Some Japanese phrases are tiny, polite, and everywhere. Others are the kind you hear in anime, shops, train stations, classrooms, and awkward first conversations when your brain suddenly forgets every word it has ever learned. Very cool. Very normal.
The good news is that everyday Japanese runs on a surprisingly practical set of phrases. Learn the common ones first, and real conversations start feeling much less like a foggy boss battle. If you want a broader starter pack too, this guide pairs nicely with 100 Japanese words and phrases to start learning.
Greetings And Everyday Basics
These are the phrases you will hear constantly. They are polite, practical, and honestly doing most of the heavy lifting in beginner Japanese.
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Meaning | Example (JP) | Example (Rōmaji) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| おはようございます | Ohayō gozaimasu | Good morning | おはようございます、田中さん。 | Ohayō gozaimasu, Tanaka-san. | Good morning, Mr. Tanaka. |
| こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello / Good afternoon | こんにちは、元気ですか。 | Konnichiwa, genki desu ka. | Hello, how are you? |
| こんばんは | Konbanwa | Good evening | 先生、こんばんは。 | Sensei, konbanwa. | Good evening, teacher. |
| さようなら | Sayōnara | Goodbye | また明日。さようなら。 | Mata ashita. Sayōnara. | See you tomorrow. Goodbye. |
| またね | Mata ne | See you | じゃ、またね。 | Ja, mata ne. | Okay, see you. |
| じゃあね | Jā ne | See you / Bye | 今日はありがとう。じゃあね。 | Kyō wa arigatō. Jā ne. | Thanks for today. Bye. |
| おやすみなさい | Oyasuminasai | Good night | もう遅いですね。おやすみなさい。 | Mō osoi desu ne. Oyasuminasai. | It’s already late. Good night. |
| 元気ですか | Genki desu ka | How are you? | 久しぶりですね。元気ですか。 | Hisashiburi desu ne. Genki desu ka. | Long time no see. How are you? |
| 元気です | Genki desu | I’m fine | はい、元気です。 | Hai, genki desu. | Yes, I’m fine. |
| 久しぶり | Hisashiburi | Long time no see | 久しぶり！元気？ | Hisashiburi! Genki? | Long time no see! How are you? |
| はじめまして | Hajimemashite | Nice to meet you | はじめまして、アミです。 | Hajimemashite, Ami desu. | Nice to meet you, I’m Ami. |
| よろしくお願いします | Yoroshiku onegaishimasu | Please treat me well / Nice to meet you | はじめまして。よろしくお願いします。 | Hajimemashite. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | Nice to meet you. Please treat me well. |
Polite Must-Know Phrases
If you learn only a handful of phrases first, make them polite ones. Japanese runs on tone and context, and these little expressions make you sound much more natural, much faster.
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Meaning | Example (JP) | Example (Rōmaji) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ありがとう | Arigatō | Thanks | 手伝ってくれて、ありがとう。 | Tetsudatte kurete, arigatō. | Thanks for helping me. |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatō gozaimasu | Thank you | 本当にありがとうございます。 | Hontō ni arigatō gozaimasu. | Thank you very much. |
| どうもありがとうございます | Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu | Thank you very much | 助かりました。どうもありがとうございます。 | Tasukarimashita. Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu. | You really helped me. Thank you very much. |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me / Sorry | すみません、駅はどこですか。 | Sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka. | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| ごめんなさい | Gomen nasai | I’m sorry | 遅れて、ごめんなさい。 | Okurete, gomen nasai. | I’m sorry for being late. |
| 失礼します | Shitsurei shimasu | Excuse me / Pardon me | 先に帰ります。失礼します。 | Saki ni kaerimasu. Shitsurei shimasu. | I’m leaving first. Excuse me. |
| お願いします | Onegaishimasu | Please | コーヒーを一つ、お願いします。 | Kōhī o hitotsu, onegaishimasu. | One coffee, please. |
| どういたしまして | Dōitashimashite | You’re welcome | 「ありがとう」「どういたしまして」 | “Arigatō.” “Dōitashimashite.” | “Thanks.” “You’re welcome.” |
| 大丈夫です | Daijōbu desu | It’s okay / I’m fine | 水は？ いいえ、大丈夫です。 | Mizu wa? Iie, daijōbu desu. | Water? No, I’m okay. |
| 結構です | Kekkō desu | No thank you / That’s fine | 袋は結構です。 | Fukuro wa kekkō desu. | No bag, thank you. |
| お疲れ様です | Otsukaresama desu | Good work / Thanks for your effort | 今日もお疲れ様です。 | Kyō mo otsukaresama desu. | Good work today as well. |
| お世話になります | Osewa ni narimasu | Thank you for your support | いつもお世話になります。 | Itsumo osewa ni narimasu. | Thank you for your continued support. |
すみません
Sumimasen
One tiny phrase, three jobs: excuse me, sorry, and sometimes even thanks. Efficient. Slightly unfair to beginners, but efficient.
