These pages cover the Japanese phrases a beginner uses daily, one per page: greetings, thanks, apologies, requests, prices and asking the way. Each shows the phrase in Japanese script with Hepburn romaji, the polite and casual forms, how people reply and when not to use it. Learn the polite form first: ありがとうございます before ありがとう.
- Japanese taught
- Standard Japanese
- Level
- A1
- Romaji
- Hepburn with macrons (arigatō), as a pronunciation guide
- On each page
- Script and romaji, polite and casual forms, replies, common mistakes
- Real usage
- Most pages quote a line from a Contos story chapter
- How to say beautiful in JapaneseKirei or utsukushii? How to say beautiful in Japanese for people, places and things, plus kawaii, kakkoii and the grammar trap in kirei.
- How to say cheers in JapaneseKanpai! How to say cheers in Japanese, the etiquette of the first toast, pouring for others, and why kanpai never means thanks.
- How to say delicious in JapaneseOishii, umai or oishisō? How to say delicious in Japanese, praise a host's cooking, and describe sweet, spicy and salty tastes.
- How to say "Do you speak English?" in JapaneseEigo o hanasemasu ka? How to ask if someone speaks English in Japanese, a softer way to ask, and the answers you are likely to hear.
- How to say excuse me in JapaneseSumimasen or shitsurei shimasu? How to say excuse me in Japanese to get attention, pass through a crowd or enter a room.
- How to say good morning in JapaneseOhayō or ohayō gozaimasu? How to say good morning in Japanese, when to stop saying it, and why some workers use it at night.
- How to say good night in JapaneseOyasumi or oyasumi nasai? How to say good night in Japanese, how it differs from konbanwa, and what to say back.
- How to say goodbye in JapaneseSayōnara, jā ne, mata ne or shitsurei shimasu? How Japanese people really say goodbye to friends, at work and when leaving home.
- How to say happy birthday in JapaneseTanjōbi omedetō or otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu? Happy birthday in Japanese for friends and colleagues, what to write in a card and how to reply.
- How to say hello in JapaneseKonnichiwa, ohayō or konbanwa? How to say hello in Japanese at each time of day, on the phone and to friends, and how to reply.
- How to say 'How are you?' in JapaneseOgenki desu ka, genki? or saikin dō? How to ask how someone is in Japanese, when not to ask it, and how to answer.
- How to say "How much is it?" in JapaneseIkura desu ka? How to ask prices in Japanese, read yen amounts with man and sen, and understand what the cashier says at the till.
- How to say "I don't understand" in JapaneseWakarimasen means both "I don't understand" and "I don't know". How to use it, phrases for when Japanese goes too fast, and how to say "got it".
- How to say I love you in JapaneseAishiteru, suki or daisuki? How to say I love you in Japanese, how a love confession works, and which phrase is too heavy.
- How to say I miss you in JapaneseAitai, sabishii or koishii? How Japanese says I miss you without a word for "miss", what to say when you meet again, and how to reply.
- How to say "my name is" in JapaneseSay your name in Japanese the natural way: [name] desu, the formal to mōshimasu, how to ask someone's name, and why you never add -san to your own.
- How to say nice to meet you in JapaneseHajimemashite and yoroshiku onegai shimasu: how a Japanese first meeting opens and closes, what the words mean, and how to reply.
- How to say please in JapaneseKudasai, onegai shimasu or dōzo? The three Japanese words for please, when to use each, and the mistakes learners make.
- How to say see you later in JapaneseMata ne, mata ato de, mata ashita: how to say see you later in Japanese depending on when you'll meet, and why mata kondo may mean never.
- How to say sorry in JapaneseSumimasen, gomen nasai or mōshiwake arimasen? Which Japanese apology to use, how serious each one is, and how to show sympathy.
- How to say thank you in JapaneseArigatō, arigatō gozaimasu or arigatō gozaimashita? Which Japanese thank you to use, how to pronounce it, and how to reply.
- How to ask for the bill in JapaneseOkaikei onegai shimasu: how to ask for the bill in a Japanese restaurant, where to pay, splitting the bill and why you don't tip.
- How to ask where the toilet is in JapaneseToire wa doko desu ka? How to ask where the toilet is in Japanese, the polite word otearai, the signs to look for and the answers you'll hear.
- How to say yes and no in JapaneseHai, iie, un and uun: how to say yes and no in Japanese, why hai often means "I'm listening", and how to refuse politely.
- How to say you're welcome in JapaneseDō itashimashite, ie ie or tondemonai desu? How to say you're welcome in Japanese to friends, at work, and how to welcome a guest.
Which Japanese phrases should you learn first?
A visitor can get a long way with five phrases, mostly because the first one does so many jobs:
- すみません (sumimasen): excuse me, sorry, and for a small kindness from a stranger, thank you.
- ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu): the polite thank you, safe with anyone.
- お願いします (onegai shimasu): please, when asking for something. Point at the menu and say it.
- こんにちは (konnichiwa) from late morning; before that, おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu).
- 分かりません (wakarimasen): I don't understand, and also I don't know.
Then add いくらですか (ikura desu ka) for shops, トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka), and お会計お願いします (okaikei onegai shimasu) for restaurants.
Should a beginner speak polite or casual Japanese?
Polite. Japanese marks politeness in the verb ending, and the -masu and desu forms are what adults use with strangers, shop staff, teachers and colleagues. Casual forms such as ありがとう or 分からない (wakaranai) are for friends and family, and can sound abrupt from someone you have just met. Learn the polite form first and pick up casual speech from friends and stories later.
A soft opening helps too. Putting あの (ano, "um") before すみません signals that you are about to raise something delicate. In this A1 Contos chapter, Yumi uses exactly that before telling Mrs Satō about some bags left in the wardrobe:
あの、 すみません。Ano, sumimasen.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read Japanese script to use these phrases?
Not to say them: the romaji on each page shows the sound. But short phrases are a good way into the scripts. ありがとう is five hiragana, and once you can read it you will spot it on signs and in stories. The Japanese writing system guide explains where to begin.
Why are there so many ways to say thank you or sorry?
Because the form changes with who you are talking to and what happened. ありがとう, ありがとうございます and ありがとうございました are all thank you, at different levels of politeness or for something already finished. Each page has a table of forms and when to use them.
Is romaji enough to learn Japanese?
For a phrasebook, yes. For reading, no: real Japanese text, including Contos stories, uses no romaji at all. Treat romaji as a pronunciation guide and move on to kana early.
What is the single most useful Japanese phrase?
すみません (sumimasen). It calls a waiter, apologises for bumping into someone and thanks a stranger who helps you. Pair it with お願いします (onegai shimasu) and you can order almost anything by pointing.