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Japanese people are highly regarded for their delicacy and politeness in communication. To show respect, politeness, and create a good impression in communicating with Japanese people, you need to know some Japanese phrases when traveling. Therefore, the following Japanese travel communication phrases will be useful for your upcoming trip to Japan.
Common Japanese Communication Phrases
Japanese Travel Communication Phrases
1. Common Japanese Greetings
Greetings in Japanese
1. Yaa or Konichiwa: Hello (Kôn ni chi wa)
2. Ohayou gozaimasu: Good morning (Ô hay yoo ô gô zai ma su)
3. konnichiawa: Good afternoon (Kôn ni chi wa)
4. Konbanwa: Good evening (Kôm ban wa)
5. Youkoso irasshai mashita: Welcome
6. Ogenki desuka?: How are you? (gen ki de sư ka)
7. Watashi wa genki desu. Arigato: I'm fine, thank you
8. Anatawa?: And you?
9. Arigatou: Thank you (this is a commonly used Japanese thank you phrase, usually means thank you, not overly formal) (A ri ga tôô)
- Doumo: Thanks (A friendly thank you)
II. Common Japanese Expressions of Gratitude
1. You're truly kind: Hontouni yasashiidesune
2. Today was enjoyable. Thank you very much: Kyou wa tanoshikatta desu. Arigatou gozaimasu
3. Thank you very much: Arigatou gozaimasu
4. I'm grateful for your various assistance: Iroiro osewani narimashita
III. Common Japanese Apology Phrases
Apology phrases are crucial in communication, especially with Japanese people as they often value politeness in communication. 1. Excuse me: Sumimasen (This word is often used in inquiring context) (Su mi ma sen)
2. I'm sorry: Gomennasai (Used when you have made a mistake) (Gô mên na sai)
VI. Japanese Communication Phrases for Seeking Help
Japanese phrases for seeking assistance
1. I'm lost: Mayotte shimai mashita
2. Can I help you?: Otetsudai shimashouka
3. Can you help me?: Tetsudatte kuremasuka
4. (Where is the restroom/pharmacy?: Toire/yakkyoku wa doko desuka
5. Go straight! Then turn left/right!: Massugu itte kudasai. Soshite, hidari /migi ni magatte kudasai
6. I'm looking for John: John wo sagashite imasu
7. Please wait a moment: Chotto matte kudasai
8. How much is this?: Kore wa ikura desuka
9. Excuse me: Sumimasen
10. Please (let me pass): Sumimasen
11. Please come with me: Watashi to issho ni kite kudasai
12. I can't breathe: Iki ga dekimasen
13. My head hurts: Atama ga itai desu
14. What is the embassy's phone number?: Taishikan no denwa bango wa nanban desu ka ban
15. Police: Keisatsukan
16. Please help me: Chotto tasukete kudasai
17. Where is the hospital?: Byoin wa doko desu ka
18. Please call the police: Keisatsu o yonde kudasai
19. I've been robbed: Hittakuri ni aimashita
V. Counting Money in Japanese
Learning how to count in Japanese is essential to help you negotiate prices and pay vendors easily without confusion.
1. Counting from 1 to 10:
- one: 1
- two: 2
- three: 3
- four: 4
- five: 5
- six: 6
- seven: 7
- eight: 8
- nine: 9
- ten: 10
2. Numbers from 11 to under 100
Counting above 10 and under 100 follows the rule of tens place + unit place in Japanese.
* Formula for 11 - 19: ten + [one, two, three, four, five ...]
For example: Nineteen: 19
* Formula for 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90: [two, three, four, five ...] + ten
For example: Ninety: 90
* Counting from 21 - 29: twenty + [one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine] For example: Twenty-five: 25
3. Counting hundreds- hundred: one hundred- Two hundred, four hundred, five hundred, seven hundred, nine hundred
Formula: [two, four, five, seven, nine] + hundred
- Three hundred: sanbyaku (since san ends with n, it changes to b for better pronunciation)
- Six hundred: roppyaku (since roku ends with ku, it changes to p for easier reading)
- Eight hundred: happyaku (since hachi ends with tsu/chi, it changes to p for easier reading)
- Counting numbers with hundreds: Count the hundredth place first, then the tens place and finally the units place
For example: Three hundred twenty-five: 325
...
