Welcome to the Japanese

Language Page for

Travelers'

Before taking a trip to Japan it is important to learn some basic information and expressions about the Japanese language.

Introduction

The Japanese language is spoken by the approximately 120 million inhabitants of Japan, and by the Japanese living in Hawaii and on the North and South American mainlands. It is also spoken as a second language by the Chinese and the Korean people who lived under Japanese occupation earlier this century.

Characteristics of Japanese

 

Essential Expressions

Yes. Hai.
No. Iie.
That's right. Sou desu.
Thank you. Arigatou.
Thank you very much. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
Excuse me. Sumimasen.
Good morning. Ohayou gozai masu.
Good afternoon. Konnichiwa.
Good evening. Konbanwa.
Good night. Oyasumi nasai.
Good-bye. Sayounara.
See you later. Sore jaa, mata.
I understand. Wakari mashita.
I don't understand. Wakari masen.
Excuse me. Could you help me? Sumimasen. Onegai shimasu.
Do you speak English? Eigo wa hanase masuka?
I'm looking for someone who speaks English. Eigo no dekiru hito wa imasuka?

 

Pronunciation

Vowels

The Japanese language has five vowels; a, i, u, e, and o. The vowels are pronounced as follows: 

	a	as in father
	i	as in eat
	u	as in rule
	e	as in met
	o	as in solo

Consonants

Japanese consonants are pronounced about the same as English consonants. One exception is the Japanese r, which is pronounced like a combination of the English r and l, with the result being that it is similar to a d sound (like "ra").

 

Vehicles

I would like to go to .... .... e ikitaino desuga.
Where can I get a ticket for ....? .... yuki no kippu wa dokode kaemasuka?
I would like to get on a train for .... .... yuki no densha ni noritaino desuga.
Does this bus go to ....? Kono basu wa .... e yukimasuka?
How much is the fare? Ryoukin wa ikura desuka?
 
 

Asking The Way

I would like to go to .... Would you tell me the way? .... e ikitaino desuga, michi o osiete kudasai.
I am lost. Where am I on this map? Michi ni mayoi mashita. Kono chizu de genzaichi o oshiete kudasai.
Would you show me where .... is? .... wa doko desuka?
Where is the nearst ....? Ichiban chikaku no .... wa doko desuka?
 

Restaurants

I would like to order. Chuumon o onegai shimasu.
Do you have ....? .... wa arimasuka?
What is this? Kore wa nan desuka?
How much is this? Kore wa ikura desuka?
I will have .... .... o kudasai.
Please give me my bill. Okanjyou o onegai shimasu.

 

Shopping

Please tell me where to go to buy it? .... wa doko de kaemasu ka?
I would like to buy .... .... o kaitai no desuga.
How much is it? Kore wa ikura desuka?
I'll take it. Kore o kudasai.
 
 

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