Japanese Conversation Basics

Japanese has informal, polite, humble, and honorific forms (and

variations within them!). Without getting bogged down in details,
it’s best to stick to the basic polite form when you’re starting
out and meeting new people, as this demonstrates respect. Here
are two key points to remember:

1.Add desu ( です ) and masu ( ます ) to your verbs (as you’ll notice

in the scenarios below).
2.Add san ( さん ) after someone’s name to show respect (unless
they say otherwise). Remember, this doesn’t apply to yourself!
How to introduce yourself
When it comes to introducing yourself in
Japanese, you can simply introduce your first
name, which likely comes naturally. However, you
might want to mention your surname/ full name in
work contexts (as most Japanese do).

•For most occasions, you can use:

Watashi no namae wa _Ken Tanaka desu （私の名
前は＿＿です ) – My name is Ken Tanaka.
•For casual/ simple conversation, you can use:
Ken Tanaka desu ( です ) – I’m Ken
•For formal contexts, you can use:
Watashi wa Ken Tanaka to moushi masu （私は＿＿と申します ) – My
name is Ken Tanaka.
Sample Self Introduction:
1. Konnichiwa! (goodday)
2. Watashi no namae wa Erie Shimano desu.
3. Niju san sai desu. (23 years old)
4. Daigakusei desu. (I am a University
student)
5. Ifugao State University ni benkyo shite imasu.
(I study at the Ifugao State University)
6. Ragawe, Ihugaw sussin desu.
7. Watashi wa 4-ri no kodomo no chonan desu.
(I am the eldest son/child out of 4
children)
8. Watashi no chichi wa noka desu. (My father
is a farmer)
9. To haha wa kyoshi desu. (And my
mother is a teacher)
10.Maneejaa ni naritai desu. ( I want to be a
manager someday)
A Few Tips Before Introducing Yourself In Japanese

Planning to go on a trip or to work in Tokyo? Whenever we meet

someone for the first time, most of us merely say hello and
follow it up with the name right away.

However, that is not the case for Japanese people as they view
introductions as a form of respect, and it reflects your
enthusiasm for getting to know or working side-by-side with the
locals. Of course, you, as a foreigner, are not expected to be
fluent in Japanese, but having some knowledge of how even the
basic greetings work can earn you an extra brownie point.
Before we go on a deep dive into the basic structure that you
can use, allow us to give you a few tips that you must know
while introducing the Japanese people.
•To say your name in Japanese, do remember that the family name
comes first, followed by the second name. This means that if your
name is Kevin Smith, your introduction should start with Smith,
followed by Kevin.

•It is considered polite or 丁寧 (teinei) whenever you introduce

yourself if you discuss one or two of your major strengths. Never go
beyond that number, as the locals may view it as a form of
arrogance. Remember: Japanese people are always humble, and
they even follow up their achievements with some of their flaws.
•Whenever a person asks you about your occupation or 職業
(shokugyō), you do not
Have to follow the Western standard where you discuss your role,
company, duties, etc. In Japan, the only response they are looking
for is simple, like “I work at an office, or I work for + Company
Name.”
•Instead of the traditional handshake when you are done with your
introductions, the Japanese standard that you have to remember
is that they bow instead. Bowing or お辞儀 (ojigi ) is a form of
respect for the Japanese people. According to the locals, the
angles by which you bow will express the level of respect you
have for the other person. As a rule of thumb, always bow at
least 15 degrees and remember to put your hands in front of you
(left hand on top of right hand).
•If you intend to provide your business card or 名刺
(meishi) after introducing yourself, always give it out with two
hands and make sure that you are not covering any words. If you
MEETING
1. (Hajimemashite)
2. (Anna to yonde kudasai) I am Anna
3. I live in… – 私は - に住んでいます (Watashi wa -ni sunde imasu)
4. I am from America. – 私はアメリカから来ました。 (Watashi wa Amerika kara
5. I’m an office worker. – 私はサラリーマンです。 (Watashi wa sararīman desu)
kimashita)
I’m an English teacher. – 私は英語の先生です。 (Watashi wa eigo no sensei desu)
I am a graphic designer. – 私はグラフィックデザイナーです。 (Watashi wa gurafikkudez
I am a student. – 私は学生です。 (Watashi wa gakusei desu)
I am a nurse. – 私は看護師です。 (Watashi wa kangoshi desu)
I am an engineer. – 私はエンジニアです。 (Watashi wa enjinia desu)
I am an accountant. – 私は会計士です。 (Watashi wa kaikeishi desu)
I work at a bank. – 私は銀行で働いています。 (Watashi wa ginkō de hataraite imasu
I work at a company. – 私は会社で働いています。 (Watashi wa kaisha de hataraite i
I work at a hospital. – 私は病院で働いています。 (Watashi wa byōin de hataraite im
6. I’m very honored to meet you. – お会いできて光栄です。 (Oaidekite kouei desu
Scenario 1: Meeting a friend of a friend

Speaker Romaji English

1.) Speaker Mark - Konnichiwa! Watashi no
namae wa [Māku] desu. Anata no namae wa nan
desu ka?

