The first 30 Japanese phrases that people learn

The first 30 Japanese phrases that people learn : Hey guys, how is it going today? Today we are going to be having a really fun lesson as we will be looking at the top 30 most important phrases that people learn first in Japanese.

If you are just starting with your Japanese journey or are perhaps looking at travelling to Japan for a holiday, then this is going to be the perfect online Japanese article for you to dive into and learn right away. You will be able to take away practical phrases that you can use in the most common situations. Everything from shopping to going to the bathroom will be covered today.

Learn how to use the 30 most important phrases in Japanese

Make sure to take notes of these phrases too guys and remember to practice them as much as you can. Okay let’s get right into it and start learning the first 30 phrases that people learn when studying Japanese.

Hello.-Konnichiwa

Hello.
Konnichiwa

This is the first phrase that everyone learns, and of course, one of the most important. This is the perfect conversation starter and will always get you off on the right foot. You may also come across “Ohayou Gozaimasu” which you use in the morning to greet people, and “konbanwa” which is used in the evening to greet people then.
Essentially, depending on the time of day you should choose the one the one appropriate to that time, much like in English with “Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good Night”

How are you?- O-genki desu ka?

How are you?
 O-genki desu ka?

This is the best way to ask how someone is in Japanese. This literally translates into “are you full of energy”? So you can expect more of a yes or no kind of answer.

Fine, thank you.- Genki desu.

Fine, thank you.
Genki desu.

If you are feeling fine then you can answer with this phrase, so you should practice learning these two phrases together.

What is your name?- O-namae wa nan desu ka??

What is your name?
O-namae wa nan desu ka??

When it comes to introductions it is more than likely that someone will tell you their name before you have to ask. In that case, that they don’t however you can use this phrase to ask the all important question.

My name is _ . Watashi no namae wa _ desu.

My name is _ . Watashi no namae wa _ desu.

To answer the question you can use this one, just remember to place your name in the middle and don’t use the word “san” after your own name, rookie mistake.

Nice to meet you.-Hajimemashite.

Nice to meet you.
 Hajimemashite.

Once you know the person you are talking to you can use the phrase to express that you are happy to have met them.

Please. (request)- Onegai shimasu.

Please. (request)
 Onegai shimasu.

This phrase is useful in a variety of settings, especially when it comes to ordering and buying things. After you have found the item you would like simply add this after to confirm that you want said item,

Please.- Dozo.

Please.
 Dozo.

This is one way you can say “please, go ahead” in Japanese. This is nice to use when you are giving someone permission to do something.

Thank you.- Arigatou.

Thank you.
 Arigatou.

This is how you say thankyou and it is just good manners really, probably one of the most common words used by such a polite nation.

You’re welcome.- Dou itashi mashite.

You're welcome.
 Dou itashi mashite.

What can I say except … your welcome? If someone gives thanks to you, show your appreciation by using this nice little phrase.

Yes.- Hai. No – iie

Yes.

Hai.

No.

Iie.

These two phrases are very important for you to remember, try and get used to saying these as much as possible.

Good morning-Ohayou gozaimasu

Good morning
Ohayou gozaimasu

As previously stated, this is how you greet someone in the morning.

Good evening-Konbanwa

Good evening
Konbanwa

And this in the evening.

Goodbye-Sayounara

Goodbye
Sayounara

When its time to leave and say goodbye you can use this wonderful phrase.

Thank you very much-Dōmo arigatō

Thank you very much
Dōmo arigatō

I am from France-Watashi wa Furansu kara kimashita

I am from France
Watashi wa Furansu kara kimashita

When talking to someone that you have just met in the introduction stages, they will be very interested in finding out where you are from. In that case, you can use this.

How Much is this?-Kore wa ikura desuka?

How Much is this?
 Kore wa ikura desuka?

If you are a bit of a haggler, use this phrase to your advantage in the Japanese markets. Always nice to confirm you won’t be spending millions of yen on a souvenir,

This one, please-Kore o kudasai.

This one, please
Kore o kudasai.

When you are in a restaurant or perusing the markets, this is a good phrase to indicate what you would like to choose.

This is Expensive-Kore wa Takai

This is Expensive
Kore wa Takai

If you think the item you have chosen was too expensive you could use this phrase.

This is cheap-Kore wa Yasui

This is cheap
Kore wa Yasui

However, if you are happy with the price you could then use this phrase instead.

Beautiful-Kirei

Beautiful
Kirei

This phrase means beautiful. There are so many beautiful sites in Japan we think you will be hard pressed to not use this.

Can I have the menu?-Menu wa arimasuka?

Can I have the menu?
Menu wa arimasuka?

So you’ve sat down ready to eat and there is no menu? No problem, use this phrase to get that menu over to you asap!

I am hungry-Onaka ga sukimashita

I am hungry
Onaka ga sukimashita

If you are feeling peckish you can use this Japanese phrase to let someone know.

What is this?- Kore wa nan desu ka?

What is this?
Kore wa nan desu ka?

It’s only natural that you will be inquisitive in Japan. There will be lots of new things to learn about. This is a phrase you can put to use to start asking questions about new things you are experiencing.

Can I have a beer-Bi-ru o kudasai

Can I have a beer
Bi-ru o kudasai

Potentially the most important phrase for you to use. “Bi-ru o kudasai” will deliver you that sweet sweet nectar.

Delicious-Oishii desu

Delicious
Oishii desu

A very commonly used phrase in Japan which means delicious.

Bill, please-Okaikei o onegai shimasu

Bill, please
Okaikei o onegai shimasu

When you have finished your meal, you can use this phrase to grab the bill.

Ask something

Excuse me-Sumimasen

Excuse me
Sumimasen

Just like in English, you can use Sumimasen to mean excuse me. People say this very often in Japan.

Where is….? – ….Doko desu ka?

Where is….?
….Doko desu ka?

Where is the bookstore? This is an example of something you can say with this phrase. Definitely comes in handy as a tourist.

Where is the toilet?-Toilet wa doko desu ka?

Where is the toilet?
Toilet wa doko desu ka?

Arguably the most important phrase to learn, when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go! Keep this one in your back pocket for those emergency situations, it just might save your life.

Wow, we really hope that you enjoyed today’s online lesson guys and we are sure that you have learnt a lot of useful, practical information that you can use on your journey to Japan. As always if you have any questions or ideas for future content, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us as we always love hearing from you guys. Have a great day and we will see you in the next online Japanese lesson form Bondlingo. またね

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