Basic Words

1. はい

   hai

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic affirmative reply; also works when someone checks something with you

2. いいえ

   i-i-e

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; say it gently to stay polite

3. お願いします

   o-ne-gai-shi-ma-su

   Please

   Usage

   Add it when asking for something; it also works on its own

4. ありがとうございます

   a-ri-ga-tou-go-zai-ma-su

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic thank-you when you receive something or get help

5. すみません

   su-mi-ma-sen

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Use to get a stranger's attention or to squeeze past someone

6. ごめんなさい

   go-men-na-sai

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology when you are at fault — bumping into someone, making a mistake

7. 大丈夫です

   dai-jou-bu-de-su

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both to wave off an apology and to decline help or concern

8. 分かりません

   wa-ka-ri-ma-sen

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say this first when the language is not getting through; people will rephrase

9. 分かりました

   wa-ka-ri-ma-shi-ta

   I understand

   Usage

   The reply when you have understood; it also signals agreement

10. 終わりました

    o-wa-ri-ma-shi-ta

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you are done with a meal, a payment, or a procedure

11. 待ってください

    mat-te-ku-da-sai

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to hold on

12. ちょっと待ってください

    chot-to-mat-te-ku-da-sai

    Just a moment

    Usage

    For just a few seconds — while you find your wallet or your bag

13. 大人一名です

    o-to-na-i-chi-mei-de-su

    One adult, please

    Usage

    At a ticket window or entrance, to state how many people

14. 予約はしていません

    yo-ya-ku-wa-shi-te-i-ma-sen

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Say this first when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. 予約しています

    yo-ya-ku-shi-te-i-ma-su

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    At the front desk; follow it with your name

16. 助けてください

    ta-su-ke-te-ku-da-sai

    Please help me

    Usage

    Call for help in an emergency — it is fine to shout this

17. もう一度お願いします

    mou-i-chi-do-o-ne-gai-shi-ma-su

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what they just said

18. ゆっくり話してください

    yuk-ku-ri-ha-na-shi-te-ku-da-sai

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When someone speaks too fast; people almost always slow down

19. 少しだけ話せます

    su-ko-shi-da-ke-ha-na-se-ma-su

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Keeps the conversation going while lowering expectations

20. 英語は話せますか？

    ei-go-wa-ha-na-se-ma-su-ka

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Check for a shared language when you need to discuss something complicated

21. これ

    ko-re

    This (near me)

    Usage

    Something near you; for something near the listener use "sore"

22. それ

    so-re

    That (near you)

    Usage

    Something near the listener — Japanese splits "this/that" three ways by distance

23. あれ

    a-re

    That over there

    Usage

    Something away from both you and the listener

24. ここ

    ko-ko

    Here

    Usage

    The place where you are; also used to point at a spot on a map or menu

25. そこ

    so-ko

    There (near you)

    Usage

    A place near the listener

26. あそこ

    a-so-ko

    Over there

    Usage

    A place away from both of you, e.g. a building in the distance

27. 私

    wa-ta-shi

    I / me

    Usage

    The safest first-person word in Japanese; fine for any speaker

28. あなた

    a-na-ta

    You

    Usage

    Fine to point at on a card, but calling someone "anata" in conversation can sound rude in Japanese — use their name or a title instead

29. 一緒に

    is-sho-ni

    Together

    Usage

    Shows you want to go, sit, or be billed together

30. 十分です

    juu-bun-de-su

    That's enough

    Usage

    Says you have enough and politely stops more being added

31. 今すぐ

    i-ma-su-gu

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals urgency — now, not later

32. 一人

    hi-to-ri

    One person

    Usage

    Party size at a restaurant; read "hitori", not "ichinin"

33. 二人

    fu-ta-ri

    Two people

    Usage

    Party size at a restaurant; read "futari"

34. 三人

    san-nin

    Three people

    Usage

    Party size at a restaurant; from three up the counter is read "-nin"

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