language lurvlval kit

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Lonel, PIo_ Publi<otiono

Contents
HNod Off. .., PO ~e17 . Ho....bom, Vktorio 3122. A.........

-. US on-,.., PO 8M; 2001 ". Bork...,. CA 1141l'l2. USA

C<>Iornatt. H""lI Ko<oc

INTRODUCTION

PRONUNCIATION Vowelll - Ccnsonents

s
7

GRAMMAR Word Order - Verbs - Adjectives - 11

_. ~
Doooip. _

•
'w; ....
•
ClIrio T~
Ana J.tf...

AfII!~
Questions - Yes & No - Pronouns - Nouns-
Place Words - Partidea - Uh

GREETINGS & CMUTlES Formll of Address - Attracting 2Q

Someone', Attention - Greet ings - Welcome-
Meet ing People - Goodbre- - Thanking People -
Gifts - Other Civili t ies
CIllo KowI_
I ..

Joo_",,_.. oII SMAll TALK Family Terms - About Youn;eU - 2S

Nationalities- Some Useful Phr8lles
I5BSO_OO '-
I .J_ _ h
E<lclioIt.. '-~ . w..,..n.nu.
r • -Coa •• 'iceMd,...._. ACCOMMODATION Checking In - Checking O ut -
At the Laundry
33

_ .n::r~
o C pj.el... ' - I y PkoDd. 1_ GETTING AROUND TrainlI - On the BUll -lnstroctioM - 41
Some Useful Words - Some Ulleful Phrases

AROUND TOWN Addreaes - At the Post Office - so

At the Bank - Things to See & Do - Nightlil'e-
',po""...oIo<troE>io,
__
All

;' ij
.-itl>out'bo_po.",- ·
tz1lmOiI_ • ...,. _
.-...I. :iopo.noflhiopo;lllboMice _

_ . . . . ~. ........ _nt....
by ..., _
lot

oftbopubl_ .... :oop)nPt_

od. _
fartloo~of~.
iB.-.J
101O<• • ;".J
Emergenciea

INTHE COU~Y Animalll - Weather - Some Useful 59

Phrases - Place N amea

FOOD Mealtimes - Drinks - Fruit - Seafood - Egg -
Meal - Vegetables - Soups - Seasonings - Grains -
Miscellaneous Food - Some Useful Words -
Japanese Food - Some Useful Phrases
SHOPPING Bargaining - Shopping - At the Camera
Shop - Stationery - Clothes - Quantities-
Some Useful Phrases
HEALTH Allergies - At the Chemist - PI1rtII of the
Body - Some Useful Words - Some Useful Phrases
TIME & DATES Telling Time - Dates - Fest ivals -
Seasons
NUM8ERS Counters - Money - Measurements
VOCABULARY
Introduction
65
Virtually every citizen of Japan is an ethnic Japanese and
82 epeaksJapanese. A very et hnically homogeneous nat ion, the
only minorities in Japan are about 600,000 Koreana and the
few thousand Ainu of Holtkaido Wand. M OlIt of t he Koreans
were hruuKht to Japan as slave labourers between 1910 and
94 194fl when Korea was 8 Japanese colony. The ' round -eyed'
and bearded Ainu were t he original inhabitants of J apan but
were pushed into the te enorth by the Yamato people whowe
101 now think of as the .Iapaneee. Today there are Car more
foreign businesspeople in Japan than there are Ainu.
Even the most arrogant of the first western visitors to Japan
lOB remarked upon t he politeness of the Japanese. Although
Ja panese excl usiveness {we J apanese versus outsidelll') irks
113 many foreigners, the Japanese remain extraordinarily polite
toward visitors. The Japanese tend to be reserved but very
friendly and hel pful if you break the ice.
The Ja panese language is a mem be r of the Tungusic-
A1 taic language group which incl udes Mongolia n and
Korean. Japanese is structurally quite different from
Chinese. However, since t hey didn 't have a writ ing syste m of
their own, the Japanese began using Chinese characters
(kanji) bet ween the 5th and 9th centuries. In the 9th century
the J apanese devised a phonetic syllabary callf'd k tmQ to
supplement t he ideographic kanji with J apanese verb
inflections and particles. To make matte", even more
com plicated, two different kana syllabaries evolved:
hirogana for writing nat ive words an d katakana for writing
foreign words.
5
6 Introduction
Although some Japanese tend to be SUSpICIOUS of
foreigners who spea k t heir language too fluently, they
greatly appreciate any effort by Villitors to me their
language. Many J apanese speak at least a litt le English and
bewildered-looking foreigners will often be a pproached with
an offer of help.
This book is designed to help you t ravel independently
and to commun icate your needs and ideas without offence. It
is by no means a telt for learning t he complexities of
Japanese grammar. Learning Japanese is, however, very
rewarding and it is hoped t ha t this book will whet the
reader's appetite to learn more. For a humorous introduction
to t he Japanese language pick up a copy of J ack Seward's
JapalU!&e in. Actwn. (John Wea therhill Inc, New York and
Thkyo, 19(8),
Good luck in your t ravels. Umaku iku yo m!
Pronunciation
It 's fai rly easy for English speakers to pronounce J apanese.
There is a lllO very little varia nce in stress. Equal weight is
given to every syllable of a word unless it has a lengthened
vowel sound, in which case the durat ion of the sound is
doubled . Although pitch is important in Japanese, simply
following the pronunciation guide will allow you to be
understood.
Throughout this phrasebook you will fwd both Japanese
script and the romanised (romaji) form s of writing used side-
by-side. Although it takes some dedication to learn the 2000
konji necessary to read mOllt .Japanese writing, learning the
kana syllabariee (hirogana and lIatakana)ili a useful task
that can be done in a few days . Use the chart overleaf to
memorise them.
Vowels
,• all 'a' in ' fat her'
as 'I' in ' macaroni'
eau' in 'flu'
•" &II 'e' in ' get'
• as '0' in 'lot'
Vowelaappearinginthi!l book with a berover tbem (d, e, f, 0, a)
are pronounced long - about twice as long as regular vowels.
This is a vital d ifference, as anyone who bee confused komon.
(adviJler) with 1I0mon. (a nus) can tell you.
The 'u' in the co mmon polite verb dl'llu {am. is, are l is
muted and hardly pronounced at all.
8 Pronunciation Pronunciation 9

KATAKANA HIRAGANA

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10 Pronunciation
Consonants
CoMOnants are pronounced t he !I8III.e as in E nglish , with the
following except ions:
f where 'f", somet imes romanieed as ' h', appears in
romani&ed J apanese it should be pronounced much
lighter than in English - the easiest way to approximate
this J apanese aound is to PUJ'Sl' the lips and blow lightly
g if a 'NOrd starts with a 'e'. it is given a hard aound as in
'goal'; In the middle of a word it is often nasali!oed as 'n(
n given a more nasal90Und than in English when it occurs
l1ll a rmal consonant - otherwise like the ' n' in ' 00'
r pronounced with t he t ip of the tongue quickly
touching the ridge just behind the upper front teeth;
somewhere between an 'I' and an ' r'
s alwa)'1; given a hard sound as in ' Il8W'
Double consonants are pronounced as separate syllables.
kissatf!n (eoffee shop), for example, is pronounced as kia-aaten.
Grammar
"' -
Word Order
Unl ike English, where the word order is subject-verb-objeet,
t he word order of a J apanese sentence is s ubject-object-verb .
In other words, while in English we would say:
wbc hit the ball?
a J apanese would say the equivalent of:
INho t he ball hit?
In .peeeh, unnece sary words areomitted from the sentence .
The Japanese rely upon t he listener to determine t he
meaning by context. Often t he verb phrase is all t here is to a
sent ence, leaving t he listener to figure out woo is being
talked about .
Verbs
The verb is the most important part of th e sentence . The
.Iapenese pen chant for omitting superfluous information
ofte n leaves the verb clause 8S the entire sentence . Verbs
rema in unchanged no matter how many people are being
talked about. Thus ikimasu can mean: I go, you go, he (she, it)
goes, we go, and they go.
Politeness
Japanese verbs take endings that express politeness . The
addit ion of masu to a verb makes it bot h more polite and,
11
12 Grammar Grammar 13

fortunately for the non-native speaker, easter to conjugate. Negatives

Masu forms have been used t hroughout this book. For some To make most statements negative, replace desu (am, is,
examples of how they infl ect , set' the 'Tense' section . are ) wit h d<!wo orima.~el1 , sometimes, in informal J apanese,
contracted to jo arimasen.
Tanse
Verbs only have the present and past tenses. The future I am AUlit ralian .
tense is indicated by the present tense used in combination wotashi wo oautororiajin desu
with time indicating adverbs such 8!1 'nu t month'. I am not AUllt ralian.
Here are IIOme examples of how a few common verbs are wotashi wo l1&utorariajil1 deu;(J arima&E'11
conjugated:
The mosu ending, which is taken by all verbs other than
desu , can be made negative by replecing the su ending wit h
w..
WI<"
ik.
to come
polite endi~
I<"
ikimasu
rom.
pest tense
went
ikimashito
came
-""
doesn't go
ikimost'n
doesn't come
sen:
Tll[lf'ak ,Tapa m_.
wata.rn wa nihango 0 hana.rnma5u
'w. kima1lu
drink
kimashito
drank
kima&E'n
doesn't drink
T don 't s peak .la pa nese.

...
to drink wata.rn wa nihongo 0 hanashimasen
Mm.
to eat
taberu
... nomlmosu
tabemasu
nomimashita
tabemashita
nomlmosen
doesn't eat
tabema~en
Adje ctives
N, in English, adjectives (and adverbs) precede th e words
to ha ve have hod doesn't have they modify. T hus:
0'" aru nasu arimashita anmasen
A cheap hotel.
Desu Negative
We can t hink of desu as roughly equivalent tothe verb 'to be' In the negati ve, the i ending is replaced by ku and the verb
in English, eg: arimasen added. Thus:
I am Australian. watashi wa OSutorariajil1 This hotel isn't cheap . kOM haleru wo
de5u yasuku arimO.f('11
14 Grammar Grammar 15

Questions Yes&No
A ka at the end of a sentence indicates a yes or no question. Theword fortno' is iie . However, in mOllt ~ ituat ions. asimple
Simply add the particle ka after the verb. Thus: iie willllOUnd brusque to the Japanese. Make your 'no' a little
more polite:
This is a cheap hotel. kare u:a yasw hoteru dellu
Is this a chea p hotel? kere wa yasw hoteru desu ka ? fm 110fT)', but no.
For more specific questions the following question words are Th say 'yeti' , you can either say hai or hai followed by the verb
used: in the question. You will also hear the lesa emphatic ee.

who who are you? Are you Australian? anata wa ~ut()I'QriGjin dnu ka ?
dOtwta (polite) donata desu ka ? Yes, I'm Australian. hai, rlsutororiajin desu
dare (informal)
which which one is it? Pronouns
dochiro (polite) dochiro desu ka ? Personal proeouna aren't used 8.Il often in Japanese as in
dare (informal) English . They areoften omitted if they are obvious from the
what what are you doing? context. AIIIO, although the word for 'I' is romanised as
=n' nam a sm'te imosu ka t watakushi, you are more likely to hear and U8e the lllightly
=rn lese formal watashi when you are interacting with Japanese.
where where is it? Add the polit e suffix wa to pronouns when talking about
doko doko desu kat others. Note the J apanese have no word for 'it', an d t hat t he
when when are you going? pronouns ' be' (k are) and 'she' (k arwjo) are more often than
itsu itsu ikimasu kat not replaced by ph rases meaning ' that person'.
how how is it? (what's it like'l ) When spea king of people t he suffix tachi can be added to a
do do desu ka ? pronou n to ind icate plurality.
How many
ikutsu I, me watokushi
How much how much is it? yon anota
ikura ikuro de.'''' ka t he, she (that person) arw hita
Why ~, us watakushitochi
naze you (plural) ana tatachi
·nan before b, p , d , t , n, r, e, and nani before ethers they (thOIll:' persons) OM hitatochi
16 Gram mar Grammar 17

Demonstratives Place Words

Pronouns begin ning with lw refer to 't his t hing' or 't his These common place words a re used after nouns to indicate
place '; pronouns beginning with so refer to 't hat thing' or relat ive location;
'that place' close to t he person you are addressing; pronouns •
beginning with a refer to 't hat p lace' or 't hat t hing' at a above ........ nouern
distance from both speaker and listener. behind .... ....no lUhiro ni
beside . no sobo ni
t hislthese front ........ no mae 111
that/tho&e (d Ofle to you) inside ........ no naka ni
thatJtholle (far from you) outside ........ no sota ni
beee under ........ no shita ni
there [cloee to )"Ou) oppoeite ........ no muk(l ni
there (far from you ) inside t he station
inside the station eki no naka ni
Nouns oppceite t he bank ginM no muM ni
"apanest' nouns don't indicate number ; shvkudd can mean
' a restaurant", ' t he restaura nt', or ' restaura nts'. The listener Particles
has to use context to guess how many resta ura nt... fire being In Je p e neee, a number of perticlee attach them&elvea to
talked about. The major exception is when spea king about word s and phrases in order, basically, to indicate t he
people. See t he ' P ronouns' section. relat ionship of the preceding word to the word or words that
follow.

