Common Japanese Phrases: 30+ Everyday Expressions You Need to Know

Q: How do you say 'thank you' in Japanese?

The standard polite way to say thank you in Japanese is ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu). For casual situations with friends, you can shorten it to ありがとう (arigatou). An even more casual option is どうも (doumo), which is a quick, informal thanks. For very formal situations or deep gratitude, you might hear 誠にありがとうございます (makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu, truly thank you). Interestingly, すみません (sumimasen, excuse me/sorry) is also used as a thank-you when someone has gone out of their way for you. It carries a nuance of "I'm sorry for the trouble" combined with gratitude. After receiving a gift or favor in the past, use the past tense: ありがとうございました (arigatou gozaimashita).

Q: What does 'sumimasen' mean in Japanese?

すみません (sumimasen) is one of the most versatile words in Japanese, functioning as "excuse me," "I'm sorry," and "thank you" depending on context. When you need to get someone's attention (a waiter, a stranger for directions, someone blocking your path), sumimasen is the go-to phrase. When you bump into someone or cause minor inconvenience, sumimasen works as a light apology. When someone does something kind for you, like picking up something you dropped, sumimasen expresses gratitude tinged with "sorry for the trouble." The literal meaning comes from the verb 済む (sumu, to be enough/settled) in its negative form. It essentially means "this is not settled" or "I cannot let this go unacknowledged." Mastering when to use sumimasen versus ありがとう (arigatou) or ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) is a key step in sounding natural in Japanese.

Q: How do you say 'I don't understand' in Japanese?

The polite way to say "I don't understand" in Japanese is 分かりません (wakarimasen). This comes from the verb 分かる (wakaru, to understand) in its polite negative form. You can make it softer by adding すみません first: すみません、分かりません (sumimasen, wakarimasen). This means "sorry, I don't understand." If you want to specify that you do not understand Japanese, say 日本語が分かりません (nihongo ga wakarimasen). A useful variation is ちょっと分かりません (chotto wakarimasen, I do not quite understand), which sounds gentler. For "I don't know," the common phrase is 知りません (shirimasen), from the verb 知る (shiru, to know). In casual speech, 分からない (wakaranai) is the plain form equivalent.

JapaneseBy FluentFlash Research Team·Updated 2026-04-30

Knowing common Japanese phrases transforms your experience in Japan, whether you are traveling, working, or studying. While Japanese grammar can be complex, many everyday interactions rely on set phrases that you can memorize and use immediately.

A well-timed すみません (sumimasen, excuse me) or ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu, thank you) makes a real difference in how people respond to you. Japanese culture places enormous value on politeness, so the phrases below are presented in their polite forms by default. These are safe to use with anyone: strangers, coworkers, shopkeepers, and elders.

Casual equivalents are noted where relevant so you can adjust when speaking with friends. Many of these phrases have no direct English translation, which is part of what makes them fascinating. Below you will find over 30 essential Japanese phrases organized by situation: basic courtesy, shopping and restaurants, directions and travel, and expressing opinions. Each phrase includes hiragana, romaji, and usage context.

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Essential Courtesy Phrases

These are the foundational phrases every Japanese learner and traveler needs from day one. Japanese people deeply appreciate when foreigners make the effort to use basic courtesy phrases, even imperfectly. These phrases alone will get you through most daily interactions.

Gratitude and Apology

ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) means thank you in formal situations. Use this with strangers, elders, and in professional settings. The casual form is ありがとう (arigatou) with friends.

ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) is a direct apology. The casual form is ごめん (gomen). This sounds more personal than sumimasen.

The Versatile "Sumimasen"

すみません (sumimasen) is the Swiss army knife of Japanese phrases. Use it to get attention, apologize, or thank someone for trouble taken. It works in almost any situation where you need acknowledgment.

Requests and Responses

お願いします (onegaishimasu) means please when requesting. Say これをお願いします (kore wo onegaishimasu) to order something at a restaurant.

大丈夫です (daijoubu desu) means it's okay, I'm fine, or no thank you. This versatile phrase works for declining offers politely.

どうも (doumo) is a very casual abbreviated thank-you. Often used with a nod in passing.

はい / いいえ (hai / iie) means yes and no. Note that はい is also used as "I'm listening" or "I understand," which does not always mean agreement.

