話Phrasebook

The all-day default greeting.

Until ~10–11am. Casual: おはよう.

The polite full form. Casual: ありがとう.

Your Swiss-army phrase: get attention, apologise, or say thanks-for-the-trouble.

A genuine apology (vs すみません for a light excuse-me).

Often softened — a small head shake or すみません is gentler.

Add after pointing or naming what you want.

Sets expectations kindly.

Most-asked question on any trip.

Swap お水 for anything: ビール (beer), お茶 (tea).

Shout it in an emergency.

The single most useful answer at the immigration desk when asked your purpose. They may just ask 'Purpose?' in English — this is your reply.

Swap the number: 二週間 (nishuukan) two weeks, 十日間 (tooka-kan) ten days.

Point at your booking confirmation as you say it. Works for the 'where are you staying' question.

Or just say 手荷物受取所 (tenimotsu uketori-sho) — baggage claim — and look questioning.

両替 (ryougae) = currency exchange. ATMs at 7-Eleven / Japan Post are usually a better rate than airport counters.

乗り場 (noriba) = boarding point, works for trains, buses, taxis. For the airport express specifically, name it: スカイライナー (Skyliner) at Narita.

Said 'wai-fai'. Free airport Wi-Fi is common; this also works at cafés and hotels.

'SIM' said as 'shimu' by some, but 'SIM' is widely understood. eSIM bought before flying saves the hassle entirely.

Japan now uses a digital customs declaration (Visit Japan Web QR code). Fill it before landing to skip the paper form.

Your workhorse phrase. Point at the address on your phone and say this. No need to pronounce the place name.

住所 (juusho) = address. Show the written address; Japanese addresses are hard to say and easy to mishear.

Name a specific station for clarity: 東京駅 (Toukyou-eki) Tokyo Station.

Use sparingly — they'll still obey traffic laws. Better to just allow extra time.

Say it a little before you want to stop. 'Tomete' = stop.

Most city taxis take cards and IC cards (Suica/PASMO) now, but smaller ones may be cash-only — worth asking up front.

領収書 (ryoushuusho) = receipt. Drivers print them readily.

For luggage. トランク = trunk/boot. The driver usually pops it from inside.

Hand over your passport — they're required to copy it for foreign guests.

予約 (yoyaku) = reservation. Slot your name in the blank.

Standard before check-in or after checkout. Hotels almost always say yes and give you a tag.

教えてください (oshiete kudasai) = please tell me — a hugely reusable phrase.

鍵 (kagi) = key. もう一つ (mou hitotsu) = one more.

追加 (tsuika) = additional/extra. Swap タオル for 枕 (makura, pillow) etc.

おすすめ (osusume) = recommendation. Front-desk staff give great local food tips this way.

何時 (nanji) = what time.

Sometimes free, sometimes a fee. Worth asking the morning of.

呼ぶ (yobu) = to call/summon. The front desk will handle it.

They'll ask 袋はご利用ですか？ (need a bag?) — bags now cost a few yen. If you DO want one: 袋をください (fukuro o kudasai).

They'll ask お弁当温めますか？ about your bento. This is your yes. Casual short form you'll hear: 'atatamemasu ka?'

The decline to heating. 大丈夫です (daijoubu desu) = it's fine — a Swiss-army-knife phrase for politely declining anything.

Often they include them automatically; ask if not. Spoon = スプーン (supuun), fork = フォーク (fooku).

IC cards work at every konbini — tap and go. Say the card name or just hold it ready over the reader.

Some konbini have an イートイン (eat-in) corner. Note: eat-in can carry a slightly higher tax rate.

Said 'ee-tee-emu'. 7-Eleven ATMs reliably take foreign cards.

Hold up the item or a photo. Staff will walk you to the shelf.

Polite way to wave off a hovering clerk. They'll leave you be.

いくら (ikura) = how much. The price is usually on the tag, but handy for confirmation.

