Common Phrases

Question 1

‘I understand’ (formal)
used in happy situations

Answer 1

わかりました (wakarimashita)
used in serious situations

Question 2

‘I understand’ (casual)

Answer 2

わかった (wakatta)

Question 3

“Who’s this?”

you might ask this on a phone call

Answer 3

どちら様ですか？(dochira-sama desu ka?)

Question 4

What’s your name?

Answer 4

お名前は何ですか？ (Onamae wa nan desu ka?)

お名前 (onamae) - name
は (wa) - topic marker
何 (nan) - what
です (desu) - is/am/are
か (ka) - question marker

Question 5

“I don’t know”
BUT some japanese people use it also for “I don’t understand” which can be confusing.

Answer 5

わからない (Wakaranai)

Question 6

I dont understand (polite)

Answer 6

分かりません (Wakarimasen)

Question 7

where are you from?

Answer 7

どこから来た？ (Doko kara kita?)

Question 8

please

Answer 8

お願いします

Question 9

sorry

Answer 9

ごめん

Question 10

no

Answer 10

いいえ

Question 11

a little bit

Answer 11

少しだけ

少し (sukoshi) means “a little” or “a bit.”
* だけ (dake) adds the nuance of “only” or “just,” making it natural for this context.

Question 12

maybe

Answer 12

かも

Question 13

wait

Answer 13

matte

待って

Question 14

No way or I don’t want to

Answer 14

嫌だ (iya da)