Term	Meaning	Pronunciation	Example
ありがとうございます	Thank you (polite)	arigatou gozaimasu	Use in any situation where you want to express gratitude. The casual form is ありがとう (arigatou).
すみません	Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you	sumimasen	The Swiss army knife of Japanese phrases. Use to get attention, apologize, or thank someone for trouble taken.
ごめんなさい	I'm sorry (apology)	gomen nasai	A direct apology. Casual form is ごめん (gomen). More personal than sumimasen.
お願いします	Please (requesting)	onegaishimasu	これをお願いします。(Kore wo onegaishimasu.), This one, please. Used when ordering or requesting.
大丈夫です	It's okay / I'm fine / No thank you	daijoubu desu	Versatile phrase meaning 'it's all right,' 'I'm okay,' or politely declining an offer.
はい / いいえ	Yes / No	hai / iie	はい is also used as 'I'm listening' or 'I understand', not always agreement.
どうも	Thanks (casual) / Hey	doumo	Very casual abbreviated thank-you. Often used with a nod in passing.

Shopping and Restaurant Phrases

Japan's shops and restaurants follow predictable interaction patterns. Knowing these set phrases lets you navigate ordering, paying, and asking about products with confidence. Staff will often use keigo (honorific language) that sounds different from textbook Japanese, but your polite phrases will always be understood.

Asking About Price and Items

いくらですか (ikura desu ka) means how much is it. Point at an item and ask this question in any shop or market.

これをください (kore wo kudasai) means this one, please. Point and say this phrase to order at restaurants or buy items in shops.

おすすめは何ですか (osusume wa nan desu ka) asks what you recommend. This works great when you cannot read the menu or want local favorites.

Ordering and Paying

メニューをお願いします (menyuu wo onegaishimasu) means menu, please. Use this when seated at a restaurant if no menu is provided.

お会計をお願いします (okaikei wo onegaishimasu) means check, please. Ask for the bill at a restaurant. Some regions say お勘定 (okanjou) instead.

カードで払えますか (kaado de haraemasu ka) asks if you can pay by card. Japan is still cash-heavy in many places, so this phrase is useful.

Practical Shopping Tips

袋はいりません (fukuro wa irimasen) means I don't need a bag. Since Japan charges for plastic bags, this phrase is useful at convenience stores.

Term	Meaning	Pronunciation	Example
いくらですか	How much is it?	ikura desu ka	Point at an item and ask. Works in any shop or market.
これをください	This one, please / I'll take this	kore wo kudasai	Point and say this phrase to order at restaurants or buy items in shops.
メニューをお願いします	Menu, please	menyuu wo onegaishimasu	Use when seated at a restaurant if no menu is provided.
お会計をお願いします	Check, please	okaikei wo onegaishimasu	Ask for the bill at a restaurant. Also said as お勘定 (okanjou) in some regions.
カードで払えますか	Can I pay by card?	kaado de haraemasu ka	Japan is still cash-heavy in many places, so this is a useful phrase.
袋はいりません	I don't need a bag	fukuro wa irimasen	Since Japan charges for plastic bags, this phrase is useful at convenience stores.
おすすめは何ですか	What do you recommend?	osusume wa nan desu ka	Great for restaurants when you cannot read the menu or want local favorites.

Directions and Travel Phrases

Navigating Japan is easier than you might expect thanks to excellent signage, but knowing these phrases helps when GPS fails or you want to ask locals for help. Japanese people are generally very willing to assist lost travelers.

Asking for Locations

すみません、〇〇はどこですか (sumimasen, ___ wa doko desu ka) means excuse me, where is ___? For example: トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka) means where is the bathroom?

駅はどこですか (eki wa doko desu ka) asks where the station is. This is useful for finding the nearest train station.

ここはどこですか (koko wa doko desu ka) means where am I or where is this place? Show a map and ask when completely lost.

Understanding Directions

右 / 左 / まっすぐ (migi / hidari / massugu) means right, left, and straight ahead. These are essential direction words for understanding responses to your questions.

Expressing Where You Want to Go

〇〇に行きたいです (___ ni ikitai desu) means I want to go to ___. For example: 東京タワーに行きたいです (Toukyou Tawaa ni ikitai desu) means I want to go to Tokyo Tower.

タクシーを呼んでください (takushii wo yonde kudasai) means please call a taxi. Ask hotel staff or restaurant workers to call one for you.

Term	Meaning	Pronunciation	Example
すみません、〇〇はどこですか	Excuse me, where is ___?	sumimasen, ___ wa doko desu ka	トイレはどこですか？(Toire wa doko desu ka?), Where is the bathroom?
駅はどこですか	Where is the station?	eki wa doko desu ka	Useful for finding the nearest train station.
右 / 左 / まっすぐ	Right / Left / Straight ahead	migi / hidari / massugu	Essential direction words for understanding responses to your questions.
ここはどこですか	Where am I? / Where is this place?	koko wa doko desu ka	Useful when completely lost. Show a map and ask.
〇〇に行きたいです	I want to go to ___	___ ni ikitai desu	東京タワーに行きたいです。(Toukyou Tawaa ni ikitai desu.), I want to go to Tokyo Tower.
タクシーを呼んでください	Please call a taxi	takushii wo yonde kudasai	Ask hotel staff or restaurant workers to call a taxi for you.

