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BasicJapanese

Words & Phrases(Short trip in Japan)

By Yoko KanoUniversity of North Carolina, Wilmington

Copyright©2011

Click for video to practice.

1. Pronunciation of five Japanese vowels in Romaji, Hello, and Goodbye

2. Gratitude, Apology, and Other Useful Expressions

3. Writing System

4. Dining Situation (Allergy Warning, Preferences)

5. Ordering at a restaurants

6. Shopping

7. Numbers and Numerals 8. Buying a train ticket & Getting on the train 9. Getting off the train

10. Introducing Yourself

1Copyright©2008 Yoko Kano. Please do not create any duplicates unless a permission is granted by the author. All rights reserved

1. Pronunciation of five Japanese vowels in Romaji

A = as in father

I = as in eat

U = as in food

E = as in egg

O = as in comb

Hello

Ohayoo. Good morning. (informal/direct style)Ohayoo gozaimasu. Good morning. (formal/distal style)Konnichi wa. Good afternoon.Konban wa. Good evening.

Note: “How are you doing?” is commonly used as a form of greeting in the U.S. but only young (about teenage) Japanese use the equivalent word “Genki? How are you?” among friends. The rest of Japanese just use the above “Hello” phrases as a daily greeting. If someone returns from a long absence, “Ogenki desu ka” (How have you been?) is commonly used among adults.

Note: The above phase means “Hello” and we do not commonly say “Have a good day/night.” When you are departing, just say the Good bye phrases below. “Ogenki de (Take care of yourself)” is commonly used to people whom you will not see anymore or expect long absence.

Good bye

Sayo(o)nara. Final goodbye.Ja (or Dewa), mata. See you later. (Literally it means “again.”)Ja (or Dewa). See you. (Very informal)Oyasuminasai. Have a good dream/Good night.

Other Greetings

Irasshaimase Welcome/May I help you (used by a store clerk)?Moshi moshi Hello (Use it only on the phone).


2. Expressions of Gratitude

Doomo. Thanks. (Very informal)Arigatoo. Thank you.Doomo arigatoo. Thank you very much.Arigatoo gozaimasu. Thank you. (Formal)Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu. Thank you very much. (Most formal)

(Doomo) sumimasen. Sorry for your trouble (Thank you.)

Doo itashimashite You are welcome. This phrase is NOT commonly used. Japanese usually smile back, bow, or say “iie” for acknowledgement.

Expressions of Apology

Gomen (nasai) SorrySumimasen I am sorry. Excuse me. Thank you.

Literally Sumimasen means, “My indebtedness to you will never end.” It can also be used to get the attention of a waiter in a restaurant.

Doomo sumimasen I am so sorry (more polite). Thank you.

Other Useful Expressions

Nihongo wa wakarimasen. I don’t understand Japanese.

Ii desu ka? Is it OK? (Asking permissions)

Doozo. Go ahead. / Here you are (handing out something).

Onegai shimasu A Phase of request. In essence, “I make this request,” “I am asking you this favor,” or “Please.”

Toire wa doko desu ka? Where is the bathroom?

Daijoobu desu ka. Are you O.K., fine, well (physically and/or mentally)? Hai, Daijoobu desu. Yes, I am fine.

Other usages: Q: Sashimi wa daijoobu desu ka? Can you eat raw fish?A1: Ee, daijoobu desu. Yes. (I am fine.)A2: Sashimi wa (chotto) nigate desu. (Polite way of saying) No.


3. Writing System

Kanji (Han Chinese characters)Katakana (46 phonetic letters for Loan words) E.g.　タクシー、デザートHiragana (46phonetic letters for grammar and small children)Romaji (For Westerners)

For example: I ate ice cream yesterday.　　昨日、アイスクリームを食べました。

Survival Kanji

Kanji Roman letters English meaning女 Onna Female男 Otoko Male入口 Iriguchi Entrance出口 Deguchi Exit


4. Dining situations

Kanpai Cheers!

Itadakimasu It is said to the host/hostess before starting a meal. Literally means, “I humbly receive/accept.”

Kiree (desu ne.) (It is) pretty.

Oishii (desu). (This/it is) Delicious.

Chotto nigate desu. I do not like (it) much (polite refusal).

Gochisoo sama (deshita) It was a feast/treat. Thank you for the meal/the cook.

You cannot eat (or allergic to) something.

