🇯🇵
Top 50 Phrases in Japanese
Japanese has three writing systems, but you can start speaking immediately. Every phrase includes Japanese script, romaji, and native audio.
Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, romanization, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
🙇 あいさつ — Greetings & Farewells
1.
お疲れ様です。
Otsukaresama desu.
Good work. / Thanks for your effort.
Used in workplaces as a general greeting throughout the day — not just at the end. Essential professional phrase.
explanation:
2.
よろしくお願いします。
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Please treat me well. / I'm counting on you.
Untranslatable — used when meeting someone, starting work together, or asking a favour. One of the most important phrases in Japanese.
explanation:
3.
お久しぶりですね。
Ohisashiburi desu ne.
It's been a while, hasn't it?
explanation:
4.
いってきます。
Ittekimasu.
I'm heading out. (Said when leaving home)
Said every time you leave home. The response is 'itterasshai' (いってらっしゃい). A daily ritual.
explanation:
5.
ただいま。
Tadaima.
I'm home! (Said when returning home)
The response is 'okaerinasai' (おかえりなさい) = Welcome back. Essential daily Japanese.
explanation:
6.
お世話になっております。
Osewa ni natte orimasu.
Thank you for your continued support.
The standard opener for any business email or professional phone call. You WILL use this daily.
explanation:
7.
失礼します。
Shitsurei shimasu.
Excuse me. / I'll be leaving now.
Used to excuse yourself when entering/leaving a room, or ending a call. Very versatile.
explanation:
8.
どうぞよろしく。
Dōzo yoroshiku.
Please be good to me. (Casual first meeting)
The casual version of よろしくお願いします. Common when making new friends.
explanation:
9.
また明日。
Mata ashita.
See you tomorrow.
explanation:
10.
お先に失礼します。
Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.
Excuse me for leaving before you.
Said when you leave work before your colleagues. Leaving before your boss without saying this is considered rude.
explanation:
🙏 お願いと謝罪 — Requests & Apologies
11.
すみません。
Sumimasen.
Excuse me. / I'm sorry. / Thank you.
One of the most overloaded words in Japanese — used to get attention, apologise lightly, or even thank someone for their trouble.
explanation:
12.
もう一度言ってもらえますか？
Mō ichido itte moraemasu ka?
Could you say that one more time?
explanation:
13.
ゆっくり話してもらえますか？
Yukkuri hanashite moraemasu ka?
Could you speak more slowly?
explanation:
14.
日本語が少しだけできます。
Nihongo ga sukoshi dake dekimasu.
I can only speak a little Japanese.
Japanese people deeply appreciate any effort to learn the language — this phrase opens many doors.
explanation:
15.
ごめんなさい。
Gomennasai.
I'm sorry. (Personal apology)
More personal/emotional than すみません. Use this when you've genuinely done something wrong to someone you know.
explanation:
16.
〜をください。
~ o kudasai.
Please give me ~. / I'll have ~.
The fundamental ordering phrase. 'Kore o kudasai' = 'This one, please.' Works in any shop or restaurant.
explanation:
17.
トイレはどこですか？
Toire wa doko desu ka?
Where is the toilet?
Japanese toilets are famously hi-tech — worth learning this phrase!
explanation:
18.
いくらですか？
Ikura desu ka?
How much does it cost?
explanation:
19.
助けてください！
Tasukete kudasai!
Please help me!
explanation:
20.
ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you very much.
The formal version. Casual: 'arigatō'. With a bow — the depth of bow reflects the level of gratitude.
explanation:
🍱 レストランとコンビニ — At Restaurants & Convenience Stores
21.
いらっしゃいませ。
Irasshaimase.
Welcome! (Said by staff when you enter)
You don't need to respond to this — it's a greeting chanted by staff. Many tourists try to reply and feel awkward!
explanation:
22.
一人です。
Hitori desu.
Just one (person). / A table for one.
Solo dining is completely normal and respected in Japan — many restaurants have counter seats just for this.
explanation:
23.
これをひとつお願いします。
Kore o hitotsu onegaishimasu.
One of these, please.
Pointing at the picture menu (写真メニュー) while saying this works perfectly — many restaurants have them.
explanation:
24.
お会計をお願いします。
Okaikei o onegaishimasu.
The bill, please.
Never tip in Japan — it can be considered rude. The price you see is the price you pay.
explanation:
25.
おすすめは何ですか？
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
What do you recommend?
explanation:
26.
