The best phrase to know for a visit to Japan?

Question

I speak a few words of Japanese, and know some basic phrases, but for my visit to Tokyo give me one phrase that will be most useful to remember...

It can be serious, quirky or whatever...the kind of phrase you might not find in a typical language book.

Answer 1

Well, let's see. Here are some phrases not said yet...

'Chotto Matte'

Means 'Wait a minute'. You'll be using this one a lot. Pronounced 'chot' as in goat with a ch sound, 'to' as in toe. Then, 'Matte', rhymes with latte.

'Hajimemashite'

Means 'How do you do' or 'Nice to meet you'. Not said to everyone you come into contact with, but with somebody you are introduced to as a friend or otherwise. So you wouldn't want to say it to every store clerk you buy from. Just in case you meet anyone who talks to you (since I don't know the purpose of your trip). Pronounced 'Ha', 'ji' like Jesus, 'me' like may, 'ma' like it is, 'shite' like it sounds, but one syllable. So if you are thinking of saying it how it looks, just put that word with 'e' like 'a'.

'Hai'

Means yes, but like our language can be used for more subtle usages. Like is somebody asked you something, you can say 'hai' with a question tone, so it's like "'yes', what do you want?" Pronounced like the word 'high'.

'Iie'

Means no. Pronounced 'ee' like tree without the 'tr' and 'e' like 'a'.

'Chigaimasu'

Means difference. So if somebody suggested soemthing, and you disagree, you can say chigaimasu. Here's a perfect example: I was at a Book-Off (used book, CD, game store) and the clerk asked me if I wanted to buy a card, which I assumed was a points card. The best thing I could come up with is 'chigaimasu'. And he replied (translated) "Yes, I understand. Today, you don't want this." And we moved on to my order. Simple. Smooth. And not offensive or time-consuming. So, it is pronounced 'Chi' like it looks, 'gai' like guy, and 'masu' like floss with an 'm'.

'Kyou'

Means today. Along with that conversation I added the words "Kyou wa" before "chigaimasu". That meant, today I feel different (to that idea of buying the card). That made it slightly more polite, so I wouldn't be turning him down completely. That way I suggested that I would be back for the opportunity. Anyway, it is pronounced 'ki' and 'yo' smushed together as one syllable.

'Kekko desu'

Means that you are fine, content. So if a waiter/waitress suggests more food, you could say this instead of 'chigaimasu'. It's better to be used for things like food, or things consumed. That includes things like showers, or even yourself. After all, showers can consume time, and you consume energy...if that makes sense. Well, anyway, it is pronounced like 'cake' and 'ko' together. So you are saying the 'k' sound twice, but a little fater than just 'cake-ko'. So it sounds like 'cake-o'.

What else...Well, here's a very common word:

'Sugoi'

Means great, but more used like 'wow' or 'cool' or 'awesome'. So if you see something that is cool, awesome or would make you say wow, say sugoi, like an exclamation. Like, if you saw the tallest building ever, you would say 'wow' by stretching out the word a lot. You wouldn't just say 'wow', you'd say 'woooooowwwwww'. In the same manner, you wouldn't quickly say this word. You'd say 'Su go i' kind of separated. Of course, if you are just saying 'cool' very fast like you would here, then you would say this word normally. Prounced 'Su' like sue, 'go' like go, and 'i' like e.

'...Desu ne'

Add this to any adjective for emphasis. So if you learn more adjectives before you go (or as you are there), just add this. I added the three dots to signify that you can't use it by itself. Well you can, but it would take too long to explain the usage. Basically you could say it as an agreement to someone's statement, but it's hard to convey an appropriate situation. And even though I know you can use it, I never heard it used in Japan, even with all of my constant conversations, so I wouldn't recommend trying it by itself. But again, find an adjective, and emphasis with this word. Pronounced 'Desu' like desk without the k, and 'ne' like a horse.

Well, Adam did an excellent job at giving you the other basic phrases, so just add these couple of phrases to his, and you'll be set on that. But I don't think any one person will be able to help you because your experience will prove whether or not you'll even be using these words. I would suggest bringing along a phrasebook that is both user-friendly (nice design) and catered to a beginner (with pronunuciation, and english spelling). The Japanese Phrasebook from Lonely Planet is a great one. And if you feel you can use it, then bring a dictionary. The most comprehensive one I know is the 1997 Random House one. So it may be outdated in a few newer words, but I've yet to find one more comprehensive. I wish they would make a newer edition.

Anyway, I really hope you enjoy your trip!
(And hansolosby is right-don't listen to the other answers. hotsauce's spellings are way way off, and the others aren't even worth bothering).

Answer 2

Adam has a nice useful list. Please be careful using "chotto matte" as suggested by another writer - without "kudasai" on the end it is abrupt and impolite.

Personally I think the most useful single phrase would be "sumimasen" (pronounced "Sue Me Ma Sehn"). It means something similar to "pardon me" but can be used in many situations, like when:
* bump into someone on the train
* you enter someone's home (though the most proper phrase is "o-jama shimasu")
* you make a mistake and need to apologize (though there are more polite and proper ways to say it)
* you want to call a waiter/waitress (this is the correct way)
etc.

If you say you are sorry for something, Japanese generally tend to be pretty forgiving, whereas being unrepentant is bad and can get you into trouble.

Answer 3

Not in a typical language book eh?

Usotsuki - Liar!
Neboken Ja Neyo - Get your head out of your butt
Ikkene/Ikkenai - I f-cked up!
Kuso - Sh!t
Sukebe/Hentai - Pervert
Yotteru - Are you drunk?
Kande - Bite me
Baka Mitai - You look stupid.
Oshaberi - You have a big mouth
Yariman - you whore
Kono Kusottare - You @s$hole
Kono Kuso Onna - You (female dog)!

Answer 4

Sumimasen


It means, sort of, "excuse me" - but it can be used in a variety of situations - and, as a foreigner, should help smooth things out. People will interpret it in many ways - probably assuming that you need help or don't know what to do/say.

Answer 5

Genki desu ka?? How are you?
Arigato--Thank you.
Ohayo Gozaimasu--Good morning\
Konnichiwa--Good Afternoon
Konbanwa--Good Evening
Oyasuminasai--Good night
Itadekimasu--Set phrase to be said before eating a meal. If you are will Japanese friends.
Onamae wa?--Whats your name?
Ishoni Nomanai?--Shall we have a drink?
-- wa doko desu ka? Where is --?
Nani?--What?
Eki--Train Station
Chikatetsu--Subway
Sumimasen--Excuse me
Tanoshi--Fun
Byoin--Hospital
Wakarimasu--I understand
Wakarimasen--I don't understand
kudasai--please
-- e ikimasu--I am going to --
Daijobu--OK
Takai--Expensive
Yasui--Cheap

Answer 6

Listen to Adam, all the other guys have crazy Japanese.

Answer 7

oshe deshu ne
tastes good
ohio guzymus
good moring
konechiwa
good afternoon
kumbowa
good nite
onameywa
name
r

make sure you go to rhopunghi right outside of tokyo
its the party district
beru onigoshimas
a beer please
remem
ber the vowels are hard

Answer 8

Tsekewe-no we-ni hon ga arimas.

There's a book on the desk.

Answer 9

Sushi.

Answer 10

saiyonara baby