Thank you for walking with me

Japanese 101

A little gift from Hitomy

Twenty words that will carry you a long way in Japan. Tap any line to hear me say it — first at normal speed, then slowly. Try one tonight. People will smile.

Greetings & Everyday

The ones you will use every single day.

  1. Good morning (casual)
    Ohayo
  2. Good morning (polite)
    Ohayo gozaimasu
  3. Hello / Good afternoon
    Konnichiwa
  4. Good evening
    Konbanwa
  5. Thank you (casual)
    Arigato
  6. Thank you (polite)
    Arigato gozaimasu
  7. Thank you (for something finished)
    Arigato gozaimashita

    Use it when something is over — after a meal, or at the end of our tour.

  8. Excuse me / Sorry
    Sumimasen

    The most useful word in Japan. Call a server with it, say it when you bump into someone — and sometimes it even means “thank you.”

  9. Please
    Onegaishimasu

    Pair it with Sumimasen: say “Sumimasen,” point at what you want, then “Onegaishimasu.” That is a complete order.

  10. Okay / No problem
    Daijoubu desu

    It means both “I’m fine” and “no, thank you.” Perfect for politely declining.

  11. Before eating
    Itadakimasu

    Said before eating — a thank you to the cook and to the food itself.

  12. After eating
    Gochiso-sama-deshita

    Said after eating. Say it on your way out and the staff will light up.

  13. Cheers!
    Kanpai

Words to Use Out Loud

Say these to the people around you. They work every time.

  1. Tasty / Yum
    Oishii
  2. Cute / Pretty
    Kawaii
  3. Beautiful
    Kirei
  4. Wow! / Amazing!
    Sugoi
  5. Hot
    Atsui

    Works for hot weather and for hot food or drinks.

  6. Cold (weather)
    Samui
  7. Cold (to touch)
    Tsumetai

One small favour

If you enjoyed our day together, a few words on TripAdvisor help me more than anything else. It takes about a minute.

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See you again in Tokyo.
— Hitomy

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