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Japanese Basic Phrases: Essential Expressions for Beginners

japanese basic phrases

If you’re just starting to learn Japanese, you’re probably wondering where to begin. Vocabulary lists are useful, but knowing basic phrases is what allows you to actually interact with people and navigate real situations.

This guide covers the most essential Japanese basic phrases—from greetings to simple questions and polite responses. Whether you’re traveling, chatting online, or studying Japanese daily, these expressions are the perfect foundation.


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🇯🇵 Why Learn Japanese Basic Phrases First?

Phrases give you immediate communication power. Instead of worrying about grammar, you get to speak in full chunks—just like native speakers.

Here’s why starting with phrases is smart:

Even advanced learners go back to basics to polish pronunciation and refresh nuance.


👋 Essential Japanese Greetings

Greetings are the heart of Japanese politeness culture. Get these right, and you’re off to a great start.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
Hello / Good dayこんにちはKonnichiwa
Good morningおはようございますOhayō gozaimasu
Good eveningこんばんはKonbanwa
Good nightおやすみなさいOyasuminasai
GoodbyeさようならSayōnara
See you laterまたねMata ne

💡 Tip: Use Konnichiwa from late morning to around sunset. For early mornings, stick with Ohayō gozaimasu.


🙇 Polite Expressions Everyone Should Know

Politeness is a cornerstone of Japanese communication. These phrases will keep your conversations respectful.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
Thank you (formal)ありがとうございますArigatō gozaimasu
Thank you (casual)ありがとうArigatō
You’re welcomeどういたしましてDōitashimashite
Excuse me / Sorry (polite)すみませんSumimasen
I’m sorry (deep apology)ごめんなさいGomen nasai
Pleaseお願いしますOnegaishimasu

🎯 Use sumimasen to get attention, say sorry, or squeeze through a crowd. It’s very flexible!


❓ Useful Questions for Everyday Conversations

Knowing how to ask simple questions in Japanese will help you survive in stores, stations, and social chats.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
What is this?これは何ですか?Kore wa nan desu ka?
How much is it?いくらですか?Ikura desu ka?
Where is the toilet?トイレはどこですか?Toire wa doko desu ka?
Do you speak English?英語を話せますか?Eigo o hanasemasu ka?

🔁 Practice these questions aloud! It’s okay if you fumble at first—confidence grows with use.


🧭 Direction & Navigation Phrases

If you’re exploring Japan or trying to find your way, these phrases will save you stress:

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
I’m lost道に迷いましたMichi ni mayoimashita
Can you help me?手伝ってくれますか?Tetsudatte kuremasu ka?
Which way to the station?駅はどちらですか?Eki wa dochira desu ka?
Left / Right / Straight左 / 右 / まっすぐHidari / Migi / Massugu

🍱 Restaurant and Food Phrases

Japan is a food lover’s paradise. Learn these phrases to order confidently and show respect.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
I’d like this, pleaseこれをくださいKore o kudasai
Is this vegetarian?これはベジタリアンですか?Kore wa bejitarian desu ka?
Delicious!おいしい!Oishii!
Thank you for the mealごちそうさまでしたGochisōsama deshita

🗣️ Phrases for Self-Introduction

Making a good first impression in Japanese often starts with a short, polite self-introduction.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
My name is [Name][Name] と申します[Name] to mōshimasu
Nice to meet youはじめましてHajimemashite
I’m learning Japanese日本語を勉強していますNihongo o benkyō shiteimasu
Please be kind to meよろしくお願いしますYoroshiku onegaishimasu

✨ “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” is untranslatable—but it means “please treat me well.” It’s used often in greetings.


🧳 Japanese Phrases for Travel ✈️

Whether you’re at an airport, checking into a hotel, or boarding a train, these phrases will help you move around Japan with ease.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
Where is the train station?駅はどこですか?Eki wa doko desu ka?
I have a reservation予約がありますYoyaku ga arimasu
I don’t understandわかりませんWakarimasen
Can I pay by card?カードで払えますか?Kādo de haraemasu ka?
Is Wi-Fi available?Wi-Fiはありますか?Waifai wa arimasu ka?

Pro tip: Pair these phrases with pointing gestures. Japanese locals are often very helpful if you signal you’re a tourist.


🛍️ Japanese Phrases for Shopping

Shopping in Japan is a polite dance of greetings and exchanges. These phrases will help you be a respectful and confident shopper.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
How much is this?これはいくらですか?Kore wa ikura desu ka?
Do you have this in size M?Mサイズはありますか?Emu saizu wa arimasu ka?
I’ll take thisこれを買いますKore o kaimasu
I’m just looking見ているだけですMite iru dake desu
It’s too expensive高すぎますTakasugimasu

🧾 Don’t forget to say “ありがとう” after any purchase—manners matter!


🚨 Emergency Phrases in Japanese

In case of trouble, knowing just a few critical expressions could be life-saving or at least very helpful.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
Help!助けて!Tasukete!
Call the police警察を呼んでくださいKeisatsu o yonde kudasai
I’m sick病気ですByōki desu
I lost my wallet財布をなくしましたSaifu o nakushimashita
I need a doctor医者が必要ですIsha ga hitsuyō desu

🚑 Always carry emergency contact info written in Japanese if possible.