W8
,
The particle wo indicates that the preceding noun is the
. . ~
. . I subject of the sentence:
- '"
-, ',

,
'

" ,
~
/"
,.;
I am an Aust ralian. wotakushi wo o.~uto rariajill desu

#~
I wo Aust ralia n a m .

nO
The particle no, placed between nouns, indicates tha t the
second noun belongs to the first :
 18 Grammar Grammar 19

This is my luggage. kore wa watakUl<hi no

nimotsu desu
•
The particle e indicates movement towards a place:
This lO(J I no luggage is.
I'm going to Japan. mhon e ikimt;J&u
o Japan ego.
A word followed by 0 , is the object of the sentence:

I sJX'ak Japanetle. watakwhi IVQ niJumgo 0

htJruuhim(Uu
I wa Japanese 0 speak.
N~ t~lIt this ie; different to the 0 used 8Jl II polite prefiz,
which III the equivalent of saying 'honourable Don't
add the 0 when sJX'aking of your own situation.
How are you? o-genki desu .110 1
ahealt hiskQ ?
.. ~
The particle kara indicates movement away from a place:
I'm going from Japan nihon kara chukoku e
to China. ikimo.sl.l
Japan kara China e go.
Uh
You will no doubt often hear the words ano and eta during
your stay in J apan. They are not actually words, but the
Je penese equivalents of the E nglish ' uh'.

"'
The particle ni ind icates location:
Uh, I don't know.
Uh, excuse me.
ano, wakarimasen
eta, sumimasen
I live in J apan. nihon ni su nde imasu
Japan ni live,
d.
The particle de indicates activity in a location:

I am travelling in J apan . nihon de ryoktJ shite imasu

Japan de travel doing am ,
 Greetings & Civilities 21
Greetings & Civilities
Greetings
There is no real all purpose word for 'hello' in Japanese.
Rather t he Japanese use a number of different expressions at
different times of the day:
Forms of Address
The J apanese equivalent of' Mr', 'M rlI', or 'M iss' issan. lfsan Good morn ing.
all-purpose polite 6uffix that should be added on to the family ohayO gozo lmalfu tH J: J:: ? .: ~ p 1: "'t
name. A person whose fam ily name is Watanabe should be Good afternoon.
addressed as watanabe-san . The titlesama serves the same konflichiwo .:.A l: t;. h
purpose aS6an but is more formal. Never refer to yourself or Good evening.
anyone in your immediate family 8lI ••••••••.'lOn as this konbanwo .:. A li A It
address is reserved as a means of showing respect to others. Hello (on the telephone)
M06t Japanese have a two-part name consisting of a m08hi moshi ;, ";, "
family name and a given name. Traditionally, the fam ily
name precedes the given name in writing or speech, but, Welcome
since many Japanese switch the order to accommodate An important greeting you will hear when you enter Jap.snese
foreigners , it is best to ask which is the family nameuyou are homes, 6hops, restaurants, even lifta is iro.sMwimase
unsure. Do not eddress acquaintances by their ginn (welcome). There is no need to respond .
names.
Very important words in Japanese are dtJzo (please ) and Meeting People
arigatOgozaima.su (t hank you) - use them liberally. Daeo When meeting for the Iirst time, the Japanese have a
can be used in sit ua t ions such 8lI inviting someone to be number of expressions which correspond roughly to the
seated or to enter a doorway before you. Angotti gozo imasu English expressions 'how do you do' and ' plea sed to meet
can be shortened to ongaW and is often used in conjunction you'. The speaker accompeniee hiJllber introduction with a
with demo, bow.
Attracting $omeone 's Attention
If you need to attract eomeone'e attention, the Japanese
equivalent ofexeuse me' is . umimasen . Before approaching
someone for assistance of any kind it is polite to preface your
question with thiaexpreseion. In shop8 it is possible tocall for
attention with gom~n kudO$Oi .
eo
22 Greetings & Civilities Greetings & Civilities 23

How do you do. Excuse me . (literally,

hajiml'mashill' dOzo l.:t C;.() ;{ L -C G oJ "€' 'I' m going to be rude ')
yoroshiku J:. J'..l L < shitsuNi shimasu ~d L L;t9
How do you do . (reply) 1 have to go.
haji memashite kochiro II C;.() t L 'r .:. .Ij ~ .: t- oitomashim asu :a ~ ' c a:: L ;t 9"
koso yoro.~hiku Jo<SL,<
Pleased to meet you.
yoroshiku onegaishi mosu J::. 0 L <.:t:;nl:l~~ \ L ;t 9" Thanking People
Japanese has a nu mber ofways of exp ressing gratitude, the
simplest of which being domo (t hanks ). More polite is the
Japanese has a greet ing that is the equivalent of 'how are
expression arigafe' gozai masu. You will often here the two
you?' , but it is wed far 11'118 frequently than in English. A!; a
exp ressions piled on top of each other, domo ariga fe'
general rule. you should only au someone if you have not
seen them for seve ral days : gozamwsu.

How are you? Gifts

ogeM i dnu ka ? :aJi: "'(' "tn' It is common for depeneee people to give gifts as an
How are you? (formal) expression of gratitude for favours or whe n parting with
goki~n wa !kaga desu ka ? fIItlltll;t ~ 1!J-niT-, n> friends. In formal situations t he recei ver often unwraps the
Fine, and you? gift when the giver 1wIleft .
okagesa mode......... ii!J'lf~;tT ~ A, t;t
(name) salt wa? Please accept this gift .
tsumanm ai mono IUSU "? t .:. i';' L' t:J ""(> T n{,
Goodbyes ga, aoeo C? t'"
Goodbye . It ·s nothing special.
saydnaro ~ .t oJ f1 ~ taishita mottO t:.L \ L t: ttl t'U.:
See you later/aga in. deu!a arimasen j)1') ;t1:tA.
jo mota I; >(>;t t: Thankyou very m uch.
Goodnight. aomo ariga co gozai masu C? t>j) t) n~ c ?
oyasu mi na3lJi 1:ij..f..:h i';' ~ L' '::~L' £ T
Other Civilities
Ifyou have to break off a conversat ion or take your leave from I'm happy to meet you .
company, the polite thing to say is: Iwji ffU'mashite
24 Greetings & Civilities
Small Talk
Please.
(when presenting something)
d. ro
Please.
(when asking for something) Outside C05mopolitan Tokyo, don 't be surprised to be
onegoi wmasu approached by college-aged Japanese or young StIrorimen
1'\0. (salarymen ) wanting to strike up a conversa t ion. Although
mOlJt Japanese are reluctant to try out their English or risk
"'
y~. an embarrll.8llingsituation with a foreigner, then desire to be
hoi helpful will often overcome then reserve.
You're welcome. One ofthe meet effective icebreakers you can use to meet
dd ito.shimashite c ?Pt,: L;t vr Japanese (and vice versa) is tc ask them totake yow picture
Excuse me. in front of something, anything. Approach t hem with your
sumlmast'n TJt.a.;--ttA. camera, smile and say sumimll$('n (exC\l1ll:'.' me), and point at
1'111 SOITY. your C"8 m('r8 and the n at your nolle (t he way .Ia panese signify
gom-E'n nasal :::li)A.rJ~L' ' me'). Thill invariably results in much emil ing, bowing, and
Do you u nders tand? exploratory chit-chat if you follow t he picture taking with
wakanmasu ka ? h f.I> I) ;t T [I' any of the following qu estions:
I don 't understan d.
WIlkarinwsen o o- lJ "1 tt A. Are you a student?
I understand . anata wa gakWlei
wakanmasu *) f.I>lJ 3: T desu ka?
Be careful. Where are you from?
ki 0 Isukete kudasai dochira hare
T his is M r, M rs, Millll .. ..... . irashaimashita ka ?
Iwchira wa son desu Are you on holiday?
kyaka desuka ? tf; ItU t'" T I)'
Have you bee n here before?
mae ni koko ni kita koto jfij I:'::' t: I: :.K r: c c f.I{
go arim asu ha? .t> I) £ -.... f,I'

25
26SmaU Talk Small Talk 27

Foreigne rs are eocommon in Tokyu, Chalta, Kobe, and Kyoto mother

t hat you probably won't attract a second glance in these (one's own) haOO
cities. Outside these major cities, however, you may tum a (ot hers' ) okasan
few heads. The depeneee word for foreigner, gaijin , may be husband
munnured by peseees-by, or screa med by surprised (one' s own ) shujin :£},
motorists. (others' ) goshujin .:."":1:J,
If you wish to beckon to someone, gest ure wit h t he palm wife
facing down and the fingers fluttering up and down - never (one's own) t suma .1i:
beckon or point wit h one finger. It would be a faux pall of (others') ok m an .t:;<i5A-
equal magnitude to address someone by t heir given name. friend oto modachi :til.( t: t;,
Always use the penon's fa mily name, preceded by a title
such as Mr, Mrs or MillS. About Yourself
Expect to be asked Quest ions about your age, wha t company
you work for and how many children you have. Learn a few
phrases t hat tell others a~ut ~lf. Incidentally, ~ ~
acquaintance you bump mto says whe re are you gomg .
dochirn e ? it 's a com mon greeting and you aren't expected to
gh'c an explanation - a reply such RA 'j ust dO"Tl the street ' ill
polite.

Meeting People
May I es..k your name?
o-na mae wa rum dpsu ka? :t:i ft Iii! 1J.:.fnI T.: -t tp
Family Terms Myname is. ....... v '
Modesty is a great virtue in J apan and ill expressed not only namae wa deSll r llil)l1 ... "('··t
by action but also by vocabulary. There are different words How old are you?
for what is yours a nd what is anot her's. Special respect words o-iklltsu desu k a? tH' <"J"t'-tIJ>
are used when speaking of another penon's relatives. (to children)
nansaidesuko ? (oIjJt-r-TI;>
father ( to adults)
(one'. own) chichi Please repeat that . t> ") - 'ft L '''J r f ~ ~,
(others') otdB(ln m6 ichido itte kudWllli
28 Small Talk Small Talk 29

Could you speak a little doctor

more slowly p lease? isha
mottoyukkuri ni hanashite t '?c -:0<
I') IJ l':~~ L Z haird resse r
kudasaimasu ka ? Fa: p ;t T n' biy6shi
Are you married? journalist
kekkon shite imasu ha ? "'lj l!i~ L l ~ 1J: Tn> jdnarnuto
Yes, I am . lawyer
ee, hekkon shih! imosu ;t;t .t~ Wi L ZP £T bensoshi
No, I'm still single. police officer
iie, modo dokushin des u ~l ~l ;:t . £:t':¥.I!-!f l-T keisatllukan
post office wor ker
Do you have any children? yumn haitatllujin
okosangairasshaimowJw? secretary
hi...
No. ne, lmllSE'n student
y~. hoi, imosu §akUM>i "'t
"0" hitori irntuu teacher
two {utan imasu ky6shi ftilli
three $(Jn nln Ima"u waiter
ueita ?..T.-f ?-
Occupations wait ress
'Wbat is your occupation? ueitorellu
o-shigoto wo nan desu ka ? tift 'I~ u.fiir l- T n'
I'm I . Religion
watakushi wo desu Co Il ""('-1" I am .
artist watakushi u:Q•••.•••• desu t.'. ll l' T
~ijuuuka ~ fti'¥ Buddhist
businessperson bukkyo I..d 'J.
bijinelluman ~ ·.f;f. A7/ Christian
carpe nter kimU10 k)'O ~ I} .A H'J.
daiku Catholic
katoriku kyo 11~ lJ7*
30 Small Talk Small Talk 31

J ewish Soviet Union

yudaya kyo -x. Y -t *- W~n

Muslim Sweden
isuromu kyo -{ :J.. '7 ~*- slddf'n :J.. ? ;%.. - r /
Swit zerland
Nationality
Where are you (rom? UK
.~" "' 1'"
doko karo kimashita ka ? C'::' fp ~* ;1 L t; n' igirisu 1 -'¥ ') :J..
USA
Australia
O&utororia
Belgium
'* -:J.. ~ '5' I) 7 amerika 71"')11
berugi « Jl,- ;f" fMliogti
Canada I am """.<

kanada 11 1" 9' wotakwhi wo. " " ...

