ADVERB

There are 2 types of Japanese adverbs 副詞 (fukushi). One can be formed by making simple change to adjectives. The other type of adverbs consists of some pre-defined characters which do not derived from adjectives.

We all know that in English, adjectives are used to describe nouns and adverbs are used to describe verbs. That's the same in Japanese. For example...

• せんせいが おおきいじ をかきました。
  sensei ga ookii ji wo kakimashita
  
  Meaning: Teacher wrote a big word.

...the adjective おおきい (ookii - big) is describing the noun じ (ji - word).
In order to describe the action of the teacher (how she wrote the word), you will need to put in the adverb. Note that Japanese adverbs always come before verbs. Therefore using the above example...

• せんせいがじを おおきく かきました。
  sensei ga ji wo ookiku kakimashita
  
  Meaning: Teacher wrote the word with big strokes.
• せんせいがじを きれいに かきました。
  sensei ga ji wo kirei ni kakimashita
  
  Meaning: Teacher wrote the word neatly.

In the above 2 examples, the adverbs おおきく (ookiku) and きれいに (kirei ni) are describing the actions of teacher (how she wrote the word).

1. Changing Adjectives to Adverbs

How to change an adjective to an adverb? Since there are 2 types of adjectives (i-adjective and na-adjective), there are 2 different rules governing the change.

i-adjectives: い-adj(～い) く Verb (Action)

na-adjectives: な-adj に Verb (Action)

For i-adjectives, you just need to replace the い (i) in the adjective with く (ku). Whereas for na-adjectives, append the hiragana に (ni) to the adjective.
Let's use some more examples to show how easy to form adverbs using adjectives...

1. わたしはゆうべうちへ はやく/おそく かえりました。
   watashi wa yuube uchi e hayaku/osoku kaerimashita
   
   Meaning: I went home early/late last night.
2. ともだちはいつも はやく/おそく あるきます。
   tomodachi wa itsumo hayaku/osoku arukimasu
   
   Meaning: My friend always walks quickly/slowly.
3. せんせいはにほんごを じょうずに はなします。
   sensei wa nihongo wo jouzu ni hanashimasu
   
   Meaning: Teacher speaks Japanese nicely/skillfully.

There are 2 meanings for はやい (hayai). It can mean early or fast depending on the context of the sentence. Similarly, おそい (osoi) can mean late or slowly depending on the sentence's context.

2. Regular Japanese Adverbs

The second type of Japanese adverbs is not derived from adjectives. This group of adverbs are regular adverbs which we use frequently in sentences.
I will list some of the most commonly used adverbs with examples.

a. はっきり (hakkiri) - clearly, distinctly

• はっきり せつめいしてください。
  hakkiri setsume shite kudasai
  
  Meaning: Please explain clearly.

b. ゆっくり (yukkuri) - slowly, at ease

• ゆっくり あるきなさい。
  yukkuri arukinasai
  
  Meaning: Walk slowly.

c. すこし (sukoshi) - little, few, small quantity

• わたしは すこし つかれています。
  watashi wa sukoshi tsukarete imasu
  
  Meaning: I am a little tired.

d. ほとんど (hotondo) - almost, nearly

• わたしは ほとんど まいにちテレビをみています。
  watashi wa hotondo mainichi terebi wo mite imasu
  
  Meaning: I am watching tv almost every day.

e. あまり～ない (amari~nai) - not very, not much (used with negative)

• かれは あまり せがたかくない。
  kare wa amari se ga takakunai
  
  Meaning: He is not very tall.

f. ぜんぜん～ない (zenzen~nai) - completely, not at all (used with negative)

• かのじょは ぜんぜん おさけをのまない。
  kanojo wa zenzen osake wo nomanai
  
  Meaning: She doesn't drink (alcohol) at all.

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives and Adverbs

There are two different types of Japanese words that can be used to modify nouns (adjectives) and verbs (adverbs). One group is much like what we would call an adjective but they can also be conjugated to modify verbs as well. We will refer to these as "dv" (for "descriptive verb"). These are often referred to as "true adjectives" or "i-adjectives". The other group can, in most cases, stand alone like a noun but can also be used to modify nouns and verbs. We will refer to these as "dn" (for "descriptive noun"). These are often referred to as "quasi adjectives" or "na-adjectives".

All adjectives in the "dv" group always end with い (i). No exceptions. These are placed in front of a noun in order to modify it. For example:

漢字 - Kanji ひらがな - Hiragana Romaji (English Letters) English Meaning 赤い車 あかいくるま akai kuruma red car

These adjectives can be conjugated to form different tenses, turned into adverbs (modify verbs), etc. The conjugation rules for "true" Japanese adjectives are as follows:

ひらがな - Hiragana Romaji (English Letters) English Meaning drop the い and add く drop the "i" and add "ku" modifies a verb (adverb form) (akaku natta -> became red) (naru is the verb "to become") drop the い and add くない drop the "i" and add "kunai" present tense negative (akakunai -> is not red) (becomes a new "dv") drop the い and add かった drop the "i" and add "katta" past tense (akakatta -> was red) drop the い and add くなかった drop the "i" and add "kunakatta" past tense negative (akakunakatta -> was not red) (This one might take a little practice saying.)

It's not as easy to recognize "dn" adjectives but I will point them out in the vocabulary lists. Sometimes you'll even find a "dn" that ends in い (i) (ex. kirei - pretty). As mentioned before, these words can, in most cases, be used by themselves like a noun (ex. shizen - nature). By adding a な (na) to the end of these words they can be used to modify a noun (ex. shizen na kankyou -> a natural environment). And by adding a に (ni) to the end of these words they can be used to modify a verb as an adverb (ex. shizen ni aruku -> to walk naturally).

