🇯🇵

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.

Practice in the LingoSwipe App →

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

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:

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:

お久しぶりですね。

Ohisashiburi desu ne.

It's been a while, hasn't it?

explanation:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

Download LingoSwipe Free

Also available in:

🇿🇦 Afrikaans 🇬🇧 English 🇫🇷 French 🇩🇪 German 🇮🇹 Italian 🇰🇷 Korean 🇵🇹 Portuguese 🇷🇺 Russian 🇪🇸 Spanish