It’s easy to study a foreign language by cooping yourself up in your room and trying to memorize rules and words. But once you actually start using it, you realize that learning in isolation can only take you so far, and when actually speaking with natives you can really start learning the language. Traveling to a country where that language is spoken by the majority of the people there is generally the best way to do that.
In a post earlier this year I talked about how during a trip to Japan and how I was able to use Japanese in a variety of situations. In this article I wanted to use my experiences in Japan to present a list of suggested ideas for using Japanese for those who travel to Japan. I’ll also give some helpful phrases to help you use Japanese in various situations.
Note: regardless of the situation, I would highly recommend speaking with polite language (desu/masu).
- Talk to flight attendants on your way there
On most flights to Japan, at least a portion of the attendants speak Japanese to some degree. Even though interactions with flight attendants is often minimal, you can still practice some basic phrases during your flight.
For example, you can practice ordering drinks like:
- オレンジジュースください [orenji juusu kudasai]
- Orange juice please.
Of course, there will likely be opportunities to basic expressions of gratitude:
- ありがとうございます [arigatou gozaimasu]
- Thank you very much.
Sometimes the attendant will answer back in Japanese, or some others (even if they know Japanese) will respond in English. I’ve found that the better your pronunciation and degree of confidence, the better chance they will respond in Japanese, but regardless how they respond, just the act of speaking in Japanese will be good practice for you.
- Speaking in a taxi
Probably the best thing to know when getting in a taxi is how to express where you want to go:
- 銀座までお願いします [ginza made onegaishimasu]
- I’d like to go to Ginza please.
Though that is somewhat of a vague request, so you may want to show an address of the location you are going to. Or if it’s more of an exploratory thing you can try a phrase like this:v
- 近くの本屋さんまでお願いします。 (chikaku no honyasan made onegaishimasu)
- I’d like to go to a nearby bookstore please.
But besides basic conversation to request your target location, taxis are actually a wonderful environment to practice conversation. Not only are you generally alone (there is no big group of Japanese people listening to you), but many taxi drivers will make at least some effort to speak with you (it’s part of their job).
Also I’ve noticed that there is a wide range of personalities for Japanese taxi drivers, including some of the most rough personalities I’ve seen. So it gives you a good slice of life for what types of people are out there.
Taxis in Japan are generally quite expensive, but if used for short distance they can be a good tool for travelers.
- Asking directions in a train station
Japanese train stations can be pretty overwhelming in terms of how to purchase a ticket and how to get from point A to point B (and all the points in between).
Fortunately, nearly all stations will have a place next to the gate where there is one or more human attendants, and you can get in line and ask them questions. I did this on my last trip to good effect. Here is some phrases you can use:
- ここまで行きたいんですけど、どうやってチケットを買えばいいですか？ [koko made ikitai n desu kedo, dou yatte chiketto o kaeba ii desu ka?]
- Note: Make sure you point to a place on a map or address when saying this.
- I’d like to go here, but how do I purchase a ticket?
Tickets are often purchased using a number that represents the cost, but also the distance to the final destination (150, 220, etc.). Here’s a useful expression for that: (replace the station with the place you want to go)
- 秋葉原駅へ行くには何番のチケットを買えばいいですか？ [akihabara eki e iku ni ha nanban no chiketto o kaeba ii desu ka?]
- What number of ticket should I purchase to go to Akihabara station?
- Talking to tour guides
Paid tours that involve travel and explanation of notable locations can be good way to enrich your travels. Generally the tour guide will be a Japanese native who speaks in English, but they will usually be happy to engage in a conversation to help you practice Japanese (as long as they are not in the middle of describing a tour location).
You could start a conversation with:
- あの、ちょっと日本語で話していいですか？ (ano, chotto nihongo de hanashite ii desu ka?]
- Um, is it OK if I speak a little Japanese (with you)?
- Speaking at stores
While having a long conversation with a store employee is generally not a good idea (unless they seem bored and eager), asking them where to find something is perfectly natural and a good way to practice daily life Japanese.
- 長靴はどこですか？ [nagagutsu wa doko desuka?]
- Where are boots?
- Speaking at a restaurant
In Japan, especially in big cities, there are many places that have a ticket system where you can purchase food without ever speaking to a person. So if you want to practice ordering using Japanese, find a place that is a more traditional joint where you order with a live person.
You can start with a basic phrase like:
- アイスコーヒー、一つお願いします [aisu koohii, hitotsu onegaishimasu]
- One ice coffee please.
They may confirm the order and then ask “以上ですか？” [ijou desu ka?] which means “Are you done?” or “Is there anything else.” To that you can say simply “はい、以上です。” [Hai, ijou desu.]
Also it’s good to know phrases like:
- カードで [kaado de]
- (pay) via (credit) card
- 現金で [genkin de]
- (pay) via cash
- 店内でお願いします [tennai de onegaishimasu]
- I’d like to eat/drink inside please.
- お持ち帰りでお願いします [omochi kaeri de onegaishimasu]
- I’d like takeout please.
And if it is a sit down restaurant, there is always:
- お勘定お願いします [okanjou onegaishimasu]
- I’d like the bill, please.
- Speaking in maid cafes
Maid cafes, places where the cutely-dressed staff serves you, may seem like suspicious places, but as long as you research carefully before going I think it’s generally a safe place to go.
I went a few years ago to one with my family (including my son) and we talked for around 20 minutes off and on about various topics. Having a full conversation with a maid is beyond the scope of this article, but you can start a conversation with something like this:
- ここで働いてどれぐらいになりますか？ [koko de haraite dore gurai ni narimasu ka?]
- How long have you been working here?
- Talking on the street
You can always try asking people for directions if you are lost, though make sure you don’t do that at night in a suspicious-looking area. Here’s a useful phrase:
- この辺に銀行はありますか？ [kon hen ni ginkou wa arimasu ka?]
- Is there a bank around here?
- Talking when in need
Above all, this phrase is perhaps one of the most important to know:
- お手洗いはどこですか？ [otearai wa doko desuka?]
- Where is the bathroom?
Also you can use the more modern word トレイ [toire].
- Talking when really in trouble
If you are really in a bad situation (say you lost your wallet, are feeling sick, etc.), you can ask for the nearest police station.
- 困ってるんですけど、交番はどこですか？ [komatte ru n desu kedo, kouban wa doko desu ka?]
- I’m in a bad situation, where is a police station?
You can also use these phrases:
- お財布無くしました。[osaifu nakushimashita]
- I lost my wallet.
- 体調が悪いです [taichou ga warui desu]
- I am not feeling well.
- 子供が見当たりません [kodomo ga mitaraimasen]
- I cannot find my child.
And finally:
- 助けてください [tasukete kudasai]
- Please help me!
I hope this article gave you some good ideas and phrases you can use for your next trip to Japan. Please feel free to comment on any experiences you had trying to use Japanese in Japan.