Here's a list of some commonly used "dv" and "dn" adjectives:

漢字 - Kanji	ひらがな - Hiragana	Romaji (English Letters)	English Meaning
赤い	あかい	akai (dv)	red
黄色い	きいろい	kiiroi (dv)	yellow
青い	あおい	aoi (dv)	blue
黒い	くろい	kuroi (dv)	black
白い	しろい	shiroi (dv)	white
面白い	おもしろい	omoshiroi (dv)	interesting, funny
暑い	あつい	atsui (dv)	hot
寒い	さむい	samui (dv)	cold
大きい	おおきい	ookii (dv)	big
小さい	ちいさい	chiisai (dv)	small
自然	しぜん	shizen (dn)	nature
綺麗	きれい	kirei (dn)	pretty, clean
失礼	しつれい	shitsurei (dn)	rude
静か	しずか	shizuka (dn)	quiet
特別	とくべつ	tokubetsu (dn)	special
元気	げんき	genki (dn)	in good spirits
変	へん	hen (dn)	weird, strange
上手	じょうず	jouzu (dn)	skillful
親切	しんせつ	shinsetsu (dn)	kind, nice
素敵	すてき	suteki (dn)	"cool", good looking

Meeting Someone New

We are often asked by our students learning Japanese how to introduce yourself to a Japanese person. This interaction is normally very formal and filled with a few bows. Below is a typical Japanese conversation/introduction between two people meeting for the first time:

Japanese (In Kanji, Hiragana, and Romaji) English Meaning Person 1: こんにちは。始めまして。 こんにちは。はじめまして。 Konnichi wa. Hajimemashite. Hello. Nice to meet you. Person 2: 始めまして。お元気ですか。 はじめまして。おげんきですか。 Hajimemashite. O-genki desu ka? Nice to meet you. How are you? Person 1: はい、元気です。 はい、げんきです。 Hai, genki desu. I am fine. Person 1: 私は______と申します。あなたのお名前は？ わたしは______ともうします。あなたのおなまえは？ Watashi wa ______ to moushimasu. Anata no o-namae wa? My name is ______. What is your name? Person 2: 私は______と言います。宜しくお願いします。 わたしは______といいます。よろしくおねがいします。 Watashi wa ______ to iimasu. Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu. My name is ______. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Person 1: 宜しくお願いします。 よろしくおねがいします。 Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Explanation: "Hajimemashite" literally means "it is a beginning" but would be the equivalent of "Nice to meet you" in English. It would only be used the first time meeting someone. As learned in Lesson 9, "genki" means "in good spirits". "O-genki desu ka" is literally asking "Are you in good spirits?". This is the most common way of asking "How are you?" in Japanese. The other person responds "Yes, I am in good spirits". "Mousu" is the ultra polite form of the verb "iu" (to say). Both people are literally saying "I am said/called _____". "Namae" is the word for "name". An "o" is added in front of it (and other words throughout this exchange) to show respect. This is not done when talking about yourself. "Yoroshii" means "good/fine" and "negai" is a wish or request. "Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu" literally means "I request/wish kindly of you". It is basically like saying "Please treat me well". It can be used in other situations as well - such as when asking for a favor.

Other Common Japanese Phrases

We are often asked how to say "I love you" in Japanese. This would be "Anata o ai shite imasu" BUT be advised that the Japanese typically don't use the word for love (愛 - あい - ai) when talking about their feelings for someone else (not even a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, child, parent, etc.). They would typically say "Anata no koto ga suki desu" or "Anata ga daisuki desu". "Suki" is Japanese for "like" and "daisuki" means "favorite". This may seem strange but this is just what they say for "I love you".

漢字 - Kanji ひらがな - Hiragana Romaji (English Letters) English Meaning 誕生日おめでとうございます たんじょうびおめでとうございます tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu Happy Birthday! 明けましておめでとうございます あけましておめでとうございます akemashite omedetou gozaimasu Happy New Year! おめでとうございます おめでとうございます omedetou gozaimasu Congratulations! お休みなさい おやすみなさい oyasuminasai Good night. (used when someone is going to bed) 御免なさい ごめんなさい gomennasai I'm sorry. すみません すみません sumimasen Excuse me. トイレは何処ですか トイレはどこですか toire wa doko desu ka Where is the bathroom? お腹が空いています おなかがすいています onaka ga suite imasu I am hungry. ("My stomach is empty.")

Pelajaan Bahasa Jepang Verb

Daily Activities

ねます

(to) go to bed

あさごはん を たべます

(to) eat breakfast

ひるごはん を たべます

(to) eat lunch

うち で ばんごはん を たべます

(to) eat dinner at home

べんきょうします / べんきょうをします

(to) study

としょかん で べんきょうします

(to) study at the library

しゅくだい を します

(to) do homework

ほん を よみます

(to) read a book

コーヒー を のみます

(to) drink coffee

テレビ を みます

(to) watch TV

えいが を みます

(to) watch a movie

シャワー を あびます

(to) take a shower

おふろ に はいります

(to) take a bath

じゅぎょう が あります

there is/I have a class

がっこう に いきます

(to) go to school

クラス に いきます

(to) come to the classroom

うち に かえります

(to) go home

 The Daily Activities Vocabulary

asagohan

breakfast

hirugohan

lunch

bangohan

dinner; supper

kurasu

class

nihongo no kurasu

Japanese class

miitingu

meeting

deeto

date

eiga

movie

paatii

party

kaimono

shopping

shoppingu

shopping

sanpo

a stroll; strolling

undou

(physical) exercise

benkyou

study; studying

Daily Activities List  

okimasu

get up/wake up

asagohan wo tabemasu

eat breakfast

hirugohan wo tabemasu

eat lunch

bangohan wo tabemasu

eat dinner

gakkou he ikimasu

go to school

kurasu he ikimasu

go to class

toshokan he ikimasu

go to the library

shigoto he ikimasu

go to work

ocha wo nomimasu

drink tea

koohii wo nomimasu

drink coffee

uchi he kaerimasu

go back/return home

undou wo shimasu

do exercise

jogingu wo shimasu

do jogging

terebi wo mimasu

watch TV

eiga wo mimasu

watch a movie

dorama wo mimasu

watch a drama

nyuusu wo mimasu

watch the news

hon wo yomimasu

read a book

shinbun wo yomimasu

read the newspaper

zasshi wo yomimasu

read a magazine

ongaku wo kikimasu

listen to music

rajio wo kikimasu

listen to the radio

nihongo wo benkyoushimasu

study Japanese

suugaku wo benkyoushimasu

study math

nemasu

go to sleep; go to bed

tegami wo kakimasu

write a letter

deeto wo shimasu

go on a date

yakyuu wo shimasu

play baseball

kaimono wo shimasu

go shopping

ichinichijuu nemasu

sleep all day

tomodachi ni aimasu

see/meet a friend

tomodachi to hanashimasu

talk with a friend

nihongo wo renshuushimasu

practice Japanese

denwa wo shimasu

make a phone call

 

