So you find out you're getting a job in Japan but the only Japanese you know is based on a song by Styx (if you don't get that joke ask your parents). Well I'm here to help. I got bored doing Japanese shukudai (that ones a bonus) so I decided to make a list of the only 10 words you really need to know to get by in Japan. I probably knew less when I first got here but honestly this is all you need to survive for a while.
10. Sumimasen-it means excuse me. Even if you are a scary American, people will not move out of your way especially in the meat department late at night at the grocery store until you say this.
9. Gominasai - I'm sorry. This is what you say when you forgot to say sumimasen and you butted that surprisingly agile 80 year old shufu (look it up) from the produce aisle.
8. Arrigato- Thank you. (See: Styx reference).
7. Betsu betsu de-used in a restaurant when you're hanging out with your friend you met at a sumo meeting or that friend that happens to not have change. It means to split the bill.
6. Kudasai and onegaishimasu- both mean please and you use each for different things and I'll never really understand which one to you use where. The Japanese language is very polite so you should feel free to throw those pretty much anywhere in a conversation. To be honest you dont really need #6 but people will assume you're just a rude foreigner.
5. Gozaimasu- basically means sir and mam. Used in general greetings and everywhere you can possibly try. Its another one of those polite things you can actually go without but people will secretly hate you jk.
4. Ohayoo Gozaimasu- Good Morning. Only effective in the morning. I've tried in the evening before and it doesn't work.
3. Konbanwa- Good evening. Again this one shockingly only works at night.
2. Konichewa- Hello. When in doubt about the time because the sun rises at 4AM and sets at 5PM use this one.
1. Wakarimasen- This is really all you need to know. This is your free pass to claim ignorance of anything Japanese. As soon as you say it, most conversations are done. It means I don't understand. I say this puppy in my sleep.
And there you have it, the ten(ish) words that you need to survive Japan. Gonbatte!
*side note Eigo ga hanasemasuka? is also important if you're looking to impress people. It means Can you speak English? Though, in all honesty if you say in ENGLISH Can you speak English? and you get blank stares then you're pretty much set with your answer anyway. Also this was supposed to be a top 10 list but 3 more words are probably just as important but who wants a top 13 list so here: Dozo-go ahead. Hai-yes. iie-no.
10. Sumimasen-it means excuse me. Even if you are a scary American, people will not move out of your way especially in the meat department late at night at the grocery store until you say this.
9. Gominasai - I'm sorry. This is what you say when you forgot to say sumimasen and you butted that surprisingly agile 80 year old shufu (look it up) from the produce aisle.
8. Arrigato- Thank you. (See: Styx reference).
7. Betsu betsu de-used in a restaurant when you're hanging out with your friend you met at a sumo meeting or that friend that happens to not have change. It means to split the bill.
6. Kudasai and onegaishimasu- both mean please and you use each for different things and I'll never really understand which one to you use where. The Japanese language is very polite so you should feel free to throw those pretty much anywhere in a conversation. To be honest you dont really need #6 but people will assume you're just a rude foreigner.
5. Gozaimasu- basically means sir and mam. Used in general greetings and everywhere you can possibly try. Its another one of those polite things you can actually go without but people will secretly hate you jk.
4. Ohayoo Gozaimasu- Good Morning. Only effective in the morning. I've tried in the evening before and it doesn't work.
3. Konbanwa- Good evening. Again this one shockingly only works at night.
2. Konichewa- Hello. When in doubt about the time because the sun rises at 4AM and sets at 5PM use this one.
1. Wakarimasen- This is really all you need to know. This is your free pass to claim ignorance of anything Japanese. As soon as you say it, most conversations are done. It means I don't understand. I say this puppy in my sleep.
And there you have it, the ten(ish) words that you need to survive Japan. Gonbatte!
*side note Eigo ga hanasemasuka? is also important if you're looking to impress people. It means Can you speak English? Though, in all honesty if you say in ENGLISH Can you speak English? and you get blank stares then you're pretty much set with your answer anyway. Also this was supposed to be a top 10 list but 3 more words are probably just as important but who wants a top 13 list so here: Dozo-go ahead. Hai-yes. iie-no.
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