Quick Travel Cheat Sheet of Useful Japanese Words

Tina Vestal from Vibrant Travel
Oct 7
3 min read

Location: Japan

Great for: Singles, Couples, Families, Groups, and Honeymoons

Alley in Japan — Shopping and Dining Alley

A quick guide to 30 essential Japanese words for travelers. Includes Romanization, English meaning, and a short travel context.

Japanese	Romanization	English Meaning	Travel Context
こんにちは	Konnichiwa	Hello	Used for greeting during the day.
ありがとう	Arigatou	Thank you	Express gratitude politely.
すみません	Sumimasen	Excuse me / I'm sorry	Used to get attention or apologize.
お願いします	Onegaishimasu	Please	Used when asking for something politely.
はい	Hai	Yes	Simple affirmation used frequently.
いいえ	Iie	No	Used to decline or disagree politely.
トイレ	Toire	Toilet	Ask for a restroom — 'Toire wa doko desu ka?' means 'Where is the bathroom?'
いくらですか	Ikura desu ka?	How much is it?	Useful when shopping or dining.
これ	Kore	This	Used to indicate something nearby.
それ	Sore	That	Used to indicate something near the listener.
あれ	Are	That (over there)	Used for objects far from both speaker and listener.
どこ	Doko	Where	Used to ask for locations.
ここ	Koko	Here	Used when indicating a place near you.
そこ	Soko	There	Used when referring to a place near the listener.
あそこ	Asoko	Over there	Used to indicate distant locations.
おいしい	Oishii	Delicious	Say this when enjoying a meal.
メニュー	Menyuu	Menu	Ask for a menu — 'Menyuu o onegaishimasu.'
みず	Mizu	Water	Ask for water — 'Mizu o kudasai.'
えき	Eki	Station	Use for asking directions — 'Eki wa doko desu ka?'
ホテル	Hoteru	Hotel	Helpful when asking for accommodation or directions.
たすけて	Tasukete	Help!	Emergency phrase to get assistance.
だいじょうぶ	Daijoubu	It’s okay / I’m fine	Used to reassure others or decline politely.
たべもの	Tabemono	Food	Useful when ordering or asking about meals.
のみもの	Nomimono	Drink	Ask for beverages or refer to drinks.
きっぷ	Kippu	Ticket	Used for train or attraction tickets.
バス	Basu	Bus	Useful for public transportation inquiries.
タクシー	Takushii	Taxi	Use when asking for or calling a taxi.
まっすぐ	Massugu	Straight ahead	Used for giving or understanding directions.
ひだり	Hidari	Left	Used when following directions.
みぎ	Migi	Right	Used when following directions.

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