Japan

When traveling to Japan for the first time, make sure you are equipped with at least some few phrases that will help you navigate your way around the country. Here are some simple expressions that you can put to use:

1. II desu ka (ideska) = May I?
2. Doko desu ka (doko deska) = Where is ... ?
3. Sumimasen = Excuse me ... (Sorry, hello, attention)
4. Arigatou = Thank you
5. Domo = Very (appreciate, hello, thanks)
6. Onegai Shimasu = Please (to ask, greetings, point)
7. Domo Arigatou= Thank you very much
8. Hai = yes (desu ~ it is)
9. Ie (iie) = no (ja arimasen~it is not)
10. Ramen desu ka = ramen is it?

11. Watashi wa ... = I want to do ... (refers to self)
12. Oishii = delicious
13. Itakadimasu = (eat a duck and a mouse) say before eating
14. Moshi moshi = hello
15. Konnichi wa = greetings (good day)

KANJI

***
nichi = sun day
getsu = Moon day
ka = fire
sui = water
moku = plants
kin = metals
do = soil
*** foundations of the universe

Mnemonics for 1 to 10:
1 Itchy
2 Knee
3 Sun
4 Shine
5 Go
6 Roku
7 She
8 Hatch
9 Cute
10 Jew