PG012

24 Greetings & Civilities

Please.

(when presenting something) dózo Please.

(when asking for something) onegai shimasu No.

iie Yes. ha i

You’re welcome.

do itashimashite Excuse me.

sumimasen I’m sorry.

gomen nasai Do you understand?

wakarimasu ka ?

I don’t understand.

wakarimasen I understand.

wakarimasu Be careful. ki o tsukete kudasai

This is Mr, Mrs, Miss........

kochira wa........san desu

Smali Talk

Outside cosmopolitan Tokyo, don’t be surprised to be approached by college-aged Japanese or young sararimen (salarymen) wanting to strike up a conversation. Although most Japanese are reluctant to try out their English or risk an embarrassing situation with a foreigner, their desire to be helpful will often overcome their reserve.

One of the most effect.ive icebreakers you can use to meet Japanese (and vice versa) is to ask them to take your picture in front of something, anything. Approach them with your camera, smile andsay sumimasen (excuse me), and point at your camera and then at your nose (the way Japanese signify ‘me’). This invariably results in much smiling, bowing, and exploratory chit-chat if you follow the picture taking with any of the following ąuestions:

Are you a student? anata wa gakusei desu ka ?

Where are you from? dochira kara irashaimashita ka?

Are you on holiday? kyuka desuka?

Have you been here before? mae ni koko ni kita koto ga arimasu ka?

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