COMMON JAPANESE WORDS AND PHRASES

Pronounciation Tip: When words end with a "U," it is typically "soft" or silent.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

HAI Yes. Does not always mean yes or agreement. In fact, most of the time it means I've heard you or I am being attentive to what you are saying.
ARIGATOU Thank You
OHAYO Good Morning
KONNICHIWA Good Day (use after 10 a.m.)
KONBANWA Good Evening
KUDASAI Please Give Me
IKURA DESU KA? How much is it? What is the price?
SAYONARA Goodbye
SUMIMASEN Excuse me (use when interrupting or when you would appear to be inconveniencing someone)
GOMEN NASAI I'm sorry
ONEGAI SHIMASU Please do me a favor, as in please help me; please do so; please serve me; etc., with the verb usually being understood.
CHOTTO MATTE Just a minute; wait a moment
HAYAKU Quickly; faster
CHIGAI MASU It is wrong
SOH DESU That's right; that is so
SOH DESUKA? Is that right?
WAKARI MASEN I can't understand

 

MILITARY EXPRESSIONS

BEIGUN U.S. Forces
ZAI NICHI BEI RIKUGUN U.S. Army Japan
SHOKO Officer
HEITAI Soldier
GAIMU SHO MOFA or Ministry of Foreign Affairs