so check the direction in Google Maps before you board.
  • Station exits are numbered. Pick the exit number in Maps and you will skip ten minutes of wandering.
  • On the Shinkansen, a reserved seat (shiteiseki) costs a bit more but guarantees a spot. Non-reserved (jiyuuseki) is first come, first served.
  • Keep calls and loud talking off the train. Last trains run around midnight.

  • Which platform for Osaka?

    Oosaka-yuki wa nan-ban-sen desu ka

    Sayoh-sah-kah-yoo-kee wah nahn-bahn-sen dess kah

    大阪行きは何番線ですか

  • Does this train go to Kyoto?

    Kono densha wa Kyouto ni ikimasu ka

    Saykoh-noh den-shah wah kyoh-toh nee ee-kee-mahss kah

    この電車は京都に行きますか

  • One ticket to Kyoto, please

    Kyouto made ichi-mai onegaishimasu

    Saykyoh-toh mah-deh ee-chee-my oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    京都まで一枚お願いします

  • A reserved seat, please

    Shiteiseki o onegaishimasu

    Sayshee-teh-ee-seh-kee oh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    指定席をお願いします

  • Which exit?

    Dono deguchi desu ka

    Saydoh-noh deh-goo-chee dess kah

    どの出口ですか

  • Is this seat taken?

    Koko wa aite imasu ka

    Saykoh-koh wah ah-ee-teh ee-mahss kah

    ここは空いていますか

  • I want to go to Shibuya

    Shibuya ni ikitai desu

    Sayshee-boo-yah nee ee-kee-tah-ee dess

    渋谷に行きたいです

What you might hear

Tsugi wa ...tsoo-gee wah
The next stop is ...
Norikaenoh-ree-kah-eh
Transfer. Follow this sign to change lines.
Deguchideh-goo-chee
Exit
Iriguchiee-ree-goo-chee
Entrance
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04

Restaurants and izakaya

Ordering, drinking and paying without a menu you can read.

Good to know

  • Staff shout irasshaimase (welcome) when you walk in. You do not need to answer. A nod is plenty.
  • Ramen and many casual spots use a ticket machine by the door. Pay first, take the ticket and hand it to the staff. Look for photo buttons, or ask for a recommendation.
  • You get a wet towel (oshibori) for your hands, and water is free.
  • There is no tipping. Pay at the register on your way out, and do not wait at the table for a bill.
  • Izakaya (pub-style places) often add a small table charge called otoshi, which comes with a little appetizer. That is normal.
  • Say itadakimasu before you eat and gochisousama deshita when you leave. Staff light up when you do.
  • Never stick chopsticks upright in rice, and do not pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks.

  • Three people

    San-nin desu

    Saysahn-neen dess

    三人です

  • Menu, please

    Menyuu o onegaishimasu

    Saymeh-nyoo oh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    メニューをお願いします

  • Do you have an English menu?

    Eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka

    Sayay-go noh meh-nyoo wah ah-ree-mahss kah

    英語のメニューはありますか

  • What do you recommend?

    Osusume wa nan desu ka

    Sayoh-soo-soo-meh wah nahn dess kah

    おすすめは何ですか

  • Water, please

    Omizu o kudasai

    Sayoh-mee-zoo oh koo-dah-sigh

    お水をください

  • Is this spicy?

    Kore wa karai desu ka

    Saykoh-reh wah kah-rye dess kah

    これは辛いですか

  • I have an allergy

    Arerugii ga arimasu

    Sayah-reh-roo-gee gah ah-ree-mahss

    アレルギーがあります

  • Beer, please

    Biiru o onegaishimasu

    Saybee-roo oh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    ビールをお願いします

  • One more, please

    Mou hitotsu onegaishimasu

    Saymoh hee-toh-tsoo oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    もう一つお願いします

  • Cheers!

    Kanpai

    Saykahm-pie

    乾杯

  • Delicious!

    Oishii

    Sayoh-ee-shee

    おいしい

  • The bill, please

    Okaikei o onegaishimasu

    Sayoh-kye-keh oh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    お会計をお願いします

  • Can I pay by card?

    Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka

    Saykah-doh wah tsoo-kah-eh-mahss kah

    カードは使えますか

  • Said before you eat

    Itadakimasu

    Sayee-tah-dah-kee-mahss

    いただきます

  • Said when you finish and leave

    Gochisousama deshita

    Saygoh-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tah

    ごちそうさまでした

What you might hear

Irasshaimaseee-rahsh-shy-mah-seh
Welcome!
Nan-mei-sama desu kanahn-may-sah-mah dess kah
How many people? Hold up fingers.
Kochira e douzokoh-chee-rah eh doh-zoh
This way, please.
Go-chuumon wagoh-choo-mohn wah
What would you like to order?
Omatase shimashitaoh-mah-tah-seh shee-mah-shta
Sorry to keep you waiting. Your food is here.
Arigatou gozaimashitaah-ree-gah-toh go-zah-ee-mah-shta
Thank you. Said as you leave.
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05

Convenience stores and shopping

Konbini are 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart. You will live in them.

