Basic Japanese Phrases for Travelers and Beginners

Are you traveling to Japan soon? Perhaps you feel scared that you might get lost or buy the wrong item because of the language barrier? In this article, we will help you make your trip hassle-free by listing some of the basic words and phrases that you can use while in Japan.

Basic Japanese Greetings

• こんにちは (konnichiwa): hello; a daytime greeting.
• おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu): good morning. Casual: おはよう.
• こんばんは (konbanwa): good evening.
• さようなら (sayōnara): goodbye. It can sound like a longer farewell; casual leave-taking often uses じゃあね (jā ne) or じゃあまたね (jā mata ne).
• おやすみなさい (oyasumi nasai): good night. Casual: おやすみ.
• ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu): thank you. どうもありがとうございます adds emphasis; casual: ありがとう.
• すみません (sumimasen): excuse me; sorry. It can also express thanks for someone’s trouble.
• どういたしまして (dō itashimashite): you’re welcome.
• はい (hai) / いいえ (iie): yes / no; はい can also acknowledge that you are listening.
• おげんきですか (ogenki desu ka): how are you? Often used when you have not seen someone for a while.

Introducing Oneself in Japanese

Here are some ways to introduce yourself in Japanese:

Examples

Let’s take a look at other important phrases:

Ordering at a Restaurant in Japanese

Let’s check out some common vocabulary first.

Common Food Vocabulary in Japanese

Sentence Pattern

For example: