15 Everyday Japanese Phrases: Meanings, Examples & Practice

Have you studied Japanese grammar, but still find yourself replying with only はい or ありがとうございます? A few everyday expressions can help you keep a conversation going, express thanks and ask for help when you do not understand.

Here are 15 practical Japanese phrases, with kana readings, English explanations and examples. Some are polite expressions for teachers, shop staff or people you have just met; others are casual phrases for friends. Pay attention to who is speaking and the situation.

1. Greetings and thanks

1. おはようございます — Good morning

Kana reading: おはようございます
When to use it: Use this in the morning with teachers, colleagues or people you do not know well. With friends and family, the shorter おはよう is natural.

A：おはようございます。
B：おはようございます。今日もよろしくお願いします。
A: Good morning.
B: Good morning. I look forward to working with you today.

2. ありがとうございます — Thank you

Kana reading: ありがとうございます
When to use it: Use this to thank someone for their help or for service in a shop. With friends, you can usually say ありがとう.

教えてくれて、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for telling me.

3. すみません — Excuse me / I’m sorry

Kana reading: すみません
When to use it: Useful for getting someone’s attention, calling a member of staff or making a small apology. If someone has gone out of their way to help, すみません、ありがとうございます can also convey appreciation for the trouble they have taken.

すみません、駅はどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the station?

4. よろしくお願いします — A greeting or request that depends on the situation

Kana reading: よろしくおねがいします
When to use it: You will hear this after introductions and when asking someone to do something. There is no single English translation: it can mean “Nice to meet you”, “I look forward to working with you” or “Thank you for your help”, depending on the context.

今日からこちらで勉強します。よろしくお願いします。
I’m starting my studies here today. I look forward to learning with you.

5. お疲れさまです — A greeting that acknowledges someone’s work

Kana reading: おつかれさまです
When to use it: Common between colleagues as a greeting or to acknowledge their effort. After work or an activity, お疲れさまでした is also useful. This is not a greeting to use with everyone in every situation.

今日も一日、お疲れさまでした。
Thanks for your hard work today.

2. Responding and checking understanding

6. そうなんですね — Oh, I see

Kana reading: そうなんですね
When to use it: Use this when someone tells you something new. It shows you are listening. With friends, you can say そうなんだ.

A：来月、日本に引っ越します。
B：そうなんですね。日本のどこですか。
A: I’m moving to Japan next month.
B: Oh, I see. Where in Japan?

7. なるほど — I see / That makes sense

Kana reading: なるほど
When to use it: Use it when an explanation helps you understand a reason or a method. In a more formal situation with a teacher, manager or customer, よく分かりました。ありがとうございます (“I understand now. Thank you.”) may be more appropriate.

なるほど、ここで乗り換えるんですね。
I see, so this is where we change trains.

8. 大丈夫です — I’m OK / No, thank you

Kana reading: だいじょうぶです
When to use it: The meaning depends on the question. If someone asks whether you are all right, it means “I’m OK”. When someone offers help, it may mean “No, thank you”. In a shop, use a clear answer such as 袋はいりません (“I don’t need a bag”) if you want to avoid ambiguity.

A：大丈夫ですか。
B：はい、大丈夫です。ありがとうございます。
A: Are you all right?
B: Yes, I’m OK. Thank you.

9. もう一度お願いします — Could you say that again?

Kana reading: もういちどおねがいします
When to use it: Use this when you did not hear or understand something. You do not have to pretend you understood: simply ask the speaker to repeat it.

すみません、もう一度お願いします。
Sorry, could you say that again?

10. もう少しゆっくり話していただけますか — Could you speak a little more slowly?

Kana reading: もうすこしゆっくりはなしていただけますか
When to use it: This is a polite request when someone is speaking too quickly. Beginners can start with the shorter ゆっくりお願いします (“Slowly, please”).

すみません、もう少しゆっくり話していただけますか。
Excuse me, could you speak a little more slowly?

3. Shopping and chatting with friends

11. これをお願いします — I’d like this, please

Kana reading: これをおねがいします
When to use it: Use this when pointing to an item on a menu or choosing something in a shop. これをください (“This, please”) is another useful option.

このケーキを一つお願いします。
I’d like one slice of this cake, please.

12. ちょっと待ってください — Please wait a moment

Kana reading: ちょっとまってください
When to use it: Useful when you need time to find something or check information. With friends, say ちょっと待って. When serving customers or in a formal setting, 少々お待ちください is more appropriate.

今、確認します。ちょっと待ってください。
I’ll check now. Please wait a moment.

13. いいですね — That sounds good / That’s nice

Kana reading: いいですね
When to use it: Use this to respond positively to someone’s idea or plan. With friends, いいね is natural. To clearly accept an invitation, add 行きましょう (“Let’s go”).

A：週末、一緒に映画を見ませんか。
B：いいですね。行きましょう。
A: Would you like to see a film together this weekend?
B: That sounds good. Let’s go.

14. 本当ですか — Really?

Kana reading: ほんとうですか
When to use it: Use this to show surprise or check something you have heard. With friends, 本当？ is common. マジで？ is much more casual; avoid it in formal situations or when meeting someone for the first time.

A：このお店、今日は休みですよ。
B：本当ですか。知りませんでした。
A: This shop is closed today.
B: Really? I didn’t know.

15. またね — See you

Kana reading: またね
When to use it: A casual way to say goodbye to friends or people you know well. With a teacher or someone less familiar, choose a suitable expression such as それでは、また (“See you again, then”) or 失礼します (“Excuse me, I’ll be leaving now”).

A：今日はありがとう。またね。
B：うん、またね。
A: Thanks for today. See you.
B: Yes, see you.

4. Put the phrases together

At a café

客：すみません、このケーキを一つお願いします。
店員：かしこまりました。お飲み物はいかがですか。
客：すみません、もう一度お願いします。
店員：お飲み物は、いかがですか。
客：コーヒーをお願いします。

Customer: Excuse me, I’d like one slice of this cake, please.
Staff: Certainly. Would you like a drink?
Customer: Sorry, could you say that again?
Staff: Would you like a drink?
Customer: A coffee, please.

Making plans with a friend

A：週末、新しいカフェに行かない？
B：いいね。どこにあるの？
A：駅の近くだよ。ケーキがおいしいんだって。
B：本当？楽しみ！
A：じゃあ、土曜日に。またね。

A: Shall we go to the new café this weekend?
B: Sounds good. Where is it?
A: Near the station. I hear the cakes are delicious.
B: Really? I’m looking forward to it!
A: Saturday, then. See you.

5. Quick practice: what would you say?

Try saying a suitable Japanese phrase aloud before opening the answers.

1. A member of staff is speaking too quickly. Politely ask them to slow down.
2. A friend suggests going to the cinema this weekend. Say “Sounds good”.
3. You did not hear what your teacher said. Ask them to repeat it.
4. A friend tells you they are moving to Japan next month. Respond with “Oh, I see”.

6. Practise three phrases a day

Start with すみません, もう一度お願いします and いいですね. Imagine a situation for each phrase and say it aloud. As you get comfortable, add a follow-up question: after いいですね, try 何時ですか (“What time?”) to keep the conversation going.

You do not need long sentences to start speaking Japanese. A natural response at the right moment is a useful first step.

Want to use these expressions in real conversation? Explore our online Japanese courses and private lessons, with guidance in English and speaking practice with Japanese teachers.

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