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Japanese essential phrases with romaji

Twenty-two essential Japanese phrases for greetings, politeness, meals and getting by, shown in Japanese script with romaji and a note on when to use each.

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The cards, front and back

  1. 1
    Front

    Hello / Good afternoon

    Back

    こんにちは (konnichiwa)

    The final character は is read wa here. Used from late morning to late afternoon.

    Example: こんにちは、田中さん。 (Hello, Mr or Ms Tanaka.)

  2. 2
    Front

    Good morning

    Back

    おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu)

    With friends you can shorten it to おはよう (ohayō).

  3. 3
    Front

    Good evening

    Back

    こんばんは (konbanwa)

    Used as a greeting after dark.

  4. 4
    Front

    Goodbye

    Back

    さようなら (sayōnara)

    Used for longer partings. With friends, じゃあね (jā ne) or またね (mata ne, see you) sounds more natural.

  5. 5
    Front

    Thank you

    Back

    ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu)

    Casual: ありがとう (arigatō).

  6. 6
    Front

    You're welcome

    Back

    どういたしまして (dō itashimashite)

    In everyday speech people also just say いいえ (iie).

  7. 7
    Front

    Please (when asking for something)

    Back

    お願いします (onegai shimasu)

    Example: コーヒーをお願いします。 (kōhī o onegai shimasu: A coffee, please.)

  8. 8
    Front

    Please, go ahead (offering)

    Back

    どうぞ (dōzo)

    Used when you hold a door, offer food or let someone go first.

  9. 9
    Front

    Excuse me / Sorry

    Back

    すみません (sumimasen)

    Used to get attention, apologise for a small thing or thank someone for trouble they took.

  10. 10
    Front

    I'm sorry (apology)

    Back

    ごめんなさい (gomen nasai)

    A personal apology. In business, 申し訳ありません (mōshiwake arimasen) is more formal.

  11. 11
    Front

    Yes / No

    Back

    はい (hai) / いいえ (iie)

    Hai is also used to show you are listening, not only to agree.

  12. 12
    Front

    Nice to meet you

    Back

    はじめまして (hajimemashite)

    Usually followed by よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegai shimasu), meaning roughly please treat me kindly.

  13. 13
    Front

    My name is...

    Back

    [name] です ([name] desu)

    Example: わたしはアナです。 (watashi wa Ana desu: I am Ana.)

  14. 14
    Front

    I don't understand

    Back

    わかりません (wakarimasen)

    Example: すみません、わかりません。 (Sorry, I don't understand.)

  15. 15
    Front

    Do you speak English?

    Back

    英語を話せますか (eigo o hanasemasu ka)

    Ka at the end turns a sentence into a question.

  16. 16
    Front

    One moment, please

    Back

    ちょっと待ってください (chotto matte kudasai)

    Kudasai is a polite way to ask someone to do something.

  17. 17
    Front

    How much is it?

    Back

    いくらですか (ikura desu ka)

    Example: これはいくらですか。 (kore wa ikura desu ka: How much is this?)

  18. 18
    Front

    Where is...?

    Back

    ...はどこですか (... wa doko desu ka)

    Example: トイレはどこですか。 (toire wa doko desu ka: Where is the toilet?)

  19. 19
    Front

    Before eating

    Back

    いただきます (itadakimasu)

    Said before a meal to show thanks for the food.

  20. 20
    Front

    After eating

    Back

    ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita)

    Said after a meal to thank the cook or host.

  21. 21
    Front

    Cheers!

    Back

    乾杯 (kanpai)

    Said when raising glasses together.

  22. 22
    Front

    Pronouncing romaji

    Back

    Vowels are short and clear: a as in father, i as in see, u as in food, e as in pet, o as in old. A line over a vowel (ō, ū) means hold it twice as long.

How to use this template

This deck covers essential Japanese phrases for greetings, politeness, meals and simple travel situations. Each card shows the English on the front; the back gives the Japanese in hiragana, katakana or kanji, the romaji (the Latin-letter spelling) and a short note on when to use it. Long vowels are marked with a line, as in arigatō. It suits beginners, travellers to Japan, anime and culture fans starting to learn, and school students. Read the romaji aloud in Learn mode, then switch to Test mode so spaced repetition can bring back the trickier phrases. Print it double-sided as a phrase card for your trip.

Tips

  • Say every phrase aloud. Japanese has a small set of clear vowel sounds, so careful pronunciation is very achievable.
  • Use romaji as a bridge, but start learning hiragana early. It makes reading signs and menus much easier.
  • Notice the polite endings such as gozaimasu and desu. Use the polite forms with anyone you do not know well.
  • Practise sumimasen in different situations. It is one of the most useful words in Japanese.
  • Bow slightly as you practise greetings and thanks. Gesture and words go together in Japan.

Make it fit

  • Add phrases for your travel plans, such as train stations, hotels or allergies.
  • Hide the romaji once you know hiragana and read the Japanese script only.
  • Add numbers and counters if you will be shopping or ordering food.
  • Teachers can add classroom phrases such as もう一度お願いします (mō ichido onegai shimasu: once more, please).

Updated October 28, 2026

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