Denmark tired
dl:'nmQku 7/7-7 tsukaremashita
Germany happy
doitsu ,.... -{ -;; ureshii dcsu
France ud
furoTlJlu 7 7" "/ :J.. kanashii desu
Holland
orondo
Italy
* '7/ 9' sleepy
Tl('mui desu
scared
w.H 11' -r
itorr 1 7 ') - kowai dl.'su .:. h ~ 1 'Z.' '4"
Indie lost
indo 1/ ~. michi ni illl :ili~ lt L f:.
Ireland mayoima.>JUta
oirurondo 7 -{ )v'7 :.- ,.... sick
Japan by(jki desu
mhon [J 4-:
New Zea la nd
nyajirondo '::' ..1 ~ '7- '7 / "'.
32 Small Talk

I am .
Accommodation
watakushi no . /.'.0)
hungry
onoka ga 8ukimashita :t:i r~ fJ'fJ ~T ~ 3; L t:
t hinty Travellers have a choice between western-st yle hotels or
"",,,go (J)c.fJ'fJ·h~ $ t."t:.. Japanese inns as well as a wide range of prices. Count on
kawakimashita finding English·speaking staff only at t he larger and more
expensive hotels and inns.
Som e Useful Phrases For a taste or t rawl Japanese style try a Japanese ryokan
'Where are you going? or a mituhuku. The ryokan is the tradit iona l up-market inn
anato wo doko ni tha t westemere generally picture when they think or a
ikimasu ka ? Japanese hceseor inn. These arethe inns ~th sliding door,s,
Do you speak English? kimono-clad ladies, and reed milt (totorm) floon . The maid
eigo 0 IwnashimQ$u kaT ~Z!H:~ L £: 1'" /). lays out yow bed (futon ) and brings meals to your room -
What did you lillY? delightful touches but ones for which you will pay dearly_
nani 0 oJuJinwt;hita ka ? M ~oL -Nl£: Lt:..fJ' Budget travellers go for the lese elaborate Ie mily-opereted
I don't know. minshuk u.s. The service isn't es soltcuccs, and the food isn't
wakariml18(>n bfJ") t '1:t A.
No.
,.
Yes.
as good as in a ryokan but the room rates are quite
comfortable. Guests do not have a choice over the menu in
either t ype of inn - accept what is served. A minshuku
usually features a common dining area and a set. mealt ime.
hoi I.t ~ 1 Since foreigners are sometimes turned away from both types
What's the matter? of J apanese inns, it is best to make reservations through a
nanika mandai go *"
fOr tpr.:JUl t; { a; lJ "f" tJ' tourist information office.
arimasu ka ? Hotel and inn bills include a service charge. T ippingis not
....'beee is the restroom? necessary but is acceptable if extraordinary service has been
atearoi wo doko desu ka ? ;6 rlt~ IIi c :. L'" --r tp provided.
What is this called?
c
kare wo nan to iim asu ka ? .: tLliM ~ l~ l"£' T fJ> Where is a ?
........doko desu ka ? ...c.:.. -C°TfJ'
""'I
hoteru * j-}L-
33
 3-11 Accommodat ion
Acco mmodation 35
m,
Could I Bee the room?

""'"
yout h hostel
yasu lunuleru .:L-;1..*Aj"JV
heya 0 misete
kudaS(JimC1$U ka ?

Watch out for hotels sporting garish architecture and pink or

purple neon signs - these are 'love hotels' with hourly rates. If
It', too small.
chiisa .ugirrnJsu
It', too no isy .
'J'"", 0', . .
you arrive after 10 pm you can often get a low rate on a urUSll 'ugimasu ~o!>';"'t"$"'1:"'t"
bizarrely decorated room for the night. This is fine .
ko~ wo ii de"u .:. tlli p ~ , "'{'"'t"
Checking In
Do you have
.
?
., I'll be staying .
........ taizoi IfhimClSU ...1IIl1t L , ...
..,.
··· ·····80. anmosu
e rco m

a single room
0..
one night
hitobon
two nights
.O!!.

"hinguru nlmu ~/7'"Jv )V-J..

{utabon =O!!.
a double room three nights
dabu ru ram u mikka _ 8
!J' 7' )v )v - J..
a few nights
a room with a bath
basu r"uki no heya / {.:J, {·t ~ O);{1;M ni san nichi .::.: _.: EI
one wee k
How much per night? isshakan
ippoku woo ihura desu ka?
I don't ha ve a reservation . I' m not su re how lonR
yoyaku shite imasen I' m st aying.
Don 't you have anything nan nichi tomo ruka forH C: ~ ~tl'£ r:
cheaper? m odo wokarimasen hlJ> lJ 1:"tt It.
motto YC1$ui no IVa
arimase'l ka t Where ill the ?
That's too expensive. .. ...... woo doko desu 1m ? '.toE.:. Z'"'t"IJ>
sore WlI Ulka sugiru desu ga lift (elevator )
ereblt4 .I..v"'-"::-!1_
36 Accommodation
Accommodation 37
bathroom
otearoi 1> To M: p supper (dinner)
'/il.
Ian
IIf'npaki tr A .S: -) ~
>""""'"
the bill
hotel o-kanjO 0 o-negai 1>WJ'.l£-z1>IM PL£T
hoferu *7 n- Ulimasu
mn
ryokan Mf: fi:
lock Some Useful Words
JOmae ~iIiJ air-conditioning
rej~
toilet
benjo fil! rn ashtray
haizara
I would like . chair
.. ...... SO fwshi i TU) de~u ga • •• IJ>W; L, l 1O) r "t IJ> ,,"
clean
blanket
miJfu (;;/fi hirei
towel curtain
t/1Q'-U 7 * 11.-
katen
dirty
ecme ice
hor! * d~
kitanai

May I have ? to
...... .. 0 itadakema.su ka ? ... z ~ vt: t!.lj £. "t IJ. expensive

"'.ocha 1> ~
takai
heating
danb6
a menu
menyu .J. =" .;l. _ hot water
ti »
breakfast
cMshoku ¢"ijft '0,"""
kagi ill
lunch
chashok u 1:1- it laundry
<~f'n taku Ik i~
38 Accommodat ion Accommodation 39

light bulb Can I leave my stuff with

denkya ', l ~~ you unt til ... ......'
mirror ........ made watashi no ... H' fL."' !')'" ~
kagami >:! ninwtsu 0 azukatte ~ -f tpry -r ~ 1f::. t: t1 1: "'ttp
newspaper itedakemasu ka r
shin bu n Ili flU this afternoon
noisy ",go 'H{
yakamashi ~I.l' '-; Lt1 this evening
pillow konban "r ot
makura It
sleep (v) Could I have the bill?
nemuru 1I{{.l o kOlijO 0 o-negai ~himo~u r t; KJJ~~t;IM P L ;t "'t
stay (v) Would you get me a taxi?
taizai suru it'll'(l: ,. .Q takushi a yande 7 :7 ;.,. ~ ~- A. '"('" F <': ~ 1
~p kuda8Qimasu ka l
!Wkken ttry ttA.
towel
At the Laundry
tooru

Checking Out
'* " blouse
burausu 7'77 ;).
I'm checking out ........ button
.. ... __. tochimasu .. .t::'~ iT boton *" 7:"'-
now cleaned
,mo "r kuriningu .hita :7 I) ::.. :".- :7' L r:
midday handkerchief
hiru 11 fw.nJmchifu J~:"'- 11 7 - 7
tomorrow ironed
/1$hito '!Illi oiron shito -r 1'D:".-Lf:.
tomorrow momina: pants
osu no 0.<0 ItII u 0)«'1 tubon ;(;f- :".-
press (v)
pureeu suru 7 v .7..T{,
 I
40 Accommodation
Getting Around
pullover
puru obd 71V * -/{-
shirt
waishauu ? 1 'i"\"J
skirt Japan bas one of the best public t ransportation systems in
sukato ~tJ-1­ tbe world . You should have no need of a private car since
socks te xis, buses, subways, and tra ins can quickly get you to any
k utsushita <? "f cornet of the count ry . Getting around is eesy if you can
underwear pronounce the name of your destination,
shitagi L., to: ~. Taxis can be hailed anywhere, hut are most eesily found in
zipper front of hotels or at taxi stands. Watch out for the a utomat ic
chakk u 7- "'f 'J '7 doors on taxis, Stand back and let the driver open and dose
the door.
Some l/$eful Phrases Finding a tui out ofone of the entertainm ent dist ricts late
k there a la undry nearby? at night will be difficult. Everyone is t rying to lind a taxi, a nd
wntr.Ruya wa c:hiJcak u ni i"til:!f li l l <I: ~ I) ;! it may be nee:e.ary to bold up t woor t hree fingers to indicat e
arima.su ka f Tn- that you a re willing to pay double or triple t he metered fare.
I need it today. Otherwise, don 't t ry to bargain for taxis [except for
k yO irima.~u 'i'n~\IJ 3: --r occasional long-distance taxi tri ps) , Taxis are always
I Deed it tommorrow.
ashita irimasu
Can you mend th is?
IYHl 'J.:.i n *""t metered.
Use the subways in Tokyo and Osaka; they're quicker and
cheaper than the taxis. Obtain a subway route map with t he
«ore a tsukurott e .:. .t1 ~ ~.:J <"5 ?"'C ~ 1 to: t':~:t stations written in both English and Japanese.lfyou get lost
itadakemasu ka? £: i- I)' just look for a Japanese person who doesn't seem to be in a
Please iron this. hurry (hard to lind) and point to your destination on the
airon 0 kakete k uda.sai 71 [1 / ~fl' l:tt" f" ~~, map. Japanese are invariably very helpful to disoriented
foreigners . Subway lines are colour coded and most stations
have a route map with romanillf'd names posted near t he
ticket vendors,
Subway t ickets and sbon-distance train t ickets are 9OI.d
from ticket machines at the stations. Long-distance train
tickets must be purchased at t icket windows, Unlike the

"
-
42 Getting Around Getting Around 43

subways, train s~tiollll usually do not have a romanised Trains

vel'8~on ~ the t ra m system posted. Simply write down your If you are t ravelling long distance by train there is qu ite a
destination and show it to the ticket lleller.lfyou tak e one of wide range of choices, depending on how flUlt and how
the super-speedy bullet tra ins (shinkoruen ) be aware that comfortable you would like )"OUr t rip to be. You will see the
there are two t~: th~ ktx!0ma which mak es frequent following kinds of t rain:
stops, and the hikon which Zips put the leseer stations.
F"?,!! town to town you can also go by bus. Buses are air- bullet t rain
cond itioned and COmfortable, although leg-room may be a ahinkansen
problem for tall passengers. limited express
tokyll
Where is the ? ordinary express
........ wo doko desu ka ? kyakO
train station local traiM
eki !utsrJ
bus stop
basu teiryujo Local trai n fares represent a base to which additional
airport amounts are added in keeping with the speed and comfort of
kako the train you are travelling on .
ticket office
kippu uriba first class
subway st ation guri nsha
chikatetsu IW eki reserved
shiteiseki
When is th e ........ bus? unreserved
....... . btuuwaitsu desu ka? .. . I \:J I;H \-:>1: q- n' jiyase ki
fint
shiluitsu ~~
next
tsugi IW ;;00)
last
soishu an
 44 Getting Aroun d
Getting Around 45
BllYing TICkets
Where can I buy a ticket wbtcb linedo Itake for ?
to ? ........ 1'Ii iku. ni W<I noni
........ y uki no kippu wa
doko de kaemlUlU ka ?
n c .: "'('
.. .fj ~ 0) t;r) 1.1 .sen ni nottara ii desu ka ?
'ho ich exit do 1 need
'R;t a:: "'t f.l' for ?
Howmuch is thefare to ?
........ made iku ra desu ka? ...
"* '"(' ~ ' < G -C·""tf.l>
........ e iku ni wa dono ..." n < '':'icOnll ut;!.:
Single. deguchi wa ii desu ka ? I I ~ 1 "'('"'t ;/),
katamichi Jtil!
Return. Where is the exit?
Ofuku. Ill!! ........ gochi wo doko
Can .1.buy a t icket on the day? desu ka l
to)luuke1'l W(I arimlUlUka ? ~ B 1; u . if:, I'J "* 9" f.l> east
higashi.
On the Train west
Does t his t ra in go to ? nishi
kono defl...ha wa e north
ik imasu ka ? kita
Where do I change for ? south
..... ... e W(I doko de c
..."Ii c: -C- -JIi< lJ mmaml

