Survival Japanese

Knowing a small amount of Japanese can be incredibly useful when traveling in Japan. Even having just a few words up your sleeve shows respect and appreciation for the local culture, which can make a significant difference in your interactions. When you make an effort to use even a little Japanese, locals often feel more comfortable using their English, leading to more meaningful and helpful exchanges and many will be more than willing to go the extra mile to help you and ensure you get to experience the best that Japan has to offer to show thanks for the genuine interest and effort you’ve put into understanding their country, culture and language.

Survival Vocabulary
If you remember anything, remember these.
HELLO = kon nichi wa
GOODMORNING = o hai you gozaimasu
GOOD EVENING = kon ban wa
THANKYOU = arigatou gozaimasu
YES = hai
NO = iie
EXCUSE ME = sumimasen
(used to both apologize or get someone’s attention)

Some Useful Phrases
HOW MUCH = ikura desu ka
HOW DO YOU DO THIS = dou shi masuka
DO YOU HAVE ～ = ～ ga ari masuka
PLEASE GIVE ME ～ = ～ wo kudasai
   (used when asking to purchase things, or ordering in a restaurant)

I DON’T UNDERSTAND = wakari masen
PLEASE CALL A ～ =  ～ wo yonde kudasai
EXCUSE ME, DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH = sumi masen ga, eigo ga deki masuka

A few bonus words
WHAT = nani
WHERE = doko
WHICH = dore
TICKET = chiketto
BUS = basu
TRAIN = denshya
TAXI = takushii
THIS = kore
THAT = sore
NOW = ima

Some of the phrases you’ll hear
WHAT IS YOUR NAME =  namae wa nan desu ka
            REPLY: (name) desu
    (sometimes you will hear onamae, the o at the start makes it more polite)

HERE YOU GO / FOLLOW ME = douzo
WELCOME! = irrashyaimase
HOW MANY = ikutsu
HOW MANY PEOPLE = nan nin desu ka
            REPLY:  (number of people) desu
   (you’ll be asked this when you enter restaurants to find out how large a table you need）

YOUR JAPANESE IS VERY GOOD = nihongo jyouzu desu

Numbers
1 = ichi
2 = ni
3 = san
4 = yon
5 = go
6 = roku
7 = nana
8 = hachi
9 = kyuu
10 = jyuu

Counting Things
1 thing = hitotsu
2 things = futatsu
3 things = mittsu
4 things = yottsu
5 things = itsuitsu
6 things = muttsu
7 things = nanatsu
8 things = yattsu
9 things = kokonotsu
10 things = tou

Counting People
1 person = hitori
2 people = futari
3 people = san nin
4 people = yon nin
5 people = go nin
6 people = roku nin
7 people = nana nin
8 people = hachi nin
9 people = kyuu nin
10 people = jyuu nin