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japanese expressions

A must for all Japanese learners! 11 Japanese words often used when making requests 

2021-03-09 by Taka

Hi there. The number of people infected with the coronavirus is decreasing in Japan now, and we are gradually getting back to normal lives. However, there still is a fear that the virus may recur again, so it seems that we have to stay/work home for a little longer…

This time, I have compiled a list of eleven Japanese expressions that are often used when making requests. When using Japanese, it is important to learn how to phrase things in a way that is considerate of the others.

So, when making a request, don’t directly say, “Do it for me”. When making a request, it is normal to add preface words before making the request with something like, “I’m sorry to bother, but could you -?”

Let’s learn how to request in Japanese, and practice so that you can communicate naturally!

Before learning them… regarding request expressions

When making a request to someone who is close to you, or to someone who does not require much consideration,

「~て」(~te)is used at the end.

Example:
パソコンの使い方を教えて。
(Pasokon no tsukaikata wo oshie te)
Teach me how to use the computer.

When giving instructions or making a request to a colleague or subordinate at work,

「~てください」(~te kudasai) is used at the end. 

Example sentence:
パソコンの使い方を教えてください。
(Pasokon no tsukaikata wo oshie te kudasai)
Please teach me how to use the computer.

If you want to be polite to your boss or other people「~てくださいませんか」”~te kudasai masenka” is used at the end.

Example:
パソコンの使い方を教えてくださいませんか?
(Pasokon no tsukaikata wo oshie te kudasai masenka)
Would you please teach me how to use the computer?

11 Preface words often used when making a request

3 casual expressions

1.悪いんだけど、(Waruindakedo)
I’m sorry,

2.ごめん、(Gomen)
I’m sorry,

3.あのね、(Anone)
I have a favor to ask you,

*Gomen is also used to apologize and Anone is also used when explaining something.

Example sentence:
悪いんだけど、パソコンの使い方を教えて。
(Waruindakedo, Pasokon no tsukaikata wo oshiete)
Sorry, but can you teach me how to use the computer?

8 polite expressions

4.すみませんが、(Sumimasenga)
Excuse me,

5.恐れ入りますが、(Osoreirimasuga)
Excuse me,

6.恐縮ですが、(Kyoushukudesuga)
Excuse me,

7.お手数ですが、(Otesuudesuga)
Sorry to trouble you,

8.申し訳ございませんが、(Moushiwake gozaimasenga)
I’m really sorry, but

9.ご迷惑かとは存じますが、(Gomeiwaku katowa zonzimasuga)
I know it might be annoying,

10.お忙しいところ申し訳ありませんが、(Oisogashiitokoro Moushiwakearimasenga)
I’m sorry to bother you,

11.ご都合の良い時で構いませんが、(Gotsugouno yoitokide kamaimasenga)
I’d appreciate it if you could help this when you are free,

Example:
すみませんが、パソコンの使い方を教えてください。
(Sumimasenga, Pasokon no tsukaikata wo oshie te kudasai)
I’m sorry to bother, but please teach me how to use the computer.

There are many other expressions that can be used, but if you know the phrases listed here, you will have no problem carrying on/understanding conversations. If you like watching anime/comics, I recommend that you check how the characters change the way they request according to the situation/based on whom they are requesting to. On a side note, in many Asian countries including Japan, people often put hands together  to express gratitude, but in Japan this is also done when making a request. 

Enjoy learning Japanese! 
Taka

Filed Under: Learn Japanese Tagged With: how to request in japanese, japanese expressions, learn japanese, making a request in japanese, request in japanese, request in japanese word, request something in japanese, study japanese, 日本語でお願いする, 日本語の勉強, 日本語学習

17 simple Japanese phrases used in hotels《with audio》

2019-05-08 by Taka

Hi, How’s it going? 
We just had the longest vacation time Golden week in Japan, and everyone’s back to work/school now.  
I met a really nice couple from Israel and showed them around.

It is always nice to be friends with people from overseas!

