Going to Japan? Here are some Japanese phrases to memorize on the plane.
This post is dedicated to Sarah Menkedick, who is currently learning Japanese in Nagoya, Japan.
Some of these Japanese phrases are practical. Some of them are funny. All 10 will greatly enhance your trip to Japan.
All of the phrases are pretty informal, especially the one about crapping your pants.
Note that I spell the phrases phonetically in the bold text, but spell them with the most common romanization of the Japanese characters when explaining a point.
Confused already? Don’t worry about it.
Keitai girl by scion02
1. “Yo-ro-sh-ku o-neh-gai-shi-mus.”
This phrase is absolute magic. Say “yoroshiku” to any Japanese person in any situation and they will help you with anything and everything you need. It’s impossible to translate literally, but means something to the effect of “please do your best and treat me well”.
If you memorize nothing else before going to Japan, remember “yoroshiku” and you’re totally set. “Onegaishimasu” is a common word that means something similar to “please”.
2. “Yosh. Gahn-bah-di-mus.”
This phrase means something like, “OK, I’m going for it,” or “I’ll do my best”. A Japanese would say “Ganbarimasu” before taking a test, or leaving the house for a job interview.
Japanese people will crack up if you say it before walking outside, eating noodles or using a vending machine. Try saying it before using useful phrase # 8.
3. “Ara! Onara suru tsu-mori datta keh-do, un-chi ga de-chatta.”
The literal translation of this useful phrase is “Oops! I meant to fart but poop came out”.
Saying this useful phrase never gets old, especially in public places, especially on a first date and most especially if it’s clearly one of only 10 Japanese phrases that you’ve memorized.
When in Southeast Asia, I especially enjoy muttering in Japanese about crapping my pants while walking past Japanese tourists. The reactions are priceless.
4. “Mo da-meh. Yoh-para-chatta. Go-men.”
At some point during your stay, Japanese people will probably try to make you drink past your limit. That’s when this phrase comes in handy. It means something like, “No more, I’m already drunk, sorry.”
Photo by Jenny Webber
5. “Ko-ko wa do-ko? Wa-ta-shi wa da-reh?” Na-ni mo wah-kah-nai.”
Where is this? Who am I? I don’t understand anything.
This is what you say after failing to use useful phrase # 4 in time.
6. “Ee-show ni kah-rah-o-keh ni ee-koh ka?”
Shall we go to karaoke together? This is a good line to use if trying to pick someone up from the bar. Think of karaoke as a transition point between the bar and the love hotel.
Note – please don’t pronounce karaoke with lots of EEE sounds. It should sound like “kah-rah-o-keh” not “carry-oh-key”.
7. “Hon-toe ni oh-ee-shee des yo!”
Use this one when eating. It means something like, “For real, it’s delicious!”
Hontou ni means “for real” or “really” or “I’m not kidding.” Japanese people are always telling sweet little white lies, so dropping a “hontou ni” from time to time is very much appreciated.
8. “Ah-nah-tah wa ha-ruh no ee-chee ban no sah-ku-rah yo-ree u-tsu-ku-shee.”
This classic Japanese pick-up line means “You’re more beautiful than the first cherry blossom of spring.”
Destinations
9. “Ni-hon dai-skee”.
Japan is the best. I love Japan. When in doubt, just smile, nod and repeat.
10. “Koh-nah ni kee-ray na to-ko-ro wa hah-jee-meh-teh mee-tah!”
Japanese people love it when you gush about their country. This phrase means, “I’ve never seen a place so beautiful before”.
Bust it out at famous attractions and you’ll meet with instant approval.
Want To Live In Japan?
Check out: How To Get A Job Teaching In Japan
Do You Speak Any Japanese?
Help us all out by sharing a useful phrase in the comments section below.
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68 Comments... join the discussion!
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Thanks for the thoughtful note and contribution, Liz! I checked out your website – good stuff!
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watashi no chinpo wa ookii = my penis is large
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Nice Tim – I didn’t know about a few of these. Please take down that photo of the Shibuya girls, though… it’s freaking me out.
Nou aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu
“A true eagle hides its talons”↵ -
Thanks for the shout out, Tim! 2 and 3 are definitely going to come in handy. Could’ve busted out 2 in front of the instant coffee machine this morning…
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Here’s one more for you, Sarah -
Koo-hee no-ma-nai to sugu oh-ko-ra-re-chau kara, choo-dai.
“If I don’t get my coffee soon I’ll get pissed off so give it.”