 

Beberapa bahan Bahasa Jepang

How to introduce yourself in Japanese

Transcript:
こんにちはともえです。これから六ヶ月間一緒に日本語を勉強して行きましょう。頑張ろう！こんにちは。今日は自己紹介の仕方を勉強します。初めまして、ともえです。よろしくお願いします。
Hello, I’m Tomoe and over the next 6 months let’s study Japanese together. You can do it! So today we’re going to study how to introduce yourself in Japanese.
Hajimemashite means “nice to meet you”.
Tomoe desu means “I am Tomoe”.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu means something like “please be kind to me” or “nice to meet you”.
We usually use it at the end of a self introduction.

Grammar note:

A more formal way to introduce yourself would be:

はじめまして、アレックスと申します。どうぞよろしくお願いします。

Hajimemashite, Alex desu. Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

Nice to meet you, I’m Alex. (Nice to meet you)

So what does all that mean? Firstly, はじめまして hajimemashite comes from the verb hajimeru or to begin and in this context it means “Nice to meet you” when meeting someone for the first time.

Next, アレックスと申します Alex to mōshimasu means I am Alex although this uses the polite form 申す mōsu which means to be called.

Finally we have どうぞよろしくお願いします Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu literally means “please treat me well” or “I count on your good favor” but in this context it is just put at the end of the introduction and has the same meaning as “nice to meet you”.

Dōzo at the beginning makes it more polite.

Finally, if you want a more casual version you could say:

アレックスです。よろしく。

Alex desu. Yoroshiku.

I’m Alex, nice to meet you.

This would be used in a casual encounter between younger people of similar social standing.

Useful daily Japanese phrases

 

元気？ Genki – How are you?

If you want to say this more formally you could say お元気ですか ogenki desu ka. The reply would be something like 元気です。genki desu – I’m fine. In this video, Tomoe showed us the casual version used between good friends with a simple “genki” with rising intonation to indicate it. Simply answer with a simple “genki”.

まあまあ – maa maa – I’m so so

最近どう？ saikin dou – How’ve you been?

最近いい感じ – saikin ii kanji – I’ve been good

あんまりよくない – anmari yokunai – not so good

大丈夫？- daijoubu? – are you OK?

久しぶり – hisashiburi – long time no see

 

How to order anything at a shop or restaurant in Japanese

 

これをください

Kore o kudasai
This means “This please” or “I’ll take this one”. This is a super useful phrase and can be used to order food and buy almost anything in shops. In fact the joke goes, every restaurant in Japan serves the dish “kore” (This).
The other thing you need to know is how to order multiple things as in “I’ll take two of these”, “I’ll take three of these” etc. Check the vocabulary list below. maaa

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
これをください	kore o kudasai	I’d like this please
これをひとつください	kore o hitotsu kudasai	I’d like 1 please
これをふたつください	kore o futatsu kudasai	I’d like 2 please
これをみつください	kore o mitsu kudasai	I’d like 3 please
これをよつください	kore o yotsu kudasai	I’d like 4 please
これをいつつください	kore o itsutsu kudasai	I’d like 5 please

One last thing to remember is that in many Japanese restaurants, you can make use of the menu which usually has pictures for the food. In this way, you can simply point and say これをください and you’ll be fine.

 

 

Useful Japanese phrases

A collection of useful phrases in Japanese. Click on the English phrases to see them in many other languages.

Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal, f = said by women, >f = said to women