💬 Romantic & Friendly Phrases 💕

Sometimes, language is about connection. Whether you’re flirting or making a new friend, these expressions are light, charming, and culturally useful.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
I like you好きですSuki desu
You’re cute / coolかわいい / かっこいいKawaii / Kakkoii
Do you want to hang out?遊びに行きませんか?Asobi ni ikimasen ka?
You’re my friendあなたは私の友達ですAnata wa watashi no tomodachi desu
I love you (serious)愛していますAishiteimasu

❣️ In Japanese culture, expressions of affection are more subtle than in English—so tone matters.


📱 Japanese Slang & Texting Phrases

Online chats in Japan use a mix of kana, emojis, and slang. Here are some must-know modern expressions:

EnglishJapanese Slang / TextRomanization
LOL / Hahawww (わら)wara
Thank you (short form)あざっすazassu
OMGマジで?!maji de?!
Got it / OK了解ryōkai
So cute!かわいすぎ!kawaisugi!

🔤 “www” in Japanese texting is like “lol” — it comes from “warau” (to laugh).


🏠 Japanese Phrases for Daily Life at Home

Even when you’re not traveling, knowing Japanese phrases for everyday routines at home can boost your comfort with the language.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
I’m homeただいまTadaima
Welcome backおかえりなさいOkaerinasai
Let’s eatいただきますItadakimasu
That was a good mealごちそうさまでしたGochisōsama deshita
Good nightおやすみなさいOyasuminasai
I’m going out行ってきますIttekimasu
Take care行ってらっしゃいItterasshai

🏡 These expressions are common in Japanese households and show cultural closeness and routine politeness.


🏢 Japanese Phrases for Work and Study

Whether you’re working remotely or studying with a tutor, these formal phrases show good manners in professional and academic settings.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
Good job / Well doneお疲れ様ですOtsukaresama desu
I’ll do my best頑張りますGanbarimasu
Sorry for the inconvenienceご迷惑をおかけしてすみませんGomeiwaku o okake shite sumimasen
I understand分かりましたWakarimashita
I’ll check and get back to you確認してご連絡しますKakunin shite go-renraku shimasu

📚 “Otsukaresama desu” has no direct English equivalent—use it as a thank-you for others’ effort or when ending a workday.


📞 Phrases for Phone and Online Calls

Polite Japanese is even more important when you can’t see the person you’re speaking with.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
Hello (on the phone)もしもしMoshi moshi
Just a moment, please少々お待ちくださいShōshō omachi kudasai
I’ll call back later後でかけなおしますAto de kake naoshimasu
I can’t hear wellよく聞こえませんYoku kikoemasen
Thank you for your timeお時間をいただきありがとうございましたOjikan o itadaki arigatō gozaimashita

🎓 Bonus: Japanese Phrases for Classroom Use

For learners attending language schools or online classes, here are useful phrases to participate respectfully.

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
Please say it againもう一度言ってくださいMō ichido itte kudasai
What does this mean?これはどういう意味ですか?Kore wa dō iu imi desu ka?
I don’t understand分かりませんWakarimasen
I understand分かりましたWakarimashita
Please speak more slowlyもっとゆっくり話してくださいMotto yukkuri hanashite kudasai

🎓 Master these to feel more confident during any formal class or tutoring session!


🏨 Hotel and Accommodation Phrases

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
I have a booking under [Name][Name] の予約があります[Name] no yoyaku ga arimasu
What time is check-out?チェックアウトは何時ですか?Chekkuauto wa nanji desu ka?
Can I get a non-smoking room?禁煙の部屋はありますか?Kinen no heya wa arimasu ka?
Is breakfast included?朝食は含まれていますか?Chōshoku wa fukumareteimasu ka?
I need extra towelsタオルを追加でお願いしますTauru o tsuika de onegaishimasu

📞 Making Phone Calls in Japanese

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
Hello, this is [Name]もしもし、[Name] ですMoshi moshi, [Name] desu
May I speak to [Person]?[Person] さんと話せますか?[Person]-san to hanasemasu ka?
Just a moment please少々お待ちくださいShōshō omachi kudasai
I’ll call back laterまた後でかけなおしますMata ato de kake naoshimasu
Wrong number間違い電話ですMachigai denwa desu

📆 Making Plans and Appointments

EnglishJapaneseRomanization
Are you free tomorrow?明日は空いていますか?Ashita wa aiteimasu ka?
Let’s meet at 5 PM午後5時に会いましょうGogo go-ji ni aimashō
Where shall we meet?どこで会いましょうか?Doko de aimashō ka?
I’m running late遅れていますOkureteimasu
Let’s reschedule予定を変更しましょうYotei o henkō shimashō

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many phrases do I need to start speaking?
A: Even 20–30 core phrases can unlock real-world conversations.

Q: Is pronunciation important?
A: Yes—but don’t worry about sounding perfect. Mimic native audio and focus on clarity.

Q: Can I use romaji or should I learn hiragana/katakana?
A: Start with romaji if needed, but move to kana early to build reading skills.

Q: What’s the best app to practice phrases?
A: Try Avatalks for speaking practice with a 3D tutor, or use LingoDeer, Duolingo, or Pimsleur.


✅ Final Thoughts

Mastering Japanese basic phrases gives you a huge advantage as a learner. It builds confidence, makes travel smoother, and helps you connect with people faster.

Don’t worry about speaking perfectly. Focus on using what you know. Every time you say “ありがとう” or “こんにちは” correctly, you’re growing closer to fluency.

So start with these phrases. Say them daily. Use them boldly.
And let the Japanese language become a part of your daily life.


Ready to start using Japanese basic phrases in real life? Try practicing with a friend—or talk to our AI tutors at Avatalks!


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