Good to know

  • Put your money on the little tray at the register instead of handing it over. Your change comes back the same way.
  • Staff ask a few quick questions at checkout. The easy answers are hai (yes) or daijoubu desu (I'm fine, no thanks).
  • For tax-free shopping, bring your passport. Tourist tax rules are changing, so ask at the register.
  • In many areas people do not eat while walking. Eat next to the shop or in a konbini eat-in corner.

  • Just looking

    Miteiru dake desu

    Saymee-teh-ee-roo dah-keh dess

    見ているだけです

  • I'll take this

    Kore o kudasai

    Saykoh-reh oh koo-dah-sigh

    これをください

  • Can I try this on?

    Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka

    Sayshee-chah-koo sheh-teh moh ee dess kah

    試着してもいいですか

  • Do you have a bigger size?

    Motto ookii saizu wa arimasu ka

    Saymoht-toh oh-oh-kee sigh-zoo wah ah-ree-mahss kah

    もっと大きいサイズはありますか

  • Do you have a smaller size?

    Motto chiisai saizu wa arimasu ka

    Saymoht-toh chee-sigh sigh-zoo wah ah-ree-mahss kah

    もっと小さいサイズはありますか

  • Can I get tax free?

    Menzei dekimasu ka

    Saymen-zay deh-kee-mahss kah

    免税できますか

  • No bag, thanks

    Fukuro wa daijoubu desu

    Sayfoo-koo-roh wah dye-joh-boo dess

    袋は大丈夫です

  • A bag, please

    Fukuro o kudasai

    Sayfoo-koo-roh oh koo-dah-sigh

    袋をください

  • Please heat this up

    Atatamete kudasai

    Sayah-tah-tah-meh-teh koo-dah-sigh

    温めてください

  • Chopsticks, please

    Ohashi o kudasai

    Sayoh-hah-shee oh koo-dah-sigh

    お箸をください

What you might hear

Fukuro wa irimasu kafoo-koo-roh wah ee-ree-mahss kah
Do you need a bag?
Atatamemasu kaah-tah-tah-meh-mahss kah
Should I heat it up?
Pointo kaado wa omochi desu kapoh-een-toh kah-doh wah oh-moh-chee dess kah
Do you have a point card? Just say daijoubu desu.
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06

Record shops

For Vinyl Day on Nov 1.

Good to know

  • Some shops want larger bags left at the front or in a locker. Follow the signs or ask the staff.
  • Used records are chuuko. Condition is usually graded carefully and written on a sticker or the price tag.
  • Look for the obi, the paper strip across the spine of a Japanese pressing. Obi tsuki means the obi is included, and collectors pay more for it.
  • Handle sleeves gently and put records back where you found them. Ask before you open anything sealed.
  • Listening stations are common, so you can often hear a record before you buy it.

  • Do you have this record?

    Kono rekoodo wa arimasu ka

    Saykoh-noh reh-koh-doh wah ah-ree-mahss kah

    このレコードはありますか

  • Do you have it on vinyl?

    Anarogu wa arimasu ka

    Sayah-nah-roh-goo wah ah-ree-mahss kah

    アナログはありますか

  • Is there a used copy?

    Chuuko wa arimasu ka

    Saychoo-koh wah ah-ree-mahss kah

    中古はありますか

  • Is there a Japanese pressing?

    Nihon-ban wa arimasu ka

    Saynee-hohn-bahn wah ah-ree-mahss kah

    日本盤はありますか

  • Does it have the obi?

    Obi wa tsuite imasu ka

    Sayoh-bee wah tsoo-ee-teh ee-mahss kah

    帯は付いていますか

  • What's the condition?

    Joutai wa dou desu ka

    Sayjoh-tie wah doh dess kah

    状態はどうですか

  • Can I listen to this?

    Kiite mo ii desu ka

    Saykee-teh moh ee dess kah

    聴いてもいいですか

  • Where is the jazz section?

    Jazu no koonaa wa doko desu ka

    Sayjah-zoo noh koh-nah wah doh-koh dess kah

    ジャズのコーナーはどこですか

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07

Karaoke and nights out

Halloween night, mostly.

