The first week I arrived in Tokyo, I confidently walked into a convenience store, picked up my items, and when the cashier asked me something, I smiled and said「はい」(hai / yes) — not knowing she had just asked if I wanted my hot and cold items in separate bags. My onigiri ended up warm next to my ice cream. That was my introduction to why basic Japanese phrases matter in real life. 😅
You don’t need to be fluent to live well in Japan. But having 60 solid phrases ready — for shopping, eating, commuting, emergencies, and everyday conversation — changes everything. This guide is the one I wish I’d had on day one. 🗾
🗺️ Quick Navigation
- Essential Survival Phrases
- Shopping & Convenience Stores
- Restaurants & Food
- Transport & Getting Around
- Daily Life & Neighbourhood
- Workplace & Formal Situations
- Emergencies & Health
- Social Phrases & Small Talk
- Pronunciation Tips
- FAQ
⭐ Essential Survival Phrases — Start Here
These are the ten phrases that will get you through almost any situation in Japan. Before anything else, know these cold. 🧠
| # | Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | すみません。 | Sumimasen. | Excuse me / Sorry / Pardon me |
| 2 | ありがとうございます。 | Arigatō gozaimasu. | Thank you (formal) |
| 3 | お願いします。 | Onegai shimasu. | Please / I’d like this please |
| 4 | わかりません。 | Wakarimasen. | I don’t understand. |
| 5 | もう一度お願いします。 | Mō ichido onegai shimasu. | Please say that again. |
| 6 | 英語を話せますか？ | Eigo o hanasemasu ka? | Do you speak English? |
| 7 | 〇〇はどこですか？ | 〇〇 wa doko desu ka? | Where is 〇〇? |
| 8 | いくらですか？ | Ikura desu ka? | How much is this? |
| 9 | これをください。 | Kore o kudasai. | I’ll have this please. |
| 10 | 大丈夫です。 | Daijōbu desu. | It’s okay / No problem / I’m fine |
💡 すみません（Sumimasen）is your most powerful word. It works to get someone’s attention, apologize for bumping into someone, call a waiter, and express mild regret all at once. Go uses it approximately 40 times per day. It’s the Swiss Army knife of Japanese phrases. 🇨🇭
🛍️ Shopping & Convenience Stores
Japan’s shopping experience is extremely foreigner-friendly — prices are displayed, staff are polite, and you can point at almost anything. But these phrases will make every transaction smoother, and occasionally save you from warm ice cream situations. 🍦
| # | Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 見ているだけです。 | Mite iru dake desu. | I’m just looking. |
| 12 | これはありますか？ | Kore wa arimasu ka? | Do you have this? |
| 13 | 袋はいりません。 | Fukuro wa irimasen. | I don’t need a bag. |
| 14 | カードで払えますか？ | Kādo de haraemasu ka? | Can I pay by card? |
| 15 | 現金で払います。 | Genkin de haraimasu. | I’ll pay in cash. |
| 16 | レシートをください。 | Reshīto o kudasai. | Please give me a receipt. |
| 17 | 返品できますか？ | Henpin dekimasu ka? | Can I return this? |
| 18 | 試着してもいいですか？ | Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka? | Can I try this on? |
| 19 | 別々に包んでください。 | Betsubetsu ni tsutsunde kudasai. | Please wrap them separately. |
| 20 | 温めてください。 | Atatamete kudasai. | Please heat this up. (コンビニ!) |
🏪 Konbini（コンビニ）phrase you’ll use daily:「温めますか？」(Atatame masu ka? / Shall I heat it?) is what cashiers at セブンイレブン（7-Eleven）and ローソン（Lawson）ask for hot food items. The answer is either「はい、お願いします」(yes please) or「結構です」(kekkō desu / no thank you). Know these two. 🍜
🍽️ Restaurants & Food
Eating out in Japan is one of the great pleasures of living here — and most restaurants are extremely manageable even with zero Japanese, thanks to plastic food displays and picture menus. These phrases take you from managing to actually enjoying the full experience. 🍣
| # | Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 一人です。/ 二人です。 | Hitori desu. / Futari desu. | Just one person. / Two people. |
| 22 | 予約しています。 | Yoyaku shite imasu. | I have a reservation. |
| 23 | メニューをください。 | Menyū o kudasai. | Please give me the menu. |
| 24 | これをひとつください。 | Kore o hitotsu kudasai. | One of these please. |
| 25 | おすすめは何ですか？ | Osusume wa nan desu ka? | What do you recommend? |
| 26 | アレルギーがあります。 | Arerugī ga arimasu. | I have an allergy. |
| 27 | 〇〇は入っていますか？ | 〇〇 wa haitte imasu ka? | Does this contain 〇〇? |
| 28 | お会計をお願いします。 | Okaikei o onegai shimasu. | The bill please. |
| 29 | 別々にお願いします。 | Betsubetsu ni onegai shimasu. | Separate bills please. |
| 30 | ごちそうさまでした。 | Gochisōsama deshita. | Thank you for the meal. |
🍽️ ごちそうさまでした（Gochisōsama deshita） is one of the most culturally important phrases at a restaurant. Say it when leaving or finishing your meal — to the staff, to whoever cooked. It’s not just “thank you for the food” — it carries the meaning of appreciating the effort that went into the meal. Japanese people notice when foreigners say it unprompted and genuinely appreciate it. 🙏
🚃 Transport & Getting Around
