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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Hello
Konnichiwa
kohn-nee-chee-WAH

How are you?
O-genki desu ka?
oh-GEN-kee dess-kah

I'm fine, thank you
Genki desu
GEN-kee dess

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

Good evening
Konbanwah
kohn-bahn-wah

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Goodbye
Sayonara
sye-YOH-nah-rah

Goodbye (informal)
Sore dowa
Soh-reh doh-wah

See you later
Matane
mah-tah-neh

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Thank you
Domo arigato
doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh

Please (when requesting something)
Onegai shimasu or Kudasi
oh-neh-gye shee-moss / kue-dah-see

Please (when offering something)
Dozo
doh-zoh

I understand
Wakarimasu
wah-kah-ree-mah-sue

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I'm sorry (use when apologizing)
Gomen nasai
goh-mehn nah-sye

Excuse me (use when interrupting)
Sumimasen
sue-mee-mah-sehn

I understand
Wakarimasu
wah-kah-ree-mah-sue

I do not understand
Wakarimmasen
wah-kah-ree-mah-sehn

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Yes
Hai
high

No
Iie
EE-yeh (last syllable is short)

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You
Anata
ah-nah-tah

Me
Watashi
wah-TAH-shee

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When
Isu
EE-sue

Where
Doku
doh-kue

---

How much is it?
Ikura
ee-khur-ah ka

One / two / three
Ichi / ni / san
ee-chee / nee / sehn

---

Cheers (toast)
Kampai
kahm-pye

Delicious
Oishi
oh-ee-shee

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