Notes I kept on Japanese during my stay.

• Daijōbudesu = I’m ok/all good/no thanks
• Kore de daijōbudesu-ka? = Is this ok?
• Sumimasen = Sorry/excuse me (e.g. passing someone)
• Sumimasen, nihongo wa amari wakarimasen = Sorry, I don't understand much Japanese
• Arigatō = Thank you
• Arigatōgozaimasu = Thank you very much
• Kon'nichiwa = Hello
• X hitotsu desu o kudasai = One X, please (futatsu for two, mitsu for three, yotsu for four)
• X o kudasai = Please give me X (tangible request)
• X onegaishimasu = Can you please do X; would you please X (intangible request)
• to = And
• Kore to kore, o kudasai = This and this, please (e.g. with pointing)
• Okaikei, onegashimasu = Bill, please
• Chūmon o onegai shimasu = I'd like to order
• Osusume wa nan desu ka? = What do you recommend?
• Are o kudasai = That, please
• O kawari o kudasai = Another round, please
• Ūronhai = Shochu and Oolong

Quantity comes second: kore o futatsu to kore o hitotsu, o kudasai = two X and one X, please

If someone says sumimasen. you can say īe, īe (no, no; don’t be sorry)

In a restaurant you may be greeted with “Nanmei-sama desu ka?” (How many people?); Hitori desu for 1 and Futari desu for 2. Or just raise n fingers.

Waiters might ask if you want a drink, listen for nomimono (drink).

At stores, listen for:

• fukuro = asking if you want a bag
• pointo = asking about rewards card
• atatame = asking if you want it heated