Q&A

How to say “Sorry for the inconvenience caused” in Japanese?

Updated:27th August 2018
Published:23rd June 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher Explanation Both expressions mean “I apologize for the inconvenience caused”. However, the second expression is more polite because “mooshiwake gozaimasen” (sorry) is the humble form of “sumimasen”. By humbling oneself, you can increase the level of […]

How to say “Do you have free WiFi?” in Japanese?

Updated:27th August 2018
Published:21st June 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher Explanation The word “WiFi” is pronounced the same way as in English. If free WiFi is available, you can use the second sentence in example (2) to ask for the password. You can say “sumimasen” (excuse […]

How to say “Could you include Tokyo Tower in the picture please?” in Japanese?

Updated:27th August 2018
Published:15th June 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher Explanation You can use the above phrases to ask someone to take a picture of you with Tokyo Tower in the background. It is good to say “Sumimasen” (excuse me) first before you use the above […]

How to say “I’m just looking” in Japanese?

Updated:27th August 2018
Published:10th June 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher Explanation You can use the first expression to mean “I’m just looking…”. Ending the sentence with hesitation expresses a non-verbal meaning which can be left to the interpretation of the listener. In this case, the sales […]

How to say “May I leave my luggage here?” in Japanese?

Updated:27th August 2018
Published:2nd June 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher Explanation (1) is a direct way of asking the hotel staff for permission to leave your luggage at the hotel. For (2) and (3), the sentences are left hanging and they are supposed to be said […]

How to say “Could you call a taxi for me please?” in Japanese?

Updated:8th June 2019
Published:2nd June 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher Explanation You can use either one of the above phrases to ask the hotel staff to call a taxi for you. “~ itadakemasu ka” and “~ moraemasu ka” both means “would you do (something) for me”. […]

How to say “you” in Japanese?

Updated:27th August 2018
Published:27th May 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher When you do not know the other person’s name, ask for his/her name first and then address him/her using the “name + san” format. (1) Sumimasen, onamae wa? すみません、お名前は Excuse me, what’s your name? Business setting […]

How to say “I” in Japanese?

Updated:27th August 2018
Published:26th May 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher Explanation You’re right. There are many ways of saying “I” in Japanese depending on the situation, gender, and self-image that you want to project to the listener. The most standard and gender-free term would be “watashi”. […]

How to say “Please thin out my hair” in Japanese?

Updated:27th August 2018
Published:25th May 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher Explanation If this is your first time going to a hair salon in Japan, it could be a bit intimidating because of the language problem. However, it is a great experience and I’m sure you would […]

What is “Saa…(Japanese)”?

Updated:8th June 2019
Published:12th May 2018

Answer by Japanese teacher Explanation (1)Come on, well, now ~ “Saa” is said decisively to prompt others to act quickly. It’s similar in meaning to “come on”, “well”, “now”. (2)I don’t know, I wonder, let me see. When “Saa” is […]