2) Speaker Takeshi -[Māku] san, konnichiwa!

Watashi no namae wa [Takeshi] desu.

Mark: Anata no shigoto wa nan desu ka?

Takeshi: Watashi wa [webu dezainā]
desu.
I am a [web designer].

Mark: Doko shusshin desu ka?

Where are you from? (e.g. hometown/
region)

Takeshi: Watashi wa [Miyagi-ken]

shusshin desu.
Scenario 2: Meeting a fellow student

In this example, Chelsea and Shoko use the

casual or simple introduction.

Ex: Watashi wa Chelsea desu.

This is polite and more common among students

or younger speakers.
Speaker Romaji English
Nice to meet you. I’m
Hajimemashite. [Chelsea]. (Thank you
Chelsea [Cherushii] desu. in advance/ I’m looking
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. forward to the time
ahead).
Konnichiwa, [Cherushii]
Hi [Chelsea], my name
Erie san. Watashi wa [Erie]
is [Shoko].
desu.
Watashi wa ryuugakusei I’m an exchange
Chelsea desu. Anata wa student. Are you an
ryuugakusei desu ka? exchange student?
No, I’m actually a
Iie, watashi wa koko no
Erie university student
daigakusei desu.
here.
 What are you
C Nani wo benkyou shiteimasu ka?
studying?
Watashi wa [nihon no rekishi] wo I’m studying
S
benkyou shiteimasu. [Japanese history].
Scenario 3: Talking about interests
Talking about interests and hobbies is a great way to get
to know more about someone. In this example, Arman
and Maki have already introduced themselves.
Speaker Romaji English
What work do you do?
Arman (A) O shigoto wa nan desu ka?
(What is your job?)
Watashi wa [kangohu] to shite
Maki (M) I work as a [nurse].
hataraite imasu.
A Shumi wa nan desu ka? What are your hobbies?
M [Dansu] to [gitā] ga suki desu. I like [dancing] and [guitar].
Intermediate Scenarios

To familiarize yourself with kanji (characters

originally from Chinese script), we have
included typical Japanese ( 日本語 ) for these
intermediate level scenarios.

Scenario 4: Meeting a colleague

Generally speaking, work or business
context calls for extra formality in Japan. In
this example, we can see Jun introduce
himself by first name, while Sato introduces
himself by surname.
 Asking someone if they speak English

 If you want to take your simple Japanese

conversation further, you might want to speak in
English.
 It doesn’t hurt to ask if they speak English!

•Aki: If it’s okay with you, can I speak in English?

• もしよろしければ、英語で話してもいいですか。
• Moshi yoroshikereba eigo de hanashitemo ii
desuka
•Tomo: Sure, no problem. I need to practice
my English, too. How long have you been
studying English for?
• もちろん、問題ありません。私も英語を練習しなければいけません。英語は、どれくら
い長く勉強してますか。

• Mochiron mondai arimasen. Watashi mo

eigo wo renshuu shinakereba ikemasen.
Eigo wa doregurai nagaku benkyou
shitemasuka
•Aki: I’ve been studying English for
about 2 years now. But it is still hard for me
to converse.
• 英語は、 2 年ぐらい勉強しています。でも、まだ話すのが大変です。
• Eigo wa ni nen gurai benykou shiteimasu.
Demo mada hanasu no ga taihen desu
Vocabulary:
 Eigo – English Taihen –
tough
 Mondai – Problem Demo – but

 Hanasu – to speak (verb)

 Benkyou – study
5. Ask for directions

This is one of the most useful phrases anywhere you go. So,
don’t forget to remember it.
Your Japanese conversation can go like this:
•Aki: Excuse Me. Do you have a moment to spare?
• すいません。ちょっと時間ありますか。
• Suimasen. Chotto jikan arimasuka.
•Tomo: Yes, sure what’s up? Are you lost?
• はい、いいですよ。迷っているのですか。
• Hai, iidesuyo. Mayotte iruno desuka
•Aki: Yes, I am lost. Can you tell me where Takashimaya is?
• はい、ちょっと迷っています。タカシマヤがどこにあるか、教えてもらえますか。
• Hai, chotto mayotte imasu. Takashimaya ga doko ni aruka
oshiete moraemasuka
•Tomo: If you go straight here, you can turn right at
the first stoplight. Then, you will see it on your left
side.
• ここをまっすぐ行くと、最初の信号で右に曲がってください。左側にあります。
• Koko wo massugu iku to saisho no shingou de
migi ni magattekudasai. Hidari gawa ni arimasu

Some words from this simple Japanese conversation:

