Japanese communication

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 13: Ways to Say “I don’t know” in Japanese 1. I don’t know/I don’t understand (or comprehend): わかりません。Wakarimasen. (Formal) 2. I don’t know/ I don’t have the information (or knowledge) : しりません。Shirimasen. (Formal) … Depending on the situation, this can make you sound cold …

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 12: Catching Someone’s Attention in Japanese 1. Excuse me : すみません。Sumimasen. (Formal) … Often pronounced すいません Suimasen. 2. Excuse me for a moment : ちょっとすみません。Chotto sumimasen. (Formal) 3. Um…/Say, …/ Excuse me… : あのう or あの Anoo or Ano (Formal and Informal) 4. Sorry …

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 11: Ways to Show Interest in Japanese 1. I see. (Is that so) : そうですか。Soo desu ka. (Formal) 2. Oh, I see : ああ、そうですか。Ah, soo desu ka. (Formal) 3. I see : そう。Soo. (Informal) 4. I see : そうなんだ。Soo nan da. (Informal)… This one …

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 10: Phrases for Self-Introduction in Japanese 1. Hello : はじめまして Hajimemashite (Formal & Informal) You can use #1 only when you meet, speak, or write to someone for the very first time. 2. I am [name]: [name] ともうします [name] to mooshimasu (Formal) 3. I …

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 9: Responding to an Apology in Japanese 1. No (don’t mention it) : いいえ lie (Formal) 2. No (don’t mention it) : いえいえ le ie (Formal) 3. No (don’t mention it) : ううん Uun (Informal) 4. OK : オッケー Okkee (Informal) 5. That’s alright …

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 8: Apologies in Japanese 1. I’m terribly sorry: まことにもうしわけございません Makotoni mooshiwake gozaimasen (Very Formal) 2. I’m truly sorry: ほんとうにもうしわけありません Hontooni mooshiwake arimasen (Very Formal) 3. I’m truly sorry: ほんとうにすいません Hontooni suimasen (Formal) 4. I’m truly sorry (for what I have done) : ほんとうにすいませんでした Hontooni …

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 7: Responding to Someone Asking How You Are in Japanese 1. Yes, thanks to you : はい、おかげさまで Hai, okage sama de (Formal) 2. Yes, thanks to you, I am well : はい、おかげさまでげんきです Hai, okage sama de genki desu (Formal) Okage sama de literally means …

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 6: Ways to Ask How Someone Is in Japanese 1. Are you well? : おげんきですか Ogenki desu ka? (Formal) This is not the same as “How are you?” in English. We don’t use this to a stranger, someone we don’t know very well, or …

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 5: Responding to “Thank You” in Japanese 1. No (don’t mention it) : いいえ lie (Formal) 2. No (don’t mention it) : いえいえ le ie (Formal) 3. No (don’t mention it) : ううん Uun (Informal) 4. Yup: うん Un (Informal) 5. Anytime: いつでも Itsudemo …

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners Part 4: Ways to Say Thank You in Japanese 1. Thank you very much: どうもありがとうございます Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu (Formal) 2. Thank you: ありがとうございます Arigatoo gozaimasu (Formal) 3. Thank you: ありがとう Arigatoo (Informal) 4. Thanks: どうも Doomo (Informal) 5. Thanks: サンキュー Sankyuu (Informal) 6. (Sorry for …