Vocabulary for some food, to which people are allergic.Niku Meat Goma SesamiKani Crab Piinattsu PeanutNama no sakana Raw fish Nattsu rui NutsKai Shellfish Toomorokoshi/ koon CornIchigo Strawberry Satoo SugarSakuranbo Cherry Tomato TomatoKarai mono Spicy stuff (food)

(Replace the underlined blanks with the words above to practice.)

Sorry. I cannot eat . Sumimasen. wa tabe(ra)re-masen.

Does this contain ? Kore ni wa haitte imasu ka.

I am allergic (to it). Arerugii na n desu.I am allergic to dog/ cat. Inu/ neko ni areerugii na n desu.

Likes and Dislikes

The followings are conversation among A, B, and C, talking about their likes and dislikes.

A: Sashimi (ga) suki desu ka. Do you like raw fish?

B: Ee, suki desu. Tabemasu. Yes, I do. I eat (it).

C: Chotto nigate desu. I do not like it much. (Polite way of showing your preference.)

No, thank you. Ie, kekkoo desu. (Polite decline)

Do not forget to SMILE when you mention “negative.” 5

Copyright©2008 Yoko Kano. Please do not create any duplicates unless a permission is granted by the author. All rights reserved

5. Ordering at a Japanese restaurant (Requesting)

Start the conversation with “Sumimasen” to get a server’s attention or simply to start the conversation.

Sumimasen. wa arimasu ka. Do you have ? E.g. Raamen wa arimasu ka. Do you have ramen noodle?

onegai shimasu. I would like to have/ Would you give me . E.g. I would like to have water. Mizu onegai shimasu.

Some menu items at Coffee Shop (Kissaten):(Hotto) koohii CoffeeAisu koohii Iced coffeeKoocha Black (English) teaRemon tii Tea with lemonMiruku tii Tea with milkMooningu setto/saabisu Breakfast combo (toast, coffee or tea, maybe some salad)Ranch setto Lunch specialSandoitchi SandwichHamu sando Ham sandwichMikkusu sando Mixed Sandwich (chef’s special)Ocha Green tea

If you do not know how to say it in Japanese, you can look around the restaurant and see what other people eating. Find a food that you want to try and say the following phrases.(Pointing at a food sample or a picture near you.) Kore, onegai shimasu.(Pointing at a food sample or a picture near the listener.) Sore, onegai shimasu.(Pointing at a food sample or a picture away from both speaker and listener) Are, onegai shimasu.

“Kudasai” can be also used instead of “onegaishimasu” if you are requesting an tangible object. If you are asking for service, use “onegai shimasu. For example, if you are requesting a cab driver to go to Tokyo station, say “Tokyo eki, onegai shimasu.” If you say “Tokyo eki, kudasai,” you are asking to acquire the station building.


6. ShoppingThe followings are the list of useful phrases in shopping.

At a department store:Clerk: Irasshaimase. Welcome. (May I help you?)Customer: Ikura desu ka. How much is it?(Customer: Sumimasen Kaite kudasai.) (Please write it.)Customer: Akai no misete kudasai Please show me the red one.Customer: Motto/ moosukoshi ookii no arimasu ka?

Do you have much/a little bigger one?

Clark: Kore wa ikaga desu ka. How do you like this? Customer: Chotto chiisai desu ne. Iie, kekkoo desu. Or Jaa, kore kudasai/onegai shimasu.

(Hesitating..) (it is) small. No, thank you. Yes, I will buy/get this.

Customer: Ryooshuusho, kudasai/onegai shimasu.

Receipt, please (give me).

Colors:Red one Akai no White one Shiroi noYellow one Kiiroi no Black one Kuroi noBlue one Aoi no Green one Midori no

Other useful Adjective words: Ookii Big Yasui CheapChiisai Small Takai Expensive

Purchasing Omamori at a shrines and temples

You: Kono Omamori kudasai. I will have this good luck charm.

Tabi no anzen no Omamori kudasai. Let me have a good luck charm for travel.Kenkoo no Omamori arimasu ka. Do you have a good luck charm for health?

Person at the shrine or temple: Gokuroo sama deshita. Thank you for your work (in this case, coming to pray at the shrine/temple).


7. Numbers and Numerals

English number = Japanese numeral + counter

Counter changes according to the shape, size, and nature of the objects. For examples:In counting a thin flat object One (ticket, sheets of paper, etc. ) = ichi-maiIn counting a machine One (car, train, sawing machine, etc.) = ichi-daiIn mentioning time One (o’clock) = ichi-jiIn mentioning minutes One minute = ip-pun, two minutes = ni hun, etc.