Good to know

  • Karaoke boxes rent private rooms by the hour. At the desk you pick a time plan and a drink plan.
  • Free time plans (furii taimu) give you a fixed window for one price, which is often a good deal late at night.
  • Most machines have an English menu and plenty of English songs. A tablet or remote lets you queue tracks.
  • The room phone rings shortly before your time is up. Say enchou onegaishimasu if you want to extend.
  • Tiny bars can charge a cover or seat fee. A sign with a price by the door is usually that.
  • Last trains finish around midnight. Karaoke and late-night ramen are the classic way to wait for the first train.

  • Karaoke for three, please

    Karaoke san-nin onegaishimasu

    Saykah-rah-oh-keh sahn-neen oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    カラオケ三人お願いします

  • How much per hour?

    Ichi-jikan ikura desu ka

    Sayee-chee-jee-kahn ee-koo-rah dess kah

    一時間いくらですか

  • A free time plan, please

    Furii taimu o onegaishimasu

    Sayfoo-ree tie-moo oh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    フリータイムをお願いします

  • All you can drink

    Nomihoudai

    Saynoh-mee-hoh-dye

    飲み放題

  • Extend, please

    Enchou onegaishimasu

    Sayehn-choh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    延長お願いします

  • Great song!

    Ii uta!

    Sayee oo-tah

    いい歌

  • Let's sing together

    Issho ni utaou

    Sayees-shoh nee oo-tah-oh

    一緒に歌おう

  • I'm drunk

    Yopparaimashita

    Sayyohp-pah-rye-mah-shta

    酔っ払いました

  • Let's go get ramen

    Raamen o tabe ni ikou

    Sayrah-men oh tah-beh nee ee-koh

    ラーメンを食べに行こう

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08

Hotels and taxis

Check-in, bags and getting home late.

Good to know

  • Taxi back doors open and close by themselves. Do not pull them.
  • Show the driver the address on your phone in Japanese. Most taxis take cards, but carry some cash.
  • There is no tipping for taxis or hotel staff.
  • Hotels will hold your bags before check-in and after check-out. Ask at the front desk.
  • You can ship bags to your next hotel with a courier service called takkyubin. Ask the front desk, and use it for the Tokyo to Osaka move.

  • I have a reservation

    Yoyaku shite imasu

    Sayyoh-yah-koo sheh-teh ee-mahss

    予約しています

  • Check in, please

    Chekku-in o onegaishimasu

    Saychek-koo-een oh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    チェックインをお願いします

  • Can I leave my bags here?

    Nimotsu o azukete mo ii desu ka

    Saynee-moh-tsoo oh ah-zoo-keh-teh moh ee dess kah

    荷物を預けてもいいですか

  • Can you ship this to Osaka?

    Kore o Oosaka made okuremasu ka

    Saykoh-reh oh oh-sah-kah mah-deh oh-koo-reh-mahss kah

    これを大阪まで送れますか

  • What is the Wi-Fi password?

    Wai-fai no pasuwaado wa nan desu ka

    Saywhy-fye noh pah-soo-wah-doh wah nahn dess kah

    Wi-Fiのパスワードは何ですか

  • To this address, please (taxi)

    Kono juusho made onegaishimasu

    Saykoh-noh joo-shoh mah-deh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    この住所までお願いします

  • Please stop here

    Koko de tomete kudasai

    Saykoh-koh deh toh-meh-teh koo-dah-sigh

    ここで止めてください

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09

Temples and shrines

Mostly etiquette, plus a few useful lines.

Good to know

  • Shrines (jinja) have red torii gates. Bow once before you walk through and keep to the side of the path, because the center is for the gods.
  • At a shrine: bow twice, clap twice, make your wish silently, then bow once. At a temple (tera), skip the claps and just press your palms together quietly.
  • Watch what people ahead of you do at the water basin and copy them.
  • Photo rules are posted at the gate, and some inner halls do not allow photos.
  • Take your shoes off where you see a raised step or a rack of shoes.
  • A goshuin is a hand-written stamp you can collect at shrines and temples. The booklet makes a great souvenir.

  • May I take a photo?

    Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka

    Sayshah-sheen oh tote-teh moh ee dess kah

    写真を撮ってもいいですか

  • A goshuin stamp, please

    Goshuin o onegaishimasu

    Saygoh-shoo-een oh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss

    御朱印をお願いします

  • How much is entry?

    Nyuujouryou wa ikura desu ka

    Saynyoo-joh-ryoh wah ee-koo-rah dess kah

    入場料はいくらですか

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10

Help and emergencies

Hopefully unused. Worth knowing anyway.