Questions You Will Use All The Time
Questions keep conversations moving. They also rescue you when you only understand half of what is happening, which is still a win. For a bigger question toolkit, see questions in Japanese.
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Meaning | Example (JP) | Example (Rōmaji) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| これは何ですか | Kore wa nan desu ka | What is this? | これは何ですか。 | Kore wa nan desu ka. | What is this? |
| どこですか | Doko desu ka | Where is it? | トイレはどこですか。 | Toire wa doko desu ka. | Where is the restroom? |
| いつですか | Itsu desu ka | When is it? | 会議はいつですか。 | Kaigi wa itsu desu ka. | When is the meeting? |
| だれですか | Dare desu ka | Who is it? | あの人はだれですか。 | Ano hito wa dare desu ka. | Who is that person? |
| なぜですか | Naze desu ka | Why? | なぜですか。 | Naze desu ka. | Why is that? |
| いくらですか | Ikura desu ka | How much is it? | これはいくらですか。 | Kore wa ikura desu ka. | How much is this? |
| 何時ですか | Nanji desu ka | What time is it? | 今、何時ですか。 | Ima, nanji desu ka. | What time is it now? |
| 分かりますか | Wakarimasu ka | Do you understand? | 日本語が分かりますか。 | Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka. | Do you understand Japanese? |
| 英語を話せますか | Eigo o hanasemasu ka | Can you speak English? | 英語を話せますか。 | Eigo o hanasemasu ka. | Can you speak English? |
| もう一度お願いします | Mō ichido onegaishimasu | One more time, please | すみません、もう一度お願いします。 | Sumimasen, mō ichido onegaishimasu. | Sorry, one more time please. |
| ゆっくりお願いします | Yukkuri onegaishimasu | Please speak slowly | 日本語で、ゆっくりお願いします。 | Nihongo de, yukkuri onegaishimasu. | In Japanese, please speak slowly. |
| どういう意味ですか | Dō iu imi desu ka | What does it mean? | この言葉はどういう意味ですか。 | Kono kotoba wa dō iu imi desu ka. | What does this word mean? |
Yes, No, And Quick Reactions
These are short, common, and ridiculously useful. They make your Japanese sound more alive instead of like a textbook that accidentally became a person.
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Meaning | Example (JP) | Example (Rōmaji) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| はい | Hai | Yes | はい、分かりました。 | Hai, wakarimashita. | Yes, I understand. |
| いいえ | Iie | No | いいえ、違います。 | Iie, chigaimasu. | No, that’s not right. |
| もちろん | Mochiron | Of course | もちろん、行きます。 | Mochiron, ikimasu. | Of course, I’ll go. |
| たぶん | Tabun | Maybe / Probably | たぶん明日は雨です。 | Tabun ashita wa ame desu. | It will probably rain tomorrow. |
| 本当に | Hontō ni | Really | 本当に？すごいですね。 | Hontō ni? Sugoi desu ne. | Really? That’s amazing. |
| なるほど | Naruhodo | I see | あ、なるほど。 | A, naruhodo. | Ah, I see. |
| そうですか | Sō desu ka | I see / Is that so? | 明日は休みですか。そうですか。 | Ashita wa yasumi desu ka. Sō desu ka. | Tomorrow is a holiday? I see. |
| そうですね | Sō desu ne | That’s right / Let me see | そうですね、それがいいです。 | Sō desu ne, sore ga ii desu. | Yes, that sounds good. |
| 違います | Chigaimasu | That’s wrong / Not that | いいえ、名前が違います。 | Iie, namae ga chigaimasu. | No, the name is different. |
| 分かりました | Wakarimashita | Understood | はい、分かりました。 | Hai, wakarimashita. | Yes, understood. |
| 知りません | Shirimasen | I don’t know | すみません、知りません。 | Sumimasen, shirimasen. | Sorry, I don’t know. |
| すごい | Sugoi | Amazing / Great | この景色、すごい！ | Kono keshiki, sugoi! | This view is amazing! |
Shopping And Ordering Phrases
If you can shop, order food, and survive a cashier interaction, you are already doing real-world Japanese. That counts. A lot.
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Meaning | Example (JP) | Example (Rōmaji) | Translation (EN) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| これをください | Kore o kudasai | Please give me this | これをください。 | Kore o kudasai. | I’ll take this, please. | |
| 見せてください | Misete kudasai | Please show me | その青いのを見せてください。 | Sono aoi no o misete kudasai. | Please show me the blue one. | |
| 試着してもいいですか | Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka | May I try it on? | これを試着してもいいですか。 | Kore o shichaku shite mo ii desu ka. | May I try this on? | |
| おすすめは何ですか | Osusume wa nan desu ka | What do you recommend? | おすすめは何ですか。 | Osusume wa nan desu ka. | What do you recommend? | |
| 水をください | Mizu o kudasai | Water, please | 水をください。 | Mizu o kudasai. | Water, please. | |
| お会計お願いします | Okaikei onegaishimasu | The bill, please | すみません、お会計お願いします。 | Sumimasen, okaikei onegaishimasu. | Excuse me, the bill please. | |
| 別々でお願いします | Betsubetsu de onegaishimasu | Separate bills, please | 別々でお願いします。 | Betsubetsu de onegaishimasu. | Separate checks, please. | |
| カードは使えますか | Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka | Can I use a card? | カードは使えますか。 | Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka. | Can I use a card? | |
| 現金だけですか | Genkin dake desu ka | Is it cash only? | ここは現金だけですか。 | Koko wa genkin dake desu ka. | Is this place cash only? | |
| 袋をお願いします | Fukuro o onegaishimasu | A bag, please | 袋をお願いします。 | Fukuro o onegaishimasu. | A bag, please. | |
| レシートをください | Reshīto o kudasai | Receipt, please | レシートをください。 | Reshīto o kudasai. | Receipt, please. | |
| おいしいです | Oishii desu | It’s delicious | このラーメン、おいしいです。 | Kono rāmen, oishii desu. | This ramen is delicious. |
If polite request forms feel slippery, how to say please in Japanese helps clear up when to use ください (kudasai) and お願いします (onegaishimasu).
Travel And Getting Around
Trains, stations, directions, tickets. Japan is famously organized, which is nice, but it still helps to know how to ask where on earth you are supposed to be going.
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Meaning | Example (JP) | Example (Rōmaji) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 駅はどこですか | Eki wa doko desu ka | Where is the station? | 駅はどこですか。 | Eki wa doko desu ka. | Where is the station? |
| ここへ行きたいです | Koko e ikitai desu | I want to go here | ここへ行きたいです。 | Koko e ikitai desu. | I want to go here. |
| 何番線ですか | Nanbansen desu ka | Which platform is it? | 新宿行きは何番線ですか。 | Shinjuku yuki wa nanbansen desu ka. | Which platform is for Shinjuku? |
| この電車は行きますか | Kono densha wa ikimasu ka | Does this train go there? | 渋谷へこの電車は行きますか。 | Shibuya e kono densha wa ikimasu ka. | Does this train go to Shibuya? |
| 切符を一枚ください | Kippu o ichimai kudasai | One ticket, please | 東京まで切符を一枚ください。 | Tōkyō made kippu o ichimai kudasai. | One ticket to Tokyo, please. |
| 右です | Migi desu | It is on the right | 銀行は右です。 | Ginkō wa migi desu. | The bank is on the right. |
| 左です | Hidari desu | It is on the left | 郵便局は左です。 | Yūbinkyoku wa hidari desu. | The post office is on the left. |
| まっすぐです | Massugu desu | Straight ahead | 駅はこの道をまっすぐです。 | Eki wa kono michi o massugu desu. | The station is straight down this road. |
| 近いです | Chikai desu | It is near | コンビニは近いです。 | Konbini wa chikai desu. | The convenience store is near. |
| 遠いです | Tōi desu | It is far | 空港はここから遠いです。 | Kūkō wa koko kara tōi desu. | The airport is far from here. |
| 道に迷いました | Michi ni mayoimashita | I’m lost | すみません、道に迷いました。 | Sumimasen, michi ni mayoimashita. | Excuse me, I’m lost. |
| 助けてください | Tasukete kudasai | Please help me | 助けてください！ | Tasukete kudasai! | Please help me! |
Home, School, And Work Phrases
These are common in classrooms, offices, and homes. A few of them are very Japanese in feel, especially the set phrases people say when leaving and returning home.
