すみません。
Sumimasen.
Excuse me / I’m sorry.
Get someone’s attention, or apologise briefly. Context gives it its meaning.64 useful Japanese phrases · Fumi’s Tatami Room
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Get someone’s attention, say thank you, and ask them to repeat.
すみません。
Sumimasen.
Excuse me / I’m sorry.
Get someone’s attention, or apologise briefly. Context gives it its meaning.ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you very much.
A useful polite thank-you. Hold the ō in arigatō for two beats.こんにちは。
Konnichiwa.
Hello / good afternoon.
A daytime greeting. Written は at the end, but pronounced wa.おはようございます。
Ohayō gozaimasu.
Good morning.
The polite form works well with staff and people you have just met.もう一度お願いします。
Mō ichido onegai shimasu.
Once more, please.
Use when you would like someone to repeat what they said.ゆっくりお願いします。
Yukkuri onegai shimasu.
Slowly, please.
In conversation, asks the speaker to slow down. Briefly hold before the second k.はい、お願いします。
Hai, onegai shimasu.
Yes, please.
A clear way to accept an offer.いいえ、結構です。
Iie, kekkō desu.
No, thank you.
Politely decline an offer. A gentle tone helps.Ask for the right platform and check a train’s destination.
駅はどこですか。
Eki wa doko desu ka.
Where is the station?
は marks the topic and is pronounced wa.改札はどこですか。
Kaisatsu wa doko desu ka.
Where are the ticket gates?
改札 means the ticket-checking gates, not the platform.何番ホームですか。
Nanban hōmu desu ka.
Which platform number is it?
Show your train or ticket so staff know which service you mean.この電車は京都に行きますか。
Kono densha wa Kyōto ni ikimasu ka.
Does this train go to Kyoto?
Kyoto is an example destination, not a statement about any current train.乗り換えは必要ですか。
Norikae wa hitsuyō desu ka.
Do I need to change trains?
Ask with your destination and journey details visible.出口はどこですか。
Deguchi wa doko desu ka.
Where is the exit?
出口 means exit. It is different from a platform or track number.エレベーターはどこですか。
Erebētā wa doko desu ka.
Where is the lift?
Useful with luggage or when you need a step-free route. A lift alone may not make the whole route step-free.この切符で乗れますか。
Kono kippu de noremasu ka.
Can I board with this ticket?
Show your ticket and identify the train. Do not assume that every ticket covers every service.Check in, ask about breakfast, and request luggage storage.
予約しています。
Yoyaku shite imasu.
I have a reservation.
At reception, follow this with your name and booking details.チェックインをお願いします。
Chekku-in o onegai shimasu.
I’d like to check in, please.
A straightforward, polite request at reception.朝食は何時からですか。
Chōshoku wa nanji kara desu ka.
What time does breakfast start?
から means “from”. This asks the start time, not the location.チェックアウトは何時ですか。
Chekku-auto wa nanji desu ka.
What time is check-out?
Confirm the property’s own check-out time.荷物を預かっていただけますか。
Nimotsu o azukatte itadakemasu ka.
Could you look after my luggage?
Ask about availability, collection time and any fee.タオルをもう一枚いただけますか。
Taoru o mō ichimai itadakemasu ka.
Could I have one more towel?
枚 (mai) counts flat items such as towels.部屋の鍵をお願いします。
Heya no kagi o onegai shimasu.
My room key, please.
Use at reception where staff handle keys; give your room details if asked.お世話になりました。
Osewa ni narimashita.
Thank you for looking after us.
A warm, polite expression when leaving after your stay.Ask for a recommendation, order by pointing, and request the bill.
二人です。
Futari desu.
Two people.
Use when a host asks the size of your party. 一人 (hitori) is one person.英語のメニューはありますか。
Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka.
Do you have an English menu?
英語 is written eigo in romanisation; its ei often sounds like a long eh.おすすめはどれですか。
Osusume wa dore desu ka.
Which one do you recommend?
Works well when choosing among visible menu items or products.これをお願いします。
Kore o onegai shimasu.
This one, please.
Point clearly to the item. を is pronounced o.お水をください。
Omizu o kudasai.
Water, please.
A simple polite request.これは何ですか。
Kore wa nan desu ka.
What is this?
Useful for a dish or ingredient. The answer alone does not confirm dietary suitability.お会計をお願いします。
Okaikei o onegai shimasu.
The bill, please.
Ask staff; payment may be at the table or at the counter.ごちそうさまでした。
Gochisōsama deshita.
Thank you for the meal.
Use after eating. Before eating, いただきます expresses gratitude for the food.Ask the price, choose an item, and check how to pay.
これはいくらですか。
Kore wa ikura desu ka.
How much is this?
Point to the item you mean.これを一つください。
Kore o hitotsu kudasai.
One of these, please.
一つ is a useful general counter for a single item.カードは使えますか。
Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka.
Can I pay by card?
Show your card if you need to check whether that particular card is accepted.現金で払います。
Genkin de haraimasu.
I’ll pay in cash.
現金 means cash.袋はいりません。
Fukuro wa irimasen.
I don’t need a bag.
Clearer than an ambiguous 大丈夫です when you mean no bag.レシートをお願いします。
Reshīto o onegai shimasu.
A receipt, please.
レシート is an ordinary till receipt.試着してもいいですか。
Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka.
May I try it on?
Ask staff first and follow their fitting-room instructions.少し考えます。
Sukoshi kangaemasu.
I’ll think about it.
A polite way to pause a purchase without making a commitment.Find the bath and ask staff about its arrangements.
お風呂はどこですか。
Ofuro wa doko desu ka.
Where is the bath?
お風呂 means bath; 温泉 specifically means a hot spring.何時まで入れますか。
Nanji made hairemasu ka.
Until what time can I use it?
In a bath conversation, this asks the latest time you can use the bath.タオルはありますか。
Taoru wa arimasu ka.
Are towels available?
Availability does not mean they are free; ask staff about any charge.貸切風呂はありますか。
Kashikiri-buro wa arimasu ka.
Do you have a private-use bath?
A bath reserved for private use. Check rules, booking arrangements and fees.予約が必要ですか。
Yoyaku ga hitsuyō desu ka.
Do I need a reservation?
Useful for a private bath or another service you have just discussed.タトゥーがあっても入れますか。
Tatū ga atte mo hairemasu ka.
May I use the bath if I have a tattoo?
Ask the particular facility. Rules and any covering requirements vary.浴衣の着方を教えてください。
Yukata no kikata o oshiete kudasai.
Please show me how to put on the yukata.
Ask staff for help; this is a request, not an assumption that assistance is available immediately.ここで靴を脱ぎますか。
Koko de kutsu o nugimasu ka.
Do I take off my shoes here?
Useful at an unfamiliar entrance. Follow the signs or your host’s guidance.Ask permission, find a place, and share a simple observation.
写真を撮ってもいいですか。
Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka.
May I take a photo?
Ask and wait for permission. This does not override posted photography rules.ここに座ってもいいですか。
Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka.
May I sit here?
For an ordinary available seat. On reserved-seat transport, check your ticket and seat assignment.トイレはどこですか。
Toire wa doko desu ka.
Where is the toilet?
A normal, polite question. Add すみません when approaching someone.入口はどこですか。
Iriguchi wa doko desu ka.
Where is the entrance?
入口 means entrance; 出口 means exit.きれいですね。
Kirei desu ne.
It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
A gentle observation about a view or object you are both looking at.日本語を勉強しています。
Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.
I’m studying Japanese.
A simple way to explain you are learning. No apology for your accent is necessary.オーストラリアから来ました。
Ōsutoraria kara kimashita.
I’m from Australia.
An example self-introduction. Use only if it is true for you.お話しできてうれしいです。
Ohanashi dekite ureshii desu.
I’m glad we could talk.
A warm way to close a pleasant conversation.Explain a difficulty, ask for written information, and find assistance.
よくわかりません。
Yoku wakarimasen.
I don’t quite understand.
Say this if you are unsure; you don’t need to pretend you understood.英語を話せる方はいますか。
Eigo o hanaseru kata wa imasu ka.
Is there someone who speaks English?
A polite question at a staffed desk. English-speaking help may not be available.ここに書いていただけますか。
Koko ni kaite itadakemasu ka.
Could you write it here?
Indicate a suitable place to write. Ask before handing over your phone.道に迷いました。
Michi ni mayoimashita.
I’ve lost my way.
Show the address or place you are trying to reach.財布をなくしました。
Saifu o nakushimashita.
I’ve lost my wallet.
Tell station staff, your accommodation or the appropriate lost-property desk where it may have been lost.交番はどこですか。
Kōban wa doko desu ka.
Where is the police box?
交番 is a neighbourhood police box. Staffing and opening arrangements vary.助けてください。
Tasukete kudasai.
Please help me!
For distress or an urgent need for help. For routine enquiries, begin with すみません instead.携帯電話をなくしました。
Keitai denwa o nakushimashita.
I’ve lost my mobile phone.
Useful at a lost-property desk. Keep essential contact details somewhere other than your phone, too.