Essential Expressions and Vocabulary for Japan

Overview of the Japanese Language

Japanese is a unique language considered a linguistic isolate, although it borrows some words of East Asian and European origin. There are many regional dialects, but 98% of the population speaks standard Japanese.

Today, there are few representatives of the ancient Japanese ethnic groups. The most well-known is the Ainu ethnic group, a minority located in northern Japan and Russia, currently with only about 300 speakers.

Japanese is the official language of Japan, but it is also spoken on Angaur Island (Palau, Micronesia). Additionally, there are significant Japanese-speaking communities in Brazil, Peru, Taiwan, and South Korea.

The introduction of Chinese writing in the 4th century deeply influenced the language. Even today, Japanese people use Chinese characters (kanji), complemented by two syllabaries called kana: hiragana and katakana. These systems greatly facilitate learning to read, allowing children from a very young age to gain a certain autonomy in written comprehension.

To succeed in your trip to Japan, it is useful to equip yourself with some basic linguistic knowledge. Japanese people always appreciate travelers who make an effort to express themselves in their language.

Basic Japanese Vocabulary for Travel

Greeting, thanking, and polite requests

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello / Good afternoon
• おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – Good morning (formal)
• こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good evening
• ありがとう (Arigatou) / ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) – Thank you (informal / formal)
• すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me / Sorry (to get attention, ask for help or apologize)
• ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai) – I'm sorry (sincere, personal apology)
• お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – Please (when requesting a favor)

Tip: Always use the polite form with strangers or in official contexts.

Additional useful expressions

• はい (Hai) – Yes
• いいえ (Iie) – No
• 分かりません (Wakarimasen) – I don’t understand
• 日本語を話せません (Nihongo o hanasemasen) – I don’t speak Japanese

Practical daily expressions

Useful expressions at restaurants

• …をください (… o kudasai) — I would like…
• お会計をお願いします (Okaikei o onegai shimasu) — The check, please
• おいしいです (Oishii desu) — It’s delicious
• いただきます (Itadakimasu) — Expression before eating
• ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita) — Thank you for the meal (after eating)

In transport and getting around

• この電車は___に行きますか？ (Kono densha wa ___ ni ikimasu ka?) – Does this train go to ___?
• に行きたいのですが ( ni ikitai no desuga) – I want to go to ___
• 近いですか？ (Chikai desu ka?) – Is it close?
• 遠いですか？ (Tooi desu ka?) – Is it far?

Shopping and services

• これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) – How much does this cost?
• …を試着したいです (… o shichaku shitai desu) – I want to try on…
• 高いです (Takai desu) – It’s expensive
• Wi-Fi ありますか？ (Wi-Fi arimasu ka?) – Is there Wi-Fi?

Emergencies and essential needs

• 助けてください！(Tasukete kudasai!) – Help!
• 警察を呼んでください！(Keisatsu o yonde kudasai!) – Please call the police
• 病院はどこですか？ (Byouin wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the hospital?
• 薬局はどこですか？ (Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the pharmacy?
• 私は具合が悪いです。(Watashi wa guai ga warui desu.) – I don’t feel well
• 私は[allergie]アレルギーがあります。(Watashi wa [allergy] arerugī ga arimasu) – I’m allergic to [allergy]

Asking for directions

• トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?) — Where are the restrooms?
• [Place]へ行きたいです ([Place] e ikitai desu) — I want to go to [place]
• この道をまっすぐ行ってください (Kono michi o massugu itte kudasai) — Go straight ahead
• 右に曲がってください (Migi ni magatte kudasai) — Turn right
• 左に曲がってください (Hidari ni magatte kudasai) — Turn left
• ここからどれくらいですか？ (Koko kara dorekurai desu ka?) — How far is it from here?

Tips for Pronunciation and Quick Learning

• Japanese is a syllabic language: each character corresponds to a syllable, usually formed by a consonant + a vowel (ka, ki, ku, ke, ko).
• Japanese vowels are short and clear: “a”, “i”, “u”, “e”, “o”.
• Practice slowly, separating each syllable (for example: “su-mi-ma-sen”).
• Learn some key verbs in the polite form (–masu) to show respect: 行きます (ikimasu: to go), 食べます (tabemasu: to eat), 見ます (mimasu: to see).
• Use appropriate resources (apps, pocket phrasebooks) and review topics related to travel situations (ordering, transportation, directions).

Cultural Codes, Politeness, and Mistakes to Avoid

Politeness is fundamental in Japan, often even more than language mastery itself! Here are key behaviors to adopt:

• Always greet with a slight bow; the depth of the bow varies by situation.
• When exchanging objects (business cards, gifts, money), use both hands.
• In public transport: speak softly, avoid phone calls or eating in the subway or bus.
• Before entering someone's home or certain places (temples, ryokan), remove your shoes.
• At the table, avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice, pointing with them, or passing food chopstick-to-chopstick.
• Be punctual, clean, and modest in conversation; avoid overly direct compliments.
• Prefer discretion in public spaces (avoid large gestures, loud laughter).

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Beware of false friends and pronunciation subtleties (long and short vowels change word meaning).
• Limit the use of romaji alone: learn hiragana/katakana to better understand reading and pronunciation.
• The number “four” (し, shi) is avoided as it is associated with death; use “よん” (yon) instead.
• Saying “no” directly can be perceived as impolite; prefer nuanced phrases or apologies (“sumimasen”) to express disagreement.

Bonus: Useful Verbs for Travel

This essential Japanese expressions kit, combined with a respectful approach to local culture, will ensure wonderful encounters during your stay in Japan. Practice a few phrases each day, stay open and polite: it’s the key to fully enjoy the Japanese adventure.

To go further and prepare your trip calmly, you can also consult this French/Japanese glossary as a supplement.