Japanese Phrases for Travelers (With Pronunciation)

You can travel around Japan without speaking Japanese, but a few words go a long way. Locals appreciate the effort, and simple phrases make restaurants, shops and stations easier. Here are the essentials, with simple pronunciation guides.

Pronunciation in one minute

Japanese pronunciation is fairly regular. Vowels sound roughly like this: a as in "father", i as in "machine", u as in "food" (often very light), e as in "bed", o as in "go". Every syllable gets similar weight. A double vowel (like ō) is simply held a little longer.

Greetings and politeness

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
こんにちは	kon-ni-chi-wa	Hello / good afternoon
おはようございます	o-ha-yō go-zai-mas	Good morning
こんばんは	kon-ban-wa	Good evening
ありがとうございます	a-ri-ga-tō go-zai-mas	Thank you (polite)
すみません	su-mi-ma-sen	Excuse me / sorry / thank you
はい / いいえ	hai / ī-e	Yes / no
お願いします	o-ne-gai shi-mas	Please (when asking for something)

Sumimasen is the most useful word in Japan: use it to get attention, apologize or thank someone for trouble.

At restaurants

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
〜をください	...o ku-da-sai	...please (ordering)
これをください	ko-re o ku-da-sai	This one, please
お会計お願いします	o-kai-kei o-ne-gai shi-mas	The bill, please
いただきます	i-ta-da-ki-mas	Said before eating
ごちそうさまでした	go-chi-sō-sa-ma desh-ta	Said after eating, to thank
美味しい	oi-shī	Delicious

Getting around

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
〜はどこですか	...wa do-ko des ka	Where is...?
駅	e-ki	Station
トイレ	toi-re	Toilet
いくらですか	i-ku-ra des ka	How much is it?
英語を話せますか	ei-go o ha-na-se-mas ka	Do you speak English?
わかりません	wa-ka-ri-ma-sen	I don't understand

Numbers 1 to 10

ichi, ni, san, yon (shi), go, roku, nana (shichi), hachi, kyū, jū.

Useful habits

Pointing at a menu photo and saying kore o kudasai works almost everywhere.
A small nod or bow with arigatō gozaimasu is polite and natural.
Translation apps with camera mode are excellent for menus and signs.
Speak calmly and simply; you don't need perfect grammar to be understood.

Learn ten phrases before you go and you'll feel far more confident from the moment you land.

Japanese Phrases for Travelers: The Essentials