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Learn Japanese for Travel
517+ essential phrases for traveling in Japan. Real conversation flows with phonetic pronunciation -- know what to say and what you'll hear back.
Essential Japanese Phrases
The most useful words for your trip to Japan, with phonetic pronunciation.
いくらですか
ee-koo-rah-des-kah
How much?
こんにちは
kohn-nee-chee-wah
Hello / Good afternoon
ありがとうございます
ah-ree-gah-toh-goh-zai-mah-sue
Thank you very much (polite)
はい
hai
Yes
ヤバい
yah-bai
Crazy / Insane (good or bad)
乾杯
kahn-pai
Cheers!
お会計お願いします
oh-kai-kay-oh-neh-gai-shee-mah-sue
Check, please
すみません
sue-mee-mah-sen
Excuse me / Sorry
助けて
tah-sue-keh-teh
Help!
お願いします
oh-neh-gai-shee-mah-sue
Please
マジで
mah-jee-deh
Seriously / For real
これ
koh-reh
This one
これをください
koh-reh-oh-koo-dah-sai
This one, please
どこですか
doh-koh-des-kah
Where is it?
メニューをください
men-yoo-oh-koo-dah-sai
Menu, please
...and 502 more phrases in the app.
Sample Conversation: Shopping at the depachika (department store food basement)
TalkThere shows both sides of the conversation -- what you say and what they'll say back.
You
すみません、試食できますか？
sue-mee-mah-sen shee-shoh-koo-deh-kee-mah-sue-kah deh-kee-mahs-kah
Depachika (department store food halls) often offer free tastings. Don't hesitate to ask.
Excuse me, can I try a sample?
Them
oh-ah-jee-mee doh-zoh
They hand you a toothpick or small plate
お味見どうぞ
oh-ah-jee-mee doh-zoh
Please have a taste
You
おいしい！これは何ですか？
oy-shee koh-reh wah nahn-des-kah
Delicious! What is this?
Them
kyoh-oo-toh noh wah-gah-shee des
They explain the product — often wagashi (Japanese confections) or regional specialties
京都の和菓子です
kyoh-oo-toh noh wah-gah-shee des
These are Kyoto sweets
You
一つください
hee-tot-sue koo-dah-sai
One, please
You
プレゼント用に包んでもらえますか？
poo-reh-zen-toh-yoh nee tsoot-soon-deh-koo-dah-sai shah-shin-oh-tot-teh-moh-rah-eh-mah-sue-kah
Gift wrapping (tsutsumi) is an art in Japan. Presentation matters as much as the product.
Can you wrap it as a gift?
47 conversation flows available in the app.
Japanese Phrases by Situation
Learn exactly what you'll need for each travel scenario in Japan.
Japanese Day One Phrases
Greet, thank, ask the price, get by · 106 words, 7 conversations
Japanese Social Phrases
Greetings, introductions, politeness · 140 words, 11 conversations
Japanese Street talk Phrases
ProSwear words, slang, colorful expressions · 65 words, 4 conversations
Japanese Market Phrases
Buy, negotiate, ask prices · 87 words, 4 conversations
Japanese Restaurant Phrases
Order, dietary preferences, pay · 117 words, 4 conversations
Japanese Transport Phrases
Taxis, directions, getting around · 73 words, 6 conversations
Japanese Hotel Phrases
Check-in, requests, problems · 86 words, 7 conversations
Japanese Emergency Phrases
Help, health, pharmacy · 65 words, 4 conversations
Why Learn Japanese with TalkThere?
Conversation flows, not word lists
See both sides of real interactions in Japan -- what you say and what they say back.
Phonetic pronunciation
Every Japanese phrase includes pronunciation written in English -- not IPA. Readable at a glance.
Organized by situation
517+ phrases sorted by where you'll use them: markets, restaurants, hotels, transport.
Works offline
No signal at the market? No problem. All phrases, audio, and conversations available without internet in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to learn what they'll say back?
Because that's where conversations break down. You can memorize "how much is this?" in Japanese, but when the vendor answers with a number, a counter-offer, and a question -- you're lost. TalkThere shows you the full back-and-forth so you can actually keep the conversation going in Japan.
How is this different from a phrasebook or Duolingo?
Phrasebooks give you one-liners with no context. Duolingo teaches you grammar you won't use at a market. TalkThere gives you 8 real travel situations with complete conversation flows -- what you say, what they say back, and what comes next. Organized by where you are, not by grammar level.
I can't read Japanese script. Can I still use this?
Yes, that's the whole point. Every Japanese phrase has phonetic pronunciation written in plain English -- not linguistic notation. You read it exactly like English and say it out loud. No need to learn the script before your trip.
Will it work without internet in Japan?
Yes. Add it to your home screen and everything works offline -- all phrases, audio, and conversations. No signal at the market? No problem.
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