Japanese
Travel Phrases Series | Greetings and Introductions
These Japanese travel phrases are presented in 3 formats: English, Kanji and .
You are welcome to use them freely, print the page for reference while travelling
in Japan.
Notes
(F) Formal
phrase or polite expression
(FC) Phrase
used as a Formal or Casual expression.
(C) Casual
and friendly sounding expression.
Note: not recommended to be used at a business meeting or
any formal situation or place in Japan: be cautious and respectable.
desu means is or are
Formal phrases have desu at the end, in most cases.
Casual phrases have ne or yo at the end of a phrase.
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Nice to meet you!
(C) |
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Yoroshiku! |
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Thank you very much.
(F) |
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Arigatou gozaimasu. |
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Thanks (F) |
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Doumo Sumimasen. |
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No problem. With pleasure.
(F) |
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Dou itashi mashite. |
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I am sorry. (F) |
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Sumimasen. |
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I am sorry. (F) |
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*When
you made a little mistake. Shitsurei shimashita. |
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I apologize to you. (F)
I am very sorry. |
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Moushiwake gozaimasen. |
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Excuse me / Hello / I
say Man (FC) |
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"Sumimasen"
is a useful word that can be used for "Thanks" "Excuse me"
"I am sorry".
Sumimasen. |
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Excuse me a minute. (F) |
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* Eg: When you leave a table
to go to restroom etc. Chotto Shitsurei shimasu. |
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Yes. (F)
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Hai / Ee. |
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Yes. (That is right)
(F)
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*We say this word quite often.
Sou desu.(In casual expression, we say "Sou" in short.) |
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No. (F)
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Iie ( or "Ie"
in short.) |
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I see. (F)
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Soudesuka. (In casual expression,
we say "Sou nanda".) |
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I see. Ah-huh. (FC)
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Naruhodo. |
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I understand. (F)
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Wakari mashita. |
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I don't understand it.
(F) |
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Wakara naidesu. |
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Well, yeah you are right.
(C) |
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Mah-ne. |
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Right. (C) |
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Souda-ne. / Soudayo-ne. |
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Indeed. (FC) |
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Tashikani. |
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That's alright. (F) |
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Dai-joubu
desu. |
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You don't say! (You are kidding
me.!) (C) |
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Masaka! |
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Is that right? (F) |
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Hontou desu ka? |
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I can't believe it! (F) |
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Tashikani. |
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Please (When offering something)
(F) |
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Douzo. |
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Please (When requesting something)
(F) |
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Onegai
Shimasu. |
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