Basic Nihongo

On Pronouncing Japanese

While learning Japanese is known to be hard, the pronouncication , isn't so difficult to master.

As in English there are five vowels:

In following, there are few very basic Japanese words which allow basic communication.Learning these will be considered as polite behaviour in Japan.

Some expressions such as Oyasumi has suffix "nasai" which makes the expression more polite. Same happens when adding gozaimasu to end of the expression, or when adding domo as prefix.

About difficult ones

J is often pronounced a bit like z like in word nihonjin, or Fuji. Another strange is ryo, like in ryokan. Japanese often pronounce r like l which might seem quite special feature of Japanese language to you. That's why there is general debate whether you should say ramen or larmen. (laugh) Another thing you should remember that when u is in end of the word, it very rarely is pronounced. So please remember that so desu is like so des, aishite imasu is like aishte imas and hoka no iro arimasuka? is hooka no iro arimaska?. O is often long one, like in dozo and sometimes like ô . However, due to many possibilities of writing these, I've chose the simplest one, ignoring the long o. For example Tokyo is pronounced something like Tookyjo.

Words and Expressions

Greetings and common phrases

Aishiteruyo, or Aishiteimasu - I love you (Aishiteimasu is more serious expression)
Amari sukija nai desu - I don't like that very much
Chotto matte ne - Just a moment. (In formal occasion, replace ne with kudasai)
Denwa wa arimasuka? - Do you have a telephone? (did someone call me?)
Eigo wakarimasuka - Do you speak English?
Finrandojin desu - I'm Finnish
Jia mata, Jia ne - See you!
Konbanwa - Good evening
Konnichiwa - Hello, Good afternoon
Kore wa nan desuka - What is this?
Mata atode kakemasu - I'll call back later
Moshi- moshi - Hello, or is somebody there? (When answering telephone)
Nihon wa hajimete desu - This is my first time in Japan
Nihongo wa wakarimasen - I do not understand Japanese
Okotte imasu - I'm angry
Okotte ru - Are you angry?
Onamae wa? - What is your name?
Ote-arai wa doko desuka - Where is the washroom?
Oyasumi (nasai) - Good night
Sato-san desuka? - Mr/Miss Sato I presume?
Sato-san wo onegaishimasu - May I speak to Mr. / Miss. Sato?
Sayonara - Farewell (used when you are not going to see one for some time. Be carefull with this since it might give one wrong idea. Used also when lovers are separating.)
Shigoto de kimashita - I'm on business
So desuka? - really? Is that so?
Sukoshi wakarimasu - I understand little a bit

Yes or.. yes and other expressions

Onegaishimasu - Please (When asking someone to do something, or a favor. Kinda like go ahead.)
(Domo) Arigatou gozaimasu - Thank you (very much)
Do itashimashite - You're welcome (in reply to Thanks)
Dozo - There you go, please (Like please sit down, or when letting someone go first from door, or to show someone a way)
Dozo yoroshiku - Please be kind to me (used when meeting first time or introducing oneself. Usually at the end of self-introduction.)
Gochisosama deshita - Thank you, it was good! (after eating or drinking)
Hai - Yes
Hai, genki desu - I'm fine (You can also say in non-formal occasions like "Ok desu" or "genki")
Hajimemashite - Used when introducing oneself, kind of "How are you"?
Iie - No (but remember, used rather seldom)
Iie, Kekko desu - No thank you
Itadakimasu - Let's eat, before eating, kind of bon apetit in Japanese
Ogenki desu ka?, Genki? -How are you?
Osewani narimashita - Thank you for your kindness (literally, I'm in debt to you)
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu - Please, go ahead (when asking help from someone or favour)

Expressions of "we- spirit"

Atsui desu ne - It's hot, isn't it? (Usefull in Japan during summer! Ne!)
Daijobu desu ka? - Is it all right? Are you ok?
Ganbarimasho - Let's try our best
Ganbatte, ganbatte ne - Do your best! Good luck for work!
Kio tsukete (kudasai) - (Please) take care (when saying goodbye)
Odajini - Take care of yourself (to someone who's ill)
Oishii desune, or Oishii deshoo - Delicicious, isn't it? This is really delicious! (Good to remember)
Oisogashii tokoro (sumimasen) - Excuse me for bothering you when you are so busy
Otsukaresama (deshita) - Thank you for your hard work (we have worked hard, haven't we?)
Samui desu ne - It's cold, isn't it
So desune? - Don't you think so? Isn't it? Really?
Taihen desu ne - It's hard work, isn't it?

Family, Home

Ittekimasu - I'm leaving
Itterasshai - Please come back safe, in response to Ittekimasu.
Obasan - Grandmother
Ojiisan - Grandfather
Ojisan - Uncle
Okaeri (nasai) - Welcome back
Okasan - Mother
Okusan - Wife
Otosan - Father
Tadaima - I'm home

Going Shopping

Hoka no iro arimasuka? - Have you got another colour?
Kore kudasai - I'll take this
Kore wa ikura desu ka? - How much is this?
Motto ooki no arimasuka? - Have you got a larger size? (Or larger one?)
Motto yasui no wa arimasuka? - Have you got cheaper one?
Takai desune - Expensive isn't it?

Comments