Tell me 3 Japanese words you know, and most people would probably say, KONNICHIWA! SAYONARA! And ARIGATO!
Or The foodie bunch may say, SUSHI! SUKIYAKI! SASHIMI! It’s good to know these words, but they won’t help you out occasionally.
Today I’d like to introduce you 3 simple Japanese words you can use in your daily life that you can actually use A LOT. I’ll also give you tips on how you should be using them, so you can act like you knew this for your entire life and bring it out naturally.
Here we go!
3 Japanese words that you can use in many situations
1. Sumimasen.
This is a truly magical Japanese word, and at the same time very confusing for beginner Japanese learners. There are basically 2 meanings – 1. Apology, 2. Appreciation.
Yes, amazingly it is. Exactly the same pronounciation. So that’s why I say it’s a magical word.
Woah, tough?
Take a look at the video clip below. I really love the different SUMIMASENs they do.
Who said that Japanese people are less expressive compared to people from other countries!
So here’s a tip for you, making great use of SUMIMASEN is all about drama!
2. Onegaishimasu.
This is another word that you maybe using a lot when you are in Japan. Literal English translation would be “please”. Ordering at a restaurant, asking for what you are looking for at a shop, requesting to get your AC fixed, and so on, you can say ONEGAISHIMASU in many different situations. Many Japanese learners often get confused with KUDASAI which is another word that has a meaning of “please.” But I suggest you to remember this word first for 2 reasons.
First and main reason is because ONEGAISHIMASU can be used to request a service, whereas KUDASAI cannot. You would definitely be meeting many people in Japan and will be asking for service or just simply an act. Secondly, ONEGAISHIMASU could be used as the polite way of saying KUDASAI. This means that you can keep yourself safe by just using ONEGAISHIMASU.
Of all the different YouTube clips, this one was very easy to follow. Check it out for a better understanding.
The animations are really easy to understand. I hope you got an idea of how it should be used.
3. Domo.
Do you know a Japanese TV character called DOMO kun? He is brown and furry and all he says is “DOMO! DOMO DOMO!” And you can do just the same! No, just kidding. But it is true that DOMO is a very simple to pronounce, short, Japanese word that can have several meanings, so try using it.
DOMO originally was DOUSHITEMO, literally meaning “no matter how much…”, which in turn will work to emphasize the word that comes after DOMO. Therefore, there always should be a word following DOMO. DOMO ARIGATO or DOMO SUMIMASEN both have DOMO before the words to say “Thank you very much” and “Very sorry”. However, as time passed, people started to shorten the expressions by just saying DOMO. So, now are you starting to get the point? Remember how you were supposed to use the word SUMIMASEN?
DOMO can mean “DOMO (ARIGATO)” or “DOMO (SUMIMASEN)”. It”s all about how you try to say the word. Say it with a smile, it”ll probably mean thank you. Say it with a frown, people would guess that you are trying to apologize.
DOMO can also be used as a greeting word, like DOMO KONNICHIWA! So you can sometimes hear Japanese people going “DOMO DOMO!” when they meet each other on the street.
Just one tip on using DOMO. As I”ve told you, DOMO should be followed by a word to go after it for formal use. So please keep in mind that walking up to your Japanese boss saying “DOMO DOMO” would be very casual, and should not be done in a formal situation. But then again, you do see Japanese businessmen bowing towards their client with a fake smile saying “DOMO DOMO”. So, yep, that’s the difficult side of learning the Japanese lanuage.
The Japanese language is a language full of sincerity and consideration towards others
Japanese people think that foreigners aka GAIJIN (a Japanese word that describes non-native Japanese) are very expressive and good at presentation. I think so too. They are very straightforward compared to us Japanese, although which I think has changed somewhat since the millenial Japanese generations have been around. With social media showing great presence, young people in Japan are ready to speak their own words more than ever. But it hadn’t been like this for ages. Japan has had a culture of harmony, in other words, speaking out in a rather direct manner was considered “rude.” It always has been and still is “caring about others.” (I know this is also something that many foreigners in Japan have a hard time dealing with, because Japanese people make you “read between their lines” without saying much). And this is why many Japanese expressions including the ones that I introduced today have broad meanings and pertain several interpretations, to leave it indirect.
Tips from this article
So, are you ready to use them?
Imagine yourself in a Japanese restaurant. You are going through the menu, ready to order. You look around to find your server, you raise your hand and say, “SUMIMASEN!”
You point out your orders on the menu. You’re done ordering. You look up at your server and say, “ONEGAISHIMASU.”
The server brings your food to your table, you smell the delicious Japanese food right in front of you. You thank the server saying, “DOMO.”
There, you’re dining like a Japanese!
Now you won’t forget these 3 words. These words are very short and easy to use in many situations, so it would be convenient for beginner Japanese learners.
I hope they can help you.
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