Basic Japanese phrases for everyday life

For Residents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some useful Japanese expressions and phrases for daily life.

■If you plan to greet your neighbors after moving in:

•English：Hello, I just moved in to apartment ***, and my name is ***. Nice to meet you.

•Japanese：はじめまして、〇〇ごうしつにひっこしてきました、〇〇です。よろしくおねがいします。

•Pronounciation in Romanized letters：Hajimemashite, (apartment number) gōshitsu ni hikkoshite kimashita, (your name) desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

■Useful everyday greetings:

English	Japanese	Pronounciation in Romanized letters
Good morning	おはようございます	Ohayou gozaimasu
Good afternoon	こんにちは	Kon'nichiwa
Good evening	こんばんは	Konbanwa
Goodbye	さようなら	Sayounara
Long time no see	お久しぶりです	Ohisashiburi desu
How are you?	お元気ですか?	Ogenki desu ka?
Thank you	ありがとう	Arigatou
You’re welcome	どういたしまして	Dou itashimashite
I’m sorry / Excuse me	すみません	Sumimasen

■Common terms for garbage disposal:

English	Japanese	Pronounciation in Romanized letters
Burnable garbage	燃えるゴミ・可燃ごみ	Moeru gomi / Kanen gomi
Non-burnable garbage	燃えないゴミ・不燃ごみ	Moenai gomi / Funen gomi
Cardboard	段ボール	Danbo-ru
Empty cans	空き缶	Akikan
Empty bottles	空きビン	Akibin
Recyclables	資源ごみ	Shigen gomi
Oversized garbage	粗大ごみ	Sodai gomi

■Useful phrases during an emergency:

English	Japanese	Pronounciation in Romanized letters
I need help!	助けて！	Tasukete!
Is everything OK?	大丈夫？	Daijoubu?
Watch out!/ Be careful!	危ない！	Abunai!
Call an ambulance	救急車を呼んで	Kyūkyūsha wo yonde
Call the police	警察を呼んで	Keisatsu wo yonde
Fire! (There is fire!)	火事！	Kaji!

■Common apartment facilities in Japanese:

English	Japanese	Pronounciation in Romanized letters
Air Conditioner	エアコン	Eakon
Gas Stovetop	ガスコンロ	Gasukonro
Electric Stovetop	IHクッキングヒーター・IHコンロ	IH Kukkingu Hi-ta- / IH Konro
Ventilation Fan	換気扇	Kankisen
Range hood	レンジフード	Renjifu-do
Water heater	給湯器	Kyūtouki
Intercom	インターホン	Inta-hon