30 Japanese Phrases for Everyday Conversation

These everyday phrases cover most common situations. Learn them and you can handle daily life in Japanese.

Getting by

• すみません — excuse me / sorry
• 大丈夫です — I''m okay / it''s fine
• わかりました / わかりません — I understand / I don''t understand
• もう一度お願いします — once more, please
• ゆっくり話してください — please speak slowly

Shopping & eating

• いくらですか — how much is it?
• これをください — I''ll take this
• おすすめは何ですか — what do you recommend?
• お会計をお願いします — the bill, please

Getting help

• トイレはどこですか — where is the toilet?
• 助けてください — please help
• 英語を話せますか — can you speak English?

Keep a short list on your phone and use a few each day — they become automatic fast.