Twenty phrases that open doors
A word of Japanese, however clumsy, always goes down well. Start with “sumimasen”, end with “arigato gozaimasu”. And if you're not understood, point at the page.
HelloKonnichiwa
Good morningOhayo gozaimasu
Thank youArigato gozaimasu
Excuse me, sorrySumimasen
I'm sorryGomennasai
One moment, pleaseChotto matte kudasai
Where is…?… wa doko desu ka?
How much is this?Kore wa ikura desu ka?
I'd like…, please… o kudasai
…, please (a request)… o onegaishimasu
Do you have…?… wa arimasu ka?
Does anyone speak English?Eigo o hanasu hito wa imasu ka?
I don't understand JapaneseNihongo ga wakarimasen
More slowly, pleaseYukkuri itte kudasai
Could you say that again?Mo ichido itte kudasai
Could you write it here?Sore o koko ni kaite kudasai
Before eatingItadakimasu
After the meal, to say thanksGochisosama deshita
The check, pleaseOkaikei onegaishimasu
An ambulance, pleaseKyukyusha o onegaishimasu
PlanJapanOn the ground · Useful phrasesPlanJapan · Japan, the complete guide · 2026–20271