Essential Japanese Phrases 2025

Konnichiwa — Safe greeting anytime from 10am–5pm

Ohayou gozaimasu — Polite morning greeting, use until ~10am

Konbanwa — Use after sunset

Arigatou gozaimasu — Most important phrase — use often

Sumimasen — Use to get attention or apologize

Onegaishimasu — Add after any request

Hai — Also used to acknowledge someone

Iie — Rarely said directly; "chotto…" is softer

Wakarimasen — Essential — locals will try to help

Eigo wo hanasemasu ka? — Ask politely; many young staff can help

Kore wo kudasai — Point at menu item — works every time

Osusume wa nan desu ka? — Staff love this question

Okaikei onegaishimasu — Or make a writing motion in the air

Oishii! — Makes any chef's day — use it freely

Oniku nashi de onegaishimasu — Useful for vegetarians

Omizu wo kudasai — Tap water is free and safe everywhere

Eigo no menyu wa arimasu ka? — Many tourist-area restaurants do

___ arerugii ga arimasu — Say the ingredient in English then this phrase

Ichininmae — Useful at counter ramen shops

Kore wa ikura desu ka? — Point at the item

Mite iru dake desu — Politely decline staff assistance

Kore wo kudasai — Same phrase as in restaurants

Chiisai saizu wa arimasu ka? — Or "ookii" for larger

Menzei de onegaishimasu — Show passport for purchases over ¥5,000

Kaado de haraemasu ka? — Ask before shopping in small stores

Fukuro wa arimasu ka? — Plastic bags now cost ¥2–5

Reshiito wo kudasai — Needed for tax-free refunds

___ eki wa doko desu ka? — Fill in station name; most are in English too

Koko made onegaishimasu — Show address or map to taxi driver

Ichiban chikai ___ wa doko desu ka? — Fill in convenience store, hotel, etc.

Kono densha wa ___ ni ikimasu ka? — Confirm before boarding

Shinkansen — Bullet train — say as-is, universally understood

___ made ichimai kudasai — At ticket machines, English mode is available

Kono seki wa aite imasu ka? — Important on unreserved Shinkansen carriages

Dono kurai kakarimasu ka? — Useful for estimating travel time

Tasukete! — Shout clearly in any emergency

Byouin wa doko desu ka? — Emergency: call 119 (ambulance / fire)

Keisatsu — Emergency: call 110 (police)

Isha ga hitsuyou desu — Most hospitals have English-speaking staff

Saifu wo nakushimashita — Japan has very high lost-item return rates

Kyuukyuusha wo yonde kudasai — Or dial 119 directly

Michi ni mayoimashita — Show your destination on Google Maps

Kibun ga warui desu — Staff will help immediately

Chekkuin onegaishimasu — Standard check-in phrase at reception

Chekkuauto onegaishimasu — Standard checkout phrase

WiFi no pasuwaado wa nan desu ka? — Often written on a card at reception

Heya wa ___ goushitsu desu — Say the room number in Japanese numbers

Taoru wo mou ichimai moraemasu ka? — Front desk staff always happy to help

Nimotsu wo azukatte moraemasu ka? — Most hotels offer luggage storage on request

Onsen — Say as-is — it's the same word worldwide

Okosanai de kudasai — Or hang the provided door card