Everyday Japanese conversation relies on a compact core of fixed expressions. Unlike textbook grammar, these phrases are not built from individual words at speaking time; they are memorized as whole units and repeated in stable social situations. Saying the right phrase at the right moment matters more in Japanese than in many European languages, because Japanese communication is built on shared expectations of ritual politeness. Missing a greeting, failing to acknowledge trouble taken on your behalf, or skipping an entry phrase when visiting a home can feel jarring to native speakers even when the grammar of your other sentences is correct.
This reference catalogs more than one hundred of the most frequent phrases used by native speakers in daily life. Entries are organized by situation: greetings and farewells, gratitude and apology, introductions, shopping, restaurants, transportation, home visits, telephone conversation, the workplace, and emergencies. Each phrase appears in kanji and kana, followed by a romanized pronunciation and an English translation, with brief cultural notes where the phrase differs in usage from its English counterpart.
The phrases below assume the polite (teineigo) register, which is the safe default for learners and which works in almost every social setting except conversations with close friends and family. Plain-speech variants are noted where relevant. Pronunciation follows standard Hepburn romanization: double vowels are held for two beats, and small tsu (っ) marks a short pause before the next consonant.
Greetings and Farewells
Japanese greetings are sensitive to the time of day, the relationship between speakers, and the situation of meeting or parting. There is no single neutral "hi" that covers all cases.
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| おはようございます | ohayou gozaimasu | good morning | Polite; until roughly 10 AM |
| おはよう | ohayou | morning | Casual form |
| こんにちは | konnichiwa | hello / good day | Roughly 10 AM to sunset |
| こんばんは | konbanwa | good evening | After dark |
| おやすみなさい | oyasumi nasai | good night | Before sleeping |
| さようなら | sayounara | goodbye | Formal; long separations |
| じゃあね | jaa ne | see you | Casual, friends |
| またね | mata ne | see you later | Casual |
| また明日 | mata ashita | see you tomorrow | Daily goodbye |
| お疲れ様でした | otsukare sama deshita | thank you for your work | Workplace farewell |
| 行ってきます | itte kimasu | I am going and will return | Said when leaving home |
| 行ってらっしゃい | itte rasshai | please go and come back | Response to itte kimasu |
| ただいま | tadaima | I am back | Said on returning home |
| お帰りなさい | okaeri nasai | welcome home | Response to tadaima |
Cultural note: The home departure and return phrases (行ってきます, ただいま, お帰りなさい) are not optional pleasantries. They are considered the minimum social glue of a household, and their absence is felt immediately. Many Japanese people say them even when entering an empty apartment.
Gratitude and Apology
Thanks and apology are distributed across a larger set of phrases than in English. The correct choice depends on the depth of feeling, the relationship, and whether the exchange is casual or formal.
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ありがとうございます | arigatou gozaimasu | thank you | Polite |
| ありがとう | arigatou | thanks | Casual |
| どうもありがとうございます | doumo arigatou gozaimasu | thank you very much | Emphatic |
| どういたしまして | dou itashimashite | you are welcome | Response to thanks |
| いえいえ | ie ie | not at all | Casual response |
| すみません | sumimasen | excuse me / sorry | Versatile |
| ごめんなさい | gomen nasai | I am sorry | Personal apology |
| ごめん | gomen | sorry | Casual |
| 申し訳ありません | moushiwake arimasen | I have no excuse | Formal apology |
| 失礼します | shitsurei shimasu | excuse me / pardon | Entering a room |
| 失礼しました | shitsurei shimashita | I was rude | Leaving a situation |
| お世話になります | osewa ni narimasu | thank you for your care | Entering a relationship |
| お世話になりました | osewa ni narimashita | thank you for your care | Leaving a relationship |
The word すみません is one of the most useful in the language. It can mean "excuse me" when getting attention, "sorry" when brushing against someone on the train, or "thank you" when someone has done something that cost them time or effort. The hybrid thanks-and-apology meaning reflects a cultural preference for acknowledging inconvenience imposed on others.