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Hilarious! I need an article like this for Korean…
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paging Chris Tharp…Mr. Tharp….we need an article from you…
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I think the fifth is essential u_u
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yeah, especially for those Lost in Translation moments of total disorientation.
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Glad you guys liked the picks! Thanks for the contribution, Turner.
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#5 kind of reminded me of the Gaijin Invasion song from Adam and Joe Go Tokyo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHHWc7_-3zU
Oh, and their Japanese insults episode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdT4lpJhyAY&feature=related
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These were the most useful phrases for me while I was in Japan (though, admittedly, not as much fun as yours)
“toy-reh wah dough-koh dehs-kah?” – Where’s the toilet?
“kahn-jee woe deh-kee-mah-sehn.” – I can’t read kanji.
“ee-mah nahn-jee dehs-kah?” – What time is it? (for the first half of my trip I was running around asking strangers “Toki wa nan desu ka?” instead until a group of middle school kids laughed at me and corrected me)
“Koh-reh wah California, koh-reh wah New York, koh-reh wah Georgia. Wah-tah-shee wah Georgia kah-rah.” – This is California, this is New York, this is Georgia. I’m from Georgia. (almost every person I talked to asked me if I was from California or New York, so I started pointing out US geography on a map after telling them no)↵ -
Thanks for the contribution, Leigh, much appreciated.
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At mealtime it is customary to say, “Ita daki masu” (Eetah docky moss), just before digging in. This is said by everyone at the table and is similar to a blessing before the meal, although it has, mercifully, no religious connotation. Similarly, “Gochiso samma deshita” (go chee so samma deshtah), which means, roughly, “It was a wonderful meal, thank you very much!”
I spent a month in Japan in 1984 with Japanese friends, staying with their families all over the country, and it was the most magical month of my magical life. Kyoto, especially, is not to be missed.
I hope this will be helpful.↵ -
I agree with you about Kyoto – especially Fushimi Inari, one of my favorite destinations in Japan. Thanks for commenting.
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I will make sure to keep these in mind before traveling to Japan.
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PS–
“Gochiso samma deshita” is said AFTER the meal on the way out the door.↵ -
It would be nice to have these in romaji as well as the phonetic spellings–it just feels really awkward reading it this way for some reason. But this is still quite the amusing list! \o/
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Laura, try this list:
http://www.keepingpaceinjapan.com/2009/05/ten-useful-phrases.html
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Yeah, I’ll add romaji if I get a minute today. I used phonetics to make the list accessible to people with no exposure to Japanese.
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Man, Japanese looks like it’s really hard. I’m glad all I have to do is improve my Spanish!
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Japan is a wonderfull country! So different, but very nice to visit
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we really should be doing this as a series. this rules and i’d print it before going to japan, for sure. the good thing is that you’re also pocket-sized, so i could just put you in my luggage and have you translate for me.
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Tom, you don’t need to put me in your luggage – just keep a supply of cashew nuts on hand and I’ll follow you around.
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I spent a short time in Japan Last year. Most amazing place I’ve ever been.
Anyway A few MUST HAVES this post missed#1. Sue-Me-Mah-Sen. You will here and use this 100 times a day. Van be used for “sorry / excuse me / to get someones attention / if someone is in yourway ” its a very very common term in Japan. if u bump someone by addicent of if you want to call a waiter it works!
Kan Pai. This is to toast. like “cheers”
Ichiban, Ee-Chee-bahn. This kinda of means NUMBER ONE. or Favourite. you will see it everywhere. and can use it. for example, if you try some new foods or drink. they will want to know which u like best.
DAH-MEH. means NO! cancel! reverse! stop! it used used often to foreighners if u do something wrong.
DOH MOE is very casual thanks. you will learn a more formal one from transalation books. but this is what the locals say. so they are very impressed when it is used.
If you are interested in others or more information about japan. pic, tips etc.
Please email. Thanks.,↵ -
Good contributions, thanks!
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Stray-she-mas: excuse me (when you’re trying to get around somebody).
Sue-me-massen excuse me (when you want to ask a question)
Dozo: Please, go ahead
Domo: Thanks (Everybody knows “Domo Arrigato, Mr Roboto”, right?)For Taxi drivers:
Ma-sue-gu: straight
Me-gi : right
He-da-ri : left
Coach-chi : hereTypin’ finger runnin outa ink. Good dictionary; better idea !
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Thanks Mike – Shitsurei-simasu was the one phrase that I could never seem to wrap my tongue around. I always just mumbled it instead.
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I’m studying Japanese right now and it’s pretty easy. Here’s some things to remember. Rember the U is silent is Gozimasu, Desu, Wakarimasu etc.
