Japanese Language Help
Essential phrases, survival Japanese, and practical communication tips for daily life
You Don’t Need to Be Fluent
Living in Tokyo without speaking Japanese is absolutely possible – millions of expats do it every day. But learning a few key phrases will make your life significantly easier and earn you respect from locals.
This guide focuses on practical, immediately useful Japanese for real-world situations you’ll encounter living in Japan.
Essential Daily Phrases
Pronunciation Tip
Japanese pronunciation is actually easier than you think. Every syllable ends with a vowel or ‘n’. Vowels are always pronounced the same: a (ah), i (ee), u (oo), e (eh), o (oh). There are no stresses or tones – just say it clearly and you’ll be understood.
The Big 10
Master these ten phrases and you’ll survive 80% of daily situations:
Arigatou gozaimasu
(ah-ree-gah-toh go-zai-mahs)
Thank you
Use constantly. Can never say it too much. Shorter “arigatou” for casual situations.
Sumimasen
(soo-mee-mah-sen)
Excuse me / Sorry
Universal word. Use to get attention, apologize, or pass by someone. Your second-most used phrase.
Eigo wa hanasemasu ka?
(eh-go wah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah)
Do you speak English?
Your safety net. Staff will often find someone who speaks English.
Kore o kudasai
(koh-reh oh koo-dah-sai)
I’ll have this please
Point and say this. Works for ordering food, buying anything. Add finger pointing for clarity.
Wakarimasen
(wah-kah-ree-mah-sen)
I don’t understand
Better than nodding and pretending. Most people will try to help in other ways.
Okaikei onegaishimasu
(oh-kai-keh oh-neh-gai-shee-mahs)
Check please
Use at restaurants. Can also make an “X” gesture with your arms which is universally understood.
Nihongo ga hanasemasen
(nee-hon-go gah hah-nah-seh-mah-sen)
I don’t speak Japanese
Sets expectations immediately. Often leads to them finding English support or picture menus.
Ikura desu ka?
(ee-koo-rah dess kah)
How much is it?
Essential for shopping. They’ll usually show you on a calculator or receipt.
Toire wa doko desu ka?
(toy-reh wah doh-koh dess kah)
Where is the bathroom?
Always useful. Look for トイレ signs.
Daijoubu desu
(dai-joh-boo dess)
I’m okay / No thanks
Polite way to decline. Say with a slight wave of your hand for “no thank you.”
Restaurant & Food Phrases
Entering & Ordering
Irasshaimase!
(ee-rah-shy-mah-seh)
Welcome! (Don’t need to respond, just nod)
Hitori desu / Futari desu
(hee-toh-ree / foo-tah-ree)
One person / Two people
Menyuu o kudasai
(men-yoo oh koo-dah-sai)
Menu please
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
(oh-soo-soo-meh wah nahn dess kah)
What do you recommend?
During the Meal
Itadakimasu
(ee-tah-dah-kee-mahs)
Said before eating (literal: “I humbly receive”)
Oishii!
(oy-shee)
Delicious! (always appreciated by staff)
Mizu o kudasai
(mee-zoo oh koo-dah-sai)
Water please
Gochisousama deshita
(go-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tah)
Thank you for the meal (said after finishing)
Dietary Restrictions
Bejitarian desu
(beh-jee-tah-ree-ahn dess)
I’m vegetarian
Niku nashi de
(nee-koo nah-shee deh)
Without meat
Sakana arerugii ga arimasu
(sah-kah-nah ah-reh-roo-gee gah ah-ree-mahs)
I have a fish allergy
Karai no ga nigate desu
(kah-rai noh gah nee-gah-teh dess)
I can’t handle spicy food
Related: Food & Dining Guide
For comprehensive restaurant recommendations, ordering tips, and food culture insights, check out our Food & Dining section.
Shopping Phrases
Kore o mite mo ii desu ka?
(koh-reh oh mee-teh moh ee dess kah)
Can I look at this?
Motto ookii no wa arimasu ka?
(moh-toh oh-kee noh wah ah-ree-mahs kah)
Do you have a bigger size?
Chiisai no wa arimasu ka?