, . •.
norikaemosu. ka l
1.8 the next station
S"Cl no e I wa
desu ka l
.
?
f.l' A."*
"'t f.l'
On the Bus
Where can I get a bus to
.... .... yuki no basu. wa
?
IT ~ 0) I'{ .A. It c .:. -r-
Where are we now? doko de noremasu ka ? ~h. a:: 9 f)'
How much iIII It . to ,.
ima doko desu ka l
In the Subway
... ..... madeihuro desu ka l
Will you t ell me when we
* -r-~ \ <G "'('9n'
Do you have an English getto ?
subway map? ........ go kita ra oshiete
eiga no chikotetsu no kudasaimasu ka?
chi zu ga arirnlISu ka ?
46 Getting Around Getting Around 47

Instructions Directions
Let 's go! go straight ahead .
ikimm ho f ~ l~ £ L J; -j mQ$.'lugu ni i ttl! kudoslJI
Please hurry. north
hayak u jtt~ kudasai it< ~)..,"'( ~'tH) kito
Please alow down. south
motto y ukk uri ni t .., c. I') ") < IJ ~ 1 -:> "'(
•
itt~ k uda&ai F j. ~ 1
nunaml
eest '"
P leese stop.
tomatt~ kudQ&a j
Please wait here.
hi""'"
.-
koko dl! matt ~ kudQ&aj

Please go W ...••.••
'"""
Pleeee tum .
........ ni magatte kudasoi
........ ni ittl! kudmai ...I': P ..,"'( F j. p l' ft
airport hiaori
o/'v ,:t,
kako "-~ right
this addn>ll8 migl Ii
kono jllJiho .; O)(trli
the bank locations
ginko ilHT above
t he embassy ue nI
taishikrm ), f~ ~I\ behind
city hall W!hiro ni
shiyakW!ho rlj fl:Ffr be low
the ma rket shito ni
ichiba rl iJ<!,.} here
stadium koko
kyogijo UH "l next to
university tonan nI
daigoku A:~f: opposite
mukai ni
48 Get ting Around Gett ing Around 49

over there
tim etable
alJOko jikokuhY"
there train
~ko
densha
Some Useful Words Some Useful Phrases
alley Can we go on foot?
yo,",,"" fu r aruite iku koto ga 1'~ '-CP< 'I~IJ{
bicycle dekinuuu ka ? ""('" ~ it: 1" IJ>
jiterWw ~~ 'f': It's too far.
car td ,ugiml1.'lu iii:"'t ~. 3: 1"
jid<JMa (JllJjfi I want to go to the hotel.
conductor hote"" ni ikitai desu *- T )v I.: p ~ t.: p ""('" "'t
shasM (, a rJ) '~ 1: ( ' ''' ) I want to get off at .
fM ...""('" r4 l) t: ~ ' Q) ""('" 1"
,,"
garage
........ df' oritai no desu
1 wa n t a ticket to
........ please.
sharikdjd
mec hanic
b:~L~ ........ yuki made no .. Jr ;! it: "'C:"Q)lJ'Jrf ~ - IX
kippu 0 ichimai kudasai f~P
sh arikd ~PlI r. Does t hill bus go to ?
map ........ ni to marima su ka ? ...10il-. ' ~ , T O'
chizu .It!'. r;<l Where is t he rest room?
near otearai wa doko desu ka? ts 'f til ~ 1 ~ : C .: ""('" ""t n>
chikai .iJ:i ~ 1
pet rol
s asu jf A
st reet
michi
subway
chik atet, u
taxi
takushi
 Around Town 5 1

Around Town
museu m
hakubutsukan
poet office
y abin kyoku
Addresses restaurant
Japan bas traditionally used a district sys~m of addresses. "",,ud<>
The hierarc hy of d istricts starts with t he largest , the ward temple
(k u ), and gets progJ1:!llSivelysmallerwith cM (or nwchi) and "rn
ban.chi. Buildings with in the districts are often n um bered
according to t he order in which they were built, and not At the Post Office
necessarily in sequent ial order along 8 street. The best way to Many tourist hotels either offer a packing service or have a
locate an address is to have someone tell you which subway shop in their building which will pack your souvenirs for
etation is closest to you r destination and then call for posting. Mostofthem also sell stamps and mail letters for you .
direct ions from that station. Wit h t he use of a map, some The symbol for post offices and poetal eervices is 8 white
land m arks, and possibly a police box (kOban ), you can find and red T with a bar across t he top. T he mailboxes (poIlUtO)
your destination. As an altemative, let a taxi driver worry are red , and in Tokyo the slot. on the left-side is for mail
about finding the place. destined for outside t he city. Blue mailboxes are for speci al
de livery mail.
Where is the ?
........ wa dako desu ko? I wa nt .
art gallery .......• 0 kwia.roi ._. ~ T ~ t'
go'" a stam p
bonk kit te Wf-
ginklJ an air letter
book store M ka y llbin tIL'Q !t~
honyo a postcard "Mo. 'to-
embassy hagaki ~~
tauhikan
hotel I want to fiend it by .
hot",ru * 7)1- ....... . de ok urit al. no dellu ... -r-~ l') t.: t ' O) -r'"'t
>nn airmail
ryokan k6kabin M~f!!!
52 Around Town Around Town 53

domestic mail I want tobuy stam ps, please.

kokuMi y a bin kilte 0 kaitai no deau ljJ f z 't'( ~ 1 t: ~ 1<l) L'" T
expeeea delivery How m uch pcerege to .....•..?
sokutatau ........ mulle no legami ..."'IO) -HfW:~'< >'".:!L'" Ttl'
regi8tered mail wa ikura deau k a ?
kakitome What window should I go
eeemail to (or stamps?
funa bin kitte wa dodura no modo l;1J-f u C ; o:,<7.>.t: 11 L'"
de urimaau ka ? .;c I'} !: T tl'
Some UHful Words I'd like to send this parcel.
cable kono kozutaumi 0 .: Q)'J' ~ -i J6 I'} t: ~,
<Un"" okuritlJi rw deau go qYZ'Ttl'
express delivery How many days will it take
BOkutatau by seamail?
letter fUTUJbin de nanruchi
tegami gurci kakarimasu k a ?
number
""in At the Bank
letter box The Japanese unit of currency is the yen, which is
yabin bako abbre viated as '¥'. You'll usually get a bette r exchange rate
parcel at bank s or credi t card agencies t han at hotels. Yen are easily
kow tsu mi convert ed outside Japan .
telephone
den wa I want t o change .
.. ..... . 0 kaetai desu ...1: !'-f';U.:: ~ ' T:T
Some Useful Phrases travellers' cheques
Where is the nearest toraberdZU chekk u ~ =; I"'{ =; - :I.. 1- .x. "; '7
post offictl? cl:llih
moyori 11Q ya binkyok u .ll l1! O)!lil;!"lIU c genkin
wa doko deau ka? T: T tl'
I want to send a cable.
denpa a udulai no deau '4!: HI ztJ t> t: pon' ,
54 Around Town Around Town 55

Some Useful Words Where can I cash a

coins travellers' cheque?
hazeni H! doka de torobero zu c .:. r: I- =j /"{ =j - :/.
bank notes
.iN. H -f Itt
chekku 0 Henkin ni kael'u T ~ ';' 7 ijUit: I:
~ a z,
ginko teeata koto go dekimasu ko ? '11fJ ! r: ~ ;t T 11'
bank draft What is t he exchange rate?
ginko kuumse tegato nHrl1H f-Itt kOkan reto wa ikuI'a 3Z W!: L.- - I- I j:~) < ~
branch , . ;,ii' des u ka ? r:-t fJ·
shibu X UI'
What time does it open?
commission nanji ni akimasu ka ? (.ju·I ,:rM ~ £.,. • •
tesuryo rllH I want to cash a cheq ue.
credit card ginko kogitte 0 ~nkin lU1HV!1' ~!J!"':
kurejitto kado 7 L.- :! ,:/ I- :b-I" ni hoe/oi desu ~H':~ I r:T
signature
shomei xr,
identification card Things to See & Do
mibun sJulmeisho 't \i iE ~Jl fd like to see .
bank ....... . go miloin desu
ginko lUh Buddhist tem ple
money
o-kane >;1, "m
Imperial Palace
.~

letter of cred it hOk)'O

shin-y(JjO !.i"III u.: Japanese garden
ruhon teien
If you wish to avoid the riAIt of currency exchange rate kabuki
fluctuat ions you can obtain yen-denominated travellers' kabuki
cheques at many banks before yow departure for Japan. ooh
Some UHfuI Phrases
Where is the nearest bank?
""
pagoda
to
moyori no ginkO wo el-T~fJ.I') O)IHi IJ: C .:. sumo wrestling
doko deKu ka ? sumo
 56 Around Town Around Town 57
I
tea ceremony Does t his nightclub have
rha no yu ~O)~ a cover charge?
.: 0) 7 l' I-? '7 7111J _1'("
teahouse
rMRhitsu
Zen tem ple
*'i{ kono naito karabu wa
kaba ehiajrga ari ma.~ u k a? -r :V:; - fJ ;"0 t) ;t i"" fJ'
How m uch is it Ior one pe rson?
zendera 4f1I ,~, hitori atari ihura - A. ~ t..: t) ~ \ < .:,
kokorimollu ha ? lJ'tJ' t) ;t T Il'
Tickets Does it have hostesses?
Where can 1 buy t icke ts? hosutt.ugo imo.u ka? * ;l..T ;l..1I ~ P;t9 /)'
kippu wa doko de Wrfl1c':' "t':H .:t '* 1" /)' How much is a bottle or beer'?
kaemosu ka ? btru ippon ik rua de.Mho? ~ 1v- * P <.:, -c L. J;.? II'
How m uch a re the t ickets?
kippu wo ikura desu ko ? 'I.If,J Ii ~) <.:, 7! 1"lp Some Usefu l Words

I'd like to reserve seats

for .
... ..... sekiyoyak u ...W; z f rjL, t~~) -c 1"
I b"
bd
cabaret
kobarei
shitoi de.u cigarettes
this eveni ng's show tooo ka
kon ban no slid 4"1!t 0):'" 3 - cinema
matinee eigakan
hiru no sM 11 (J) :,.. 3 - disco
tomorrow even ing', show deisko
ashi t arwba n no .~ M ll)J LI (J) ~ (7) :'" 3 - jazz
)laZU
Nightlife
If you are on a low budget , be very wary of ente ring nice 'COBY' Emergencies
ban, or expensive looking nightclubs. Prices can be Japan isone oCthe safest places in the world. Yoo are generally
astronomical. It is always a good idea to establish prices safe w.ll1king alone at night - even on darkened st reets.
before entering and being landed with a $50 glassof beer. As a Foreigners are rarely victims of crime . Do, however, beware
general rule of t hum b, it is safer to avoid bars with hosu teRu of Jap anelle Yakuae-typee (organised crime ) in some bars,
(hostesses). especially in t he Kahukicho ar ea of Tokyo's S hinj uk u ward .