試着 (shichaku) = trying on clothes. You'll often be asked to remove shoes and use a face cover.

別の (betsu no) = another/different. Swap サイズ for 色 (iro, color).

免税 (menzei) = tax exemption. Available to short-stay tourists above a minimum purchase; you'll need your passport at the register.

Japanese gift-wrapping is beautiful and usually free. プレゼント用 = for-gift-use.

使える (tsukaeru) = can use. Smaller shops and some markets are still cash-first — keep yen on hand.

The universal 'I'll buy this' — point and say it. Works in any shop, market, or food stall.

Soft opener before asking a stranger anything. すみません alone also works.

Swap 駅 (eki) for any place: トイレ (toire, toilet), コンビニ (konbini), this 〜 written on your phone.

Point at the map pin. Bypasses pronunciation entirely — your best directions tool.

歩いて (aruite) = on foot. Follow-up: 何分ぐらいですか？ (nanpun gurai desu ka?) — about how many minutes?

遠い (tooi) = far, 近い (chikai) = near. You'll often hear 近いですよ (it's close).

Key words to catch in the reply: まっすぐ (massugu, straight), 右 (migi, right), 左 (hidari, left).

地図 (chizu) = map. Hand them your phone — pointing beats a spoken answer you can't parse.

助かりました (tasukarimashita) = you saved me / that helped. A warm note to close on after someone goes out of their way.

Sets expectations kindly and almost always gets a warm reaction. 少しだけ (sukoshi dake) = just a little.

ノルウェー (Noruwee) = Norway. People are often curious and pleased — it's not a common origin for visitors.

初めて (hajimete) = first time. Often unlocks recommendations and friendly encouragement.

楽しい (tanoshii) = fun/enjoyable. A genuine, easy way to share good vibes.

美味しい (oishii) = delicious. Say it to a chef or host and watch them light up. Often written in hiragana: おいしい.

写真 (shashin) = photo, 撮る (toru) = to take. To offer to take theirs: 撮りましょうか？ (torimashou ka?).

Then introduce yourself: 〜です。よろしくお願いします (~ desu. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu) — I'm ~, nice to meet you.

Great icebreaker with shop staff, bartenders, anyone. Invites them to share something they're proud of.

A warm closer for a place or person you enjoyed. また (mata) = again.

They ask 何名様ですか？ (how many?). Answer with the everyday counter: 一人 (hitori) 1, 二人 (futari) 2, 三人 (sannin) 3. The formal 〜名 (mei) form is also fine. Holding up fingers always works.

For walk-ins. If you DID book: 予約しています、〜です (yoyaku shite imasu, ~ desu) — we have a booking, under ~.

禁煙 (kin'en) = non-smoking. Many izakaya still allow smoking; worth asking. Counter seat = カウンター (kauntaa).

Ask for an English one: 英語のメニューはありますか？ (eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka?).

注文 (chuumon) = order. Calling out すみません to flag staff is normal and expected, not rude. Some places have a table buzzer.

Point and say it. Add 一つ (hitotsu, one) / 二つ (futatsu, two) for quantity: これを二つ。

Swap the food: 牛肉 (gyuuniku) beef, 卵 (tamago) egg, 海鮮 (kaisen) seafood. For allergies: 〜アレルギーがあります (~ arerugii ga arimasu).

Be aware: dashi (fish stock) is in many 'vegetable' dishes. To probe: 出汁は魚ですか？ (dashi wa sakana desu ka?) — is the stock fish-based?

辛い (karai) = spicy. Reverse it for more spice: 辛くできますか？ (karaku dekimasu ka?).

Water (and often tea) is free and self-evident at most places. お冷 (ohiya) is the restaurant word for cold water you may hear.

お会計 (okaikei) = the bill. Or cross your index fingers into an X — the universal Japanese 'check please' gesture. Pay at the front register.

別々 (betsubetsu) = separately. Many smaller places only do one bill (まとめて, matomete) — splitting cash afterward is normal.