•Suimasen – casual way of saying “excuse me”
• the proper way, with proper spelling and all, is
sumimasen
•Chotto – a little
•Jikan – Time
•ii – good
•Doko – where
•Massugu – straight
•Saisho – first
•Shingou – stop light
•Migi – right
•Hidari – Left
6. Talking about your routine in Japanese
This Japanese conversation dialogue is about a gym-going Jon
and his coworker, Tanaka. Basically, they’re just talking about a
daily routine.
But, here, the Japanese comes first and the translations come
after. Cool?
•Tanaka: ジョンさん、いつもいっぱい食べますね。
• Jon-san, itsumo ippai tabemasune.
• Jon, you always eat a lot, huh.
•Jon: 毎日、午前中、おなかがペコペコです。
• Mainichi, gozenchuu, onaka ga pekopekodesu.
• I get hungry every day in the morning.
•Tanaka: 朝ごはんは、毎日食べますか。
 • Asagohan wa, mainichi tabemasu ka?
• Do you eat breakfast everyday?
•Jon: はい、食べます。そして、ジムに行きます。それから、会社に行きます。
• Hai, tabemasu. Soshite, jimu ni ikimasu.
Sorekara, kaisha ni ikimasu.
• Yes, I do eat. I also go to the gym. After that,
I go to work (company).
•Tanaka: へぇ、毎日ですか。すごいですね。
• Hee, mainichi desu ka? Sugoi desu ne.
• Wow, every day? That’s incredible.
•Jon: たなかさんは、うんどうしますか。
• Tanakasan wa, undou shimasuka?
• What about you, Tanaka? Do you work out?
•Tanaka: わたしは、ときどき、プールに行きます。
• Watashi wa tokidoki puur ni ikimasu.
• I go to the pool sometimes.
7. Students Getting to Know Each Other

This is a fairly common Japanese conversation script

and similar to what you’ve learned with introducing
yourself. Take a look.
•Student 1: 学生ですか。
• Gakusei desu ka?
• Are you a student?
•Student 2: はい。月大学（つきだいがく）の留学生です。
• Hai, tsuki daigaku no ryuugakusei desu.
• Yes, I’m an exchange student at “tsuki”
university.
•Student 2: 本当？何年生ですか。
• Hontou? Nan nensei desu ka?
• Really? What year are you?
•Student 1: 二年生です。専攻は英語学です。
• I’m a sophmore (lit. 2nd year). My major is English.
• Daigaku ninen sei. Watashi no senko wa eigodesu.

8. Drinking in Japanese
This next Japanese conversation dialogue is about getting
“smashed” in Japanese. Well, just about buying drinks.
•A: まさとさんは、なにをのみますか。ワインですか？ビールですか。
• Masato san wa, nani wo nomimasu ka? Wain desuka? Biiru
desu ka?
• Masato, what will you drink? Wine? Beer?
•Masato: ぼくは、ビールをのみます。
• Boku wa biiru wo nomimasu.
• I’ll drink beer.
•A: じゃ、ビールをかいます。かおりさんは？かおりさんもビールをのみますか？
• Ja, biiru wo kaimasu. Kaori san wa? Kaori san mo biiru wo
nomimasu ka?
• Ok, I’ll buy beer. Kaori? Kaori will you drink beer too?
•Kaori: ええ。ちょっと
• Ee, chotto.
• Yeah, a little.
•Student 1: うそ？月大（つきだい）？私も 月大（つきだい）の 学生です。
• Uso? Tsukidai? Watashi mo tsukidai no gakusei desu.
• No way! Tsuki? I’m also a student at Tsuki University.
9. Asking about things in Japanese
If you want to know how to ask about things, this Japanese conversation
script helps.
•Masato: これはなんですか？
• Kore wa nan desu ka?
• What is it?
•Bob: それはミートローフです。
• Sore wa meetoroofu desu.
• That is meatloaf.
•Masato: ミートローフ・・・？
• Meetoroofu…..?
•Bob: はい。にくです。
• Hai. Niku desu.
• Yes. It’s meat.
10. Where you are from.
This last Japanese conversation script deals
with origins. And it’s good to know. Talking
about where you’re from in Japanese is very
common topic if you’re a foreigner in Japan.

•Masato: 出身はどこですか。
• Shusshin wa doko desu ka?
• Where are you from? (Lit: Where’s your
hometown)
•Bob: アメリカです。
• Amerika desu.
• I’m from America.
•Benito: メキシコです。
• Mekishiko desu.
• I’m from Mexico.
•Ben: フランスです。
• Furansu desu.
• I’m from France.
•Larry: ベトナムです。
• Betonamu desu.
• I’m from Vietnam.
Japanese Conversation Topics

What are some popular things to talk about in Japanese?

What are good Japanese conversation topics. Well, let’s say you
introduced yourself and know about the other person. What then?
List of Japanese conversation topics to talk about:
•Weather (it’s always good to know Japanese weather words)
•The difference between Japan and your country
•Things you like about Japanese culture
•Where you’re from in Japanese (natives will always ask you)
•Ask about their “type” and love life
•Music
•Recent News
In other words, everything that you already talk about in your lang
•Hobbies
– The Main Junkie
Some common KANJI words
re Kanji Set Up?
How Are Kanji Set Up?japanese kanji