Introductions and First Meetings
Self-introduction (自己紹介, jikoshoukai) follows a fixed sequence of phrases.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| はじめまして | hajimemashite | nice to meet you |
| 私は...です | watashi wa ... desu | I am ... |
| ...と申します | ... to moushimasu | my name is ... (humble) |
| よろしくお願いします | yoroshiku onegai shimasu | please treat me well |
| こちらこそ | kochira koso | likewise |
| お名前は何ですか | onamae wa nan desu ka | what is your name |
| どちらからですか | dochira kara desu ka | where are you from |
| 出身はどこですか | shusshin wa doko desu ka | where is your hometown |
| ...から来ました | ... kara kimashita | I came from ... |
| 趣味は何ですか | shumi wa nan desu ka | what are your hobbies |
| お仕事は何ですか | oshigoto wa nan desu ka | what is your work |
The phrase よろしくお願いします is spoken at the end of almost every introduction and does not have a close English equivalent. It is an advance request for goodwill in the relationship being formed.
Asking and Answering Basic Questions
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 元気ですか | genki desu ka | are you well |
| はい、元気です | hai, genki desu | yes, I am well |
| おかげさまで | okage sama de | thanks to you / I am fine |
| あなたは | anata wa | and you |
| わかりますか | wakarimasu ka | do you understand |
| わかりました | wakarimashita | I understood |
| わかりません | wakarimasen | I do not understand |
| もう一度お願いします | mou ichido onegai shimasu | please repeat |
| ゆっくり話してください | yukkuri hanashite kudasai | please speak slowly |
| 日本語は少しだけ話せます | nihongo wa sukoshi dake hanasemasu | I speak only a little Japanese |
| 英語が話せますか | eigo ga hanasemasu ka | do you speak English |
Cultural note: The 元気ですか greeting is used much less often in Japan than "how are you" is in English-speaking countries. It is reserved for people you have not seen for some time. Asking it every morning of a colleague is unnatural.
Shopping Phrases
Japanese retail interactions follow a predictable script. The clerk initiates with いらっしゃいませ, and the customer responds mostly with short phrases.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| いらっしゃいませ | irasshaimase | welcome (to the shop) |
| これはいくらですか | kore wa ikura desu ka | how much is this |
| ...をください | ... wo kudasai | I will take the ... |
| ...はありますか | ... wa arimasu ka | do you have ... |
| 見ているだけです | mite iru dake desu | I am just looking |
| 試着してもいいですか | shichaku shite mo ii desu ka | may I try it on |
| もっと大きいサイズはありますか | motto ookii saizu wa arimasu ka | do you have a larger size |
| もっと小さいサイズはありますか | motto chiisai saizu wa arimasu ka | do you have a smaller size |
| クレジットカードは使えますか | kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka | can I use credit card |
| 現金で払います | genkin de haraimasu | I will pay in cash |
| 袋をください | fukuro wo kudasai | a bag, please |
| 袋はいりません | fukuro wa irimasen | I do not need a bag |
| 領収書をお願いします | ryoushuusho wo onegai shimasu | receipt please |
| ポイントカードはありますか | pointo kaado wa arimasu ka | do you have a point card |
The customer is not expected to say "thank you" when handing over money; clerks will end the transaction with ありがとうございました. A light nod is enough.
Restaurant Phrases
Dining in Japan involves specific phrases at arrival, ordering, eating, and leaving. Many are non-negotiable parts of the social ritual.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 何名様ですか | nan mei sama desu ka | how many people |
| 二人です | futari desu | two people |
| 予約しています | yoyaku shite imasu | I have a reservation |
| メニューをください | menyuu wo kudasai | menu please |
| 英語のメニューはありますか | eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka | is there an English menu |
| おすすめは何ですか | osusume wa nan desu ka | what do you recommend |
| これをください | kore wo kudasai | I will have this |
| 水をください | mizu wo kudasai | water please |
| お会計お願いします | okaikei onegai shimasu | check please |
| 別々にお願いします | betsu betsu ni onegai shimasu | separate checks please |
| いただきます | itadakimasu | I humbly receive (before eating) |
| ごちそうさまでした | gochisou sama deshita | thank you for the meal |
| 美味しいです | oishii desu | it is delicious |
| おかわりください | okawari kudasai | another serving please |
| 辛くしないでください | karaku shinaide kudasai | please make it not spicy |
Cultural note: Tipping is not practiced in Japanese restaurants and is often refused or returned. Service is included in the price, and leaving cash can confuse staff. A sincere ごちそうさまでした is the expected sign of satisfaction.
