Army Knowledge Online (AKO)

Japanese Language Basics

COMMON JAPANESE WORDS AND PHRASES
Pronounciation Tip: When words end with a "U," it is typically "soft" or silent.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
HAIYes. Does not always mean yes or agreement. In fact, most of the time it means I've heard you or I am being attentive to what you are saying.
ARIGATOThank You
OHAIYOGood Morning
KONNICHIWAGood Day (use after 1000 hours)
KOMBANWAGood Evening
KUDASAIPlease Give Me
IKURA DESU KA?How much is it? What is the price?
SAYONARAGood Bye
SUMIMASENExcuse me (use when interrupting or when you would appear to be inconveniencing someone)
GOMEN NASAII'm sorry
ONEGAI SHIMASUPlease do me a favor, as in please help me; please do so; please serve me; etc., with the verb usually being understood.
CHOTTO MATTEJust a minute; wait a moment
HAYAKUQuickly; faster
CHIGAI MASUIt is wrong
SOH DESU That's right; that is so
SOH DESU-KA?Is that right?
WAKARI MASENI can't understand

MILITARY EXPRESSIONS
BEI GUNU.S. Forces
ZAI NICHI BEI RIKUGUNU.S. Army Japan
SHOKOOfficer
HEITAISoldier
GAIMU SHOMOFA or Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PRIVACY AND SECURITY NOTICE