English	日本語 (Japanese)
Welcome	ようこそ (yōkoso)
Hello (General greeting)	今日は (konnichiwa) おっす (ossu) - used between close male friends
Hello (General greeting)	もしもし (moshi moshi)
How are you?	お元気ですか？ (o genki desu ka)
Reply to 'How are you?'	はい、元気です。あなたは？ (hai, genki desu. anata wa?) お蔭様で元気です (o kagesama de genki desu)
Long time no see	久しぶり (hisashiburi) お久しぶりですね (o hisashiburi desu ne)
What's your name?	お名前はなんですか? (o-namae wa nan desu ka)
My name is ...	... だ (... da) (inf) ...です (... desu) (frm)
Where are you from?	出身はどこですか？ (Shusshin wa doko desu ka?) どちらからですか (Dochira kara desu ka?) - frm
I'm from ...	（私は）～出身です ((watashi wa) ... shusshin desu)
Pleased to meet you	初めまして (hajimemashite) 初めまして。どうぞ宜しく (hajimemashite. dōzo yoroshiku) reply お会いできて嬉しいです (oaidekite ureshii desu)
Good morning (Morning greeting)	お早うございます / おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu) お早う / おはよう (ohayō)
Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting)	こんにちは [今日は] (konnichiwa)
Good evening (Evening greeting)	今晩は / こんばんは (konbanwa)
Good night	おやすみなさい (oyasumi nasai) おやすみ (oyasumi)
Goodbye (Parting phrases)	さようなら (sayōnara) いって来ます (ittekimasu) - 'I'll be back' - you are leaving いってらっしゃい (itterasshai) - 'come back soon' - you are staying じゃあまたね (jā mata ne) - see you later
Good luck	ご幸運を祈ります! (gokoūn o inorimasu) - frm 頑張ってね (gambatte ne) - inf
Cheers! (Toasts used when drinking)	乾杯 (kanpai) lit. "dry glass"
Have a nice day	良い一日を (Yoi ichinichi o)
Bon appetit / Have a nice meal	どうぞめしあがれ (douzo meshiagare) = 'enjoy your meal' - said by the cook/chef いただきます (itadakimasu) - said before a meal by those eating it ご馳走さまでした (gochisōsama deshita) - said after a meal by those who have eaten it
Bon voyage / Have a good journey	よい旅行を (yoi ryokō o) ごきげんよう！ (gokigen yō - Goodbye / Good luck) いってらっしゃい (itte irasshai - Go and come back) 一路平安を祈る (ichiroheian o inoru) - I wish you a smooth road (old fashioned)
I understand	わかります (wakarimasu) わかる (wakaru) inf
I don't understand	わかりません (wakarimasen) - frm わからない (wakaranai) - inf
Please speak more slowly	ゆっくり話してください (yukkuri hanashite kudasai) ゆっくり言ってください (yukkuri itte kudasai)
Please write it down	書いてください (kaite kudasai) 書いて、頂けますか (kaite itadakemasu ka)
Please say that again	もう一度、言ってください (mō ichido, itte kudasai)
Do you speak Japanese?	日本語を話しますか (Nihongo o hanashimasu ka?) 日本語は話せますか (Nihongo wa hanasemasu ka?) 日本語はできますか (Nihongo wa dekimasu ka?)
Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?')	はい、話します (Hai, hanashimasu) はい、話せます (Hai, hanasemasu) はい、出来ます (Hai, dekimasu)
How do you say ... in Japanese?	... は日本語でなんと言いますか。 (... wa nihongo de nanto īmasu ka?)
Excuse me	すみません! (sumimasen)
How much is this?	いくらですか (ikura desu ka?)
Sorry	ごめんなさい! (gomen nasai)
Thank you	どうも (dōmo) ありがとう (arigatō) ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) どうもありがとう (dōmo arigatō) どうもありがとうございます (dōmo arigatō gozaimasu)
Reply to thank you	どう致しまして / どういたしまして (dō itashimashite)
Where's the toilet?	便所はどこですか (benjo wa doko desu ka?) トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka?) 手洗いはどこですか (tearai wa doko desu ka?)
This gentleman/lady will pay for everything	この人が全部払います (konohito ga zembu haraimasu)
Would you like to dance with me?	一緒に踊りませんか (isshoni odorimasenka?)
I love you	好きです (suki desu) 好きだ (suki da) 好きだよ (suki dayo) 好きよ (suki yo) f 大好きです (daisuki desu) 愛してるよ (aishiteru yo) 愛してるわ (aishiteru wa) >f
Get well soon	お大事に (odaiji ni)
Leave me alone!	ほっといて! (hottoite!)
Help!	助けて! (tasukete!)
Fire!	火事だ! (kaji da!)
Call the police!	警察を呼んでください! (keisatsu o yonde kudasai!)
Christmas and New Year greetings	メリークリスマス (merī kurisumasu) New Year greeting - 'Western' style 新年おめでとうございます (shinnen omedetō gozaimasu) New Year greetings (used before New Year) 良いお年を (yoi otoshi o) - inf 良いお年をお迎え下さい (yoi otoshi o omukae kudasai) - frm New Year greetings (used at New Year, not before) 明けましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetō gozaimasu) 旧年中大変お世話になりました (kyūnenjū taihen osewa ni narimashita) 今年もよろしくお願いします (kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu)
Easter greetings	復活祭おめでとうございます (fukkatsu-sai omedetō gozaimasu) イースターおめでとうございます (īsutā omedetō gozaimasu)
Birthday greetings	お誕生日おめでとうございます (otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu)
One language is never enough	言語を一つは決して足りない (gengo o hitotsu wa kesshite tarinai) 言語は一つだけでは足りない (gengo hitotsu dake de wa tarinai)
My hovercraft is full of eels Why this phrase?	私のホバークラフトは鰻でいっぱいです (Watashi no hobākurafuto wa unagi de ippai desu.)

Language difficulties

Do you understand?	わかりますか (wakarimasu ka?) - frm
I understood	わかりました (wakarimashta) - frm
I don't speak Japanese	日本語を話せません (Nihongo o hanasemasen)
Do you speak English?	英語はできますか (Eigo wa dekimasu ka?)
Does anyone speak English?	英語の話せる人はいませんか (Eigo no hanaseru hito wa imasen ka) 誰か、英語が話せますか (dare ka, eigo ga hanasemasu ka?)
Sorry, I didn't understand that	すみません。分かりませんでした (sumimasen. wakarimasen deshita)
What did you say?	なんて言いましたか (nan te iimashita ka?)
Can you translate it for me?	訳してください (yakushite kudasai)
What does this mean?	これはどういう意味ですか (kore wa dōiu imi desu ka)
How do you pronounce that?	これはどんな風に発音しますか (kore wa donna fū ni hatsuon shimasu ka)

In the hotel

There's a problem in the room	その部屋の中に問題があります (sono heya no naka ni mondai ga arimasu)
There's no hot water	お湯がありません (oyu ga arimasen)
The tap/faucet is leaking	蛇口が漏れています (jaguchi ga moreteimasu)
The drain is blocked	排水溝が詰まっています (haisuikō ga tsumatteimasu)
The air conditioner is too noisy	エアコンがうるさすぎます (eakon ga urusasugimasu)
Can I have another room?	他の部屋へ移れますか (hoka no heya e utsuremasu ka?)
When should I vacate the room?	いつ、部屋を出なくてはなりませんか (itsu, heya o denakute wa narimasen ka?)
I'd like to check out	チェックアウトしたいのですが (chekkuauto shitai no desu ga)
I'd check out on this date	この日にチェックアウトしたいのですが (kono hi ni chekkuauto shitai no desu ga)
Could you call a taxi please?	タクシーを呼んで下さい (takusī o yonde kudasi?)
May I see the bill please?	請求書を見せて頂けますか (seikyūsho o misete itadakemasu ka?)
How much is the total bill?	請求書の合計額は、いくらですか (seikyūsho no gōkei wa ikura desu ka?)
Can I have an itemised bill?	明細書を見せて頂けますか (meisaisho o misete itadakemasu ka?)
I think there's a mistake on this bill	この請求書に間違いがあるように思うのですが (kono seikyūsho ni machigai ga aruyō ni omō no desu ka?)