Ohayoo Gozimasu – Oh-hi-yoh go-zi-ma-su
Good Morning
Ekaga Desu ka – Ee-kah-gah de-su kah-
How are you
OR
Ogenki desu ka – Oh-gen-ke-ii de-su kahKonnichi-wa (Everyone knows this one)
Konbawa – Kon-bah-wah
Good EveningAnata-wa Nihon-go ga wakarimasu ka? An-at-ah-wa Ni-hon go ga wah-kari-mas
Do you understand Japanese?Anata-wa ego ga wakarimasu ka? An-at-ah-wa eh-go go wah-kari-mas
Do you understand english?Wakarimasu Wah-kari-mas
UnderstandWakarimasen Wah-kari-masen
Don’t UnderstandHai
YesIie
Noanata-wa American-jin Desu ka?
Are you American?There’s lots more. I highly recommend Pimsleurs Japanese Lessons. They are about 30 minutes each lesson, but it gets you learning fast.
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Good additions, but it’s important not to overuse “anata” – Japanese usually just intuit by context who you’re talking about.
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Kochira wa tomadachi ________. It means something like “Hello, this is my friend ______.”
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Another few useful phrases to use when in Japan:
______ wa doko desu ka? = Where is ________?
Would be useful for finding certain places, for example, Tokyo Tower, Train Station, convenience store, etc.Arigato/Douitashimashite (dou-ee-tah-shee-mah-shi-teh) = Thank you/You’re Welcome
Self explanatory.Yukkuri o hanshite kudasai (yoo-koo-ree wo hah-nah-shee-teh koo-dah-sigh) = Please speak slowly.
Good for when you understand what they’re saying, but they’re speaking a tad too fast.Doko no omise wa iindesuka? (doh-koh no oh-mee-seh wah eeen-dess-kah) = Where is a good place to eat/drink?
Locals always know where its good to eat and drink, or have a great time all together.Kore wa doko ni kaemasuka? (koh-reh wah doh-koh nee kah-ehh-mah-suu-kah) = Where can I buy this?
Useful for when you have a magazine with a photo of something you’d like to buy.Enjoy~
Shitsureshimasu~↵ -
Arigatou gozaimasu!
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Hello there! Very entertaining article, though I spotted a couple errors in terms of pronunciation.
Example:
“Yosh. Gahn-bah-di-mus.” Should be “Yosh. Gann-Bari Masu.”“Ni-hon dai-skee”. Should be “Nihon Daisuki.”
Instead of using the English phonetic pronunciation, its better off using romaji.
- Just sayin.
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Thanks skybase – I used phonetics to make the list easy for beginners. To my ear, the “ri” sound in Ganbarimasu sounds more like a “d” than an “r”. It’s not Gan Bah Ree, it’s more like Gan Bah Di … and the romanization “Suki” never made sense to me when the word is pronounced “ski” or “skee”.
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Great list, but I wonder why #3 is so effective? If anyone ever said that in English here in Sydney they’d get crazy looks.
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I enjoy crazy looks once in a while.
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Great list, but I wonder why you think #3 is effective? If anyone ever said that in English here in Sydney they’d get crazy looks.
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Just read in this morning’s newspaper about a gadget like an ipod that’s gonna translate and speak for you ! I ain’t buyin’ no more dictionaries !
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Watashi wa vegetarian desu. “I’m a vegetarian!”
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…sakana wa daijoobu. “fish is OK”.
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itadakimasu (lit: i receive – say before receiving food from someone/eating) seems pretty legit. along with gochisoosama deshta (that was delicious! – post meal). host family musts
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I stumbled this article and I’m so glad that I did. I really enjoyed it and I’m sitting here alone in my room at 5 a.m., speaking Japanese phrases and laughing my butt off at #3. My family is sleeping so hopefully they don’t hear me because they will think I’ve lost it…since I don’t normally speak Japanese. lol
Thumbs up on Stumble! I can’t wait to read more of your articles! You are funny, remind me of my brother Jason!
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Thanks Jen!
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some nihongo phrases: (read each syllable)
ba’ka = same as s.o.b.
o na’ma’e wa = what’s your name? (informal) anata wa namae nan desu ka? (formal)
da’me = bad/not good
ima nan ji? = what time is it?
i’chi = one
ni = two
san = three
shi = four
go = 5
roku,
nana
hat’chi
ku
ju = 10, and so on..nice to learn a few japanese words….
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These are great. I am sure American phrases sound geeky to them as well. I am set now and packing my bags to go next week.
Thanks for posting.
