Japanese Phrases - Essential Phrases For Use At The Hospital

By Emily Kato

If you get ill in a foreign land it is a terrible experience. But you are not fluent in the language it is even worse. In Japan, if you go to a doctor it could be that English is not widely spoken and having a few simple words will be of immense advantage.

If you want to go to the medical centre, you would say 'Byoin e ikitai desu'. Words to be familiar with here are 'Hospital' is 'Byoin', doctor is 'Sensei' or 'Oisha-san' and nurse is 'Kangofu'.

The first thing the nurse of doctor will ask is 'Do Shimashita ka?'. This phrase means 'What is wrong' or 'What is the matter with you'. You could be in pain and the Japanese word for pain or painful is 'Itai'. If you have a headache, you would say 'Atama ga itai desu', a stomach ache would be 'Onaka ga itai desu' or if it is a difficulty with your teeth you would say 'Ha ga itai desu'.

To explain symptoms you can make use of the following: 'Netsu ga arimasu' - meaning 'I have a fever', 'Tabetakunai desu' - I have no appetite or 'Kaze o hikimashita' - 'I caught a cold'. If you have more cold symptoms, the vocabulary to use is 'hanamizu ga demasu' - I have a runny nose, 'seki ga demasu' - I have a cough or 'nodo ga itai desu' - I have a sore throat.

Finally, you should be familiar with a few words for body parts, in case your pain is not covered by the phrases already explained. Here are the essential body part vocabulary to learn. "head" = atama , "eye(s)" = me, "nose" = hana,"mouth" = kuchi, "teeth" = ha, "throat" = nodo, "neck" = kubi, "shoulder(s)" = kata, "back" = senaka "stomach" = onaka, "chest" = mune, "leg" = ashi, "arms" = ude and "hand(s)" = te. - 30216

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To hear the pronunciation of these and learn Japanese phrases visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com

Japanese Phrases for Traveling

By Emily Kato

When traveling around Japan, it will be helpful to know a few phrases that could make things easier for you to get help when you're staying at your hotel, finding a temple or even dining in a restaurant.

Here are some phrases that should be at the top of your list:

Asking Directions

Sumimasen, chotto otazuneshimasu. = Excuse me, I'm going to ask you a question.

Sumimasen, Tookyoo eki wa doko desu ka? = Excuse me, where is Tokyo Station?

Takushii wa doko desu ka? = Where are the taxis?

Basu wa doko desu ka? = Where is the bus?

Chikai desu ka? = Is it near?

Tooi desu ka? = Is it far?

Kono juusho made onegai shimasu. = Take me to this address, please.

Kono chizu de genzai-ichi o oshiete kudasai. = Please show me where we are on this nap.

Toho de ikemasu ka? = Can I get there by walking?

Dorekurai kakarimasu ka? = How long does it take to get there?

Kono chikakuni Koban wa arimasu ka? = Is there a Police Station nearby?

Koko no chizu o kudasai. = Please give me a map of the city.

Chikatetsu no rosenzu o kudasai. = Please give me a subway map.

Acommodations

Check-in wo onegai shimasu. Namae wa _____ desu. = I'd like to check in. My name is ______.

Yokayu shiteimasen. Aiteiru heya wa arimasu ka? = I don't have a reservation. Do you have a room available?

Kochira no form ni gokinyu kudasai. = Please fill out this form.

Oshiharai wa credito caadu desu. = I will pay by credit card.

Douburu roomu hito heya de ippaku desu. = One double room, one night.

At the restaurant

Ima, aitemasuka? = Are you open?

Kinenseki, kitsuen-seki no dochirani shimasuka? = is there an English-speaking employee?

Kinenseki wo onegai shimasu = No smoking section please.

Aiteiru heya wa gozaimasu. Doozo otomari kudasai. = We'd like to sit at that table. Please put us there.

Machijikan wa dorekudai desu ka? = How long is the wait?

Emergencies and Help

Keisatsu wo yonde kudasai = Please call the police!

Kyuukyuusha wo yonde kudasai = Please call an ambulance!

Taishikan ni renraku shitai desu = I want to contact the embassy

Bengoshi to sodan shitai desu = I want to consult a lawyer.

Tasukete kuremasuka? = Can you help me?

Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka? = Where is the pharmacy?

Watshi no monoga nusumaremashita. = Someone stole my belongings.

Pasupooto o nakushimashita = I lost my passport!

This is just a basic list of some helpful phrases for your travel experiences. At least having this list handy, you'll go a long way and get what you need while traveling in Japan. Happy traveling! - 30216

About the Author:

Of course you have to know how to pronounce the language. To learn Japanese phrases and the correct pronunciation, visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com

Japanese Phrases - Essential Phrases for Shopping in Japanese

By Emily Kato

If you are planning a trip to Japan, you probably have a few things on your mind - eating great Japanese food, drinking and doing some shopping to bring back some gifts for your friends. Read on to learn the essential phrases you should try and remember to make your shopping a great experience and also fun. Imagine telling your friends that you actually were able to speak in Japanese at the shops to buy their gifts.

