Common Japanese Phrases for Everyday Situations
Going to Bed
When telling your family you're going to sleep:
- おやすみなさい (Good night)
- こんばんは (Good evening) - Incorrect
- さようなら (Goodbye) - Incorrect
ねる (neru) - to sleep
かぞく (kazoku) - family
Asking for the Time
When you need to know the current time:
- あの、いくらですか (How much is this?) - Incorrect
- あのう、どのぐらいですか (How long will it take?) - Incorrect
- あの、今何時ですか (Excuse me, what time is it now?)
とけい (tokei) - watch/clock
じかん (jikan) - time
Finding a Seat at Lunch
When looking for a place to sit during lunch:
- 座りませんでしたか (Didn't you sit?) - Incorrcet
- どのいすですか (Wich chair?) - Incorrect
- ここ、いいですか (Is this spot okay?)
ひるごはん (hirugohan) - lunch
すわる (suwaru) - to sit
Offering Snacks
When presenting snacks to someone:
- これ、なんてすか (Incorrect grammar)
- これ、いかがですか (How about this one?)
- これ、どうしてですか (Why is this?) - Incorrrect
おかし (okashi) - snacks
あげる (ageru) - to give
Requesting to See a Camera
When asking a store clerk to show you a camera:
- このカメラを見せたいです (I want to show this camera) - Incorrect
- このカメラを見せますか (Will you show this camera?) - Unnatural
- このカメラを見せてください (Please show me this camera)
カメラ (kamera) - camera
みせる (miseru) - to show