Eating out

Is there a restaurant near here?	近くにレストランはありますか (chikaku ni resutoran wa arimasu ka?)
I'd like to reserve a table	テーブルの予約を取りたいのですが (tēburu no yoyaku o toritai no desu ga)
We have a reservation	既に予約をとっています (sudeni yoyaku o totte imasu)
Do you have an English menu?	英語のメ二ューはありますか (eigo no menyu wa arimasu ka?)
Can I see the wine list?	ワインのリストを見せて頂けませんか (wain no risuto o misete itadakemasen ka?)
I am a vegetarian	私は菜食主義者です (watashi wa saishokushugisha desu)

Japanese Phrases

Japanese Phrases

    

English Phrases	Japanese Phrases
English Greetings	Japanese Greetings:
Hi!	Yaa. *1   やあ。
Good morning!	Ohayou gozaimasu.   おはようございます。
Good evening!	Konbanw   こんばんは。
Welcome! (to greet someone)	Youkoso irasshai mashita.   ようこそいらっしゃいました。
How are you?	Ogenki desuka?   お元気ですか？
I'm fine, thanks!	Watashi wa genki desu. Arigato!   わたしは元気です。ありがとう。
And you?	Anatawa?   あなたは？
Good/ So-So.	Genki desu. / maa-maa desu.   元気です。/ まあまあです。
Thank you (very much)!	Arigatou! *2   ありがとう！
You're welcome! (for "thank you")	Dou itashi mashite.   どういたしまして。
I missed you so much!	Samishi katta desu. *3   さみしかったです。
What's new?	Saikin dou desuka?   最近どうですか？
Nothing much	Kawari nai desu.   変わりないです。
Good night!	Oyasumi nasai.   おやすみなさい。
See you later!	Mata atode aimashou!   またあとで会いましょう！
Good bye!	Sayonara!   さようなら！
Asking for Help and Directions
I'm lost	Mayotte shimai mashita.   迷ってしまいました。
Can I help you?	Otetsudai shimashouka?   お手伝いしましょうか？
Can you help me?	Tetsudatte kuremasuka? *4   手伝ってくれますか？
Where is the (bathroom/ pharmacy)?	(Toire/yakkyoku) wa doko desuka?   (トイレ/薬局) はどこですか？
Go straight! then turn left/ right!	Massugu itte kudasai. Soshite, hidari / migi ni magatte kudasai まっすぐ行ってください。そして、 左／右にまがってください。
I'm looking for john.	John wo sagashite imasu.   Johnを探しています。
One moment please!	Chotto matte kudasai.   ちょっと待ってください。
Hold on please! (phone)	Chotto matte kudasai.   ちょっと待ってください。
How much is this?	Kore wa ikura desuka?   これはいくらですか？
Excuse me ...! (to ask for something)	Sumimasen!   すみません！
Excuse me! ( to pass by)	Sumimasen!   すみません！
Come with me!	Watashi to issho ni kite kudasai.   私といっしょに来てください。

    

How to Introduce Yourself
Do you speak (English/ Japanese)?	Anata wa eigo/nihongo wo hanashimasu ka? あなたは（英語／日本語）を話しますか？
Just a little.	Sukoshi dake.   少しだけ。
What's your name?	Namae wa nandesu ka?   名前は何ですか？
My name is ...	Watashi no namae wa …..   私の名前は・・・
Mr.../ Mrs.…/ Miss…	*5 “san” is adequate for all.   ・・・さん
Nice to meet you!	Hajimemashite! or Oai dekite ureshii desu. *6 はじめまして！／お会いできてうれしいです！
You're very kind!	Anata wa totemo shinsetsu desu.   あなたはとてもしんせつです。
Where are you from?	Doko no shusshin desu ka?   どこの出身ですか？
I'm from (the U.S/ Japan)	Amerika/Nihon kara desu.   アメリカ／日本からです。
I'm (American)	Watashi wa Amerika jin desu.   私はアメリカ人です。
Where do you live?	Doko ni sun de imasu ka?   どこに住んでいますか？
I live in (the U.S/ Japan)	Watashi wa amerika / nihon ni sundeimasu. 私はアメリカ／日本に住んでいます。
Did you like it here?	Kokowa suki ni narimashita ka?   ここは好きになりましたか？
Japan is a wonderful country	Nihon ha subarashii kuni desu.   日本は素晴らしい国です。
What do you do for a living?	Osigoto wa nandesu ka?   お仕事は何ですか？
I work as a (translator/ businessman)	Osigoto wa nandesu ka?   ほんやく／会社員として働いています。
I like Japanese	Watashi wa nihongo ga suki desu.   私は日本語が好きです。
I've been learning Japanese for 1 month	Watashi wa nihongo wo ichikagetu narrate imasu. 私は日本語を一ヶ月習っています。
Oh! That's good!	Sorewa iidesu ne.   それはいいですね。
How old are you?	Toshi wa ikutsu desu ka?   年はいくつですか？
I'm (twenty, thirty...) years old.	Watshi wa (20, 30) sai desu.   私は（２０，３０）才です。
I have to go	Ikanakutewa narimasen.   行かなくてはなりません。
I will be right back!	Sugu modori masu.   すぐ戻ります。
Wish Someone Something
Good luck!	Ganbatte ne! *7   がんばってね！
Happy birthday!	Tanjyoubi omedetou gozaimasu!   誕生日おめでとうございます！
Happy new year!	Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. あけましておめでとうございます。
Merry Christmas!	Merii Kurisumasu! *8   メリークリスマス！
Congratulations!	Omedetou!   おめでとう！
Enjoy! (for meals...)	(noun, etc) wo tanoshinde kudasai.   ( ) を楽しんでください。
I'd like to visit Japan one day	Ituka nihon wo otozure tai.   いつか日本を訪れたい。
Say hi to John for me	John ni yoroshiku to tsutaete kudasai. Johnによろしくと伝えてください。
Bless you (when sneezing)	Odaiji ni.   お大事に。
Good night and sweet dreams!	Oyasumi nasai.   おやすみなさい。
Solving a Misunderstanding
I'm Sorry! (if you don't hear something)	Sumimasen.   すみません。
Sorry (for a mistake)	Gomenasai.   ごめんなさい。
No Problem!	Daijyoubu desu.   大丈夫です。
Can You Say It Again?	Mouichido itte kuremasuka?   もういちど言ってくれますか？
Can You Speak Slowly?	Yukkuri shabette kuremasuka?   ゆっくりしゃべってくれますか？
Write It Down Please!	Kaite kudasai.   書いてください。
I Don't Understand!	Wakarimasen.   わかりません。
I Don't Know!	Shirimasen.   知りません。
I Have No Idea.	Wakarimasen.   わかりません。
What's That Called In Japanese?	Arewa nihongo de nanto iimasu ka? あれは日本語で何といいますか？
What Does "gato" Mean In English?	“Omedeto” wa eigo de douiu imi desu ka? Omedeto は英語でどういう意味ですか？
How Do You Say "Please" In Japanese?	“Please” wa nihongo de nanto iimasu ka? “Please” は日本語で何と言いますか？
What Is This?	Korewa nandesu ka?   これは何ですか？
My Japanese is bad.	Watashi no nihongo wa heta desu.   私の日本語はへたです。
I need to practice my Japanese	Nihonn go wo renshu suru hitsuyou ga arimasu. 日本語を練習する必要があります。
Don't worry!	Goshinpai naku.   ご心配なく。
Japanese Expressions and Words
Good/ Bad/ So-So.	Yoi / Warui / maa-maa   よい／悪い／まあまあ
Big/ Small	Ookii/Chiisai   大きい／小さい
Today/ Now	Kyou / Ima   今日／今
Tomorrow/ Yesterday	Ashita / Kinou   明日／昨日
Yes/ No	Hai / iie   はい／いいえ
Here you go! (when giving something)	Hai, douzo!   はい、どうぞ。
Do you like it?	Suki desu ka?   好きですか？
I really like it!	Honto ni suki desu.   ほんとに好きです。
I'm hungry/ thirsty.	Onaka ga suki masita. / Nodo ga kawaki mashita. おなかが空きました。／のどがかわきました。
In The Morning/ Evening/ At Night.	Asa ni, yuugata ni, yoru ni   朝に／夕方に／夜に
This/ That. Here/There	Kore / Are Koko / Asoko   これ／あれ　　ここ／あそこ
Me/ You. Him/ Her.	Watashi / anata Kare / Kanojyo   私／あなた　彼／彼女
Really!	Honto!   ほんと！
Look!	Mite！   見て！
Hurry up!	Isoide!   急いで！
What? Where?	Nani? Doko?   何？　　どこ？
What time is it?	Nanji desu ka?   何時ですか？
It's 10 o'clock. 07:30pm.	Jyuji desu. Gogo hichi ji sanjyu pun desu. 十時です。午後７時３０分です。
Give me this!	Kore wo kudasai!   これをください。
I love you!	Daisuki desu./ Anata wo aishite imasu. *9 大好きです。/あなたを愛しています。
I feel sick.	Choshi ga warui desu.   調子が悪いです。
I need a doctor	Byouin ni ikitai.   病院に行きたい。
One, Two, Three	Ichi, ni, san   いち、に、さん
Four, Five, Six	Yon, go, roku   よん、ご、ろく
Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten	Nana (shichi) hachi, kyuu, jyuu   なな（ひち）、はち、きゅう、じゅう

