Simple Japanese Phrases
Say the phrase in Japanese:
Hello!
Ko-nee-chi-wa
Say the phrase in Japanese:
Good Morning!
Ohio Goh-Zai-mas
sushi consisting of a small ball of rice smeared with wasabi sauce and topped with raw fish or other seafood.
Nigiri
Fresh water eel
Unagi
The second tallest structure in Japan, inspired after the Eiffel Tower.
(Bonus points if you can name the tallest structure in Japan!)
Tokyo Tower
Bonus: Tokyo Skytree
Say the phrase in Japanese:
Cheers!
Kan-pai
Say the phrase in Japanese:
Nice to meet you
(When meeting a stranger or someone new)
hah-jee-meh-MASH-teh
('A' in Mash is an ah sound)
a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner
Kaiseki
Fish roe (Small bright orange/red eggs)
Tobiko
Neighborhood renowned for its colorful street art and fashion scene, with quirky vintage clothing stores and cosplay shops along Takeshita Street, and more traditional, upmarket boutiques lining leafy Omotesando Avenue.
Harajuku
Say the phrase in Japanese:
Thank you!
Ar-i-gato!
Say the phrase in Japanese:
Good night
Oh-YAH-su-mee-nah-sai
Broth soups used abundantly in Japanese cooking. The three most common dashi are made from dried kombu, niboshi, or shiitake.
Dashi
Yellowtail fish
Hamachi
Renown for being the busiest intersection in the world!
Shibuya Crossing
Say the phrase in Japanese:
Please
Oh-neh-gai-shi-mas
Say the Phrase in Japanese:
(While exchanging business cards)
Your name is _______.
It is nice to meet you.
_______-san desu ne.
Yoro-shiku oh-neh-gai-shi-mas.
This phrase translates to “I’ll leave it up to you.” As such, diners leave the selection of the contents of their meal to the head chef. Primarily related to sushi.
Omakase
Sea urchin
Uni
Known as the electronics district, this area is Tech shops and otaku culture. As a center of Japanese otaku and anime culture there are dozens of stores specializing in anime, manga and other collectables. There are also several maid cafes, where employees dress as maids and act like different anime characters.
Akihabara Dsitrict
Say the phrase in Japanese:
Sorry
GOH-men Nah-sai
Say the phrase in Japanese:
What is your name?
Oh-NAM-eh Han-an-des-ka
A type of sashimi that involves the chef cutting into live fish, shrimp, octopus and/or lobster — often taken straight from tanks on premises — to serve immediately.
Very popular in Japan but controversial and even illegal in some countries.
ikizukuri
Salmon sushi
(hint- its also a tasty Japanese beverage!)
Sake
A famous statue dedicated to a golden akita dog would accompany his owner to Shibuya Station, and every day he would be waiting for the professor to return for the walk home.
One day the owner didn't come back (died of a stroke) and the dog waited at the station ever day for him for 9 years. He became famous for loyalty in Japan.
Hachiko Statue -Shibuya Station