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Meaning | Example (JP) | Example (Rōmaji) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 行ってきます | Ittekimasu | I’m leaving | 学校へ行きます。行ってきます。 | Gakkō e ikimasu. Ittekimasu. | I’m off to school. |
| 行ってらっしゃい | Itterasshai | Take care / See you later | はい、行ってらっしゃい。 | Hai, itterasshai. | Okay, take care. |
| ただいま | Tadaima | I’m home | ただいま。 | Tadaima. | I’m home. |
| おかえりなさい | Okaerinasai | Welcome home | おかえりなさい。 | Okaerinasai. | Welcome home. |
| いただきます | Itadakimasu | Let’s eat / I humbly receive | じゃ、いただきます。 | Ja, itadakimasu. | Alright, let’s eat. |
| ごちそうさまでした | Gochisōsama deshita | Thank you for the meal | ごちそうさまでした。 | Gochisōsama deshita. | Thank you for the meal. |
| 分かりません | Wakarimasen | I don’t understand | すみません、分かりません。 | Sumimasen, wakarimasen. | Sorry, I don’t understand. |
| もう少し待ってください | Mō sukoshi matte kudasai | Please wait a little longer | もう少し待ってください。 | Mō sukoshi matte kudasai. | Please wait a little longer. |
| 大丈夫ですか | Daijōbu desu ka | Are you okay? | 大丈夫ですか。 | Daijōbu desu ka. | Are you okay? |
| 頑張ってください | Ganbatte kudasai | Do your best / Good luck | 試験、頑張ってください。 | Shiken, ganbatte kudasai. | Good luck on the exam. |
| 頑張ります | Ganbarimasu | I’ll do my best | はい、頑張ります。 | Hai, ganbarimasu. | Yes, I’ll do my best. |
| お先に失礼します | Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu | Excuse me for leaving first | では、お先に失礼します。 | Dewa, osaki ni shitsurei shimasu. | Well then, excuse me for leaving first. |
Friendly Conversation Phrases
These help you sound less robotic and more like someone who can actually chat. A dangerous upgrade, frankly.
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Meaning | Example (JP) | Example (Rōmaji) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 元気？ | Genki? | How are you? (casual) | やあ、元気？ | Yā, genki? | Hey, how are you? |
| 最近どう？ | Saikin dō? | How have you been lately? | 最近どう？ | Saikin dō? | How have you been lately? |
| いいね | Ii ne | Nice / Sounds good | そのカフェ、いいね。 | Sono kafe, ii ne. | That café sounds nice. |
| 本当？ | Hontō? | Really? | 本当？ 信じられない。 | Hontō? Shinjirarenai. | Really? I can’t believe it. |
| やった！ | Yatta! | Yay! / I did it! | 試験に合格した。やった！ | Shiken ni gōkaku shita. Yatta! | I passed the test. Yay! |
| 残念です | Zannen desu | That’s unfortunate | 今日は会えない？ 残念です。 | Kyō wa aenai? Zannen desu. | You can’t meet today? That’s too bad. |
| 気をつけて | Ki o tsukete | Take care | 夜道だから、気をつけて。 | Yorumichi dakara, ki o tsukete. | It’s dark out, so take care. |
| また今度 | Mata kondo | Maybe next time | 今日は忙しいです。また今度。 | Kyō wa isogashii desu. Mata kondo. | I’m busy today. Maybe next time. |
| いいですよ | Ii desu yo | Sure / That’s fine | ここに座ってもいい？ いいですよ。 | Koko ni suwatte mo ii? Ii desu yo. | Can I sit here? Sure. |
| 無理です | Muri desu | Impossible / I can’t | 今日はちょっと無理です。 | Kyō wa chotto muri desu. | Today is a bit impossible for me. |
| 大変ですね | Taihen desu ne | That sounds tough | 毎日残業ですか。大変ですね。 | Mainichi zangyō desu ka. Taihen desu ne. | You work overtime every day? That sounds tough. |
| 気にしないでください | Ki ni shinaide kudasai | Don’t worry about it | 謝らないで。気にしないでください。 | Ayamaranai de. Ki ni shinaide kudasai. | Don’t apologize. Don’t worry about it. |
Useful Mini Phrases For Daily Life
This final set fills the gaps. They show up in texts, small talk, plans, and those everyday moments that do not feel dramatic enough for a textbook but absolutely happen all the time.