I
58 Around Town

Help me!
In the Country
tasukete! t.: "t It"r
watch out!
ki Q tsukete! :A.z ""? It '"C
Thief'! Is it far to the ?
dorobo! ilEHi ... ..... wa toi desu ka ? ...1iiM: ~ , -r:- "t n'
Call the police ~ Can we wa lk to the ?
keisatsu Q yonde kudasai ! ~~~ If A z.: · f~ ~ \ ....... . made aruite ...;;:: "t'$ ~ \ '"CIT It ;t T n'
Call a doctor! ikemlJS u ka ?
isha 0 yonde kuda$Qi! 1K -A~ If A "t' f ~~ ' beach
Mm'
ca ve
dokUlsu
ha rbour
mIRafa
hot spri ngs
OM e l1
hdll ntt
shi ma
lake
mlZ u ml III
mounta in
yama L1J
river
kuwa HI
road
michi ill
'"umi Ii'J
teahouse
chushitfu

59
60 In the Country In the Country 61

te mple row
otero ,,~ ....hi 'F
valley crab
toni ft kani /)' 1:
waterfall dog
taki it onu :I;
fish
Is there a ........ in t his a rea? $Okana .«l
kono lu!n ni W(1 •••••••• go .: 0)J!! 1:
arimasu ka ?
(;1 • •• I) { oJ., r) "* T I» frog
kaeru U
guest house gool
Ij'(Jkan Ill'" yagi '?' <!'
hotel horse
hoteru ;r, T )v uma IF
".~

park rabbit
kden ,.
J:\ ~
~u"
-? ~ ~t
resta urant " I
reeusora n v .7.. ~ 7/ nezuml h"fh
yout h hostel
ylisu hmuteru ~ - .7.. *.7.. T )1I Weather
village
mum H
cloud .,.
Anim als
animal
' u=
fog
kiri
rain
..
~

ifj
dt.lbutsu u~

bird sun
tori ..f', taiy(l -t: f.l:;
,"neko 1m
snow
yuki 'm
~

chicken wind
niwatori L: tJ C lJ haze
'"
62 In the Country In the Cou nt ry 63

Some Useful Phrases kyoto R.: 1I1~ kl'Jbe i. p

How is the weather?
U nki wa do desu ka ? k~11 c"5 ""(- Tl'p nagoya fi ?i I¥. yokoha m a ~ 11i
It's very cold today.
ky" wa samui desu I}- (J Ii :!\H \ "C 1"" hiroshima It 1JJ fukWJka ii<\ faIl
It's 8 very hot day!
totenw a/sui deshtJ!
Are those cherry blossoms?
C-r& X~l""(-L, J.:? nagasaki *a:r tok ushima fi1\&:,
are wa sokum desu ka 7 of> tt Ii #( ""(--or tp sendai flilti aornori it.l (.f,
When do the cherry
blossoms bloom? hakoda/e ml!'ft sapporo tL.X
sakum wa itsu
sakimasu ka ? Cities around Tokyo
Can I see Mt Fuji from here? chiba -f :lt ma",bashi ~ijftfi
koko kara fuji san mieru
desJwka ?
Is it possible to climb
mito *,15 urawo. finfU
'-It Fuji now? utsunomiya 7Mi'A" yokoha ma bft/1i
ima fuji san 'Ii
noboremasu ka? Cities arou nd Osaka

Place N ames
ktj/N "J=i kytJto Jii:&:
Islands nora ~H. otau A:,lt
Iwkkaidl'J ~tJli m

shikoku (1li1J!l I tsu i*

Cities around Tokush ima
wakaya ma flI atl1J

ryllkya JA.ff ~~,t; JuJchi r:":.it:iJ matauya ma ~ilJ

Main Cities takamatsu rI-':j~

I(Jkyl'J J.I~ H.
fi4 In t he Count ry

Cities around Fukuokll

Food
kagoshimo JJl!JU:, kum amoto M4>:
miyazaki 'p,"l:f nagasaki r.::t.>t
J apan's cit ies have resta urants specialising in everything
oita J;, 'if saga {/itt. from poisonous fish to American pizza. Still, .Iepanese and
Chinese rice an d noodle dishes are t he norm. Many
Cities arou nd N~ova 'J epe meed' western foods such as the ubiquitous ' mixed
lukui M\ Jl' *1 iii.
gil u sandwich' (sorry, no substitut ions) are available.
Many inexpensive t radit ional resta urants display a short,
kanazawa .& ift kolu Ifl f{f slitted curtain , or noren , over t he doorway to announ ce to

TUJgaTW *'f shizuoka A'll iiIJ

passers-by that they are open and ready to receive
customers. If the nanm ill t ucked iMide or rolled-up, the
restaurant is closed.
toyama trw A taste of J apan requ ires a visit to a 6Oba -)'4, or noodle
shop. Sararimen (b usinessmen) and OL 's (office ladies)
Cities around Hiroshima rush into these eateries at lunch time and slurp hot or cold
matsue ~ a: okayama ~!l.lJ noodles and soup before rushing back to work . The most
popular seems to be the square bro....nish buckwheat noodles
rollori .t\lfi yamaguchi ill l:l that are called 8000 (0-80 00 by women) . Round yellow
Chinese noodles are also popular. It's acceptable to slurp
Cities around Sendai and Aomori noodles.
akita f:li. m lukwhima ta& Beware ofrestaurants that look like private homes. These
ryoriya can be phenomenally expensive, hut can provide you
niigota fi~ with a look at t radit ional high-class dining. Diners don't
have a choice of foods - you must accept whatever the
yamagata IlJ ~ specialty of the day is.
Using kwh!$(Jj is a polite way to ask for things, and can be
translated as 'p lease give me'. ' Please' and 't hank you' are
always in order in J apa n . If you a re the guest at a meal , say
itadaki1TlllSu. (I will partake) before sterting to eat.
Even wit hout a guidebook you can enjoy t he many
65
 66 Food Food 67

."'..
inexpensive resta urants as t hey generally ha ve rea listic- black tea
looking mode ls of the dishes a va ilable in the front window.
Each model d isp lays the na me of the dish and its price. All ro ff~
you have to do is point at t he dish you want .
.""
iced coffee
aisu klJhI
::J- ~­

71 A ::J - ~ ­
M ea/rim es
breakfast iced tea
cM$1wku oUu tf 71AT~
lunch cola
ch ashok u
d inner
"ro
juice
)'asJwku jllsu
fruit juice
furatsu jlls/,/. 7 )\1" - ')' :.,J .1 - A
Drinks minera l water
Try t he m a n y k issa t f' n (coffee ebops] if you like to sip coffee mirwraru umtf ~ *, 7 )V "T-~­
or soda while reading or talking. Alt hough d rinks aren 't beer
cheap, you ca n sit for as long 8lI you want wit hout being b~u ~ - )v
expect ed to order more. draft beer
When out drinking, wait unt il everyone's glass is full na ma bfru ~J:. f! -)v
before st art ing to drink. T he word kampai {chee ral] is heard rice wine
often an d literally means ' dry cup' . It is ba d form to fill your sake ill
own g11l99. whisky
uisukc "J 1 .fi. -t- -
water wine
noml muu bud6$hu _5~ c G~
milk
miruku Fruit
ba rley t ea I' d like a/some please.
mugiCM •••. •••• 0 kudasai
green tea fru it
ryokucha kudantQnQ
68 Food Food 69

apple lobster
" ngo ~A.:c ise-ebi {P ~.L~
cherry oyst er
sak uron oo
chest n uts
Nt A- lt kohi
p rawn
"..
kun·
goosebe rries
<~ k uru mae bi
salmon
"''''I!
suguri 1'" <'I'} w ke " It
'''P''
bm" liiw
~afood
gyok airui It.iMll
lemon shrimp
~=" v-t / ko-ebi '1' ~ I::
ora nge fim
Oren)l
peach
* V / :; sakana I.
muma tit,
persim mon
kohi IJ>"
pm
IUlshi 'J L
st rawberr ies
Egg
•• egg
ichigo ru tamago r: ~ .:
dried fruit
fried egg
hONhita hudamona fl G t:.*:i'2 tamago [u rai t: $: :::: 7 7 1
hard-boiled egg
Seafood katayude tamaeo I?!l ~ T t: a:: c:
cla m poached e gg
hamaguri
crab
11 "* <' I) otoshi somoeo :t:; c. L t: a: ::::
scrambled egg
honi 1'). I: k ohi ta mago 1J> {: t: "1. :::
~I soft-boiled egg
unagi ? a~ hanj uku tamago 1" 15 l<) < t: "1. .:
70 Food
Food 71

Meat cabbage
boo' kyabt>t$l.l 4- ~ r{7
gyuniku '1'''' <am><
chicken
nll1JII1 I': A- (; A-
tori
hom
cO rom
cb-5~
ham u
hamburger
,," Mmorokoshi
cucumber
hyuri
0

hanbaga a$-j1J
; ' / J{ - i f - garlic
liver
hanzti mil
ninnihu
green onion
l.:Id .: <
meat asatsuhi
nihu ,,>2- ?<!
mutton
per
/1UIton '"
-,,1- /
lettuce
retasl1
mushroom
L..-?;t,-

mas..muni,mu "7 ~J :'" ~ JL- - l..

butaniku !~'" onion
roast beef
tamanegi 3i",r
rtbuta bilu O - ;t, I- ~-7 peanuts
sausage
It" s(!ji ptnattsu t:'-T 'Y :'"
'J--t-:J peas
steak
marne
suu hi
stew
shicha nihu
~T -~

:" -r .;]. - f~
potato
jogoimo
*'"
l5 >{'l!l ~ ~ ) t>
radishes
Vegetables radisshu 77'</ ::"' .;].
red pepper
beans monujiroshi ;, ;' ~ -5 0
marne
bean sprouts
mqyashi
*'"
;'>(> 0
salad
lIOroda
spinach
-tt 7j'
M~... If .oj t1. A- t,!:
74 Food Food 75

dum plings delicious

gyOlO ouhii
honey sweet
ho chimitsu amal
Ice cream sour
ou u kurrm u 71.A7 ')-J... SUppal
toeet bitter
t6suto rugal
cold
Some Useful Words tsum etai
baked hot (taste )
tenpi de y aita }( * ~ ~ ~ ) t.: ka rai
boiled hot (t emperat ure)
y udetanit a $ ~t.: ;( U .: a/sui
braised fresh
torabi de nita C. o* ~ .ru.: sh in.~e n j)j!1
broiled empty
kogashita ::... /J{L t.: koro .;<
chopped full
kiua tj] -:l t.: Ippal - H'
mod veget arian meal
abum de ageta i1h""{'m vtr: sai$lwku ryd ri 4\tl:fl ~
rare
ml nw yaki 'U. ~
medium
{utsa il'iIli
well-done
yohu yaku i1< lli! <
raw
Mmo 't
"J"
j uku shita Hold,r.g Ct!OpoIOC k$
76 Food Food 77

J apanes e Food shabu shabu L, '(>.5~ L, {> .5~

There are a great numbe r of different kinds of eating pl aces . The d iner places thin slices of beef and vegetables into a
in J apan. Among the kinds you a re most likely to encounter thin, simmering broth.
are kissaten (coffee shops], where cakes and other snacks are ~ me n ' -} ~ .
often ava ilable ; TesutQTOn (restaurants ), which specialise Chinese noodles adapted to the J apanese palat e, ramen IS
eit her in western, Japanese, or J apanese inte rpret ations of always a good, low b udget meal for t he traveller.
western food; ryoriya , which serve only J apanese food; and, yakitori ~ ;! H . lik
on the streets, you will come a cross y o toi (street stalls on Barbecued chicken on skewers, t hiS snack, and ot hers I e
wheels) selling hot sweet potatoes, noodles and other it, are one n available as a popular accompaniment to
reasonably priced light meals. drinks in ban.
feishok u '!Eft .
Popular Cisnes This is not a dish rather a common practice whereby
sushi & slUhimi 1"" L, C ~ L, ;,. restaurants offer d i~hes from their menu at a special lunch
Perhaps t he most famous of .Ia pn nese dishes, sushi and t ime price . _
saehimi are often confused by westerners. Sushi is lightly globe fish inl M:.
vinegared rice topped with a little WIl.'lobi (horse radi~h ) Also known as tueu;restaurants serve this poisonous fish
raw seafood or egg. Seshirn t, on t he other hand, is t hinly to t he many aficionados in .Ja pan who get a t.hrill out of
sliced raw nsh served wit h, among other things, soya taking small risks. Alt hough prepared by certified cooks,
sauce. It'a30bi, and thinly sliced ginger. people do occasionally die from improperly prepared
tenpura X. .5: 0 [ugu ,
Originally introd uced by the Portuguese, seafood a nd
vegetables are dipped in an egg and flour batter and deep- Noodle Dishes
fried. noodles
sukiyaki T ~ ~ ~ o·w;ion
Thin slices of beef a re dipped into a sweete ned soy sa uce tea -flavoured buckwhe at
brot h and simmered together with bean curd , vegetables noodles
an d dried mushrooms on t he table in front of t he d iner. eha sooo ~t-t!
t hick noodles in fish broth
chikara udon t:> fJ> ~ ? C. It,
thin noodles in pork broth
gomok u sooo z t. <"f- 1:1:
 I
78 Food Food 79

