25 MUST-KNOW Phrases when Traveling to Japan

Summary

This video teaches viewers 25 essential Japanese travel phrases to make their trip smoother and help them connect with locals. It covers a wide range of practical expressions, from basic greetings and thanking someone to more specific phrases for navigating transportation, ordering food, and asking for directions. The video also introduces useful phrases for interacting in restaurants, shops, and convenience stores. Additionally, the host shares a special tool—an app with walking guides and language tips to enhance the travel experience in Japan. By the end, viewers will feel more confident in communicating during their Japan trip.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learning basic Japanese phrases will make your travel in Japan smoother and help you connect with locals.
• 😀 'ありがとうございます' (Arigatou gozaimasu) is the formal way to say thank you, while 'ありがとう' (Arigatou) is more casual.
• 😀 'すみません' (Sumimasen) can be used for both 'Excuse me' and 'I'm sorry.' It's essential for getting attention in restaurants or busy places.
• 😀 '英語分かりますか' (Eigo wakarimasu ka) means 'Do you understand English?' and can help you communicate better with locals.
• 😀 '分かりません' (Wakarimasen) means 'I don't understand,' while '分かりました' (Wakarimashita) means 'I understand.'
• 😀 'ちょっと待ってください' (Chotto matte kudasai) is useful when you need someone to wait for a moment, like at the airport or in stores.
• 😀 To ask for directions, phrases like 'トイレはどこですか' (Toire wa doko desu ka) for 'Where is the bathroom?' or '駅はどこですか' (Eki wa doko desu ka) for 'Where is the station?' are crucial.
• 😀 When ordering, phrases like 'これください' (Kore kudasai) for 'Please give me this' or 'お願いします' (Onegaishimasu) for requesting something are commonly used.
• 😀 Asking for Wi-Fi or an English menu can be done using 'Wi-Fiはありますか' (Wi-Fi wa arimasu ka) and '英語のメニューはありますか' (Eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka).
• 😀 'お会計お願いします' (Okaikei onegaishimasu) means 'Check, please' and is commonly used when paying at restaurants or cafes.

Q & A

Why is it important to learn basic Japanese phrases before traveling to Japan?

Learning basic Japanese phrases makes your trip smoother, helps you connect with locals, and demonstrates respect for the culture. People will appreciate your effort to communicate in their language, especially in smaller cities where fewer people speak English.

What are some common ways to say 'thank you' in Japanese?

The formal way to say thank you in Japanese is 'ありがとうございます' (arigatou gozaimasu), while the casual version is 'あり' (ari) used with friends. If you're traveling, it's best to use the formal 'ありがとうございます'.

What does 'すみません' (sumimasen) mean, and when should you use it?

'すみません' (sumimasen) is a versatile phrase in Japanese. It can mean 'excuse me', 'I'm sorry', or 'thank you' depending on the context. You would use it to get someone's attention, apologize, or express gratitude.

How do you ask if someone understands English in Japanese?

To ask if someone understands English, you can say '英語分かりますか' (Eigo wakarimasu ka?), which means 'Do you understand English?' This can help you communicate with people more easily if they do speak English.

What is the phrase to say 'I don't understand' in Japanese?

'分かりません' (wakarimasen) means 'I don’t understand' in Japanese. If you want to be more polite, you can say 'すみません、分かりません' (sumimasen, wakarimasen).

How do you say 'Please wait a moment' in Japanese?

'ちょっと待ってください' (chotto matte kudasai) means 'Please wait a moment.' You can use it when you need someone to wait for you briefly, such as when you're getting your passport ready at an airport.

What does 'どこですか' (doko desu ka) mean, and how is it used?

'どこですか' (doko desu ka) means 'Where is it?' or 'Where is the place?' You can use it to ask for directions, such as 'トイレはどこですか?' (Toire wa doko desu ka?), meaning 'Where is the restroom?'

How do you ask about the availability of Wi-Fi in Japan?

To ask if Wi-Fi is available, you can say 'Wi-Fiはありますか?' (Wi-Fi wa arimasu ka?), meaning 'Do you have Wi-Fi?' This is useful when you're in cafes or restaurants.

How do you ask for the price of an item in Japanese?

To ask for the price of an item, you can say 'これはいくらですか?' (Kore wa ikura desu ka?), which means 'How much is this?' If it's something a bit farther away, you can say 'あれはいくらですか?' (Are wa ikura desu ka?), meaning 'How much is that over there?'

What should you know about paying with credit cards or Apple Pay in Japan?

In Japan, cash is still the most widely used payment method, so always carry cash. However, if you'd like to use a credit card, you can ask 'クレジットカード使えますか?' (Kurejitto kaado tsukaemasu ka?), meaning 'Can I use a credit card?' For Apple Pay, ask 'Apple Pay使えますか?' (Apple Pay tsukaemasu ka?). It's important to remember that not all places accept contactless payments, so carrying your physical card is a good backup.