8 Phrases To Know In Japanese Before Visiting The Country

1. Konnichiwa

[{"selector":"#anim-4b3a12bb-cda3-4262-a695-f343d71c02c4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-31b40d26-9517-4aed-a526-2b736c469b0b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 709.45085%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Konnichiwa" (こんにちは), meaning "hello" or "good day", is a versatile greeting suitable for most daytime encounters. Credits: Unsplash

2. Arigatou gozaimasu

[{"selector":"#anim-b1527e95-4894-4d7d-9849-ed8698d64438","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1d9198f5-0015-48b2-950c-a67eca1a7121","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 700.25261%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Arigatou gozaimasu" (ありがとうございます), a polite way of saying "thank you", is essential for expressing gratitude in various situations. Credits: Unsplash

3. Sumimasen

[{"selector":"#anim-d5b04b45-6581-4517-acb0-783b63d8e7f4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-155c282b-01ca-4878-a677-fbbe8a8d376e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 238.18643%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Sumimasen" (すみません), which can mean "excuse me" or "I'm sorry", is incredibly useful for getting attention or apologising. Credits: Unsplash

4. Onegaishimasu

[{"selector":"#anim-5fe9f138-51b3-4629-8791-42410e852a6f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bb346c37-554c-49ae-ab0b-8413048fb5db","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 707.07083%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Onegaishimasu" (お願いします), meaning "please", is often used when making a request or ordering in a restaurant. Credits: Unsplash

5. Haai or iie

[{"selector":"#anim-38f6c54e-fa5a-4fd7-8c0f-23164f63ef00","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1de54227-2437-458a-9ca7-0eefd3e52dbe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 903.22050%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Hai" (はい) for "yes" and "Iie" (いいえ) for "no" are fundamental for basic communication. Credits: Unsplash

6. Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?

[{"selector":"#anim-0e0bd5a9-dba8-4ff0-a9db-47bd86fcf7b1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-258d3d16-19bc-4837-b6a7-25a709d0ffa3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 701.38903%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?" (英語が話せますか？), meaning "Do you speak English?", can be helpful when seeking assistance. Credits: Unsplash

7. Wakarimasen

[{"selector":"#anim-7a9d264e-fc55-4dab-ac2f-bf1d5171d731","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f184d1e8-f711-423d-b238-4b3820d0097f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 696.84356%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Wakarimasen" (わかりません), meaning "I don't understand", is useful when you're having trouble comprehending something. Credits: Unsplash

8. Oishii

[{"selector":"#anim-31b895ea-b15f-49fa-9fa8-00d084dd987c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e0c9dd65-f3ec-4cdc-8c90-6f0edfe8b4c9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 888.72777%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Oishii" (おいしい), meaning "delicious", is a great way to compliment food and show appreciation for a meal. Credits: Unsplash

[{"selector":"#anim-f899867f-e69c-4018-88a4-828702eca0fa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-485e9f1e-ed29-4e3e-a22c-a02722588260","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 520.74069%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] How many of these did you know? Credits: Unsplash