| Anyone who plans to visit Japan should have a | | | | me in English. This is can also be used when you |
| nodding acquaintance with the vocabulary to | | | | accidentally bumped into someone as an apology. |
| make communicating the locals a little bearable. It | | | | 5. Asking |
| was found out that 75% of the tourists who | | | | If it's your first time to visit Japan, then there |
| frequent Japan have no knowledge of the | | | | might come a time that you need to ask the |
| Japanese dictionary -- even the simple ones used | | | | locals some questions about things that you don't |
| everyday by the locals. These visitors often find | | | | know about. Some of these are:o Korewa nan |
| it hard to interact with the native folks, especially | | | | desuka? -- asking what a certain object iso Wa |
| when they're lost or if they want something done. | | | | doko desuka? -- asking for directiono Nanji |
| If you want to enjoy a memorable visit in this | | | | desuka? -- asking for the current timeo Ikura |
| amazing region, then you need to know a little bit | | | | desuka -- how much is the item/service? |
| of their vocabulary to effectively interact with the | | | | (monetary) |
| locals. | | | | 6. "Sayonara" |
| Top 10 Japanese Words Used By The Locals | | | | This is the equivalent of goodbye in Japanese. This |
| 1. Yes and No | | | | is considered to be a polite gesture when you tell |
| The most basic words you can learn in Japan are | | | | someone that you will be leaving or to see some |
| "hai", which means yes; and "iie" for no. Since | | | | of the locals off. |
| most of the locals will be asking you things that | | | | 7. "Tasukete" |
| requires a close answer, nodding or shaking your | | | | When you are in need of help or if you want to |
| head might be disrespectful. It's better to give | | | | catch the attention of the locals that you are in |
| them a straight yes or no when the flow of the | | | | trouble, then you only need to say "tasukete" |
| conversation demands it. | | | | (tas-soo-keh-teh). |
| 2. Greetings | | | | 8. Please |
| Japan is well known for its polite greeting. If you | | | | Please is a universal language for politeness and |
| are in the region, it would be best to give the | | | | respect, especially in the case of the Japanese |
| appropriate greeting stay on their good sides.o | | | | locals. When you offer them something then say |
| "Ohayou Gozaimasu" -- good morningo | | | | "Dozo". If you want to ask for something then |
| "Kon-nichiwa" -- good afternoono "Konbanwa" -- | | | | you need to say "Onegai Shimasu". |
| good eveningo "Oyasuminasai" -- good night (used | | | | 9. "Wakarimasen" |
| for people who are going to sleep for the night) | | | | When a local is starting to talk to you in Japanese |
| 3. Arigato or Arigato Gozaimasu | | | | fast and hard, then you say "Wakarimasen", |
| "Arigato" is short for thank you. The complete | | | | which simple means "I don't understand". |
| form is "Arigato Gozaimasu". Some of the locals | | | | 10. Bathroom |
| use the slang "domo" when they are in a hurry. | | | | It would be a waste of time doing charade in |
| 4."Sumimasen" | | | | front of the locals when you need to go to the |
| If you want to catch the attention of a Japanese | | | | bathroom. To avoid wasting any more time in this |
| local to ask directions or if you need their help, | | | | scenario, ask them for directions to the nearest |
| then you need to say "Sumimasen", or excuse | | | | bathroom by saying "Toire wa doko desuka? |