7 Useful Phrases All Japanese Learners Should Know

Its Saturday afternoon and youre talking with your language partner about last weeks episode
of your favorite Japanese drama.
Youre thrilled that the conversation is basic enough for you to even try adding some aizuchi in
there, polite Japanese interjections.
But then confusion washes over you. What did he just say? Youre lost now, and hes not sure
why. If only you knew how to ask him to say that phrase again more slowly, maybe you would
recognize a few of the words.
Or if he could write down the sentence so you could see the words, that would be even better.
But how do you ask that in Japanese?
No need to panic! These seven phrases will show you exactly what to say when you hear new
words and unfamiliar phrases, whether youre in Japanese class or getting directions from kind
strangers on the streets of Tokyo.

7 Useful Phrases All Japanese Learners Should Know

1. What does mean?
The most common way to ask the meaning of a word or phrase is by using
.
What does mean?
(wa do iu imi desu ka?)
It means
(to iu imi desu.)
If youre listening to someone explain the meaning of a word (or if you are explaining), then a
very useful phrase is (to iu imi).
is a particle thats used to quote something. Think of it as quotation marks for now.
(sometimes written as ) means to say.
Together, means called, as in a place called Tokyo.
Im from a place called Manchester, would be .
This is a dish called sushi, is .

What does mean?

(tte nan desu ka?)
(tte nani?)
In more casual situations, you can use , which has the same meaning as the above.
Are there any similar phrases in Japanese?
(Nihongo de onajiyou na iimawashi ga arimasu
ka?)
2. Come again?
Please say it again.
(mou ichido itte kudasai)
Could you please say that again?
(mou ichido itte itadakemasu ka?)
Im sorry. I didnt catch you.
(sumimasen. osshatta koto ga
kikitoremasen deshita.)
Could you say it a bit more slowly?
(mou sukoshi yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu
ka?)
Could you explain that in simple Japanese, please?
(sore wo yori kantan na
nihongo de setsumei shite itadaku koto wa kanou desu ka?)
A word that youll see often in this post is . In this situation, it means along the
lines of Could you?
For example: Could you please say that a bit more slowly would be
.

3. Can you write that down?

Please write it down.
(kaite kudasai.)
Could you please write that down?
(kaite itadakemasu ka?)
Could you write down what you just said?
(ima osshatta koto wo kaite itadakemasu
ka?)
Could you type what you said in the (Skype) chat box please?
([Sukaipu no] chatto
bokkusu ni nyuuryoku shite itadakemasu ka?)

4. Does it sound natural?

Does sound more natural?
(wa motto shizen ni kikoemasu ka?)
Which sounds more natural?
(dochira ga motto shizen ni kikoemasu ka?)
This is more natural.
(Kore wa yori shizen desu.)
This is also (more) natural.
(Kore mo [yori] shizen desu.)
Which of the following would sound natural in conversation?
(kaiwa dewa, tsugi no dochira ga yori shizen desu
ka?)
When can I use ?
( wa, itsu ieba ii n desu ka?)
5. Is it commonly said?
Is it common to use, ?
( wo, yoku tsukaimasu ka?)
Its a commonly used phrase in Japanese.
(sore wa, nihongo de yoku tsukawareru
fureezu desu.)
Which is more likely to be used in conversation?
(kaiwa dewa, dochira ga yori tsukawaremasu ka?)
What would sound natural in conversation?
(kaiwa dewa, dou iu ii kata ga shizen desu ka?)
In what situation should I use it?
(dou iu joukyou de tsukaemasu ka?)
In what situation do you use ?
( tte dou iu joukyou de tsukaimasu ka?)
used in conversation.
(wa kaiwa de tsuka imasu.)
isnt used in conversation.
(wa kaiwa dewa tsukaimasen.)
(wa kaiwa dewa tsukawaremasen.)
6. I dont know how to say this.
How should I phrase it?
(sore wo dou hyougen shitara ii deshou ka?)
Its the only phrase that I can come up with.
(sore wa watashi ga omoitsuku yuiitsu no
fureezu desu.)

If youre struggling to think of something to say, you can buy yourself time with
(ano) or (etto), which are used the same way that we use um and err in
English. Many anime and drama buffs will recognize these phrases!
7. Thank you!
Hopefully all these phrases will help you in class, or when youre having a conversation in
Japanese. Using such phrases will ensure that youre getting the most out of your studies! Lastly,
if youd like to thank your teacher, tutor, or whomever, you can use:
Thank you for everything.
(Iro iro to arigatou gozaimasu.)
I had so much fun! See you next lesson.
(totemo tanoshi katta
desu! mata tsugi no ressun de oai shimashou.)
I had a great time ( talking with you ).
([anata to hanasete] totemo tanoshi katta desu.)
I learned a lot today. Thank you.
(kyou wa taihen benkyou ni
narimashita. Arigatou gozaimasu.)
All of these phrases are necessary for any Japanese language learner, as they equip you to learn
new words with ease. Plus, theyll keep your conversations flowing without panic when talking
about the latest scandal in that Japanese drama that you love to watch!