Basic Sentences Flashcards
Formula for basic sentences, questions. Additionally, some useful every day phrases for travel in Japan. For example, introducing yourself for the first time.
‘Thank you very much’ - emphatic and formal.
Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu.
‘Thank you’ - polite but more conversational.
Arigatoo gozaimasu.
‘Thanks’ - more casual/said in passing.
Arigatoo.
‘Thank you for your hard work!’
Otsukaresamadeshita.
‘Please, be kind to me’ - formal version.
Doozo yoroshiku.
‘Please give me kindness’ - formal version.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
‘Be kind to me’ - more casual but not impolite.
Yoroshiku.
‘My name is John’ - insert your own name instead.
Watashi no namae wa Jon desu.
‘I am John’ - insert your own name instead.
Watashi wa Jon desu.
‘How do you do? My name is John. Please give me kindness’ - basic introduction when meeting for the first time.
Hajimemashite.
Watashi no namae wa Jon desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
‘I am Australian’ - insert your own country instead.
Watashi wa Oosutoraria(jin) desu.
‘I am not American’ - insert another country where appropriate.
Watashi wa Amerika(jin) ja arimasen.
‘Your country, where is it?’
(O)kuni wa doko desuka.
‘Are you Japanese?’ - insert another country where appropriate.
Anata wa Nihon(jin) desuka.
‘No I am not American. I am Australian’ - insert another country where appropriate.
Iie. Watashi wa Amerika(jin) ja arimasen. Watashi wa Oosutoraria(jin) desu.
‘Yes, that is right.’
Hai soo desu.
‘No, that is not right.’
Iie chigaimasu.
Question - ‘Is Jane English?’
Response - ‘No, that is not right.’ Jane is Australian.’
Question - Jeen-san wa Irigisu(jin) desuka.
Response - Iie chigaimasu. Jeen-san wa Oosutoraria(jin) desu.
‘John is a driver’ - insert another name or occupation where appropriate.
Jon-san wa untenshu desu.
‘Jane is a doctor’ - insert another name or occupation where appropriate.
Jeen-san wa isha desu.
‘Where is Jane’s occupation?’
‘Your job, what is it?’
Doko ga Jeen-san no shokugyoo desuka.
Shigoto wa nan desuka.
‘Where is your occupation?’
Shokugyoo wa doko desuka.
‘Your name, what is it?’
(O)namae wa nan desuka.
‘My mobile telephone number is 0400 000 000’ - insert your own number where appropriate.
Watashi no kei tai denwa no bango wa zero - yon - zero - zero (no) zero - zero - zero (no) zero - zero - zero desu.
‘What is your mobile telephone number?’
Anata no kei tai denwa no bango wa nan desuka.
‘What is John’s mobile telephone number?’
Jon-san no kei tai denwa no bango wa nan desuka.
‘Now, what time is it?’
Ima nan(ji) desuka.
‘Your birthday is when?’
Anata no tanjoobi wa itsu desuka.
‘Today, is my birthday.’
Kyoo wa watashi no tanjoobi desu.
‘My birthday is 2023 - 06 - 01’ - insert another date where appropriate.
Watashi no tanjoobi wa ni-sen ni-juu-san (nen) roku(gatsu) tsuitachi desu.
‘Today, is it Jane’s birthday?’ - insert another name or time expression where appropriate.
Kyoo wa Jeen-san no tanjoobi desuka.
‘The bathroom, where is it?’
(O)tearai wa doko desuka.
‘Danger - look out!’
Abunai.
‘Take care’ - be careful.
Kiotsukete.
‘Take care of yourself’ - look after your health.
(O)daijini.
‘So long’ (but come back) - said to household member when they are leaving.
Itte rasshai.
‘So long’ (I am coming back) - said to household member when they are leaving.
Itte mairimasu.
‘I am back’ - said to household members when arriving back home.
Tadaima.
‘Welcome home’ - said to household members who are returning home.
(O)kaeri nasai.
‘How are you?’ - said formally when there is reason to suspect person has been unwell/has been going through hardship, or you have not seen them for a long time.
(O)genki desuka.
‘Fine thank you’ - response to (o)genki desuka.
Arigatoo gozaimasu. Genki desu.
‘Congratulations!’
Omedetoo gozaimasu.
‘You are welcome.’
Doo itashimashite.
‘Wait just a moment please.’
Chotto matte kudasai.
‘Once more please’ - could you repeat that once more please?
Moo ichido onegaishimasu.
‘Excuse me for going before you.’
Osakini.
‘Please go before me.’
Doozo osakini.
‘Impossible.’
Dame desu.
‘Keep your chin up!’ - said as encouragement.
Gambatte kudasai.
‘Are you okay?’ - more casual/conversational than (o)genki desuka.
Daijoobu desuka.
‘Yes, I am okay’ - response to daijoobu desuka.
Hai daijoobu desu.
‘How old are you?’
Nan sai - meaning ‘what age.’ Use eye contact there is no need to form a complex sentence.
‘I agree with you.’
Soo desu ne (short ne sound).
‘Let me think.’
Soo desu ne (long ne sound).
‘Is it?/Is that right?’
Soo desuka (rising intonation).
‘I see.’
Soo desuka (flat intonation).
‘Ummm.’
Anoo (or Ettoo).
‘Here is the Japanese language class room.’
Koko wa nihongo kurasu no heya desu.
‘Here is the Japanese language class.’
Koko wa nihongo kurasu desu.
‘Here is not my room.’
Koko wa watashi no heya ja arimasen.
‘I love it.’
Dai suki desu.
‘This food, I love it.’
Kono tabemono wa dai suki desu.
‘Anywhere.’
Dokomo.
‘Anything.’
Nanimo.
‘Nobody’
Daremo.
‘I am sorry. I did not understand.’
Gomen’nassai. Wakarimasendeshita.
‘Once more please’ (or Could you repeat that?).
Moo ichido onegaishimasu.
‘Please speak slowly.’
Yukkurihanashite kudasai.
Question - were you able to do?
Answer - yes was able.
Answer - no was not able.
Answer - Not yet.
Question - Dekimashita ka.
Answer - Hai dekimashita.
Answer - Iie dekimasendeshita.
Answer - Mada desu.