辛くないものはありますか？
Karakunai mono wa arimasu ka?
Do you have anything non-spicy?
explanation:
27.
お水をいただけますか？
Omizu o itadakemasu ka?
Could I have some water, please?
Water is usually free in Japanese restaurants — just ask politely.
explanation:
28.
ここで食べます。
Koko de tabemasu.
I'll eat here. (vs. takeaway)
Convenience store staff often ask 'Kochira de yoroshii desu ka?' — this is your answer for dining in.
explanation:
29.
おいしい！
Oishii!
It's delicious!
Expressing that food is delicious is a great compliment to the chef and staff in Japan.
explanation:
30.
ご馳走様でした。
Gochisōsama deshita.
Thank you for the meal. (Said after eating)
Always said after finishing a meal — to the host, the restaurant, or even just to yourself. Pair with 'itadakimasu' before eating.
explanation:
💼 仕事と社会生活 — Work & Social Life
31.
ちょっとよろしいですか？
Chotto yoroshii desu ka?
Do you have a moment?
explanation:
32.
なるほど。
Naruhodo.
I see. / That makes sense.
A critical active-listening phrase. Overusing it can sound dismissive — once or twice per conversation is natural.
explanation:
33.
確認させてください。
Kakunin sasete kudasai.
Please let me confirm / check that.
explanation:
34.
少々お待ちください。
Shōshō omachi kudasai.
Please wait a moment.
The formal version used by staff and in professional settings. Casual: 'chotto matte.'
explanation:
35.
検討しておきます。
Kentō shite okimasu.
I'll think it over.
Often a polite indirect 'no' in Japanese business culture. If someone says this, they may mean 'probably not'.
explanation:
36.
ご連絡ありがとうございます。
Go-renraku arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you for getting in touch.
explanation:
37.
よろしければ…
Yoroshikereba…
If you don't mind… / If it's OK with you…
A soft, humble opener for making a suggestion or request in professional settings.
explanation:
38.
承知しました。
Shōchi shimashita.
Understood. / Certainly. (Formal)
The formal way to confirm you understand an instruction. 'Wakarimashita' is casual. Use 'shōchi shimashita' with managers.
explanation:
39.
おかげさまで。
Okagesama de.
Thanks to you. / I'm doing well, thanks to everyone's support.
A humble, grateful expression — implies that your good fortune is thanks to those around you. Very Japanese in its philosophy.
explanation:
40.
何かあればご連絡ください。
Nanika areba go-renraku kudasai.
Please contact me if anything comes up.
explanation:
🌸 日常のひとこと — Everyday Expressions
41.
やばい！
Yabai!
Whoa! / That's crazy! / Amazing! / Oh no!
Originally meant 'dangerous/bad' — now used for anything extreme, good or bad. The Swiss Army knife of Japanese slang.
explanation:
42.
大丈夫です。
Daijōbu desu.
It's fine. / I'm OK. / No thank you.
Critical: in Japan, 'daijōbu desu' can mean both 'yes I'm fine' AND 'no thank you, I don't need that'. Context is everything.
explanation:
43.
えーと…
Ēto…
Umm… / Well… (Thinking filler)
The Japanese equivalent of 'uh' or 'um'. Using fillers naturally makes you sound much more fluent.
explanation:
44.
本当ですか？
Hontō desu ka?
Really? / Is that true?
explanation:
45.
楽しみにしています。
Tanoshimi ni shite imasu.
I'm looking forward to it.
explanation:
46.
お疲れ！
Otsukare!
Good job! / Thanks for today! (Casual)
The casual version of おつかれさまです — used with friends and close colleagues at end of day.
explanation:
47.
ちょっと待って。
Chotto matte.
Wait a moment / Hold on.
explanation:
48.
どういたしまして。
Dō itashimashite.
You're welcome.
Interestingly, this is rarely used in casual settings — many Japanese people prefer 'いいえ' (iie = no no, don't mention it).
explanation:
49.
頑張ってください。
Ganbatte kudasai.
Please do your best! / Good luck!
'Ganbatte!' is one of the most encouraging things you can say in Japanese. It carries a deep cultural weight — keep going, never give up.
explanation:
50.
お気をつけて。
Okio tsukete.
Please take care. / Be careful.
Said when someone is leaving — especially on a journey. A warm, caring farewell.
explanation:
Want to practice these phrases?
The LingoSwipe app lets you swipe through flashcards, hear native audio, and quiz yourself — across 11 languages.
Also available in: