Japanese phrases | Most common phrases for everyday life

Japanese phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Japanese with translation. | Free & useful

Japanese phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.

They are an important part of Japanese culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.

Japanese phrases you should know

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Greet someone in Japanese

If you want to greet someone in Japanese, it’s actually quite easy:

Welcome!	ようこそ！	[joːko̞so̞]
Good day to you!	こんにちは！	[ko̞ɰ̃ɲi̥t͡ɕiwa̠]
Good morning to you!	おはようございます！	[o̞ha̠jo̞ː ɡo̞za̠i̯ma̠sɯ̥]
Good evening!	こんばんは！	[ko̞mba̠ɰ̃ba̠ɰ̃wa̠]
Good to see you.	お会いできてうれしいです。	[o̞a̠i̯ de̞kʲite̞ ɯ̟ᵝɾe̞ɕiː de̞sɯ̥]
I’m glad to see you.	お会いできてうれしいです。	[o̞a̠i̯ de̞kʲite̞ ɯ̟ᵝɾe̞ɕiː de̞sɯ̥]

If you are greeted in Japanese, the best way to respond is as follows:

Have a nice day too!	あなたも良い一日を！	[a̠na̠ta̠ mo̞ jo̞i̯ i̥t͡ɕiɲi̥t͡ɕi o̞]
Thanks, it’s nice to see you too.	ありがとう。あなたに会えて私もうれしいです。	[a̠ɾi̥ɡa̠to̞ː | a̠na̠ta̠ ni̥ a̠e̞te̞ wa̠ta̠ɕi mo̞ ɯ̟ᵝɾe̞ɕiː de̞sɯ̥]

How is my dialogue partner?

As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:

How are you doing?	お元気ですか？	[o̞ ɡe̞ŋkʲi de̞sɯ̥ ka̠]
Are you doing well?	調子はどうですか？	[t͡ɕo̞ːɕi wa̠ do̞ː de̞sɯ̥ ka̠]

If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:

Thank you for asking, I am fine.	聞いてくれてありがとう。元気です。	[kiːte̞ kɯ̟ᵝɾe̞te̞ a̠ɾi̥ɡa̠to̞ː | ɡe̞ŋkʲi de̞sɯ̥]
Thank you, I am fine.	ありがとう、元気です。	[a̠ɾi̥ɡa̠to̞ː | ɡe̞ŋkʲi de̞sɯ̥]
Thank you, I am not doing so well.	ありがとう、あまり元気ではありません。	[a̠ɾi̥ɡa̠to̞ː | a̠ma̠ɾi ɡe̞ŋkʲi de̞ wa̠ a̠ɾima̠se̞ɴ]
Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing?	ありがとう、元気です。あなたはどうですか？	[a̠ɾi̥ɡa̠to̞ː | ɡe̞ŋkʲi de̞sɯ̥ | a̠na̠ta̠ wa̠ do̞ː de̞sɯ̥ ka̠]

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How do I say goodbye to someone in Japanese?

Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Japanese is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:

Goodbye!	さようなら！	[sa̠jo̞ːna̠ɾa̠]
Take care of yourself!	お元気で！	[o̞ ɡe̞ŋkʲi de̞]
Goodbye	じゃあね。	[d͡ʑa̠ː ne̞]
See you tomorrow	また明日。	[ma̠ta̠ a̠ɕi̥ta̠]
See you soon	またすぐにね。	[ma̠ta̠ sɯ̟ᵝɡɯ̟ᵝ ni̥ ne̞]
See you later	またあとで。	[ma̠ta̠ a̠to̞ de̞]
Good night	おやすみなさい。	[o̞jasɯ̟ᵝmina̠sa̠i̯]
Sleep well	よく眠ってね。	[jo̞kɯ̟ᵝ ne̞mɯ̟ᵝtːe̞ ne̞]
Talk to you later.	また話しましょう。	[ma̠ta̠ hana̠ɕima̠ɕo̞ː]
Nice to have met you!	お会いできてよかったです！	[o̞a̠i̯ de̞kʲite̞ jo̞ka̠tːa̠ de̞sɯ̥]

How do I introduce myself in Japanese?

When travelling in Japan, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Japanese and know who you’re talking to.

My name is Jonas.	私の名前はヨナスです。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi no̞ na̠ma̠e̞ wa̠ jo̞na̠sɯ̥ de̞sɯ̥]
What is your name?	お名前は何ですか？	[o̞na̠ma̠e̞ wa̠ na̠ɲ de̞sɯ̥ ka̠]
What is your surname?	名字は何ですか？	[mʲo̞ːd͡ʑi wa̠ na̠ɲ de̞sɯ̥ ka̠]
What is your first name?	下の名前は何ですか？	[ɕi̥ta̠ no̞ na̠ma̠e̞ wa̠ na̠ɲ de̞sɯ̥ ka̠]
What is your surname?	苗字は何ですか？	[mʲo̞ːd͡ʑi wa̠ na̠ɲ de̞sɯ̥ ka̠]

If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:

Where do you come from?	どこから来ましたか？	[do̞ko̞ ka̠ɾa̠ ki̥ma̠ɕi̥ta̠ ka̠]
I am from London.	ロンドンから来ました。	[ɾo̞ndo̞ɴ ka̠ɾa̠ ki̥ma̠ɕi̥ta̠]
Are you from Birmingham?	バーミンガムから来ましたか？	[ba̠ːmiŋɡa̠mɯ̟ᵝ ka̠ɾa̠ ki̥ma̠ɕi̥ta̠ ka̠]
No, I’m from Madrid.	いいえ、マドリードから来ました。	[iːe̞ | mado̞ɾiːdo̞ ka̠ɾa̠ ki̥ma̠ɕi̥ta̠]
Great, I’m from Madrid too.	すごい！私もマドリードから来ました。	[sɯ̟ᵝɡo̞i̯ | wa̠ta̠ɕi mo̞ mado̞ɾiːdo̞ ka̠ɾa̠ ki̥ma̠ɕi̥ta̠]
Where do you live?	どこに住んでいますか？	[do̞ko̞ ni̥ sɯ̟ᵝɰ̃de̞ i̥ma̠sɯ̥ ka̠]
I live in Berlin.	ベルリンに住んでいます。	[be̞ɾɯ̟ᵝɾiɴ ni̥ sɯ̟ᵝɰ̃de̞ i̥ma̠sɯ̥]

If you have problems with your Japanese, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:

Do you speak English?	英語を話せますか？	[e̞ːɡo̞ o̞ ha̠na̠se̞ma̠sɯ̥ ka̠]
Yes, I speak English.	はい、英語を話せます。	[ha̠i̯ | e̞ːɡo̞ o̞ ha̠na̠se̞ma̠sɯ̥]
Yes, I speak some English.	はい、少し英語を話せます。	[ha̠i̯ | sɯ̟ᵝko̞ɕi e̞ːɡo̞ o̞ ha̠na̠se̞ma̠sɯ̥]
No, I do not speak any English.	いいえ、英語は話せません。	[iːe̞ | e̞ːɡo̞ wa̠ ha̠na̠se̞ma̠se̞ɴ]
I only speak English.	英語しか話せません。	[e̞ːɡo̞ ɕi̥ka̠ ha̠na̠se̞ma̠se̞ɴ]
I understand some Japanese.	日本語は少しわかります。	[ɲi̥ho̞ŋɡo̞ wa̠ sɯ̟ᵝko̞ɕi wa̠ka̠ɾi̥ma̠sɯ̥]

Useful sentences with ‘I am…’

The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Japanese and express your wishes and concerns:

