Gaijin Girl Abroad: Useful Japanase Travel Phrases and Everyday Expressions

Gaijin Girl Abroad: Useful Japanese Travel Phrases and Everyday Expressions

My two-week trip to Japan turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life, and during those 14 days traveling abroad I was grateful I had taken some Japanese language courses.

Here you will find a list of some of the most important words and phrases to know when traveling in Japan. Without exaggeration, I used most of these phrases several times a day. 

1. Sumimasen

Meaning: Excuse me / Pardon

Pronounced: Sue-mee-mah-sen

This is more than just “Excuse me” in the traditional sense. Using this word before nearly any interaction is a polite buffer between you and the person you are trying to interact with. Use it before asking a question, when you need to pass by someone, when you are leaving, and when you are apologizing. 

2. _______.... doko desu ka? 

Meaning: ________.... where is it?

Pronounced: …doh-ko-des-kah? 

Even if you all you can do is point to a map, this will immediately communicate your need to find the location of something. If you don’t have a map, say the place or item you are trying to find and follow with “doko desu ka?” Even if you can only say the word slowly in English, there is a chance that you will be understood. 

3. Toire wa… doko desu ka? 

Meaning: Where is the bathroom? (Literally: The bathroom… where is it?)

Pronounced: Toy-leh-wa… doh-ko-des-kah?

This is similar to the previous expression, and kind of self-explanatory. It's how you say “Where is the bathroom?” in Japanese.

More examples below in the section called, “Set Words and Phrases”.

3. Tasukarimasu (kudasai) 

Meaning: I need help (please) / Help me (please)

Pronounced: Tas-kah-ri-mas (koo-dah-sa-ee)

As with everything else so far, this is best paired with “Sumimasen”. If you are lost, don’t know which train to take, or simply need help, this is the phrase to start out with. Even if you can’t say anything further in Japanese, your listener will understand that you need assistance and hopefully find someone who can help… or who can speak English.

Which leads me to our next phrase:

4. Eigo o hanashimasu ka? 

Meaning: Do you speak English?

Pronounced: Eh-ee-go-oh-ha-na-shi-mas-kah?

Another self-explanatory one. In my experience, if you ask this, either the person will begin speaking English, or begin looking for someone who can. 

Set words and expressions:

Hai Yes

Pronounced: ha-ee

Iie No

Pronounced: ee-eh

Onegaishimasu May I please have

Pronounced: oh-neh-ga-ee-shi-mas

*Note: You can use this in restaurants or in stores, even if you don’t know how to pronounce the item you want. By simply pointing to the menu or item and saying “onegaishimasu” you will effectively and politely communicate your request.

Kudasai: please

Pronounced: Koo-dah-sah-ee

*Note: If you are requesting something, “onegaishimasu” is the correct word to use.

Arigatou gozaimasu Thank you

Pronounced: ah-lee-gah-tow goh-za-ee-mas

Douzo Please take this / I offer you this / After you

Pronounced: doh-zo

Toire wa… doko desu ka? Where is the bathroom?

Pronounced: Toy-leh-wa… doh-ko-des-kah?

Densha eki wa… doko desu ka? Where is the train station?

Pronounced: den-sha-eh-kee-wa… doh-koh-des-kah?

Iriguchi wa… doko desu ka? Where is the entrance?

Pronounced: Ee-li-goo-chi-wa…doh-ko-des-ka?

Deguchi wa… doko desu ka? Where is the exit?

Pronounced: deh-goo-chi-wa… doh-ko-des-ka?

Are there specific words, phrases, or expressions in Japanese that you would like to know how to say and pronounce? Let me know! If I don’t know the answer, I will ask one of my Japanese friends. Best of luck in your travels.