FluentWandererFree Japanese Phrase Bank
Japanese runs on politeness registers — say the wrong level of formality and a shopkeeper will still smile, but the room shifts. These phrases are calibrated for how you’ll actually use them in Tokyo, Kyoto, and the inaka (countryside), with pronunciation guides that respect pitch accent.
Arrival
こんにちは
konnichiwa
koh-nichee-WAH
Hello / Good afternoon
初めまして
hajimemashite
hah-jee-meh-MAH-shee-teh
Nice to meet you
日本に来たのは初めてです
Nihon ni kita no wa hajimete desu
nee-HON nee kee-tah no wah hah-jee-MEH-teh des
It’s my first time in Japan
Dining
これをお願いします
Kore o onegaishimasu
KOH-reh oh oh-neh-GUY-shee-mas
I’ll have this one, please
おいしいです
Oishii desu
oy-SHEE des
It’s delicious
ごちそうさまでした
Gochisou sama deshita
go-chee-SOH sah-mah desh-TA
Thank you for the meal
お会計をお願いします
Okaikei o onegaishimasu
o-kye-KAY oh oh-neh-GUY-shee-mas
The check, please
Directions
駅はどこですか
Eki wa doko desu ka
EH-kee wah DOH-koh des kah
Where is the station?
道に迷いました
Michi ni mayoimashita
MEE-chee nee mah-yo-ee-MAH-shee-ta
I’m lost
Courtesy & Politeness
ありがとうございます
Arigatou gozaimasu
ah-ree-GAH-toh go-ZYE-mas
Thank you very much (polite)
すみません
Sumimasen
soo-mee-MAH-sen
Excuse me / Sorry
失礼します
Shitsurei shimasu
shee-tsoo-RAY shee-MAS
Excuse me (entering/leaving)
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