I am English.	私はイギリス人です。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ i̥ɡiɾisɯ̥ʑiɴ de̞sɯ̥]
I am injured.	けがをしています。	[ke̞ɡa̠ o̞ ɕite̞ i̥ma̠sɯ̥]
I am here.	私はここにいます。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ ko̞ko̞ ni̥ i̥ma̠sɯ̥]
I am hungry.	お腹がすきました。	[o̞na̠ka̠ ɡa̠ sɯ̟ᵝkʲima̠ɕi̥ta̠]
I am thirsty.	のどが渇きました。	[no̞do̞ ɡa̠ ka̠wa̠kʲima̠ɕi̥ta̠]
I am a single person.	私は独身です。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ do̞kɯ̟ᵝɕiɴ de̞sɯ̥]
I need help!	助けが必要です！	[ta̠sɯ̟ᵝke̞ ɡa̠ çi̥t͡sɯ̟ᵝjo̞ː de̞sɯ̥]
I am tired.	疲れました。	[t͡sɯ̟ᵝka̠ɾe̞ma̠ɕi̥ta̠]
I am happy.	私は幸せです。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ ɕia̠wa̠se̞ de̞sɯ̥]
I am sad.	私は悲しいです。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ ka̠na̠ɕiː de̞sɯ̥]
I am in love.	私は恋をしています。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ ko̞i̯ o̞ ɕite̞ i̥ma̠sɯ̥]
I am ill.	私は病気です。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ bʲo̞ːkʲi de̞sɯ̥]
I am ready.	準備ができました。	[d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝɰ̃bi ɡa̠ de̞kʲima̠ɕi̥ta̠]
I am busy.	私は忙しいです。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ i̥so̞ɡa̠ɕiː de̞sɯ̥]
I am lost.	道に迷いました。	[mi̥t͡ɕi ni̥ ma̠jo̞i̯ma̠ɕi̥ta̠]
I am a tourist.	私は観光客です。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ ka̠ŋko̞ːkʲa̠kɯ̥ de̞sɯ̥]
I am new here.	私はここに来たばかりです。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ ko̞ko̞ ni̥ kʲi̥ta̠ ba̠ka̠ɾi de̞sɯ̥]
I am confident.	私は自信があります。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ d͡ʑiɕiɴ ɡa̠ a̠ɾi̥ma̠sɯ̥]
I am proud.	私は誇りに思っています。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ ho̞ko̞ɾi ni̥ o̞mo̞tːe̞ i̥ma̠sɯ̥]
I am a teacher.	私は先生です。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ se̞ɴse̞ː de̞sɯ̥]
I am late.	私は遅れました。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ o̞kɯ̟ᵝɾe̞ma̠ɕi̥ta̠]
I am 30 years old.	私は30歳です。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ sa̠ɴd͡ʑɯ̟ᵝɯ̥ssa̠i̯ de̞sɯ̥]
I am in a hurry.	私は急いでいます。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ i̥so̞i̯de̞ i̥ma̠sɯ̥]
I am happy.	私は幸せです。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ ɕia̠wa̠se̞ de̞sɯ̥]
I am surprised.	私は驚いています。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ odo̞ɾoi̯te̞ i̥ma̠sɯ̥]
I am angry.	私は怒っています。	[wa̠ta̠ɕi wa̠ o̞ko̞tːe̞ i̥ma̠sɯ̥]

Apologising in Japanese

Here’s how to apologise to a Japanese speaker:

I apologise.	謝ります。	[a̠ja̠ma̠ɾi̥ma̠sɯ̥]
Sorry, that was not the intention.	すみません、それは意図したことではありません。	[sɯ̟ᵝmi̥ma̠se̞ɴ | so̞ɾe̞ wa̠ i̥to̞ ɕi̥ta̠ ko̞to̞ de̞ wa̠ a̠ɾima̠se̞ɴ]
Sorry, I did not do it on purpose.	すみません、わざとではありませんでした。	[sɯ̟ᵝmi̥ma̠se̞ɴ | wa̠za̠to̞ de̞ wa̠ a̠ɾima̠se̞ɴ de̞ɕi̥ta̠]
Sorry, that was very clumsy of me.	すみません、とても不器用でした。	[sɯ̟ᵝmi̥ma̠se̞ɴ | to̞te̞mo̞ bɯ̟ᵝkʲijo̞ː de̞ɕi̥ta̠]

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More information about the Japanese Intermediate Course.

Useful signs and notices in Japanese

Useful signs and messages in Japanese that you will often see.

Entrance	入口	[i̥ɾiɡɯ̟ᵝt͡ɕɯ̥]
Toilet	トイレ	[to̞i̯ɾe̞]
Exit	出口	[de̞ɡɯ̟ᵝt͡ɕɯ̥]
Attention!	注意！	[t͡ɕɯ̟ᵝːi̥]
Police	警察	[ke̞ːsa̠t͡sɯ̥]
Emergency services	救急サービス	[kʲɯ̟ᵝːkʲɯ̟ᵝ sa̠ːbɯ̟ᵝsɯ̥]
Fire brigade	消防署	[ɕo̞ːbo̞ːɕo̞]
Passage forbidden.	通行禁止。	[t͡sɯ̟ᵝːko̞ː kʲiɰ̃ɕi]
Caution!	危険！	[kʲi̥ke̞ɴ]
This building is under video surveillance.	この建物は監視カメラで監視されています。	[ko̞no̞ ta̠te̞mo̞no̞ wa̠ ka̠ɰ̃ɕi ka̠me̞ɾa̠ de̞ ka̠ɰ̃ɕi sa̠ɾe̞te̞ i̥ma̠sɯ̥]

Numbers to 25 in Japanese

Counting in Japanese is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Japanese from 1 to 25.

