
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.
Table of Contents
Open Table of Contents
- 🇯🇵 Why Learn Japanese Basic Phrases First?
- 👋 Essential Japanese Greetings
- 🙇 Polite Expressions Everyone Should Know
- ❓ Useful Questions for Everyday Conversations
- 🧭 Direction & Navigation Phrases
- 🍱 Restaurant and Food Phrases
- 🗣️ Phrases for Self-Introduction
- 🧳 Japanese Phrases for Travel ✈️
- 🛍️ Japanese Phrases for Shopping
- 🚨 Emergency Phrases in Japanese
- 💬 Romantic & Friendly Phrases 💕
- 📱 Japanese Slang & Texting Phrases
- 🏠 Japanese Phrases for Daily Life at Home
- 🏢 Japanese Phrases for Work and Study
- 📞 Phrases for Phone and Online Calls
- 🎓 Bonus: Japanese Phrases for Classroom Use
- 🏨 Hotel and Accommodation Phrases
- 📞 Making Phone Calls in Japanese
- 📆 Making Plans and Appointments
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- ✅ Final Thoughts
🇯🇵 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:
- Contextual learning: You hear them often and know when to use them.
- Social ease: You can greet, thank, apologize, and ask for help from Day 1.
- Pattern recognition: You’ll naturally absorb grammar rules without studying them explicitly.
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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:
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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:
English | Japanese Slang / Text | Romanization |
---|---|---|
LOL / Haha | www (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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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.
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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
English | Japanese | Romanization |
---|---|---|
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!