Good to Know
If you're anything like me, you know speaking Japanese isn't an easy feat. I still don't really get how I can survive daily in a Japanese office with my limited skills, but I have come to realize that there are some Japanese words that are essential to know in this environment. Here are some Japanese words worth knowing as a traveler, hopefully they come in handy during your next visit to Japan!
All of the words are spelled in Romaji and have English translations!
Emergency words:
- toire/ toilet (or bathroom)
- tearai/ bathroom (or toilet)
- wakarimasen/ I don't understand
- tasukete/ help
- maigo/ lost child
- yamete/ stop it
- eigo / English
- keisatsu/ police
- koban/ police box
- abunai/ dangerous
Asking words:
- shitsumon/ question
- nani/ what?
- nande/ why?
- doushite/ why?
- nanji desuka/ what time is it?
- itsu desuka/ when is it?
- dare desuka/ who is it?
- doko desuka/ where is it?
Locations:
- hoteru/ hotel
- kuukou/ airport
- eki/ station
- takushi/ taxi
- uchi or ie / home
Food/ordering
- kokoni/ for here
- mochi kaeri ni/ to go
- tabemasu/ to eat
- nomimasu/ to drink
- tabemasen/ will not eat
- nomimasen/ will not drink
- mizu/ water
- tabemono/ food
- nomimono/ drink (noun not verb)
- oishii/ delicious
- mazui/ opposite of delicious
- resutoran/ restaurant
- konbini/ convenience store
- suupaa/ super market
Other good words to Know
- arigatou/ thanks
- konnichiwa/ good afternoon
- konbanwa/ good evening
- sayounara/ good bye
- sumimasen/ excuse me
- gomennasai/ sorry