Japanese Phrases You'll Actually Use

“Sumimasen” is excuse me, sorry, and a light thank you, all in one word. You'll hear it when someone squeezes past on a train, calls a waiter, or receives a small favor.

Many travelers find it covers most situations where you need to get someone's attention politely. Said with a small bow of the head, it rarely comes out wrong.

Japanese

すみません

Romaji

Sumimasen

English

Excuse me / Sorry / Thanks

When

Getting attention, apologizing, squeezing past someone, calling staff

“Arigato gozaimasu” is the safe, polite version that works with anyone. In shops and restaurants, staff may say it to you first; replying with the same phrase or a nod is normal.

After something is finished, such as a meal or a tour, you may hear “arigato gozaimashita”, the past form. Both are fine from a visitor.

Japanese

ありがとうございます

Romaji

Arigatō gozaimasu

English

Thank you (polite)

When

Shops, restaurants, strangers, anyone older or in a service role

“Arigato” on its own is casual, the kind of thing you'd say to a friend or a child. “Arigato gozaimasu” adds politeness and is what most people use with strangers and staff.

Neither is wrong, but if you only remember one, the longer version keeps you on the safe side in nearly every situation. Some travelers shorten it to “domo”, which is friendly but quite casual.

Japanese

ありがとう／ありがとうございます

Romaji

Arigatō / Arigatō gozaimasu

English

Thanks (casual) / Thank you (polite)

When

Casual with friends; polite everywhere else

“Toire wa doko desu ka?” is understood everywhere. Public restrooms are common in stations, department stores, and convenience stores, and many are free.

Signs often use pictograms or the English word, so pointing at a map or simply saying “toire?” with a questioning look also works. “Otearai” is a slightly softer word you may hear from staff.

Japanese

トイレはどこですか？

Romaji

Toire wa doko desu ka?

English

Where is the restroom?

When

Stations, shops, restaurants, anywhere

“Kore wa ikura desu ka?” while pointing at the item does the job. Most shops show prices clearly, and cashiers usually turn the register display toward you, so you rarely need to understand the number spoken aloud.

At markets and small stalls, the phrase comes in handy. Many sellers will type the price on a calculator or show it on their fingers.

Japanese

これはいくらですか？

Romaji

Kore wa ikura desu ka?

English

How much is this?

When

Markets, souvenir shops, stalls without price tags

Point at the menu and say “kore o kudasai”, meaning “this one, please”. Adding “onegaishimasu” at the end makes it a touch more polite. Many menus have photos, and some restaurants use tablets or ticket machines, so talking is optional.

To call staff over in a place without a table button, a raised hand and “sumimasen” is the normal signal.

Japanese

これをください

Romaji

Kore o kudasai

English

This one, please

When

Ordering at restaurants, cafés, and food stalls

“Nihongo ga wakarimasen” tells people you don't understand Japanese. It usually leads to slower speech, gestures, or someone finding an English menu or a translation app.

You might add “eigo wa daijobu desu ka?” to ask if English is okay. Many people understand more English than they speak, so simple words and patience go a long way.

Japanese

日本語がわかりません

Romaji

Nihongo ga wakarimasen

English

I don't understand Japanese

When

When a conversation gets ahead of you

“Mō ichido, yukkuri onegaishimasu” means “once more, slowly, please”. Most people are happy to repeat themselves, and many will switch to simpler words or write things down.

If numbers are the problem, asking “kaite kudasai” (please write it) often solves it. Station staff in particular are used to this.

Japanese

もう一度、ゆっくりお願いします

Romaji

Mō ichido, yukkuri onegaishimasu

English

Once more, slowly, please

When

Directions, prices, announcements you missed