Numerals

NATIVE JAPANESE SYSTEM

SINO-JAPANESE SYSTEM

1-10 1-20 10s 100s 1000s1 Hitotsu 1 Ichi 11 Juu ichi 10 Juu 100 Hyaku 1,000 Issen /

Sen2 Futatsu 2 Ni 12 Juu ni 20 Ni juu 200 Ni hyaku 2,000 Ni sen3 Mittsu 3 San 13 Juu san 30 San juu 300 San byaku 3,000 San zen4 Yottsu 4 Yon /

Shi14 Juu yon / Juu shi

40 Yon juu / Shi juu

400 Yon hyaku 4,000 Yon sen

5 Itsutsu 5 Go 15 Juu go 50 Go juu 500 Go hyaku 5,000 Go sen6 Muttsu 6Roku 16Juu roku 60 Roku juu 600 Roppyaku 6,000 Roku sen7 Nanatsu 7Shichi

/ Nana17Juu shichi / Juu nana

70 Shichi juu / Nana juu

700 Nana hyaku

7,000 Nana sen

8 Yattsu 8 Hachi 18 Juu hachi 80 Hachi juu 800 Happyaku

8,000 Hassen

9 Kokonotsu 9 Ku /Kyuu

19Juu ku /Juu kyuu

90 Kyuu juu 900 Kyuu hyaku

9,000 Kyuu sen

10 Too Juu 20 Ni juu 10,000 Ichi man

E.g. 8635 Hassen roppyaku san juu go.

Note: 1.Zero is Ree or Zero. 2.The native Japanese system exists for 1 through 10 only. After 11, only the Sino-system can be used.


8. Around Train Station

In traveling a short distance(At the ticket machine, asking a stranger.)You: Sumimasen. Shibuya made ikura desu ka.

Excuse me, but…How much is it to Shibuya?

A stranger: Shibuya made desu ka. Hyaku hachi juu en desu.

To Shibuya? 180 yen.

You: Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu. Thank you very much.(In going through the train machine gate, asking the station master in uniform.)You: Shibuya (iki) wa nan-ban sen desu ka.

What number is the platform for Shibuya?

Station mater: Juu hachi-ban sen desu. Number 18You: Juu hachi-ban sen desu ne. Doomo. Number 18, right? Thanks.


9. Getting On and Off the Train

(Asking a stranger at the platform.)You: Sumimasen. Tsugi no densha waShinjuku ni ikimasu ka.

Excuse me. Does the next train go to Shinjuku?

(A train is arriving) You: Kono densha wa Shinjuku ni ikimasu ka.

Does this train goes to Shinjuku?

(On a train, asking a passenger) You: Tsugi no eki wa Shinjuku desu ka.

Is the next station Shinjuku?

You: Koko wa Shibuya desu ka. Is here Shinjuku?(Going out of the ticket gate.)You: Tookyoo tochoo wa dochira desu ka.

Which way is Tokyo Municipal Office Building?


10. Introducing Yourself

Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Rogers are introducing each other

Suzuki: Hajimemashite. Suzuki desu. How do you do? (I am) Suzuki.

Rogers: Hajimemashite. Rojaasu desu. How do you do? (I am) RogersSuzuki: (Doozo) Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

It’s nice to meet you

Rogers: (Doozo) Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

It’s nice to meet you

Hajimemashite (literally, it’s the first time we meet) and doozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu (lit., please regard me favorably) are set phrase. Desu corresponds to the verb to be (am, are, is, etc., depending on context).

Note: Japanese tend to stand farther apart during a conversation than North Americans do. Some Japanese also consider it rude to look directly into another person’s eyes, especially if that person has a higher social status. Note: Japanese language is called “High context.” Many hidden words are supposed/expected to be understood from the context (situations where you are in and can see, hear, feel and sometimes taste). Thus the subject of the sentences such as “I, you, it, this, etc.” are omitted unless it needs to be stated to avoid confusion.

Other useful phrases:

Oshigoto wa (nan desu ka)? (What is) your occupation/job?Nani-jin desu ka? What is your nationality?Nihon-jin desu. I am (or the person is) Japanese.Amerika-jin desu. I am (or the person is) American.Dochira kara desu ka? Where/which country (are you) from?Amerika kara desu. I am (or the person is) from America.


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