0.2.1 Basic Conversation

Question 1

Translate to Japanese:

Excuse me

(to pass by someone)

Answer 1

すみません

sumimasen

excuse me / sorry = sumimasen (すみません)

This is an extremely useful word for lightly apologizing, getting someone’s attention, or showing gratitude.

In some contexts, sumimasen (すみません) can even be used to thank someone if you feel you have caused them inconvenience by requesting or asking something.

Question 2

Translate to Japanese:

Excuse me

(to get someone’s attention)

Answer 2

あの、すみません！

Ano, sumimasen!

Umm / Well… = ano (あの)

ano (あの) is a hesitation or softening word used when someone is gently initiating a request or thinking.

Question 3

Translate to Japanese:

Pardon me

Answer 3

しつれいします

shitsureishimasu

shitsureishimasu (しつれいします) is a useful, polite expression that is used in many contexts.

In business or school settings, it is used after interrupting someone or when entering or leaving an office or meeting space.

Question 4

Translate to Japanese:

I’m sorry

Answer 4

ごめんなさい

gomennasai

gomennasai (ごめんなさい) is only used to apologize. It is not used to get someone’s attention.

Question 5

Translate to Japanese:

It’s ok. / No problem

Answer 5

だいじょうぶです。

daijoubu desu.

alright = daijoubu (だいじょうぶ)

daijoubu (だいじょうぶ) is a versatile word that can also mean “no problem”, “okay”, and “safe”

Question 6

Translate to Japanese:

Hi!

(very casual)

Answer 6

おっす

ossu

hi = ossu (おっす)

ossu (おっす) is a very casual way to say “hi” or “hey” to peers of the same age.

It should be used with close friends, not in businesses, schools, or with strangers.

ossu (おっす) is typically used by men, while yahho (やっほ) is a more feminine greeting.

Question 7

[What is being said in the audio recording?]

Answer 7

• Man: あ、すみません！ (A, sumimasen!)
• Woman: だいじょうぶです！(Daijoubu desu!)

Translation:

Man: “Ah, [I’m] sorry!”

Woman: “[It’s] alright!”

Ah = a (あ)

Question 8

Translate to Japanese:

Mr. Suzuki

Answer 8

すずきさん

Suzuki san

a respecful suffix for names = san (さん)

In Japanese, san (さん) is added to the end of someone’s surname to add a title that is similar to “Mr./Ms.”.

Note: san (さん) is not used to refer to yourself and is considered rude to do so.

Question 9

Translate to Japanese:

Ms. Tanaka

Answer 9

たなかさん

Tanaka san

Remember that we use the word san (さん) regardless of marital status and equally for men and women.

Question 10

Translate to Japanese:

Yes, please.

Answer 10

はい、おねがいします。

Hai, onegaishimasu

onegaishimasu (おねがいします) is used in many contexts where you are requesting something.

Question 11

Translate to Japanese:

No, thank you.

Answer 11

いいえ、けっこうです。

Iie, kekkou desu.

No thank you / [I’m] good = kekkou desu (けっこうです)

Rather than flatly saying “No, thank you”, kekkou desu (けっこうです) is used to show that you are content as you are.

It’s commonly used when declining offers in shops, restaurants, or daily conversation.

Question 12

Translate to Japanese:

What? / Huh?

Answer 12

なに？ / え？

nani? / e?

Question 13

Translate to Japanese:

What does “sugoi” mean?

Answer 13

すごいとはどういういみですか。

“Sugoi” to wa douiu imi desu ka.

meaning = imi (いみ)

douiu (どういう) is a short phrase that roughly means “what kind of”.

Structure:
[Word] to wa douiu imi desu ka. ([Word] とはどういういみですか。)

Question 14

Translate to Japanese:

in English

Answer 14

えいごで

eigo de

in = de (で)

de (で) in this context can also be translated as “by means of”.

Question 15

Translate to Japanese:

How do you say “window” in Japanese?

Answer 15

にほんごで「window」はなんといいますか。

nihongo de 「window」 wa nan to iimasu ka.

How do you say… = …nan to iimasu ka (なんといいますか)

Using the question word “what”, nan (なん), with the verb “to say”, iimasu (いいます), creates the basis of this question.

Structure:
[Language] de (で) [word] wa は nan to iimasu ka (なんといいますか。)

Question 16

Translate to Japanese:

I don’t understand.

Answer 16

わかりません

wakarimasen

I don’t understand = wakarimasen (わかりません)

This is the negative, polite form of “to understand”, wakarimasu (わかります).

Question 17

Translate to Japanese:

That’s right.

Answer 17

そうです。

sou desu.

right / correct = sou (そう)

This short sentence is used to confirm understanding.

In polite situations, the verb “to be”, desu (です), is added.

Question 18

Translate to Japanese:

Correct!

Answer 18

せいかい！

seikai!

seikai (せいかい) is used in contexts such as assessments, verifying factual information, or checking if something matches a standard answer.

Question 19

Translate to Japanese:

More, please

Answer 19

もっとください。

motto kudasai.

more = motto (もっと)

please = kudasai (ください)

Question 20

Translate to Japanese:

This one

Answer 20

これ

kore

kore (これ) is used when talking about something that is closer to you, the speaker.

Question 21

Translate to Japanese:

That one

Answer 21

それ

sore

sore (それ) is used when talking about something that is closer to the listener than you.

Question 22

Translate to Japanese:

That one (far away from the speaker and listener)

Answer 22

あれ

are

are (あれ) is used when the object you’re talking about is not close to you or the listener.

Question 23

Translate to Japanese:

Speak more slowly, please

Answer 23

もっとゆっくりはなしてください。

motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai

slowly = yukkuri (ゆっくり)

yukkuri (ゆっくり) is used in many contexts and can also mean “leisurely” and “with time to spare”.

kudasai (ください), “please”, is added to the end to make a polite request.

Note: hanashite (はなして) is a conjugated form of the verb hanashimasu (はなします), “to speak”, which allows us to add “please”, kudasai (ください).

Question 24

Translate to Japanese:

Could you say that once more, please?

Answer 24

もういちどいってください。

mou ichido itte kudasai

once more = mou ichido (もういちど)

itte (いって) comes from the verb iimasu (いいます) “to say”.

kudasai (ください), “please”, is added to the end to make a polite request.