Japanese Language Basics for Travelers

Japanese is a unique language considered a language isolate, although it has borrowed some words of East Asian and European origin. There are many regional dialects, but 98% of the population speaks standard Japanese, which forms the basis of the Japanese vocabulary used when travelling.

To make the most of your trip to Japan, it is useful to learn a few basic Japanese words and expressions. Knowing some essential Japanese words makes communication easier and shows a level of respect that is appreciated by local people. Japanese people always appreciate travellers' efforts to speak their language. Support from a local agency can also help overcome the language barrier through personalised local advice.

Key points

Travel need	Useful Japanese expression
Hello	Konnichiwa – こんにちは
Thank you	Arigatou gozaimasu – ありがとうございます
Excuse me / Sorry	Sumimasen – すみません
Please	Onegaishimasu – お願いします
I don't understand	Wakarimasen – 分かりません
How much does it cost?	Kore wa ikura desu ka? – これはいくらですか？
Where are the toilets?	Toire wa doko desu ka? – トイレはどこですか？
The bill, please	Okaikei o onegai shimasu – お会計をお願いします

A Brief History of the Japanese Language

There are few representatives of the ancient ethnic groups of Japan today. The best known are the Ainu, a minority living in northern Japan and Russia, with only around 300 speakers today.

Japanese is the official language of Japan, but it is also spoken on Angaur Island (Palau, Micronesia). There are also significant Japanese-speaking communities in Brazil, Peru, Taiwan and South Korea.

The introduction of Chinese writing in the 4th century had a profound influence on the language. Today, Japanese people still use Chinese characters (kanji), complemented by two syllabaries known as kana: hiragana and katakana. These writing systems facilitate learning to read and form the basis of written Japanese vocabulary, allowing children, from an early age, to develop a certain degree of independence in reading comprehension.

The Basics of Japanese Vocabulary for Travelling

Greetings, Thanking People and Asking Politely

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello (during the day)
• おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – Good morning (formal)
• こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good evening
• ありがとう (Arigatou) / ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) – Thank you (informal / formal)
• すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me / Sorry (to get someone's attention, ask for help or apologise)
• ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai) – I am sorry (sincere, personal apology)
• お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – Please (when asking for a service)

Tip: Always use the polite form with strangers or in formal situations. Politeness is an integral part of communication in Japan.

Additional Useful Expressions

• はい (Hai) – Yes
• いいえ (Iie) – No
• 分かりません (Wakarimasen) – I don't understand
• 日本語を話せません (Nihongo o hanasemasen) – I don't speak Japanese

Practical Everyday Expressions

Useful Expressions at Restaurants

• …をください (… o kudasai) — I would like…
• お会計をお願いします (Okaikei o onegai shimasu) — The bill, please
• おいしいです (Oishii desu) — It's delicious
• いただきます (Itadakimasu) — Expression used before eating
• ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita) — Thank you for the meal (after eating)

Getting Around and Using Public Transport

• この電車は___に行きますか？ (Kono densha wa ___ ni ikimasu ka?) – Does this train go to ___?
• に行きたいのですが (* ni ikitai no desuga)** – I want to go to ___
• 近いですか？ (Chikai desu ka?) – Is it nearby?
• 遠いですか？ (Tooi desu ka?) – Is it far?

Shopping and Services

• これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) – How much does this cost?
• …を試着したいです (… o shichaku shitai desu) – I would like to try on…
• 高いです (Takai desu) – It's too expensive
• Wi-Fi ありますか？ (Wi-Fi arimasu ka?) – Is there Wi-Fi?

Emergencies and Essential Needs

• 助けてください！(Tasukete kudasai!) – Help!
• 警察を呼んでください！(Keisatsu o yonde kudasai!) – Please call the police
• 病院はどこですか？ (Byouin wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the hospital?
• 薬局はどこですか？ (Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the pharmacy?
• 私は具合が悪いです。(Watashi wa guai ga warui desu.) – I don't feel well
• 私は[allergie]アレルギーがあります。(Watashi wa [allergie] arerugī ga arimasu) – I am allergic to [allergy]

Asking for Directions

• トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?) — Where are the toilets?
• [Lieu]へ行きたいです ([Lieu] e ikitai desu) — I want to go to [place]
• この道をまっすぐ行ってください (Kono michi o massugu itte kudasai) — Go straight ahead
• 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
• ここからどれくらいですか？ (Koko kara dorekurai desu ka?) — How far is it from here?

Tips for Pronunciation and Quick Learning

• Japanese is a syllabic language: each character corresponds to a syllable, generally formed by a consonant + vowel (ka, ki, ku, ke, ko).
• Japanese vowels are short and clear: “a”, “i”, “u”, “e”, “o”.
• Practise slowly, separating each syllable (for example: “su-mi-ma-sen”).
• Learn a few key verbs in the polite (–masu) form to show respect: 行きます ikimasu (to go), 食べます tabemasu (to eat), 見ます mimasu (to see).
• Use suitable resources such as travel apps or phrasebooks and revise by topic (transport, directions, restaurant orders).

Bonus: Useful Verbs for Travelling