*1 This may be a kind of literary/writing expression… and it’s seldom used in conversation. But never is unnatural.
*2 Arigato and Arigato gozaimasu. There’s no big difference between them, “Arigato gozaimasu” is more polite.
*3 (Anata ga inakute) Samishi katta desu : Abbreviated Anata ga inakute.
*4 Usually we just say “Excuse me/ Sumimasen”, and “Can you help me” is included in this “Sumimasen”.
*5 ...san is a very normal way. Add after both first and family name like Koizumi san or Jyunichiro san.
*6 This sentence can directly be Oai dekite ureshii desu. If you meet person for the first time, you can say Hajimemashite.
*7 Direct translation is Kouun wo inorimasu.
*8 Christmas is not really celebrated by the Japanese and therefore Merry Christmas is not a common greeting you would hear.
*9 This is one of the Japanese language mysteries, I love you is expressed in progressive aspect like “I am loving you”. But basically it’s seldom used. Instead, Daisuki desu is used casually.
I hope the content of this page was useful to you, and that you learned some Japanese phrases, expressions and words. Make sure to memorize them to be able to use them in your daily conversation. If you want to practice what you have learnt here, go to Language Test.

Greet using these
Useful Japanese Phrases

The following is a list of the useful Japanese phrases for greetings.
You will use these phrases often when you first meet your Japanese friends or when you travel to Japan. Take some time to go through the list. I am sure you will find it useful.
Probably the first Japanese phrase that you will learn is こんにちは (konnichiwa). It means Hello or Good afternoon. So start saying konnichiwa to your friends.

Some of these useful Japanese phrases may seem complicated for beginners.
For example there are several meanings for the phrase すみません (sumimasen). In this case just remember it with the meaning of "Excuse me" when asking for help.
Let's check out what are the useful Japanese phrases in the following list.

