How to Learn Basic Japanese Phrases Before a Trip
You do not need to be fluent to enjoy Japan, but a few basic Japanese phrases change the tone of a trip. A simple “sumimasen” to get a waiter’s attention or “arigato gozaimasu” after a purchase shows effort, and people usually respond with warmth. Better still, a handful of phrases makes restaurants, trains and hotels less stressful.
This guide helps you choose which phrases to learn, how to pronounce them, and how to practice in a few weeks without a formal course. It also explains what to do when you cannot find the right words.
Why learn phrases when apps can translate?
Translation apps are excellent, but they are not always the fastest option. You may have no signal, a dead battery or a queue behind you. Spoken phrases are quicker than typing, and politeness phrases cannot be outsourced to a screen. A mix works best: learn the core phrases, and use an app for everything else.
Japanese pronunciation in five minutes
Japanese pronunciation is friendlier to English speakers than many people expect.
- Five vowels, always the same: a (as in “father”), i (as in “machine”), u (as in “flute”, but short), e (as in “bed”), o (as in “more”).
- Every syllable gets roughly equal weight. Avoid stressing one syllable heavily as English does. “Arigato” is a-ri-ga-to, evenly.
- Double consonants and long vowels matter. A pause before a doubled consonant (as in “kitte”, stamp) and a held long vowel (as in “obaasan” versus “obasan”) can change the word. Do not worry too much at first.
- The Japanese “r” is a light tap, between “r”, “l” and “d”.
When you see romaji (Japanese in Roman letters), read it syllable by syllable.
The essential phrases
Greetings and politeness
| English | Japanese (romaji) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (daytime) | Konnichiwa | Standard greeting |
| Good morning | Ohayo gozaimasu | Polite form |
| Good evening | Konbanwa | |
| Thank you | Arigato gozaimasu | Polite; “arigato” is casual |
| Excuse me / sorry | Sumimasen | Extremely useful; gets attention, apologizes and thanks |
| Please (offering or asking) | Onegaishimasu | Can follow a request |
| Yes / No | Hai / Iie | “Hai” can also mean “I understand” |
| I’m sorry | Gomennasai | More directly apologetic |
| Nice to meet you | Hajimemashite |
Restaurants
| English | Japanese (romaji) |
|---|---|
| A table for two, please | Futari desu |
| Menu, please | Menyu wo onegaishimasu |
| This one, please | Kore wo onegaishimasu |
| Water, please | Omizu wo onegaishimasu |
| Check, please | Okaikei wo onegaishimasu |
| It was delicious | Gochisosama deshita / Oishikatta desu |
| Before eating | Itadakimasu |
Pointing at a menu photo and saying “kore” (this) works anywhere. For deeper tips on ordering, see our guide to eating in Japan.
How to Eat in Japan: Izakaya, Ramen and Convenience Stores
Dietary needs
Allergies and restrictions are difficult to communicate casually. You can learn “I cannot eat.” (watashi wa. ga taberaremasen), but it is safer to show a written card in Japanese listing your restrictions clearly. Do not rely on one phrase for a serious allergy.
Shopping
| English | Japanese (romaji) |
|---|---|
| How much is this? | Kore wa ikura desu ka? |
| Do you have.? | .wa arimasu ka? |
| Can I pay by card? | Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? |
| I’ll take this | Kore wo kudasai |
| Bag, please / No bag | Fukuro wo kudasai / Fukuro wa daijobu desu |
“Daijobu desu” means “it’s fine / no thank you”, and it is one of the most useful flexible phrases.
Directions and transport
| English | Japanese (romaji) |
|---|---|
| Where is the station? | Eki wa doko desu ka? |
| Where is the toilet? | Toire wa doko desu ka? |
| Does this train go to.? | Kono densha wa. ni ikimasu ka? |
| One ticket to., please | . made ichimai onegaishimasu |
| Which platform? | Nanbansen desu ka? |
| Right / Left / Straight | Migi / Hidari / Massugu |
A station worker will almost always help you if you show your destination on your phone. For the practicalities of tickets, read our guide to Japan’s trains and IC cards.
