A Simple Japanese Phrasebook
Based on my class notes from Introductory Japanese, taught by Barbara Rose*
The Basics
- Hai
- Yes
- Iie
- No
Introductions
- Watashi wa [your last name] desu. Douzo yoroshiku.
- I'm [ ], How do you do?
- Hajimemashite. Douzo yoroshiku.
- Pleased to meet you.
- Watashi wa [your given name or nickname] to moshimasu.
- My name is [ ].
Greetings and good-byes
- Moshi moshi
- Hello (used only on the telephone)
- Ohayou gozaimasu
- Good morning (polite)
- Konnichiwa
- Good day; Hello
- Komban wa
- Good evening
- Oyasumi nasai
- Good-night (I'm going to bed)
- Sayonara
- Good-bye
- Ja ne!
- See ya!
How are you?
- Ogenki desu ka?
- How are you?
- Hai, genki desu.
- Fine, thank you.
Please & thank you
- O-negai shimasu
- Please (much obliged)
- Arigatou
- Thanks
- Doumo arigatou
- Thank you
- Doumo arigatou gozaimasu
- Thank you very much
- Doumo
- Thanks (very informal)
- Dou itashimashite
- You're welcome
Miscellaneous
- Gomen nasai
- I'm sorry (apology)
- Gomen kudasai!
- Excuse me! May I come in? (called from the genkan or entrance hall)
- Douzo
- Please (go ahead / try this / have some)
- Itadakimasu!
- Said just before beginning to eat. [cf. saying grace]
- Kono anime wa ikura desu ka?
- How much is this anime?
As usual, the most important one is last!
Notes
Since overscores are not supported in HTML, the Japanese long vowels have been written in the literal romanji form. A pronouciation guide is as close as your nearest anime, but it might be best to get a proper language textbook out of the library, as anim
e tends to be full of colloquialisms and slang, making it a potentially dangerous reference source.
None of the phrases above can possibly get you into trouble!
"My hovercraft is full of eels..."
* Barbara Rose : author of Tsuda Umeko and Women's Education in Japan. ^
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Richard Murdey : rmurdey@cs.mun.ca