If you learn some simple yet useful Japanese shopping phrases you can very easily look around the shops in Tokyo or markets that you come by and talk in Japanese to buy presents for your friends and family. If something catches your eye but you are not sure what it is, you could ask is "What's this?" and in Japanese that is "Kore wa nan desu ka?"

You can ask the price of the item you choose by asking "Ikura desu ka?" which means "How much?" If you are just window shopping and the shop keeper asks you if you need anything in particular, then you can answer "Just looking!" by saying "Miteru dake desu!"

When the shop keeper shows you something and you do not like it but still want to see something similar, then you can ask "Anything else?" or in Japanese "Nanika hokani arimasu ka?" If you want something smaller or bigger than the one shown to you then you can ask "Anything Smaller?" by saying "Motto chiisai no wa?" or "Anything Bigger?" by stating "Motto ookii no wa?"

If you feel that the shop keeper is asking too much for what you are interested in, then you can express that by saying "Too expensive" or "Takasu-gimasu". You can ask for a discount on the item using the phrase "Waribiki wa arimasu ka?" meaning "Is there any discount?"

At the end of the shopping you can tell the shopkeeper that you are finished by saying "Sore de zenbu desu!" which means "That's all!". Don't forget to say Thank-you in Japanese, which you probably know as 'Domo Arigatou Gozaimashita'. Remember tipping in Japanese is not the custom. - 30216

About the Author:

Of course you have to know how to pronounce the language. To learn Japanese phrases and the correct pronunciation, visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com

Learn Japanese Phrases - Start Simple and Be Speaking Japanese Quickly

By Emily Kato

Start Simple. That's good advice when learning most things. With languages, it can easily get overwhelming when trying to piece together pronunciation, grammar, different writing systems. The best way to start learning Japanese is to learn a few simple words and get talking. You can build up to more complicated phrases and words later, but learn these simple but useful words and you will be able to recognise and speak a few basic words.

Lets start with a few greetings. 'Hello' is just 'Konnichi-wa'. It is actually used mainly during the day time, in the morning you wouldn't use it, you would say 'Ohayo Gozaimasu' and in the evening 'Komban wa'. After that you may want to ask 'How are You' and this can be said as 'O Genki Desu Ka'. The answer, if you are fine, is 'Genki Desu'.

Thank-you comes in a couple of variations from casual to formal. The easiest and simplest and casual way of saying 'Thank-You' is 'Domo'. The next level of politeness is 'Domo Arigato Gozaimasu', or 'Domo Arigato'. The most polite way of saying Thank-You is 'Domo Arigato Gozaimasu'. If someone says 'Thank-You' to you, 'You're Welcome' can be said with 'Do Itashimashite'.

'Yes' and 'No' are simple words in Japanese. 'Yes' is 'Hai'. 'Hai' is used not only for agreeing with the speaker but also for indicating that you understand what the other person has said. Sometimes when a Japanese person says 'Yes', in a conversation, they mean that they understand what you have said, but it does not automatically mean that they agree. This is a point to be careful of, as it can cause some confusion. 'No' in Japanese is also a simple word and is 'Iie'.

'Sumimasen' is a very common word that is used frequently. It can mean 'Excuse Me' and also it can be used to say 'Sorry'. Another way to say 'Sorry' is 'Gomen Nasai' which has a stronger meaning.

Start with the basics and build from there. If you can learn just the words in this article, you will be able to communicate already. Japanese is known to be a difficult language, but if your aim is to just get started, you will find these words can be used in many situations and will be a good start for your journey to learn Japanese. - 30216

About the Author:

Of course you have to know how to pronounce the language. To learn Japanese phrases and the correct pronunciation, visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com

Japanese Phrases For Eating - Tips to Survive A Restaurant Visit In Japan

By Emily Kato

The first thing to know when going to a restaurant in Japan is that you will usually be welcomed loudly when you enter the restaurant. When a customer enters a restaurant in Japan and the staff notice, they will call out in unison, "Irasshaimase" or "Irasshai, Irasshai". This is a greeting to mean 'Welcome, Come In".

First, its useful to know the words for different types of meals. Breakfast is 'chōshoku' or asagohan (which literally means morning rice or meal). Lunch is chūshoku or hirugohan (which means midday meal). You may also come across light meal/snack which is 'keishoku', supper = yūshoku and bangohan, which means evening meal.

To get started, ask for the menu - Please bring a menu = Menu o kudasai. In Japan, fixed price or set menus are usually the best value. A fixed price meal is 'teishoku'. If you are a vegetarian or don't eat certain foods then these phrases are handy: I'm a vegetarian = Bejitarian desu or I don't eat pork = Butaniku wa dame desu.