How to Use Japan’s Trains and IC Cards
Emergencies and help
| English | Japanese (romaji) |
|---|---|
| Help! | Tasukete! |
| I need a doctor | Isha wo yonde kudasai |
| I’m lost | Michi ni mayoimashita |
| Please call the police | Keisatsu wo yonde kudasai |
| I don’t understand | Wakarimasen |
| Do you speak English? | Eigo wo hanasemasu ka? |
Save your accommodation address in Japanese on your phone and keep your embassy’s contact information handy.
Numbers
Learn at least 1 to 10: ichi, ni, san, shi (or yon), go, roku, shichi (or nana), hachi, kyu, ju. Prices are often displayed in digits, but numbers help when someone says a total. Counting more than ten is just combinations: eleven is ju-ichi, twenty is ni-ju.
A four-week study plan
You do not need to study for hours. Ten to fifteen minutes a day is enough.
Week 1: sounds and greetings. Learn the five vowels, then greetings, “sumimasen”, “arigato gozaimasu” and “onegaishimasu”. Say them aloud, not just in your head.
Week 2: restaurants and shopping. Practice ordering with “kore wo onegaishimasu”, asking prices and paying.
Week 3: transport and directions. Learn station and toilet questions, numbers 1 to 10 and your hotel’s name in Japanese.
Week 4: review and role-play. Rehearse imaginary scenes: arriving at the hotel, buying a ticket, ordering a meal. Record yourself or practice with a language exchange partner.
Tools that help
- Flashcard apps with spaced repetition are good for vocabulary.
- Audio lessons or podcasts train your ear. Listen during commutes.
- Phrasebook apps let you hear native pronunciation.
- Language exchange sites or tutors provide speaking practice. Many offer short trial lessons.
- Translation apps with camera mode read signs and menus once you are there. Download the offline Japanese pack before you leave.
Choose one or two tools. Having too many creates the illusion of progress without actual speaking.
Reading: do you need hiragana and katakana?
You can travel without reading Japanese, but learning hiragana and katakana, the two phonetic scripts, helps with menus, station names and product labels. Each has 46 basic characters, and many learners master them in a couple of weeks with daily practice. Kanji, the Chinese-derived characters, take far longer; recognizing a handful such as 出口 (exit), 入口 (entrance), 駅 (station) and 男/女 (men/women) is plenty for a trip.
How to use phrases in practice
- Start with “sumimasen”. It opens almost every interaction.
- Smile and speak slowly. Clear and calm beats fast and fluent.
- Combine words with gestures. Pointing, showing your phone or holding up fingers for numbers is normal.
- Accept imperfection. People generally appreciate the attempt. If the reply comes too fast, say “yukkuri onegaishimasu” (slowly, please).
- Know when to switch. If you have a complicated question, use your app or show a note.
Common mistakes
- Over-memorizing long phrases. A few short, reliable phrases beat a dozen complicated sentences.
- Using casual forms with strangers. Stick to “-masu” and “desu” forms and polite expressions.
- Mixing up “sumimasen” and “gomennasai”. The former is flexible and used for attention and light apologies; the latter is a more personal apology.
- Skipping pronunciation. Even good vocabulary can be misunderstood if vowels are muddy.
Cultural notes that go with the language
Language and manners are closely tied. Politeness softens requests, and silence is not necessarily awkward. If you want to understand why certain phrases are used, our guide to Japanese culture explains the underlying values. And to plan the rest of your trip, our Japan travel guide pulls it together.
Japanese Culture Explained: Customs, Etiquette and Traditions
Japan Travel Guide: First-Timer Essentials for 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many Japanese phrases should I learn before traveling?
Twenty to thirty well-practiced phrases cover most situations: greetings, thanks, ordering, asking for help and directions. Quality of practice matters more than quantity.
Is English widely spoken in Japan?
In major tourist areas you will find English signage and some English-speaking staff, but it is less common in smaller towns. Having basic Japanese and a translation app is practical.
Should I learn hiragana and katakana before going?
It is optional but helpful. Many learners find they can read basic scripts in a few weeks, which helps with menus and train stations.
Is it okay to use the casual form “arigato”?
With friends, yes. With staff and strangers, use “arigato gozaimasu” to be polite.
Conclusion
Learning basic Japanese phrases is a small investment with a large payoff. Focus on pronunciation, master a core set for greetings, food, shopping and transport, and practice a few minutes daily for a month. Save the rest for your translation app, and go with an open attitude. Start tonight by saying “sumimasen” and “arigato gozaimasu” aloud ten times.