Conversation and Opinion Phrases

Once you get past basic survival phrases, these expressions help you hold simple conversations and respond to what others say. They make you sound more natural and engaged rather than robotic.

Setting Communication Expectations

日本語が少し分かります (nihongo ga sukoshi wakarimasu) means I understand a little Japanese. This sets expectations so people speak slowly and simply to you.

英語を話せますか (eigo wo hanasemasu ka) asks if someone can speak English. This is a polite way to request a language switch.

もう一度お願いします (mou ichido onegaishimasu) means one more time, please. Ask someone to repeat what they said. Essential for learners.

ゆっくり話してください (yukkuri hanashite kudasai) means please speak slowly. This politely asks someone to slow down their speech.

Expressing Reactions and Interest

すごい (sugoi) means amazing or awesome. This is one of the most common exclamations and shows excitement or admiration.

本当ですか (hontou desu ka) means really or is that true? Express surprise or interest in what someone is telling you.

楽しかったです (tanoshikatta desu) means it was fun or I enjoyed it. This works great for wrapping up an outing, meal, or visit.

頑張ってください (ganbatte kudasai) means do your best or good luck. Use this encouraging phrase before exams, competitions, or challenging tasks.

Term	Meaning	Pronunciation	Example
日本語が少し分かります	I understand a little Japanese	nihongo ga sukoshi wakarimasu	Sets expectations so people speak slowly and simply to you.
英語を話せますか	Do you speak English?	eigo wo hanasemasu ka	Polite way to ask if someone can switch to English.
もう一度お願いします	One more time, please	mou ichido onegaishimasu	Ask someone to repeat what they said. Essential for learners.
ゆっくり話してください	Please speak slowly	yukkuri hanashite kudasai	Politely ask someone to slow down their speech.
すごい	Amazing / Awesome	sugoi	One of the most common exclamations. Shows excitement or admiration.
本当ですか	Really? / Is that true?	hontou desu ka	Express surprise or interest in what someone is telling you.
楽しかったです	It was fun / I enjoyed it	tanoshikatta desu	Great phrase for wrapping up an outing, meal, or visit.
頑張ってください	Do your best / Good luck	ganbatte kudasai	Encouraging phrase said before exams, competitions, or challenging tasks.

How to Study Japanese Effectively

Mastering Japanese requires the right study approach, not just more hours. Research in cognitive science shows that three techniques produce the best learning outcomes: active recall (testing yourself rather than re-reading), spaced repetition (reviewing at scientifically-optimized intervals), and interleaving (mixing related topics rather than studying one in isolation).

FluentFlash is built around all three. When you study common japanese phrases with our FSRS algorithm, every term is scheduled for review at exactly the moment you are about to forget it. This maximizes retention while minimizing study time.

Why Flashcards Work Better Than Re-Reading

The most common mistake students make is relying on passive review methods. Re-reading notes, highlighting passages, or watching videos feels productive, but studies show these methods produce only 10-20% of the retention that active recall achieves. Flashcards force your brain to retrieve information, which strengthens memory pathways far more than recognition alone. Pair this with spaced repetition scheduling, and you can learn in 20 minutes a day what would take hours of passive review.

A Practical 3-Week Study Plan

Start by creating 15-25 flashcards covering the highest-priority concepts. Review them daily for the first week using our FSRS scheduling. As cards become easier, intervals automatically expand from minutes to days to weeks, so you are always working on material at the edge of your knowledge. After 2-3 weeks of consistent practice, you will find Japanese concepts become automatic rather than effortful to recall.

Study Steps

Generate flashcards using FluentFlash AI or create them manually from your notes
Study 15-20 new cards per day, plus scheduled reviews
Use multiple study modes (flip, multiple choice, written) to strengthen recall
Track your progress and identify weak topics for focused review
Review consistently. Daily practice beats marathon sessions

1
Generate flashcards using FluentFlash AI or create them manually from your notes
2
Study 15-20 new cards per day, plus scheduled reviews
3
Use multiple study modes (flip, multiple choice, written) to strengthen recall
4
Track your progress and identify weak topics for focused review
5
Review consistently, daily practice beats marathon sessions

Study These Words with Flashcards

Turn this vocabulary list into smart flashcards. AI-powered spaced repetition helps you remember every word.

Study with Free Flashcards

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most useful Japanese phrases for travelers?

The most useful Japanese phrases for travelers cover five key situations: courtesy, ordering food, asking directions, shopping, and emergencies.