Transportation and Directions
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 駅はどこですか | eki wa doko desu ka | where is the station |
| ...までお願いします | ... made onegai shimasu | to ..., please (in a taxi) |
| 次の駅で降ります | tsugi no eki de orimasu | I will get off at the next station |
| 切符を買いたいです | kippu wo kaitai desu | I want to buy a ticket |
| 何番線ですか | nan ban sen desu ka | which platform |
| まっすぐ行ってください | massugu itte kudasai | go straight |
| 右に曲がってください | migi ni magatte kudasai | turn right |
| 左に曲がってください | hidari ni magatte kudasai | turn left |
| ここで止めてください | koko de tomete kudasai | please stop here |
| 急いでください | isoide kudasai | please hurry |
| 遅れています | okurete imasu | I am running late |
| 地図を見せてください | chizu wo misete kudasai | please show me the map |
Home Visits
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| お邪魔します | ojama shimasu | excuse the intrusion (entering a home) |
| お邪魔しました | ojama shimashita | thank you for having me (leaving) |
| 失礼します | shitsurei shimasu | pardon me (entering a room) |
| 上がってください | agatte kudasai | please come in / step up |
| どうぞ | douzo | please / go ahead |
| いただきます | itadakimasu | thank you for the food |
| 素敵なお家ですね | suteki na ouchi desu ne | what a lovely home |
Shoes are removed at the entrance (玄関, genkan) of every Japanese home, and often in schools, clinics, and traditional restaurants. Stepping onto the raised floor in outdoor shoes is a serious breach of etiquette.
Telephone
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| もしもし | moshi moshi | hello (phone only) |
| ...さんをお願いします | ... san wo onegai shimasu | may I speak to ... |
| お電話ありがとうございます | odenwa arigatou gozaimasu | thank you for calling |
| 少々お待ちください | shoushou omachi kudasai | one moment please |
| ただいま席を外しています | tadaima seki wo hazushite imasu | they are away from their seat |
| 伝言をお願いします | dengon wo onegai shimasu | may I leave a message |
| また後でかけ直します | mata ato de kakenaoshimasu | I will call back later |
| 失礼します | shitsurei shimasu | goodbye (ending call) |
The word もしもし is used exclusively on the phone. Saying it to someone in person is comedic and strange.
Workplace and Daily Routine
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| お疲れ様です | otsukare sama desu | thank you for your work |
| よろしくお願いします | yoroshiku onegai shimasu | I appreciate your cooperation |
| 承知しました | shouchi shimashita | I understand (to a superior) |
| かしこまりました | kashikomarimashita | certainly |
| 申し訳ございません | moushiwake gozaimasen | I am deeply sorry |
| 少々お待ちください | shoushou omachi kudasai | one moment please |
| お先に失礼します | osaki ni shitsurei shimasu | excuse me for leaving before you |
| 今、大丈夫ですか | ima, daijoubu desu ka | are you free now |
Emergencies
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 助けて | tasukete | help |
| 危ない | abunai | watch out |
| 病院はどこですか | byouin wa doko desu ka | where is the hospital |
| 救急車を呼んでください | kyuukyuusha wo yonde kudasai | call an ambulance |
| 警察を呼んでください | keisatsu wo yonde kudasai | call the police |
| 財布をなくしました | saifu wo nakushimashita | I lost my wallet |
| パスポートをなくしました | pasupooto wo nakushimashita | I lost my passport |
| 道に迷いました | michi ni mayoimashita | I am lost |
| 具合が悪いです | guai ga warui desu | I feel unwell |
| 薬が必要です | kusuri ga hitsuyou desu | I need medicine |
The universal emergency numbers are 119 for fire and ambulance and 110 for police. Dispatch operators in major cities usually have some English capacity but not always.
