15 Basic Japanese Phrases To Learn

Some time ago, a very wise, gentle, kind soul gave me two good and simple pieces of advice regarding traveling. First: know where you’re traveling. Because not knowing where you are going sounds rough, very rough. Second: know how to connect and communicate with the people around you by learning basic phrases in their language.

I know I know that the advice she shared seems quite general. But if you think about it, these are two things that we forget because we get so busy preparing for the trip. So in a way, these two nuggets are as important as packing three pairs of socks. Why three? Because three is better than zero pairs. So please make sure to pack three pairs of socks in case you get cold or have to go for a run or whatever. Enough sock talk. Please, please, please just learn these Japanese phrases or else…

1. good morning: おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu)
2. good evening: こんばんは (konbanwa)
3. how are you: お元気ですか (ogenki desu ka)
4. nice to meet you: よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu)
5. what time is it: 今何時ですか (ima nanji desu ka)
6. see you later: じゃねえ (jaane)
7. where is the bathroom: トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka)
8. how much is this: これはいくらですか (kore wa ikura desu ka)
9. what is your name: お名前は (onamae wa)
10. excuse me: すみません (sumimasen)
11. what is this: これはなんですか (kore wa nan desu ka)
12. I’m hungry: お腹が空いてます (onaka ga suite imasu)
13. I haven’t eaten yet: まだ食べていません (mada tabete imasen)
14. let’s drink: 飲みましょう (nomimashou)
15. let’s eat: 食べましょう (tabemashou)