Tokyo’s train system is one of the best in the world — and one of the most complex. Google Maps handles the routing beautifully, but there are moments where you need to speak to station staff or ask for help. These phrases have saved us both more than once. 🗺️
| # | Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 〇〇駅はどこですか？ | 〇〇-eki wa doko desu ka? | Where is 〇〇 station? |
| 32 | 〇〇まで一枚ください。 | 〇〇 made ichimai kudasai. | One ticket to 〇〇 please. |
| 33 | この電車は〇〇に止まりますか？ | Kono densha wa 〇〇 ni tomarimasu ka? | Does this train stop at 〇〇? |
| 34 | 電車を乗り間違えました。 | Densha o nori machigaemashita. | I got on the wrong train. |
| 35 | タクシーを呼んでください。 | Takushī o yonde kudasai. | Please call a taxi. |
| 36 | 〇〇まで行ってください。 | 〇〇 made itte kudasai. | Please take me to 〇〇. |
| 37 | ここで止めてください。 | Koko de tomete kudasai. | Please stop here. (taxi) |
| 38 | 落とし物センターはどこですか？ | Otoshimono sentā wa doko desu ka? | Where is the lost and found? |
Related: for a full guide to navigating Tokyo’s train system, check out our Tokyo Train Guide for Foreigners — covering IC cards, express vs local trains, and how not to end up in Hachioji. 🚃
🏠 Daily Life & Neighbourhood
Living in Japan means dealing with neighbours, building managers, delivery drivers, and local ward offices. These phrases cover the quieter but essential moments of expat daily life. 🏘️
| # | Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | よろしくお願いします。 | Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. | Please treat me well / Nice to meet you |
| 40 | お世話になっております。 | Osewa ni natte orimasu. | Thank you for your ongoing support |
| 41 | ゴミはどこに出せばいいですか？ | Gomi wa doko ni daseba ii desu ka? | Where should I put the rubbish? |
| 42 | 宅配便が届いています。 | Takuhaibin ga todoite imasu. | A package has arrived for you. |
| 43 | 後でまた来てください。 | Ato de mata kite kudasai. | Please come again later. |
| 44 | 〇〇区役所はどこですか？ | 〇〇 kuyakusho wa doko desu ka? | Where is the 〇〇 ward office? |
| 45 | 住民票をください。 | Jūminhyō o kudasai. | I’d like a residence certificate. |
💡 よろしくお願いします（Yoroshiku onegai shimasu） is one of the most culturally loaded phrases in Japanese. It means something like “I place myself in your care” or “I look forward to working with you.” Use it when meeting neighbours, starting a new job, sending an email, or beginning any new relationship or transaction. It’s almost impossible to overuse. 🤝
💼 Workplace & Formal Situations
Even if your workplace operates in English, knowing basic Japanese workplace phrases earns immediate respect from Japanese colleagues. These are the ones that matter most in professional settings. 🏢
| # | Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | おはようございます。 | Ohayō gozaimasu. | Good morning (formal) |
| 47 | お先に失礼します。 | Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu. | Excuse me for leaving first. |
| 48 | お疲れ様でした。 | Otsukaresama deshita. | Good work / Thank you for your efforts. |
| 49 | かしこまりました。 | Kashikomarimashita. | Understood (very formal). |
| 50 | 少しよろしいですか？ | Sukoshi yoroshii desu ka? | Do you have a moment? |
| 51 | 確認させてください。 | Kakunin sasete kudasai. | Please let me confirm this. |
| 52 | 〇〇が完了しました。 | 〇〇 ga kanryō shimashita. | 〇〇 has been completed. |
🏢 お先に失礼します（Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu） is essential if you ever leave the office before your colleagues. Literally “excuse me for the rudeness of leaving first” — it acknowledges the Japanese workplace norm of staying late. Saying it instead of just walking out earns significant quiet respect. The response from colleagues is「お疲れ様でした」(Otsukaresama deshita). 👋
🚨 Emergencies & Health
Hopefully you never need these — but knowing them cold before you need them is genuinely important. Japan has excellent emergency services and helpful people everywhere, but in a stressful moment you want these ready without thinking. 🏥
| # | Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 助けてください！ | Tasukete kudasai! | Help me please! |
| 54 | 救急車を呼んでください。 | Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai. | Please call an ambulance. |
| 55 | 警察を呼んでください。 | Keisatsu o yonde kudasai. | Please call the police. |
| 56 | 病院はどこですか？ | Byōin wa doko desu ka? | Where is the hospital? |
| 57 | 〇〇が痛いです。 | 〇〇 ga itai desu. | My 〇〇 hurts. |
| 58 | 薬はありますか？ | Kusuri wa arimasu ka? | Do you have medicine? |
🚨 Emergency numbers in Japan:
Police（警察）: 110
Fire & Ambulance（消防・救急）: 119
Both lines have English-speaking assistance available. 📞
😊 Social Phrases & Small Talk
Japanese social conversation has its own rhythm — and knowing a few warm, casual phrases goes a long way toward genuine connection with neighbours, shopkeepers, and colleagues. These are the phrases that turn interactions from transactional to human. 🌸
| # | Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 日本語を勉強しています。 | Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu. | I’m studying Japanese. |
| 60 | 日本が大好きです。 | Nihon ga daisuki desu. | I love Japan. |
These two phrases are simple — but saying them with genuine feeling opens more doors in Japan than almost anything else. When I told a ramen shop owner in 高円寺（Kōenji）that I was studying Japanese and loved Japan, he gave us extra chashu and talked to us for 20 minutes. Japanese people deeply appreciate when foreigners make effort with the language and culture. It matters. 🍜
🔊 Pronunciation Tips: Sound Right from Day One
Japanese pronunciation is actually quite consistent — once you know the rules, it doesn’t change. Here are the key points that make the biggest difference: 🎵
| Rule | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Each syllable = equal length | No stressed syllables like English | su-mi-ma-sen (4 equal beats) |
| Double consonants = pause | っ means hold the consonant briefly | きって (kitte) = stamp, not kite |
| Long vowels = held longer | ō and ū are extended sounds | おおきい (ōkii) = big |
| Silent vowels | U in desu and masu is often silent | 「です」sounds like “des” |
| R is not L or R | Japanese R is between the two | Tongue briefly touches the roof |
🎯 The single most important pronunciation tip: Japanese is spoken at an even, flat rhythm — no syllable gets more stress than another. Saying「すみません」(sumimasen) with English stress (like “suMImasen”) sounds noticeably foreign. Try to keep each syllable equal weight: su-mi-ma-sen. Practice it as a rhythm, not as a word. 🥁
❓ FAQ
Q: Do I really need Japanese phrases if I live in Tokyo?
You can survive in Tokyo with zero Japanese — especially in tourist and expat-heavy areas. But “surviving” and “living well” are different. Even 20–30 basic phrases dramatically reduce daily friction, open up local restaurants and shops that don’t have English menus, and create genuine warmth in everyday interactions. The investment is small; the return is significant. 🗾
Q: What’s the difference between です（desu）and ます（masu）endings?
Both are polite endings — です (desu) is used after nouns and adjectives, ます (masu) after verbs. You’ll see both constantly in this guide. Using either is automatically polite in most situations. The even more casual versions (dropping these endings entirely) are for close friends. Stick to です/ます as a foreigner and you’ll always be appropriate. 🎌
Q: Is it rude to speak Japanese badly?
The opposite. Japanese people are almost universally encouraging when foreigners make effort with the language — even broken Japanese with the right intention is received warmly. What matters is the attempt, not the perfection. The only thing that can occasionally cause awkwardness is using overly casual speech with strangers — but the phrases in this guide are all appropriately polite. 😊
Q: How do I ask someone to speak more slowly?
「ゆっくり話してください。」(Yukkuri hanashite kudasai. / Please speak slowly.) This is one of the most useful phrases not in the main list — add it to your vocabulary immediately. Most Japanese people will immediately slow down and simplify when asked. 🐢
Q: What’s the best way to practice these phrases?
Use them in real situations from day one — even imperfectly. Order at a restaurant in Japanese. Ask for directions even with Google Maps open. Say ありがとうございます at every transaction. The repetition of real-life use beats any flashcard system. Additionally, apps like Duolingo and NHK World Japanese Lessons are excellent free supplements. 📱
🐈 A Message from Yuki & Ruka’s House:
Yuki would like it known that she already understands Japanese perfectly — particularly the word ごはん（gohan / meal）, which she recognizes at a distance of approximately three rooms. She responds to it at 100% accuracy. Ruka, meanwhile, has mastered the phrase「ここ」(koko / here) — specifically in the context of demanding that we come to wherever she is sitting. Their joint recommendation: start with すみません and ありがとうございます, use them constantly, and remember that a genuine smile covers a lot of grammatical gaps. The 60 phrases in this guide will carry you further than you think. One at a time. 🐾
⚠️ Disclaimer: Japanese language usage varies by region, context, and formality level. The phrases in this guide represent standard polite Japanese suitable for most everyday situations. Some regional dialects (方言 / hōgen) may differ significantly — particularly in Osaka and Kyoto. Always observe how locals speak in your specific area and adjust accordingly.
Last updated: May 2026 | Written by Sunny & Go — a multicultural couple learning Japanese in Tokyo 🇭🇰🇰🇷🇯🇵
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