Common Mistakes
- Overusing あなた (anata). English learners often insert "you" in every sentence, but あなた is rarely used in polite conversation. Use the person's name or a title instead.
- Translating "I am sorry" as ごめんなさい in a shop or on a train. The correct word there is すみません. ごめんなさい is for personal, heartfelt apologies.
- Saying もしもし in person. This is a phone-only word. Using it face to face sounds comedic.
- Omitting よろしくお願いします in introductions. This phrase is the minimum closing of any self-introduction. Leaving it out feels incomplete.
- Using さようなら as an everyday goodbye. This word has a tone of finality. Between friends, use じゃあね or またね.
- Forgetting いただきます and ごちそうさまでした. Skipping these around Japanese hosts is conspicuous even if all other manners are perfect.
Quick Reference
Short phrases for absolute minimum survival:
- Hello: こんにちは (konnichiwa)
- Thank you: ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu)
- Excuse me / sorry: すみません (sumimasen)
- Yes / no: はい / いいえ (hai / iie)
- Please: お願いします (onegai shimasu)
- I do not understand: わかりません (wakarimasen)
- Where is the bathroom: トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka)
- Help: 助けて (tasukete)
- How much: いくらですか (ikura desu ka)
- Goodbye: さようなら (sayounara) / じゃあね (jaa ne)
See Also
- Hiragana Complete Guide: Chart and Stroke Order
- Katakana Complete Guide: Chart and When to Use
- Japanese Grammar Particles: Complete Guide
- Japanese Verb Conjugation: Beginner's Guide
- Japanese Keigo: Honorific Language Reference
- Japanese Counting: Numbers and Counters Guide
- Writing Systems and Alphabets Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between こんにちは and こんばんは?
こんにちは (konnichiwa) is used roughly between late morning and early evening and translates as a neutral greeting for daytime. こんばんは (konbanwa) is used after dark as an evening greeting. Using the wrong one sounds mildly odd but is not offensive.
Is すみません the same as ごめんなさい?
Both can translate as 'I am sorry' but their uses differ. すみません (sumimasen) functions as a polite 'excuse me' or a light apology and is also used to thank someone for trouble taken on your behalf. ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) is a more personal, heartfelt apology used with friends and family for actual wrongdoing.
Why do Japanese speakers say いただきます before eating?
いただきます (itadakimasu) is a ritual expression of gratitude used before a meal. It acknowledges the food, the people who prepared it, and the lives given to produce it. It is spoken regardless of whether anyone cooked the meal personally and is considered polite to say even when eating alone.
When should I use さようなら versus じゃあね?
さようなら (sayounara) has a slightly formal, sometimes final tone and is not used among close friends for daily goodbyes. じゃあね (jaa ne) or またね (mata ne) are casual everyday farewells meaning 'see you' or 'later'. In workplaces, お疲れ様でした (otsukare sama deshita) is standard at the end of the day.
How do I politely get a server's attention in a restaurant?
Say すみません (sumimasen) in a clear voice or raise your hand slightly. In many izakaya and chain restaurants, you may also press a call button on the table. Avoid snapping fingers, shouting, or using English words like 'hello', which are considered rude in Japanese dining culture.
What phrase should I know in an emergency?
助けて (tasukete) means 'help me' and can be shouted to draw attention. For medical emergencies, dial 119 and say 救急車をお願いします (kyuukyuusha wo onegai shimasu), 'ambulance please'. For police, dial 110 and say 警察を呼んでください (keisatsu wo yonde kudasai).
Do I always need to say お願いします when requesting things?
Not always, but it makes most requests more polite. お願いします (onegai shimasu) softens an order or request and is appropriate in shops, restaurants, and offices. For casual requests among friends, ください (kudasai) or plain form is often enough.