t hick noodles in curry soup Some Usefu l Phrases

kart 1Wnban 1J L-- -f,O d!A. I'd like a table for t wo.
mtsc flavoured thin noodles futari yO no U buru 0
mise ramen hf: 7 -.J. / onegaishi masu
Do you have an English
Rice Dishn menu?
nre eigo no minu WQ ~ ;;.-'t q)) '::'.:l. - It
g<>han arimasu ka ? "*
,j; l'J "t fj'
bowl of rice I'm vegetarian.
gohan iehizen watashi tva saishok u 1!.11!1: tl:UU\ " ,
fried rice with pork sh ugisha desu
or shrimp Do you have any
eM han vegetarian meals?
beef and gravy over n ee saislwku shugi sha yO !I: tl: ~ j\lI\ '" 0:>11 J'I! 11
hay(18hi raisu tf; 7 1 ~ I1(I n'yOri wa arimasu ka ? ,j; I'} ;t -4" n'
curried rice Western-st yle food.
kart raisa 1J L---7 .f~ yOf ll no n yOn tfloS.C1J HJII!.
omelette rice Japanese-style food .
omuraisu :t.L.7 .f ~ wafll no nydn ,",,, 0:> liP!
rice steamed in fish bouillon
kam ameshi n';tiQ L
Whst do you recommend'?
a·susume ryan WQ nan
desu k a ?
MI"'II ~!I « "1 ", n'
What 's th e price of the
fixed menu'?
teisJwku wa ieura deszz ka? ';..E ft I.H ' < >? L"i" /.l'
T he food is cold .
ryan wa sa mete imasu fl flP.lt a. l/)·n, ;;:
i"
I' ve had enough, thank you .
kore df' ma kek ko dew t: tl ""(' MM~ L" 9
Please bring t he bill .
o-kanjO0 o-negai shimasu :t:; WJJL ~ :t:;tJt ~ 1 L. ;;: 9
80 Food Food 81

Is service included? a cup

.~ (J bisurylJ wo [uk u ma rete koppu
imas u ka ? t he bill
Please reserve a ta ble. a ka nje'J
ttburu a yoyak u shite
kudasai For a com plete ha ndbook on the many types of .Iapanese
Wh ar'a the name of this resta ura nts and foods pick up a copy of K imiko Nagasawa &
rest aurant? Carny Condon's Eat ing Cheap in Japan (Shufunotomo Co,
hOM shakudO no flamoe Ltd 1984).
wa nan desu Ira ?
Where is your rest room ?
toire wa doRa desu ka ?

Do you have 1
... ..... a motte imasu k a ? ...'!: t "?-r~ 1'*91J >
(P leA:le) bring .
. •••••.. 0 kudasai ..:~ r~L '
the menu
menya
a plate
M ro
a glass
gurasu
8 bottle
Ippon
8 knife
""'f"
II fork
foku
a spoon
supcn
 •
Shopping 83

Shopping
I don 't want to spend more
t han yen .
..... ym ijfJ u..o
tlJukaitaku nuin desu go
The Akihabara area of Tokyo is renown ed for its discount Will yUll deliver it?
elect ronics. but many will find t he discount prices here todokemflSu k a ? \Iilt ;t -r 1;-
comparable to prices back home . Don't forget t hat electric I like this one.
and video standa rds vary from country to count ry - t ell the kare go ooshii no desu .:. h.l;q~t::: L ,O)-r-,
salesclerk which country you intend to use the prod uct in . I want something cheaper.
Ba rgain hunters should check out the area S CJl)l;S t he motto yasUi no go t, ~ c ~ t..' 0)1;{ W;::t.. \ l' 't
street from Ueno train and subway st at ion in Tokyo. The ooshii deeu:
small lanes are filled wit h discount shoes, clothing, and
household items.
When you enter a s hop, th e owner, clerk, or elect ron ic donr Shopping
willsay irro.~ ho i ma se which means ' welcome'. If you want to Whe re is t he ?
just look around but an eager salesclerk is hovering over you, ........ wa doko desu ko ? ..Ji c,:, <:"T I; -
say kekko desu (t hat's all right ) to take t he pressure off. barbe r's shop
tokoya IUt
Bargaining book shop
Wit h the except ion of some shops in Akiha bara , and some Iwnyo $ /,1
diececnt markets, such as t he one in Ueno, pr ices are ca mera shop
generally fixed : any attem pt to haggle is more likely to kameroyo t1 ;J. '7 m.
produce embarrassm ent than a bargain. department store
depato j'/{- t-
How much is this? dressm aker's shop
k orewoikurndesuka ? ,:, nl.i~\< .::,-r- TfJ> yofukuya 11' ~1t
It's too expensive. electrical shop
takalJugimflSU (,;j T ;¥;t T denkiten
I'll ta ke th is. hand icraft shop
«ore 0 itadak im asu .:. ri z ~ \t: t: ~ ;t T shuk"geihinten
How m uch iMit f1ltogethe r? jewellers "hop
u nbu de ik ura desu ka? .e, iii'
L " p C:-l 1 < G"t'Tn- M .'ieki ten
82
84 Shopping Shopping 85

market gold
ichibo
pharmacy
m'll kin
pearls
~

yakk)"lku ,,"I shinju At;

shoe shop razor blades
kutsuya kamisori I'lO ha lJ'h -t l') (/):J)
111:"
-
shop

souvenir shop
mlyagemonoyo
JIi
h ? lft; W.
shampoo
shanpa
shoes
kutsu
~ -y

It
v-r-:
supermarket
sQptlml2 ketto
toy shop
7- / {-7 - ? ";1 , silve r
go.
tampons
lR
omoehaya t:; t,~'(> 11{ tanpon 9 :;"- *" :;"-
tailor
yOfuk uya il'!I!/i Do you have any ........?
.
........ go anmasu k a '. fJ}. ~ l') "£ T IJ>
I wa nt to buy ........ cigarettes
........ ga hoshii desu ... IJ; ~LPL- T tabako 9 / { ::r
antiques handbag
kottrJhin ,.... ~: "
tl ' \1lI 1 handobaggu J ~ :;..- t-" J{.;! ;7
battery hot
denchi 'itL itk Mshi frJ I
ca me ra jade
hamera -j; ;J. '7 hisui l\~
cassette player pa intings
kasseto pureya -j; / -t ~ 1'v 1 "\" - kaiga f~ i!!!i
clot hes radio
fuku !I! roJIO T 'iT
gems silk
M seki ~r
-'< , kinu ill
86 Shopping Shopping 87

"'ring beautiful
hi~ 01, kirei ~ h. ~ \
t hread big
* ~P
ito
toilet paper
toiretto ~pd
*'
H V ';/ "",_/ "t _
ok ii
chea p
y<UW '1<' ,
tooth paste clean
ha migaki #fJ h t; { ~ hirei -5" tH '
um brella dark
kasa t» a suroi ~, j- ~,

develop
At the Camera Shop genzlJ suru JJ!lt , <>
I'd like some fil m for dirty
this camera. kitanai ;! t:.11- L'
kona k amero ylJ 110 ;': Q) j p l 5ffl OJ71 Jilt. eapensrve
[uirum u ga hmhii desu /.l{!ii: L ~ \ -Ct tahaj ~L '
colour film guOO
kald [uirumu -n7-7 1)1-- 1-. u L'P
colour slide film heavy
sulaida [uirumu .7.7 1 1-"7 0 1--1-. o~
I{"( P
black and white film a little
I1ki ro kuro fuirumu R ,':t:'; 7 -i )111-. su ha.~hi '.Itt..,
fast long
hai sup fdo / ~1 J.. \:::' - 1-' n agc t: fly'
When will it be ready?
itsu dekiagarim onu ka ? ~ \ "":) -C' ;! if) nO) *"t n' many, much
takuso n
receipt
iRLIJ
Some Useful Words
anot her "...
round
.."" illi1'< If
betsu 110 ~I O) ~ .w "£: {)L '
""d shopping
~ 'W
b{) ~ 'I k aima1lO 'iilt
88 Shopping Shopping 89

short Clothes
mijikai ID: ~ ) I'd like ..... ...
small ........ ga fwshii desu ... I'J; W::L ~ \"(, T
chii$Qi 'J' ~ L\ gloves
square teb ukuro 'fI,
shikakui ~11fL\ jacket
useful ja ke tto -;; -\" -7 ';I!'
"on 1m
Stationery
kimono
kimo1\O
raincoat
reinkoto
i'il'
[... 1 /' ::1- 1-
dictionary
jiten 1i$Jl! shirt
envelope waishatsu ? 1-;"1' 'l
fate }j ~ shorts
sM to pantsu -;" 3 - I-/ ~/'J
inform at ion
annal 'fiN socks
magazi ne kutsmhita itT
zasshi H.tt sweater
;: -7 -
map
chiru
newspaper
~ f1l ""
swimsuit
mizugi Jj( (f
shinbun tfilm T shirt
paper trshatsu T Y-\"'l
kami Il\
pen
pen '"' /
pencil
enpitsu 1I\'ll
writi ng pape r
binsen fol''l
90 Shop ping Shopping 91

I' d like one like this. Colours

kono)'dna no ga1wshii dealt Do you have any ones?
I tak e size . ........ no W(J anmasu k a ,.
.
(see ' Numbers') black
saitu u-a ........ desu ""T 1 ;( Ii: ... "!' T kuroi
Can I t ry it on? blue
karl' 0 tameshite ii dealt ka ? .:. tl ~~ L --C ~ l ~ I "!'TIJ>
It fits well.
=
brown
saemo yoku niaimosu c. ""( <
t, J: fI..1 { t ~ \ "i" 1"" chairo
green
It 's too . midori iro
.. .. .... SugJ m4SU ...T <Y"i"T grey
big fuji iro
Oki A' pink
long pinku
ME" 1" purple
I~ murosaki iro
yuru 'H red
small akai
chiiea white
short shiroi
mijiko yellow
tight hi iro
kitsu
Quantitie s
Can you alt er it? bottle
ruiosemasu ka? ippon
gram
guramu
kilogra m
kiro
92 Shopping Shopping 93

large Do you accept cred it cards?

okii *~ ~ l k urejit lo ktJdo demo
1- yoroshii desu ka?
motto sukwwi t, ? C o/ f" ~ l I'll t ake (buy) it .
more kore ni shimasll t: t U': L,":t T
motto t ~ c Please wrap it {or me.
packet tsutsunde klldaSlJi ? ~~A.-r-r~p
pahhll Please send it to this address.
pound kana j who ni oklltte .: O>ti::ml':~? 'rF ~ ~,
pondo kudasai
small May t heve t he receipt?
chiisGi ryc'jshasho a kudasai? Ul.t7;U .zr~p
'm ft- ~
Is there a guarantee?
Ci'- ~ u-> P "'( P 1: T I;>
ka/1.111ml? ii i iill hosM wa tsuite imasll ka ?