(chee-sai noh wah ah-ree-mahs kah)
Do you have a smaller size?
Kurejitto kaado de daijoubu desu ka?
(koo-reh-jee-toh kah-doh deh dai-joh-boo dess kah)
Can I pay by credit card?
Fukuro wa irimasen
(foo-koo-roh wah ee-ree-mah-sen)
I don’t need a bag (bags cost money now)
Reshiito o kudasai
(reh-shee-toh oh koo-dah-sai)
Receipt please
Convenience Store Self-Checkout
Many convenience stores now have self-checkout. Look for “セルフレジ” (self-reji). The touchscreens usually have an English option.
If using staffed checkout, they’ll ask “Fukuro wa ikaga nasaimasu ka?” (Do you need a bag?). Respond “Daijoubu desu” for no, or “Onegaishimasu” for yes.
Medical & Healthcare Phrases
At the Doctor’s Office
Guai ga warui desu
(goo-ai gah wah-roo-ee dess)
I don’t feel well
Atama ga itai desu
(ah-tah-mah gah ee-tai dess)
I have a headache
Onaka ga itai desu
(oh-nah-kah gah ee-tai dess)
I have a stomachache
Netsu ga arimasu
(neh-tsoo gah ah-ree-mahs)
I have a fever
Kusuri o kudasai
(koo-soo-ree oh koo-dah-sai)
Please give me medicine
Hokenshou o motte imasu
(hoh-ken-shoh oh moh-tteh ee-mahs)
I have insurance (show your card)
TIP: Bring a Translation Card
Many clinics have pre-printed symptom sheets with pictures. Point to what hurts. Google Translate’s camera feature also works well with medical forms.
Need More Healthcare Help?
For comprehensive healthcare information including finding English-speaking doctors, understanding insurance, and navigating the medical system, visit our Healthcare section.
Asking for Directions
_____ wa doko desu ka?
(wah doh-koh dess kah)
Where is _____? (Universal question)
Eki wa doko desu ka?
(eh-kee wah doh-koh dess kah)
Where is the station?
Massugu
(mahs-soo-goo)
Straight ahead
Hidari / Migi
(hee-dah-ree / mee-gee)
Left / Right
Chikai / Tooi
(chee-kai / toh-oy)
Near / Far
Aruite dono kurai kakarimasu ka?
(ah-roo-ee-teh doh-noh koo-rai kah-kah-ree-mahs kah)
How long on foot?
PRO TIP: Google Maps is Your Best Friend
Google Maps navigation in Tokyo is incredibly accurate, including train transfers. Download offline maps for your neighborhood. Most people will be happy to help if you show them the destination on your phone.
Learning Resources
Apps
Duolingo (Free)
Gamified learning. Good for hiragana, katakana, and basic phrases. Not comprehensive but great for beginners.
WaniKani (Paid)
Best app for learning kanji using mnemonics and spaced repetition. Worth the investment if serious about reading.
Google Translate (Free)
Camera translation and offline dictionaries. Essential survival tool.
Classes
Tokyo International Communication Committee (Free)
Free Japanese classes for foreigners. Multiple locations around Tokyo.
iTalki (Affordable)
One-on-one lessons with native speakers. Flexible scheduling, prices start around 1,000 yen/hour.
Community Centers (Ward Offices)
Most wards offer free or cheap Japanese conversation classes. Check your local ward office.
Books & Resources
Genki Textbooks
Gold standard textbooks for learning Japanese grammar systematically. Used by most language schools.
NHK Easy News
Free website with news written in simple Japanese. Great for intermediate learners.
Jisho.org
Best online Japanese dictionary. Example sentences, kanji breakdown, JLPT levels.
Realistic Expectations
Japanese is genuinely difficult. Three writing systems, complex grammar, and different levels of politeness make it a long journey. But here’s the good news:
- You can survive with minimal Japanese and tools like Google Translate
- Learning even basic phrases earns significant goodwill from locals
- Tokyo’s infrastructure is designed to accommodate non-Japanese speakers
- The expat community is large and supportive
Focus on the phrases in this guide, be patient with yourself, and remember that every long-term resident started exactly where you are now.