Yes, no and the essentials in Japanese
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Japanese words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Japanese phrases in this lesson
- γ―γhai
- Yes
- γγγee-EH
- No
- 倧δΈε€«γ§γdai-JOH-bu des
- Okay
- γγγγΎγγwa-ka-ri-ma-SEN
- I don't understand
- θ±θͺγθ©±γγΎγγEH-go o ha-na-SEH-mas-KAH
- Do you speak English?
- γγδΈεΊ¦γι‘γγγΎγmoh i-CHI-do o-ne-GAI shi-mas
- Can you repeat that?
- γγ£γγγι‘γγγΎγyuk-KU-ri o-ne-GAI shi-mas
- Slowly, please
- γγγ―δ½γ§γγko-REH wa NAN des-ka
- What is this?
- ...γεΏ θ¦γ§γga hi-TSU-yoh des
- I need...
- ζδΌγ£γ¦γγγγΎγγte-TSU-dat-teh mo-ra-EH-mas-ka
- Can you help me?
Also means "I am listening", so a Japanese listener saying hai hai hai during your sentence is following along, not necessarily agreeing. Aizuchi, these listening noises, are polite conversation oil.
Grammatically correct but culturally heavy; Japanese avoids a blunt no. You will more often hear γ‘γγ£γ¨... (chotto), "it is a bit...", with the sentence left tactfully unfinished. That trailing off IS the no.
The Swiss army knife: it is fine, I am okay, no thank you. Asked if you need a bag and you do not? DaijΕbu desu. Fell down but unhurt? DaijΕbu desu. Endlessly useful.
Yes, the same word. Add ζ₯ζ¬θͺγγγγγΎγγ (ni-hon-GO ga wa-ka-ri-ma-SEN), I do not understand Japanese, and gestures plus translation apps take over from there. Everyone is patient about it.
English levels are modest outside hotels and tourist sites, but goodwill is enormous. Write things down when stuck: many Japanese read English far better than they speak it.
Literally "one more time, please".
ε»θ γεΏ θ¦γ§γ (i-SHA ga hi-TSU-yoh des), I need a doctor.