	Kanji/Hiragana Romaji	Meaning
1.	お早うございます ohayou gozaimasu	Good morning
2.	こんにちは konnichiwa	Hello/Good afternoon
3.	こんばんは konbanwa	Good evening
4.	ようこそ youkoso	Welcome (aboard)
5.	さようなら sayounara	Good bye (This is only used if you are leaving for a long time, like going overseas)
6.	また明日 mata ashita	See you tomorrow
7.	ではまた dewa mata	See you
8.	すみません sumimasen	Excuse me (when asking for something)
9.	すみません sumimasen	I am sorry (for my fault)
10.	すみません sumimasen	Pardon me (for missing what you said)
11.	すみません sumimasen	Thank you (for taking the trouble to do... for me)
12.	ごめんなさい gomen nasai	I am sorry
13.	失礼ですが shitsurei desuga	Excuse me, but... (when asking for something)
14.	ありがとうございます arigatou gozaimasu	Thank you very much
15.	どういたしまして dou itashimashite	You are welcome/Don't mention it/Not at all
16.	どうぞ douzo	Here you are. (Used when offering something to someone)
17.	どうも doumo	Well, thanks
18.	お休みなさい oyasumi nasai	Good night
19.	おめでとうございます omedetou gozaimasu	Congratulations
20.	お元気ですか ogenki desu ka	How are you?
21.	はい、おかげさまで 元気です hai, okagesamade genki desu	Yes, due to your kind thought, I am very good
22.	大丈夫ですか daijoubu desu ka	Are you OK?
23.	大丈夫です daijoubu desu	I am OK
24.	はじめまして hajimemashite	How do you do? (Literally "I am meeting you for the first time". This Japanese phrase is usually used as the first phrase when introducing oneself)
25.	マイクと申します maiku to moushimasu	My name is Mike (Assuming your name is Mike)
26.	どうぞよろしくお願いします douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu	I am pleased to meet you. (Literally "Please make good relation with me" or "Please be kind to me". Usually used at the end of a self-introduction)
27.	こちらこそよろしく お願いします kochira koso yoroshiku onegaishimasu	I am please to meet you too. (Literally "Please be kind to me too") (Response to "どうぞよろしくお願いします")
28.	これからお世話になります korekara osewani narimasu	I hope for your assistance hereafter. (Literally "Please take care of me hereafter")
29.	ごめんください gomenkudasai	Anybody home?/May I come in? (An expression used by a visitor)
30.	いらっしゃい irasshai	How nice of you to come/Welcome
31.	どうぞお上がりください douzo oagari kudasai	Please come in (the house)
32.	お邪魔します ojamashimasu	Excuse me for disturbing you (Greeting used when going to someone's house)
33.	お名前は o namae wa	What is your name? (The "お" in front makes the question more polite)
34.	いただきます itadakimasu	You say this to express your gratitude before meals
35.	ごちそうさまでした gochisou sama deshita	You say this to express your gratitude after meals
36.	行ってきます ittekimasu	I am going out now. See you later (Phrase used when going out from home)
37.	行ってらっしゃい itterasshai	Take care. Have a nice day (Response to "行ってきます", used by people in the house)
38.	ただいま tadaima	I am home (Phrase used when coming back to home)
39.	お帰りなさい okaerinasai	Welcome back (Response to "ただいま", used by people in the house)
40.	お気をつけて o ki wo tsukete	Be careful
41.	お大事に o daiji ni	Take care of your body (say this to friend who is sick)

These are just some of the useful Japanese phrases collected so far. In future I will add more to this list when I find more useful Japanese phrases.
Although it's impossible for you to become perfect Japanese speaker just by remembering these phrases, learning some useful phrases in Japanese will definitely help you in many situations. You will find them useful when you are meeting native Japanese in the airport, hotels, restaurants, etc.
If you want to learn more phrases than the list provided above, why not try out this useful Japanese online lessons.
Lastly, let's learn one more useful phrase: 道中ご無事に (dou chuu go buji ni) - Bon voyage!

Japanese Verbs on State Continuation with Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

In the last lessons, you have learned the Japanese verbs on state continuation using て-form + います (te-form + imasu) and transitive & intransitive verbs. In this lesson we'll look into combining the two to express the resulting state further.
You know that the 4th function of て-form + います (te-form + imasu) is state continuation. It is defined as a certain continuing state which resulted from a certain action in the past.
You can actually use a transitive verb to emphasize that the resulting state is the result of action done by someone.
On the other hand, an intransitive verb is used to emphasize the resulting state, ignoring who did the action.
Let's look at the sentence patterns of Japanese verbs state continuation with transitive and intransitive verbs...

Transitive verb (て-form) あります

Intransitive verb (て-form) います

An Example of Japanese Verb Transitive/Intransitive Pair

To understand the sentence patterns, let's use a simple example. A window in the room is opened currently. Mr Tanaka then closed the window and the window remained closed.

When the window is closed by Mr Tanaka, you can say たなかさんはまどをしめました (tanaka san wa mado wo shimemashita). To describe the resulting state where the window has been closed by someone (Mr Tanaka) and still remain closed, you will say...

• まど が しめてあります。
  mado ga shimete arimasu
  Meaning: The window has been closed (by someone).

In another situation, the wind is so strong that it forces an window in the room to close naturally.

In this case, you can say まどがしまりました (mado ga shimarimashita). To describe this resulting state where the window was closed and remain closed, you will say...

• まど が しまっています。
  mado ga shimatte imasu
  Meaning: The window was closed.

In both the above examples, the resulting states are the same - the windows remain closed. However you will use either of them depending on what you want to describe.
If you want to emphasize on the fact that someone has closed the window in the past and it still remain closed, use Transitive verb (て-form) あります.
If you don't care who closed the window and just want to describe the fact that the window was closed and it still remain closed, use Intransitive verb (て-form) います.
Note that since you are making a description, the particle used is が (ga) instead of を (wo) for the case of Transitive verb (て-form) あります. Therefore it is wrong to say まど を しめてあります (mado wo shimete arimasu).

More Examples of Japanese Verbs Transitive/Intransitive Pairs

Let's use some of the Japanese verbs transitive/intransitive pairs you learned in last lesson.

1. ならべる (naraberu) / ならぶ (narabu)

• おさら が ならべてあります。
  osara ga narabete arimasu
  Meaning: Plates have been arranged by someone / Someone arranged the plates.
• ひと が ならんでいます。
  hito ga narande imasu
  Meaning: People are queuing.

2. けす (kesu) / きえる (kieru)

• でんき が けしてあります。
  denki ga keshite arimasu
  Meaning: Light has been switched off (by someone).
• でんき が きえています。
  denki ga kiete imasu
  Meaning: Light was switched off.

3. つける (tsukeru) / つく (tsuku)

• でんき が つけてあります。
  denki ga tsukete arimasu
  Meaning: Light has been switched on (by someone).
• でんき が ついています。
  denki ga tsuite imasu
  Meaning: Light was switched on.

4. とめる (tomeru) / とまる (tomaru)

• くるま が とめてあります。
  kuruma ga tomete arimasu
  Meaning: The car has been stopped (by someone).
• くるま が とまっています。
  kuruma ga tomatte imasu
  Meaning: The car was stopped.

5. あける (akeru) / あく (aku)

• ドア が あけてあります。
  doa ga akete arimasu
  Meaning: The door has been opened (by someone).
• ドア が あいています。
  doa ga aite imasu
  Meaning: The door was opened.