VI. Most Common Japanese Shopping Communication Phrases
Common shopping phrases in Japanese
Japan is famous for products like cosmetics, electronics, food... Besides exploring beautiful sceneries, shopping is also an important activity for us when traveling. Therefore, learning Japanese phrases about shopping helps you shop efficiently:
1. How much is it?: Ikura (I ku ra) Similar to How much in English.
2. Expensive: Takai
3. No, thank you: Ie, ii desu
4. Price: Genka
5. Supermarket: Sopamaketto
6. I'll take this one: Kore o kudasai
7. Store: Mise
8. What are you looking for?: Nani o osagashi desu ka
9. Where is the fitting room?: Shichakushitsu wa doko desu ka
10. Money: O kane
11. Cash: Genkin
12. Can I pay by credit card?: Kurejitto kado de haratte mo ii desu ka
13. I prefer that one: Are ga ii desu
14. Convenience store: Konbini
15. How much is it?: Ikura desu ka
16. How much is this?: Kore wa ikura desu ka
17. How much is it?: I ku ra desu ka
18. Can I buy this?: Kô re wô ku đa sai
* Note: Japanese people often bargain when selling goods so you should not bargain when shopping.
VIII. Japanese Vocabulary for Directions
It's important to know Japanese vocabulary for directions to ask for directions and understand instructions from Japanese people easier:
1. Left: Hidari
2. Turn: Magaru
3. Straight: Massugu
4. Go straight: Massugu iku
5. Turn left: Hidari ni magaru
6. Turn right: Migi ni magaru
IX. Common Japanese Communication Phrases in Restaurants
Ordering in Japanese will enhance your experience in Japan.
Surely when you visit Japan, you'll dine out and savor delicious dishes. Besides ordering in English from the menu, you can also order in Japanese using common words like below.
1. Menu: menu
2. Yes, please: Hai, ii desu
3. May I order?: Go-chu mon wa
4. What is today's special?: Kyo no supesharu wa nan desu ka
5. How is it?: Ii desu ka?
6. Please enjoy your meal: Dozo meshiagatte kudasai
7. Meat: Niku
8. Pork: Butaniku
9. Beer: Biru
10. Wine: Wain
11. Salad: Sarada
12. Chicken: Toriniku
13. Tea: Ocha
14. Milk: Gyunyu
15. Beef: Gyuniku
16. Apple: Ringo
17. Coffee: Kohi
18. Fish: Sakana
19. Egg: Tamago
20. Vegetable: Yasai
21. Rice: Gohan
22. Water: Mizu
* Note: To make it more polite, you can combine with the word: Onegai shi masu (Please) equivalent to Please in English.
VIII. Currency Units in Japanese
Japan primarily uses the Yen currency:
- Yen: Japanese yen
- Vietnamese Dong: VNĐ
- US Dollar: USD
IX. Additional Common Japanese Communication Phrases
If you haven't mastered the above Japanese phrases, you can learn some other Japanese phrases below to effectively ask people to speak slowly or switch to English, demonstrating politeness in communication.
1. I don't understand Japanese: Nihongo ga wakarimasen
2. Could you say it again, please?: Mo ichido itte kudasai
3. I'm not good at speaking Japanese: Nihongo ga Amari hanasemasen
4. Is everything okay?: Daijobu desu ka
5. Do you understand English?: Eigo ga wakarimasu ka
6. Where: Doko (Used to ask for addresses or directions)
Japanese people prefer to communicate in Japanese and may even prefer it when meeting foreigners. Therefore, when traveling, you will need to equip yourself with these most common Japanese communication phrases to ask questions and converse with Japanese people naturally.
When traveling abroad, whether it's China, Japan, or Thailand, understanding the local language is essential. If you're visiting Japan, you should enhance your Japanese communication skills. Similarly, if you're heading to Thailand, learning Thai communication phrases will make your trip smoother.
In Vietnam, we use Vietnamese đồng, whereas in Japan, they use Yen. Therefore, besides learning Japanese communication phrases for your trip to Japan, it's crucial to know the exchange rate and how to convert Yen to Vietnamese đồng for the most advantageous exchange value.
