Japan’s official language is Japanese which consists of three different writing systems, hiragana, katakana, and kanji.
Even though English is a mandatory subject at school, Japanese people in the main lack the confidence to speaks it, despite having some knowledge. You might be able to get through by showing the English typed on our phone to be more easily understood. It is very helpful to have Google Translate and use the camera option to translate Japanese characters in real time (requires internet). This is extremely helpful for example restaurant menus.
Simple phrases
Japanese | English |
Ohayo gozaimasu | Good morning |
Konnichiwa | Good afternoon |
Sumimasen | Excuse me |
Hajimemashite | Nice to meet you |
Gomen nasai | I am sorry |
Wakarimasen | I don’t understand |
Nihongo o hanashimasen | I don’t speak Japanese |
Eigo o hanashimasuka? | Do you speak English? |
Arigatou | Thank you |
Hai | Yes |
Iie | No |
___ wa doko desuka | Where is ___? |
___ wa ikura desuka | How much is ___? |
Itadakimasu! | Bon Appetit/let’s eat! |
Oishii desu | It’s delicious |
Kawaii! | It’s cute! |
Tanoshii | This is fun |