Lesson 8 · Speaking — survival phrases
The six words that carry you
You can now read hiragana — so every phrase below is shown in real kana
(sound it out!) with romaji underneath. Master these six and you can open, smooth,
and close almost any interaction in Japan.
Mission check: on the ground, politeness is the currency. One word —
すみません — gets attention, apologises, and thanks, all day long.
The top three (use these hourly)
すみません
sumimasen
★ Excuse me / Sorry / Thanks for the trouble.
The Swiss-army phrase. Flag a waiter, squeeze past someone, apologise, or
say "thanks, you didn't have to." When in doubt, すみません.
ありがとう ございます
arigatō gozaimasu
★ Thank you (polite).
Drop ございます for a casual "arigatō" with friends.
Note the long ō — hold it: a-ri-ga-tō.
おねがいします
onegaishimasu
★ Please / I'd like (when requesting).
Point at a menu item or hold up what you want and add
おねがいします — "this, please." Polite and endlessly useful.
The other three (open & confirm)
こんにちは
konnichiwa
Hello / Good afternoon.
Daytime greeting. (Spelled with は but said "wa" — the particle shift you met in Lesson 5.)
はい / いいえ
hai / iie
Yes / No.
はい also works as a soft "here you go" / "I'm listening."
だいじょうぶ です
daijōbu desu
I'm fine / It's OK / No thanks.
Declining a bag, saying you're alright, smoothing a small mishap. Gentle and versatile.
A tiny cultural note
A small nod or bow rides along with most of these — you'll feel it after a day.
Don't overthink it; a slight head-dip with ありがとう reads as warm
and respectful. For the deeper "when do I bow / how polite is too polite?" instincts,
that's wisdom — best picked up live. The
r/JapanTravel community is a good place to ask.
Practice — pick the right phrase
Read each situation and choose what you'd actually say. Miss one and it comes back.
Go deeper
I'm your teacher — ask me anything. Want me to drill these out loud with
you, or break down the grammar of おねがいします? Ask. Say
"next lesson" and we'll do ordering food (これ / メニュー /
"ikura desu ka?" — how much?).