Japanese phrases
While speaking Japanese is not required for the Recon trips that we host, we have compiled the list below with the Recon trip in mind so you will know how to introduce yourself at church and talk to people.
Self introduction
Nice to meet you.
はじめまして
Hajimemashite
Usage note: A standard first greeting when meeting someone for the first time.
My name is ___.
わたしの なまえは ＿＿です。
Watashi no namae wa ___ desu.
Usage note: Polite and simple. You can also just say 「＿＿です。」 if you want it shorter.
I’m from ___.
＿＿から きました。
___ kara kimashita.
Usage note: Natural and polite. Good for country or state.
What is your name?
おなまえは なんですか？
Onamae wa nan desu ka?
Usage note: Polite way to ask someone’s name.
How old are you? (polite way)
おいくつですか？
Oikutsu desu ka?
Usage note: Polite and common. Often used when asking someone’s age casually.
Are you a Christian?
クリスチャン ですか？
Kurisuchan desu ka?
Usage note: Common and understandable. Slightly direct, so it’s best after some friendly conversation.
Telling someone your age
I am 21 years old*
21さいです。
Nijūissai desu
I am 32 years old
32さいです。
Sanjūni-sai desu
I am 39 years old
39さいです。
Sanjūkyū-sai desu
*if your age ends in 1 (21, 31, 41) the form changes to issai instead of ichi sai.
Numbers
1 いち / ichi
2 に / ni
3 さん / san
4 よん / yon*
5 ご / go
6 ろく / roku
7 なな / nana*
8 はち / hachi
9 きゅう / kyū
10 じゅう / jū
To say thirty, you simply say three ten or sanjyū.
*4 is sometimes し / shi and 7 is sometimes しち / shichi.
Location/asking directions
Where is ___?
＿＿は どこですか？
___ wa doko desu ka?
Usage note: Useful pattern for anything (hotel, bus stop, church, etc.).
Where is the bathroom?
トイレは どこですか？
Toire wa doko desu ka?
Usage note: Most common and easy phrase. Works anywhere (stores, stations, restaurants).
Where is the train station?
えきは どこですか？
Eki wa doko desu ka?
Usage note: 「えき」 means train station. If you know the station name, you can say 「なごやえきはどこですか？」 too.
Shopping / Money
How much is this?
これは いくらですか？
Kore wa ikura desu ka?
Usage note: Hold the item or point to it while saying this.
Can I use a card?
カード つかえますか？
Kādo tsukaemasu ka?
Usage note: Means “Can I pay by card?” You can also say 「クレジットカード つかえますか？」 for “credit card.”
Polite Phrase / Getting Attention
Excuse me / Sorry.
すみません。
Sumimasen.
Usage note: Very useful. Can mean “excuse me,” “sorry,” or “thanks” (lightly), and it’s also used to get someone’s attention.
Demonstratives
This (near me)
これ
Kore
Usage note: Use when the object is close to you.
That (near you)
それ
Sore
Usage note: Use when the object is close to the other person.
That over there
あれ
Are
Usage note: Use when the object is far from both of you.
Here (this place)
ここ
Koko
Usage note: Means “here.” Use for location (not an object). Example: 「ここは どこですか？」= “Where is this place?”
Japanese phrase pronunciation
This website contains these and other words and phrases + helpful (and correct!) pronunciations. Hearing things said the right way is a big step in the right direction:
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/easy-japanese-words-phrases/
Helpful Youtube videos to watch
This Youtube Video has an abbreviated list of phrases you can use. It is worth the 12 minutes of your time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLsd7p-i7F8
The Japan Society of New York City has a dedicated playlist of beginner Japanese videos that they have compiled. If you want to take a step further, you can check out their Japanese learning videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4071737C12790477
If you want to take an even deeper dive, the videos in this playlist go into further details including levels of politeness and common mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzfrZ0tkPLmzydrzFSuHhuNsXMlwjnBQa
Language learning textbooks
If you want to take an even DEEPER dive and begin learning Japanese outright, be sure to check out this page where we introduce some solid learning textbooks and writing practice resources.
We do our best to make sure all links are current, but if you find something that doesn’t work, please let us know in the comments.