Many basic Japanese phrases are too complex for short-term visitors to easily memorize. Fortunately, most locals would rather have foreign visitors use easy-to-learn versions than for them not to communicate in Japanese at all. The basic Japanese phrases below fit that bill.

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Top 10
Japanese phrases and words
to learn first

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Hello

Konnichiwa

kohn-nee-chee-WAH

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How are you?

O-genki desu ka?

oh-GEN-kee dess-kah

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Thank you

Domo arigato

doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh

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I'm sorry (use when apologizing)

gomen nasai

goh-mehn nah-sye

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Please (when requesting something)

Onegai shimasu or Kudasi

oh-neh-gye shee-moss / kue-dah-see

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Goodbye

Sayonara

sye-YOH-nah-rah

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Yes

Hai

high

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No

Iie

EE-yeh (last syllable is short)

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You

Anata

ah-nah-tah

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Me

Watashi

wah-TAH-shee

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Some more
Japanese phrases and words

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Cheers (toast)

Kampai - kahm-pye

Delicious

Oishi - oh-ee-shee

Excuse me (use when interrupting)

Sumimasen - sue-mee-mah-sehn

Good morning

Ohayo gozaimasu - oh-hah-YOH goh-zye-moss

Good evening

Konbanwah - kohn-bahn-wah

Goodbye (informal)

Sore dowa - Soh-reh doh-wah

How much is it?

Ikura - ee-khur-ah kah

I don't understand

wakarimmasen - wah-kah-ree-mah-sehn

I understand

wakarimasu - wah-kah-ree-mah-sue

I'm fine, thank you

Genki desu -GEN-kee dess

One / two / three

ichi / ni / san - ee-chee / nee / sehn

Please (when offering something)

Dozo -- doh-zoh

See you later

Matane - mah-tah-neh

When

Isu - EE-sue

Where

Doku - doh-kue

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