Alright, this time I wrote about some simple, useful Japanese phrases that you can use at a hotel.
I have experience working as a front desk at a guesthouse ,so I’m sure they will be of some help.
If you know these 17 expressions below, you will have no problem staying at a hotel in Japan!

When you check in

1.チェックインをお願いします/Check in wo onegai shimasu.

Check in, please. 
Onegai Shimasu means, “Please”. It sounds formal and is a nice phrase to use when you talk to someone you meet for the first time. 

2.予約人数は(一人/二人/三人) です/Yoyaku ninzu wa (Hitori/Futari/Sannin) desu.

I have a reservation for 1 person/ 2 people/3 people. 
“Yoyaku” means a reservation. When you count the number of people, “Hitori” is used for 1 person, “Futari” is used for 2 people, and from 3 people on, “ – nin” is used. 
(“San” is three. “Yon, Go, Roku, Nana, Hachi, Kyu, Jyu” are four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten respectively).

3.予約番号は~です/Yoyaku bangou wa – desu.

My reservation number is -. 
Most hotels won’t ask you to tell your reservation number but you should have it just in case. You are required to show your passport, so don’t forget to take it out when you check in!

4.~から~まで泊まります/- kara – made tomarimasu.

I’m staying from – to -. 
It is great if you know how to say the dates in Japanese, but if you don’t, you could use English and say like, “ 24th kara 26th made tomarimasu” and they will understand.

5.カードで払えますか?/Card de haraemasuka?

Can I pay by (credit) card? 
Hotels should be ok, but at some hostels/guesthouses in the countryside do not accept credit card, so you might want to bring some cash with you if you are going to such places.
You can learn more about this on my another post: https://hidanotaka.com/4-things-you-should-know-before-visiting-japan/

When you check out

6.チェックアウトをお願いします/Check out wo onegai shimasu. 

Check out, please. 
Yes, the same expression “Onegai shimasu” works here as well. 

7.鍵をお返しします/Kagi wo okaeshi shimasu

I’m returning the (room) key. 
You can say this as you return your room key to the receptionist.

8.ありがとうございました/Arigatou gozaimashita.

It is a formal way of saying Thank you. 
Hotel staff will appreciate it if you say this when you leave!

Trouble  

9.すみません、~が動かないのですが/Sumimasen, – ga ugokanai no desuga. 

Excuse me, it seems that – is not working.
“Ugokanai” means something is “Not working”.

10.すみません、~の使い方を教えてください/Sumimasen, – no tsukaikata wo oshiete kudasai.

Excuse me, please tell me how to use -.
If you don’t know how to use an air-conditioner, a shower, or a TV, use this phrase to ask for a help!

Sending luggage

11.~へ荷物を送りたいのですが/ – e nimotsu wo okuritai no desuga.

I would like to send my luggage to – . 
If you have big suitcases and want to send them to the next destination, use this phrase. 
Note that you need to ask at least 2 days prior to the expected date of the arrival as it takes time to deliver suitcases. 
If the hotel doesn’t have a delivery service, take your luggage to a nearest convenience store.
Most convenience stores can help you send your stuff.

12.幾らかかりますか?/Ikura kakarimasuka?

How much will that be?
The price is different depending on the size and the distance, but it usually costs roughly around 3,000 yen to send one suitcase. For the detail, check the website of Yamato delivery service.

Talking to hotel staff

13.おすすめのお店はありますか?/Osusume no omise wa arimasuka?

Do you know any good restaurant? /Which restaurant do you recommend?

14.そこは何時から空いていますか?/Soko wa nanji kara aite imasuka?

What time does the place open?

15.~まで行きたいのですが/- made ikitai no desuga.

I’d like to go to -. 

16.~へはどうやって行きますか?/ – he wa douyatte ikimasuka?

How do you go to -? /How can I get to -?

17.~はどこですか?/ – wa doko desuka?

Where is -?

These are the 17 most used expressions at a hotel. 
Not all workers at hotels can speak English fluently (especially in the countryside).
It is the best to learn them before going to a place to stay!

