10 essential phrases to learn before traveling to Japan

Apart from basic greetings, it's essential to know some common phrases in Japanese to navigate smoothly through the land of the rising sun.

10 essential phrases to learn before traveling to Japan

Are you getting ready for a trip to Japan? Feeling anxious because you don't speak Japanese? Here are some basic phrases you can use to get by and thrive on your journey.

1. Excuse me (Sumimasen)

Sumimasen is equivalent to 'sorry' or 'excuse me' in English. It's used when you want to call a waiter at a café or hotel, restaurant, when you want people to make way in a crowd, or when you want to apologize to someone.

2. Where is it (Dokodesuka)

This phrase is used when you want to ask for directions. 'Dokodesuka' is the formal way to ask for directions, while the casual way is just 'doko'. For example, if you want to ask where the restroom is, you can say: 'Toire wa dokodesuka?'

3. How much is it (Ikuradesuka)

This phrase is used when you want to ask for the price of something. Even if you don't know the name of the item in Japanese, you can just point to it and say 'Ikuradesuka'.

4. What is it (Nandesuka)

When you want to ask the name of something in Japanese, you say 'nandesuka'.

5. Cheers

Before drinking alcohol, join everyone in raising your glass and saying 'cheers' (similar to 'cheers' for a toast).

6. Please (Onegaishimasu)

You should use this word when someone invites/asks you and you want to respond politely and formally. For example, when someone asks if you'd like water at a restaurant (in Japan, water is complimentary), you should say 'onegaishimaru'.

7. I don't understand (Wakarimasen)

This word is used when you don't understand something.

8. I want to eat (Tabetaidesu)

If you want to eat sushi, say 'sushi tabetaidesu'.

9. Help me please (Tasukete kudasai)

This phrase is used when you need help.

10. Amazing (Yabai)

This is a slang word in Japanese. You can use this word to express surprise, like when you eat something delicious, see a beautiful scenery, or when you lose your passport... Japanese people are often surprised and laugh when foreigners use this word because they never think you know such a slang word.

According to Zing News

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour