Essential Japanese phrases

The words that make your first weeks in Tokyo smoother — with pronunciation you can actually say.

Greetings

こんにちは
Konnichiwa
Hello (daytime).
おはようございます
Ohayō gozaimasu
Good morning (polite).
ありがとうございます
Arigatō gozaimasu
Thank you (polite).
お願いします
Onegaishimasu
Please (when making a request).

Social

すみません
Sumimasen
Excuse me / sorry / thanks — the all-purpose word you'll use constantly.
大丈夫です
Daijōbu desu
It's fine / I'm OK / no thanks — context does the work.
英語を話せますか?
Eigo o hanasemasu ka?
Do you speak English?

Daily life

いくらですか?
Ikura desu ka?
How much is it?
トイレはどこですか?
Toire wa doko desu ka?
Where's the toilet?

Food

お会計お願いします
O-kaikei onegaishimasu
The bill, please.
いただきます
Itadakimasu
'I gratefully receive' — said before eating.

Emergency

助けて!
Tasukete!
Help! — for emergencies.

Actually learn to speak Tokyo’s language

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