Some Useful Phrases

I'm just looking.
mirll dahe dl?su 5! Gf':lt "r: T
Could you help me?
a Mgai .~himasll ;t:;t;iJ{ P L, :t -;
Do you have English
books here?
riga no honga arimasu ka ?
How m uch is it?
iku ra desu k a? ~l< o "r: i" b'
Please writ e it down.
k aite k lldo sai tf ~ l "Cf ~~ \
I don't like the colour.
ire ga ki ni irim asen ~f);:~ I':~\l)*1±A.
Do you have a bigger one?
motto dkii na wa t, ? c k~ ~ ' O) '.t
crimosen ka ? i?> 1"} 3:: 1± A. b>
 Healt h 95
Health
backache
senaha go itami mu su 1T'I '!)QltJh£i"
diarrhoea
geri shite i ma .~u f ~JL,"O'£"9
Med ical ca re in J apan is quite advanced, but most J apanese indigest ion
doctors do not speak fluent English. Hotel doctors, or t hose sM k af uryo o il'fft~ ; H;,1<; t: l H,
at la rge univers ity -affi liated hospitals, are most likely to okoshim ashita
speak Englillh . a burn
Virtually every medicine you are familiar wit h is available y okedo a oimoshita c
.>(> l:t '!: ti p ;t L, t.:
in J apan, but the brand na mes may be di fferent. Chinese a cold
herbal medicines (kotlpdyakl.l ) and acu puncture (hari ) are ka u a hikimashita Ifl '!IJ ~ 0 • ~ It.:
8190 available. Many prescribed medicines come in an earache
powdered form . mimi gtJ ita mimasu It 1J1~tl l: 1"
The fire depa rt ment provides a Iree a mbulance service for a lever
emergencies . Oia1 119 . neb u go arimasu !.~ !){if) t) j: 9
a headache
""n ere ill t he ? lubl1 go shimosu .liti M'i !){ L "it: T
••••.••• WQ doko desu ka r ...li.e.:. ""(' -r-/» a pain here
hospital koko raj ita mi .::. .::. I.: flti h !){ if) I) "it: '9
""n
pharmacy
yakkyoku
""'" go anmasu
a sore throat
nodo go itamima~u
doctor stomachache
isha i go itamimasu
dentist toothache
haisha ha go itamimasu
I have . Alle rgies
lL'atakushi wa . fl.l.t ... I' m allergic to .
asthma .•••••.. raj orerug( desu .. .1':7 V]V -¥ - '"('" '9
z('n.du detlll ~ .t'.l-T a ntibiot iC8
kosei busshitsu Wll'o ll
94
96 Health He alt h 97

penicilin Please make th is prescript ion.

peniehirin here 0 chozai shite t: tI. ~ ,v.ljJ'flJ L -r "f t: ~ ~ ,
t his kudasai
kore
Parts of the Body
At the Chemist "m
Do you have ? ud, !:l
.. . • .. .. 0 motte imasu ka? ... ~ tf "? L ~'~ 9J); body
aspirin ka rad a W
ceupmn 7 7.t;:"1} /"
00"'
band-aids ho ne ·ft
bansoko breast
a bandage chibusa 11/i}
htltai chest
condom m une ~
koruiamu ::J /" ~>-.b
contraceptives
lillH \
'"mimi Jf
himngu eye
d isinfectant m, lJ
shtJdoku yak u i~ jUi face
insect repeJlent koo !i\
b6chazai finger
medi cine
kusuri
yubi m
foot
sanit ary napkins ashi Ji!
seiriyo napukin ~F.FHm 1" 7' of- /" head
toothbrushes ata ma ,n
haburashi ~ 7'7 Y heart
tranquilliser shinz6 {" ~
chmseizoi leg
tweezers ashi I!l
kenuki
98 Hea lt h Healt h 99

mouth dent ist

kuchi p haisOO I>~ ~
"~k disease
kubi 1\ ~k i m71.
nose doc,",
haM fl ~ha ~I\
rib drink (v)
rokkotsu !!lit Mmu il;tr
stomach
•
t hroat
-" fever
nt'tsu
headache
~

,"",0 If> zut sll M!li

tonsils hangover
M "t()S('" ..!til! futsukayoi =8 1\1'
tooth infection
ha I> 'onll It'll
injection
Some Useful Words chasOO lUi
ambulance itch
kyilky aslul tt;~;il( 1J> ~)~)
ka ii
blood patient
ket sW'ki lfilill' kanja ,\tlo/t
bum (v) polson
yak edo 1<1ll daku III
break rash
on ma"u .pr I) "*-t hasshin
I«*,
'Je , ~

breathe sprain (v)

iki 0 SUfU ,H z 1"{. kujik u 1> <
cough (v) sunb urn
seki ga demasu ~/){fH"* 1" hiyake 8!><
de", swell (v)
tsu"bo II OOrenl IOtt'.>
100 Health
test
k,=
vomiting
modosu
Some Useful Phrases
How do you feel?
kibun wo ik ogo desu ko ?
I don't feel well.
kibun go sugUN"m osen
Please call a doct or.
isha 0 yo nde kudosoi
Please t ake us to a doctor .
isJw rn tsureteittekudo$oi ~ :~t1 :. "? t1. L P.., L r ~ ~ 1
It hurts here .
koko go it oi n dellu
I am nauseated.
hokike go shima su
Don't do it!
shinoide kudasoi!
Please call a police officer.
keisa tsukan 0 yo nde
kudasoi
~ $} lJ{fI: h:;b t A.
KX ~ af-A- -c'"'F ~ ~ )
*"
111: 2: )1, IJ{ L "'t
L tH' 'Z' r i;~)
• ron
Time & Dates
Once you learn how to count in J apa nese, t elling time is no
harder than in English , All you heve to do is say the word for
the numeral and add a simple suffix. For example, to say 5
o'clock, you say t he word for 5, go, add the suffix m eaning
'o'clock', ji, and you've gut lJo-ji.
To express a fra ct ion of an hour, combine the word for the
hour wit h t he word for the min utes. For exam ple, 5. 15
would be 5 o'clock. goji, + 15 minutes, jago!un , or gaji i a
go/un .
The half-bouris eapressed by han; 5.30would therefore be
gojihan. , .
Learn t he military or 2.(·hour tim e syste m before emvmg
in J apan , because t his system is used for t rain and bus
schedu les - 1300 is 1 o'clock, 1800 is 6 o'clock, etc .
Telling Tim e
What ti me is it ?
rum ji desu k o ?
It is ........ o' clock.
........ ji desu
1
ichi
2
3
101
102 T ime & Dates T ime & Dates 103

, I'Y
Now it 's 2.15.
ima wa rn jago{lJ,n dulJ, 4 11 = 1I-·'j-tli."tl:1'"
yon
5 It 's half past one.
go Ii ichiji han deslJ, - '.\'1' <'1"
6
•• Some Usefu l Words
7
"""U " afternoon
Uu'rhi ~ gogo 'r-t{
6 d, y
harhi A nichi 8
9 day after tomorrow
'u !L osatte "'lif 8
10 day before yesterday
ja i' ototoi ;5ccL '
11 evemng
jairhi -r- ban ~
12 half past
juni -r:: han .'1"
hour
M inut es jikan <'ir"'
1 m inute midnight
lppu n - 'It gozen reiji of- riU';.f;R.'j
5 minutes minute
go/un Iift fu n 'If
10 minutes mom mg
jl1PPlJ,n i .'It G.m O!
15 minutes night
jaRO/un -t1i"t yorlJ, i!i.
30 minutes
sanjappun
45 minutes
=t·,,} (
n~n

shago
now
iH·
A
yonjl1RO/un I'Y-rMi ,mo •
104 T ime & Dates Time & Dates 105

tOO.y Months
ky' I} I I Mont hs in Ja pa nese are simply referred to as t he ' Lmonth'
tomorrow (J anuary ), the 'a-mont h' (February), et c.
ashita ",H I
tonight J anuary
konban ichigatsu
yesterday February
k in/1 nigatsu
March
w.o."
last week
sangatsu
April
sert.'lhl1 shigatsu
next week May
roish il goga tsu
this week J~.
kon.~ha rokugatsu
one week Jilly
isshakan vuchigatsu
two wreeks Au_
rJishakan ha chigatsu A }j
September
Dates kugatsu Jt./J
Although traditional holidays st ill fall according to the lunar October r~
calendar they originated with, the JaplUlese today use the jagatsu r:.-' 1".- ./ J-/J f
Gregorian (lIOlar) calendar. Somet imes you may hear of a November C"'::~ ~... / '
year referred to as the '63rd (or other) year of Showa". The jaichigatsu 'fs;,. '1 +-_
,~ _'
Japanese also date yean according to the begin ning of eras December c.. .;:;-1 _
which start when a new em peror t.8kl!'S over. Thus, with j anigats u"- : :c,; t- _ /J ':'C #i- ) -.-., ~
accession of E mpero r Akih ito to the Chrysant hemum (I"'....
...... .... r;:-<.."r.'
.. ..J -'...
, ~....
,--" ( "' ~

.,. . <
...,..?-->
Throne, 1989 became the fi~t year of Heieei.
In J a panese, dates are written wit h the year first, followed ....J,......,.;- <t)~
'-. T{''' ~ ~ -
by the mont h and lastly the day. • ( V~ ~
~
 106 T ime & Dates T ime & Dates 107

D
."
Today is .
Festivals
Most of Japan's festivals began as local celebrations by
kyf'J wa d esu farmers wanting to express their awe of nature or their joy over
Sunday completed harvests. Because of the lack of communicat ion
nichi~bi BiIl B in pre-mode m ,Japan most fest ivals retained t heir local
Monday nature a nd never became nation-wide celebrations. Aroun d
get8u~bi ~ iIlB t he second week in August t he bon fest ival feat ures
T uesday tradit ional d ancing a nd celebra nts welcome and send off t he
ka~bi * iIl B souls of their ancestors.
Wednesd ay
,ui~bi * OII B fest ival day
Thursday saijitsu
/1IQku~bi *OII B eve of fest ival
Friday yoimat,uri
kil1~ bi » OII B festival parade
Saturday >hi"'"'
do)<Jbi ± llIU palanquins
holiday mikoshi
ky ajit5u It B paper lanterns
chochin
Soma Useful Phrases
What day is today? S eas on s
kyd wa l1a11yd bi de5u k a ? "B «(' fBl! A C'"U' spnng
What's todaY'll date? M~ /i
kyd wa nannichi de5u ka ? 4- U liN 8 ~ , fp summer
wbac time is it ? 11O t , U II
11011ji desu ka ? fPJ B ,l~ 'tl· aut umn
Wh en will you come back? aki !~
itsu kaerimasu ka ? ~ \?~;J" ;t T tl' wint er
fuyu
I
 Numbers 109

Numbers J apanese
Number Chinese
1 ichi - hitotsu - -::>
2 m _ lut atsLl =.. -::>
san =. m ittsu __ -:>
3
Arabic numerals are usually used in J apan but sometimes,
especially on menus. you will find the following Chinese
characters (ka nj i) used :
,•s yon/lhi (1g
go Ii..
rokll r:
yottsu l:!Y -::>
itsutsu li -o
muttsu r: -::>
7 narnz/slmhi ~ rnmatsu 1::: -:>

9 • ha chi 1\
k y a/ku :fL
i ll -I'
yattsu J\ ->
kokonotsu 1L -o
10 " t-
Notice that numbers above 10 are generally made by a
comb in at ion of the numbers from one to 10. 1? say l~ for
exam ple, you take the word for 10 (ja) and C?m bme It With 6
(roku) to make 16 orjuroku . There are speCial ,:",~rds .for 100
hyaku , l 0008en , and 10,000 m an . S ince one million IS 100 x
10 ,000, it becomes hya/wman .
The Japanese have a commonly used system of band
gestures for counting. Learn these gestures for the ca rdinal Number -t- r-
num bers and you can com municate without words. 11 jllit:hi
Japanese has two count ing systems, a native J apanese 12 jam t-=.
system, which only goes aa high as '10', and a syst em 13 jllsa n t-=.
borrowed from Chinese. T his is not IlJI confusing as it m ight jayon -t-'"
sound at firs t , the rules concerning when to U!Ie the separate "
16 jago t-i:
,.r:
systeml:l being very clear. As a general rule, Chinese
numerals combine wit h ' counters' (see page Ill). while I' 17
j ilroku
j ashichi
j ahachi
t-!;
+-1\.
Japanese numerals can be used in isolat ion when you don 't 18
know the 'counte r' for an object; 19 juku t-;It
:: t-
nij G
=
T here are two Of t hree different ways to say the cardinal
Chinese num bers, 4, 7, a nd 9. In t he following t able, t he
recomme nded spoken version is listed first.
108
t ..
20
30 sanja
yonja
l-
t"lr
no N umbers Numbers 111

50 goja t i: -t- "'he~

60 rokuja ,,';;-r once ichido - Jlt
::il[
7. shichija l:+ t wice mdo
- OC
60 hachija A+ three ti mes rondo
90 huj a ftT
100 hyak u a Counters
125 hya ku nijaga a ::+li Most t hings you want to count in Japanese will require a
200 nihyak u :: s counter afte r the nu mber. In most cases t he Chinese-derived
' 00 san byak u =a numerals are used with the counters. T hus 'three books'
'00 yon byak u l"l s becomes san-satsu .
500 gohyak u ti: r;i
500 ropphy ak u /~[i
boo" satsu iIJI
700 nana hyak u l:s buildings k,n It A-
500 ho.ppyak u Aa chopsticks " n <fA-
900 hy llhyaku fta rup' /wi 11p
1000 ~n 1- fish hiki O~
1367 SE'nsanbyahu r =H t'\t-l:: houses k,n ItA-
'5. J:-?
2000
3000
7000
~n
rohujllshichi
sanzen
nunasen
.; T-
= T-
l: T-
knives
lette rs
pencils
people
,hi!
ua
Iwn
rnn
.
jj

