Useful Japanese phrases for families (with easy pronunciation)
A short, practical set of Japanese phrases for travelling families — polite basics, phrases for kids, ordering food, and what to say in an emergency.
You do not need to speak Japanese to travel with kids — English signage is common and translation apps work well. But a few polite phrases are genuinely appreciated and make daily life smoother. Pronunciation is straightforward: say each syllable evenly, as written.
The everyday basics
- Hello — Konnichiwa (kon-nee-chee-wah).
- Thank you — Arigatō gozaimasu (ah-ree-gah-toh go-zai-mas).
- Excuse me / sorry — Sumimasen (soo-mee-mah-sen) — the single most useful word you will learn.
- Yes / No — Hai / Iie (hai / ee-eh).
- Please — Onegaishimasu (oh-neh-gai-shee-mas).
Out and about with kids
- Where is the toilet? — Toire wa doko desu ka? (toy-reh wah doh-koh des-kah).
- Is there a lift? — Erebētā wa arimasu ka? (eh-reh-beh-tah wah ah-ree-mas-kah).
- Help, please — Tasukete kudasai (tah-soo-keh-teh koo-dah-sai).
- We have children — Kodomo ga imasu (koh-doh-moh gah ee-mas).
Eating out
- A table for four, please — Yonin desu (yoh-neen des) — hold up fingers to be sure.
- This one, please (pointing) — Kore o kudasai (koh-reh oh koo-dah-sai).
- It was delicious — Gochisōsama deshita (go-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tah).
- Check, please — O-kaikei onegaishimasu (oh-kai-kei oh-neh-gai-shee-mas).
If something goes wrong
For anything urgent, staff are helpful and a translation app bridges the gap. Learn “Sumimasen” to get attention and “Byōin wa doko desu ka?” (byoh-een wah doh-koh des-kah) — “Where is the hospital?”. For allergies, carry a written allergy card in Japanese rather than relying on spoken phrases.
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Start planning →Common questions
- Do I really need any Japanese to travel with kids?
- No — you can get by comfortably with English signage and translation apps. But learning a handful of polite phrases, especially “sumimasen” and “arigatō gozaimasu”, is appreciated and makes interactions warmer.
- What is the most useful single word to teach my kids?
- “Sumimasen” — it works for “excuse me”, “sorry” and “please help”, and children enjoy using it. “Arigatō” (thank you) is a close second.
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