Survival Japanese – 10 Essential Words and Phrases
If you are planning to travel to Japan, or plan to learn Japanese, here is a starter set of essential Japanese to help you get started learning Japanese. When you say these Japanese phrases, don’t add any stress or accent to the syllables-just Tableware from Japan stay them in a flat, even-paced tone.
- Arigato gozaimasu(pronounced “ah-lee-gah-toe go-zah-ee-mas”)
Nothing is more important in Japanese than knowing how to express gratitude; arigato gozaimasu means “thank you.” The final “u” is silent. Also note that Japanese “r” is pronounced like English “l” (it’s actually in between “l” and “r”, but closer to “l”.) You get extra points from your Japanese host if you give a slight bow from the waist as you say arigato gozaimasu.
- Domo(pronounced “doe-moe”)
Domo can mean “thanks”-when a Japanese waiter brings something to your table, domo (or sumimasen) is a good response.
- Sumimasen(pronounced “sue-me-mah-sen”)
“Excuse me” or “I’m sorry (to have troubled you)” is a standard translation of this Japanese, but sumimasen also means “thanks (for doing that for me).” If you want to ask directions in Japan, start off with sumimasen.
- Onegai shimasu(pronounced “oh-nay-guy she-mas”)
Literally this means “I humbly make this request,” but it used all the time among Japanese to mean “thank you (in advance for doing something for me)”. If a convenience store clerk asks if you want your bento lunch warmed in the microwave, reply with onegai shimasu.
- Konnichiwa (pronounced “cone-knee-chee-wah”)