We were really excited when planning our trip to Japan but conscious it was going to be one of the first countries we have visited that is predominantly a whole other language. They’re Japanese after all, so Japanese really makes sense! We’ve been through other parts of Asia and Oceana as a family, but English has always been widely spoken in the areas we’ve visited.
We wanted to respect the Japanese and use their native language as much as possible, at least in initial engagements or introductions. But we were also realistic on what we could learn in a short time frame. With only a month or two until we departed, we decided to hone in on some key words and phrases that would make our life easier when speaking to the Japanese.
A couple of pro tips for you on the Japanese language. They respect all parts of a word the same, IE they don’t over pronounce or drag out letters or sounds. The best example is probably Wasabi. Here in English, it is often pronounced Wa-saaaa-bi. But the correct pronunciation is Wa-sa-bi. That famous Japanese beer is similar. I actually had trouble ordering it initially with my pronunciation of A-saaaa-hi. The correct pronunciation is A-sa-hi. When practicing we actually pretended to be angry Japanese businessmen when pronouncing the words. I know, it’s odd, but it worked for us! 😊
The second pro tip relates to our first word on our top 9 words for Japan in Japanese. In the Japanese language there is a sound that we don’t use in English. It is an R/L sound and is heard most commonly in the word Arligato Gazimus. The best way to pronounce it is to say the word ‘butter’. Note how your tongue touches the roof of your mouth on the ‘double t’s? When pronouncing the R/L sound it should do the same – touch the roof of your mouth. Most commonly though, people will simply use the R sound in its place so if you can’t nail it you will still get by.
So without further a due, our top 9 words in Japanese to use in Japan. You will not just find this useful in the places we visited, but also throughout Tokyo and other cities too. The spelling here is what we found result sin the best pronunciation. How can you check? See the final pro tip down the bottom of this article!
Our Top 9 words for Japan in Japanese
Arl-e-ga-to Ga-zi-mus – Thank you very much
Su-me-ma-sen – Excuse me / Sorry
Do-zo – After you / Your next / Go ahead
On-a-guy-sh-mus – Please
O-hi-yo Ga-zi-mus – Good morning
Kon-nichi-wa – Good afternoon
Kon-ban-wa – Good evening
A-go – English
Tahs-Keh-Teh – Help me
If you can memorise these words, you can start to put them together in combination too. Phrases like ‘Excuse me, after you’ are possible, as well as ‘Excuse me, English please?’ or ‘Excuse me, help me please?’. This really does make a big difference and we noted how the locals responded so positively to our efforts to adjust to their language and country.
So maybe you have some extra time or have a great memory. On our trip we actually added some additional words and phrases that ended up being very useful. This is our super list. If you nail the Top 9 you will definitely get by. But if you add the below you will definitely fit in and be embraced by the locals for giving it a go.
Manners
Good manners are great everywhere. Honestly, our kids used better manners in Japan then we have ever seen them do at home. Now we know they can do it!
Arl-i-ga-to Ga-zi-mus – Thank you very much
Su-me-ma-sen – Excuse me / Sorry
Do-zo – After you / Your next / Go ahead
On-a-guy-sh-mus – Please
Go-men-na-sy – I am really sorry
Do-mo – Thanks
Greetings
Always handy as you move in and out of shops, restaurants or hotels.
O-hi-yo Ga-zi-mus – Good morning
Kon-nichi-wa – Good day / Hello
Kon-ban-wa – Good evening
O-ya-sumi Na-sy – Good night
Si-yo-na-ra – Good bye
Words to know
These are really handy to combine with other words above as well as some of the basic phrases below.
Toy-rle – Toilet
Kon-bin-e – Convenience Store
Ek-e – Train Station
Hai – Yes
E-yeh – No
A-go – English
Tahs-Keh-Teh – Help me
Numbers
Always use your hand signal too to avoid mispronunciation. Also most shops and restaurants know the English words too. We think if you can count to 5 (we had a group of 5) it meant we could order 5 ice creams, ask for a table of 5 or tell the staff at Tokyo Disneyland that there are 5 in our group.
Ichi– 1
Knee – 2
Sun – 3
Chi– 4
Goh – 5
Useful Phrases
These phrases were really useful. With these, and the words we added above, we really could engage with the locals and communicate quite easily. The Japanese do learn English at school, but very little is spoken outside of the main tourist shops or areas. Even in big hotels. This shouldn’t be a surprise, it is Japan, but they are accommodating people and knowing even a little bit of the language really helped us.
O-genki Des-ka? – How are you?
Ha-gee-me-mash-tay – Nice to meet you.
Iku-ra des-ka? – How much is this?
Kor eh wa nan des-ka? – What is this?
__ wa do-ko des-ka? – Where is the __ ?
Gen-ki-des – I am fine.
Wa-kar-e-ma-sen – I don’t understand
Wa-kar-e-ma-shta – I understand
A highlight for us was then Justin approached one of the crew at Disneyland to ask where the toilet was. ‘Su-mi-ma-sen, Toirle wa doko deska? Onaguyshamas’. The response? I have no idea. But the local absolutely unloaded in Japanese with hands going in an effort to deliver the right directions (it was actually in a tricky spot far away). After the initial surprise at nailing the pronunciation and the wave of Japanese in response, Justin had to jump in with ‘Su-mi-ma-sen, Eigo onaguyshamus’. The crew member laughed and helped us out with English. A very funny moment, and some reward for the effort of trying to speak Japanese in Japan.
Remember to use the odd bow as well. Bowing is widely used, and part of the language. For example, using the word for sorry with a full 90 degree bow shows how sorry you are. A thank you with a bow is a heartfelt thank you. Do-zo with a 45 degree bow to an elder shows respect. You will see all of this in full use throughout Japan.
We highly recommend you spend some time to get the basics or more down to learn Japanese. We found videos at www.japanesepod101.com on their Facebook page to be very helpful and informative. Thanks Risa! Our final pro tip? Download Google Translator. We used it to great effect in communicating in written Japanese by Facebook and email, but also to test our pronunciation prior to arriving in Japan. If Google know’s what you are saying in Japanese, your pronunciation is pretty close! But nothing beats getting over there and hearing how they speak for the final touches.