Some basic Japanese phrases - The Ichigo Bunny

Hello buns!

In this blog we will be looking at some basic Japanese phrases that will help when visiting Japan! This won't be a lengthy read as it's essentially a side part for a future blog. I had intended on this being a part of that blog, but it's just too long to fit into it without you weeping with pain from reading all of it.

Happy light reading
Keri aka Ichigo Bunny
xoxo

A view of Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree

Some basic Japanese phrases that are really helpful

If you are visiting or planning on visiting Japan it's not expected that you study the Japanese language, be able to speak fluently and read all hiragana, katakana and kanji. But learning some basic and essential phrases will be really helpful, especially when you are out and about. I also think that it's really polite to try and learn some basic phrases and it shows respect towards people in that country. Here we will cover hello, excuse me, I'm sorry (apology), goodbye, I don't understand and perhaps most importantly, thank you.

Hello-

There are 3 different ways to say "hello" depending on the time of day.

Ohayou means good morning, and is pronouced "o-ha-yoh." To be really polite/formal say ohayou gozaimasu, pronounced "o-ha-you go-za-e-mass." Unless you know a Japanese person, it would be best to say ohayou gozaimasu when you are in Japan. Find a YouTube video by 'Japanese English 101' showing you how to pronounce it here. Use it in the morning until midday.

Konnichiwa is the way of saying hello that you have probably heard, and it can be used for "hello" or "good afternoon." It is pronounced "kon-ni-chi-wah" and you can listen to it in a video by 'Japanese English 101' here. It's probably best to say hello using konnichiwa between midday and 6 in the evening.

Konbanwa means good evening, and is pronounced "kon-ban-wah." Use this from the evening on wards. You can listen to it being said by 'Japanese English 101' here.

Excuse me-

Learn how to say excuse me in Japanese as it will be one of your most helpful phrases. I have used "excuse me" and "thank you" the most when I've been in Japan and it's really easy to say "excuse me" so there is almost no reason not to learn it. Sumimasen is the word for "excuse me" or even sometimes "I'm sorry" depending on the context, and is pronounced "su-me-ma-sen." It is really helpful when you are on a train, and need to get past someone when you arrive at your destination. Watch a video on how to pronounce it by 'Kawaii Sensei' on YouTube here.

I'm sorry-

Learning how to apologise could come in handy, especially if you end up getting on a busy train and bump into someone. "Gomen nasai" is the phrase to use to apologise, and is pronounced "goh-men-na-sai." It's quick, simple and another phrase that can be rather easy to learn. Listen to 'Howcast' pronouncing it on a YouTube video here.

Goodbye-

There are two phrases to say goodbye, depending on how long you are saying goodbye for.

If you will see someone again soon, or are going to be parted for a short length of time, you will want to say matane. Pronounced "ma-ta-nay" it generally means "see you again" and isn't that formal.

Sayounara is a way to say goodbye if you will not see that person for a very long time, if ever again. It's pronounced "sigh-yoh-na-ra" with a little roll on the 'r' and may not be a phrase that you will use a lot when in Japan. Watch a video by 'Japanese Ammo with Misa' on YouTube to hear how to say these phrases here.

I don't understand-

You may find that someone will talk to you in Japanese and you don't understand anything that they are saying to you. Wakarimasen means "I don't understand" and is pronounced "wa-ka-ree-ma-sen" with a little roll on the 'r.' Nihongo means Japanese, pronounced "knee-hon-goh." To say "I don't understand Japanese" simply say "nihongo wakarimasen." This is the easiest way I could find to say this, as other ways to say this seems like a lot to try and remember for someone who has learnt the tiniest bit of Japanese. Listen to 'Howcast' teach you how to pronounce it in a YouTube video here.

Thank you-

The most important phrase to use on your adventure is thank you. You'll be saying it when paying for items in shops, at restaurants, at bars, practically everywhere! Arigato gozaimasu means "thank you very much" and I used this phrase in every shop, at restaurants after paying but just before leaving, and in bars when paying. Pronounced "ah-ree-ga-toh-ga-za-e-mass," it's long but it will be completely worth it. I think that it's incredibly polite to say this after paying for a service, such as a delicious meal or being served in a wonderful manner.

I said "arigato" when my food was brought to me in restaurants. It's polite, still means thanks and acknowledges the person that has brought over your food or drink. Listen to 'Howcast' pronounce it in a YouTube video here.

There are ways that these phrases can be built up and used more in depth, but it can be a little overwhelming to try and remember all of this when you are starting to learn the basic phrases. Get to grip with these first, and then try and push yourself to learn more.

If you feel like you can learn all of these, and would like to try and learn some more phrases to push yourself check out the below websites/YouTube links.

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