Essential Japanese for Sapporo & Hakodate ยท Tap any card to copy the Japanese text
๐ Key tips: Japanese people deeply appreciate any attempt at their language โ even a broken "arigato" gets a warm response. Speak slowly and clearly. Bowing slightly when thanking or greeting shows respect. Most restaurant staff and hotel staff in Sapporo speak basic English. At Michelin restaurants, staff often speak conversational English.
โก Instant Survival Kit
ใใใใจใ
Arigatou
Thank you (casual)
ใใฟใพใใ
Sumimasen
Excuse me / Sorry
ใฏใ / ใใใ
Hai / Iie
Yes / No
ใใญใใใใพใ
Onegaishimasu
Please (requesting)
ใใใใใใใใพใใ๏ผ
Eigo, wakarimasu ka?
Do you speak English?
ใใ ใใ ใใ
Kore kudasai
This one, please
ใใใใงใใ๏ผ
Ikura desu ka?
How much is this?
ใใคใฌใฏใฉใ๏ผ
Toire wa doko?
Where is the toilet?
๐
๐ฃ๏ธ Pronunciation Guide โ Key Sounds
ใ
A
like "ah"
ใ
I
like "ee"
ใ
U
like "oo" (short)
ใ
E
like "eh"
ใ
O
like "oh"
ใค
TSU
"tsu" (cats+oo)
ใ
N
nasal "n"
ใผ
Long vowel
hold the sound
ใฃ
Double cons.
pause before next
Key rules: Every syllable has equal stress (unlike English). Long vowels (ล, ลซ) are held twice as long. R sounds like a soft L/R blend โ touch tongue tip briefly behind upper teeth. G is always hard (like "get"). Double consonants (kk, tt) โ pause slightly before them.