Recently, the number of people who can speak English, including young people, has increased, but basically Japanese people are not good at English.

Please understand that most Japanese, especially older Japanese, do not speak English.

Of course, the Japanese understand that foreigners who visit Japan cannot speak Japanese.

Therefore, if you only remember greetings and simple Japanese, communication with Japanese people will be very good.

Here are just a few simple greetings and phrases.

Just remembering these will make your trip to Japan surprisingly fulfilling.

This is because Japanese people are full of hospitality and want to help foreigners.

Greeting

Ohayou Gozaimasu

Morning greeting "Good Morning" is called "Ohayou Gozaimasu".

"Ohayou" is fine, but this is a word used for people who are very close to you, such as family and friends, and if you add "Ohayou Gozaimasu" and "Gozaimasu", it will be a very polite greeting.

Konnituwa

The daytime greeting "Hello" is called "Konnituwa".

Konbanwa

The evening greeting "Good Evening" is called "Konnituwa".

Sayounara

"Good Bye" is called "Sayounara".

Arigatou Gozaimasu

"Thank You" is called "Arigatou Gozaimasu".

"Arigatou" is fine, but this is a word used for people who are very close to us, such as family and friends, and if you add "Arigatou Gozaimasu" and "Gozaimasu", it will be a very polite greeting.

Gomennasai

"Sorry" is called "Gomennasai".

When you do something rude to someone, such as hitting someone on the road, say "Gomennasai" and apologize.

It is enough to remember these six greetings.

Convenient phrases

Phrase when calling out to the other party

Sumimasen or Tyotto Iidesuka

When you ask for directions in the city, you say "Excuse Me" to the other person.

The word that corresponds to this "Excuse Me" is the word "Sumimasen" or "Tyotto Iidesuka".

"Sumimasen" is the nuance of "Excuse Me" and "Tyotto Iidesuka" is the nuance of "Can I have a minute".

If you say either "Sumimasen" or "Tyotto Iidesuka", the Japanese will look back.

Japanese people who are not good at English get nervous when they suddenly say "Excuse Me" to a foreigner, but when they say "Sumimasen" or "Tyotto Iidesuka" in Japanese, they respond with a smile. Probably.

Phrase asking where you want to go or where you want to go

〇〇〇 Wa Dokodesuka

It is a word that asks where you want to go or where you want to go.

〇〇〇 refers to the place or destination you want to go to.

Let's say you're looking for an "ABC Hotel".

In that case, it would be "Where is the ABC Hotel?" In English.

If this is translated into Japanese, it will be "ABC Hotel Wa Dokodesuka?".

As a situation, I am asking the Japanese people for the location of the "ABC Hotel", so I will use it in combination with the "Sumimasen" or "Tyotto Iidesuka" I mentioned earlier.

In this case, use it as follows.

"Sumimasen, ABC Hotel Wa Dokodesuka?"

"Tyotto Iidesuka, ABC Hotel Wa Dokodesuka?"

Japanese people feel relieved when they can speak in Japanese even in Katakoto.

Even if you don't understand English, if you know the destination "ABC Hotel", the Japanese will explain it by gesturing, draw a map, or take you to the destination.

If you tell me your destination, thank you with a smile saying "Arigatou Gozaimasu" and it's perfect.

The Japanese will surely return a smile.

 

Nowadays, smartphones and other devices are equipped with a translation function, which allows you to communicate without problems, but if you remember the basics such as greetings, you will be able to communicate more smoothly.

Please remember and use these Japanese words.