For courtesy, master ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu, thank you) and すみません (sumimasen, excuse me).

For food, use これをください (kore wo kudasai, this one please) and おすすめは何ですか (osusume wa nan desu ka, what do you recommend?).

For directions, learn 〇〇はどこですか (__ wa doko desu ka, where is __?) and 駅 (eki, station).

For shopping, いくらですか (ikura desu ka, how much?) is essential.

For emergencies, know 助けてください (tasukete kudasai, please help). These ten phrases cover roughly 80 percent of tourist interactions in Japan.

How do you say 'thank you' in Japanese?

The standard polite way to say thank you in Japanese is ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu). For casual situations with friends, you can shorten it to ありがとう (arigatou).

An even more casual option is どうも (doumo), which is a quick, informal thanks. For very formal situations or deep gratitude, you might hear 誠にありがとうございます (makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu, truly thank you).

Interestingly, すみません (sumimasen, excuse me/sorry) is also used as a thank-you when someone has gone out of their way for you. It carries a nuance of "I'm sorry for the trouble" combined with gratitude.

After receiving a gift or favor in the past, use the past tense: ありがとうございました (arigatou gozaimashita).

What does 'sumimasen' mean in Japanese?

すみません (sumimasen) is one of the most versatile words in Japanese, functioning as "excuse me," "I'm sorry," and "thank you" depending on context.

When you need to get someone's attention (a waiter, a stranger for directions, someone blocking your path), sumimasen is the go-to phrase. When you bump into someone or cause minor inconvenience, sumimasen works as a light apology. When someone does something kind for you, like picking up something you dropped, sumimasen expresses gratitude tinged with "sorry for the trouble."

The literal meaning comes from the verb 済む (sumu, to be enough/settled) in its negative form. It essentially means "this is not settled" or "I cannot let this go unacknowledged." Mastering when to use sumimasen versus ありがとう (arigatou) or ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) is a key step in sounding natural in Japanese.

How do you say 'I don't understand' in Japanese?

The polite way to say "I don't understand" in Japanese is 分かりません (wakarimasen). This comes from the verb 分かる (wakaru, to understand) in its polite negative form.

You can make it softer by adding すみません first: すみません、分かりません (sumimasen, wakarimasen). This means "sorry, I don't understand."

If you want to specify that you do not understand Japanese, say 日本語が分かりません (nihongo ga wakarimasen). A useful variation is ちょっと分かりません (chotto wakarimasen, I do not quite understand), which sounds gentler.

For "I don't know," the common phrase is 知りません (shirimasen), from the verb 知る (shiru, to know). In casual speech, 分からない (wakaranai) is the plain form equivalent.

What does Rizz mean in Japanese?

"Rizz" is slang used in English that refers to charisma or charm. This word does not have a direct Japanese equivalent or a standard translation in Japanese dictionaries.

If you want to express similar meaning in Japanese, you could use 魅力 (miryoku, charm or appeal) or カリスマ (karisma, charisma). Another option is モテ (mote), which refers to popularity or attractiveness in a more casual, contemporary way.

Japanese has its own modern slang, but "rizz" is primarily an English-language development that has not been formally adopted into Japanese. If you hear young Japanese people use "rizz," they are likely code-switching or borrowing the English term directly.

What does arigato konnichiwa mean?

"Arigato konnichiwa" is not a standard Japanese phrase. These are two separate greetings combined together.

ありがとう (arigatou) means thank you, while こんにちは (konnichiwa) means hello. Saying them together "arigato konnichiwa" sounds unnatural and would confuse Japanese speakers.

You would never use these phrases together in actual conversation. Instead, use them separately depending on the situation. Say こんにちは (konnichiwa) when greeting someone, and use ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) to thank them. If you want to greet someone and thank them, you would say these in two separate sentences: こんにちは。ありがとうございます (konnichiwa. arigatou gozaimasu).

What are some popular Japanese sayings?

Popular Japanese sayings reflect deep cultural values and wisdom. Here are a few meaningful examples.

がんばって (ganbatte) means "do your best" or "hang in there." This encouraging phrase appears frequently in daily life.

一期一会 (ichigo ichie) means "one time, one meeting." This saying reflects the importance of treasuring each moment and each encounter.

七転び八起き (nana korobi ya oki) means "fall down seven times, stand up eight." It encourages perseverance through failure.

先手必勝 (sentet hisshuu) means "the first move wins," emphasizing the advantage of taking initiative.

心身一体 (shinshin ittai) means "mind and body are one," reflecting the Japanese philosophy of holistic wellness. Learning these sayings helps you understand Japanese culture beyond just the phrases themselves.