So now you are ready to order, the following words will give you some understanding of what the words for different types of food are:

Chicken = toriniku

Beef = gyūniku

Pork = butaniku

Mutton = yōniku

Fish =sakana

Ham = hamu

Sausage sosēji

Cheese chīzu

Eggs tamago

Salad sarada

What about a drink? Here are some basic drink words:

Coffee = kōhī

Green tea = ocha

Black tea = kōcha

Juice = jusu

Water = mizu

Beer = bīru

To ask for the bill, I would like to pay, please. = O-kanjo onegai shimasu. At the end of the meal, if it was very tasty, you call call out "Gochisōsama deshita" (which literally means 'Thanks for the feast', to the staff and they will all reply "Arigatō gozaimashita! (Thank-You very much). Going to a busy restaurant will surely be one of the most memorable experiences of a trip to Japan. - 30216

About the Author:

Of course you have to know how to pronounce the language. To learn Japanese phrases and the correct pronunciation, visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com

Japanese Phrases for 'I Love You'

By Emily Kato

There are many ways to tell someone you love them in every language. For the Japanese language, this is no exception. However, with Japanese there is not just one direct way to say I love you, but about 3 to 4 or more other ways.

1. Suki desu = This is the most common and preferred way to say 'I love you' in Japan. It literally means to like.

2. Daisuki desu = It is slightly informal and used to mean that the person is very likable.

3. Aishite Imasu = This is a literal translation of 'I love you'.

4. Suki dayo = This is most often used by males saying that the person is essentially likable.

5. Ai shite iru wa = This term for 'I love you' is used by females

6. Suki da = This is used by males meaning likeable

7. Suki yo = This is the feminine phrase meaning likeable.

8. Suki yanen = This is a Kansai dialect version of 'I love you' literally meaning 'I love it'.

Along with the above phrases, there are also words to describe "love" as depicted in the kanji or Chinese characters written: Ai and koi. They have slightly different nuances and meanings.

Koi is generally used in words and phrases as love for the opposite sex or a longing for a specific person. Ai has the same meaning, but is usually used to describe real general love.

The Japanese also use the English loanword equivalent to love by pronouncing it as rabu. Here are a few examples:

1. Rabu retaa = Love letter

2. Rabu shiin = Love scene

3. Rabu Rabu = Used by young people when they are very much in love.

The Japanese do not like to say directly how they feel towards another person unless they feel extremely close with them. This is hard for many Western non-Japanese to deal with because they are so used to expressing feelings and opinions directly. Yet, some Japanese hardly even say 'I love you' to each other as a couple or while married because it is inherently known and showing one's love instead of saying it is what is more important than anything else.

And how do Japanese how this love? Usually by simple favors or gifts. There doesn't need to be anything elaborate, but something simple such as cooking dinner, cleaning the house, or buying a simple gift. - 30216

About the Author:

Of course you have to actually learn the pronunciation to be able to use these phrases. To learn more Japanese phrases and the correct pronunciation, visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com

Survival Japanese Phrases - Basic Words and Phrases You Need to Communicate In Japan

By Emily Kato

If you are trying to learn Japanese, sometimes time and money is not enough. However, it doesn't mean that you cannot learn Japanese nor communicate with it. It only takes a few hundred basic Japanese words and you will be able to communicate in some common situations.

So what is "Survival Japanese"? "Survival Japanese" is the Japanese you need and can learn to get around Japan or to speak with your Japanese friends and other strangers. These are phrases and words that you can use anywhere: while checking into a hotel, using the telephone, getting, and settling in Japan (especially if you are traveling or planning to live there for a while). Learning them will not only help you get around easier, but also more conveniently.

Greetings

Hello: Konnichi wa

Good Morning: Ohayou gozaimasu

Good afternoon: Konnichi wa

Good Evening: Konbanwa

Good night: Oyasuminasai

How are you? ： O genki desu ka?

Casual goodbye : Ja matta / Matta ne / Ja ne

Formal goodbye (won't see again for a long time) : Sayonara

Basic Questions

I understand:　Wakarimasu

I don't understand: Wakarimasen

Can you speak English?: Anata wa Eigo ga dekimasuka?

Can you speak Japanese?: Anatawa nihongo ga dekimasuka?

Yes: Hai

No: Iie

Thanks: Arigatou

Where is [something] : [Something] wa doko desu ka? Where is the bathroom? : Toilet wa doko desu ka?

Where is a restaurant? : Resturan wa doko desu ka?

Basic Transportation Words

Train : Densha

Train station : Eki

Airplane : Hikoki

Airport : Kuko (sounds like koo koh)

Shopping Phrases

How much does it cost? : Ikura desu ka?

How much does THIS cost : Kore ikura desu ka?

How much does THAT cost : Sore ikura desu ka?

Hopefully this list will help to at least get you started on your basic journey with the Japanese language. It's not as difficult as you think and it can actually be a lot of fun. If you have some problems, or have some questions on what to say or how to pronounce a word, or even read Japanese writing, don't be afraid to ask. As a matter of fact, a Japanese person will be happy to help you and might bend over backwards to do so if you're polite and friendly enough. Remember, the only way to improve is to practice, practice, and practice. - 30216

About the Author:

To hear the pronunciation of these and learn Japanese phrases visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com