Q&A

I’m going to Japan in December for my long-awaited holiday! I want to try communicating in Japanese as much as I can this time. If I’m going to a restaurant, how do I ask for warm water? I noticed that they always serve iced water in Japanese restaurants but I don’t feel like drinking cold water in winter. How do I say “Can I have warm water please?” in Japanese?

Question: Japan is accepting individual travellers and I’m going to Japan next week! I’m so excited that I can set foot on Japan again. I want to try communicating in Japanese as much as I can this time. I’m going to Kyoto to visit old temples and hopefully I can see a geisha there. I understand I need to ask for permission to take pictures. How do I say “Can I take a picture?” in Japanese?

Question: We have a new Japanese intern at our company. I asked her to prepare some documents and bring it to my office once she was done. How do I say “Come in” when she knocks on the door?

Question: I’m going to Japan next week for my long-awaited holiday! I heard that the menus are all in Japanese and I’m worried about ordering food in restaurants since I don’t know any Japanese. How do I ask if the restaurant has an English menu?

Question: My Japanese boss was asking for some materials. I went to his office after I’ve found them but he seems to be busy. How do I ask “May I come in?” in Japanese?

Question: My Japanese colleague came over to ask me something, but I was in the middle of a virtual meeting with my client. I wanted to tell her to wait for a second while I mute the call. How do I say “Please wait” in Japanese?

Question: Japan is accepting individual travellers and I’m going to Japan next week! I’m so excited that I can set foot on Japan again. I want to try communicating in Japanese as much as I can this time. As I’m traveling alone, it’s a bit troublesome when I want to take a picture of myself with the beautiful scenery. How do I say “Can you please take a picture for me” in Japanese?

Question: I got to know a Japanese girl that I like through online gaming. We have similar interests and we often like the same songs and things. How do I ask her whether she “also” likes or has the same interests as me? For example, I also like the song. Do you also like the song?

Question: I’m a 26-year-old American on a working holiday in Japan. I got a job teaching English to Japanese children. I have had experience as a babysitter in America but over here, I have many students. As we don’t speak a common language, the children’s attention span is short and sometimes the class gets too noisy to continue. There is one boy who is overly energetic and sometimes I have to reprimand him, but he doesn’t even understand me. How do I say “Be quiet” in Japanese?

Question: I have started learning judo. My master is quite cool but he’s a little strict. I always try not to be late or absent for my class, but I have a slight fever today. I don’t think I can go for class. I’m going to call him but how should I explain my reason? How do I say “I will not join the class because I have a fever.”?