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Meaning | Example (JP) | Example (Rōmaji) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 今行きます | Ima ikimasu | I’m coming now | 今行きます、ちょっと待って。 | Ima ikimasu, chotto matte. | I’m coming now, wait a second. |
| 後で | Ato de | Later | その話は後で。 | Sono hanashi wa ato de. | Let’s talk about that later. |
| 今忙しいです | Ima isogashii desu | I’m busy now | すみません、今忙しいです。 | Sumimasen, ima isogashii desu. | Sorry, I’m busy now. |
| 暇です | Hima desu | I’m free | 週末は暇です。 | Shūmatsu wa hima desu. | I’m free on the weekend. |
| 行きましょう | Ikimashō | Let’s go | もう時間です。行きましょう。 | Mō jikan desu. Ikimashō. | It’s time. Let’s go. |
| また連絡します | Mata renraku shimasu | I’ll contact you later | また連絡します。 | Mata renraku shimasu. | I’ll contact you later. |
| 少し日本語が話せます | Sukoshi Nihongo ga hanasemasu | I can speak a little Japanese | 少し日本語が話せます。 | Sukoshi Nihongo ga hanasemasu. | I can speak a little Japanese. |
| 日本語を勉強しています | Nihongo o benkyō shiteimasu | I’m studying Japanese | 日本語を勉強しています。 | Nihongo o benkyō shiteimasu. | I’m studying Japanese. |
| 写真を撮ってもいいですか | Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka | May I take a photo? | 写真を撮ってもいいですか。 | Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka. | May I take a photo? |
| ちょっと待ってください | Chotto matte kudasai | Please wait a moment | ちょっと待ってください。 | Chotto matte kudasai. | Please wait a moment. |
| 今何時ですか | Ima nanji desu ka | What time is it now? | 今何時ですか。 | Ima nanji desu ka. | What time is it now? |
| また明日 | Mata ashita | See you tomorrow | じゃ、また明日。 | Ja, mata ashita. | Okay, see you tomorrow. |
Quick Notes On Common Confusion
- ありがとう
Arigatō
Casual thanks. Good with friends. - ありがとうございます
Arigatō gozaimasu
Politer. Better for strangers, staff, teachers, and basically life. - ごめんなさい
Gomen nasai
More direct apology. - すみません
Sumimasen
Works for apology, getting attention, and polite interruption. Extremely useful little gremlin of a phrase. - さようなら
Sayōnara
A real goodbye, but not always the most natural for casual daily parting. - またね
Mata ne
Lighter and more natural with friends. - 大丈夫です
Daijōbu desu
Can mean “I’m okay,” “It’s okay,” or “No thank you,” depending on context. So yes, context is doing cardio again.
Popular Phrase Reference Table
| Type | Phrase | Rōmaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeting | こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello |
| Polite | ありがとうございます | Arigatō gozaimasu | Thank you |
| Apology | すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Question | どこですか | Doko desu ka | Where is it? |
| Reaction | なるほど | Naruhodo | I see |
| Shopping | これをください | Kore o kudasai | This, please |
| Travel | 駅はどこですか | Eki wa doko desu ka | Where is the station? |
| Home | ただいま | Tadaima | I’m home |
| Food | いただきます | Itadakimasu | Let’s eat |
| Encouragement | 頑張ってください | Ganbatte kudasai | Do your best |
If you want more lesson-style Japanese from the same learning path, the full Learn Japanese section has plenty more. You can also explore extra beginner-friendly phrase practice here: useful Japanese phrase practice.
The big takeaway: you do not need fancy Japanese first. You need useful Japanese first. Start with greetings, apologies, thanks, questions, and survival phrases you can reuse every day. Once those feel natural, the language stops looking like a wall of mystery symbols and starts behaving more like a real conversation. Much nicer, honestly.