1	一	[it͡ɕi]
2	二	[ni]
3	三	[sãɴ]
4	四	[jo̞ɴ] or [ʃi]
5	五	[ɡo̞]
6	六	[ɾo̞kɯ̟ᵝ]
7	七	[ɕit͡ɕi] or [na̠na̠]
8	八	[ha̠t͡ɕi]
9	九	[kɯ̟ᵝ] or [kjuː]
10	十	[d͡ʑɯː]
11	十一	[d͡ʑɯːit͡ɕi]
12	十二	[d͡ʑɯːni]
13	十三	[d͡ʑɯːsãɴ]
14	十四	[d͡ʑɯːjo̞ɴ] or [d͡ʑɯːʃi]
15	十五	[d͡ʑɯːɡo̞]
16	十六	[d͡ʑɯːɾo̞kɯ̟ᵝ]
17	十七	[d͡ʑɯːɕit͡ɕi] or [d͡ʑɯːna̠na̠]
18	十八	[d͡ʑɯːha̠t͡ɕi]
19	十九	[d͡ʑɯːkɯ̟ᵝ] or [d͡ʑɯːkjuː]
20	二十	[ni̥d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝː]
21	二十一	[ni̥d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝːit͡ɕi]
22	二十二	[ni̥d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝːni]
23	二十三	[ni̥d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝːsãɴ]
24	二十四	[ni̥d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝːjo̞ɴ] or [ni̥d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝːʃi]
25	二十五	[ni̥d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝːɡo̞]

The colours in Japanese

The most common colours in Japanese with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.

Red	赤	[a̠ka̠]
Blue	青	[a̠o̞]
Green	緑	[mʲido̞ɾi]
Yellow	黄色	[kiːɾo̞]
Black	黒	[kɯ̟ᵝɾo̞]
White	白	[ɕiɾo̞]
Orange	オレンジ	[o̞ɾe̞ɴd͡ʑi]
Purple	紫	[mɯ̟ᵝɾa̠sa̠ki]
Pink	ピンク	[piɴkɯ̟ᵝ]
Brown	茶色	[t͡ɕa̠iɾo̞]

Days of the week, months and seasons in Japanese

Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Japanese and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Japanese.

Monday	月曜日	[ɡe̞tsɯ̟ᵝjo̞ːbi]
Tuesday	火曜日	[ka̠jo̞ːbi]
Wednesday	水曜日	[sɯ̟ᵝi̯jo̞ːbi]
Thursday	木曜日	[mo̞kɯ̟ᵝjo̞ːbi]
Friday	金曜日	[kʲiɰ̃jo̞ːbi]
Saturday	土曜日	[do̞jo̞ːbi]
Sunday	日曜日	[nʲi̥t͡ɕi̯jo̞ːbi]
January	一月	[it͡ɕiɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
February	二月	[niɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
March	三月	[sãɴɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
April	四月	[ɕiɡa̠t͡sɯ̥] or [jo̞ɴɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
May	五月	[ɡo̞ɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
June	六月	[ɾo̞kɯ̟ᵝɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
July	七月	[ɕit͡ɕiɡa̠t͡sɯ̥] or [na̠na̠ɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
August	八月	[ha̠t͡ɕiɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
September	九月	[kɯ̟ᵝɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
October	十月	[d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
November	十一月	[d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝit͡ɕiɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
December	十二月	[d͡ʑɯ̟ᵝniɡa̠t͡sɯ̥]
Spring	春	[ha̠ɾɯ̟ᵝ]
Summer	夏	[na̠t͡sɯ̥]
Autumn / Fall	秋	[a̠kʲɯ̟ᵝ]
Winter	冬	[fɯ̟ᵝjɯ̟ᵝ]

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More information about the Japanese Business Course.

Additional links

• Learn Japanese with Mondly
• The different ways of learning languages
• Learning vocabulary successfully
• Motivated language learning
• It is so easy to train your understanding of a language at the same time
• Learning languages quickly? – Is it possible?
• The different types of learners when learning languages

More information about the Japanese Course for Children.