1:A.
10,000 man or ichi ma n - li shoes soe u i'<
30,()(X) ,~ a n m a n =--- 71 vehicles dai t: ["
100,000 ja man "JJ ot her items kn
1,()(X),OCXJ hya kum an f i fj
Ordina ls
Ordinals are fonned by adding ban to a num ber;

_.d
first

t hird
ichiOOn
m OO n
sanban
lIZ Numbers
Vocabulary
Mon e y
J apanese currency comes in yen and only yen; the re is no
J apanese equivalent to t he dist inction between dollars a nd
cents. Coins are H)-yen coins, l OO-yen coins, etc.
A
satsu means ' bill' a nd da me is a coin accident - jiko 1'tII.
5 yen coin go-en dama ti: fI] t: t address - j asho It m
10 yen coin ja·en dama ~t · PJ " £ aeroplane - hik6ki jJHT ~
50 yen coin gojll-en dama li t·PJ"" afternoon - gogo Hi
100 yen coin hyak u-en dama i3PJ"£ age - nenrel 'I'll
500 yen coin gohyak u·en da ma fi.EiJ( t: t agriculture - rnlgytl Ill!
1000 yen bill
5000 yen bill
sen-en SlItSIl
gosen-en satsu
'f·PJ
1i 'f~ PJ tL
airmail - Mka bin ,'''''!l'
""
~f.'l ;
all - zen bu
lO,OOO yen bill ichim an-en satsu - Ji PJ IL antibiotics - t aik irni('i .j]t 11:.:t*J;;r
yak uzni
Some Useful Phrases antique - kottDhin 1't ffiM
How many? ik utsu dtsu ka ? L' (-:>-r- "- f)' appendix - mdcM ~~
one dozen
a lot
too much
enough
ichi- d43u
takusa n
sugim aeu.
jabun desu
- ?'- :J... -
iRW
., ~

7t. $} L'-T
.., apple - ri1180
architect - kenchiku
art - geijutsu
asht ray - hoiza m
lJ A. .::
ll!'I\*
=
-'<-' iIi
!liDll
Asia - ajia 7 97
Measurements
ce ntimet re 84!1I(' hi -t: '/-r B
lit re ritraru I) I-.IV
.;1 baby - nyaji 'ft.~
metre metoru ;I - r Jv bad - warui .'iE,~ ,
millimetre mm ~ I) baggage - nimotsu M1'J
pound pondo oJ"
-- / f' bank - gink" iNn
ounce om " ::t '/ :J... barber - tolwya LfM
bath - fura "'8
,,,
~
bathroom - otearoi >;fll'
' li
, . beach - ho mo
113
114 Vocabulary Vocabulary 115

beans - sayaingen ~t )A~flv C

beautiful - utsukushii )} L,t) cake - keki
~/ j-<
bed - beddo calculator - k eisank i
beef - gyu nihu. Lf. f~ car - kuruma
beer - btru. t::: - )v carpet - hapet to
better - motto yoi t -:> c J: t 1 castle - shiro
bicycle - jitensha nti:4;: cave - Iwaya
big - okii k a- t) change (money) - kozeni
bill - kanj a l!IJ'ii' cheap - yas ui
bird - kotori 'J ' A cheese - chrzu
birthday - tanjobi iM1:. EJ chemist (d rugstore) -
blanket - mafu -t'. :ffI yakkyoku
bleed - shukketsu sum HIm, " chicken - niuiatori
boat - t une ~;r child - ko
bod y - karada 1* chopsticks - hashi
book - han
bookshop - honya
botani cal garden -
sJwkubotsu<?n
"" hi
IIll'olOO
church - kyokai
cigarettes - tabako
city - machi
closed - heiten
bottle - bin [fA coffee - kohr
bowl- ooru ;F -)v cold - samui
boy - otoko no ko JJ:: 0)+ colour - iro
bread - pan J ~,/ come (v) - kuru
breakfast - chohoku iIltt const ipated - benpishiteiru
bridge - hashi fit country (nation) - huni
broken - dakkya shita 1l\l:£3 L, r: crab - kani
building - tatemono lfl'o cup - kopp u
bus - basu J{.A
business - shrigy(J iHL~ D
button - botan *'7' '/ dangerous - abunoi flt i ,r t l
butter - baM ;{ 7' - dark - kurai W
J"t 1
buy (v) - kau f(.'J decaffeinated - ka fein nuki 1J7:r-1 '/ w~
116 Vocabulary Vocabulary 117

de licious - oilihii ;f; ~ 1 L,~ ' far - CDi \..% ~ ,

deodorant - deodoranto T :t ~'7 / ~ ferry - {ert 7.:<- ') -
dessert - desato r 'f- f fever - netsu ~
di arrhoea - geri , III film (p hoto) - firumu 71)v .l.
dictionary - jisho k:$ J: film (movie) - eiga ~flIi
difficult - muzukashii U L, p find - mitsukeru M. -:> It ~
dining car - shokudosha ft ¥:-if! fish - sakolUJ ~.
dinner - yllshoku '? It flight - bin II!
doctor - isM Il<JI 'flu - infuruenzo 1 / 7Jl1.L/-lf
dormitory - kishukuslw %1110>, fork - foku 7 *-7
dozen - dasu ;' - 7- full - ippoi - rr-
duck - ahiru £> ()~ furniture - kogu l O"
G
E garden - niu'O O!
early - hayai !f'- ~ , girl - onlUJ IUJ ko V °)f-
east - higashi Jtl: glasses - mega ne DIll;!
easy - yasashii ~ ~L,p go - iku h<
eat (v) - taberu :Q: ""' ~ good - yoi IH '
egg - tomoeo t::.! .: goodbye - sayOnara ~ J::-j!l 0
embassy - toishikan kit ftil gram - guramu 7 '7 .l.
empty - kara ~ gynaecologist - fujinkai M AH il<
engineer - gishi IH~
enough - ju bun ft;..} H
envelope - taia .ljl'l haird resser - rihatsu.~hits u .Pll~ 'M
eve ning - ban B'l. ham -ha mu M .
exit - deguchi Itl p handi crafts - shukt'lgeihin -=F T ~"Il'l
expens ive - takai ,::; v, hand-made - tewku ri nc rrr ~ (})
head - atama ~Ji
F heat - a tsusa ll<'!
face - koo !li heavy - omoi if( L,
faint - hi 0 usJUnau ~ z -j L, !,, -j help (v) - tetsudau -'f. j ~ -j
 llB Vocabulary
Vocabulary 119
here - koko
hill - oka K
hitc hhiking - hitchi haiku key - kag; ll!
honey - hachimitsu knife - nailu 717
hospital - byoin
hot - a/sw L
hotel - hote ru lake - mizuumi
hour - jikan late - oM»
how - dll lawye r - bengoJlhi
leather - kawa
I left - hUlari
ice cream - aiBll kuriimu 7.{ .A7 1) - l.. lens - lenzll
immediately - lIugu . <- letter - tegami
library - tOllhokan
indigestion - sMkafuryrJ il'HtH'
informa t ion desk - j;f'! w. ligh t (weight) - karw
annat gakari look - miru
injection - Chll.,ha tU t love - ai
interesting - omoshjroi luia p luggage - ten jmotllU
interna t ional call - (jJ~:.mM lunch - cha.moku
kokusai t:laWa
inte rpreter - t.,ayaku M
island - shim a map - chit u
ivory - z(Jge marry - kekkon suru
matches - matchi
J milk - miruku
jade - hillui II" minute - Iun
J apanel<e - nihongo B :.$: cill- money - okane
J apanese garden - " *",[1.1 month - tsuki
nihon teien morning - 0 110
jeans - itpan :J-/~/ motor bike - mota baiku
jewellery - hd3ekj ~ fi music - ongaku
journalist - jtl rwristo :J""\" - 1" I).A I- mw;eum - hakubutllukan
mutton - rna /on
120 Vocabulary Vocabulary 121

N police - k eisatsu '.Iil t~

name- na mae
nea r - chikai M~i~ porcelai n - jiki
pork - bu tanik u
!!l~
!!( ,,,
needle - hari It post office - yabinkyok u !l\f~Q
ne w - atarashii ffr L ~' post cards - haRak i ~ ~
noisy - urusoi ? {;, ~ ~ l poste rest ante - r.H~!I\ f~
noodles - svba/u don
north - kita
-f l!?
,t
s« kyok udome ya bin
l!! }i'l
prescription - shohdsen
W
"
now - ima province - ken
number - bang6 li-r n
~i

0
0 quick - ha yui ~tp
old - [urui 6' ~ 1 quiet - shiluku ruJ A; Ii" "
open (v ) - ukim allu rM~£ ..
operation - sh ujUl$U filj R
optician - meganeya MllO!1i\ railway - tebud6 I ~m
or - oru.iwaka J)9 ~ \I:1:1' rain - ame ~j
orange - orenji ;:tv :'- :; rawr - kami&ori Ii' h -f l')
other - hoko ft!! real - hontll * i'l
receipt - ryt1&hllsho lfit< ill
p record - reklldo L.-:J - }--
pagoda - tll l/i rent (v) - /w riru !n-'"
pain - ita mi ~ \ t:. h repair - naosu ( i "'t
paint ings - kaiga .~ I!!I rest - yasumu IHs
parcel - kozutsumi Hl resta urant - L.- .J,.}- 7:'- fl"§:.
par k - kwn £: ~ restoran or shok udll
passport - pasupllto J< .J,. ;f-: - }- ret urn - kaeTu ~H
peach - mama tt rice (cooked) - gohan '::lift.-
pepper - Iwshd I.1IIll right (side) - migi I;
persimmon - kaki ", ~ river - kawa III
plate - sara
p latform - purattohdmu
IlIl
7 7'l}- ;f< - .L.
roa d - michi m
$1;.
room - heyo
122 Vocabulary Vocabulary 123

5 sweet - amai
salt - shio swim {v] - oyogu
l'ICenery - keshiki
seconds (time) - niban T
sha mpoo - shanpu table - tt'burtt
shoe laces - kutsu hinw teacher - st'nsei
shop - mise telegram - dmplj
shopping - shopp;ngu telephone - dt' nwa
shower - $hawa tell - ~~hit'ru
shut - shi moru temple - tero
signat ure - shomei thanks - ongaM gozaim asu
silk - kin u th eat re - 8t'kijo
sleep (v) - nemuru there - w ko
slowly - yukkuri thread - ito
small - chiisai throat - nodo
smoke (v) - taOOko 0 sll t ickets - kippu
snack - sunakku toast - tOsuto
snow (v) - y uki go [uru tnday - ky o
&lllp - seenen toilet - benjo
soup - sr1pu tomorrow - ashita/asu
sout h - mina mi toot h - ha
soya sauce - shoyu toothbru.'1h - haburoshi
speak (v) -MIUl$U toothpick - tomayOji
sJxxm - supun toy - OmocM
stale - shinsen de nai trade - bOt'ki
stamps - kitte t rain - deWlha
stomach - i travel - r)'uko su ru
stop (v) - tomaru
street - Mri U
student - gakU&i ulcer - kaiyO
sugar -sate umbrella - kasa
 124 Vocabulary Vocabulary 125

undergroun d (subway) - wme - ualn

chikatetsu woman - jwt
und erstand - wakaru writ ing paper - binsen
university - daigaku
upstairs - kaij(J y

V
yellI" - toshi
yesterday - kiM
','11\'(1
, .

vaginal infection - chirsuen yoghurt - yOgurut l.l 3 - 7 )v ~

vegetables - yasai young - wakai li p
vegetarian -
SaisMk u.~hugi sha Z
venereal disease - lWitry6 zen temp le - eenaera
village - mura roo - dlJbl.lt'l.Ien
vmegar - .!u room leIlll - zam l.l reneu
vomit - modosu

W
wage - kytlryC
wait - matsu
waiter - /Wild
wait ress - ueitore,u
want (v) - ho&surl.l
watermelon - 8w k a
weat her - tenki
week -sha
west - nishi
what - nani
when - it&u
where - OOko
which - dore dochira
who -dare
why - dbshite