Good to know

  • Police are 110 and fire or ambulance are 119. Both are free to call from any phone.
  • Look for a koban, a small neighborhood police box. They help with directions, lost items and emergencies.
  • Lost items often get handed in. Ask at the nearest station, shop or koban.
  • Pharmacies are yakkyoku, and drugstore chains are everywhere.
  • Keep your hotel address in Japanese saved on your phone, including offline.

  • Help!

    Tasukete!

    Saytah-soo-keh-teh

    助けて

  • I'm lost

    Michi ni mayoimashita

    Saymee-chee nee mah-yoh-ee-mah-shta

    道に迷いました

  • Where is the koban (police box)?

    Koban wa doko desu ka

    Saykoh-bahn wah doh-koh dess kah

    交番はどこですか

  • I lost my wallet

    Saifu o nakushimashita

    Saysigh-foo oh nah-koo-shee-mah-shta

    財布をなくしました

  • I lost my phone

    Sumaho o nakushimashita

    Saysoo-mah-hoh oh nah-koo-shee-mah-shta

    スマホをなくしました

  • I lost my passport

    Pasupooto o nakushimashita

    Saypah-soo-poh-toh oh nah-koo-shee-mah-shta

    パスポートをなくしました

  • Please call an ambulance

    Kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai

    Saykyoo-kyoo-shah oh yohn-deh koo-dah-sigh

    救急車を呼んでください

  • Please call the police

    Keisatsu o yonde kudasai

    Saykay-sah-tsoo oh yohn-deh koo-dah-sigh

    警察を呼んでください

  • I feel sick

    Kibun ga warui desu

    Saykee-boon gah wah-roo-ee dess

    気分が悪いです

  • I need a doctor

    Isha ga hitsuyou desu

    Sayee-shah gah hee-tsoo-yoh dess

    医者が必要です

  • Where is a pharmacy?

    Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka

    Sayyahk-kyoh-koo wah doh-koh dess kah

    薬局はどこですか

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11

Osaka talk

Kansai speaks a looser, funnier accent. Say one of these and watch people grin.

Good to know

  • Everyday phrases from the other sections work fine in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara too.
  • These are casual and friendly. Use them with a smile, not with a formal clerk.

  • Thank you (Osaka style)

    Ookini

    Sayoh-oh-kee-nee

    おおきに

  • Really?

    Honma?

    Sayhohn-mah

    ほんま

  • Super delicious!

    Meccha oishii!

    Saymehk-chah oh-ee-shee

    めっちゃおいしい

  • No good / no way

    Akan

    Sayah-kahn

    あかん

  • What the heck?! (the classic Osaka comeback)

    Nande ya nen!

    Saynahn-deh yah nen

    なんでやねん

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12

Good vibes

Meeting people and being a good guest.

Good to know

  • Compliments land well. Short and sincere beats long and perfect.

  • Nice to meet you

    Hajimemashite

    Sayhah-jee-meh-mah-shteh

    はじめまして

  • Awesome!

    Sugoi!

    Saysoo-goy

    すごい

  • Cool!

    Kakkoii!

    Saykahk-koh-ee

    かっこいい

  • Cute!

    Kawaii!

    Saykah-wah-ee

    かわいい

  • That was fun!

    Tanoshikatta!

    Saytah-noh-shee-kaht-tah

    楽しかった

  • Can we take a photo together?

    Issho ni shashin o totte mo ii desu ka

    Sayees-shoh nee shah-sheen oh tote-teh moh ee dess kah

    一緒に写真を撮ってもいいですか

  • I love Japan

    Nihon ga daisuki desu

    Saynee-hohn gah dye-skee dess

    日本が大好きです

  • Let's go!

    Ikou!

    Sayee-koh

    行こう

  • Thanks for everything

    Iroiro arigatou gozaimashita

    Sayee-roh-ee-roh ah-ree-gah-toh go-zah-ee-mah-shta

    いろいろありがとうございました

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13

Numbers and prices

NumberRomajiSayJapanese
1ichiee-chee一
2ninee二
3sansahn三
4yonyohn四
5gogoh五
6rokuroh-koo六
7nananah-nah七
8hachihah-chee八
9kyuukyoo九
10juujoo十
100hyakuhyah-koo百
1,000sensen千
10,000ichi-manee-chee-mahn一万
  • Add en (yen) after a price. Sen-en is 1,000 yen and ichi-man-en is 10,000 yen.
  • People are counted differently: hitori is one person, futari is two, san-nin is three and yo-nin is four.
  • You can always hold up fingers or point at a price on a screen or menu.
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