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very usefull and funny
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Eehhh, I can kinda understand the ri in ganbarimasu being heard as di…but if you try and pronounce it like that I’m sure you’d get an extra funny look (as opposed to the funny look they’re going to give you for trying to speak Japanese anyways). It’s just the strange l/r combo they have going on. I totally agree on the romanization of ’suki’ though. The only time I hear that u is in the grocery store recording “su-ki su-ki o-niku su-ki su-ki”…that plays in the meat dept of my local grocery.
I’m also surprised no one has mentioned the great phrase when you’re shopping in a small store “kore wa ee-kura dess-ka” -How much is this? Sometimes prices can be kinda confusing, and it’s nice to know before you’re shocked at the register.
Oh, and jya-mata or mata-ne, ie See you later.
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Thanks for the note, Cody. Where in Japan do you live?
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Thank you, Cody! I had been trying forever to decipher those lyrics – I thought it said “onaka su-ki su-ki”
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when I was 18 I went to visit my grandfather, who had lived in Japan for 30 years. He taught me many phrases, but the one that always stuck with me we “Ben-joe wah-doko deska?” I was led to believe that it meant “Where is the restroom?”, but years later learned that it is a more vulgar form of that phrase, translating to something like “Where is the shitter?”
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Konnichiwa! This website ROCKS! I’m 13 Years old and I LOVE NIHON !!!!!!!!!!! I’m Crazy about anything Nihongo!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a Japanese Fan, dressing gown, phrase book etc. NIHONGO RULES!!!!!!!!
Mate Ne!
(See Ya!)ローラ (Laura)
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Thanks so much for these list. very usefull post and help full when we travel to japan
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If you’re planning on heading to the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara..) and want to be everyone’s favorite gaijin, it’s advisable to learn some of the Osaka dialect or “Osaka-ben”. For Osakaens (?), this loud, lovable dialect is a defining characteristic, one which distinguishes them from the much more reserved Kanto region. They take great pride in it, and I promise you that they will go absolutely apeshit if you use any of the following phrases:
First, most importantly:
1. Nan-day-ya-nen – This essentially means, “What the Fuck!?!?”, but can be used in a much more casual sense. One must be quick when using it, as the average Osakaen will break it out within .034329932390 milliseconds of the disagreed upon comment. When saying it, you must, under all possible circumstances, accompany the phrase with a light, backhanded bitch slap to the general shoulder region of your target.2. Metcha – This an Osakan slang way of saying “very” or “a lot”. Like “hella”, “wicked”, “mad”, etc.. For emphasis, the speaker can place a pause between the Met and the cha ( met…..cha).
3. Mo-kari-ma-ka? – Literally means “How is business?”, but this is an izakaya (Japanese traditional alcohol and delicious food establishment) favorite way to ask “How’s it going”.
4. Bochi-bochi de na – The one and only way to respond to # 3. Not too sure of the translation, but use it, and you will be a gaijin superhero.
5. A-ho – idiot, fool, asshole, George W. Bush
6. Ya-de – I’m pretty sure this is equivalent to “Desu” which is a grammatical particle. Just throw it in after any statement, and you’ll be all good.
These are just a few… but if interested, a quick google search should yield Metcha results yade.
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thanks for the contributions, scott-sensei!
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Great list! Number 3 is a bit out there, but some of them are really useful…..I really hope no one uses #3 though.
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#3 is gotta be a joke. gotta try that.
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I wish I could ask all those Japanese tourist girls you see wandering around London, dressed like they are little school girls, “WTF are you dressed like that for?”
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I think the phrases would be more helpful if all of them where also spelled out with romanji, I’m used to looking at romanji. So the slightly more Americanized transliteration is confusing.
The most useful phrase I found was, “Sumimasen.” To get people’s attention, to get them to move, etc.
My Japanese friends often walked too fast for me, causing me to yell out, “Chotto matte!”
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These are great tips if I ever want to travel to Japan. Great site (2 articles in a row that were helpful).
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One time while eating with our Mayor. (JET Program alum from 17 years ago)
I said “Inaka Opai” instead of Onaka ipai…it got a strange look and the laugh of the century from the Mayor
O Naka eee pie
(I am full)
ee naka o pie
(country tits) or (Boondocks Knockers)
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HAHAH #3
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Here’s a couple useful phrases:
One more time (please): Mo ichido (kudasai)
Repeat that (please): Mo ichido itte (kudasai)
(itte is pronounced ee-tay)I will never forget that one because of the time I mispronounced it “Mo ichiro” which means “more strawberries” I think.
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