WHat are some japanese words or sayings that really come in handy?

Question

Not the ones everyone knows like Konnichi wa, or Ohayou Gozaimasu, or Arigato Gozaimasu...stuff that is actually used very often, but are not the super basics...thanks!

Additional Details

im from canada too^^

im from canada too^^

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

{{Asking for Directions. Etc.}}

Where are you from?
::Anata no shusshin wa doko desu ka?

What is your nationality?
::Anata no kokuseki wa doko desu ka?

May I have a map?
::Chizu wo morae masu ka?

Excuse me. May I ask you a question?// Excuse me. May I ask you for directions?
::Sumimasen, chotto o-tazune shimasu.

Where is______?
::_______wa doko desu ka?


{{Introduction}}

My name is .
::Watashi no namae wa ______desu

What's your name?
::Anata wa nan to iu namae desu ka?

{{If you're trying to explain you can not speak Japanese}}

I don't understand Japanese.
::Nihon-go wa wakari masen.

I don't understand.
::Wakari masen.

I can't speak Japanese.
::Watashi wa nihon-go ga hanase masen.

Do you speak English?
::Anata wa ei-go ga hanase masu ka?

{{Numbers}}

0-zero/rei
1-ichi
2-ni
3-san
4-shi
5-go
6-roku
7-shichi
8-hachi
9-kyuu
10-juu
11-juu ichi
12-juu ni
13-juu san
14-juu shi
15-juu go
16-juu roku
17-juu shichi
18-juu hachi
19-juu kyuu
20-ni juu

{{Making requests}}

Excuse me. May I ask you a question?
::Sumimasen, chotto o-tazune shimasu.

Please tell me how to use it.
::Tsukai-kata wo oshiete kudasai.

Would you do me a favor?//May I ask you a favor?//Can I ask you a favor?
::O-negai ga aru no desuga.

Can I leave a message?
::Dengon wo onegai deki masu ka?

Wait a minute, please.
::Chotto matte kudasai.

{{Questions}}

What?
::Nani?

Who?
::Dare?

When?
::Itsu?

Where?
::Doko?

Why?
::Naze?

Who is he?
::Kare wa dare desu ka?

Where are you going?
::Anata wa doko e iki masu ka?

How have you been?
::Saikin dou desu ka?

{{Weather}}

sunny
::Hare

rain
::Ame

snow
::Yuki

thunder, lightning
::Kaminari

fog, mist
::Kiri

wind
::Kaze

{{Things to say when you are in trouble}}

What do you think I should do?
::Dou sureba iidesu ka?

Somebody! Help!
::Dareka tasukete!.

{{Days of the week}}

Sunday
::Nichi-Youbi

Monday
::Getsu-Youbi

Tuesday
::Ka-Youbi

Wednesday
::Sui-Youbi

Thursday
::Moku-Youbi

Friday
::Kin-Youbi

Saturday
::Do-Youbi

{{Personal Questions}}

How old are you?
::Anata wa nan-sai desu ka?

Where do you live?
::Anata wa doko ni sunde imasu ka?

How many people are in your family?
::Anata no kazoku wa nan-nin desu ka?

What's you job/occupation?
::Anata wa nan no shigoto wo shite imasu ka?

Could you tell me your address?
::Anata no juusho wo oshiete morae masu ka?

{{Compliments}}

You are beautiful.
::Anata wa utsukushii.

You are smart.
::Anata wa atama ga ii.

You are a good cook.
::Anata wa ryouri ga jouzu desu ne.

That hairstyle suits you.
::Sono kamigata wa anata ni niatte masu yo.

You did a great job!
::Anata wa ii shigoto wo shimashita ne!

{{Asking for the time}}

What time is it now?
::Ima nan-ji desu ka?

What time does it start?
::Nan-ji ni hajimari masu ka?

What time is breakfast?
::Choushoku wa nan-ji desu ka?

What time are you coming back?
::Nan-ji ni modotte ki masu ka?

What time does it close?
::Nan-ji ni shimari masu ka?

--------------------------------------…
Phew o.o
Hope that helps you
Sorry if its too long >.<

Bye :)

Answer 2

Hi, i'm a canadian but, i spent 3 months in japan. some useful phrases that helped me out...

ikimasu = shall we go?

daijoubu = it's okay

daijobu desu yo = no problem

anatano ego wa totemo jouzu desu = your english is very good

(Japanese love to be told this... it's a nice thing to say, a lot are interested in learning the language.)

Watashino egao wa warui desu = my japanese is bad

gomen = sorry

gomenasai = really sorry

sumimasen = excuse me (very polite)

toire wa doko desu ka = where is the toilet

kore wa nan desu ka = what is this? (you can point)

egao ga hanasemasu ka = can you speak english?

watashino namae wa ____ desu = my name is ____

kirei = beautiful (you can use this a lot)

kawaii = cute

kowaii = scarey (be careful, they are similar but mean opposite things)

kaite kuremasen ka = could you please write it down?

Numbers =

ichi = 1
ni = 2
san = 3
yon = 4
go = 5
roku = 6
nana = 7
hachi = 8
kyuu = 9
jyuu = 10


11-20

jyuu ichi = 11
jyuu go = 15
jyuu kyuu =19

there's a pattern, easy

20 - 30

ni jyuu ichi = 21
ni jyuu go = 25

20-99 is a pattern too, very simple... say you want 54...its like saying, five ten four...or go jyuu yon.

Other things:

sai = age

So...

Watashino sai wa ni jyuu desu = I am 20 years old.


temperature:

atsui = hot

samui = cold (temperature)

tsumetai = cold (to the touch)

matta ne = bye

ja ne = bye

okarada wo taisetsu ni = please take care of yourself (not widely used, but very polite)

chotto matte = one moment

chotto matte o kudasai = one moment please

o onegaishemasu = also means, please.

I know a lot more but I can't really think of specifics, if you want more help you can email me at [e-mail]

Hope it helps you

Source(s):

3 months in japan, japanese friends