How do you say hello in Japanese?

こんにちは (konnichiwa) means hello or good afternoon. In the morning, say おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu); in the evening, こんばんは (konbanwa).

How do you say thank you in Japanese?

ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) is the polite form. Casually, you can just say ありがとう (arigatō).

How do you say sorry or excuse me in Japanese?

すみません (sumimasen) works for both a light apology and "excuse me" (including getting someone's attention). For a sincere apology, use ごめんなさい (gomen nasai).

How do you count to ten in Japanese?

ichi (1), ni (2), san (3), yon/shi (4), go (5), roku (6), nana/shichi (7), hachi (8), kyū/ku (9), jū (10).

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Basic Japanese Phrases for Beginners (with Pronunciation)

If you're just starting Japanese, these are the words and phrases to learn first — the ones you'll actually use on day one. Each comes with a simple pronunciation, and the quick answers at the bottom cover the questions people ask most.

Greetings

こんにちは

Konnichiwa

Hello / Good afternoon

おはようございます

Ohayō gozaimasu

Good morning

こんばんは

Konbanwa

Good evening

さようなら

Sayōnara

Casual: じゃあね (jā ne).

Goodbye

またね

Mata ne

See you

Please, thank you & manners

ありがとうございます

Arigatō gozaimasu

Casual: ありがとう.

Thank you

すみません

Sumimasen

Also used to get attention.

Excuse me / Sorry

ごめんなさい

Gomen nasai

I'm sorry (sincere)

お願いします

Onegai shimasu

Please

はい / いいえ

Hai / Iie

Yes / No

Getting by

英語を話せますか？

Eigo o hanasemasu ka?

Do you speak English?

わかりません

Wakarimasen

I don't understand

ゆっくりお願いします

Yukkuri onegai shimasu

Slowly, please

いくらですか？

Ikura desu ka?

How much is it?

トイレはどこですか？

Toire wa doko desu ka?

Where is the toilet?

Introduce yourself

はじめまして

Hajimemashite

Nice to meet you

私は[名前]です

Watashi wa [name] desu

I'm [name]

よろしくお願いします

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu

Pleased to meet you

Numbers 1–10

一

ichi

二

三

san

四

yon / shi

五

六

roku

七

nana / shichi

八

hachi

九

kyū / ku

十

jū

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