In conclusion, you can use both Transitive verb (て-form) あります and Intransitive verb (て-form) います to describe the remained state of the same situation. If you want to emphasize on the person who made the situation, use Transitive verb (て-form) あります. If you just want to describe the situation, use Intransitive verb (て-form) います.

Japanese Verbs on State Continuation

You have learned the 3 functions of Japanese verbs て-form + います (te-form + imasu)
In this lesson you will get to learn another function which is state continuation.
In definition this is a certain continuing state which resulted from a certain action in the past.
Japanese verbs used for this function are verbs which describe changes that are more or less instantaneous.
This function is commonly used for 1) Appearance and 2) State.

Let's look at the following actions...

• ほんをよんでいます。
  hon wo yonde imasu
  Meaning: reading book
• テレビをみています。
  terebi wo mite imasu
  Meaning: watching tv
• おんがくをきいています。
  ongaku wo kiite imasu
  Meaning: listening to music

The Japanese verbs used in the above actions normally require some times and cannot be done instantly. Therefore the above actions become progress actions.
However for the action of "wearing" or きます (kimasu), if you were to make て-form + います, normally this action finish instantly. Therefore て-form + います is used to show the result of the action, or the resulting state.
So for the following action...

• せんせいはうわぎをきています。
  sensei wa uwagi wo kite imasu
  
  Meaning: Teacher is wearing a jacket.

The English definition is also the same. When you say "Teacher is wearing a jacket", you are saying the appearance of the teacher which is the resulting state of the wearing action. You are actually NOT saying the action of wearing the jacket.
Of course it can be progress action too. For example when you are changing your clothes in your room, you say...

• いまふくをきています。
  ima fuku wo kite imasu
  
  Meaning: I am changing my clothes now. (progress action)

Other than the above situation, normally it is used for appearance (resulting state). For instance, someone is wearing a black dress, someone is wearing necklace, someone is wearing glasses, etc.

Japanese Verbs used in Appearance Expressions

Usually in English you use the verb "wear" or "put on" for appearance, regardless that you are wearing a hat, a pair of glasses, a shirt or a trousers.
But in Japanese, depends on what you are wearing, you will need to use different Japanese verbs. I will introduce some of them based on different categories.

1. Upper Body (above waist)

Dictionary form	te-form + imasu	Romaji
きる	きています	kite imasu

Things which can be used with this Japanese verb...

• シャツ (shatsu - shirt)
• ブラウス (burausu - blouse)
• ワンピース (wanpi-su - one-piece dress for women)
• コート (ko-to - coat)
• セーター (se-ta- - sweater)
• うわぎ (uwagi - jacket)
• スーツ (su-tsu - suit)

Example:

• あにはセーターをきています。
  ani wa se-ta- wo kite imasu
  
  Meaning: My elder brother is wearing a sweater.

2. Bottom (below waist)

Dictionary form	te-form + imasu	Romaji
はく	はいています	haite imasu

Things which can be used with this Japanese verb...

• ズボン (zubon - trousers)
• スカート (suka-to - skirt)
• くつ (kutsu - shoes)
• くつした (kutsushita - sock)

Example:

• ちちはあたらしいくつをはいています。
  chichi wa atarashi kutsu wo haite imasu
  
  Meaning: My father is wearing new shoes.

3. Top (on head)

Dictionary form	te-form + imasu	Romaji
かぶる	かぶっています	kabutte imasu

Thing which can be used with this verb...

• ぼうし (boushi - hat)

Example:

• いもうとはぼうしをかぶっています。
  imouto wa boushi wo kabutte imasu
  
  Meaning: My younger sister is wearing a hat.

4. Glasses

Dictionary form	te-form + imasu	Romaji
かける	かけています	kakete imasu

Thing which can be used with this verb...

• めがね (megane - glasses)

Example:

• せんせいはめがねをかけているひとです。
  sensei wa megane wo kakete iru hito desu
  
  Meaning: Teacher is the person who is wearing glasses.

5. Accessories

Dictionary form	te-form + imasu	Romaji
する	しています	shite imasu

Things which can be used with this Japanese verb...

• とけい (tokei - watch)
• ネックレス ( nekkuresu - necklace)
• ゆびわ (yubiwa - ring)
• ベルト (beruto - belt)
• ネクタイ (nekutai - necktie)

Example:

• はははちちからもらったとけいをしています。
  haha wa chichi kara moratta tokei wo shite imasu
  
  Meaning: My mother is wearing the watch given by my father.

6. Hold/Carry Something (or Possession)

Dictionary form	te-form + imasu	Romaji
もつ	もっています	motte imasu

Things which can be used with this Japanese verb...

• かばん (kaban - bag)
• ほん (hon - book)
• かさ (kasa - umbrella)
• anything you can hold or carry, etc

Example:

• わたしはかさをもっています。
  watashi wa kasa wo motte imasu
  
  Meaning: I carry an umbrella / I have a umbrella.

Japanese Verbs て-form + います (te-form + imasu) for State

Another common use for Japanese verbs て-form + います (te-form + imasu) is when you are defining the state.
For example when you say...

• わたしはらいねんにほんにすみます。
  watashi wa rainen nihon ni sumimasu
  
  Meaning: Next year I will live in Japan.

But if you want to say that you are living in Japan now, you need to use て-form + います (te-form + imasu).

• わたしはにほんにすんでいます。
  watashi wa nihon ni sunde imasu
  
  Meaning: I am living in Japan now.

Another good example is the explanation of marriage...

• わたしはあしたけっこんします。
  watashi wa ashita kekkonshimasu
  Meaning: I will get married tomorrow.
• わたしはきのうけっこんしました。
  watashi wa kinou kekkonshimashita
  Meaning: I got married yesterday.

Both the above 2 examples are one-time events which will happen or have happened on that particular day. However if you want to stress the state that you are now married, you will need to use て-form + います (te-form + imasu).

• わたしはけっこんしています。
  watashi wa kekkon shite imasu
  Meaning: I am married (state).

Similarly, if you want to say someone is fat or slim (state), you have to use て-form + います (te-form + imasu).

• わたしはふとっています。
  watashi wa futotte imasu
  Meaning: I am fat.
• わたしはやせています。
  watashi wa yasete imasu
  Meaning: I am slim.