By the way, there’s no tipping system in Japan.
So, you don’t need to pay anything even if a porter helped you carry your luggage or a cleaning staff came to clean up the room!

https://hidanotaka.com/new-album-free-somebody/

My new album, “Free Somebody” is well received all over the world and I’m really, really happy about it!
If you haven’t listened to it, check it out here: Free Somebody

My previous work, is also available: Skyhigh 

Thank you for your support!
I’ll keep on posting my music and info about Japan here. 

If there’s anything that you want me to write, feel free to send me a message to [email protected]
Or you could simply give me a comment below.
I’ll see you next time!
Taka 

Filed Under: Learn Japanese Tagged With: basic japanese, basic japanese conversation, hidanotaka, hidanotaka.com, japanese, japanese expressions, japanese language, japanese phrases, japanese phrases used in hotels, japanese words, staying at a japanese hotel, study japanese, 日本観光, 日本語, 日本語 勉強, 日本語表現

53 useful Japanese words and phrases《with audio》

2019-04-20 by Taka

Hi, How are you doing?
We just had the Spring Festival in Takayama.
The festival lasts for 2 days but we had a rainy day on the first day so the festival floats didn’t go out.
However they did on the 2nd day.
I was able to see them and take some pics.

About Takayama City, you can check my another post:https://hidanotaka.com/about-takayama/
We have festival 2 times a year here. Come visit if you have a chance!

This time I listed useful Japanese words and phrases that you can use during your stay in Japan.
There are still many places where the staff can only use Japanese, so I’m sure these expressions here will be of some help.
If you could use some of them, it will be much easier to communicate and make friends in Japan!

・Basic words and phrases

おはようございます/Ohayou Gozaimasu

Hello/Good morning. More casual way of saying it is おはよう/Ohayou.

こんにちは/Konnichiwa

Hello/Good afternoon.

こんばんは/Konbanwa

Good evening.

おやすみなさい/Oyasumi Nasai

Good night. More casual way of saying it is おやすみ/Oyasumi.

ありがとうございます/Arigatou Gozaimasu

Thank you. More casual way of saying it is ありがとう/Arigatou.

お元気ですか?/Ogenki Desuka?

How are you? More casual way of saying it is 元気?/Genki?

Japanese girl

・Getting to know each other

初めまして/Hajime Mashita

Nice to meet you.

私の名前は〜です/Watashino Namaewa …Desu.

My name is …

あなたの名前は何ですか?/Anatano Namaewa Nanndesuka?

What is your name?

好きな(映画/音楽/スポーツ)は何ですか?/Sukina (Eiga/Ongaku/Sport) Wa Nandesuka?

What is your favorite (Movie/Music/Sport)?

・Saying Goodbye

お会いできて良かったです。/Oaidekite Yokatta Desu.

It was nice meeting you.

またね/Matane

Take care/See you again.

さようなら/Sayounara

See you/Goodbye. A bit more casual way of saying it is さよなら/Sayonara.

You could also say じゃあね/Jya Ne to your friends. While さようなら is polite and often used as a farewell message,
じゃあね often has the meaning “See you again soon/Let’s meet again”.

Harajyuku

・At a store/restaurant

(これ/あれ)は何ですか?/(Kore/Are)Wa Nandesuka?

What is this/that?

幾らですか/Ikura Desuka?

How much?

いいですね/Iidesune

Good. More casual way of saying it is いいね/Iine.

大丈夫です/Daijobu Desu.

I’m fine/It’s OK (Polite way of saying No).
You could also say 結構です/Kekkou Desu to directly say “No thanks”.

(Wifi/この商品)はありますか?/(Wifi/Kono Sho-hin) Wa Arimasuka?

Do you have Wifi/this product?

(トイレ/試着室/レストラン/メニュー)は何処ですか? (Toilet/Shichakushitsu/Restaurant/Menu) Wa Dokodesuka?

Where is a (toilet/fitting room/restaurant/menu)?

〜へ行きたいです/…E Ikitai Desu.

I’d like to go to 〜.

〜を食べたいです/…Wo Tabetai Desu.

I’d like to eat 〜.

〜をしてみたいです/…Wo Shite Mitai Desu.

I’d like to try 〜.

お願いします/Onegai Shimesu.

Please.

これをください/Korewo Kudasai.

This one, please (requesting).

どうぞ/Douzo.

Please (Offering)/Please go ahead/Here you are.

もう一度言ってください/Mouichido Itte Kudasai.

Please say it again.

ゆっくり言ってください/Yukkuri Itte Kudasai.

Please speak more slowly.

(写真を撮っても/触っても)良いですか?/(Shashinwo Totemo/Sawattemo) Iidesuka?

Is it OK to (take a picture/touch)?

はい/Hai

Yes.

いいえ/Iie

No.

すみません/Sumimasen

Excuse me. More polite way of saying it is ごめんなさい/Gomenasai I’m sorry.

何時まで空いていますか?/Nanjimade Aiteimasuka?

Until what time are you open?

おすすめは何ですか?/Osusumewa Nandesuka?

What do you recommend?

〜が食べられません/…Ga Taberaremasen.

I can’t eat ~. If you are a vegan/vegetarian, check my another post:https://hidanotaka.com/vegetarian-and-vegan-in-japan/

美味しい/Oishii

Delicious.

お会計お願いします/Okaikei Onegaishimasu.

Check, please.

ご馳走様でした/Gochisou Samadeshita.

Thank you for the meal.

クレジットカードは使えますか?/Credit Card Wa Tsukae Masuka?

Can I use my credit card?

At a restaurant, you might hear… 

いらっしゃいませ or いらっしゃい/Irashaimase or Irashai

It means “Welcome” or “May I help you?”

店内でお召し上がりですか/Tennaide Omeshiagari Desuka?

Will you be eating here?

お持ち帰りですか?/Omochikaeri Desuka?

Is this takeout?

喫煙ですか、禁煙ですか?/Kitsu-en Desuka, Kin-en Desuka?

Smoking or Non-Smoking?

If you are not feeling well/In case of an emergency, you could say…

具合が悪いです/Guaiga Waruidesu.

I don’t feel well.

助けてください!/Tasukete Kudasai!

Please help me!

Thanks to the advance of technology, nowadays you can communicate using a translator even if you don’t speak any Japanese at all.
But if you know some Japanese words and phrases, your stay in Japan will be a lot more fun and you can have the “Real communication” with locals without any devices and I’m sure it will be a great experience!
People will really appreciate it if you try talking in Japanese.

If you are interested in learning some Japanese slangs, check my another post :https://hidanotaka.com/japanese-slangs/

Have fun learning and speaking Japanese!
Taka

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh 
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

Filed Under: Learn Japanese Tagged With: basic japanese, basic japanese conversation, hidanotaka, hidanotaka.com, japanese, japanese expressions, japanese language, japanese phrases, japanese words, study japanese, 日本観光, 日本語, 日本語 勉強, 日本語表現

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Taka/原貴浩

Taka吉祥寺出身の元大手英会話学校教務主任、作曲家、コンテンツ開発/編集者。高校生の時に出会ったアメリカ人の英語の先生がきっかけで英語や海外文化に興味を持つようになり、18歳で単身アメリカのフロリダ州へ音楽留学、主席で卒業。帰国後は舞台や楽曲制作などエンタメ業界に関わりながら長年英会話の講師として務め、英語関連の書籍や音声/動画コンテンツの制作、編集なども行っている。コロナ禍前に岐阜県の高山に移住し、同市の英語講師、通訳案内士やゲストハウスの立ち上げを行いながら、外国人移住者と地域住民との架け橋となる多文化共生支援団体、Family Planet Japanの代表としても活動。英語や音楽を通した人とのつながり作りや、まちづくりにも精力的に関わっている。 Introduction

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